Zimmetry Environmental news

The month of May is recognized as Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month in Puerto Rico and across the globe. World Asthma Day also occurs on the 5th of May. These times of recognition are important as asthma is a chronic lung disease that has a major impact on the lives of too many residents of Puerto Rico.

In fact, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that Puerto Rican children are three times as likely to have asthma, as compared to non-Hispanic whites. A recent stu

According to the Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan, supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cancer is a leading cause of death in Puerto Rico, accounting for 17.7% of all deaths. While cancer mortality has gradually declined over the past several decades, there is still much that can be done to help prevent new cases.

The American Association for Cancer Research has reported that more than 40% of all diagnosed cancers in this country can be attri

Many patients treated in hospitals or staying in long-term care facilities have conditions that make them much more susceptible to infections due to microbial pathogens, including mold.

Over the past last several years, a number of hospitals across the United States have had to temporarily close portions of their facilities due to the discovery of mold growth. In a high profile case in Washington, a number of patients even lost their lives due to infections caused by a common mold kno

The COVID-19 pandemic caused many businesses and institutions to temporarily close their doors early this year. As they’ve reopened, employees are typically required to wear face coverings to help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. 

To help in this effort, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has released guidance on the use of cloth face coverings, including a document specifically for those working in hot and humid indoor environments. OSHA&r

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is described by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) as a potentially dangerous type of staph bacteria. Staph, which is commonly carried on the skin or in the nose of healthy people, can sometimes cause infections, but most of these skin infections are minor.  

With MRSA however, which are types of staph that are resistant to an antibiotic known as methicillin, and often resistant to other antibi

Last year, an estimated 3.7 million visitors came to Puerto Rico. Most of these people arrive on the islands via commercial airlines and cruise ships. The travel and tourism industries are a major source of revenue for the commonwealth, and has been for decades.

Air and sea travel are also essential for residents of the islands to be able to travel for business, visit family and to take leisure trips. The COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus tem

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the asthma rate in Puerto Rico is as high as 19%, while in the rest of the United States the rate is below 8%. Asthma can be caused by exposure to a number of different respiratory allergens and irritants, including perfumes and fragrances in the work environment for some people. For those asthmatics, this would be a form of work-related asthma.

Work-related asthma is a lung disease that can cause a s

Lung Cancer Awareness Month takes place each year during November.  The designation is meant to raise awareness of this deadly disease that takes the lives of so many residents of Puerto Rica each year.

As of 2014, the most recent year that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has lung cancer figures, more than 215,000 people nationwide were diagnosed with lung cancer. That same year, over 155,000 people died from the condition.

Cigarette smoking remains t

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are emitted from thousands of different products and building materials that can be found in businesses, homes and schools throughout Puerto Rico. These VOCs are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids and can then inhaled by building occupants. 

VOCs include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short- and long-term adverse health effects. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), concentrat

For most people, the majority of their time is spent at home and at their place of business. For those with allergies, both of these indoor environments can often be a source of allergens that cause or aggravate their condition.

Millions of people have respiratory allergies, asthma or COPD. Exposure to common indoor allergens such as mold, dust mites, latex, pollen, pets, rodents and cockroaches can trigger health concerns for many of them. Fortunately, indoor envir