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Indoor air pollution makes people sick

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Episode #

114

Show

National #10

Airdates

Currently In Production

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Each year, thousands of people become ill because of "sick building syndrome" at work and at home. Possible biological attacks by terrorists are also a concern. Experts tell us that the front-line defense for protection of our indoor environments is the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning industry. BWN Spotlights a leading company with an affordable solution for unhealthy indoor air quality. It destroys mold, bacteria, viruses, and odors.

SCRIPT

VISUALS

NARRATION / INTERVIEWS

1.

News Set Intro

Lynette Romero & Mark Kriski On camera

Bkgrd grfx: Workers in office environment; HVAC vents and systems 

Lynette

Each year, thousands of office workers become ill because of something called "sick building syndrome". Researchers began noticing this syndrome just a couple decades ago. They found that office buildings, with their open floor plans, air treatment systems, and high-tech building materials cause their own polluted indoor environment. And this polluted environment, where workers toil for eight or more hours every day, makes them sick.

On camera

Mark

And now, of course, everyone is also concerned about possible biological attacks by terrorists. Experts tell us that the front-line defense for protection of our indoor environments is the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning industry. Here is <correspondent name> with news about the HVAC industry and how it can protect us.

2.

On camera Open

Location: Construction site (new office building with HVAC eqpt being installed)

Correspondent

Mark, the "H-VAC" industry recognizes the threat to our health that comes from both the "sick building syndrome" and the possibility of attacks by terrorists. According to <spokesperson name>, spokesperson for the H-VAC industry, indoor air quality can be a serious problem for the public.

Question 1A
(resource: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY)

Correspondent

Is "Sick building Syndrome" a health problem? INDUSTRY SPOKESPERSON: (75% of illness)

Question 2A

Correspondent

Does this affect a large number of citizens?
INDUSTRY SPOKESPERSON: (60% of workforce)

Question 3A

Correspondent

Is there a financial cost attributed to this problem?
INDUSTRY SPOKESPERSON: ($10 billion annually)

Question 4A

Correspondent

Is there any evidence pointing to a cause of this problem?

INDUSTRY SPOKESPERSON: (Contamination in HVAC systems)

Question 5A

Correspondent

Is there a practical solution? INDUSTRY SPOKESPERSON: (UV light is practical)

3.

NARRATION

Footage: HVAC units with UV lights, installing and in-use; workers in office cubicles

Correspondent

Researchers conducted a study on about one thousand workers in four office buildings. It showed that Germicidal Ultraviolet lights safely reduced "sick building syndrome"-related symptoms. The researchers concluded that Ultraviolet lights could be installed easily and cheaply in HVAC systems of most existing office buildings in North America, and that this would have a considerable public health impact.

4.

On camera

Location: construction site

Grphx: logo

Footage: crop duster in flight; mailroom being de-contaminated

Correspondent

In addition to the "sick building syndrome", people are now also concerned about bio-terrorism. The Air Conditioning Contractors of America, an "H-VAC" industry organization, has announced its plans for helping in the fight against potential bio-terrorism and chemical risks. The industry points out that a vital part in preventing bio-terrorism is to improve systems so that agents introduced into air-handling equipment are limited in their ability to cause harm. And, these products are readily available. <company spokesperson> from HVAC management firm "icoolyouoff dot com" explains.

QUESTION 1B(Reource: Sanuvox Question and Answers)

Correspondent

What products are available now to improve the indoor environment?
COMPANY SPOKESPERSON: (Sanuvox Ultraviolet Air Purifiers)

QUESTION 2B

Correspondent

How do they improve the indoor environment?
COMPANY SPOKESPERSON: (Kills bacteria, destroys mold, eliminates odor…)

QUESTION 3B

Correspondent

What kind of buildings can use ultraviolet air purifiers?
COMPANY SPOKESPERSON: (All kinds, from large offices to small homes)

QUESTION 4B

Correspondent

How difficult is it to install an ultraviolet air purifier?
COMPANY SPOKESPERSON: (Not difficult.)

5.

Narration

Computer-generated animation of process

Correspondent

Here's how Ultraviolet light works to protect indoor air. Four different kinds of ultraviolet light exist, and two of those are used to improve indoor air quality.

UV-C light is short-wave radiation and destroys bacteria and other organisms, including Anthrax spores and viruses like Tuberculosis.

UV-V is a form of ultraviolet light that actually neutralizes odors in the air when combined with UV-C light . 

6.

On camera

On camera

On Camera Throw to News Desk

Correspondent

Indoor air quality in office buildings directly affects 60% of North American workers, and the possibility of bio-terrorism affects us all, at home and at work. The cost of "sick building syndrome" alone exceeds 10 billion dollars annually in the United States. Researchers have shown that H-VAC systems using ultra-violet light, such as the Sanuvox systems from icoolyouoff dot com, safely reduce the symptoms of poor indoor air quality. For Business World News, I'm <correspondent name>.