Testing Workers Safety Gear

Many industries across the United States require workers to abide by certain safety standards set by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), often including basic safety gear. There are multiple different sets of safety gear that are differentiated based on the line of work employees are undertaking. These standards were developed to prevent serious injury and reduce the risk of any incidents while on an active job site. 

The kind of gear and duration of use is constantly modified to better fit the needs of employees and their environment. OSHA and other committees set out to test the gear to understand how they respond to real world situations, and if they comply with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

Types of Protective Gear

There are many different types of protective safety gear utilized by the general workforce in the United States. The purpose of utilizing safety gear while at work is to minimize workplace injuries, protect employee health, and promote healthy work environments. The most common gear observed in the field include, but are not limited to:

  • Gloves

  • Respirator

  • Helmet

  • Hearing protection

  • Hard hat

  • Goggles

  • Eye protection

  • Face shield

  • Ear plugs

These types of protective wear otherwise known as PPE (personal protective equipment) were continuously developed in response to dangerous work environments where employees are interacting with chemical, radiological, physical, electrical, mechanical, and other unique hazards. The different types of PPE is completely dependent on the type of work being conducted and the risk to the employee. 

All PPE used in a work environment should also be maintained and clean in a reliable fashion to ensure its performance will be effective. All workplaces should have a system in place to source safely designed and constructed equipment that fits the employees comfortably and to encourage their use in the workplace. If the PPE does not fit properly workers are less likely to consistently choose to utilize them, increasing the risk of engaging in dangerous or exposed activities. Like all workplace duties, the use of specific PPE must be trained and there are a multitude of different online and in person resources available. Specific criteria included in the worker training programs requires users to understand wearing PPE:

  • When it is necessary to source PPE.

  • The type of PPE necessary.

  • How to properly wear, remove, and adjust equipment.

  • The limitations and effectiveness of certain PPE.

  • The proper care, maintenance, lifespan, and disposal procedures for the PPE.

Testing PPE Effectiveness

Many different committees surrounding PPE have developed their own unique tests applicable to types of equipment to assess their usefulness and construction when used in the workplace. All PPE advertised by OSHA pass the ANSI standards, however there are additional tests done to ensure their application is necessary and effective in real world simulations. 

Many of the tests completed by committees are to study the way PPE responds when in motion. These tests are vital because they simulate real world situations when workers are climbing, walking on a site, or in motion in the event of an accident. Plenty of tests are run during the construction process of PPE to ensure their stability and durability in the face of exposure or collision. 

The most important tests that PPE is run through include their effectiveness when under different kinds of stresses. Most employers have working conditions that deal with at least one of these conditions, if not all of them. Some employees undergo working conditions that replicate all five tests on the same job. 

5 General Tests:

  1. Ascent

  2. Descent

  3. Load bearing

  4. Load bearing under stress

  5. Friction

When ascending PPE needs to protect the worker from overhead dangers like spills, falls, and miscellaneous contusions. On the descent tests, PPE is analyzed in scenarios that replicate falls and rapid downward altitude changes. The descent test is incredibly vital in types of constructive work that involves large amounts of climbing and transporting materials from different levels. The load bearing test seeks to establish the stability of different PPE when a worker or equipment is suspended in place. Labs simulate load bearing under stress by adding swinging or momentum into the PPE test trial. The final test for PPE before deciding its credibility among employers is a friction test, establishing the durability of the equipment when moved between levels at high speeds. The friction test replicates the event of a fall or dropped item on a work site and can be applied to many different forms of PPE. 

Applications for PPE Tests

Many of the tests can be applied to the various PPE used by the industry, and having more than one test is an effective way at determining its durability in a real world environment. These tests not only put workers at ease knowing the equipment they use is in fact safe and effective, but also the employers. Industry leaders want the assurance that the kind of PPE they invest in for their companies is safe, effective, and actually prevents workplace injuries. The other caveat that comes from these tests is changes in the standardizations published by overhead administrations like OSHA and ANSI. If a certain PPE is found to be more or less effective than previously assumed, the standards advertised to employers may have to be entirely modified. These tests also provide clarity into the specific uses individual PPE should be used for, creating more uniform standards and expectations of certain industries. 

