Paul Cochrane
Asphalt Fumes & Occupational Exposure Concerns
updated
Even materials that do not burn in larger pieces (such as aluminum or iron), given the proper conditions, can be explosible in dust form reports OSHA. The force from such an explosion can cause deaths, injuries and the destruction of entire buildings or factories.
The agency goes on to caution that a wide variety of materials that can be explosible in dust form exist. Examples of these materials include: food (e.g., candy, sugar, spice, starch, flour, feed), grain, tobacco, plastics, wood, paper, pulp, rubber, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, dyes, coal and metals (e.g., aluminum, chromium, iron, magnesium, and zinc). These materials are used in a broad range of industries and processes, such as agriculture, chemical manufacturing, pharmaceutical production, furniture manufacturing, textiles, fossil fuel power generation, recycling operations, and metal working and processing.
In many combustible dust incidents, employers and employees were unaware that a hazard even existed. Fortunately, there are ways to monitor indoor conditions and test for combustible dusts. There are also professionals that can train employees and managers to implement dust control, ignition control, prevention and protection measures to mitigate combustible dust dangers.
These are just a few of the many things to know about combustible dusts. To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene, indoor air quality, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
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Acinetobacter baumannii can cause infections in the blood, urinary tract and lungs (pneumonia), or in wounds in other parts of the body. It can also colonize or live in a patient without causing infections or symptoms, especially in respiratory secretions (sputum) or open wounds reports the CDC.
As recently as 2017, carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter caused an estimated 8,500 infections in hospitalized patients and 700 estimated deaths in the United States alone. Those most at risk of infection according to the CDC include patients in hospitals, especially those who:
• are on breathing machines (ventilators)
• have devices such as catheters
• have open wounds from surgery
• are in intensive care units
• have prolonged hospital stays
The agency warns that Acinetobacter can live for long periods of time on environmental surfaces and shared equipment if they are not properly cleaned. The bacteria can spread from one person to another through contact with these contaminated surfaces or equipment, or though person to person spread - often via contaminated hands. CDC advises that in addition to hand hygiene, healthcare providers should pay careful attention to recommended infection control practices, including rigorous environmental cleaning (e.g., cleaning of patient rooms and shared equipment), to reduce the risk of spreading these germs to patients.
These are just a few of the many things to know about Acinetobacter and potential exposure risks. To learn more about this or other infection control, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
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Pseudomonas aeruginosa can cause infections in the blood, lungs (pneumonia) and potentially other parts of the body. CDC reports that the bacteria are constantly finding new ways to avoid the effects of the antibiotics used to treat the infections they cause.
While Pseudomonas aeruginosa lives in the natural environment, it can also be found in the built environment where it can be spread to people, especially those in healthcare settings. Resistant strains of the bacteria can spread in healthcare settings from one person to another through contaminated hands, equipment or surfaces. As recently as 2017, multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa caused an estimated 32,600 infections among hospitalized patients and 2,700 estimated deaths in the United States alone. There have also been numerous products recalled over the years due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa contamination.
Those most at risk of infection according to the CDC include patients in hospitals, especially those:
• on breathing machines (ventilators)
• with devices such as catheters
• with wounds from surgery or burns
CDC advises healthcare providers to pay careful attention to recommended infection control practices, including hand hygiene and environmental cleaning (e.g., cleaning of patient rooms and shared equipment) to reduce the risk of spreading these germs to patients.
These are just a few of the many things to know about Pseudomonas aeruginosa and potential exposure risks. To learn more about this or other infection control, industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
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People at elevated risk listed by the CDC include those who:
• Have had a transplant, especially hematopoietic stem cell transplants
• Have cancer, especially hematologic cancers like leukemia and lymphoma
• Are undergoing cancer treatment (chemotherapy)
• Are taking medications that weaken the immune system, such as corticosteroids and biologics
The agency reminds medical professionals that the signs and symptoms of these infections can vary depending on the patient, the type of mold, and the part of the body affected, but often include the following:
• Fever
• Cough
• Night sweats
• Weight loss
• Shortness of breath
• Sinus symptoms
• Dark scabs, blisters, or ulcers on the skin
To help prevent invasive mold infections in immunocompromised people after a flood or other exposure to water damage and mold, CDC encourages medical professionals to talk with their patients about how to protect themselves. The agency cautions that mold grows where there is moisture, usually within 24-48 hours of flooding, and that even if mold is not visible, it is often present. Immunocompromised people are advised to not enter moldy buildings or to help to clean up mold.
These are just a few of the many things to know about invasive mold infections and potential exposure risks. To learn more about this or other indoor air quality, infection control, industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
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The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) describes wildfire smoke as a complex mixture of gases and particles from burning vegetation and other materials. As a wildfire burns, many different compounds are released in the smoke, such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons, particulate matter (PM), benzene, acrolein and aldehydes.
The agency warns that exposure to wildfire smoke can cause many symptoms, including eye and throat irritation, wheezing and coughing. It can also worsen other illnesses, such as asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, and heart and blood vessel disease. During pregnancy, exposure to wildfire smoke can even affect fetal development according to NIOSH.
To protect outdoor workers from exposure to wildfire smoke, NIOSH recommends steps that employers can take, they include:
• Monitoring the air quality using the Environmental Protection Agency’s U.S. Fire and Smoke Map or one’s state health department website. Follow the recommended actions for the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the area
• Scheduling work for times when the air is less smoky
• Moving tasks to areas not affected by smoke, such as indoors
• Reducing demanding physical activities when the air quality is poor
• Consider wearing a NIOSH Approved N95 or P100 filtering facepiece respirator
• Providing smoke-free break areas and encouraging or requiring workers to use them
It’s also important to note that in some cases, wildfire smoke can make its way indoors, negatively impacting the indoor air quality (IAQ) of places where people work and live.
These are just a few of the many things to know about wildfire smoke and ways to protect outdoor workers from exposure risks. To learn more about this or other air quality, industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
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Mucormycosis is frequently a life-threatening infection and is treated with prescription antifungal medicine according to the CDC. The agency also states that while most cases of mucormycosis are sporadic, outbreaks have occurred. In healthcare settings, CDC reports that it can be difficult to determine whether mucormycosis is healthcare-associated or whether the infections were acquired somewhere else.
People with a weakened immune system could get mucormycosis by inhaling fungal spores or if they enter the skin through an injury. Types of mucormycosis listed by CDC include:
• Rhinocerebral (sinus and brain) mucormycosis
• Pulmonary (lung) mucormycosis
• Gastrointestinal mucormycosis
• Cutaneous (skin) mucormycosis
• Disseminated mucormycosis
To help lower the risk of mucormycosis, CDC recommends at-risk people avoid direct contact with water-damaged buildings after a natural disaster, avoid areas with a lot of dust like at construction or excavation sites, and avoid activities that involve close contact with soil or dust.
These are just a few of the many things to know about mucormycosis and potential exposure risks to mucormycetes. To learn more about this or other infection control, air quality, industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
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The fungus can be found in many parts of the world and is most common in the United States in the central and eastern states. However, outbreaks have also occurred in other areas, such as Puerto Rico.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that Histoplasma spores circulate in the air after contaminated soil is disturbed. When people breathe in the spores, they are at risk of developing histoplasmosis. After the spores enter the lungs, a person’s body temperature allows the spores to transform into yeast. The yeast can then travel to lymph nodes and can spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream.
Fortunately, most people who are exposed to Histoplasma never have symptoms and others may have symptoms that go away on their own. According to the CDC, symptoms may appear between 3 and 17 days after exposure and may include fever, cough, fatigue, chills, headache, chest pain and body aches. The very young, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk for developing severe forms of the infection.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) warns that anyone who works with or near materials contaminated with Histoplasma could develop histoplasmosis. Examples of workers listed by NIOSH that could be at risk include those involved with construction, demolition and renovation work, farmers, landscapers, and bridge workers to name a few. Outbreaks have also occurred in the workplace with workers not directly involved in the activities that caused the outbreak. About a third of the histoplasmosis outbreaks in the U.S. are work-related reports NIOSH.
