'Green' walls bad for office worker health: Study

In hot and polluted environments, indoor air
pollution may be worse with 'green' walls.

Going green is a growing trend - but in the case of living 'green' walls in offices, it might be a bad idea.

In fact, they could contribute to poorer air quality indoors, experts say.

Researchers of the University of York recently looked at the levels of ultrafine particles (UFPs) in hot and polluted environments. Such particles are a health concern as they can carry potentially toxic substances into the lungs.

The scientists simulated typical UFP levels in Athens, Helsinki and Milan offices during a heatwave and typical summer temperatures. The three cities were selected to compare contrasting climates and locations across Europe.

The researchers found that indoor concentrations of UFPs were highest in the Milan and Athens offices, reflecting high outdoor air pollution levels in these cities.

The pollutants make their way indoors through doors, windows and ventilation systems as well as through gaps in building materials.

However, indoor UFP concentrations were well above those expected through penetration of outdoor particles alone.

The researchers wanted to know why and realized they were a result of high concentrations of reactive volatile organic compounds (VOCs) outdoors, emitted by plants and trees.

These reactive VOCs include limonene, a naturally occurring compound emitted by plants and trees responsible for the citrusy smell in lemons and oranges, and pinene, emitted by pine trees.

Once in the atmosphere, such compounds rapidly oxidise to form a range of gas-phase and particle-phase products, which exist in a dynamic equilibrium depending on the conditions.

During heatwaves such as that experienced during 2003, emissions of VOCs increase in high temperatures and the formation of the secondary gas and particle-phase products becomes very efficient.

When outdoor air is drawn into an office air inlet, it is often filtered to partially remove outdoor particles. However, removing these particles disturbs the equilibrium of the secondary products and in order to re-establish a balance, new particles quickly form once the air reaches the office environment.

Therefore, indoor UFP concentrations are seen to be much higher if reactive VOCs exist outdoors near an office air inlet, as the impact of air filtration is lessened.

This finding is significant as, for the first time, indoor UFP formation is shown to be linked to the oxidation of outdoor plant and tree species in heatwave conditions.

Given the increasing popularity of green walls covered in plants and vegetation, their prevalence in hot, polluted locations could exacerbate indoor air pollution.

The filtration of air in modern office blocks is also seen to be less effective than expected, and this may explain why expected health benefits are often not realised when particle filters are added to a building.

Source: University of York

Ways to go green at work

The workplace can be a greener place.

The idea of going green is not a new one - most North Americans have taken steps to reduce their foot print and save the environment. Even small steps can make a big difference in the future.

Going green at work is the next logical step. Even if employers are slow to take the lead, there are many ways employees can help greenify their workplace.

• Conserve H2O - at home and at work

The average American family uses more than 300 gallons of water per day at home, according to the EPA. We use even more at work or school. You can reduce your water usage in numerous ways. Use WaterSense-labeled toilets and sinks. Check out epa.gov to find rebates for water-wise improvements.

• Look for products that use reclaimed materials

Recycling has become a valid business opportunity for many companies supplying the industry sector. Reclaimed rubber floors for businesses is one example. But there are many ways North American businesses can reuse materials at the workplace.

• Think twice before printing anything

In today's onslaught of e-mails and digital documents, not everything has to be printed anymore. Contracts, yes. Bills, yes. Every single communication with coworkers, no. Just make sure your computer is backed up regularly, so you don't lose anything.

Greener offices often come with improved indoor air quality as well. Even when extra help is needed, it is a good idea to go with the greener option of indoor air cleaners. Electrocorp has designed a wide range of indoor air cleaners that boast with green features:

1. Metal casings that can be recycled. Many commercial air cleaners feature plastic casings. Metal ones are environmentally friendlier and more durable.
2. Refillable air filters. Electrocorp's activated carbon filters can be refilled to reduce waste. The used activated carbon is recyclable or compostable.
3. Energy-efficient usage. Electrocorp's portable air cleaners use about as much energy as a lamp. Different speed options further make them efficient and user-friendly.

Want to find out more about Electrocorp's line of commercial and industrial air cleaners? Contact an IAQ specialist today.

Traffic pollution increases asthma in adults

Living or working
near heavy traffic
affects well-being,
researchers found.

Asthma sufferers frequently exposed to heavy traffic pollution or smoke from wood fire heaters, experienced a significant worsening of symptoms, a new University of Melbourne led study has found.

The study is the first of its kind to assess the impact of traffic pollution and wood smoke from heaters on middle-aged adults with asthma.

The results revealed adults who suffer asthma and were exposed to heavy traffic pollution experienced an 80 per cent increase in symptoms and those exposed to wood smoke from wood fire heaters experienced an 11 per cent increase in symptoms.

