National COPD Awareness Month and Identifying Indoor Pollutants to Help those Suffering from the Disease

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI). The institute reports that 17 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with the disease and millions more likely have it, but have not officially been diagnosed.  Globally, COPD affects 251 million people according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
 
COPD refers to a group of diseases that cause airflow blockage and breathing-related problems. It includes emphysema, chronic bronchitis and in some cases asthma. Tobacco smoke is a key factor in the development and progression of COPD, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 1 in 4 people with COPD have never smoked. Additional factors, such as exposure to air pollutants in the home, at work, genetic factors and respiratory infections also play a role. This is why the agency states that the most important aspect of treatment for COPD is avoiding tobacco smoke and other air pollutants.
 
“November’s designation as National COPD Awareness Month makes it the perfect time to spread the word about ways to prevent new cases of COPD and to educate those with the condition about ways to avoid airborne pollutants,” said Franco Seif, President of Clark Seif Clark (CSC). “Most people recognize that keeping away from tobacco smoke is important, but there are numerous other airborne allergens and respiratory irritants that people with COPD should also avoid. These include elevated levels of mold, bacteria, pollen, pet dander, dust mites, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and particulate matter (PM) to name a few.”
 
The industrial hygiene and indoor environmental quality (IEQ) professionals at CSC offer comprehensive air testing services in residential and occupational settings to identify a wide range of airborne pollutants associated with COPD and other respiratory ailments. If IEQ testing identifies an issue, CSC’s building science experts can help come up with solutions to mitigate or eliminate any exposure risks.
 
CSC has also sponsored an educational video about National COPD Awareness Month that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/Sbl4FLOFBmc
 
To learn more about this or other indoor air quality, building science, industrial hygiene, environmental, health and safety testing services, please visit www.csceng.com, email csc@csceng.com or call (800) 807-1118. 
 
About Clark Seif Clark
CSC was established in 1989 to help clients in both public and private sectors address indoor air quality, occupational, environmental, and health and safety (EH&S) issues. CSC is a leading provider of these services with multiple offices along the western seaboard and southwest. The company believes in science-based protocols and has a strong background in engineering, making them the preferred environmental consultants to industrial clients, healthcare facilities, architects, schools, builders, contractors, developers and real estate professionals.
 

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

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