You may be carrying germs home from your office, warn doctors.

So you thought your regularly dusted and mopped office is squeaky clean? Check this. Occupational asthma causes some 24.5 million missed workdays in the US every year, say researchers. With lesser concern for hygiene in India, occupational hazards—asthma or others—could be more active in our offices.

General Infections
Infection at work is caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi, which spread all over the office through touching or sharing personal items. Their breeding grounds, says Dr Maj. Rajesh Bharadwaj, consultant ENT specialist, Sita Ram Bhartiya Hospital, New Delhi, are “wood and grain dust, animal dander, carpeted floors, room fresheners, office desk and food.”
Symptoms: Bouts of cold, asthma, headache and breathing troubles.
Remedies: Assume everyone is potentially infectious. Ensure personal hygiene. “Wash hands regularly. Cover cuts or abrasions with a waterproof dressing and do not share personal items,” says Dr Bajan. 

Noise pollution:
A level of 80 decibels—equivalent to a noisy traffic—for an eight-hours-a-day, five-days-a-week schedule is defined as noise pollution. “Those working in the aviation industry and high-power turbines are at a high risk of developing temporary or permanent hearing impairment. The impact of noise pollution at the workplace is gradual and painless. It’s tough to identify minor deterioration,” explains Dr Bharadwaj.  In an average office though, the decibel level is not as high and, at most, may cause fatigue and headache.
Symptoms: Headache, high blood pressure, fatigue, digestive disorders and, in rare cases, tinnitus, which is a constant ringing sound in the ears.
Remedies: Sound at workplace comes from equipment, which should, therefore, be put in an isolated area. Else, soundproof the room. And if that can’t be done, use ear plugs.

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