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

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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

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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.