To protect workers, building occupants and the public, there are ways to test the environment for the presence of Histoplasma. There are also elimination and engineering controls, administrative controls, and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) to mitigate exposure risks.
These are just a few of the many things to know about histoplasmosis and Histoplasma. To learn more about this or other infection control, indoor air quality, industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
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Summer allergies can be caused by seasonal outdoor culprits, like pollen or mold, or due to the presence of indoor allergens. Depending on where one lives, they may be exposed to a variety of different pollens. Generally speaking, trees usually pollinate during spring, but grasses and weeds can cause pollen allergies throughout the summer months.
High levels of airborne mold are also a common occurrence during the summer months. Outdoors, warm and moist conditions can be conducive for elevated mold spore counts. This can be an issue for people working or enjoying the outdoors. These same spores can also make their way indoors through open doors and windows, and even on people’s clothes and hair.
For those who suffer from mold allergies, they should also consider inspecting their home, school, office or any other indoor spaces where they spend time for the possible presence of indoor mold growth. Mold will quickly begin to grow on many building materials, furnishings and personal belongings when moisture is present due to water damage or elevated humidity levels. Even mold growing out of sight in a crawl space, basement, attic or wall cavity can cause indoor air quality (IAQ) problems.
Dust mites are another common indoor allergen during the summer months. These tiny creatures thrive during warm and humid conditions. Exposure to pet dander is another frequent culprit. Even ground level ozone, an outdoor pollutant found in elevated concentrations in some areas during the hot summer months, can irritate the lungs and exacerbate allergy symptoms.
These are just a few of the many things to know about summer allergies and indoor air quality. To learn more about this or other environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
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CDC reports that there are approximately 180 species of Aspergillus, but fewer than 40 of them are known to cause infections in humans. Aspergillus fumigatus is the most common cause of human Aspergillus infections. Other species include A. flavus, A. terreus, A. nidulans, A. niger and A. versicolor.
While most people breathe in Aspergillus spores every day without getting sick, CDC warns that people with weakened immune systems or lung diseases are at a higher risk of developing health problems due to Aspergillus. Health problems caused by Aspergillus include allergic reactions, lung infections and infections in other organs.
Types of aspergillosis listed by the CDC include:
• Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA)
• Allergic Aspergillus sinusitis
• Azole-Resistant Aspergillus fumigatus
• Aspergilloma
• Chronic pulmonary aspergillosis
• Invasive aspergillosis
• Cutaneous aspergillosis
Indoor environments that have suffered water damage or elevated humidity levels that have supported the growth of Aspergillus, can be an exposure concern for at-risk building occupants. In healthcare environments, hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) due to Aspergillus have been associated with dust exposure during building renovations or construction.
These are just a few of the many things to know about aspergillosis and potential exposure risks to Aspergillus. To learn more about this or other indoor air quality, infection control, industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
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VOCs are an indoor air quality (IAQ) concern because they are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects. Concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoors, and VOCs are emitted by a wide array of products numbering in the thousands reports the EPA.
Possible health effects from exposure to VOCs shared by EPA include:
• Eye, nose and throat irritation
• Headaches, loss of coordination and nausea
• Damage to the liver, kidneys and central nervous system
• Some organics can cause cancer in animals, and some are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans
EPA also lists key signs or symptoms associated with possible exposure to VOCs, including:
• conjunctival irritation
• nose and throat discomfort
• headache
• allergic skin reaction
• dyspnea
• declines in serum cholinesterase levels
• nausea
• emesis
• epistaxis
• fatigue
• dizziness
As with other indoor pollutants, the extent and nature of any health effect will depend on many factors, including which VOCs cause the exposure, the level of exposure, length of time exposed and the individual.
These are just a few of the many things to know about VOCs and the indoor environment. To learn more about this or other indoor air quality, industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
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Most of the methamphetamine abused in the United States now comes from drug trafficking organizations that manufacture it in foreign super labs, although some is still made domestically in clandestine laboratories located across the country. These meth labs have been found everywhere from secluded rural areas to residential, commercial and industrial districts, including in single family homes, apartments, businesses, RVs and even hotels.
Meth labs not only endanger current building occupants, but also first responders, neighbors and the environment. This is due to the fact that the production of meth involves dangerous and explosive chemicals. And, because producing a pound of meth creates many pounds of toxic waste, this hazardous waste is often disposed of down a drain or dumped outdoors.
In response, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published its Voluntary Guidelines for Methamphetamine and Fentanyl Laboratory Cleanup. In it, EPA lists chemicals used in meth production and their many health hazards. They include acetone, ammonium nitrate, anhydrous ammonia, camping fuel, ether, hydriodic acid, hydrogen chloride gas, hydrogen peroxide, iodine, isopropyl alcohol, lithium metal, methanol, mineral spirits, muriatic acid, pseudoephedrine, red phosphorous, sodium hydroxide, sodium metal, sulfuric acid and toluene.
A number of these chemicals can contaminate a property. Residues may be left on surfaces, and materials such as carpeting, wallboard, ceiling tiles, furniture and fabric can easily absorb spilled or vaporized chemicals. These chemicals may pose a significant health risk, including for future building occupants, especially when children are involved. This is why it is essential, and sometimes required by law - depending on the property’s location, for a former meth laboratory to be properly remediated by qualified professionals.
These are just a few of the many things to know about the hazards left behind by the production of meth. To learn more about this or other indoor air quality, industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
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The agency goes on to share:
There are many sources of these pollutants. Pollens originate from plants; viruses are transmitted by people and animals; bacteria are carried by people, animals, and soil and plant debris; and household pets are sources of saliva and animal dander. The protein in urine from rats and mice is a potent allergen. When it dries, it can become airborne. Contaminated central air handling systems can become breeding grounds for mold, mildew and other sources of biological contaminants and can then distribute these contaminants through the home.
Possible health effects from exposure to some biological contaminants listed by EPA include:
• Hypersensitivity pneumonitis
• Allergic rhinitis
• Some types of asthma
The agency reports that symptoms of health problems caused by biological pollutants may include:
• Sneezing
• Watery eyes
• Coughing
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Lethargy
• Fever
• Digestive problems
In addition to COVID, EPA also shares the fact that infectious illnesses, such as influenza, measles and chicken pox are transmitted through the air. Legionella bacteria, sometimes found in building water system can cause Legionnaires’ disease and Pontiac fever if contaminated water droplets or mists are inhaled, and some types of mold can also cause infections, especially for those with a weakened immune system. Various types of mold can even produce toxins, known as mycotoxins.
These are just a few of the many things to know about some of the common biological contaminants found indoors. To learn more about this or other indoor air quality, industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
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These are all reasons to not be exposed to elevated levels of it indoors, but mold will grow almost anywhere indoors if there is enough moisture. Elevated humidity levels, condensation, water leaks and flood damage can all allow for the rapid growth of mold in a home, school or any type of building.
To help prevent indoor mold growth, the CDC provides the following tips:
• Keep humidity levels in the home low - no higher than 50% - all day long. An air conditioner or dehumidifier will help keep the level low. Humidity levels change over the course of a day so check the humidity levels more than once during the day.
• Be sure the air in the home flows freely. Use exhaust fans that vent outside the home in the kitchen and bathrooms. Also make sure the clothes dryer vents outside the home.
• Fix any leaks in the home’s roof, walls or plumbing so mold does not have moisture to grow.
• Clean up and dry out the home fully and quickly (within 24–48 hours) after a flood.