Canada’s Raging Wildfires Spreading Toxic Smoke Across USA

Hundreds of uncontrolled fires have been setting massive areas of forests in Canada ablaze threatening critical infrastructure, millions of acres, and dozens of U.S. states. These forest fires began rapidly spreading this month and quickly spread across millions of acres after several instances of lightning strikes and failure to control small fires greatly exacerbated the magnitude of this natural disaster. 

Canadian officials are continuing to expel resources to fight the ongoing fires in the Quebec province. The country has enlisted aid from the United States in an effort to abate the ongoing disaster, although most of the damage has already exacerbated many of those additional resources. The resulting effects from the extreme fires have expelled enormous volumes of toxic gasses and smoke that has since traveled thousands of miles enshrouding many American states in the northeast. 

Canada Fires Wreaking Havoc

Multiple fires began in the Canadian Quebec province earlier this month, and they quickly grew into each other creating massive wildfires that began to rapidly scorch millions of acres of forest. The typical fire season for Canada lasts between May and October, but earlier summer temperatures have made many of the wild grasses and forest lands particularly dry this season creating many areas more prone to fire hazards. 

Many large areas of remote wilderness exist in large provinces like Quebec and that increases the difficulty of fire fighting resources from accessing the fires. More than 400 fires are currently burning across the country and more than 200 are described as being out of control, with the most severe residing in Quebec. 

The rapid growth of the wildfires severely crippled many areas of infrastructure throughout the province including road closures, rural evacuations, telecommunication interruptions, and continued risks to high voltage power lines. This critical infrastructure is experiencing massive shutdowns throughout the country and directly affecting tens-of-thousands of people. More than 100 of those fires are currently under urgent watch as they have grown past their original boundaries and are now posing risk to residents and commercial properties. 

The accumulation of massive forest fires across the country has interrupted people's daily lives, safety, and overall air quality. Canada has reached out to its neighbors in the United States for help and additional resources as the fires must be contained to prevent further damage. U.S. President Biden pledged to help and send aid in any way he can after speaking with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. President Biden also repeated a resounding warning to many of the northeastern United States as they are currently facing their own challenges in response to the toxic fumes flooding the atmosphere and circulating south from the fires. 

Toxic Fumes Impact Northeast

The scale and duration of the massive forest fires affecting the Canadian wilderness has resulted in an enormous amount of toxic gasses entering the atmosphere. These gasses have continued to spread thousands of miles away from their origins at the fires and now pose significant risks to residents living in the northeastern United States. 

Videos and photos from downtown New York city this past weekend showed the towering skyscrapers in a scene that resembles something like the sunset over the Sahara Desert. Smoke, ash, and toxic chemicals filled the sky over many large cities in New England and the midwest as storm cell systems moved the gasses across the region. 

Health advisories were posted for millions of people residing in these heavily populated metropolitan areas as the thick smoke rapidly took over the sky. Many claimed the smoke burned their eyes, lungs, and left them with lingering chest inflammation. Health officials recommended remaining indoors and limiting time spent outside in direct exposure. Many residents also took up masks and air filtration devices eerily reminiscent of the covid-19 pandemic still lingering in many parts of the world. 

Individuals most likely to be affected by smoke inhalation symptoms include people working outdoors, namely in construction and development industries. Employers are encouraged to provide adequate protections in the form of respiratory protection for their employees as they will be facing increased risks. Other individuals with respiratory disabilities like asthma, emphysema, and autoimmune diseases are also at an increased risk. 

Future Events Imminent 

As climate change continues to impact many regions of the world, extreme forest fire events similar to this one are likely to become more common every year. The effects of climate change are gradual, but incredibly damaging to areas prone to fire hazards. Increased global temperatures can reduce annual moisture reaching the ground creating dry underbrush and vegetation that can easily catch fire and create a situation for rapid expansion of even small forest fires. 

Other effects climate change poses for increased wildfires is the modification of historical weather trends. Many areas in the north are experiencing earlier summer conditions and later falls. The changing seasons affects many of the critical industries previously mentioned and makes accessing necessary firefighting resources more difficult as they are not as readily available outside of the regular fire season.

Industries that respond to environmental emergencies are slowly adapting the the changing climate as they need resources much earlier than previously and they must maintain that level of aid for longer annual periods. Current firefighting efforts are still lacking effectiveness to the ongoing emergencies, even with help from the United States, and officials are working extremely hard to gain control. 

What is New With OSHA in 2023?

Each year occupational safety administrators seek to make changes that effectively keep employees safe while working. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is a government agency working to ensure safety by setting and enforcing standards applicable to the United States Department of Labor.

