Yes, you read the title of this article right! Three overlooked causes of serious health problems negatively impact the health of employees and customers. Fortunately, significant research is bringing to light these vital business health concerns. According to a landmark 2018 report from the World Health Organization (WHO), the main social determinants of health (SDoH) in households and businesses are:

* Environmental noise;

* Air quality; and

* 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 inexpensive methods for improving health in contaminated commercial environments.

Environmental noise

Both internal and external factors contribute to the noise level in homes and businesses. Indoor noise sources include ventilation systems, white noise machines, and appliances and other machines. Outdoor noise sources include cars, trucks, airplanes, 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 increases the level of noise to which people are exposed in homes and businesses. Altogether, these factors are known as “ambient noise”.

In addition to hearing loss and lack of sleep, SDoH studies have revealed that excess noise has other detrimental health effects. Guidelines based on SDoH 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 around the clock, every day, imposes a 7% increased risk of heart attack and stroke annually on the people exposed to turbine noise.

Since the typical business office “surfs” at 55 dBA, it is easy to see the negative effects that noise is having on employee health.

Accordingly, 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 measures to reduce noise. .

Air quality

Unlike noise, poor air and water quality are more “silent killers.” In business, owners are responsible for providing a healthy workplace by ensuring the proper construction and maintenance of the building. Moisture management requires proper temperature and ventilation control to avoid excess moisture, condensation on surfaces, and excess moisture on materials. Ventilation must be efficiently distributed throughout all spaces and avoid stagnant air areas.

Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) can also result from 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 they can cause cancer after many years of exposure. Poor outdoor air quality is caused by vehicle exhaust, industrial pollution, commercial manufacturers, and construction sites.

Poor air quality is a major health problem. Like noise, AI analysis found an increased risk of severe strokes and fatal heart attacks when there is poor air quality (indoor and outdoor). SDoH’s AI analysis 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 due to poor design, improper installation, alterations, and improper maintenance.

Many factors affect the quality of the water within a building’s piped distribution system. Poorly designed plumbing systems, for example, can cause stagnant water and provide a suitable environment for Legionella growth.

Additionally, improper plumbing materials, pipes, fixtures, and coatings can lead to high concentrations of lead in drinking water, and inappropriate materials can promote the growth of bacteria.

According to the EPA, there is evidence that several metals found in drinking water (such as lead and arsenic) can contribute to heart disease or aggravate its symptoms. Additionally, Stroke reports that even low arsenic exposure is associated with an increased risk of stroke. To the researchers’ surprise, SDoH’s AI analysis found that the relative risk of death from heart attack or stroke increases 14% when you live and work where you drink or breathe (yes, you breathe) poor quality water. Researchers found that toxins like 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 from the tap at home and at work, the water that is sprayed while running the tap to wash your hands and sprayed by flushing the toilet can carry enough contaminants. 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 problems, such as heart disease and stroke. When these Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) are present in your businesses, they can literally be killing your employees and customers. Now that the findings are known, the next step for business owners is to act.