Life after gas stations – watch out for vapor intrusion

Abandoned gas station in Illinois. Photo by Dual Freq

Thousands of U.S. gas stations have been abandoned in the past 20 years, often remaining vacant and boarded up.

Apart from being an eyesore, these closed-up gas stations can also become a health and environmental hazard, leaking petroleum into the soil and water supplies underneath.

According to the National Association of Convenience Stores, more than one quarter of the 200,000 nationwide gas stations have closed since 1991.

Higher oil costs and stiff competition from big-box retailers have pushed smaller stations out of business.

And while many of these abandoned stations sit on desirable land close to busy streets and communities, it is no wonder that so many remain boarded and locked up.

Converting former gas stations into a thriving new business opportunity may be challenging, if the ground has been contaminated. Cleanup costs are high and state and federal assistance is limited.

The contaminated soil can lead to vapor intrusion on new construction and in nearby buildings, elevating cleanup costs even further.

Small lot sizes and people’s persisting  perceptions are other big challenges, developers say.

Still, others see the potential and turn old gas stations into electric charging pump stations, office space or modern coffee shops.

Source: New York Times

Air cleaners for petroleum chemicals and more

Activated carbon is a safe and effective filter
for gases, chemicals and odors.

Vapor intrusion is a big concern when it comes to old gas stations, and exposure to these types of chemicals and fumes has been linked to health problems.

As a market leader offering air cleaners for industrial and commercial applications, Electrocorp’s portable air cleaners with activated carbon and HEPA can remove petroleum chemicals, volatile organic compounds, odors, fumes, particles, dust and biological contaminants from the indoor air.

Electrocorp works with individual clients, environmental consultants and government buyers to provide the most efficient and affordable air cleaners to these types of sites.

Contact Electrocorp for more information. For residential air purifiers, please contact AllerAir Industries Inc.
  

High-risk workplace a reality for mechanics and auto body shop workers

Motor oils and solvents pose serious air quality
risks for auto mechanics and shop workers.

Auto workers step into a potentially dangerous work zone every day and have to deal with a wide range of risks and hazards in garages and auto body shops.

One of the most dangerous aspects of the job involves working with materials that emit harmful fumes, mist or fine dust and contribute to poor indoor air quality.

When working with these types of products, employees should be wearing a respirator and using it properly.

In some cases, a formal risk assessment may be necessary to guarantee safe working conditions.

It’s also critical to have care and control when operating machinery or equipment to avoid accidents.

Loud noises and high decibel levels increase the workers’ risk of hearing loss.

Here are some other tips for car mechanics and auto body shop workers:

• Be aware of the risks and hazards and the environment in general. Knowledge is key in prevention and safety.
• Report hazards immediately to your supervisor
• Take part in or ask for monthly safety meetings
• Wear the appropriate personal protective equipment at all times, no exceptions.

Source: WorkSafeBC (WorkSafe Magazine July/August 2012)

Air cleaners for garages and auto body shops

Polluted indoor air in garages and auto body shops is an occupational health hazard that needs to be addressed.

Electrocorp has developed industrial-strength air cleaners for garages and auto body shops to tackle all those harmful chemicals, fumes, odors, volatile organic compounds, mists and fine particles that can affect the health and well-being of workers.

Multistage filtration system: The air cleaners contain deep beds of activated carbon, one of the most efficient (and affordable) filtration methods for gaseous pollutants, as well as medical-grade HEPA or micro-HEPA filters for particles and dust.

The air cleaners come in portable sizes, or they may be attached to the ceiling or the wall.

Contact Electrocorp for more information and options.
 

Occupational health: How to control presenteeism

Going to work when
feeling sick can be
costly for companies.

The right occupational health and safety measures can help manage presenteeism and productivity

Presenteeism – a term that describes an employee coming to work despite feeling ill or unwell – can affect not only the affected person’s productivity but it can have other impacts on the workplace as well.

