Cochrane & Associates, LLC news
Fitness centers play an important role in supporting physical and mental wellness, but exercising in shared indoor spaces also presents environmental health considerations, particularly in Puerto Rico’s warm, humid climate. Zimmetry Environmental, the island’s leading indoor environmental quality, infection control, and industrial hygiene consulting firm, is encouraging gym operators and patrons to be aware of these risks and take steps to reduce potential exposures.
Cadmium, a naturally occurring element commonly combined with other minerals, plays an important role in various industries. It has been widely used in products such as batteries, solar cells, pigments, alloys, coatings, and plastics.
However, its benefits come with significant health and safety risks. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that worker exposure to cadmium can occur in industries ranging from construction and manufacturing to wast
When police tape comes down and headlines fade, the aftermath of a crime scene often leaves more behind than visible damage or emotional trauma. Invisible environmental hazards can persist long after an incident, posing health risks to occupants, workers, and the public. Zimmetry Environmental, a Puerto Rico–based industrial hygiene and environmental consulting firm, delivers scientific, objective assessments to help identify and mitigate these hidden exposure risks so spaces can be saf
Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius), as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are small, flat, parasitic insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals while they sleep. Once thought to be largely eradicated, bed bugs have made a significant resurgence and are now found worldwide in a wide range of settings, including five-star hotels and resorts, cruise ships, public transportation, healthcare facilities, and private residences.
Although bed bugs are not kno
The IAQ Video Network, in association with Cochrane & Associates, LLC, has released a new educational video, Gyms & Potential Exposure Risks, examining how shared fitness spaces can expose people to microbes in the air, on surfaces, and in water systems.
“Gyms bring people into close contact, often breathing heavily and sharing equipment, which can increase opportunities for respiratory virus transmission, especially in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces,&r
Every year, thousands of U.S. workers are exposed to serious, sometimes fatal, hazards simply by reporting to their jobs. In 2023 alone, 5,283 workplace fatalities were recorded nationwide. When fatality rates are measured per 100,000 workers, the risks become even more apparent. Occupations such as logging, commercial fishing, aviation, refuse collection, and roofing consistently rank among the nation’s most dangerous, with hazards that include falls, transportation incidents, confined
Respirator fit testing plays a critical role in safeguarding workers from airborne hazards and supporting compliance with workplace safety regulations throughout Puerto Rico. Zimmetry Environmental is dedicated to advancing worker health and safety by offering professional respirator fit testing, industrial hygiene consulting, and comprehensive air testing and laboratory services.
Respirator fit testing is a standardized process used to verify that a respirator fits an in
The IAQ Video Network, in association with Cochrane & Associates, LLC, has released a new educational video titled Crime Scenes and Hazardous Conditions Left Behind. The video explores potential risks such as bloodborne pathogens, biological fluids, chemical residues, soot and ash from fires, and various airborne and surface contaminants that can persist long after police tape is removed and media attention fades.
“Bacteria, viruses, chemicals, and toxins can th
As temperatures rise and snow begins to melt across many regions, Clark Seif Clark, Inc. (CSC), a leading provider of building science and indoor environmental quality (IEQ) consulting services, is advising facility managers, administrators, and building owners to proactively address conditions that can trigger springtime mold growth.
During winter, buildings often experience moisture accumulation from roof leaks, frozen pipes, condensation, and limited ventilation. When warmer weather
Air pollution is often associated with factories or industrial facilities, but one of the most significant and pervasive sources is found much closer to homes, schools, and businesses: busy roads and highways.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that more than 45 million people in the United States live, work, or regularly spend time within approximately 300 feet of major roadways or transportation corridors. This proximity greatly increases potential e