indoor air quality professional News
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Resources to Protect Workers and Communities from Combustible Dust Hazards
Last year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a revised Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program (NEP). The original Combustible Dust NEP, issued in 2007, followed a number of combustible dust incidents that resulted in fatalities, serious injuries and property destruction. The purpose of the revised NEP is to continue OSHA inspections of facilities that generate ...
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Safety Resources to Protect Workers from Combustible Dust Hazards and Other Airborne Risks
Earlier this year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a revised Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program (NEP). The original Combustible Dust NEP was issued in 2007, following a number of combustible dust incidents that resulted in fatalities, serious injuries, and property destruction. The purpose of the revised NEP is to continue OSHA inspections of facilities ...
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Reducing Building Occupant Exposure to Microorganisms and Minerals from Humidifiers
Heated and dry air inside of homes, offices, schools and other indoor environments during the cold winter months can cause physical discomfort to building occupants. People may suffer from dry nose, throat, lips and skin. Additionally, the dry air can also cause static electricity, peeling wallpaper, and cracks in paint and furniture. To reintroduce moisture into the air to help alleviate these ...
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Combustible Dust Testing and Safety Resources to Protect Workers and Property in Puerto Rico
Earlier this year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a revised Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program (NEP). The purpose of the revised NEP was to continue OSHA inspections of facilities that generate or handle combustible dusts likely to cause fire, flash fire, deflagration and explosion hazards. OSHA warns that any combustible material can burn rapidly when ...
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Indoor Air Quality Resources to Improve Student Performance
The first day of the school year for New York City Public Schools is September 7th. Students and teachers in many other parts of the country have already returned to the classroom, but regardless of when the school year begins, an essential component for learning and thriving is healthy indoor air quality (IAQ). For years, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been reporting about ...
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Resources to Optimize the Indoor Air Quality of Schools and Universities
Millions of students and teachers return to classrooms for the new school year during the months of August and September. While the COVID pandemic brought new attention to the importance of indoor air quality (IAQ) at schools and universities, it has been known for years that student performance and attendance can be impacted by IAQ conditions. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has ...
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Identifying and Mitigating Exposure to Airborne Allergens in the Built Environment
Millions of Americans suffer from allergies and asthma. These conditions not only affect a person’s quality of life, each year they cost society billions of dollars in medical care and lost productivity. For children, countless missed school days can be blamed on allergies and asthma. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that allergic reactions occur only after repeated ...
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Summer Allergies and Optimizing Indoor Environmental Conditions in Puerto Rico
Allergy and asthma rates are significantly higher in Puerto Rico as compared to the rest of the United States. This is likely due in part to the island’s tropical marine environment that can be conducive for elevated levels of mold and pollen which are known allergens and asthma triggers for some people. Allergies can be a significant problem for some people any time of the year, ...
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Identifying VOC Exposure Risks to Protect Building Occupants and Workers in Puerto Rico
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a diverse group of chemicals that have a high vapor pressure and low water solubility. These chemicals can be found in numerous products and materials used to build, furnish, clean, and maintain homes and buildings. They can also be found in a number of personal care and consumer goods where they can become an airborne pollutant. Exposure to elevated levels ...
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Identifying and Mitigating Exposure to Airborne Allergens in Homes and Buildings across Puerto Rico
Allergies can not only affect a person’s quality of life, each year they cost society billions of dollars in medical care and lost productivity, not to mention allergies are responsible for countless missed school days. With most people spending up to 90% of their time indoors, exposure to allergens, respiratory irritants and asthma triggers in the air in their homes, schools and work ...
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Portable Generators and Ways to Protect Workers and Building Occupants from Carbon Monoxide Hazards
The use of portable back-up generators powered by fossil fuels has become increasingly common to provide electricity when utility power fails or when sites have no power infrastructure. These generators can help to keep critical appliances on, or can power a worksite, but they can also expose people to carbon monoxide (CO) if not properly used. Carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas ...
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Workplace Ventilation during Cold Weather and Resources to Optimize Indoor Environmental Conditions
Last year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued an OSHA Alert about improving workplace ventilation during the cold winter months. A key focal point of the announcement emphasized indoor air quality (IAQ) during cold weather and how it is especially critical when influenza, cold and COVID-19 viruses are circulating in the workplace. Key steps to improve ventilation ...
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National COPD Awareness Month and Identifying Indoor Pollutants to Protect Workers and Building Occupants
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) reports that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of death in America, affecting millions and causes long-term disability. Some 16 million Americans have the disease according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The agency goes on to share that millions more suffer from COPD, but have not yet ...
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Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Confirmed as Cause of Tourist Deaths at Caribbean Resort
Last month, the Royal Bahamas Police Force confirmed that carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning was the cause of death for three American tourists that died during their stay at a luxury resort on the island of Great Exuma. The mysterious deaths made international headlines earlier this year and according to the police department, the matter remains under active investigation as the source of the carbon ...
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EPA’s Clean Air in Buildings Challenge and Resources for Building Owners and Operators
Earlier this year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued its Clean Air in Buildings Challenge. It is a call to action and a set of guiding principles and best practices to assist building owners and operators with reducing risks from airborne viruses and other indoor contaminants. The Clean Air in Buildings Challenge highlights a range of recommendations and resources available ...
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Asthma Awareness Month and Indoor Exposure Risks to Pollen and Other Airborne Pollutants
May is Asthma Awareness Month and May 3rd is recognized as World Asthma Day. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that asthma is one of the most common lifelong chronic diseases. Approximately 25 million Americans have asthma, a disease affecting the lungs and causing repeated episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness and coughing. This month also happens to ...
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Businesses Owners and Property Managers in Puerto Rico Prepare for Hurricane Season
While the Atlantic hurricane season doesn’t officially start until June 1st, Hurricane Preparedness Week takes place in just a few weeks. May 1st through the 7th are the 2022 dates for this year’s Hurricane Preparedness Week. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reminds everyone that lives in hurricane-prone areas, such as Puerto Rico, to be ready for hurricane ...
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Secondhand Marijuana and Tobacco Smoke Can Create Indoor Air Quality Issues and Leave Behind Damaging Residues
For years it has been recognized that exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke can be a threat to a person’s health. For those who do not smoke, many do not have a choice when being exposed to secondhand smoke and the thousands of chemicals found in it, including about 70 known to cause cancer according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). CDC reports that secondhand ...
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Which Apartment Buildings in Puerto Rico Could be at Risk of an Outbreak of Legionnaires’ Disease?
There were a number of outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease across the United States last year that are believed to have been linked to water systems in apartment buildings. People can develop this potentially fatal disease when they breathe in Legionella bacteria that has been aerosolized in small droplets of water. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that many ...
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Rutgers Offers New Online Radon Measurement Training for National Certification
New Brunswick, NJ: The Eastern Regional Radon Training Center (ERRTC), administered by Rutgers Office of Continuing Professional Education, is now offering the training program required for national radon measurement certification as a self-paced, online course. For the past 30 years, the center has provided classroom-based radon measurement and mitigation training on the Rutgers–New Brunswick ...
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