Putting the Professional in St. Louis Professional Industrial Hygienist
No matter how thoughtful your planning and execution, workplace hazards are a reality for today’s business owners. Your employees are your number one asset, and providing a safe environment for them is paramount This is especially true today with lessons learned from the recent COVID-19 pandemic. This is where a professional in industrial hygiene can benefit your organization.
Depending on your industry, employees can be exposed to many chemical, biological, ergonomic and physical hazards. This might include asbestos exposure, dangers associated with working in a confined or poorly ventilated spaces, fire and electrical hazards and even noise or potential dangers that cause hearing damage.
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration defines industrial hygiene as “the science of anticipating, recognizing, evaluating, and controlling workplace conditions that may cause workers' injury or illness. Industrial hygienists use environmental monitoring and analytical methods to detect the extent of worker exposure and employ engineering, work practice controls, and other methods to control potential health hazards.”
Of the many hazards that might affect the health and welfare of employees, two serious issues that can affect any work environment are the presence of lead and mold.
1. ) Lead Poisoning
Most of us have heard a news story about issues of lead poisoning in children. The warnings are plentiful and regulations in place to protect kids from the dangers of lead. When it comes to adults, the workplace can be a place where employees need protection from lead. The workforce of over 120 different industries can be exposed to lead. For example, construction workers might come in contact with demolition, painters when scraping or sanding lead-based paint, or those that repair radiators can be exposed to lead when welding or soldering.
Lead enters the body through inhalation or ingestion. Too much lead is stored in the bones and can build up over time. Health concerns arise from nervous system issues like headaches, memory loss and poor concentration. GI symptoms of lead exposure include nausea, constipation, diarrhea and abdominal pain. Many symptoms are mild and mimic other illnesses. Sometimes lead exposure is diagnosed after there has been a great deal of exposure. That is why you should have the certified professionals at St. John Environmental Consulting test your workplace for the presence of lead to save you and your employees a literal and figurative headache.
2.) Mold
Mold in the workplace is another potential hazard. Concern about indoor exposure to mold coincides with an increase in public awareness that exposure to mold might result in various health problems including allergic reactions. Mold is a natural part of the environment with over 1000 species of mold in the United States and ten times that found nationwide.
Inside your home or business, mold growth is not always obvious. It can grow on any substance as long as water, oxygen and organic sources are present. Molds grow especially well on wood, paper, carpet, foods and insulation. Mold can also be present on wood-framed buildings and affect structural integrity. Mold allergies don’t usually severely affect the human population unless the immune system is compromised. Molds can also greatly affect those with asthma. The onset of allergic reactions to mold can be either immediate or delayed. Allergic responses include hay fever-type symptoms such as runny nose and red eyes. Again, don’t rely on store bought testing to search for mold. Let the professionals of St. John Environmental Consulting perform a thorough St. Louis mold inspection of your buildings to ensure the safety of your number one asset- your employees.
St. Louis Contractor Professional Industrial Hygienist (CPIH)
Ian St. John and the St. John Environmental Consulting team are at the top of their field. As a St. Louis Contractor Professional Industrial Hygienist (CPIH), we are a veteran owned small business that has over two decades of experience in environmental testing. Whether you are a business owner or homeowner, don’t leave your health and safety to chance. Call St. John Environmental Consulting for superior asbestos, lead and mold testing and sampling in St. Louis at (314) 853-4668.
