Extreme air pollution hits NE China

Harbin, October 22, 2013. [Photo: Xinhua]

Heavy smog engulfed northeast China this week, forcing schools closures, and disrupting flights and highways. Visibility in the northeastern city of Harbin was severely reduced and the authorities issued alerts for thick smog or fog.

Officials indicated three major causes of the recent environmental crisis: pollution from coal-burning heating systems; farmers' burning crop stalks; and unfavorable weather.
All monitoring stations in the region reported readings above 200 for PM2.5 indicating severe pollution, eight times higher than safe levels recommended by the World Health Organization.

Harbin is famous for its ice and snow festival which attracts a large number of visitors every year, but the city's frigid winter means that heating is needed for six months of the year. Pushed by big variations in temperatures between day and night and the start of the winter heating season the coal-fueled heating systems are suspected to be trigger of this week events.

While Harbin's recent air pollution issues made the headlines worldwide this week, the situation is not isolated as many cities in Northern China rank among the most polluted in the world.
The Chinese authorities issued earlier this week an educational guide to inform the population on the health risks caused by environmental pollution and ways to minimize the exposure to airborne contaminants.

The Peking Union Medical College and the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention recently released a study suggesting that outdoor and indoor air pollution are the fourth- and fifth-biggest disease-causing factors in China.

Air is one of the essential ingredients for good health and poor air quality, outdoors and indoors, can damage our health. While the outdoor pollution has global effects that affect us all, it is relatively difficult for individuals to reduce their exposure to airborne contaminates.

As indicated by numerous studies on human exposure to air pollutants, the concentrations of air pollutants may be 2 to 5 times (and up to 100 times) higher indoors than outdoors. Indoor air pollutants have been listed among the top five environmental risks to public health and during the cold season when homes, schools and offices are sealed up to conserve energy, the problem can be magnified.

Advanced Air Purification Solutions

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World Health Organization: “Air pollution causes lung cancer”

Image courtesy of GREENPEACE (www.greenpeace.org)

Last week, the International Agency for Research on Cancer added air pollution on the list of known carcinogens, alongside asbestos, tobacco and UV radiation. Scientifically proven by an expert panel organized by the IARC, the air pollution is now considered the most important environmental carcinogen, surpassing second-hand smoking.

While some of the airborne pollutants such as vehicle exhaust fumes were already classified as carcinogens, this is the first time when air pollution as a whole is added to the list of known carcinogens.

The new classification is the result of over 1000 studies worldwide. Analyzed by the scientists, the studies provided enough evidence that exposure to air pollutants, a complex mixture of gases and fine particulate matter, can cause lung cancer and lead to or exacerbate heart and respiratory conditions.

According to IARC, in 2010 alone over 200000 lung cancer deaths and more than 3.2 million of premature deaths were linked to air pollution.

While it is almost impossible to avoid exposure to outdoor air pollutants such as emissions from motor vehicles, industrial processes and power generation, the fact that we spend up to 90 percent of our time indoors lowers the health risks.

Common signs and symptoms of exposure to polluted air include: headaches, fatigue, shortness of breath, worsening allergy and asthma symptoms, sinus congestion, cough, and sneezing, eye, nose, throat, and skin irritation, dizziness and nausea.

Understanding and controlling some of the common pollutants found indoors can help improve your well-being and reduce the risk of health concerns related to indoor air quality (IAQ).

With over 20 years of experience in air purification, Quatro Air Technologies offers efficient, cost-effective solutions to reduce your exposure to airborne pollutants. Our multi-stage air purifiers equipped with various combinations pre-filters, HEPA filters and chemical filters eliminate harmful chemicals, odors and 99.97% of airborne particles.
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Clean Air For MCS Sufferers

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity

Introduced by T.G. Randolph in 1954, the term "chemical sensitivity" described the inability of the adaptive mechanism of the body to handle the intake of common environmental chemicals leading to allergic reactions. The condition, rejected at that time by the majority of academic physicians, was also referred as Chemical Injury or Environmental Illness. In 1987, Mark R. Cullen introduced the term "multiple chemical sensitivity" in journals of occupational medicine starting a long-lasting debate over chemical sensitivities.

