Facility management: Humidity reduces airborne flu

Better facility management can reduce
sickness and absenteeism rates.

A recent study carried out by the US National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH) has shown that the airborne transmission of the influenza virus is significantly reduced by maintaining an atmosphere of 40% relative humidity (RH) and above.

To test the effects of humidity on airborne influenza, aerosols of flu virus were “coughed” into a room’s atmosphere by a mechanical manikin at humidity ranging from 7-73%RH, while the air intake from a breathing manikin in the room was monitored.

The air inhaled by the breathing manikin showed that at ≤23%RH the airborne flu virus retained 71-77% infectivity, while at ≥43%RH infectivity dropped to just 15-22%. The study showed that inactivation of the virus at the higher humidity occurred rapidly after coughing with most of the decline occurring in the first 15 minutes.

The study concluded that maintaining relative indoor humidity at 40%RH and above will significantly reduce the infectivity of an aerosolized influenza virus.

It is estimated that over 7.6million working days are lost in the UK each year as a result of flu-related sickness, costing the UK economy over £1.35 billion per annum. Most experts think that flu is spread by tiny droplets created when people with flu cough or sneeze, which can remain in the air for hours.

“This study shows how important it is to maintain an optimum humidity in the workplace to reduce absenteeism and especially in areas of high risk to airborne viruses, such as hospitals and doctors’ surgeries,” said Tim Scott, a humidification specialist.

“Although many professional bodies, including BSRIA, CIBSE and HSE, all recommend maintaining indoor humidity at above 40%RH it is not uncommon to see humidification systems being turned off to reduce operating costs. A low humidity is not as noticeable by employees as a low temperature, so it can go unnoticed. However, the true cost of not maintaining indoor humidity can be poor staff health and an increase in absenteeism, which can far outweigh the cost of operating the building’s humidification system.” Scott said.

Source: Mousetrap Media Ltd

Provide cleaner and healthier air at the workplace

Apart from the flu virus, there are many other airborne contaminants that can affect employees' health, well-being and productivity.

Air cleaners for offices and other
work spaces provide cleaner and
healthier air.

Many workplaces expose employers and employees to airborne chemicals, particles, dust, allergens, mold, viruses, bacteria, odors and gases. 

Most of these contaminants can be controlled with adequate ventilation, best facility management practices and air cleaning.

Electrocorp offers versatile and efficient air cleaners for industrial and commercial use, which provide cleaner and healthier air at the workplace.

The air purifiers strip the air of chemicals, particles and biological contaminants by forcing the air through a deep-bed activated carbon air filter, a HEPA filter and various pre-filters as well as an optional UV germicidal filter.

The air cleaners come in many different sizes and with a variety of options. They are custom-built to provide the protection that is needed.

Contact Electrocorp for more information and a consultation with an IAQ specialist.

Workplace issues: Dust can become a health risk

Ventilation and air cleaning are important for better
indoor air quality and higher productivity.

Indoor air pollution can affect anyone working indoors for the majority of the day, including office workers, police officers, social workers and court employees.

Common symptoms are

• Chronic coughs and sneezing
• Scratchy throats
• Itchy eyes
• Headaches
• Recurrent bouts of sinus infections, bronchitis, allergies and asthma

The symptoms may only be apparent in some workers, while other remain unaffected, making it difficult for sufferers to be taken seriously.

The health effects can be caused by indoor air pollutants such as mold, chemicals and dust.

In fact, dust is often overlooked as a main irritant in indoor environments, according to an occupational hygienist working at Connecticut’s OSHA division.

Every indoor environment will be polluted by dust, which is generally comprised of fine particles, skin dander, insect parts, pollen, cobwebs, dirt and other contaminants. Dust can also be a source of exposure for chemicals and bacteria that have attached themselves to the particles.

Indoor air pollution - a hidden danger at the workplace

With less money available for cleaning services and similar tasks, indoor air quality has become a growing problem in most buildings.

Workers may be too busy or unwilling to clean their own work spaces, and the rising occurrence of extreme weather events leads to increased leaks and flooding and possible mold infestations.

According to the EPA, poor indoor air quality costs tens of billions of dollars annually in lost productivity and health care.

Source: The Day Connecticut

Tips for a healthier and cleaner office

1. Keep offices free of clutter and obstructions. Airflow is essential to good air quality, so an overcrowded and cluttered office will be a challenge
2. Maintain heating and air conditioning equipment. This includes regular cleanings or at least spot checks to ensure that there is no mold or other biological growth. Air vents and intakes should not be obstructed.
3. Regular dusting and cleaning of the office space should include the walls and floors behind desks and all surfaces, regardless of whether people like to have their things moved or not.
4. Keep it healthy. Do not use scented air fresheners or harsh cleaning products
5. Use an air cleaner with activated carbon and HEPA. This combination of air filters can remove airborne pollutants such as dust, particles, mold, bacteria, viruses, chemicals, odors and fumes.

Want to know more about air cleaners for offices and large buildings? Electrocorp offers a wide range of air cleaners for commercial and industrial applications that feature an activated carbon, HEPA and optional UV filter combination. Contact an IAQ specialist from Electrocorp for more information and recommendations.
  

Facility management: Use less toxic products for industrial and commercial cleaning purposes

Commercial cleaning involves more than slipping
hazards: Harmful chemicals may affect the air quality.

Retail stores, offices, laboratories, manufacturing facilities and other types of commercial spaces often need a good scrubbing – but the type of cleaning products can have an effect on the indoor air quality as well as the health and well-being of the employees or visitors.

Standard commercial cleaning products fall in the harsh chemical category, meaning they contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can become airborne and inhaled by building occupants.

They can not only contribute to poor indoor air quality and affect the people’s health, they can also be harmful to the environment and pollute groundwater.

It may be a better, safer and more cost-effective idea to go for greener industrial cleaning products.

A non-profit organization dedicated to setting standards for eco-friendly products/services/companies, Green Seal has established requirements for cleaning service providers, including in-house and external cleaning services, to create a green cleaning program that protects human health and the environment.

There are many ways facility managers and cleaning service providers can become greener.

• Cleaning products: Opt for environmentally friendly, green cleaning products whenever possible (general-purpose, floor, bathroom, carpet and all other types of cleaning agents).
• Chemical safety: Products with harsh chemicals need to be diluted properly, cleaners need to be trained properly and it’s a great idea to slowly phase out cleaning chemicals that may pose a risk to human health.
• Bulk purchasing: Liquid hand soap, paper towels, toilet paper, cleaning cloths and agents can be bought in large quantities to save on costs and packaging in the long run.
• Sanitation and disinfection: Use EPA-registered products for special areas that need disinfecting or sanitizing.
• Communicate: Good communication between cleaning personnel, facility managers and others involved is key to a safe and functional green cleaning program.

Source: Mother Nature Network, Green Seal guidelines


Reduce chemical pollutants in your facility

Electrocorp air filtration systems provide simple, cost-effective solutions to meet and exceed regulations and enhance a property’s environmental initiatives.

Our wide range of air cleaners feature advanced, proven technologies including deep-bed activated carbon, medical-grade HEPA and UV filtration to treat airborne chemicals, gases, odors and particles.

Using an industrial-strength filtration system at strategic points in the building can have a profound effect on the indoor air quality, reported health symptoms or complaints and perceived irritants.

Find out more about Electrocorp’s air cleaners for facility management or contact one of our IAQ specialists at 866-667-0297 for more information.
  

Environmental exposures troubles schools

Old and new schools can have poor
indoor air quality.

While many (if not most) schools suffer from poor indoor air quality that can range from

• Dust
• Allergens
• Chemicals (from cleaning products, arts products, labs)
• Mold
• Bacteria, viruses
• And other toxins

There are some environmental exposures that parents likely wouldn’t even think about.

In a previous blog post we have written about schools suffering from vapor intrusion involving the toxic chemical TCE (trichloroethylene) and PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) leaking from old light fixtures in classrooms.

A recent article by iWatch News detailed the environmental law violations that may affect the health and well-being of thousands of children in tribal schools.

The schools, run by the Interior Department, have been found to expose children to hazardous waste, asbestos in the heating systems and high levels of arsenic in the tap water. The Department of the Interior recently entered a settlement with EPA to take the necessary action for remediation.

The article also mentioned the poor indoor air quality affecting the children of the US military personnel.

Other IAQ concerns that may affect school-age children:

Pesticides – Are chemical pesticides being sprayed on or around the school’s property? Experts warn strongly against pesticide exposure for children, as it has been linked with numerous health symptoms.

Air pollution – is the school in an industrial area? The air pollution outside may have profound effects on the children’s ability to learn, to retain information and it can cause or aggravate respiratory disorders.