Last year there were more than 2.5 million workplace injuries reported to administrators across the United States. These injuries more-or-less fit into categories involving overexertion, falls, object impacts, and bodily reactions to awkward postures. OSHA constantly makes reforms to their rules as needed in various industries. Their mission includes evolving with current events and addressing potential areas where any safety risks could occur. The changes with the new rules OSHA is proposing for 2023 will seek to better prevent these injuries and many others in the workforce. 

Who is OSHA?

OSHA began regulating workplace safety after the Occupational Safety and Health Act was passed in 1970. The origins of the administration arose after massive public outcries against rising injuries and death rates at work. Congress created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to ensure safe and healthful workplace conditions existed for workers in all industries. The administration works to create and enforce specific safety standards by providing training, outreach, education, and assistance. 

Each year the administration receives a budget to effectively provide the resources needed to regulate workplace safety around the country. Originally this budget was utilized to develop the enforcement strategies best fit for businesses, but has gradually evolved into targeting more of those high-hazard industries that have continued ongoing workplace injuries. The current enforcement strategy aids in identifying the specific sites where high injury rates occur, and offers critical resources directly to the highest problem areas within labor departments. One of the most important proponents of OSHA’s enforcement plans is their education and outreach protocols that play vital roles dealing with health and safety. 

OSHA has invested heavily into its websites, educational materials, and resource distribution across the United States. More than 23 million users are present on the OSHA website each year, with more than 300,000 annual downloads of its advisor software systems. The administration has continued to branch out creating various web pages for individual employees, businesses, industry partners, and foraging counterparts in Europe and beyond. 

New Rules for 2023

This year OSHA has made some big changes in reforming many previously existing regulations to better fit the evolving industries in the United States. Here are 5 important changes that you should know about including record keeping, Lockout-Tagout changes, silica exposure, updated HazCom classifications, and shipping requirements. 

1. Recordkeeping Proposed Rule

OSHA published a new rule which would revise electronic injury and illness reporting requirements in US workplaces. Key impacts will include:

  • Expanding reporting requirements to ensure companies with more than 100 employees are able to electronically submit all of their OSHA information, whereas previously they were only required to submit a single form’s data. 

  • OSHA plans to publish the data collected from the electronic submissions on a public database after removing individual identifiers. Immediately this portion of the proposed ruling has garnered concerns about the likelihood and effectiveness of completely removing personal information from the data prior to being released to the public. 

  • The new ruling will also provide exclusions for establishments with 250 or more employees from having to electronically submit their Form 300A information annually to OSHA. 

2. Lockout-Tagout (LOCO) Updates

LOCO is OSHA’s control of hazardous energy standards, initially established in 1989. This regulation has largely remained unchanged since its establishment although OSHA is finally modernizing it to match industry standards utilizing computer based safety softwares. 

  • Most hazard controls in national industries recognize and incorporate many different computer based safety softwares. 

  • A request for information (RFI) assessed the strengths and limitations of such software when controlling hazardous energy. 

  • The RFI determined the current regulations in LOTO, which specifies control current devices are unsuitable for energy isolating devices, must be changed in response to recent technological advancements. Modern technologies may have improved the safety and control of such circuit type devices, and OSHA has responded by preparing to update the LOTO standard and compliance implications for employers. 

3. Silica Exposure Considerations

Silica dust particles are incredibly small and can become trapped in the lung tissue of a person who is exposed, leading to inflammation and scarring that can affect their respiratory tracts. The minute particles can reduce the lung’s capacity to take in oxygen causing a condition classified as silicosis. Silicosis can result in permanent lung damage as it is a progressive, debilitating, and sometimes fatal disease. 

OSHA developed two standards for respiratory silica, one for general industries like construction and one for maritime. Those 2016 standards established exposure action levels reducing the acceptable amount of total daily exposure, installing exposure control measures, and implementing medical surveillance programs to monitor employee health. The established regulations also required businesses and recordkeepers to maintain written documentation of the ongoing exposure control plans and maintain the OSHA standards. 

Other chemical exposure regulations like those that deal with lead, cadmium, and formaldehyde also yield an additional medical removal provision that the former silica regulations lacked. The medical provision required employers to monitor certain airborne exposure indicators or those found in blood concentrations, removing the employee from the contact area once exposure levels are reached. The United States Court of Appeals concluded that OSHA failed to explain its decision to remove the medical provisions from the 2016 silica regulations and remanded the rule for additional consideration of the implications. 

