2-16. PREVENTION OF FUNGUS INFECTIONS
Fungus infections, such as dermatophytosis and athlete's foot, are diseases
commonly associated with billets. Athlete's foot can almost always be prevented by
good foot hygiene. Cleaning bathroom floors regularly with hot soap and water and
providing adequate natural ventilation inhibit or destroy the organisms that cause this
disease. When a special athlete's foot problem occurs, bathroom floors may be
disinfected with a 50 parts per million (ppm) chlorine solution to control the growth of
fungi. One 0.5 gram ampule of calcium hypochlorite added to 1.8 gallons of water
should give approximately 50 ppm. Leftover chlorine solution should not be saved.
2-17. PROVISION OF ADEQUATE LIGHTING
a. Light is related to health in several ways. Direct sunlight can kill bacteria (is
bactericidal). This reduces the likelihood and severity of infections. In addition, light is
necessary for vision. Insufficient light results in eyestrain; too much light can produce
glare and cause discomfort.
b. Artificial light, such as that from light bulbs, is measured in two units: candle
power and foot-candles.
(1) Candlepower is the illuminating (ability to light) output of a light source.
An ordinary candle, one inch in diameter, provides one candlepower of light in a
horizontal direction.
(2) The foot-candle is the intensity of illumination. One foot-candle is the
amount of illumination falling on any point of a surface located one foot from a light
source of one candlepower.
c. Natural light within a billet depends upon three factors: the intensity of
outdoor illumination, the amount of light permitted to pass into the billet, and the ability
of the surfaces within the billet to reflect light. If the floor and other surfaces are clean
and shiny, the light will be dispersed more evenly and the original intensity will be
retained. If the interior of the billet is dull, a greater amount of light will be absorbed and
not reflected.
d. The military service has certain guidelines for lighting in billets. These
guidelines are:
(1) 1 foot-candle at the walking surface of corridors.
(2) 10 foot-candles in nonworking areas.
(3) 1.0 foot-candle in work areas.
(4) 50 foot-candles in reading areas.
MD0164
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