In the last decade physicians noticed an increased number of what appears to be symptoms of allergic reactions in the general population. Difficulties in breathing, rashes, congestion, nausea, rashes, and others have been linked to non-naturally occurring chemicals in the environment.

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) is an adverse physical reaction to low levels of many common chemicals. The National Institute of Health has defined MCS as a “chronic recurring disease caused by a person’s inability to tolerate an environmental chemical or class of foreign chemicals.”

Many MCS sufferers react to airborne chemicals such as solvents, smoke, diesel, pet fur, dander or personal care products and complain of severe sensitivity or allergic reactions when exposed to very low levels of those pollutants.

The symptoms, triggers and diagnostic uncertainties of MCS are very similar with other health conditions where the environment is the common denominator. One such example is the "sick building syndrome” (SBS) where complaints like headache, decreased impulsion and irritation of the mucous membranes appear simultaneously in several persons in a building.

While it is very difficult to pinpoint the exact cause,  a wide range of possible triggers such as improper ventilation, offgassing of chemicals from building materials and maintenance products, bad odors, infrasound or unfavorable illumination have been linked to MCS symptoms.

Many symptoms of MCS are similar to other health conditions but the most common reactions include:

• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Disorientation
• Dizziness and Faintness
• Flu-like symptoms
• Nausea
• Irregular or Rapid Heartbeat
• Muscle and Joint Pain
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Mood Disturbances - Depression/Anxiety/Irritability
• Short-term Memory Problems
• Asthma/Breathing Problems
• Rashes

MCS reactions could be triggered by various chemicals, from perfume to vehicle exhaust, hydrocarbon based volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) being the common ingredients.
The most common chemicals linked to MCS symptoms are:

• Pesticides (DDT, chlordane, lindane and dieldrin)
• Exhaust fumes (carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, benzene, formaldehyde, polycyclic hydrocarbons, suspended particles)
• Perfumes (benzaldehyde, benzyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, camphor, ethanol, ethyl acetate, limonene, linalool, a-pinene, g-terpinene and a-terpineol)
• Paint fumes (acetone, toluene, xylene, formaldehyde, benzene derivatives)
• Household Cleaning Products (diethyl phthalate, toluene, hexane, xylene)
• Personal care products (cocoamide DEA, propylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulfate, acetone, benzaldehyde)
• Furniture and carpets (acetone, toluene, xylene, formaldehyde, benzene derivatives)
• Cigarette smoke (ammonia, acetaldehyde, acetone, benzene, butyraldehyde, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, hydrogen cyanide, nitric oxide and toluene)

MCS is a serious condition because of its physiological symptoms and social effects. MCS sufferers tend to become more isolated as they avoid being around people wearing perfume or deodorant, or in spaces where chemicals are used frequently for cleaning or maintenance.  People affected by MCS could lose their jobs due to their sensitivity to the chemicals in the work environment. Relationships could also be affected as the partner can’t understand or adapt to living without common chemical products.

Quatro Air AF400 Air Purifier

Because the symptoms of MCS are so diverse, there is no generic medical treatment to work on all those affected. The only thing doctors, psychologists, and psychiatrists agree on is that avoiding the triggers is probably the best way to help MCS sufferers.

Using a high quality air purifier can provide significant relief by reducing the concentration of airborne chemicals or completely removing them.

In order to provide the best protection for MCS sufferers, Quatro Air Technologies (1.877.978.2876) offers a line of residential and commercial portable air purifiers combining medical-grade HEPA filters and 26 blends of chemical filtration media.

Contact one of our IAQ specialists today to find the right air purifier for you.

Indoor air quality, a major concern for office workers

IAQ in Office Buildings - A Major Health Concern

As more and more organizations became aware of the importance of healthy and productive indoor environments, the demand for good indoor air quality (IAQ) for office buildings increased exponentially in the last decade.

