The Business Key Ingredient

The manufacturer of office chairs Biplax leads a pioneering research project and prevention of semicircular lipoatrophy. Along with the company, this new research initiative also involved the technology research center Cidemco , the manufacturer of shelving and OSART Eun, the service of prevention of occupational hazards of the Mondragon Corporation. The project is funded by the Basque Government Gaitek Program which supports entrepreneurship in Research and Development.

Semicircular lipoatrophy is a rare occupational disease of recent onset and unknown origin which is usually seen in commercial properties to rent and mostly affects young women. This is a skin disease manifested by a depression of fatty tissue in the thighs, and sometimes the forearms.

The first documented cases appeared in Belgium in 1995. In 2007 Spain had much impact on Natural Gas when the company was forced to evacuate 160 workers at its new headquarters in Barcelona. Over the years new cases were detected in different office buildings in Madrid and Barcelona, among them the emblematic Agbar Tower in Barcelona.

About 95% of cases of lipoatrophy is reversible and the affected fatty tissue is regenerated spontaneously. However, 5% of the cases may have minor complications mainly associated with other previous illnesses.

The cause of semicircular lipoatrophy is unknown but it seems connected with the new work environments as is typical of administrative positions in office buildings.

One of the most widespread hypothesis is that its origin is related to electrostatic discharge typical of these modern working environments which present with the classic 'electric shocks' to touch metal parts. The fact that the area affected by the disease is situated always above the knees, legs, areas that lie under the table next to electrical cabling, suggest a relationship with the electrostatic discharge through the desktop.

The project objective is to define Biplax led by optimal working conditions in commercial property to rent that can prevent the occurrence of lipoatrophy both defining specifications for the various materials used in these environments and design conditions of the various products for interior and their installation conditions and environmental quality criteria.