Puerto Rico Prepares to Celebrate Earth Day and the Importance of Air Quality

Since 1970, people across the globe have celebrated Earth Day on April 22nd. People in Puerto Rico have a long history of marking the occasion and recognizing how the environment directly impacts people’s quality of life and even their health.
 
A significant component to Earth Day is the recognition of air quality and how it plays a vital role in the health of the planet and people.  Polluted air can cause direct harm to people.  The World Health Organization (WHO) reports, “By reducing air pollution levels, countries can reduce the burden of disease from stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and both chronic and acute respiratory diseases, including asthma.”  Outdoor air pollution in both cities and rural areas is believed to have caused an estimated 3.7 million premature deaths worldwide in 2012 according to the agency.
 
Polluted outdoor air also has an impact on the air people breathe indoors as outdoor air makes its way through doors, windows and building air intakes.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states, “Most people are aware that outdoor air pollution can impact their health, but indoor air pollution can also have significant, harmful effects. EPA studies of human exposure to air pollutants indicate that indoor levels of pollutants may be two to five times — and occasionally more than 100 times — higher than outdoor levels.”
 
There are also a wide range of air pollutants and contaminants that can often be found in buildings.  “Because many people spent up to 90% of their time indoors, it is vital that the air people breathe at home, work or school is healthy,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental.  “Indoor pollutants may include tobacco smoke, radon, fine particulate matter, lead, asbestos, mold and volatile organic compounds to name just a few.  For people concerned about their air quality, Zimmetry provides comprehensive air testing services to identify and resolve indoor air quality problems.”
 
Zimmetry Environmental has sponsored an educational video about Earth Day and air quality that can be viewed at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EKlDOuteqU
 
To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and their indoor air quality, environmental and compliance consulting services, please visit www.zimmetry.com, call (787) 995.0005 or email info@zimmetry.com .
 
About Zimmetry Environmental
Since 2002, Zimmetry Environmental has been providing environmental consulting services to building owners and managers, architects, engineers, EHS professionals, and Fortune 500 companies.  The company is based in Puerto Rico and provides services across the Caribbean and Central America.  The professionals at Zimmetry offer environmental compliance, indoor air quality (IAQ), asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs, and general environmental consulting services.

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

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