• Add mold inhibitors to paints before painting. Mold inhibitors can be bought at paint and home improvement stores.
• Clean bathrooms with mold-killing products.
• Remove or replace carpets and upholstery that have been soaked and cannot be dried right away. Think about not using carpet in places like bathrooms or basements that may have a lot of moisture.
These are just a few of the many things to know about preventing indoor mold growth. To learn more about this or other indoor air quality, industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
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While the bacteria can be found naturally in freshwater environments, it can become a health concern if it grows and spreads in man-made building water systems. This is due to the fact that water containing Legionella can spread in droplets small enough for people to inhale and about 1 in 10 people who get sick from Legionnaires’ disease die. CDC also states that less commonly, people can get sick by aspiration of drinking water containing Legionella.
The agency reports that most healthy people exposed to Legionella do not get sick. People at increased risk of getting sick include:
• People 50 years or older
• Current or former smokers
• Those with a chronic lung disease (like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or emphysema)
• People with weak immune systems or who take drugs that weaken the immune system (like after a transplant operation or chemotherapy)
• Those with cancer
• People with underlying illnesses such as diabetes, kidney failure or liver failure
CDC warns that the signs and symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease are very similar to other types of pneumonia. They may include cough, shortness of breath, fever, muscle aches and headaches. These and other symptoms usually begin 2 to 14 days after being exposed to the bacteria, but it can take longer.
Some of the building water systems listed by the CDC where Legionella could grow and spread include:
• Showerheads and sink faucets
• Cooling towers (structures that contain water and a fan as part of centralized air cooling systems for buildings or industrial processes)
• Hot tubs
• Decorative fountains and water features
• Hot water tanks and heaters
• Large, complex plumbing systems
These are just a few of the many things to know about Legionella and Legionnaires’ disease. To learn more about this or other indoor air quality, infection control, industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
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In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 30% of people carry Staphylococcus aureus in their nose. While most of the time staph does not cause harm, it can sometimes cause infections ranging from minor skin infections to more serious infections that can be fatal. This can be especially true in healthcare settings where patients may have a weakened immune system or have undergone medical procedures that make them more susceptible to infections. CDC reports these infections may include:
• Bacteremia or sepsis when bacteria spread to the bloodstream
• Pneumonia, which predominantly affects people with underlying lung disease
• Endocarditis, which can lead to heart failure or stroke
• Osteomyelitis, which can be caused by staph bacteria traveling in the bloodstream or put there by direct contact following trauma.
These infections can be caused by different types of Staphylococcus aureus, including some that are resistant to certain antibiotics. Various types include:
• Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
• Methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA)
• Vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (VISA)
• Vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA)
According to foodsafety.gov, people who carry staph can contaminate food if they don't wash their hands before touching it. Foods that are not cooked after handling, such as sliced meats, puddings, pastries and sandwiches, are especially risky if contaminated with staph.
These are just a few of the many things to know about Staphylococcus aureus and potential exposure risks. To learn more about this or other infection control, industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
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Some of the more common indoor allergens include mold, pollen, dust mites, cockroaches, latex, rodents, and pet dander, saliva and urine. People can also experience allergy symptoms from exposure to airborne particulates, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), smoke and numerous other substances. Even for those without allergies, exposure to some of these substances can cause respiratory irritation or act as an asthma trigger for some asthmatics.
Regarding the impact of biological pollutants’ on indoor air quality (IAQ), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that allergic reactions occur only after repeated exposure to a specific biological allergen. However, that reaction may occur immediately upon re-exposure or after multiple exposures over time. As a result, people who have noticed only mild allergic reactions, or no reactions at all, may suddenly find themselves very sensitive to particular allergens.
Fortunately, there are ways to test the indoor environment for the presence of allergens. If found at elevated concentrations, steps can then be taken to mitigate or eliminate exposure. These may include identifying and eliminating sources of indoor mold growth, improving ventilation and air filtration, changes to cleaning protocols – such as switching to the use of a vacuum with HEPA filtration, or one of many other steps that exist that could benefit those suffering from allergies.
These are just a few of the many things to know about common indoor allergens. To learn more about this or other indoor air quality, industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that programs that promote healthy indoor air quality can:
• Improve health;
• Increase students’ ability to learn;
• Improve test scores; and
• Improve adult productivity in the school system.
In response to COVID, many schools increased ventilation rates and invested in air purification and filtration systems to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus virus. These actions can also help to decrease carbon dioxide levels and student and faculty exposure to other gases and airborne viruses, bacteria and mold, and a wide variety of allergens and respiratory irritants. Controlling moisture and dampness in a school building is another area of importance as it can lead to the growth of mold and various respiratory issues.
In fact, EPA warns that failing to prevent or respond promptly to IAQ problems can increase long- and short-term health effects for students and staff, such as:
• Coughing;
• Eye irritation;
• Headaches;
• Allergic reactions;
• Aggravate asthma and/or other respiratory illnesses; and
• In rare cases, contribute to life-threatening conditions such as Legionnaire’s disease or carbon monoxide poisoning.
Maintaining a comfortable temperature and managing humidity levels is also important for comfort and creating conditions conducive for learning.
These are just a few of the many things to know about indoor air quality and student performance. To learn more about this or other IAQ, industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
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Its primary use is in the production of resins and as a chemical intermediate. Formaldehyde is also a by-product of combustion and certain other natural processes. This means in some circumstances, it could be present at elevated concentrations indoors.
Formaldehyde is a volatile organic compound (VOC). As a gas, it is colorless and has a strong odor. Exposure to high concentrations may trigger asthma attacks in some people with the condition. There is some evidence that people can develop a sensitivity to formaldehyde. Health effects could include eye, nose and throat irritation; wheezing and coughing; fatigue; and severe allergic reactions.
As far back as 1987, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classified formaldehyde as a probable human carcinogen. In 2011, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) determined that formaldehyde is a known human carcinogen based on sufficient human and animal inhalation studies. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) also classifies formaldehyde as a human carcinogen.
Sources of formaldehyde in the home include building materials, smoking, household products such as nail polish and permanent press fabrics, and from the use of un-vented, fuel-burning appliances, including gas stoves or kerosene space heaters. One of the most significant sources of formaldehyde in many homes and buildings comes from the off-gassing of pressed wood products made using adhesives that contain urea-formaldehyde resins. Formaldehyde can also be released from some types of insulation.
To help protect workers from exposure to formaldehyde, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set a Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has a Recommended Exposure Limit (REL).
These are just a few of the many things to know about formaldehyde and potential exposure risks. To learn more about this or other indoor air quality, industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
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Asthma triggers are things that can cause asthma symptoms, an episode or attack, or make asthma worse. One of the more common environmental asthma triggers is mold. While mold is a natural part of the environment, exposure to elevated levels of it in people’s homes, schools and work environments can trigger asthma for some asthmatics and cause various respiratory issues for others.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) affirms the fact that mold can trigger asthma episodes in sensitive individuals with asthma, and that people with asthma should avoid exposure to it. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) states that inhaling or touching mold or mold spores can cause a person to become allergic to mold. The agency also reports that mold exposure can trigger asthma symptoms including shortness of breath, wheezing or cough in people with known allergies, and that people who do not have allergies can also become irritated. NIOSH also asserts that studies indicate that exposure to mold in the workplace can make pre-existing asthma worse.
People can be exposed to mold that is visibly growing indoors or it could be growing in places that are out of sight. The best way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture because mold can grow on most building materials, furnishing and personal belongings if left wet or exposed to high humidity levels. Fortunately, there are qualified professionals available to help identify and test for indoor mold issues, remediate any growth, and implement solutions to eliminate moisture sources to help keep it from returning.
These are just a few of the many things to know about mold exposure and asthma. To learn more about this or other indoor air quality, industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
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Particulate matter found indoors includes particles that come from outdoor air and particles that are generated indoors. Outdoor air brings particles indoors when it enters through windows, doors and other openings.
