Do You Suspect Your Factory Has an Indoor Air Problem?
Many manufacturing facilities have several air pollution sources. Some of these facilities may be poorly ventilated. For example, mechanical ventilation systems may not be designed or operated to provide adequate amounts of outdoor air. Finally, people generally have less control over the indoor environment in their work environment than they do in their homes. As a result, there has been an increase in health problems from employees.
HEALTH EFFECTS
Several well-identified diseases, such as Legionnaires’ disease, asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis and humidifier fever, have been directly traced to poor indoor air quality and “sick building” problems. These are called building-related diseases. Most of these diseases can be treated, nevertheless, some pose significant risks.
Sometimes, building occupants experience symptoms that do not fit the form of any particular disease and are difficult to trace to any particular source. This trend has been labeled sick building syndrome. People may complain of one or more of the following symptoms:
- Dry or burning mucous membranes in the nose
- Eyes and throat; sneezing
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Fatigue or lethargy
- Headache; dizziness; nausea; irritability and forgetfulness.
There is no particular manner in which these health problems occur. In some cases, problems begin as employees enter their work space and diminish as employees leave; other times, symptoms continue until the illness is treated. Sometimes there are outbreaks of illness among many workers in a single building; in other cases, health symptoms show up only in individual workers.
What Causes Problems?
Three major reasons for poor indoor air quality in manufacturing facilities are the presence of indoor air pollution sources; poorly designed, maintained, or operated ventilation systems; and uses of the building that were unforeseen or poorly planned for when the building was designed or renovated.
Ventilation Systems
Mechanical ventilation systems in manufacturing facilities are designed and operated not only to heat and cool the air, but also to supply in and circulate outdoor air. If they are poorly designed, operated, or maintained, however, ventilation systems can contribute to indoor air problems in numerous ways.
Energy Costs
Challenges arise when, in an attempt to save energy, ventilation systems are not used to bring in enough amounts of outdoor fresh air.
Blocked Air Vents
Inadequate ventilation also happens if the air supply and return vents within each room are clogged or placed in such a way that outdoor fresh air does not reach the breathing zone of facility occupants.
Poor Location of Vents
Improperly located outdoor fresh air supply vents can also bring in air contaminated with automobile and truck exhaust, boiler emissions, fumes from dumpsters, or air vented from restrooms.
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