Scientific evidence indicates that indoor environments sometimes can have concentrations of pollutants that are much higher than levels found outside. The air inside homes and office buildings can be two to five times more polluted than the outdoor air and in some extreme situations up to one hundred times. During the cold season when homes, schools and offices are sealed up to conserve energy, the health and comfort issues associated with poor indoor air quality multiply exponentially.

Today, people are spending nearly 90% of their time indoors, exposing themselves to higher concentrations of pollutants for extended periods of time. The pollutants in our indoor environment can increase the risk of illness and have significant economic consequences for companies due to high loss of work time and performance, linked to health issues.

Health effects often include irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and allergy-type symptoms. While these symptoms are usually short-term, and disappear when the source of pollution is removed, more serious conditions such as asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonia, Sick Building Syndrome (SBS), Building-Related Illness (BRI) and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) can affect some individuals after exposure.

The quality of indoor air is affected both by the pollutants inside the workplace and outdoor sources. Some of the major indoor pollution sources include building materials, furnishings, biological contaminants, cleaning and personal care products, office equipment, HVAC systems and humidification devices. Outdoor pollutants are mainly generated by the exhaust fumes from vehicles, chemicals and odors from production facilities and industrial plants and dust and particles from nearby construction sites.

In general, Indoor air quality problems in office buildings can be resolved by providing sufficient clean air and by eliminating major sources of contamination within the building.

Quatro Air Technologies (1.877.978.2876) offers complete air purification solutions to help improve the air quality in office environments. Using a multi-stage filtration system, our versatile and cost-effective air purifiers offer enhanced protection against a wide range of airborne pollutants including chemical compounds, gases, odors and particles.

The AF Series Air Purifiers for Home an Office Environments [Download PDF brochure]

Clean Air for Healthy Schools

Excited, nervous or a little scared and maybe a little sad that summer is over, the students have returned to school.

While most people are aware that outdoor air pollution can affect their health, only a small percentage realize that poor indoor air quality can also have significant health effects.

Students, teachers and school staff spend a great deal of time inside schools buildings. Over the past decades, the indoor air pollution in schools has increased steadily due to numerous factors such as aging buildings, tighter maintenance budgets, inadequate ventilation, and increased usage housekeeping supplies.

With a higher density of occupants for the same floor space when compared to typical office buildings, schools require adequate indoor air quality in order to create a favorable environment for students and staff.

Children are particularly affected by exposure to air pollutants as their bodies are still developing. Symptoms, such as headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, sinus congestion, coughing, sneezing, dizziness, nausea, and irritation of the eye, nose, throat and skin are frequently associated with poor indoor air quality.

Inappropriate indoor air quality is also linked to reduced productivity of the staff due to discomfort, sickness, or absenteeism.

The typical indoor air pollutants common to schools are:

• Biological contaminants (mold, dust mites, pet dander, pollen, etc.);
• Dust
• Fine particulate matter
• Lead (Pb)
• Nitrogen oxides (NO, NO2)
• Carbon dioxide (CO2)
• Carbon monoxide (CO)

In order to lower the concentration of indoor air pollutants and minimize the exposure risks for school occupants, Health Canada proposes six basic control strategies:

1. Source Management.

   It is the most effective control method and includes source removal, source substitution, and source isolation.

2. Local Exhaust.

   It involves the removal of individual sources of pollutants before they can disperse into the indoor air, by venting the contaminated air directly outside. (Examples: restrooms, kitchens, science labs, housekeeping storage rooms, printing and duplicating rooms, and vocational/ industrial areas such as welding booths.

3. Ventilation.

   Helps dilute the concentration of noxious fumes in the air by introducing cleaner outdoor air into the building.

4. Exposure Control.

   It involves adjusting the time and location of use in order to minimize the exposure of school occupants to intentionally released air contaminants. (Example: the best time for maintenance work such as painting, carpentry, masonry, welding is on Friday after school is dismissed; the ventilation system would then help reduce the air contaminants over the weekend).

5. Air Cleaning.

   It involves the filtration of particles from the air using air purification units, stand-alone or attached to the existing ventilation system.