In a residential environment, EPA reports that PM can be generated by:
• Cooking;
• Some cleaning activities;
• Combustion activities – such as burning candles; use of fireplaces, unvented space heaters, and kerosene heaters; and by smoking tobacco or other products;
• Biological contaminants – such as animals, pests, plants and mold;
• Printers; and
• Indoor chemical reactions.
EPA also states that indoor dust is settled PM from a variety of sources and may contain:
• Outdoor soil and dust that has been blown or tracked indoors;
• Biological particles, also known as biological contaminants, including pollen, mold spores, pet dander, dust mites, and human skin flakes and hair;
• Particles from human activities, such as cooking, cleaning and burning candles;
• Particles from consumer and personal care products;
• Plastics, flame retardant and pesticides; and
• Sometimes industrial chemicals and heavy metals, such as lead.
These are some of the many potential sources of PM and dust that can be found indoors. The good news is there are ways to measure the amount of PM indoors and identify its composition. With this information, steps can be taken to improve the indoor air quality and mitigate any exposure concerns that may be present.
These are just a few of the many things to know about sources of indoor particulate matter. To learn more about this or other indoor air quality, industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
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The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports: “Lithium batteries are generally safe and unlikely to fail, but only so long as there are no defects and the batteries are not damaged.” Damage to lithium batteries can occur instantaneously or over time from physical damage, from thermal variations (high or low), from erroneous charging or from control system failures.
When lithium batteries fail to operate safely or become damaged, they can present a fire hazard, an internal pressure explosion hazard, a toxic gas emission hazard and/or a flammable gas emission hazard. In addition to the heat and explosion dangers, there are also environmental and exposure issues to consider. These include, but are not limited to, hydrogen fluoride, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen gas and metal particulates (like nickel, cobalt, manganese, lithium, iron, etc.).
With dramatic differences in structures, usage, quantities and other variables, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to lithium battery safety. Because of these variations, it is important to carefully plan for safe daily operations and for emergent events like an explosion or fire.
Fortunately, there are mitigation strategies to help prevent injury and thermal events involving the use of lithium batteries. For businesses and institutions, partnering with experienced environmental, health and safety professionals, and local fire departments, can help to mitigate threats to employees, the public, physical assets, and the environment.
These are just a few of the many things to know about lithium battery fires and potential exposure risks. To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown on below.
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OSHA goes on to share that improving ventilation is a key engineering control that can be used to increase the delivery of clean air and remove or reduce the concentration of viral particles or other contaminants. Building managers may perform some steps to improve indoor air, while others should be conducted by qualified heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) professionals.
Key steps to improve ventilation according to OSHA include:
• Inspecting air intake and exhaust ports to ensure they are clean and free of ice or snow.
• Replacing filters as necessary to ensure the proper function of the HVAC system.
• Having an HVAC professional conduct all regularly scheduled inspections and maintenance.
• Adding portable air cleaners with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters in spaces with high occupancy or limited ventilation.
OSHA also reports that maintaining a healthy HVAC system requires an HVAC professional to:
• Ensure all HVAC systems are operating in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and design specifications.
• Maximize the amount of outdoor air supplied consistent with the heating capacity of the HVAC system. Rebalance or adjust HVAC systems to increase total airflow to occupied spaces. Total airflow includes both outside and recirculated air.
• Install air filters with a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) 13 (or equivalent) or higher where feasible. If MERV-13 filters are not compatible with the HVAC system, use filters with the highest compatible filtering efficiency for the HVAC system.
• Clean HVAC system drain pans, heating and cooling coils, and supply/return registers to eliminate areas where contaminants can settle.
These are just a few of the many things to know about improving workplace ventilation during cold weather. To learn more about this or other indoor air quality, industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
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The agency does warn that excess moisture in the air can encourage the growth of biological organisms in the home. These organisms include dust mites, which are microscopic animals that produce materials causing allergic reactions, and mold. EPA also states that microorganisms often grow in humidifiers which are equipped with tanks containing standing water. Breathing mist containing these pollutants has been implicated as causing a certain type of inflammation of the lungs.
To inform the public of these risks, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) released a Safety Alert about how dirty humidifiers may cause health problems. In it, CPSC reports that breathing dirty mist may cause lung problems ranging from flu-like symptoms to serious infections.
Mineral exposure is also addressed in the CPSC Safety Alert. They report that minerals can be released in the mist and settle as fine white dust. This white dust may contain particles that are small enough to enter the lungs.
To help prevent these types of exposures, EPA provides the following tips for use and care of home humidifiers:
• Empty the tank, wipe all surfaces dry, and refill the water in portable humidifiers daily to reduce any growth of microorganisms.
• Use water with low mineral content, such as distilled water, to prevent releasing minerals into the air.
• Clean portable humidifiers every third day to reduce the buildup of scale and microorganisms.
• If using a cleaning or disinfecting agent to clean the humidifier, rinse the tank thoroughly to avoid releasing chemicals into the air.
These are just a few of the many things to know about humidifiers and potential indoor air quality issues. To learn more about this or other indoor air quality, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
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To help improve workplace safety each year, OSHA releases a list of the 10 most frequently cited safety and health violations for the fiscal year. The list is compiled from tens of thousands of workplace inspections conducted by OSHA staff. For 2022, fall protection was the most-cited standard for the 12th year in a row.
The preliminary list (preliminary data from Oct. 1, 2021 through Sept. 6, 2022) of OSHA’s Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards, for fiscal year 2022, are as follows:
1. Fall Protection - General Requirements (5,260 violations)
2. Hazard Communication (2,424 violations)
3. Respiratory Protection (2,185 violations)
4. Ladders (2,143 violations)
5. Scaffolding (2,058 violations)
6. Lockout/Tagout (1,977 violations)
7. Powered Industrial Trucks (1,749 violations)
8. Fall Protection - Training Requirements (1,556 violations)
9. Personal Protective and Life Saving Equipment – Eye and Face Protection (1,401 violations)
10. Machine Guarding (1,370 violations)
After years of releasing the Top 10 list, it unfortunately changes little year-to-year. OSHA urges employers to go beyond the minimal requirements to create a culture of safety at work, which has been shown to reduce costs, raise productivity and improve morale.
These are just a few of the many things to know about the top 10 list of OSHA citations for 2022. To learn more about this or other occupational, industrial hygiene, health, safety or environmental issues, please visit the websites shown below.
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According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), about 85 consumers die in the United States each year from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning caused by gasoline-powered portable generators. CPSC reports that most generator-related deaths (81%) occur in residential locations and the top three reasons for using a generator among the reported fatal incidents were weather-related power outages, power shut-offs, and attempts to provide power to temporary locations, such as cabins, campers and trailers.
Carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas that is extremely poisonous, potentially causing death in minutes if one is exposed to high enough concentrations in the air they breathe. It is sometimes referred to as the ‘quiet killer’ as it displaces oxygen in the blood and deprives the heart, brain and other vital organs of oxygen.
To help prevent carbon monoxide poisonings, CPSC provides the following advice for using a generator safely due to loss of power.
• Never operate a portable generator inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace, shed or on a porch. Opening doors or windows will not provide enough ventilation to prevent the buildup of lethal levels of CO.
• Operate portable generators outside only, at least 20 feet away from the house, and direct the generator’s exhaust away from the home and any other buildings that someone could enter, while keeping windows and other openings closed in the exhaust path of the generator.
• Check that portable generators have had proper maintenance, and read and follow the labels, instructions and warnings on the generator and in the owner’s manual.
• Look for portable generators that shut off automatically when high levels of CO are present. Some models with CO shut-off also have reduced emissions.
CPSC also recommends installing battery-operated CO alarms or CO alarms with battery backup on each level and outside separate sleeping areas. These CO alarms should also be tested monthly to make sure they are working properly, and replace batteries, if needed.
These are just a few of the many things to know about portable back-up generators and potential carbon monoxide exposure risks. To learn more about this or other indoor air quality, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
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2-Butoxyethanol is used in many industries, including as a solvent and is found in paint strippers, thinners and some household cleaners. Examples of some workers at risk of being exposed to 2-butoxyethanol include the following according to NIOSH:
• Workers in silk-screening and printing occupations
• Workers who make or refinish furniture
• Workers who use spray paints
• Employees exposed to certain household cleaners
• Mechanics and others exposed to hydraulic fluids
• Factory workers who manufacture certain cosmetics
Workers may be harmed from exposure to 2-butoxyethanol with the level of exposure depending upon the dose, duration and work being done. NIOSH reports it can harm the eyes, skin, kidneys and blood. The main routes of occupational exposure include breathing contaminated air and skin contact. ATSDR warns that breathing in large amounts of 2-butoxyethanol may result in irritation of the nose and eyes, headache and vomiting.
To help protect workers, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set a Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) and NIOSH has a Recommended Exposure Limit (REL) for 2-butoxyethanol. Cal/OSHA also has its own PEL.
These are just a few of the many things to know about 2-butoxyethanol and potential occupational exposure risks. To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
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A comfortable temperature and relative humidity, good ventilation, and a lack of unpleasant odors comes to mind for many people when discussing IAQ. Also important is understanding and controlling airborne pollutants found indoors to help reduce the risk of health concerns.
EPA states that the health effects from indoor air pollutants may be experienced soon after exposure or, possibly, years later. These health effects could include everything from irritation of the eyes, nose and throat; headaches, dizziness and fatigue; and respiratory diseases, heart disease and even cancer.
Americans, on average, spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors, where the concentrations of some pollutants are often 2 to 5 times higher than typical outdoor concentrations according to the EPA. These pollutants can come from a combination of outdoor and indoor sources.
Indoor pollutants could be the result of many things, including cleanliness issues, lack of ventilation, dampness, construction activities taking place inside the building, smoking, cooking, indoor activities, new building materials and furnishing, how many people are in the building, and so much more.
Some of the more common IAQ pollutants include mold, pollen, particulate matter, animal dander, Legionella and other bacteria, radon, formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs), pesticides, lead, asbestos, carbon monoxide and combustion gases, and tobacco and marijuana smoke to name just a few.
Fortunately, there are ways to measure the indoor air quality of a building and test for pollutants to understand what people are breathing. With this information, steps can be taken to improve the indoor air quality for all building occupants.
These are just a few of the many things to know about National Indoor Air Quality Awareness Month. To learn more about this or other indoor air quality, industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that 1,4-dioxane has been found in groundwater at sites throughout the United States. The agency goes to share that it is highly mobile and does not readily biodegrade in the environment.
1,4-Dioxane is used in a number of industries. NIOSH lists some examples of workers at potential risk of being exposed to 1,4-dioxane, including:
• Employees working in scientific laboratories
• Workers exposed to certain types of industrial solvents
• Factory workers involved in producing some cosmetics
• Workers in paper pulping industries
Workers may be harmed from exposure to 1,4-dioxane with the level of exposure depending upon the dose, duration and work being done. Exposure can occur by breathing contaminated air, skin contact, or by drinking water or consuming foods that contain it.
NIOSH states that exposure can harm the eyes, skin, lungs, liver and kidneys, and that 1,4-dioxane may cause cancer. ATSDR reports exposure to high levels of 1,4-dioxane in the air can also result in nasal cavity damage.
To help protect workers, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set a Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) and NIOSH has a Recommended Exposure Limit (REL) for 1,4-dioxane. California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) added 1,4-dioxane to the list of chemicals known to the state to cause cancer for purposes of Proposition 65 back in 1988.
These are just a few of the many things to know about 1,4-dioxane and potential occupational exposure risks. To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
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The theme for 2022 is Protecting Agriculture’s Future. Each weekday, from September 19th through the 23rd, has a theme. For this year, they include:
• Tractor Safety & Rural Roadway Safety – Monday
• Overall Farmer Health - Tuesday
• Safety & Health for Youth in Agriculture - Wednesday
• Confined Spaces - Thursday
• Safety & Health for Woman in Agriculture - Friday
Farm safety is an important topic as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that as recently as 2019, there were 573 fatalities in the agricultural sector. This figure makes farming one of the more dangerous occupations.
In addition to fatal accidents and serious injuries, farmers and agricultural workers can be at risk of exposure to a number of airborne hazards that could negatively impact their health. These include everything from mold, bacteria and viruses, to dusts - including combustible dusts, fumes, pesticides – including insecticides, fungicides and disinfectants, and fertilizers to name just a few. Exposure to various hazardous gases can also be a risk. These could include elevated concentrations of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methane, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia and other gases.
Educating farmers and their workers about health and safety risks needs to be an ongoing effort. Through education, training and access to personal protective equipment and monitoring instruments, many fatalities, injuries and illnesses can be prevented.
These are just a few of the many things to know about National Farm Safety and Health Week. To learn more about this or other air quality, industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
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Each year, NIOSH continues respirator research to address knowledge gaps and uses this observance week to share their findings and educational tools to promote proper respiratory protection practices. NIOSH also encourages hosting activities within companies and organizations, whether that be training sessions with staff, educational messages pertaining to specific workplace hazards, or just pictures on social media of staff showing off their proper respiratory protection practices.
Respirators protect the user in two basic ways reports the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The first is by the removal of contaminants from the air. Respirators of this type include particulate respirators, which filter out airborne particles, and air-purifying respirators with cartridges/canisters which filter out chemicals and gases. Other respirators protect by supplying clean respirable air from another source. Respirators that fall into this category include airline respirators, which use compressed air from a remote source, and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), which include their own air supply.
Proper respiratory protection for workers can prevent illnesses and deaths. It also helps to create a culture of safety at work which has been shown to reduce costs, raise productivity and improve morale.
Unfortunately, even with all that is known about the importance of respirators, respiratory protection is one OSHA’s 10 most frequently cited safety and health violations, year after year. For 2021, it was the second most frequently cited standard.
These are just a few of the many things to know about Respiratory Protection Week. To learn more about this or other air quality, industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
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Carbon disulfide is used in many industries as a building block in organic chemistry and as an industrial solvent. NIOSH lists some examples of workers at potential risk of being exposed to carbon disulfide. The list includes:
• Factory workers who work where rubber is made or processed
• Workers involved in cellophane production
• Employees who work in factories where rayon fabric is made
• Employees involved in the production of carbon tetrachloride
Workers may be harmed from exposure to carbon disulfide with the level of exposure depending upon the dose, duration and work being done. Exposure can occur by breathing contaminated air, skin contact, or by drinking water or foods that contain it.
NIOSH states that exposure can cause dizziness, poor sleep, headache, anxiety, anorexia, weight loss and vision changes, and that it can harm the eyes, kidneys, blood, heart, liver, nerves and skin. ATSDR reports breathing very high levels can be life threatening because of its effects on the nervous system. The agency also says breathing low levels for long periods may result in headaches, tiredness, trouble sleeping, and slight changes in the nerves.
To help protect workers, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set a Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) and NIOSH has a Recommended Exposure Limit (REL) for carbon disulfide.
These are just a few of the many things to know about carbon disulfide and potential occupational exposure risks. To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
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The agency listed C. auris as a concerning drug-resistant fungus because it is:
• Often multidrug-resistant, with some strains resistant to all three available classes of antifungals
• Can cause outbreaks in healthcare facilities
• Some common healthcare disinfectants are less effective at eliminating it
• Can be carried on patients’ skin without causing infection, allowing spread to others
While the risk of C. auris infection in otherwise healthy people is low, in some hospitalized patients with a weakened immune system it can cause wound infections, ear infections and bloodstream infections which can spread throughout the body. These invasive infections can be serious and fatal. It has also been isolated from respiratory and urine specimens, but it is unclear if it causes infections in the lung or bladder according to the CDC.