Asthma affects more than 300 million people worldwide and is one of the most chronic health conditions.

Dr John Burgess of the School of Population Health at the University of Melbourne and a co-author on the study said "it is now recommended that adults who suffer asthma should not live on busy roads and that the use of old wood heaters should be upgraded to newer heaters, to ensure their health does not worsen."

In the study, a cohort of 1383 44-year old adults in the Tasmanian Longitudinal Health Study were surveyed for their exposure to smoke from wood fires and traffic pollution. Participants were asked to rate their exposure.

The survey asked for exposure to the frequency of heavy traffic vehicles near homes and the levels of ambient wood smoke in winter.

Results were based on the self-reporting of symptoms and the number of flare-ups or exacerbations in a 12-month period. Participants reported from between two to three flare-ups (called intermittent asthma) to more than one flare-up per week (severe persistent asthma) over the same time.

Heavy vehicle exhaust linked to health effects

Traffic exhaust is thought to exacerbate asthma through airway inflammation. Particles from heavy vehicles exhaust have been shown to enhance allergic inflammatory responses in sensitized people who suffer asthma.

"Our study also revealed a connection between the inhalation of wood smoke exposure and asthma severity and that the use of wood for heating is detrimental to health in communities such as Tasmania where use of wood burning is common," Dr Burgess said.

"Clean burning practices and the replacement of old polluting wood stoves by new ones are likely to minimize both indoor and outdoor wood smoke pollution and improve people's health," he said.

"These findings may have particular importance in developing countries where wood smoke exposure is likely to be high in rural communities due to the use of wood for heating and cooking, and the intensity of air pollution from vehicular traffic in larger cities is significant."

The study revealed no association between traffic pollution and wood smoke and the onset of asthma.

It was published in the journal Respirology.

Source: University of Melbourne; EurekAlert!

Keep traffic fumes out at work

Portable air purifiers provide cleaner
air at work and at home.

Many workplaces are situated close to major traffic areas, highways and industrial parks, where the outdoor air may be polluted and seep into the work space.

Electrocorp's air purifiers for the office and other air purification systems for a wide range of industrial uses feature the most efficient and long-lasting air filters to remove airborne chemicals, gases, odors, particles, dust and biological contaminants.

Cleaner air has been linked to fewer employee absences, fewer health and safety claims and increased morale.

Contact Electrocorp for more information and materials.

ABC staff worried about indoor air quality in new building

Indoor air quality at the workplace is an important subject.

Television broadcaster ABC’s construction of a new building in South Bank came in over budget, but cuts could negatively affect the indoor air quality in the space, according to reports by ABC’s current affairs program AM.

In fact, the concerns over the possible IAQ issues caused one of the project’s environmental officers to temporarily resign in 2010, they say.

The cuts could affect the building’s quality of mold prevention, air conditioning and ventilation.

This would be enough for any building to possibly breed unhealthy indoor air conditions, but broadcasting centers also have to deal with a lot of technical equipment, cameras, screens and consoles, which can add to the indoor air pollution.

The ABC staff reportedly looked forward to a greener and healthier building, after the broadcaster announced the move, possibly because 18 women working at the Toowong office had been diagnosed with breast cancer.

The environmental officer resigned because the energy and IAQ ratings for the building were “poor”, but the officer came back a month later.

The budget for the new building was $50 million, but was cut down to $47 million. However, in 2009 the ABC reported that the estimated costs were pegged at $90 million according to the original plans.

Source: Brisbane Times

Never cut down on air quality measures and worker health

Indoor air quality has become such a hot topic because it can have profound effects on the health and well-being, productivity and morale of the workers.

Adequate ventilation, an appropriate heating and air conditioning system and other preventive measures are a must to ensure a healthy working environment.

Electrocorp's RAP Series:
Serious air cleaners

Air cleaning is an important part of that, especially in buildings where concentrations of chemicals and VOCs, tiny particles or mold spores may be elevated.

Electrocorp offers portable and powerful air cleaners with activated carbon and HEPA plus optional UV that can remove the widest range of indoor air contaminants.

The multistage filtration system is key to an air cleaner's efficiency. Carbon is the most important filtration media for airborne chemicals, VOCs, gases, fumes and odors, while HEPA is the gold standard for particle filtration.

The optional UV lamp can provide extra protection against bacteria, viruses and mold by neutralizing these pollutants.

The air cleaners can be moved from one room to the next according to need, they are designed to run 24/7 without using much electricity and they are versatile as well as user friendly.

See our air cleaners for

•  Facility Management
• Offices
• Odor and Chemical Control

Contact Electrocorp for more information and options.