I think the neoliberal model of squeezing productivity gains has reached the downward slope of diminishing marginal returns, and future productivity gains will emerge from better nourishing the health and safety of workers and communities.
Nice synthesis of why COVID matters and why we need to do much more to improve air quality indoors. My work with Long Chu and Tom Kompas (a summary was submitted to the PC) indicates that the BCR is high and that it makes sense economically to do something about it.
Studies have found indoor air quality can be worse than on the street. A particular problem for older dwelling is volatile organic compounds, which can be released from paints for at least a decade. Also many modern appliances can release various compounds that while not toxic can "irritate" the nervous system. I sometimes wonder if the frequent findings of spending time in nature is related in part to getting away from polluted air. When I saw people going for a runin the Brisbane CBD I thought they were crazy. The same problem might occur with cyclists on busy roads, especially in the bad old days when diesel particulates were an issue because those particles are rather dangerous. One rodent study I read found those particulate enter through the nose, travel along the axons from there, to penetrate deep into the brain. So it is not surprising that chronic exposure to air pollution is associated with CVD and dementia.
Most employers don't have a clue about the risk. It has been documented for at least 20 years and I don't think employers, regulatory bodies, or governments, want to open up that can of worms.
In developing nations a recession can cause increased health costs for many years after the recession. COVID had the same impact in developed nations because many health services were overwhelmed and people delayed preventive medical interventions leading to greater costs in future years.
Ventilation standards had been set in the US in the 1960's. Throughout the Covid emergency they were ignored there. Like here, people who had tested positive were restricted, in many cases to poorly ventilated spaces like hotels etc. Health authorities here have not aknowledged that error. Re Long Covid the then CHO ( Dr. John Gerarrd ) of Qld advised some time back that there was no such thing. Emeritus Professor Robert Clancy on the other hand acknowledged that there was but also that that condition was similar to the effects of vaccination. Do you not consider that the negative effects of the vaccination program are still impacting the working population ?
EXample # 9741 that regulations need to be constantly revised to ensure they pass cost-benefit analysis, dealing with externalities in the most cost effective manner.
Bullseye, JQ
To invoke but one example, HEPA filtration [1958] can remove airborne particles down to 2.5 microns [including SCV-2]
I thought that govt's would put the wood on commercial landlords to upgrade their bldgs' HVAC
Far from doing anything, govt's & business ignore everything that happened from 2020-2022!
I think the neoliberal model of squeezing productivity gains has reached the downward slope of diminishing marginal returns, and future productivity gains will emerge from better nourishing the health and safety of workers and communities.
This is just so sensible John!
Nice synthesis of why COVID matters and why we need to do much more to improve air quality indoors. My work with Long Chu and Tom Kompas (a summary was submitted to the PC) indicates that the BCR is high and that it makes sense economically to do something about it.
Studies have found indoor air quality can be worse than on the street. A particular problem for older dwelling is volatile organic compounds, which can be released from paints for at least a decade. Also many modern appliances can release various compounds that while not toxic can "irritate" the nervous system. I sometimes wonder if the frequent findings of spending time in nature is related in part to getting away from polluted air. When I saw people going for a runin the Brisbane CBD I thought they were crazy. The same problem might occur with cyclists on busy roads, especially in the bad old days when diesel particulates were an issue because those particles are rather dangerous. One rodent study I read found those particulate enter through the nose, travel along the axons from there, to penetrate deep into the brain. So it is not surprising that chronic exposure to air pollution is associated with CVD and dementia.
Most employers don't have a clue about the risk. It has been documented for at least 20 years and I don't think employers, regulatory bodies, or governments, want to open up that can of worms.
In developing nations a recession can cause increased health costs for many years after the recession. COVID had the same impact in developed nations because many health services were overwhelmed and people delayed preventive medical interventions leading to greater costs in future years.
Ventilation standards had been set in the US in the 1960's. Throughout the Covid emergency they were ignored there. Like here, people who had tested positive were restricted, in many cases to poorly ventilated spaces like hotels etc. Health authorities here have not aknowledged that error. Re Long Covid the then CHO ( Dr. John Gerarrd ) of Qld advised some time back that there was no such thing. Emeritus Professor Robert Clancy on the other hand acknowledged that there was but also that that condition was similar to the effects of vaccination. Do you not consider that the negative effects of the vaccination program are still impacting the working population ?
EXample # 9741 that regulations need to be constantly revised to ensure they pass cost-benefit analysis, dealing with externalities in the most cost effective manner.