The agency goes on to report that it can be spread in healthcare settings through contact with contaminated environmental surfaces or equipment, or from person to person. CDC also warns that patients and residents in healthcare facilities often remain colonized with C. auris for many months, perhaps indefinitely, even after acute infection (if present) has been treated and resolves.
These are just a few of the many things to know about Candida auris shared by the CDC. To learn more about this or other infection control, industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
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The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reports that it does not matter if a person breathes-in, swallows or absorbs lead particles, the health effects are the same; however, the body absorbs higher levels of lead when it is breathed-in. Lead also typically affects children more than it does adults.
Health Effects from Short-Term Overexposure to Lead
Lead poisoning can happen if a person is exposed to very high levels of lead over a short period of time reports NIOSH. When this happens, a person may feel:
• Abdominal pain
• Constipated
• Tired
• Headachy
• Irritable
• Loss of appetite
• Memory loss
• Pain or tingling in the hands and/or feet
• Weak
The agency goes on to share that because these symptoms may occur slowly or may be caused by other things, lead poisoning can be easily overlooked. Exposure to high levels of lead may also cause anemia, and kidney and brain damage. Very high lead exposure can cause death.
Health Effects from Prolonged Exposure to Lead
NIOSH states that a person who is exposed to lead over time may feel:
• Abdominal pain
• Constipated
• Depressed
• Distracted
• Forgetful
• Irritable
• Nauseous/Sick
People with prolonged exposure to lead may also be at risk for high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney disease, and reduced fertility according to the agency. Lead is also considered to be a likely human carcinogen.
These are just a few of the many things to know about health problems from lead exposure shared by NIOSH. To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
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Ethylene glycol is used to make antifreeze and de-icing solutions for cars, airplanes and boats. It is also used in hydraulic brake fluids and inks used in stamp pads, ballpoint pens and print shops according to ATSDR. Ethylene glycol can be found in some air-conditioning systems and geothermal heating/cooling systems, it is also an important precursor to polyester fibers and resins.
According to NIOSH, ethylene glycol is used in many industries. Some examples of workers at risk of being exposed to ethylene glycol, according to NIOSH, include:
• Factory workers involved in the manufacture of polyester
• Workers who use certain solvents
• Employees working with heating and cooling systems
• Factory workers exposed to certain manufacturing processes
Workers may be harmed from exposure to ethylene glycol with the level of exposure depending upon the dose, duration and work being done. NIOSH states that exposure can harm the eyes, skin, kidneys and respiratory system, and can cause death if swallowed. ATSDR reports exposure to large amounts of ethylene glycol can damage the kidneys, nervous system, lungs and heart.
To help protect workers, the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) has set a Threshold Limit Value (TLV) for ethylene glycol.
These are just a few of the many things to know about ethylene glycol and potential occupational exposure risks. To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
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The Clean Air in Buildings Challenge highlights a range of recommendations and resources available for improving ventilation and indoor air quality (IAQ), which can help to better protect the health of building occupants and reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread.
Four key actions outlined in the Clean Air in Buildings Challenge include the following:
• Create a clean indoor air action plan that assesses IAQ, plans for upgrades and improvements, and includes HVAC inspections and maintenance.
• Optimize fresh air ventilation by bringing in and circulating clean outdoor air indoors.
• Enhance air filtration and cleaning using the central HVAC system and in-room air cleaning devices.
• Conduct community engagement, communication and education by communicating with building occupants to increase awareness, commitment and participation in improving indoor air quality and health outcomes.
EPA claims that while the recommended actions cannot completely eliminate risks, they will reduce them. In addition to other layered prevention strategies, like physical distancing to reduce the spread of infectious diseases, actions to improve ventilation, filtration and other proven air cleaning strategies can reduce the risk of exposure to particles, aerosols and other contaminants. These actions can improve indoor air quality and the health of building occupants.
These are just a few of the many things to know about the EPA’s Clean Air in Buildings Challenge. To learn more about this or other indoor air quality, building science, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
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Weekly topics for National Safety Month in 2022 include:
Week 1 – Musculoskeletal Disorders
Week 2 – Workplace Impairment
Week 3 – Injury Prevention
Week 4 – Slips, Trips and Falls
As recently as 2020, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports there were 4,764 fatal work injuries recorded in the United States, with a worker dying every 111 minutes. That same year, according to BLS, private employers reported 2.7 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses. This number included 1,176,340 nonfatal injuries and illnesses that caused a private industry worker to miss at least one day of work.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, which created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), employers have a responsibility to provide a safe workplace.
Safe work environments also make financial sense. OSHA states that in addition to their social costs, workplace injuries and illnesses have a major impact on an employer's bottom line. It has been estimated that employers pay almost $1 billion per week for direct workers' compensation costs alone. Direct costs include workers' compensation payments, medical expenses and costs for legal services. Examples of indirect costs provided by OSHA include training replacement employees, accident investigation and implementation of corrective measures, lost productivity, repairing damaged equipment and property, and costs associated with lower employee morale and absenteeism.
These are just a few of the many things to know about National Safety Month and the importance of preventing occupational injuries, illnesses and deaths. To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
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The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) recognizes arsenic and inorganic arsenic compounds as group 1 carcinogens. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that arsenic has been linked to a number of cancers, including cancer of the bladder, lungs, skin, kidney, nasal passages, liver and prostate. Non-cancer effects of arsenic exposure listed by EPA include:
• Thickening and discoloration of the skin,
• Stomach pain,
• Nausea,
• Vomiting,
• Diarrhea,
• Numbness in the hands and feet,
• Partial paralysis, and
• Blindness.
People can be exposed to arsenic from a number of sources, including from drinking water where it is tasteless and odorless. Arsenic can enter drinking water supplies from natural deposits in the earth or from agricultural and industrial practices. CDC reports that it is widely believed that naturally occurring arsenic dissolves out of certain rock formations when groundwater levels drop significantly. Some industries also release significant amounts of arsenic and arsenic compounds into the environment. Any in the air will be eventually removed by rain, snow and gradual settling. Once on the ground or in surface water, arsenic can slowly enter the groundwater. High arsenic levels in private wells may also come from certain arsenic containing fertilizers and herbicides that were used in the past or from industrial waste.
In the United States, the maximum concentration in drinking water allowed by EPA is 10 ppb. However, EPA does not regulate private wells and the agency estimates that more than 13 million households in the United States rely on private wells for their drinking water (US Census American Housing Survey 2017). Private well owners are responsible for the safety of their water and this is why testing for contaminants, such as arsenic, is so important.
These are just a few of the many things to know about arsenic and private wells. To learn more about this or other aquatic, environmental, building science, industrial hygiene, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
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The week-long campaign promotes events that increase air quality awareness and encourages people to check the Air Quality Index daily. Each year, specific daily topics are announced to help educate the public about how the air they breathe can impact their health and quality of life.
One of the topics that has been covered multiple times during Air Quality Awareness Week is wildfires and smoke. As reported by AirNow, smoke can come from many sources such as wildfires (nearby and far away), prescribed fires, and burning wood in fireplaces or stoves inside a home. The primary pollutant of concern in smoke is particle pollution, often referred to as particulate matter or PM. The health effects from exposure to the particles in smoke can range from relatively minor (eye and respiratory tract irritation) to serious (exacerbation of asthma and heart failure, and premature death). In many areas of the United States, the increase in smoke exposure from wildfire incidents during summer months poses a great health risk to many people.
