Indoor air quality (IAQ) refers to the air quality within and around buildings and structures, especially as it relates to the health and comfort of building occupants. Temperature, humidity, amount of outside air, mold and airborne contaminants all play a role in IAQ.
This article from Industrial Safety and Hygiene news details how to identify and mitigate contaminants to keep your workers safe, healthy, and productive. Health risks range from illness to disease.
It’s the responsibility of employers to identify and abate exposure to hazards in the workplace according to OSHA General Duty Clause Section 5(a)(1). The permissible exposure limits (PEL) are listed in OHSA’s annotated PEL tables Z-1, Z-2 and Z-3.
If your process cuts, machines, shapes or alters raw materials in a way that creates dust or mist, those materials are being distributed into your facility’s air. All of the potential sources of dust, mist and fumes are capable of having an engineered control system to protect workers.
Fresh Air Exchange, Filtration, and Dust Collection are the main strategies employed to abate contaminants in your production area.
Contact Ventilation Pros today to discuss your IAQ issues.
References
OSHA:
https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/respiratoryprotection/
https://www.osha.gov/dsg/annotated-pels/
EPA:
https://www.epa.gov/iaq-schools/why-indoor-air-quality-important-schools
https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq
https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/introduction-indoor-air-quality
https://www.epa.gov/report-environment/indoor-air-quality
American Lung Association:
https://www.lung.org/about-us/blog/2017/07/how-your-lungs-work.html
Economic, Environmental and Health Implications of Enhanced Ventilation in Office Buildings, Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2015, 12(11), 14709-14722:
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph121114709
Bureau of Labor Statistics:
