Indoor Air Pollution News
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Protecting Building Occupants in Puerto Rico from Vapor Intrusion Hazards
Vapor intrusion occurs when there is a migration of vapor-forming chemicals from a subsurface source into an overlying building. This subsurface source is often contaminated groundwater or soil. These vapor-forming chemicals can cause indoor air quality (IAQ) problems and sometimes pose a health concern for building occupants. Examples of vapor-forming chemicals listed by the U.S. Environmental ...
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Mold Exposure Risks and Protecting Building Occupants in Puerto Rico
Exposure to elevated levels of mold in the places where people live, work, go to school or spend time can cause potential health issues for many individuals. This is because mold is known to be an allergen, irritant, asthma trigger, and in some cases, the cause of opportunistic infections or the source of toxic substances known as mycotoxins. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns ...
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Emergency Declaration for the U.S. Virgin Islands after Reports of Elevated Lead Levels in the Water Supply
Last month, the Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands formally requested an emergency declaration from President Joe Biden. The action followed the Governor’s declaration of a local state of emergency on Oct. 30, 2023, in response to hazardous levels of lead and copper detected in the water supply of St. Croix. In response, President Biden declared that an emergency does indeed exist in ...
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BLS Releases Private Sector Workplace Injuries and Illnesses Report and EHS Resources in Puerto Rico
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) published its latest account of employer-reported workplace injuries and illnesses last month. This most recent report shows workplace injuries and illnesses on the rise covering the 2-year period of 2021-2022. Private industry employers reported 2.8 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in 2022, up 7.5% from 2021 according to BLS. This ...
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Identifying Bed Bugs in Puerto Rico to Mitigate the Risk of Full Blown Infestations
Last month, media outlets from across the globe reported on officials in Paris battling a bed bug infestation that has impacted the famous city that is set to host the Olympics next summer. However, bed bugs are not just a French problem. The insects are found globally and have been discovered in everything from five-star hotels and resorts to cruise ships, buses, trains and homes. The Centers ...
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Protecting Workers in Puerto Rico from Respirable Crystalline Silica and OSHA’s New Initiative
Earlier this fall, the U.S. Department of Labor announced that its Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) had launched a new initiative focused on enhancing enforcement and providing compliance assistance to protect workers involved with engineered stone fabrication and installation. According to the announcement: Supplementing OSHA's current National Emphasis Program for ...
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Top 10 OSHA Citations for 2023 and Resources to Protect Workers in Puerto Rico
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there were 5,190 fatal occupational injuries in the United States as recently as 2021. Sadly, millions more were injured or developed illnesses on the job that same year. To protect workers, regulations from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cover a wide range of potential hazards. These hazards can imperil worker ...
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Puerto Rico Public Housing Administration Awarded $3.5+ Million to Protect Residents from Lead and Other Hazards
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently announced it had awarded over $3.5 million to the Puerto Rico Public Housing Administration. The funds are meant to help protect local families from lead and other home health and safety hazards. HUD is providing these resources to Puerto Rico and other state and local governments through its Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction ...
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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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National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week and Protecting Children, Families and Workers in Puerto Rico
National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW) takes place this year from October 22nd through the 28th. The week of recognition is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). “Together, we can prevent lead exposure!” is the theme for this ...
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Infection Control Resources in Puerto Rico to Identify Acinetobacter and Other Microbial Pathogens
Acinetobacter is described by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a group of bacteria commonly found in the environment in places like soil and water. While there are many types, the most frequent cause of infections in humans is known as Acinetobacter baumannii. Infections of the blood, urinary tract and lungs, or in wounds in other parts of the body can all be caused by ...
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Puerto Rico Celebrates National Indoor Air Quality Awareness Month
National Indoor Air Quality Awareness Month takes place each October. The term indoor air quality (IAQ) refers to the air in any type of built environment, and with Americans spending approximately 90% of their time indoors according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air quality can have a significant impact on comfort, health and even productivity. EPA warns that the ...
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Resources to Mitigate Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection Risks in Hospitals and Buildings throughout Puerto Rico
Pseudomonas is a type of bacteria that is found commonly in the environment, often in places like soil and water. Of the many different types of Pseudomonas, the one that most often causes infections in humans is known as Pseudomonas aeruginosa according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It can cause infections in the blood, lungs and potentially other parts of the body. ...
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EPA Extends Comment Period for Addressing Contaminated Soil and Groundwater at Superfund Site in Puerto Rico
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced it extended the public comment period for its proposed cleanup plan to address lead-contaminated soil and groundwater at the Battery Recycling Company Superfund Site in Arecibo, Puerto Rico to October 16, 2023. The main property at the site was operated as a secondary lead smelter and battery recycling operation until 2014. Prior ...
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Respiratory Protection Week in Puerto Rico and Resources to Identify and Mitigate Exposure to Airborne Risks
Each year, respiratory protection makes the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) top ten list of the most frequently cited safety and health violations. This, despite the fact that millions of workers from across the country, and in a wide range of occupations, are required to wear respirators while performing various tasks. Recognizing the vital role that respiratory ...
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National Preparedness Month 2023 and Essential Resources for Businesses and Institutions in Puerto Rico
In 2004, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) designated September as National Preparedness Month (NPM). The annual event encourages people in Puerto Rico and across the nation to take steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses, institutions and communities. The theme for this year’s NPM is Preparing for Older Adults. The campaign will focus on preparing older ...
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Asbestos in Floor Tiles and Flooring Materials Still a Concern in Puerto Rico
Up until the late 1970s, asbestos was added to various types of flooring materials and tiles during the manufacturing process to increase the strength and durability of the products. In fact, the Minnesota Department of Health warns that flooring, including sheet vinyl, vinyl or asphalt floor tiles and any associated paper-like backing, mastic, adhesive or glue, may contain asbestos. Virtually ...
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Property Damage and Occupational Health Hazards Caused by Wildfire Smoke
Smoke from countless wildfires in Canada have blanketed communities from New York City to Charlotte with unhealthy air this summer. During one day alone, over 125 million people in the region were under an air quality alert and the air quality in New York City registered as the worst in the world. A New York Air Quality Health Advisory about the wildfire smoke warned: Exposure can cause ...
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EPA Proposes New Lead Paint Standards to Protect Against Childhood Lead Exposure in Puerto Rico
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced in July a proposal to strengthen requirements for the removal of lead-based paint hazards in pre-1978 buildings and child care facilities, known as abatement activities, to better protect children and communities from the harmful effects of exposure to dust generated from lead paint. If finalized, the new rule is estimated to reduce the ...
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Major Upgrades Coming to Reduce Puerto Rico’s Sewage and Wastewater Pollution
Earlier this month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that pursuant to a settlement modification with the agency and the U.S. Department of Justice, the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA) has agreed to make major improvements and upgrades to the island’s sanitary collection system and wastewater treatment plants. EPA claims the upgrades will allow the ...
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