A sick employee can spread the infection or disease at work, can disturb others and can bring down overall productivity.

Studies have shown that presenteeism can cost companies billions of dollars and even though the term has been talked about quite a bit, managers are often at a loss about how to handle it.

How can presenteeism be managed?

The term presenteeism applies to two different kinds of employee behaviors:

1. When employees come to work sick or tired and may be less effective because they are stressed, depressed, suffering from headaches or a chronic physical disorder
2. When employees work excessively long hours because they are over-committed to the job or have a fear of losing it

Organizations should be aware that physical conditions often have a psychological connection, studies show.

In many instances, employees with chronic conditions hesitate to tell their employers for fear of stigma, loss of employment or general distrust of managers.

Experts suggest developing a working culture that allows employees to experience optimum well-being. 

Organizations must provide a culture that respects the rights and responsibilities of both employees and employers, they say, and certain strategies may help to improve communication, trust and cooperation.

Source: Personnel Today

A better work environment for healthier employees

Electrocorp's RAP series:
Carbon + HEPA filtration

The right working culture is important, but a healthy work environment also takes good indoor air quality and other health-related factors into account.

Cleaner and healthier air has been shown to have a positive impact on productivity, sickness and the occurrence of presenteeism at the workplace.

Indoor air at work can be teeming with airborne bacteria, viruses, mold, chemicals, odors, particles and allergens that can affect employees’ health and well-being.

Electrocorp has developed portable and powerful air cleaners with activated carbon and HEPA as well as optional UV germicidal filtration to treat the widest range of indoor air pollutants.

Among the many industrial and commercial applications are

• Air cleaners for offices
• Air cleaners for labs
• Air cleaners for facility management
• And many more

The air cleaners are made for 24/7 air purification, minimal maintenance and maximum protection.

Contact Electrocorp for more information and options.

Laser engraving and cutting machines can pose a health risk

Laser engraving and cutting can
produce harmful fumes and dust.

People may not need engraved mementos all the time – but when they want to mark special occasions, a laser engraving and cutting machine can help create the right product.

Laser engraving and cutting machines are often the heart of small businesses that rely on creativity and the ability to engrave memories into keepsake items.

Most of these customized engravings are done in the store, and many engravers use computers connected to engraving machines and 3D designs to stand out among others.

Many businesses also combine laser engraving and cutting services with other services such as design, business branding and marketing as well as product design.

In industrial settings, laser engraving is also often used to mark certain products and materials.

What are the health risks of laser engraving and cutting?

Laser engravers and cutters work with wood, glass or other hard surfaces to engrave logos, messages of personal interest and for special occasions such as wedding or anniversary presents. They also make glass and acrylic awards for companies and sporting organizations.

The laser cutting machines should ideally produce smooth edges that don’t require polishing, they should work quietly and produce no dust, and they should have a fast processing speed, high precision, less waste and high efficiency.

Unfortunately, even large laser cutting machine manufacturers acknowledge that the dust and fumes produced in the engraving process can pose a health hazard.

That is why many machines come with a blower, vacuum, fan or other device to pull dust and fumes from the work area of the laser machine. Not only can the dust damage the equipment itself and destroy the optics, the fumes can be irritating and unhealthy.

How do air cleaners help?

Electrocorp's carbon + HEPA
filters can remove dust, gases
and other contaminants.
Shown: RSU Series

By connecting a portable air cleaner with activated carbon and HEPA to the laser cutting machine, operators can remove chemical vapors, laser cutting fumes and fine particles while preventing the constant clogging that plagues other air cleaning systems.

Electrocorp has developed highly effective source capture air cleaners for laser engraving and cutting, to remove airborne pollutants before they become airborne and circulate.

This capture method offers superior protection for laser cutters and engravers, prevents product contamination and safeguards sensitive laser optics on the machine.

For more information, contact Electrocorp: 866-667-0297.