Airborne Contaminants, Respirable Particulates and Lung Cancer Risks in Puerto Rico

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths and the second most common cancer among both men and women in the United States. The agency states that the most important thing a person can do to lower their lung cancer risk is to quit smoking and to avoid secondhand smoke. The second leading cause of lung cancer is radon, a naturally occurring gas that comes from the ground and can get trapped in homes and buildings.  
 
People can also be exposed to a number of other substances and chemicals at work or in the home that could increase their chances of developing lung cancer. There are numerous known carcinogens that may be present in the workplace in the form of gases, dusts or fumes. These include, but are not limited to asbestos, arsenic, formaldehyde, diesel exhaust, and some forms of silica, beryllium and chromium. A number of these same substances may also be present in people’s homes, for example, asbestos, formaldehyde and radon can be found in many homes and apartments.
 
“We know so much today about exposure risks to substances that could cause lung cancer or other respiratory diseases over time,” said Harry Pena, President of Zimmetry Environmental. “Understanding what is in the air we breathe at home, school, or in the office or on the jobsite is important for our well-being. At Zimmetry, our building science and air quality professionals have the tools and expertise to identify a wide range of airborne contaminants and known carcinogens throughout Puerto Rico. If test results identify pollutants at levels of concern, steps can then be taken to eliminate or mitigate their presence.”
 
Zimmetry Environmental has also sponsored an educational video about lung cancer and airborne contaminants that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/yEDAvcHf6pc
 
To learn more about Zimmetry Environmental and their indoor air quality, occupational, industrial hygiene, compliance and 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

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