Formaldehyde Levels Found to be High in New Homes
Source: EMSL Analytical, Inc.
Apr. 21, 2010 ShareThis
EMSL Analytical provides formaldehyde information and testing solutions.
Westmont, NJ, April 20th, 2010
A report listed on the website of the California Environmental Protection Agency’s Air Resources Board raises concerns about the indoor air quality (IAQ) in new homes. The report, “Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality in New Homes” investigated 108 new single story homes that were monitored in a multi-season study.
The results of the research showed the median 24 hour outdoor exchange rate was .26 air exchanges per hour. The California building code requires .35 air exchanges per hour. In these new homes the median formaldehyde levels taken from the indoor air was 36 micrograms per cubic meter. Almost all the homes had levels of formaldehyde that exceeded guidelines for cancer and chronic irritation.
In recent years the health effects associated with formaldehyde exposure have brought to light the dangers from prolonged and repeated contact. The major exposure risks associated with formaldehyde come from occupants inhaling contaminated air. Exposure to elevated levels of formaldehyde can trigger asthma attacks, nausea, watery eyes and difficulty breathing.
Formaldehyde has been shown to cause cancer in animals and according to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) formaldehyde may reasonably be anticipated to be a carcinogen. The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies formaldehyde as a carcinogen.
The list of formaldehyde containing substances is extensive and involves everything from plywood and particle board to insulation, cleaners, carpeting and furniture. EMSL Analytical, one of the nation’s premier formaldehyde testing laboratories with over 30 testing facilities across the United States and Canada, has been providing formaldehyde and VOC testing services for years.
“The risks associated with formaldehyde and other off-gassing from VOCs is a real health concern,” reported Joe Frasca, Senior Vice President for EMSL Analytical. “ESML has an online video that demonstrates formaldehyde sampling techniques at www.EMSL.tv and has made available a formaldehyde brochure that can be downloaded at www.EMSL.com,” Frasca continued.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Big News in PCB Regulations
We will attend these meetings.
http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/hazard/tsd/pcbs/publicmeetings.htm
http://www.epa.gov/epawaste/hazard/tsd/pcbs/publicmeetings.htm
Friday, April 16, 2010
Electrical Safety – 10 Things You May Not Have Known
1. In the USA, there are over 3,000 fatalities and 35,000 serious injuries each year caused by electrical accidents.
o OSHA research concludes that most were preventable
2. Risks associated with electrical systems fall into two categories: 1) shock hazards and 2) arc flash hazards.
3. Electrical shock occurs when contact is made with an exposed energized electrical component.
o Shock hazards can even occur at voltage levels as low as 50 volts
o Many people need training to identify shock hazards
4. An arc flash is a large release of thermal energy associated with a short circuit. If a worker is exposed to an arc flash serious burns and other injuries can occur.
o Significant risk from arc flash is present in most electrical distribution systems
5. As an employer you are required to have a written safety program in compliance with OSHA & NFPA 70E.
6. OSHA has mandatory requirements for employers to perform risk assessments and have electrical safety programs and procedures in place to minimize risk from electrical hazards.
7. Fortunately, there are simple and inexpensive ways to comply with OSHA’s electrical safety requirements and therefore minimize the risk associated with both shock and arc flash.
8. Simple written polices and procedures, a good maintenance program, training, and the use of personal protective equipment such as rubber gloves, flame retardant clothing, and face shields help to minimize the risk. NFPA 70E “Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace” is an excellent resource.
9. Your employees (and outside contractors you hire) who face a risk of electrical hazard must be provided with and trained in the use of appropriate personal protective equipment in accordance the NFPA 70E and OSHA requirements.
10. OSHA is currently placing a strong emphasis on electrical safety and is increasing their enforcement efforts.
o OSHA research concludes that most were preventable
2. Risks associated with electrical systems fall into two categories: 1) shock hazards and 2) arc flash hazards.
3. Electrical shock occurs when contact is made with an exposed energized electrical component.
o Shock hazards can even occur at voltage levels as low as 50 volts
o Many people need training to identify shock hazards
4. An arc flash is a large release of thermal energy associated with a short circuit. If a worker is exposed to an arc flash serious burns and other injuries can occur.
o Significant risk from arc flash is present in most electrical distribution systems
5. As an employer you are required to have a written safety program in compliance with OSHA & NFPA 70E.
6. OSHA has mandatory requirements for employers to perform risk assessments and have electrical safety programs and procedures in place to minimize risk from electrical hazards.
7. Fortunately, there are simple and inexpensive ways to comply with OSHA’s electrical safety requirements and therefore minimize the risk associated with both shock and arc flash.
8. Simple written polices and procedures, a good maintenance program, training, and the use of personal protective equipment such as rubber gloves, flame retardant clothing, and face shields help to minimize the risk. NFPA 70E “Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace” is an excellent resource.
9. Your employees (and outside contractors you hire) who face a risk of electrical hazard must be provided with and trained in the use of appropriate personal protective equipment in accordance the NFPA 70E and OSHA requirements.
10. OSHA is currently placing a strong emphasis on electrical safety and is increasing their enforcement efforts.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Indoor Air Quality on Planes
Airlines reduce the passengers' fresh air to save money. Pilots reduce the fresh air in the passenger cabins, but not for themselves in the cockpit. The amount of oxygen-rich, fresh air the pilots get is believed adequate to keep them clear-headed for the safety of the airplane.
A case can be made that the low-oxygen, recirculated air that passengers breathe can make them woozy, grumpy and vulnerable to catching contagious diseases.
According to the book, The Airliner Cabin Environment (National Academy Press, page 43), when the pilots cut back on air, these pilots get ten times more fresh air than economy passengers get. This happens every day on many airlines.
A study of office buildings found that the transmission of contagious diseases increases significantly when a large percentage of air is recirculated. It seems logical to apply this finding to the airline cabin environment.
Though using all the fresh air available on board isn't going to eliminate the transmission of contagious diseases in aircraft cabins, it will very likely reduce the transmission of contagious diseases on board.
Passengers seated closest to the contagious individual are most at risk. There are other considerations such as where the contagious passenger is seated, the aircraft’s air vents, the flight time and the number of passengers aboard.
A case can be made that the low-oxygen, recirculated air that passengers breathe can make them woozy, grumpy and vulnerable to catching contagious diseases.
According to the book, The Airliner Cabin Environment (National Academy Press, page 43), when the pilots cut back on air, these pilots get ten times more fresh air than economy passengers get. This happens every day on many airlines.
A study of office buildings found that the transmission of contagious diseases increases significantly when a large percentage of air is recirculated. It seems logical to apply this finding to the airline cabin environment.
Though using all the fresh air available on board isn't going to eliminate the transmission of contagious diseases in aircraft cabins, it will very likely reduce the transmission of contagious diseases on board.
Passengers seated closest to the contagious individual are most at risk. There are other considerations such as where the contagious passenger is seated, the aircraft’s air vents, the flight time and the number of passengers aboard.
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