Study: Poor Indoor Environmental Quality Linked to Workers’ Low Cognitive Function
People working in well-ventilated buildings with below-average indoor air pollution and low carbon dioxide, levels showed better cognitive functioning than workers in “non-green” offices with typical pollutant and CO2 levels, according to a recent study published in Environmental Health Perspectives. “These results suggest that even modest improvements to indoor environmental quality may have a profound impact on the decision-making performance of workers.
The most contaminated surfaces in an airplane and in the airports
Air at Commercial Planes
New study suggests that using air purifiers may lead to a reduction in cardiovascular events.
New findings suggest that using an air purifier may lead to a reduction in cardiovascular events, said Dr. Rajagopalan, who coauthored an editorial accompanying the new study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Previous studies found that fine particles in the air are tied to an increased risk of heart-related problems, including heart attack and stroke, the study authors say.
For the new study, Renjie Chen and Ang Zhao of Fudan University in Shanghai and colleagues had 35 healthy college students in Shanghai randomly use real or fake air purifiers in their dorm rooms for 48 hours.
When the students had the real air purifiers in their rooms, they had significant improvements in several measures of inflammation and blood clotting.
They also had some significant decreases in blood pressure and a reduction in a measure of airway inflammation known as exhaled nitrous oxide.
People should try washing their hands and faces during travel in airplanes to prevent the spread of germs.
MRSA bacteria can live for up to seven days on airplane surfaces, according to a new study.
And at least one strain of E. coli can survive for up to four days on an aircraft armrest.
University of Auburn’s team of microbiologists tested the presence of germs on six surfaces: an armrest, plastic tray table, window shade, toilet handle, seat-back pocket and seat leather. MRSA was found to survive for the longest periods in the seat-back pocket.
The scientists also tested the transmissibility of organisms and discovered that germs were easily spread via non-porous surfaces such as tray tables. Potential for cross-contamination on aircraft was significant, according to Barbaree.
“A friend of mine was flying recently and another passenger was changing a baby on the tray table,” he said.
He adds that airline employees have little time to deep clean airplanes between trips, and that travelers should be aware that germs could be hitching a ride alongside passengers.
Dirtiest surfaces
The percentage of public surfaces tested and found to have high levels of contamination, includes:
- 71 % of gas pump handles
- 68 % of mailbox handles
- 43 % of escalator rails
- 41 % of ATM buttons
- 40 % of parking meters/kiosks
- 35 % of crosswalk buttons
- 35 %of vending machine buttons
Pro-Active approach for a healthy indoor environment Inspect and Maintain the HVAC System
The heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system is probably the single most important factor affecting IAQ. The HVAC system is not only responsible for providing fresh, outdoor air to a building, it also filters out unwanted particles, such as pollen and dust, and conditions the air to a comfortable temperature and humidity. Regularly inspecting and maintaining this system so that it functions properly is essential. This means more than an occasional filter change.
Hair Smoothing Products That Could Release Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde have been classify as human carcinogen
Certain manufacturers include an ingredient listed as methylene glycol (CAS 463-57-0). The product may have as much as 10% of this ingredient. This ingredient is actually a stabilized form of formaldehyde. However, when heat is applied to this mixture, such as with a hair dryer or hair-straightening device, formaldehyde is formed, which can result in unhealthy indoor air quality. This is particularly a concern in hair salons, where stylists and clients are possibly exposed to elevated formaldehyde levels for extended time periods. OSHA issued a Hazard Alert regarding this issue.
Cigarette smoking parents
Research funded by the National Institutes of Health has shown that smoking outside doesn’t totally protect children from secondhand smoke. Even when smoking is done outside, nicotine in infants’ hair is five times higher for babies with outside smoking parents than non-smoking parents. Smoking-related chemicals in infants’ urine are seven times higher. Other studies have found similar results.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “tobacco smoke is one of the most common asthma triggers.” CDC warns, “If you have asthma, it’s important that you avoid exposure to secondhand smoke.”
NIOSH calls for all workplaces to be smoke-free
Atlanta, GA –
All employers should make their workplaces tobacco-free and offer tobacco-cessation programs, NIOSH states in a bulletin released April 2. In Promoting Health and Preventing Disease and Injury Through Workplace Tobacco Policies, NIOSH recommends that workplaces, at a minimum, should be smoke-free in all indoor areas, areas immediately outside the building entrances and air intakes, and all work vehicles. Ideally, all tobacco use would be prohibited throughout the workplace. The institute’s recommendations also extend to electronic cigarettes.
Personal tobacco use and exposure to smoking in the workplace has long been associated with adverse health effects, and can increase the likelihood and severity of occupational diseases caused by other hazards in the workplace, according to NIOSH.
To help employees who currently use tobacco products, employers should provide tobacco-related health risk information to all workers (including contractors and volunteers) and offer employer-provided and publicly available cessation services. The cessation support should be offered at no or a subsidized cost, and extended to workers’ dependents, NIOSH recommends.
Most states in the country and several municipalities have indoor smoking bans for the workplace, according to the American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation, but those laws do not necessarily cover all workplaces.
For more information: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2015-113/pdfs/cib-67_2015-113.pdf
AHR-Expo-Mexico 2014
Mr. Carlos Gonzalez Boothby, IEC’s Technical Director, will be presenting at the AHR-Expo-Mexico 2014 in September 23-25 a presentation related to Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). The importance of HVAC system cleaning services to achieve a good (acceptable) IAQ.
On September 9th our technical supervisor Randy Romero is going to attend a training on Water restoration technician at the Restoration Industry Association in Tampa Florida.
ASHRAE has launched ASHRAE Terminology, a new comprehensive online glossary of more than 3,700 terms. https://www.ashrae.org/resources–publications/free-resources/ashrae-terminology
Are Women More Sensitive to Cold Than Men? Several studies suggest that women are physiologically less tolerant of the cold than men. https://www.yahoo.com/health/are-women-more-sensitive-to-cold-than-men-93238092412.html