At first glance, heavy industry workers, factory workers and musicians wouldn't seem to have much in common as they go about the jobs they do, but in fact they share a very important risk factor - potential hearing loss. 

According to the Center for Hearing and Communication, exposure to dangerous levels of noise in the workplace is one of the leading causes of hearing loss.  An estimated 38 million people suffer from hearing loss and 1 in 4 workers exposed to high levels of noise where they work will develop a hearing loss.  After much research, OSHA has set the standard at 85dBA, meaning continued exposure over 85dBA has been proven to eventually harm hearing.

The recycled high density polyethylene plastic used to manufacture Industrial Maid's industrial air filtration equipment is not only environmentally friendly, it also dampens the noise of the motor blower.  Depending on the model, Industrial Maid products test between 60 and mid 70's dBA.  As a point of reference, a normal conversation is rated at 60 dBAs.

For more resource information about hearing conservation in the workplace visit National Hearing Conservation or follow the link to find out more about  OSHA standards.

As the Spring weather is upon us industrial shops are tempted to throw open their overhead doors and vent industrial fumes, dusts, and other pollutants to the outdoors. Bhalchandra Gokhale* in MoneyLife Magazine reminds us that 25 of the approximate 60 elements found in our bodies are proven to be toxic at varying levels. Excessive build up of metals in the body is referred to as "Heavy Metal Toxicity". Aluminium, arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, mercury, nickel and thallium are some of the common metals found in the body. It has been noted that some metals are more hazardous when they occur together, commonly known as 'synergistic toxicity'. While most people naturally excrete toxic metals; others are not able to rid themselves of these metals, usually due to genetics.

Polluted air and contaminated food and water are just two of the ways that metals most commonly enter the human body. Air is polluted when particulate metals enter the air via fumes from industrial applications like welding, soldering, smelting etc. Water and food are contaminated as rainwater mixes with these particulates, seeps into the soil and then mixes with groundwater.

As manufacturing expands in what looks like the beginning of a recovery for U.S. industries, we need to be watchful and demand that our air be protected.

Bhalchandra Gokhale
http://tinyurl.com/cyqs5ku

*The author is a BTech and MTech (IIT Powai) and works with a team of doctors.