Construction & Demolition

How safe am I in the workplace?

Typical workplaces are full of items that may be potentially hazardous as they contain Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). The average employee may come into contact with numerous items on the job that might contain these dangerous pollutants.

POPs and Construction & Demolition

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are toxic chemicals that are harmful to human health and the environment. Adverse reproductive, developmental, behavioral, neurological, endocrine, and immunological health effects have all been linked to POPs. Workers in the Construction & Demolition industry are particularly at risk due to the long term exposure to the effects of POPs. Since POPs can be found in so many products and equipment, all workers should take steps to protect themselves. A healthy worker is a productive worker. Not only is it in your best interest to have a safe working environment – it is also your right.

Entendiendo los peligros

Cómo Construction & Demolition están siendo afectadas por los COPs

Workers may be particularly at risk since they may often work in the disassembly of products that contain POPs. Products such as carpeting and furniture may be treated with these toxic pollutants which may be released during demolition. Some types of insulation foam also contain flame retardant POPs and exposure may occur during construction or demolition works.

El peligro acecha donde menos lo esperas

Construction & Demolition, safeguard yourselves!

Prolonged POPs exposure has been known to cause many types of cancer, immune system deficiencies, reproductive problems, and in severe cases, death. By thoroughly checking every item that has the potential for danger, not only are you protecting yourself and your colleagues from harm, but you are safeguarding their loved ones from also being exposed through third party contact. Follow these simple tips to protect yourself from POPs:

Confirm whether there are any POPs in materials being demolished and confirm the proper disposal method for the waste.
Practice proper storage, handling, and securing of PCB oils to avoid environmental and human contamination.
Wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) whenever handling equipment. Wash contaminated PPE per manufacturer’s instructions.
Avoid the burning of copper wires and direct inhalation of emissions.

Construction & Demolition, Reduce your exposure today!

Eche un vistazo a algunos de los contaminantes orgánicos persistentes (COP) que pueden afectar su salud y bienestar.

By reducing your exposure to these pollutants, you are safeguarding yourself, taking an active role in the health of your colleagues, and playing a greater role in the community at large by stopping these hazards before they can hurt others.

PBDEs & HBCD

At and around your household, you and your family may be exposed to a variety of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) including the Brominated Flame Retardants: PBDEs & HBCD. These chemicals have been found to have fatal consequences on our health and the environment.

Pesticides

Whether you are on a farm spraying your crops or at the grocery store shopping for produce, you may be in contact with Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) including Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Pesticides and not even know it. Health effects that have been associated with chemical pesticides include negative impacts to the dermatological, gastrointestinal, neurological,...

UPOPs

In your backyard or even at the dinner table, you may be in contact with Unintentional Persistent Organic Pollutants (UPOPs) and not even know it. Short-term exposure of humans to high levels of UPOPs may result in skin lesions such as chloracne, patchy darkening of the skin, and altered liver function.

PCBs

If you live or work near sites where PCB oils have been used or stored (such as power generation stations or transformer storage sites) you may be exposed to Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) called PCBs and not even know it. PCBs have demonstrated effects such as cancer in animals and other negative effects on the...

PFOS

There are few contaminants that have been found around the world like Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS). Used in many popular consumer goods such as stain-resistant carpets, Teflon pans, and cardboard boxes, PFOS has infiltrated our soils, air and water sources, becoming a serious threat to our health and to wildlife.