The New York Times ran an article on November 5, 2014 on the poor air quality in fitness centres ("The Bad Air in our Gyms" by Gretchen Reynolds). A new study involving 11 gyms with air quality monitors revealed that the gyms generally have high concentrations of formaldehyde, airborne dust and carbon dioxide - the levels exceed most accepted standards for indoor air quality.
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An article published by Environmental Health News on November 5, 2014 ("Air pollution linked to children's attention problems" by Lindsey Konkel) discusses a recent study published by scientists from Columbia University. The study found that children exposed in the womb to high levels of pollutants commonly found in vehicle exhaust were five times more likely to have attention problems at age nine. This study adds to the significant body of research that has been done at Columbia University linking prenatal exposure to pollutants to behavioural issues and developmental delays in young children. On November 17, 2014, the Ottawa Citizen ran an article in its Homes section entitled "If your windows sweat, you will get mould" by Steve Maxwell. The article discusses the importance of good ventilation, particularly in winter months when condensation can easily occur. Scientists from the U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have published an article in the Environmental Science & Technology Journal on the dangers of third-hand smoke. Researchers looked at the concentrations of 50 VOCs and airborne particulates for 18 hours after a smoking event and found that adverse health impacts exist long after a cigarette has been extinguished. On November 4, 2014, the Globe and Mail published an article entitled, "Staying indoors with a smoker similar to being outdoors in Beijing". A fact worthwhile noting from our own air quality testing experience is that smokers who limit their smoking to outdoors still bring air contaminants with them into their homes. Contaminants adhere to their skin and clothes and can linger in the home longer after they have extinguished their cigarette.
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