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Tox Town - Environmental health concerns and toxic chemicals where you live, work, and play
Offices and Storesen español

Why are offices and stores a concern?

Because offices and stores are familiar and everyday places, people may not be aware of the health hazards they can pose. Office and store workers can be exposed to chemicals, poor indoor air quality, and biological contaminants that can cause short- or long-term health problems. 

Offices and stores can contain pesticides, cleaning products made with harmful chemicals, and drinking water that may be contaminated. Many offices and stores use or sell products that contain chemicals or materials that can affect human health. Workers can develop skin problems or allergies from handling office and store supplies and products. 

Indoor environments sometimes have higher levels of air pollutants than outside levels. These air pollutants can come from outdoor or indoor sources, including pest control, cleaning supplies, construction products, building materials, and new furnishings. Indoor air pollutants can increase the risk of allergies and respiratory illnesses, including asthma, in office and store workers. Indoor air pollutants can include poisonous gases, such as carbon monoxide and radon. Indoor air may also include second-hand tobacco smoke, which can cause cancer. Particulate matter may be drawn into offices and stores from outside the building, or from activities such as printing, copying, and operating equipment. Bacteria, viruses, molds, and pollen can cause allergies and asthma. 

Office and store workers can suffer injuries from physical hazards or task-related activities.


Web Links from MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine)
Drinking Water
Ergonomics
Household Products
Indoor Air Pollution
Molds
Motor Vehicle Safety
Occupational Health
Secondhand Smoke

More Links
Computer Workstations eTool (Occupational Safety and Health Administration)
Drycleaning (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
eCycling: Electronics Recycling (Environmental Protection Agency)
Haz-Map Occupational Health Info (National Library of Medicine)
Office Building Occupant's Guide to Indoor Air Quality (Environmental Protection Agency)
Office Environment and Worker Safety and Health (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
Worker Safety: Warehousing (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) PDF Icon

Chemicals in Offices and Stores
Are these chemicals in MY environment?
Acetone
Ammonia
Arsenic
Asbestos
Benzene
Carbon Dioxide
Carbon Monoxide
Chlorine
Ethylene Glycol
Formaldehyde
Lead
Mercury
Natural Gas
Nitrogen Oxides
Particulate Matter
Perchloroethylene
Pesticides
Phthalates
Polychlorinated Biphenyls
Propane
Radon
Solvents
Sulfur Dioxide
Toluene
Volatile Organic Compounds


Last Updated: November 13, 2008

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