Students need better air quality in schools

Poor indoor air quality affects most
school children.

Learning institutions are supposed to help children get the knowledge and tools they need to succeed as an adult – but what if the indoor air quality in schools provides a serious obstacle?

The indoor air quality in schools should be a primary concern for parents and authorities, according to a recent article by Lourdes Salvador, the founder of MCS America.

Salvador quoted researchers Cartieaux and colleagues who studied the IAQ in schools and identified children as “one of the most sensitive groups to atmospheric pollution because their bodies are actively growing and they breathe higher volumes of air relative to their body weights than adults do.”

Many factors contribute to poor IAQ in schools

As with most people who spend the majority of their time indoors, IAQ is of prime importance for children going to school every day.

Common sources of poor indoor air quality in schools:

• Outdoor air pollution 
• Building materials
• Paints
• Dust
• Arts and crafts supplies
• Markers, pens, etc.
• Fragrances
• Pesticides
• Sanitizing products
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
• Bacteria and viruses
• Molds
• Many other sources

Often, the problem is exacerbated by improperly maintained ventilation system or simply insufficient ventilation systems for the classroom sizes and student population.

Effects of poor IAQ in schools

Respiratory symptoms and diseases such as asthma and allergies increase when air quality is poor. Some studies have shown that students’ academic performance also suffers.

Researchers have found that exposure to ambient levels of air pollution leads to an increase in emergency room (ER) visits for acute respiratory symptoms, the article says.

The best way to improve air quality is to increase ventilation and open windows. Free standing air filters or those which attached to the heating and air conditioning also help to reduce allergens and pollution.

Portable air cleaners provide a simple, cost-effective solution

Electrocorp offers a wide range of air filtration systems for schools and universities.

These air cleaners remove harmful chemicals and odors with the help of a deep bed of activated carbon as well as particles with a HEPA filter.

Contact Electrocorp for more information.


Related posts:

• Air pollution near schools linked to poorer student health, academic performance
• Poor indoor air quality in university
• Schools plagued by air problems
• Toxic chemicals and bad air quality in schools
• University building management and air quality

  

First wildfires, then flash floods? New Mexico officials worry about more disasters

Natural disasters: Wildfires and floods can affect
rescue workers and residents in the area.

The Las Conchas wildfire has turned into the most destructive raging fire in the state’s history, and now residents may have yet another problem on their hands – the seasonal rains that are moving toward New Mexico.

In a recent article from Reuters, officials could claim that progress was being made in saving the Indian pueblo lands on the north end of New Mexico’s largest wildfire, which triggered the temporary evacuation of the Los Alamos nuclear laboratory.

However, the charred land may be unable to cope with the monsoon rainfalls that are coming, officials said.

"We've gone straight from fire danger to flood danger, so it's one thing after another," the article quoted a frustrated Jason Lott, superintendent of the Bandelier National Monument, a revered ancestral home of New Mexico's pueblo Indian natives.

The risk to flooding has been aggravated by the raging wildfire which has burned off trees, ground-hugging grasses and vegetation, raising concerns that any run-off will barrel down canyons unchecked, causing creeks to burst their banks.

Crews have worked hard this week to clear stream beds, removing logs and other debris creating a clearer path so waters cannot back up and flood historic sites and buildings.

Many buildings will be sandbagged and hopefully sealed from the waters, Lott said.

The wildfire was ignited on June 26 when strong winds tipped an aspen tree onto nearby power lines in the Santa Fe National Forest about 12 miles southwest of Los Alamos, the article says. It has scorched 14,400 acres of land.

Natural disasters and indoor air quality

Wildfires and floods not only affect buildings and land, they can also cause adverse health effects for residents once they return to their homes.

Outdoor air pollution combined with indoor air pollutants can aggravate respiratory conditions like asthma.

However, it’s not just asthmatics who need to beware of smoke, researchers say, but also patients with heart failure, (who) should be particularly aware.

After floods, the extreme moisture often causes active mold growth and associated health problems.

Activated carbon can remove airborne
chemicals and odors.

Electrocorp offers air filtration systems with high efficiency particle filters and deep-bed activated carbon filters as well as UV germicidal filtration to help remove harmful chemicals, particles and odors associated with tobacco and wildfire smoke as well as mold.

See also:

• Wildfires lead to busier ERs: Report
• Water infiltration - bad news for buildings
• Clean-up tips for flood-related mold 
• VIDEO: LANL employees return to work

Health and safety concerns: Laser engraving hazards

Wood engraving
(Photo courtesy of Audin Malmin)

The use of laser engraving or laser cutting systems in many industrial settings can lead to regular exposure to a number of chemicals, gases and particulate matter.