Another topic that has been frequently covered during Air Quality Awareness Week is asthma. AirNow describes asthma as a serious, sometimes life-threatening chronic respiratory disease in which the air passages in a person’s lungs become swollen or inflamed. Asthma affects more than 24 million Americans, including millions of children. While all the causes are not known, genetic, environmental and occupational factors can all contribute to the development of asthma. Air pollution, especially ozone and particle pollution, can trigger asthma and worsen attacks. Outdoor air pollution can also increase sensitivity to other indoor pollutants and asthma triggers, like pet dander, mold and dust mites.
These are just a few of the many things to know about Air Quality Awareness Week. To learn more about this or other outdoor or indoor air quality, industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
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Responding to fires and emergencies, the work of firefighters can be quite dangerous. These dangers include potentially being exposed to a number of hazardous substances.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) states that firefighters can be exposed to hundreds of different chemicals in the form of gases, vapors and particulates, and that some of these chemical substances are known or suspected to cause cancer. A number of these hazardous substances are byproducts of combustion or burning, such as benzene and formaldehyde. Others come from the materials burning or in the fire debris, such as asbestos or lead from older structures.
NIOSH goes on to report that firefighters can come into contact with chemicals by breathing them in, getting them on their skin or in their eyes, or by ingesting them.
If protective clothing, known as turnout gear, is not adequately cleaned or stored after a fire response or training event, chemicals on the gear or equipment can contaminate vehicles and the fire station. Reusing dirty turnout gear or respiratory protection can also result in exposures to hazardous substances. These exposures can occur by skin contact with contaminated personal protective equipment (PPE) or by breathing in or ingesting particles from contaminated PPE.
These are all likely reasons why NIOSH states that cancer is a leading cause of death among firefighters and why research suggests firefighters are at higher risk of certain types of cancers when compared to the general population.
To help educate firefighters and the public about these risks, and the need for effective training and sound work practices, the month of January is recognized as Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month.
These are just a few of the many things to know about firefighters and exposure risks to dermal and respiratory hazards. To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
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The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) reports that chemical companies produce xylene from petroleum and that it is one of the top 30 chemicals produced in the United States in terms of volume. Xylene is used as a solvent and in the printing, rubber and leather industries. It is also used as a cleaning agent, a thinner for paint, and in paints and varnishes. It is also found in small amounts in airplane fuel and gasoline.
Workers may be harmed from exposure to xylene with the level of exposure depending upon the dose, duration and work being done. NIOSH states that exposure to xylene can irritate the eyes, nose, skin and throat. Xylene can also cause headaches, dizziness, confusion, loss of muscle coordination, and in high doses, death.
Some examples of workers at risk of being exposed to xylene according to NIOSH include:
• Painters and furniture refinishers who use paint thinners, solvents, lacquers and paint removers
• Biomedical laboratory workers who use it as a solvent to fix tissue specimens and rinse stains
• Workers involved in the distillation and purification of xylene
• Workers employed in industries who use xylene as a raw material
• Gas station and automobile garage workers through exposure to petroleum products
To help protect workers, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set a Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) and NIOSH has a Recommended Exposure Limit (REL).
These are just a few of the many things to know about xylene and potential occupational exposure risks. To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
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For those allergic to pollen, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that exposure can trigger various allergic reactions, including symptoms of hay fever. Hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis, occurs when allergens like pollen enter the body and the immune system mistakenly identifies them as a threat. For those with allergic rhinitis, the body then responds to the allergen by releasing chemicals that can cause symptoms in the nose. Symptoms of allergic rhinitis, which may include sneezing, runny nose and congestion, affects as many as 60 million people per year in the United States.
Pollen exposure can also trigger symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis. Allergic conjunctivitis is the inflammation of the lining of the eye (conjunctiva) due to exposure to allergens like those in pollen. Symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis include red, watery or itchy eyes.
People with respiratory illnesses like asthma may also be more sensitive to pollen. Exposure to pollen has been linked to asthma attacks and increases in hospital admissions for respiratory illnesses.
There are some simple steps people can take to minimize the amount of pollen they are exposed to in the indoor environment. These include keeping windows and doors shut during pollen season, using quality air filters in the HVAC system, dusting regularly, using a HEPA vacuum, changing clothes and showering after being outdoors, and using an appropriate air purifier in specific rooms.
It’s also important to recognize there could be other common indoor allergens causing allergies. A few of the common ones include mold, animal danger and dust mites.
These are just a few of the many things to know about pollen allergies and indoor air quality. To learn more about this or other building science, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
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The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) reports that “asbestos” is a commercial name, not a mineralogical definition, given to a variety of six naturally occurring fibrous minerals. These minerals possess high tensile strength, flexibility, resistance to chemical and thermal degradation, and electrical resistance. They have been used for decades in thousands of commercial products, such as insulation and fireproofing materials, automotive brakes and textile products, and cement and wallboard materials to name a few.
NIOSH also shares the fact that when handled, asbestos can separate into microscopic-size particles that remain in the air and are easily inhaled. People occupationally exposed to asbestos have developed several types of life-threatening diseases, including asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. Although the use of asbestos and asbestos products has dramatically decreased in recent years, they are still found in many residential and commercial settings and continue to pose a health risk to workers and others.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) states that asbestos is well recognized as a health hazard and its use is now highly regulated by both OSHA and EPA. Worker exposure to asbestos hazards are addressed in specific OSHA standards for the construction industry, general industry and shipyard employment sectors. These standards help to reduce the risk to workers by requiring that employers provide personal exposure monitoring to assess the risk and hazard awareness training for operations where there is any potential exposure to asbestos.
These are just a few of the many things to know about asbestos and potential exposure risks. To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
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Sulfuric acid is used in many industries. For example, it is used to produce other chemicals, fertilizers, explosives and glue; to refine petroleum; to cure metal; and in lead-based car batteries. Some examples of workers at risk of being exposed to sulfuric acid according to NIOSH include:
• Outdoor workers who work in areas where coal, oil or gas are burned
• Mechanics who handle dirty batteries
• Plumbers and contractors who come in contact with toilet bowl cleaners mixed with water
• Workers in publishing, printing or photography shops
• Fire fighters and steelworkers who are exposed to acid mists
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) reports that touching sulfuric acid will burn the skin, and breathing sulfuric acid can result in tooth erosion and respiratory tract irritation. Drinking sulfuric acid can burn the mouth, throat and stomach; which can result in death. If one gets sulfuric acid in the eyes, it will cause the eyes to water and will burn. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has determined that occupational exposure to strong inorganic acid mists containing sulfuric acid is carcinogenic to humans. IARC has not classified pure sulfuric acid for its carcinogenic effects.
To help protect workers, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set a Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) and NIOSH has a Recommended Exposure Limit (REL).
These are just a few of the many things to know about sulfuric acid and potential occupational exposure risks. To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
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According to NIOSH, occupational skin diseases are the second most common type of occupational disease and can occur in several different forms, including:
• Irritant contact dermatitis
• Allergic contact dermatitis
• Skin cancers
• Skin infections
• Skin injuries
• Other miscellaneous skin diseases
Contact dermatitis is one of the most common types of occupational illness, with estimated annual costs exceeding $1 billion proclaims NIOSH.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) also reports that skin exposure to chemicals in the workplace is a significant problem. Both the number of cases and the rate of skin disease in the U.S. exceeds recordable respiratory illnesses. In 2018, 25,000 recordable skin diseases were reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) at a rate of 2.2 injuries per 10,000 employees, compared to 19,600 respiratory illnesses with a rate of 1.7 illnesses per 10,000 employees.
