Air Purifier News: Poor Indoor Air Isn't Just Limited to Homes

Unfortunately, poor indoor air quality is not just limited to homes, as office buildings and industrial work sites are notorious for being significant pollution sources. Contributing factors to workplace indoor quality can stem from inadequate ventilation, building materials, and chemical fumes. Also, because people generally have less control over the indoor environment in their offices than they do in their homes, they may be more susceptible to harmful indoor air. Here are some other examples of contamination sources:

-landfills
-oil refineries
-any type of manufacturing plant that uses any kind of cleaning solvents
-chemical waste storage facilities
-chemical manufacturing plants
-incinerators
-gas stations
-machine shops

Generally speaking, people of all ages can be exposed to workplace hazards so potent they cause a range of health problems, and over time, exposure to the above contamination sources can result in an increased incidence of health problems, including the following:

-various forms of cancer, such as leukemia, lymphoma, or skin cancer
-respiratory problems such as allergies, asthma, or breathing difficulties
-learning disabilities such as ADHD
-gastrointestinal effects
-cardiovascular effects
-renal problems, including blood in the urine and other types of kidney problems
-neurological disorders, including chronic headaches and reflex malfunction

In fact, in an investigation conducted by USA Today, it was found that employees in more than 35 states had unwittingly transported toxins away from their work sites, therefore potentially exposing their families and members of their households to contaminants such as mercury, radioactive material, and arsenic. Toxins were often carried in workers’ cars, on shoes, clothes, and even briefcases.

If you work in an industry in which poor air quality may be a problem, alerting your employer to the situation should be your first step in combating the problem. In addition, if you suspect that you have been exposed to contaminants in your workplace, have your case evaluated by a qualified employment attorney. While each exposure and injury can involve different elements of damage, an environmental lawsuit against an employer can usually present the following:

-medical compensation
-emotional distress
-loss of quality of life, as the damages incurred as a result of workplace contamination can affect one’s lifestyle
-personal injury
-punitive damages

Indoor air quality is regulated by both federal and state laws, and state provisions are often monitored by the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Therefore, an employment attorney can inform you of your health and safety rights in the workplace, and represent you in court if you choose to file a lawsuit against your employer for violating clean air standards.