  • OSHA is planning to revisit the silica rules and to implement a medical provision installing surveillance programs and removal procedures. 

  • Employers that are subjected to the silica rules must ensure they have effective workplace inspection and hygiene standards, efficient incident management strategies, and the ability to promptly record medical removal cases. 

4. Regulatory Activities in Regards to Heat Exposure

The United States Department of Labor reported that hazardous heat exposure resulted in an average of 35 fatalities and 2,700 annual cases in industries across the nation. These injuries also resulted in multiple days away from work during the length of injury. 

  • Heat exposure injuries may be incorrectly diagnosed or underreported due to failures when documenting at what point the heat exposure caused or contributed to the official cause of death and injury. This is especially true when the victim ultimately succumbs to some other life threatening condition such as a heart attack or stroke, which may have direct correlations with the onset of heat exposure injuries. 

  • OSHA will initiate work on a heat exposure index standard. 

  • New emphasis on indoor and outdoor heat related hazards.

5. HazCom Proposed Rule

Proposed updates to existing HazCom standards to align with the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Chemical Labeling. 

  • Classifications for flammable gasses, aerosols, and desensitized explosives.

  • Additional requirements for various sized shipping containers. 

  • Specific requirements for bulk shipments. 

  • Required classifications of hazards under normal use including those that result in chemical reactions and other physical changes. 

More Plans For OSHA

As OSHA continues to evolve to better fit modern industries there are likely to be many more reforms down the road. The administration will continue to focus on reducing injuries, illnesses, and fatalities in all traditional industries while also looking ahead toward future challenges. Future safety violations may surround new chemicals or other workplace hazards in the growing service sector industries. OSHA regulations must also adapt to many more hybrid workplaces utilizing virtual assistance and AI technologies to either replace or assist the bulk of their employees. 

Proposed New Rules for Workplace Protection Against Wildfire Smoke

Not much is known about the true effects wildfire smoke has on outdoor workers, yet many regions are considering installing new rules to protect workers against associated workplace health hazards. Wildfires generate copious amounts of smoke into the atmosphere which can linger and spread far distances affecting many diverse workplace industries, and those that must work outdoors are directly at risk. Certain complications affecting respiratory and cardiovascular systems are known to be caused directly from smoke inhalation, and protections in the new rules will seek to provide for those ailments. 

Many different components have contributed to the new rules and certain regions have been in discussions for multiple years over the specific regulations to be imposed. Lawmakers have been diligently working with environmentalists, scientists, medical professionals, public involvement, and those predominantly affected to develop succinct rules that can protect those at risk. Certain areas more severely affected by climate change, drought, and dry conditions will continue to increase frequency of wildfires posing additional risks for industries and any employee conducting business outdoors. 

Effects of Smoke Exposure

Smoke exposure can invoke a variety of different complications to the human body, particularly affecting the respiratory and cardiovascular systems of those exposed. Wildfire smoke is different from cigarettes or exhaust due to the variety of different gas combinations and particulate matter. The mix of gasses and fine particulates form from burning vegetation, structures, or other materials. Studies suggest breathing in wildfire smoke can have instantaneous effects on anytype of individual, regardless of health. 

Immediate Symptoms

  • Coughing

  • Breathing difficulties 

  • Stingy eyes

  • Dry throat

  • Runny nose

  • Irritated sinuses

  • Wheezing and shortness of breath

  • Chest pain

  • Headache

  • Asthma attacks

  • Tiredness

  • Accelerated heartbeat

Immediate side effects from smoke inhalation can rapidly degrade a person’s ability to effectively work, travel, or participate in outdoor activities. These symptoms can continue to persist for extended periods of time, even when a person removes themselves from the source of the smoke.

The difficulties when assessing smoke inhalation risks in regards to wildlife smoke is the percentage of pollutant particulate matter. Health effects when dealing with air particulates can range from relatively minor symptoms to more serious long term health effects. The fine particulates are respiratory irritants that can cause persistent coughing, phlegm build up, difficulty breathing, and impacts to the entire respiratory system. These particulates can decrease the body’s ability to effectively remove foreign materials from the lungs, leading to excess bacteria and viral infections. Even people without underlying conditions can experience reduced respiratory activity including lung irritation and pulmonary inflammation. 