OSHA goes on to state:
Most chemicals are readily absorbed through the skin and can cause other health effects and/or contribute to the dose absorbed by inhalation of the chemical from the air. Many studies indicate that absorption of chemicals through the skin can occur without being noticed by the worker. In many cases, skin is a more significant route of exposure than the lung. This is particularly true for non-volatile chemicals which are relatively toxic and which remain on work surfaces for long periods of time. The number of occupational illnesses caused by skin absorption of chemicals is not known.
These are just a few of the many things to know about dermal exposure risks to chemicals in the workplace. To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
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The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) reports that it is used to manufacture soaps, rayon, paper, explosives, dyestuffs and petroleum products. It is also used in processing cotton fabric, laundering and bleaching, metal cleaning and processing, oxide coating, electroplating and electrolytic extracting. Sodium hydroxide is also commonly present in commercial drain and oven cleaners.
Some examples of workers at risk of being exposed to sodium hydroxide according to NIOSH include those who:
• Use bleach, oven cleaners and drain cleaners
• Work in food processing plants
• Work in public water treatment plants
• Use sodium hydroxide for making paper, glass, detergents, soaps and other products
• Mine alumina and produce aluminum
ATSDR lists a number of ways people can be harmed by exposure. These include severe burns to tissue from contact and spontaneous vomiting, chest and abdominal pain, and difficulty swallowing from ingestion. The agency also states that inhalation of low levels of sodium hydroxide as dusts, mists or aerosols may cause irritation of the nose, throat and respiratory airways. Inhalation of higher levels can produce swelling or spasms of the upper airway leading to obstruction and loss of measurable pulse; inflammation of the lungs and accumulation of fluid in the lungs may also occur. Long-term exposure to sodium hydroxide in the air may lead to ulceration of the nasal passages and chronic skin irritation.
To help protect workers, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set a Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) and NIOSH has a Recommended Exposure Limit (REL).
These are just a few of the many things to know about sodium hydroxide and potential occupational exposure risks. To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
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The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) reports that phosphine is used in the semiconductor and plastics industries, in the production of a flame retardant, and as a pesticide in stored grain. NIOSH also states it is also used as a pesticide (insects and rodents) in stored tobacco.
Some examples of workers at risk of being exposed to phosphine according to NIOSH include:
• Factory workers that make electronics
• Workers in plants that make rat poison
• Pest control workers who use it for the control of rats
Inhalation is the most likely route of exposure to phosphine. Early symptoms of acute phosphine intoxication include pain in the diaphragm, nausea, vomiting, excitement and a phosphorus smell on the breath. Higher levels can cause weakness, bronchitis, pulmonary edema, shortness of breath, convulsions and death. Some effects, such as pulmonary edema, convulsions and liver injury, may appear or continue to be present days after exposure. Long-term exposure to very low levels of phosphine can result in anemia, bronchitis, gastrointestinal effects, and visual, speech and motor problems.
To help protect workers, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set a Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) and NIOSH has a Recommended Exposure Limit (REL).
These are just a few of the many things to know about phosphine and potential occupational exposure risks. To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
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Leptospirosis is caused by bacteria of the genus Leptospira. The bacteria are spread through the urine of infected animals, which can get into water or soil and can survive there for weeks to months according to the CDC. Humans can become infected through:
• Contact with urine (or other body fluids, except saliva) from infected animals.
• Contact with water, soil or food contaminated with the urine of infected animals.
CDC reports that leptospirosis occurs worldwide, but is most common in temperate or tropical climates. It is an occupational hazard for many people who work outdoors or with animals, such as:
• Farmers
• Mine workers
• Sewer workers
• Slaughterhouse workers
• Veterinarians and animal caretakers
• Fish workers
• Dairy farmers
• Military personnel
The disease has also been associated with swimming, wading, kayaking and rafting in contaminated lakes and rivers. In addition, leptospirosis infections among urban children appears to be increasing.
The risk of acquiring leptospirosis can be greatly reduced by not swimming or wading in water that might be contaminated with animal urine, or eliminating contact with potentially infected animals according to the CDC. Protective clothing or footwear should be worn by those exposed to contaminated water or soil because of their job or recreational activities.
These are just a few of the many things to know about exposure risks to Leptospira. To learn more about this or other microbial, environmental, occupational, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
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To help improve workplace safety each year, OSHA releases a list of the 10 most frequently cited safety and health violations for the fiscal year. The list is compiled from tens of thousands of workplace inspections conducted by OSHA staff. For 2021, fall protection was the most-cited standard for the 11th year in a row.
The preliminary list of OSHA’s Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards for fiscal year 2021 are as follows:
1. Fall Protection - General Requirements (5,295 violations)
2. Respiratory Protection (2,527 violations)
3. Ladders (2,026 violations)
4. Scaffolding (1,948 violations)
5. Hazard Communication (1,947 violations)
6. Lockout/Tagout (1,698 violations)
7. Fall Protection - Training Requirements (1,666 violations)
8. Personal Protective and Life Saving Equipment – Eye and Face Protection (1,452 violations)
9. Powered Industrial Trucks (1,420 violations)
10. Machine Guarding (1,113 violations)
After years of releasing the Top 10 list, it unfortunately changes little year-to-year. OSHA urges employers to go beyond the minimal requirements to create a culture of safety at work, which has been shown to reduce costs, raise productivity and improve morale.
These are just a few things to know about the top 10 list of OSHA citations for 2021. To learn more about this or other occupational, industrial hygiene, health, safety or environmental issues, please visit the websites shown below.
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NIOSH reports that methyl alcohol is a poisonous substance that can be absorbed through the eyes, skin, lungs and digestive system. Overexposure can cause death. As such, workers in industries that use methyl alcohol may be harmed by exposure with the level of harm depending upon the dose, duration and work being done.
A physical danger of methyl alcohol shared by NIOSH includes its vapors may be heavier than air and will spread along the ground and collect and stay in poorly-ventilated, low-lying or confined areas (e.g., sewers, basements, and tanks) allowing for hazardous concentrations to potentially develop quickly.
Some examples of workers at risk of being exposed to methyl alcohol according to NIOSH include:
• Factory workers in plants that manufacture plastics
• Transportation workers exposed to the deicing of vehicles
• Workers who work in alternative fuel industries
• Workers exposed to certain solvents or cleaning agents
To help protect workers, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has set a Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) and NIOSH has a Recommended Exposure Limit (REL).
These are just a few of the many things to know about methyl alcohol and potential occupational exposure risks. To learn more about this or other industrial hygiene, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
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The agency does not regulate private wells nor does it provide recommended criteria or standards for individual wells. Private well owners are responsible for the safety of their water, but EPA does offer information regarding the importance of testing private wells and guidance on technologies that may be used to treat or remove contaminants.
EPA recommends that the water in private wells be tested annually for total coliform bacteria, nitrates, total dissolved solids and pH levels. Testing should perhaps take place more frequently if small children or elderly adults live in the house or if someone in the house is pregnant or nursing. If other contaminants are suspected, test for those also.
Private well owners are also encouraged to test the water if:
• There are known problems with groundwater or drinking water in the area
• Conditions near a well have changed significantly (i.e. flooding, land disturbances, and new construction or industrial activity)
• Replacing or repairing any part of the well system has taken place
• A change in the water quality is noticed (i.e. odor, color, taste)
In addition, EPA reports that well owners should also determine if the groundwater they rely on for household use is under direct influence from surface water. Groundwater under the direct influence of surface water is susceptible to contamination from activities on the surface.
Corrosive groundwater could also cause lead to leach from old pipes, plumbing fixtures and solder that contain the heavy metal into the water supply.
The chart on the screen, provided by the EPA, lists common conditions or nearby activities that well owners should be aware of and the substance(s) that they should consider testing for to ensure their well is safe. Not all of the substances listed pose an immediate or long term health problem, some impact quality of life only, such as appearance, taste and odor.
These are just a few of the many things to know about water quality and private wells. To learn more about this or other aquatic, environmental, building science, industrial hygiene, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
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