Toxic paint chips – Older schools can become an IAQ problem-zone, especially when old paint is peeling, as it may contain lead or in the case of a Boston-area school, traces of the toxic chemical PCB.


A portable, cost-effective air cleaning solution

RAP Series: Robust and highly
efficient air cleaners.

Electrocorp offers industrial air cleaners for schools and universities that can remove airborne chemicals, particles and odors with its powerful activated carbon and HEPA filtration system.

The air cleaners are designed for around-the-clock operation, they require little maintenance and are easy to use and to move from room to room.

Contact one of Electrocorp’s air quality experts to find out more about our industrial air treatment solutions.

Related posts concerning IAQ in schools:

• IAQ challenge: Keeping schools healthy
• Toxic chemicals and bad air quality in schools
• Schools plagued by air problems and carbon dioxide
• Students need better air quality in schools

    

Wildfires and air quality concerns

Wildfires can lead to poor air quality
and affect people in nearby regions.

Out-of-control wildfires driven by strong winds are destroying hundreds of homes in Central Texas.

Firefighters have been battling the blazes non-stop since the beginning of the week.

The scope of the damage may only become apparent over the next couple of days, but experts warn that there can be immediate and long-term health effects linked to wildfire smoke exposure.

Wildfire smoke poses a very serious health risk as 80 to 90% of wildfire smoke is within the fine particle range. These fine particles are generally less than 2.5 microns in diameter and can penetrate deep into the body. 

An increase in this type of airborne particulate matter has been linked to numerous health problems including headaches, nausea, dizziness, respiratory problems, strokes and heart attacks.

Homeowners and facility managers in nearby regions should also take precautions. Smoke can travel far beyond the main burn zone and studies show that even a small increase in airborne fine particulate matter can affect overall health.

In fact, wildfire smoke can stay suspended for a long time, they can travel far and wide and may easily enter buildings.

In an EPA-led study, ERs saw a 66 percent increase in people complaining about heart and lung conditions such as asthma, heart failure, heart attacks and others while the wildfires were burning and for several days afterwards.

Related posts:

• Wildfires lead to busier ERs
• First wildfires, then flash floods? New Mexico officials worried
• Environmental fallout from wildfires and IAQ concerns

Contact Electrocorp for more information and indoor air treatment solutions.
  

Facility management and chemical toxins

Toxic compounds lurk in older and newer
buildings and may affect people's health.

People are spending so much time indoors – either at work or at home – that they have become more and more concerned about the substances and chemicals that may affect their health and well-being.

Big office complexes and small commercial spaces alike harbor a huge number of chemical toxins that can be inhaled or ingested. 

Many of these indoor air chemicals have been linked to serious health conditions such as cancer, respiratory diseases, birth defects and chronic illnesses.

Whether you talk about Sick Building Syndrome or the dangers of poor indoor air quality, one factor remains the same – in order to protect workers and occupants of commercial and institutional buildings, facility managers must know about the dangers and face them head on.

Here are some tips for facility managers:
  

• Make IAQ a priority in facility management: Poor IAQ does not only affect the health and well-being of workers, it can also affect productivity, absenteeism rates and morale
    
• Educate yourself and other about the harmful effects of indoor air pollutants:
  - VOCs (volatile organic compounds)
  - Green building constructions and renovations and safe materials
  - Chemical products (such as harsh cleaning agents) and how to replace them with safer alternatives
    
• Know the history of the building and the materials that were used: Materials that went into walls, insulation, ductwork and mechanical systems for decades might have contained chemical compounds that are now considered dangerous. As a result, many chemicals are in the DNA of buildings
    
• Regularly check the ventilation system. In many older buildings, the ventilation system may not be enough to provide fresh air to occupants. Rather than undertaking costly renovations, an industrial air cleaner for offices and facility management provides a highly effective and versatile air cleaning solution

RAP air cleaner
from Electrocorp

Electrocorp offers portable as well as HVAC-compatible air cleaners for commercial and industrial applications, which remove a wide range of indoor air contaminants, including chemicals, odors, gases, fumes, particles, bacteria, viruses and mold mycotoxins and mold spores.

The units feature the most relevant filtration media, the largest adsorbent surface areas and the most customizable options in the industry.

The multistage filtration system in Electrocorp air cleaners contains

• Granular activated carbon
• HEPA
• UV germicidal filtration (optional)
• Pre-filters

Contact Electrocorp for more information: 1-866-667-0297.