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)
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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