6. Education.

   The school occupants must be provided with information about the sources and effects of contaminants, and about the proper operation of the ventilation system.

AF Series Air Purifiers

Equipped with multistage filtration systems including pre-filters, HEPA filters and chemical filters, Quatro Air’s powerful air purifiers are designed to remove a wide range of indoor air pollutants.

Take a look at our AF Series air purifiers (PDF format) and talk to one of our air quality experts about your indoor air quality concerns. 1.877.978.2876

3D Printers and Indoor Air Quality

3D Desktop Printer
MakerBot Replicator2

Ideal for rapid prototyping and small scale manufacturing, the 3D printing technology is expanding rapidly fueled by the development of low-cost desktop 3D printers.

3D printing (or Additive manufacturing) is an additive process known as molten polymer deposition (MPD) where very thin layers of thermoplastic are melted successively deposited on a baseplate by a computer controlled heated nozzle. As the thermoplastic hardens, the baseplate moves to the next layer, and the process continues until the desired 3D object is created.

There are several types of thermoplastics suitable for this process (polyvinyl alcohol - PVA, polycarbonate - PC, high-density polyethylene - HDPE) but most desktop 3D printers utilize either acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or polylactic acid (PLA).

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) is a tough thermoplastic with a very good impact resistance and shock absorbance. In the 3D printing process the acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) prints at approximately 220 °C nozzle temperature and 80 °C baseplate temperature.

Polylactic acid or polylactide (PLA) is a thermoplastic derived from organic renewable sources such as corn starch and it prints at nozzle temperatures of about 180 °C and room temperature for the baseplate.

Recent studies on thermal processing of thermoplastics indicate that both gases and particles are emitted during the manufacturing processes. The main byproducts of the ABS thermal decomposition include carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide and a variety of volatile organics (VOC), all being well-known health hazards.

Another potential concern is the ultrafine particles (UFP), particles less than 100nm generated during the 3D printing process.

The authors of the “Ultrafine particle emissions from desktop 3D printers” study conducted a series of measurements on UFP concentrations resulting from the operation of several desktop 3D printers operating in a small office. The results indicated both ABS and PLA thermoplastics emit relatively high concentrations of ultrafine particles (UFP) and proper filtration is recommended.

UFPs are the main constituent of airborne particulate matter and due to their ability to penetrate deep within the lung and deposit in head’s airways, are a major health concern.

Quatro Air SPL-400
Multipurpose Source Capture Air Purifier

Experimental studies have shown that ultrafine particles are capable to pass through skin, enter the bloodstream from the lungs and cross cellular membranes. It was also indicated that the toxicity could increase as the particle size decreases due to increased surface area.

Even if components of certain UFPs are not very toxic, exposure to high concentrations may cause oxidative stress, inflammatory mediator release, and could induce lung disease and other systemic effects.

With a fast growing user base and sold without proper filtration, the 3D printers could expose the operators to serious health hazards.
Backed by 20 years of experience in air purification systems, Quatro Air Technologies (1.877.978.2876) offers a wide range of high efficiency source capture fume extractors designed remove airborne contaminants and create a healthy work environment.

Advanced Air Purification for healthcare facilities, isolation rooms and infection control areas

MedicAir

Advanced Air Filtration
for Healthcare Facilities

When an emergency situation arises, there is no time to waste.

Working closely with healthcare professionals allowed Quatro Air’s engineers to understand their strict requirements and design a highly efficient air purification system that can be deployed in less than 15 minutes and transform any room*  into an emergency negative pressure isolation environment.

The MedicAir series is the result of this cooperation and it is the only mobile unit available in the medical field that will automatically adjust the airflow to maintain a predetermined pressure setting. The MedicAir air purification units were successfully tested in a Quebec healthcare facility, in various scenarios such as: emergency room, isolation room, dialysis unit, pediatric ward and regular rooms. During the deadly SARS outbreak of 2003, the MedicAir air purifiers proved their capabilities, hundreds of units being shipped to hospitals around the world in order to help contain the spreading of the virus.

