NetWellness Worksite Health

CFL Lights

J Crawford PhD, RN — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 14:07:00 EST

Question: I have read that CFL lights emit dirty electricity and can cause cancer. Can you give me any info on this and do you think they can safely be used in the home? Thank you.

Answer:

There may be some confusion about terminology here. Light bulbs of any kind do not emit electricity; they emit light, which is electromagnetic radiation of various wavelengths. Electricity, or the movement of electrons through a medium (for example a metal wire), powers those light bulbs. In the . . .

Ask an Expert: J Crawford PhD, RN, Worksite Health

Fiberglass Dust Inhalation

J Crawford PhD, RN — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:02:00 EST

Question:

About 3 weeks ago I was sealing a leak in the roof of my new home during a rain storm which need me to enter the attic. I was in the attic about an hour and during this time disturbed the fiberglass insulation. I didn`t think anything of it but later that night I has respitory problems (sore thro . . .

Answer: I suspect your symptoms are a coincidence. There was minimal exposure to fiberglass insulation, which has not been linked with long-term health effects. Fiberglass insulation can irritate the respiratory tract sometimes causing cough and a scratchy throat. The symptoms should subside and there is ve . . .

Ask an Expert: J Crawford PhD, RN, Worksite Health

Lung Cancer Problems After Radon Exposure?

J Crawford PhD, RN — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 08:02:00 EST

Question:

We just had a radon test at our house, and it revealed a level of 5 pCi/L. The EPA suggests a follow-up test and then action to reduce radon levels between 4-8 pCi/L.

My wife and I have lived in our house for 10 years. Neither one of us smoke, but I did smoke for several years before we . . .

Answer:

There is a slight problem with the wording of your question, "...it revealed a level of 5 pCi/L. The EPA suggests a follow-up test and then action to reduce radon levels between 4-8 pCi/L." If your test shows 5 pCi/L then you're already at 4-8 pCi/L. If the recommendation is t . . .

Ask an Expert: J Crawford PhD, RN, Worksite Health

Exposure to Chemicals While Pregnant

J Crawford PhD, RN — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 03:01:00 EST

Question: My boss is changing to a new industrial strength cleaner with high doses of sodium hypochlorite and sodium hydroxide in it. Will long hours of exposure to this hurt me as I am 14 weeks pregnant?

Answer:

Sodium hypochlorite is an irritant to the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes, and will irritate the lungs and gastrointestinal tract if it is inhaled or ingested in large amounts. Sodium hydroxide is even more corrosive to the same tissues. If you wear personal protective equipment and take care no . . .

Ask an Expert: J Crawford PhD, RN, Worksite Health

Fiberglass and Being Pregnant

J Crawford PhD, RN — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:11:00 EST

Question: I work in a fiberglass plant and I was wondering if I become pregnant is it bad to breathe in the fiberglass while pregnant?

Answer:

First of all, I would say that I don't think there are any particular, known risks to a pregnant woman from fiberglass (also called synthetic vitreous fibers) insulation. I found the following on at the New York City Department of Health . . .

Ask an Expert: J Crawford PhD, RN, Worksite Health

Welding Fumes - Manganese

J Crawford PhD, RN — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 21:04:00 EST

Question: What are the effects of manganese from welding carbon steel, and what effects does this have on the human body? I have been a welder for 25 years, welding stainless and carbon steel.�I just read an article on this subject and I did not like what it said, so I thought I would ask.

Answer:

Manganese has been well-characterized as a neurotoxin for many years. The primary effect of toxic levels of exposure is a set of symptoms that look a little like Parkinson's disease: tremor, muscular rigidity, impairment of gait, lack of facial expression (masked face), and impaired speech. It ca . . .

Ask an Expert: J Crawford PhD, RN, Worksite Health

Titanium Dioxide Effects on Body

J Crawford PhD, RN — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 18:04:00 EST

Question:

What effect does titanium dioxide have on the body when ingested from welding metals? What health related issues can it cause? Is it dangerous for you to inhale on a daily basis?

Answer:

There have been animal studies and limited human studies linking ultrafine titanium dioxide with lung cancer, but the evidence is weak. Listed below are two documents that contain relevant information about your question:

Ask an Expert: J Crawford PhD, RN, Worksite Health

Carrier Program vs. Third Party Wellness Vendor

Elizabeth Click ND, RN, CLE — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 15:02:00 EST

Question: I am inquiring what your experience with wellness programs are- is it better to have your carrier provide a wellness program, and offer it only to your health plan members. Or, is it better to hire a third pary wellness vendor- and offer it to all employees?

On that note- if you use your carrie . . .

Answer:

Determining the goal(s) for any wellness program that you want to implement is a key initial decision. After identifying key goals for the program, exploring vendor options would be the next step. Finding the option that meets the majority of the organization's goals will help you with decision m . . .

Ask an Expert: Elizabeth Click ND, RN, CLE, Worksite Health

Fiberglass Exposure

J Crawford PhD, RN — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 12:01:00 EST

Question: The heating/air conditioning system in our house has some fiberglass insulation in the return. The return uses the stud wells in the house to get the air back to the heater/AC. The piece of insulation is about 12 inches by 12 inches and is covering a water pipe also in that part of the wall. I notic . . .

Answer:

I can't be of too much help here because I don't know much about HVAC systems. However, it is possible that some fibers are being released into the return. Does the return air flow through a filter before it goes back into the system for heating/cooling? Keeping that filter clean through regular . . .

Ask an Expert: J Crawford PhD, RN, Worksite Health