Airborne particles from laser engraving

Particulate generated as a result of laser applications is measurable in microns, which means it is small enough to be inhaled.

Depending on the material, these particles can cause serious side effects.

While ceramics, glass and wood release microscopic particulate that may cause irritation to the respiratory tract, skin, nose and eyes, metals like steel emit chromium and Nickel fumes that are carcinogenic.


Gases and fumes released in the laser cutting process

Lasered plastics, rubbers and powder coatings produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Using a laser system - whether it is cutting, engraving or marking - catalyses VOC gas as it melts the material.

Moreover, because these gases are toxic and have the ability to spread quickly, it is important that these fumes are removed immediately.

Synthetic polymers include plastics like polyethylene, polycarbonate, polypropylene, as well as synthetic rubber, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene, phosgene and many other materials.

Eighty million metric tons of polyethylene are produced each year, making it the most widely used plastic.  However, polyethylene produces formaldehyde, a noxious VOC and known carcinogen, which means aside from bringing on asthmatic attacks and allergies, it causes cancer. 

Rubbers that are exposed to high energy sources (such as welding, laser engravings, markings, etc.) emit benzene, a VOC and recognized carcinogen that may cause death, low white blood cell count, anaemia and cancer.

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a plasticizer that is used to make a multiplicity of products including signage, figurines, flooring and many other products.

PVC emits extremely toxic and corrosive hydrogen chloride acid gas, dioxin, ethylene dichloride and vinyl chloride, which make a very toxic carcinogenic combination. 

PVC can cause severe health problems including cancer, neurological damage, as well as reproductive and immune system damage.

Phosgene is an ingredient in most plastics composed of hydrochloric acid.  Originally designed for military purposes as a poison in the First World War, when inhaled, phosgene destroys lung tissue causing pulmonary edema.


Air filtration systems for laser cutting and engraving

Electrocorp has designed air cleaners for laser engraving and laser cutting environments. They feature a deep bed of activated carbon for the removal of chemicals as well as a powerful HEPA filter to remove particles that are released in the laser cutting process.

Contact Electrocorp for more information.

Laser engraving and chemical exposure

Laser engraving and laser cutting
involve exposure to airborne toxins.

Countless industries rely on laser engraving technology to produce a multiplicity of products, and even works of art.

This intricate technique with its precision and versatility is applied to a wide array of materials, including metals, glass, stone, acrylics, wood and plastic. 

Laser engraving requires the use of protective gear for eyes and hands, of course, but people working with laser systems are also exposed to toxic gases, fumes and smoke particulate that are released into the air every time a laser beam melts its intended target.

The process involves flying sparks, wood and metal particles as well as a toxic chemical cocktail - all released into  the air as a result of laser engraving, laser cutting or laser marking.


Industrial applications of laser cutters

Sub-surface engraving, Anilox rolls, photo polymer imaging, flexographic cylinders and plates are some of the manufacturing uses for laser engraving.

Despite its usefulness, laser engraving creates a great deal of indoor pollutants including VOCs, gases and high volumes of particulate smoke.

The use of laser engraving in and industrial setting involves regular exposure to a number of chemicals, gases and particulate smoke. Some of these materials include polyethylene, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polypropylene, PVC and acrylic.


Liability

According to the Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), at least 5000 employees die on the job each year, while at least a million more report injuries or illnesses.

OSHA regulations stipulate, “employers must provide their employees with a workplace free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm ” (OSHA Regulation Section 5(a)(1)). 

OSHA has issued fines of up to $87,430,000 to companies who fail to meet these standards. 


Health and safety solutions for odor and chemical control 

Electrocorp recommends the following air filtration systems for laser engraving and cutting environments:

RSU Series: Air cleaners
for laser cutting and engraving
(among other uses)

1. RSU Series
   Simple and portable air cleaning solution; CCHR units are recommended, as they provide source capture for precision air-cleaning (fumes, dust and light smoke); two-layer pre-filter to trap heavy dust particles (extends lifespan of HEPA filter); models: RSU 12 CCHR; RSU 20 CCHR; RSU 1224 CCHR
   Find out more about Electrocorp's RSU Series.
    
2. I-6500 XL with Cyclone Collector (for large-scale laser cutting and engraving systems)
   Cyclone collector available for heavy dust and particle removal
   Quiet operation with caster wheels for easy maneuverability; 80 lb. carbon filter and 12” medical-grade HEPA;  up to 1500 CFM
    
3. Laser 6000
   Solid metal housing, small footprint; Pre-filter traps heavy dust particles, extending lifespan of HEPA filter; 6” flange for ducting included; Lower capital and operating costs; 24 lb. carbon filter, HEPA and pre-filter insert; 180 delivered CFM

Contact Electrocorp for more information and customizable air cleaning solutions.