Upon entering the kitchen and flicking on the light, little thought is likely given to where or how that light switch was made, any more than thought is given to the countertops on which the food is prepared or the pot handles of the vessel used to cook the food. Those who work in the thermosetting plastics industry, however, think about these products all the time. It’s what they do.
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Facing regulatory pressures from federal agencies, food manufacturers must ensure their products are free from all sources of contamination, including the air.
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The specific health condition suffered by those who labor in the baking or milling industries goes by numerous monikers. “Baker’s Lung”, “Baker’s Asthma”, and “Baker’s Allergy”
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Mold in libraries is no small matter; just ask the staff of the Carnegie Library in our nation’s capital. In order to protect patrons and employees from potential harm due to mold-related IAQ problems, the Washington, DC building was closed for nearly four months beginning in September of last year while indoor air quality and mold remediation efforts were underway.
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One of the most horrific events of America’s industrial manufacturing history was the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Company factory fire in New York City. The tragedy, which killed 146 workers, led to the enactment of a succession of laws and regulations that eventually improved the protections and safety of all factory workers.
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Back in 1903, German coffee merchant, Ludwig Roselius, invented the first commercially effective decaffeination method. The “Roselius Process” blended steamed coffee beans with a brine solution then coated the mix in a natural chemical solvent to extract the caffeine. Though successful, the practice was no longer used once the extraction compound was deemed unsafe.
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While the number of US airports offering designated smoking areas has declined in the past ten years, many still do exist. A study conducted by the Centers For Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) found that the average air pollution levels directly outside airport smoking lounges were 23 times higher than in smoke-free airports.
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Ski Equipment Manufacturing, Indoor Air Quality, and Occupational Risks Snow skiing. Once used as a method for hunting game on snow and ice, the activity was built out of necessity, not for sport or exercise. Modern skiing, however, began as a recreational endeavor. In 1849 the first public ski tour was organized in Norway. Less Read More
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In the last 20 years, craft brews have amassed a following that would have been unimaginable back when our Founding Fathers briefly entertained the idea to create a federal brewery to curb the growing popularity of spirits with the American public. Though the idea was eventually dismissed, malt beverages remained a favorite among the signers of the Declaration Of Independence. So much so, that when Thomas Jefferson retired from public service, he engaged in the art of beer making full-time. President Jefferson and his wife used hops and malts grown near their Monticello estate and developed their first bottled home brew in 1812.
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Walk into most shopping malls and you’ll find a feast for the senses. Soothing music piped in to relax; lighting meant to please. The smells from food court staples like fresh baked cookies and waffle ice cream cones are expected to rouse your appetite while scents drifting from department store cosmetic counters are emitted so as to calm and drive you to buy things. For many people, these efforts prove successful. They browse. They eat and socialize. They shop.
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