Cleaning Chemicals and Occupational Concerns for Workers and Building Occupants in Puerto Rico

Virtually every business, school, institution and government agency in Puerto Rico utilizes some form of cleaning chemicals in their facilities on a weekly, if not daily, basis. Cleaning chemicals are vital to help ensure the cleanliness of the buildings where people work, visit or go to school in.
 
Chemicals in some cleaning products can be irritating to the skin or can cause rashes.  Cleaning products that contain corrosive chemicals could even cause severe burns if splashed on the skin or in the eyes. Mists, vapors and/or gases from cleaning chemicals can irritate the eyes, nose, throat and lungs.  Symptoms may include burning eyes, sore throat, coughing, trouble breathing and wheezing.  Chemicals in some cleaning products can even cause asthma or trigger an asthma attack.
 
Many factors influence whether a cleaning chemical will cause health problems. Some important considerations include:
• Chemical ingredients of the cleaning product
• How the cleaning product is being used or stored
• Ventilation in the area where the cleaning product is used
• Whether there are splashes and spills
• Whether the cleaning product comes in contact with the skin
• If mists, vapors and/or gases are released
 
“Workers who frequently handle these chemicals include building maintenance workers, janitors and housekeepers among others,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “The improper storage, use or mixing of various cleaning chemicals can create hazardous conditions and indoor air quality problems for not just the employees utilizing the products, but also for other building occupants. Due to these potential hazards, employers need to provide safe working conditions for employees using these chemicals and for their coworkers. Employees should be trained on safe work practices for using cleaning chemicals and the proper use of personal protective equipment.”
 
Employers and workers across Puerto Rico who suspect they are being exposed to chemicals from cleaning activities can turn to the indoor environmental experts at Zimmetry. They offer comprehensive testing and consulting services to identify hazardous chemicals and airborne pollutants. Zimmetry also recently sponsored an educational video about protecting workers from cleaning chemicals and its impact on indoor air quality that can be seen at: http://youtu.be/j5vmB2OgzSY
 
To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and their chemical, indoor air quality (IAQ), environmental, occupational 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, asbestos, lead-based paint, Phase I ESAs and general environmental consulting services.
 

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail