Toxins in The Air Alert Your Office

At the beginning of work, you already feel disturbed by a strange smell that erupted immediately after entering the office area. Now after several years of working there, you have been accustomed to the smell of it even though many others remain undisturbed. A recent study reminds you to be careful with such working conditions.

In the journal Environmental Science and Technology, reported that the air in the office can contain harmful chemicals that arise from the carpet, paint, furniture glue, insect repellent, even from the raw materials industry in which you work.

The study examined the effects of one of the most common chemicals used for surface treatmentpada carpets, textiles, leather and paper, foam, cleaning materials and many other products, namely polyfluorinated compounds (PFCs). It took many years for the body to digest and dispose of the body.

The researchers found concentrations of PFCs in the office air, which is in the form of fluorotelomer alcohol (FTOH), is 3 to 5 times higher than the air in the home environment. This suggests that we should be aware of the existing air in the office, especially if you spent all day at the office more than elsewhere.

Not only that, the more worrying is FTOH metabolites was also found in the blood of the workers tested. Higher levels found in those who work in buildings that are under renovation. The higher concentrations of PFCs are exposed, the higher the levels of chemicals in the blood of the workers there.

Effects of these chemicals will interfere with fat metabolism, heart health, body development, reproductive and immune systems, based on testing in laboratory animals. Although still not much direct effect on human research, but some evidence has led to an association of PFOA and PFOS to the low weight of babies at birth and also the increase in cholesterol.

For that, try to work you have good air circulation, complete with a neutralizing toxins and balance of plant life in the office with free air.