The MedicAir’s highly customized microprocessor control system eliminates the need for hospital personnel to constantly monitor the pressure and manually adjust the speed settings to maintain it at a predefined level. The MedicAir unit was capable to detect minute changes in pressure (e.g. the opening the door) and to compensates immediately by increasing the speed of the fan. The unit will automatically maintain negative pressure as well as guarantee a minimum of 12 air changes per hour*.

Engineered for high efficiency and equipped with a wide array of features, the MedicAir advanced air purification system meets and exceeds the requirements of any healthcare facility.

MedicAir Features:

• Automatic control of room pressure via VFD code protected, tamper proof controls.
• System inlet at breathing zone level in order to capture viruses as soon as possible
• Certified HEPA filters (99.97%) are LaserBlue gel sealed; guarantee zero filter bypass of contaminated air.
• Germicidal UV lamps
• Microprocessor control ensures minimum airflow to maintain negative room pressure.
• Visual and audible alarms when room pressure not achieved.
• Safety Filter Check; unique feature that prevents the unit from operating without filters.
• 2 decontamination ports.
• 4 heavy-duty rubber 2” wheels, 2 lockable,  for increased mobility and stability.
• Whisper quiet operation; noise level below 54dbA.
• Fans located on the clean side of the unit ensuring a maintenance-free fan/motor/control section
• Fast and easy deployment
• CSA (US) approved to medical standard

With over 60 units operating in various healthcare facilities in Quebec, MedicAir has proved to be one of the best solutions for negative pressure air purification systems.

[Download MedicAir brochure]

Talk to one of our specialists today to determine which MedicAir unit best suits your needs.
Quatro Air Technologies, 1.877.978.2876
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(* Rooms as large as 2500 cubic feet as per CDC.)

Possible Dangers of Spray Foam Insulation (SPF)

Due to its excellent thermal insulation properties, spray polyurethane foam (SPF) has become one of the most popular and effective insulation solutions for builders and homeowners trying to build energy efficient houses. Spray polyurethane foam (SPF) is a dual component air sealant and insulation material which expands in a way that seals irregular gaps and crevices to provide an effective barrier against air infiltration.

However, its key ingredient, isocyanates such as MDI (methylene diphenyl diisocyanate), and other SPF chemicals are highly reactive chemicals and dermal or respiratory exposure to these compounds, can cause adverse health effects such as: contact dermatitis, skin, eye and respiratory tract irritation, asthma, sensitization, lung damage, respiratory and breathing problems. Isocyanates have been reported to be the leading attributable chemical cause of work-related asthma.

Sensitization due to exposure to isocyanates can trigger severe and potentially deadly asthma attacks if re-exposed even at very low concentrations.

When SPF (Spray Polyurethane Foam) is applied, both the ingredients and the byproducts of the process involve potentially toxic emissions.

In addition to the presence of MDI in the product, the chemical reaction and curing of SPF can produce other chemicals of concern: aldehydes, amine catalysts, and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

In 1996, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) issued an alert, following reports of disease and deaths following occupational exposure to diisocyanates.

Data from recent studies indicate that cancer is associated with exposure to commercial-grade TDI (toluene diisocyanate), the results meeting the OSHA criteria for classifying a substance as a potential carcinogen.

The carcinogenic effects of isocyanates were also investigated by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), both organizations reaching the same conclusion: isocyanates should be treated as potential human carcinogens.

In the recent years a steep increase in the number of complaints about adverse health effects from homeowners and occupants of office buildings where SPF has been applied prompted national and local agencies to take a variety of actions to address risks posed by exposure to isocyanates.

Quatro Air Technologies (1.877.978.2876) offers highly efficient air purification systems designed remove airborne contaminants from residential, commercial and industrial environments.

Work on a rail tunnel in Toronto leaves residents covered in dust

Metrolinx, the agency coordinating and integrating all modes of transportation in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, is continuously expanding its transit network. One particular project that has received media attention recently is the work on the rail tunnel for the Union Pearson Express, an airport rail link service that will run between Canada's two busiest transportation hubs: Union Station in Downtown Toronto and Toronto Pearson International Airport.

