Biological Hazards

Anthrax is a serious disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, a bacterium that forms spores. The B. anthracis spores can remain viable in soil for many years. Anthrax can be found globally in temperate zones, including the United States. Naturally occurring animal anthrax infections in the United States are reported most often in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and South Dakota.

Anthrax has also been used as a biological weapon. This happened most notably in the United States in 2001 when it was deliberately spread through the postal system. Letters containing anthrax in powder form caused 22 anthrax infections and several deaths.

"Some ten years after the notorious postal anthrax case riveted the U.S., there are still concerns regarding this microorganism," reported Derrick A. Denis, V.P. of Indoor Environmental Quality at Clark Seif Clark, a leading provider of indoor air quality (IAQ) and environmental testing services. "Anthrax is classified as a Category A agent by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Category A agents require specific emergency preparedness, and they disproportionately threaten both public health and societal stability," Denis continued.

"A naturally occurring organism, B. anthracis causes outbreaks worldwide on a fairly regular basis. To give an idea of just how common this bacterium is, just last month, veterinarians and health officials in several U.S. states and Canada warned ranchers along the recently flooded Missouri River to watch for and to report unexplained livestock deaths as they may be the result of anthrax," added Denis.

CSC has sponsored an educational video about the risks associated with Bacillus anthracis and anthrax that can be seen here:

Anthrax and Bacillus anthracis

To learn more about anthrax, indoor air quality or other environmental and health & safety concerns, please visit www.csceng.com, email csc@csceng.com or call (800) 807-1118.    

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), "Concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoors. VOCs are emitted by a wide array of products numbering in the thousands. Examples include: paints and lacquers, paint strippers, cleaning supplies, pesticides, building materials and furnishings, office equipment such as copiers and printers, correction fluids and carbonless copy paper, graphics and craft materials including glues and adhesives, permanent markers, and photographic solutions."

VOCs can be a significant concern, especially in new construction and in recently remodeled buildings. Many new building materials, coatings and furnishing can off-gas high levels of formaldehyde and other VOCs.

The State of California Indoor Air Quality Program has an entire section of its website dedicated to informing people about the dangers of VOCs. According to the website, "Symptoms of VOC exposure can include eye, nose, and throat irritation, headache, nausea, fatigue, and dizziness. Chemicals such as formaldehyde and chlorinated solvents are common in indoor air and may exacerbate asthma and cause irritant effects. Although many indoor air chemicals can cause irritation, repeated exposure may lead to long-term health effects."

The length of exposure to VOCs and the overall health of those being exposed are all factors that determine how building occupants will react when exposed to these chemicals. Utilizing products that have minimal off-gassing of VOCs can help reduce exposure. Air testing can also establish what chemicals are present in the indoor air and at what levels. If high levels are found there are techniques available to minimize human exposure.

To learn more about how Clark Seif Clark can help with volatile organic compounds, environmental, indoor air quality (IAQ), and health and safety projects please visit www.csceng.com, email csc@csceng.com or call (800) 807-1118.