Yes, you read the title of this article right! Three overlooked causes of serious health problems are having a detrimental impact on the health of employees and customers. Fortunately, major research is bringing these vital business health concerns to light. According to a 2018 landmark report from the World Health Organization (WHO), the top social determinants of health (SDoH) in households and businesses are:
* Environmental noise;
* Air quality; Y
* Water quality.
Government health agencies around the world are actively studying SDoH using advanced cloud-based artificial intelligence (AI) systems. This article will discuss the importance of these findings for business owners. Other articles in this series will present cost-effective methods for improving health in polluted commercial environments.
Environmental noise
Both indoor and outdoor factors contribute to the noise level in homes and businesses. Indoor sources of noise include ventilation systems, white noise machines, and appliances and other machines. Outdoor sources of noise include cars, trucks, planes, playgrounds, schools, and construction and other urban activities.
According to the WHO report, the expansion of urban activities, roads, airports and the construction of low-quality buildings increase the noise level to which people are exposed in homes and businesses. In total, these factors are known as “environmental noise”.
In addition to hearing loss and sleep deprivation, SDoH studies have revealed that excess noise has other detrimental health effects. Guidelines based on SDoH’s AI analysis found that the relative risk of death from heart attack or stroke increases 14% for every 10 dBA increase above the annual average of 45 dBA during the day and 35 dBA at night.
For example, a 50 dBA turbine installation that meets current US and EU standards, running all day, every day, imposes a 7% increased risk of heart attack and stroke annually on people exposed to turbine noise.
Since the typical business office “walks” at 55 dBA, it’s easy to see the negative effects noise has on employee health.
Consequently, the NIH, HUD, NIOSH, EPA, and HHS will soon adopt the WHO noise guidelines of 45 dBA day and night in the US. This means that it is up to businesses to proactively implement noise reduction measures. .
Air quality
Unlike noise, poor air and water quality are more of a “silent killer.” In business, owners are responsible for providing a healthy workplace by ensuring the proper construction and maintenance of buildings. Moisture management requires proper control of temperatures and ventilation to prevent excess humidity, condensation on surfaces, and excess moisture on materials. Ventilation must be distributed effectively in all spaces and areas of stagnant air must be avoided.
Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) can also result from the presence of furniture and building materials that contain toxins such as formaldehyde, benzene, radon, and others. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), poor indoor air quality (IAQ) has been linked to certain diseases such as asthma. Also, substances like asbestos and radon do not cause immediate symptoms, but can cause cancer after many years of exposure. Poor outdoor air quality is caused by vehicle exhaust fumes, industrial pollution, commercial manufacturers, and construction sites.
Poor air quality is a major health problem. Like noise, the AI analysis found an increased risk of serious stroke and fatal heart attacks when there is poor air quality (indoors and outdoors). AI’s analysis of SDoH found that the relative risk of death from heart attack or stroke increases by 14% when you live and work breathing poor-quality indoor and outdoor air.
Water quality
Significant adverse health effects have been associated with inadequate plumbing systems in businesses and homes resulting from poor design, improper installation, alterations, and improper maintenance.
Numerous factors affect the quality of water within a building’s piping distribution system. Poorly designed plumbing systems, for example, can cause stagnant water and provide a suitable environment for Legionella to thrive.
In addition, improper plumbing materials, pipes, fixtures, and liners can lead to elevated concentrations of lead in drinking water, and improper materials can support bacterial growth.
According to the EPA, there is evidence that various metals found in drinking water (such as lead and arsenic) may contribute to heart disease or aggravate its symptoms. Furthermore, Stroke reports that even low arsenic exposure is associated with an increased risk of stroke. To the surprise of the researchers, AI’s analysis of SDoH found that the relative risk of death from heart attack or stroke increases by 14% when you live and work where you drink or breathe (yes, you breathe) poor-quality water. The researchers found that toxins such as lead, arsenic, and even radon can be found in municipal and well water in amounts 100 times or more than those found in poor-quality air. Even more concerning is that, even if you don’t drink the water that comes out of the tap at home and at work, the water that sprays out when you turn on the faucet to wash your hands and sprays out when you flush the toilet can contain enough pollutants to increase your risk of heart attack and stroke.
Summary
In conclusion, excessive ambient noise, poor air quality, and poor water quality can lead to serious health conditions, including heart disease and stroke. When these Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) are present in your business, they can literally be killing your employees and customers. Now that the findings are in, the next step for business owners is action.