The residents of Weston, a neighborhood in the northwest end of Toronto, are facing new challenges this summer: the constant rumble of trucks, excavators and other heavy machineries, their exhaust gases and the dust. A thick layer of dust covering everything and making its way inside buidings.

The constant noise and the dust affected the residents and the business community, raising concerns about the air quality.

With dust particles infiltrating homes and offices, the lungs are constantly exposed to danger. The effects of inhaled particles depend on the properties of the particles themselves, their size and their chemical composition.

Particle size is a critical factor that determines where in the respiratory tract that particle may be deposited. Chemical composition is important because aside from their potential toxicity, some substances can also impair the ability of the lungs to clear themselves.

A major concern to local communities is the risk of exposure to crystalline silica contained in airborne dust present on construction sites. Any activities involving cutting, breaking, crushing, drilling, grinding or blasting of sand, rock or stone, clay, concrete, masonry and paint may produce fine silica dust. The silicon dioxide (SiO2) in its crystalline form poses a serious health hazard and it is linked to silicosis, a disabling and irreversible lung condition. The silicon dioxide has also been classified as a Group I carcinogen (Carcinogenic to Humans) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Chronic silicosis is a cumulative and sometimes fatal condition, with symptoms including shortness of breath, cough and weakness. Affected individuals frequently experience fever, weight loss, chest pains and eventually respiratory failure. Exposure to crystalline silica has also been linked to lung cancer, reduced lung function and kidney disease.

Despite being recognized as a significant health hazard, over the last 20 years an estimated 15,000 people have died from the effects of silicosis in the United States alone.

Unfortunately, the common methods for controlling construction site dust emissions (surface wetting and airborne capture) are generally limited, helping reduce the amount of dust but unable to completely eliminate it.

Using a high quality air purifier unit can improve air quality and reduce the health risks.
The BioScan Series of office and residential air purifiers engineered by Quatro Air Technologies  (1.877.978.2876) use medical grade HEPA filters and activated carbon filters to clean the air and reduce the risk associated with poor indoor air quality.

Clean Air for the Printing Industry

Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net

A fast-paced, deadline-driven sector, the printing industry is a major contributor to the global economy.

“Commercial printing is Canada’s longest established and most widely dispersed information technology-based manufacturing industry. Canada’s printing industry accounts for 8.11% of all manufacturing industry in the nation. In 2011 the Canadian printing industry employed 58,469 individuals. There are about 6,724 establishments across the country and which are primarily Canadian-owned.
In 2011 these employees produced over $8.4 billion worth of shipments, $918 million of which was in export sales. With a gross output multiplier of 1.65, the industry will generate an additional $5.47 billion in other sectors of the Canadian economy.” Canadian Printing Industries Sector Council

Many print shop workers face a significant risk of  injury or illness due to their constant exposure to chemical hazards involved in the printing processes such as cleaning solvents, inks, lacquers, spray powder, paper dust, ozone from the UV curing lights. Even though chemical hazards are prevalent due to the use of specific compounds, biological hazards in form of viruses, fungi, bacteria and mold have been linked to a extensive array of health issues.

Deletion fluids containing hydrofluoric acid (toxic and corrosive compound) are occasionally  used to make minor alterations to printing plates. These products are harmful if skin or eye contact occurs leading to skin burns and eye damage. Extremely dangerous if inhaled or swallowed,  the hydrofluoric acid could cause severe respiratory tract irritation.

Ozone, a gas produced during the high voltage electrical discharge in photocopiers and laser printers, is another highly toxic pollutant. In normal conditions, ozone breaks down in air rapidly, but the process can be slowed down by high humidity and temperature. Adverse health effects include eye, nose, throat and lung irritation, dermatitis, headaches and nausea, premature aging, and potential reproductive dangers. Itching, can occur on the face, neck and areas of skin exposed to ozone. When mixed with nitrogen oxide produced when there is a spark in electrostatic photocopiers. ozone can also have an effect on the central nervous system.

