National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Alert:

Preventing Occupational Respiratory Disease from Exposures Caused by Dampness in

Office Buildings, Schools, and Other Nonindustrial Buildings

In recent years there has been increased public interest in the health effects of working in damp buildings. However, there are no established health-based standards for acceptable levels of biological agents in the air.

In response, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health produced the NIOSH Alert - Preventing Occupational Respiratory Disease from Exposures Caused by Dampness in Office Buildings, Schools, and Other Nonindustrial Buildings to provide workers and employers with information necessary for prevention of respiratory disease and proper response of damp building conditions. The Alert can be found here.

MAY SPOTLIGHTS

May is Asthma Awareness Month!

• Want to learn more about asthma?
• What to know what’s being done to improve the lives of those with asthma?
• What can you do if you think you have asthma?

The Asthma Community Network is designed for community-based asthma programs to help one another improve quality of life for people with asthma.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Asthma Control Program is a driving force in asthma control by helping families, schools, communities keep asthma under control. In addition, the NMDOH Asthma Program has worked with many groups statewide to address asthma disparities in order to reduce the state's burden of asthma. Click the on NMDOH Asthma Program to learn more.

North American Occupational Safety and Health Week

May 5-11

North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week is intended to raise awareness about occupational safety, health and the environment.

Educate the public about the positive benefits a safe workplace provides not only for workers, but for their families, friends, businesses, and their local communities.

Learn More

• NM Occupational Health Surveillance Program
• National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• NIOSH videos
• NAOSH
• American Society of Safety Engineers

Fire, Smoke and Your Health

In New Mexico wildfires can spread rapidly giving only short notice to nearby residents and can quickly change air quality. The first thing to consider is protecting your and your family’s health from the hazards of smoke. You can decide if you should remain indoors or if it’s safe to go outdoors by taking a few easy actions.

• Step one: Determine how close and thick the smoke is. This is a way to assess the air quality.
• Step two: Decide what you should do based on the quality of the air.
• Step three: Follow instructions of local fire authorities.

For more information, please visit our webpage: Fire, Smoke and Your Health

February 2013: New Seasonal Allergies webpage!

Click here to learn about seasonal allergies and typical times of year for pollen releases on our new web page.

February 2013: New Clinicians webpage provides resource for health care professionals

The Clinicians’ webpage provides information, resources and links to help clinicians navigate OSHA's website and provide care for workers. Visit OSHA Clinicians' webpage today!

EPA Announces Next Round of Clean Air Standards to Reduce Harmful Soot Pollution

Release Date: 12/14/2012; WASHINGTON – In response to a court order, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today finalized an update to its national air quality standards for harmful fine particle pollution (PM2.5), including soot, setting the annual health standard at 12 micrograms per cubic meter. Read the full announcement and view the 2020 map here.

House Memorial 32 Report Released

A Review of the Health Effects Associated with Cell Phone Radiation and Recommendations on How to Minimize Potentially Harmful Effects. The review document describes the methods utilized as well as the result findings and recommendations. Also see Appendix I, which is referred to in the review (appendix is 13.23MB).