Myths

[Translate] This blog is not intended as advice. It is for educational and research purposes only. Read this disclaimer first if you want to read this post. The use of protective sneeze screens in shops is interesting because it may actually increase the COVID-19 risk. A few years ago I […]

COVID-19 – Woolworths protective screens – why they will not ...

March 23, 2020 in COVID-19 / Crisis management / Industrial Ventilation / Infection Control / Myths / Respiratory protection / Toxicology tagged cough / protective screens / shop ventilation / sneeze / Woolworths by admin

ABC gets it wrong on face masks

February 27, 2020 in Myths / Occupational Hygiene / Respiratory protection tagged ABC / Coronavirus / Face masks / Liz Hobday / N95 / P2 / Wuham by admin

[Translate] Standards Australia is planning to introduce a 50+ category for sunscreens with the publication of DR AS/NZS 2604 Sunscreen products—Evaluation and classification, but I think the idea is wrong. I have reviewed the new draft standard and strongly support the Cancer Council’s view that the SPF50+ rating will lead […]

SPF50+ Sunscreen

July 13, 2011 in Eye protection / Myths / Occupational Hygiene / Radiation / Sources of information / UV tagged Australia / Cancer Council / SPF50+ / ultraviolet / UV by admin

Many public health authorities recommned dilute bleach to kill mould. It appears that bleach may be ineffective at killing mould spores, but a vinegar added to dilute bleach to reduce its alkalinity makes it much more effective.

Killing mould after the Queensland floods

January 31, 2011 in Crisis management / Infection Control / Local / Myths / Occupational Hygiene / Sources of information tagged Brisbane / floods / microbiology / mould / Queensland by admin

Most health authorities consider droplet transmission to be important with influenza. If this is true, then height and high heels should give some protection.

Do tall people avoid the flu?

December 24, 2010 in Infection Control / Myths / Respiratory protection tagged Bird flu / flu / Influenza / Influenza A / Myths / Respiratory protection / Swine Flu by admin

[Translate] Stiglers Law states “No scientific discovery is named after its original discoverer“. Naturally, Stigler’s law was discovered by sociologist Robert K. Merton. I have certainly found that when you have a good idea, then someone else has probably thought of it first, but occasionally weeks or months later. That’s […]

Stigler’s law

October 13, 2010 in Historical / Myths / Occupational Hygiene by admin

Safety and Health coerns opften collide. In the end the focus is on safety despite overwhelming evidence that health is a bigger issue.

When Safety is not Health

September 17, 2010 in Dermatitis / Heat Stress / Historical / Incidents / Industrial Ventilation / Myths / Occupational Hygiene / War stories tagged safety by admin

[Translate] Its hard not not notice the wrong selection of face masks – occupational hygienists like to use the term respiratory protection equipment” or RPE. Journalists like to use the term face masks to cover anything from a surgical mask to a toxic dust respirator. The lady is the picture […]

Swine Flu – more face masks

April 29, 2009 in Infection Control / Myths tagged face mask / Respiratory protection / Swine Flu by admin

[Translate] The toxicity of crystalline silica is well established and the toxicity of glass fibres is fairly well know. However the toxicity of amorphous glass dust is less investigated. I was given a copy of Karl Kruszelnicki’s book “Science is Golden” for Christmas. The chapter ”A Glass Act” discusses the […]

Amorphous glass toxicity

December 28, 2008 in Myths / Toxicology / War stories tagged glass / Toxicology by admin

[Translate] I have seen industrial ventilation systems in many factories that are designed to remove “heavier-than-air” vapours from the ground. Unfortnately the factory owner has often wasted many thousands of dollars

The Heavier-Than-Air Myth

April 15, 2008 in Industrial Ventilation / Myths / Occupational Hygiene tagged Industrial Ventilation / Myths by admin

Occupational Hygiene – and Ideas