The VOCs (volatile organic compounds) generated during the photocopying and laser printing processes can contain traces of decane (carcinogenic), 1,1,1- trichloroethane (can cause skin irritation), iso-octane, toluene (causes fatigue, drowsiness, throat and eye irritation), xylene (can cause menstrual disorder and kidney failure), and benzene (carcinogenic and potential teratogenic).

The drums inside certain printers and copiers might contain selenium or cadmium sulphide. The hot gases emitted from these materials might  cause throat irritation and to exposed workers and short-term exposure to high levels of selenium by ingestion causes nausea, vomiting, skin rashes and rhinitis.

The health effects of carbon monoxide produced when toner (containing carbon black) is heated in poorly ventilated conditions the effects include headaches, drowsiness, faintness and increased pulse rate. Toners, a mixture of plastic resin and carbon black, are classified as a nuisance dust (mildly toxic in itself) but contains impurities known to be carcinogens.

The indoor use of propane or gasoline-fueled equipment such as forklifts has been linked to carbon monoxide exposure in workers. Carbon monoxide (CO), an odorless, colorless gas, can cause sudden illness and death when high concentrations accumulates in a contained, poorly ventilated space.

Quatro Air Technologies (1.877.978.2876 ) has served the print industry for the past 19 years, providing numerous printer manufacturers and print shops with solutions adapted to their specific needs. Visit our website for details.

Workplace hazards for dental professionals

Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Despite the constant improvement in dental health in the recent years due to the fluoridation of drinking water and improved preventive dental care, it is estimated that 2.26 million school days and 4.15 million working days for adults are lost annually due to dental visits or dental sick-days.



Although not always apparent, numerous occupational health hazards are present in dental industry. Along with introduction of new dental materials, it is essential  for dental technicians to identify possible hazards and to implement appropriate preventive measures to protect their health.

With over 20,000 licensed dentists in Canada (January 2010, Canadian Dental Association) and  approximately 37,600 dental lab technicians in the US (according to the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics), a large number of dental technicians are exposed  to numerous hazards, including solvents, acids, gases and vapours from polymerisation, metal casting, and porcelain baking, and also dust coming from plaster, alloys, ceramics and resins.

In the absence of adequate protective measures, exposure to dust with high silica or quartz concentrations and cobalt–chromium–molybdenum alloys generated by grinding and dispersed in the breathing zone present a risk of developing pneumoconiosis, interstitial inflammation, fibrosis as well as decreased respiratory functions. Polishing compounds, some of which display a strong  cytotoxicity, may also lead to undesired reactions.

Exposure to methacrylate monomers may also pose a health hazard, ranging from irritation to skin and eyes and asthma, to headache, pain in the limbs, nausea, loss of appetite, fatigue and sleep disturbances. The use of standard equipment, (gloves, face masks, and glasses) does not offer adequate protection against vapours from monomers.

In order to reduce the exposure to contaminants, good ventilation and adequate air filtration are the most important factors to be considered.

Since 1990 Quatro Air Technologies (1-877-978-2876) provided effective solutions to reduce chemical and particle exposure, offering highly efficient portable and integrated dust collectors and air purifiers for the dental industry.

Protect your health. Breathe clean air.

Image by Soledad Martinez via publicdomainpictures.net

28000 times a day our lungs fill up with a mixture of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, water and other trace gases. Every time we breathe we also inhale the particles polluting the air.

According to recent studies, we spend about 90 percent of our time indoors, in the office, at the gym but mostly at home. Having a healthy home becomes thus a serious issue.

Scientific research has shown that poor indoor air has a detrimental impact on our health, depending on the level of exposure and a person's immune system, from a general sense of discomfort to allergies, asthma and chronic conditions. Children, the elderly and people already suffering from pulmonary or cardiovascular disease are more vulnerable to the effects of air pollution.

