Trial of a negative ion generator device in remediating problems related to indoor air quality
Article Abstract:
Many workers complain that the air in office buildings is poor and has detrimental effects on their health. Replacing or improving the ventilation systems can be very expensive, so cheaper alternatives have been investigated to alleviate this problem. Negative ion generators have been suggested as one way to improve air quality inexpensively. These machines increase the number of negatively charged particles in air. Air contains a small amount of both negative and positive ions. Indoor and polluted air has decreased amounts of both with a higher ratio of positive to negative compared with clean outdoor air. Some studies have suggested that negative ions have positive effects on mood and possibly physiological parameters, but other studies have not confirmed these findings. This study examined the effectiveness of using such a machine for improving indoor air problems. Two similar office buildings were tested with functioning and nonfunctioning machines; the nonfunctioning machine serviced as a placebo. In each building, 71 employees were given questionnaires regarding health and job satisfaction. Fifty-four employees completed all of the questionnaires. Temperature and humidity levels in each building were steady during the study period and similar to each other. Employee characteristics in the two buildings were somewhat different; building two employees were significantly less satisfied with their jobs. The employees in building two reporting low job satisfaction also had significantly more symptoms of health problems. This relationship was not seen in building one. No differences in reported symptoms were found during the five-week periods in which functional or nonfunctional machines were used. A decline in symptoms was reported initially at both sites, which was attributed to a placebo effect. The functional machine had little effect on the number of negative ions in the air. Because this machine did not affect air quality, it could not be determined if a machine that does significantly increase negative ions in the air would have any effect on symptoms. However, job dissatisfaction positively correlated with reported symptoms. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journal of Occupational Medicine
Subject: Health care industry
ISSN: 0096-1736
Year: 1991
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A total ban on workplace smoking is acceptable and effective
Article Abstract:
Smoking restrictions in the workplace are becoming more popular. Medical, legal, and financial factors have prompted the development of smoking regulations. Different levels of smoking restrictions have been applied in different workplaces. Studies have shown that the number of cigarettes smoked on work days was reduced following smoking bans, and that attendance at courses designed for quitting smoking may even increase. This article describes the results of initiating a smoking ban in a large telecommunications company in Australia. The company employees 85,000 people and has been increasing its smoking restrictions since 1980. A survey was conducted to determine the degree of employee compliance and the effectiveness of a total workplace smoking ban. The results of the survey showed that 87 percent of all nonsmokers approved of the smoking ban before it was initiated; 18 months after the ban was initiated, the percent of nonsmokers who approved of the ban increased to 93 percent. The smoking ban received approval from 79 percent of the ex-smokers before, and 87 percent 18 months after the ban was started. The smokers showed the least favorable response, with 35 percent approval before, and 53 percent approval after the ban was initiated. Both smoking and nonsmoking staff agreed that the work environment was cleaner and more pleasant after the ban was initiated. It is concluded that the smoking ban was generally well-received and that the ban did not affect worker productivity. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journal of Occupational Medicine
Subject: Health care industry
ISSN: 0096-1736
Year: 1991
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