Workplace exposure to pollutants can harm unborn children, study found

Most offices and other workplaces expose pregnant women
to a variety of pollutants that may affect their offspring.

As our colleagues at Electrocorp report today, a Danish study has found that breathing indoor air pollutants during pregnancy may increase the likelihood of the baby developing asthma later.

According to a Reuters article, the researchers analyzed the data of more than 45,000 children at age 7 and found that 18.6 percent developed asthma after their mothers had been exposed to low-molecular weight particles at work during pregnancy.

This was a slight increase from the general growing risk of developing asthma, which is 16.1 percent of the general population.

The study adjusted for risk factors such as age, BMI, allergy and hypersensitivities, smoking, medication and pets, but researchers warned that other factors may have influenced the results, which are not easily accounted for.

"Whilst a link has been found, our results at this stage are modest and further research is needed into specific chemicals and substances to determine those that could be most harmful," the study’s leading researcher was quoted as saying.

Cleaner indoor air at work with air cleaners

In many workplaces, existing ventilation systems are simply incapable of providing workers with enough air exchanges and enough fresh air to keep exposure to indoor air pollutants to a minimum.

Most indoor environments are filled with pollutants of a chemical nature (VOCs from building materials, paints, electronic equipment, cleaning products, etc), biological nature (mold growth due to moisture or humidity issues, bacteria and viruses) and particulate matter (dust and particles, which can also be laced with other toxins).

AllerAir offers portable and highly efficient air purifiers for the home and office, which can remove the widest range of indoor air pollutants with their powerful activated carbon + HEPA filtration system.

For industrial air cleaners that can treat industry-specific indoor air contaminants quickly and efficiently, browse Electrocorp's solutions for various industry applications.

Contact AllerAir for more information and to find the best air purifier for your needs.
  

Study shows the high costs of colds in North America

The cost of colds and the flu weighs heavily on Canadian
and US workers, a new study shows.

A Canadian study on the impact of colds and flu on school absenteeism, the workplace and the economy found that the costs are staggering.

In the first study of its kind, the researchers reviewed published clinical trials, studies and research projects from more than 300 researchers. 

The report with the title "Why the Common Cold and Flu Matter" pointed out the following highlights.

• 1/3 of Canadian adults have a sore throat, cold or flu in any given month. More common in women than men.  
• 2/3 of Canadian adults experiencing the first signs of a cold or flu used some type of self-treatment. Women were more likely to self treat and also consult a doctor as compared to men.  
• 1/5 of Canadian adults ignore symptoms altogether  
• Cough/cold remedies are the second most commonly used medications in Canada.  
• Canadians spend more than $300 million a year on over-the-counter cold and flu treatments and prescription antibiotics which, for the most part, neither "...ameliorate symptoms nor change the course of the illnesses."

The researchers say prevention can make a big difference in reducing the impact of colds and the flu.

While children in schools and daycare easily spread infections and colds, adults are also to blame, the study found, as many continue to go to work when they are sick and the spreading diseases lead to much greater productivity losses and increased costs for companies.

In fact, 83% of participants in a U.S. survey on work and illness say they continued to attend work or school while experiencing symptoms of an influenza-like illness. 

This behavior adds up to a significant economic cost as researchers cite direct costs due to lost productivity from colds at $25 billion in the U.S. 

Taking into consideration both indirect (lost productivity) and direct (doctor visits and medicine) costs, of colds, the figure in the U.S. annually is $40 billion.

Improve IAQ at home and at work for better results

Air purifiers for the home and office:
4000, 5000 and 6000 Series

AllerAir’s carbon + HEPA airpurifiers provide a simple and cost-effective solution to better indoor air at home, in school and at the office.

Choose an air purifier with UV germicidal filtration (like a 5000 Exec UV) for enhanced protection from biological contaminants such as viruses, bacteria and mold mycotoxins.

The powerful air purifiers are easy to use, portable and effective in removing a wide range of indoor air pollutants, including chemicals, VOCs, gases, fumes, odors, particles, pollen, dust and pathogens.

Contact AllerAir for more information and personalized recommendations.