At the workplace, poor air quality may reduce concentration and attendance affecting the productivity and performance. In most cases, the following symptoms were linked to poor air quality:

• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Dryness and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and skin
• Headache
• Allergies
• Sinus congestion
• Coughing and sneezing
• Dizziness and nausea

Statistics have shown that the number of people affected by air pollution is comparable with those affected by obesity and lack of exercise and greater than those affected by traffic accidents and infectious diseases.

Indoor air quality is affected by numerous contaminants:

• Off-gassing from building materials, furniture (dust, fiberglass, asbestos, gases, formaldehyde)
• Airborne allergens (pollen, hair, dander and litter dust from pets)
• Off-gassing from household chemicals, solvents, glues (toxic vapors, volatile organic compounds, VOCs)
• Excessive moisture from cooking, bathing and laundering (microbial contaminants, fungi, molds, bacteria)
• Emissions from electronic equipment and appliances (ozone)

Indoor air quality has become an important health and safety concern and regulatory agencies such as OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration in the U.S.) and CCOHS (Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety) recommend the implementation of IAQ management systems at the workplace.

If you think poor indoor air is affecting you, Quatro Air Technologies has a solution for you. Call us at 1-877-978-2876 or visit our website.

Positive Forecast for China’s Air Purifiers Market

Image courtesy of Kevin Dooley,Chandler, AZ

With one of the fastest growing economies in the world, China’s manufacturing sector has a severe impact on the air quality across most of its regions.

Set in motion by the growing social discontent, the Chinese government is planning to invest over 270 billion dollars over the next 4 years to control and reduce air pollution in the most affected areas, especially in the north of the country, targeting major urban areas like Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei province.

According to the state-run media, the Airborne Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan, approved last, month aims to reduce air emissions by 25 percent by 2017.

China’s unprecedented economic growth over the last decades has depended heavily on fossil fuels as source of energy.

However, the growth came with a very high price. In the 2010 Global Burden of Disease (GDB) published in the British medical journal "The Lancet," air pollution is highlighted as a major contributory factor to about 1.2 million premature deaths in China, in 2010 alone.

The effects of poor air quality on human health affect mainly the respiratory and the cardiovascular systems.  The reactions to air pollutants depend on the type of pollutant, the degree of exposure, and the individual's health.

The health effects caused by air pollutants may include difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing and aggravation of existing respiratory and cardiac conditions, resulting in increased medication use, doctor or emergency room visits and even premature death.

Backed by a solid knowhow in industrial air purification, dust and emissions control, Quatro Air Technologies offers effective solutions for residential air purification.

Contact us at 1-877-978-2876 to learn more about our residential air purifiers.

Compact desktop laser workstation from FOBA

Image courtesy of FOBA

Designed for the laser marking of small to medium sized parts and batches, the FOBA M1000 laser workstation offers a generous work area for pieces up to 17”x9”x7” for the automotive, tool, metal, medical, plastic and contract manufacturing industries.

The class 1 FOBA M1000 laser marking workstation can process both small plastic or metal parts and batches of parts. The workstation has a programmable Z-axis, a 17”x9” worktable and a wide opening lift door with a large laser-safe window which offers excellent visibility.

The M1000 laser marking workstation is supplied with integrated lighting and an exhaust nozzle.

FOBA Laser Marking + Engraving is among the leaders in manufacturing and supplying precision laser systems for marking and engraving. FOBA marking lasers mark a variety of materials and parts not least in the key markets of electronics, automotive, plastics, medical, safety and ID. FOBA laser engraving machines are especially applied in the fields of tool, metal and mold making, medical technology, jewelry and coinage.

During the laser making or engraving process, the VOCs and toxic or carcinogen contaminants that could be generated expose the operators to health hazards, ranging from minor skin irritations to more serious conditions. In order to eliminate such dangers, effective fume extraction becomes a critical part of any laser marking system.

With over 20 years of experience in industrial air purification, dust and emissions control, Quatro Air Technologies is the OEM supplier of choice for numerous laser engravers manufacturers offering state of the art laser fume extractors.

Contact us at 1-877-978-2876 to learn more about our fume extractors and dust collectors.