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In the recent outbreak of norovirus at the Las Vegas Flamingo-Hilton Hotel, it was estimated as of November, 2004 that a total of 1,252 employees and guests of the hotel have suffered symptoms of the virus. Some of those afflicted with the virus have already filed personal injury suits against the hotel, and it is estimated that more will follow. Class action suits are currently pending against several major cruise lines as a result of virus outbreaks on their ships, and both hotels and cruise lines are re-evaluating their air quality control systems with the goal of preventing future outbreaks. Presently, the only methods of removing the contamination after an outbreak include complex and expensive chemical deep-cleaning processes that require shutdown of the areas affected. Coupled with the damage to name and reputation, the losses suffered from defending suits and refunds to customers will run into the multi-millions.
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Homes and Molds The EPA publication, "A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home", is available here in HTML and PDF formats. This Guide provides information and guidance for homeowners and renters on how to clean up residential mold problems and how to prevent mold growth. A printed version will be available soon. Click here for more information Hong Kong Hotel Pegged As SARS Incubator WORLDWIDE ALERT -- The deadly flu derivative SARS, or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, is threatening to do to the tourism and travel industry what the war and the troubled economy didn't do: keep vacationers home. Click here for more information Indoor Air Quality Data is limited but indoor air quality is emerging as an important issue People spend approximately 75Ð95% of their time indoors where the quality of the air can often be poorer than outdoors. This makes indoor air quality an important issue for human health. Indoor air quality is affected by tobacco smoke, solid fuel and unflued heaters, building ventilation rates, prevailing climatic conditions and the use of pollutant-emitting materials. Click here for more information |