Long term exposure to wildfire smoke inhalation has relatively little known data to conclusively make assessments, however studies involving prolonged exposure to severe conditions over several days and weeks suggest a cumulatively negative effect on the lung’s capacity to provide clean oxygen to the body. Difficulties in assessing the effects of wildfire exposures is due to the lack of detailed studies on the general public's reaction to those conditions compared to the studies conducted on wildland firefighters directly in the pathway of dangerous smoke conditions. Gaps in the knowledge also fail to accurately depict the status of persistent health conditions in the wildlife offseason for workers. 

Protections From Wildfire Smoke

The most effective way to prevent wildfire smoke inhalation health effects is by limiting a person’s direct exposure to the elements. The Center for Disease Control has published a variety of tips for the public to avoid developing health complications in the height of wildlife season. 

  1. Observe local air quality conditions

    1. News and health networks will release warnings and condition updates when there is a wildfire in your area. Take safety precautions by limiting your exposure to the outdoors when under advisory. 

  2. Evaluate health guidelines if they are available to your area.

  3. Stay indoors and keep indoor air as clean as possible. 

    1. Keeping inside air sealed from outside pollutants is almost as important as staying inside. 

  4. Use an air filter

    1. Air filters will help remove potential harmful particulates from the air you are breathing.

  5. Do not rely on dust masks for protection

    1. Comfort and dust masks will not protect you from smoke as they are only designed to stop large materials like sawdust. 

    2. A typical N95 used for covid will provide some protection if you must be exposed to the elements. 

Proposed rulings for regional safety precautions for employers are based on the Air Quality Index (AQI) tool used by the Environmental Protection Agency to measure air quality. The AQI utilizes a rating system to quantify the probability of danger to the respiratory system and anyone outdoors. The rules outline necessary protections for when the AQI denotes dangerous particulate conditions in the air quality. 

AQI Rules - Rating spans 0 to 500 or higher

0 to 69

  1. Air quality is satisfactory and no risk to outdoor exposure. 

  1. 69 to 100

    1. Air quality is acceptable but may pose certain risks to sensitive individuals or those with underlying conditions. 

    2. Wildfire smoke response plan and recommended emergency response measures for workers experiencing any associated symptoms. 

  2. 101 to 300

    1. Some members of the public may begin to experience health complications and respiratory symptoms, while those with underlying conditions may react more severely. 

    2. Provide respiratory protections 

    3. Feasible working conditions with necessary precautions 

  3. 301 to 500

    1. Respirator use for affected workers

    2. At least N95 masks for every employee

    3. Full workplace respiratory protection program

  4. Higher than the AQI

    1. An N95 does not offer satisfactory protections, and more advanced respirators are required. 

Wildlife Risks for 2023

With summer shortly beginning across the United States what are the predicted risks for wildfires?

Areas in the western United States prone to severe wildfires include dry regions with adequate amounts of vegetation like California, Washington, and Colorado. The threat between April and June will be very low, but gradually increase with summer temperatures and lack of moisture. 

The peak wildlife season is expected to last between August and September, with some areas to remain under advisory until late November. The 2022 season observed more than 7 billion acres of land burned by wildfires and although 2023 has seen more moisture in certain areas then previously recorded, that statistic will likely remain the same if dry conditions prevail later in the year. 

The Northwest and Rockies observed a dryer than average winter, which means those regions will face a higher risk of wildfires as the snowpack melts quickly with the onset of summer temperatures. Some forecasters are placing the start of severe wildfires season as early as June in some of these at risk areas. Forecasters also released warnings that although many states are unaffected by the direct outburst of severe wildfires, the spread of smoke across the nation can continue to pose long lasting effects and should be taken seriously. 

Doctor’s Warn Against Using ‘My AI’ for Health Support

Snapchat is among the first of popular social media apps to incorporate emerging artificial intelligence (AI) software directly into user interface. The AI feature acts as a chatbot allowing users to ask questions and communicate for advice, planning trips, recipes, and trivia games. However, as the feature is gradually gaining more popularity and scope with new users, an alarming number of teens have begun to turn to the AI chatbot for mental health support, which doctors caution against. 

Many people have questions on the validity, safety, and scope of artificial intelligence invading day-to-day lives. The technology has observed rapid incorporations into mainstream media, employment tasks, and daily utilization over the last decade. As artificial intelligence continues to develop it also raises questions about its utility and user safety. Doctors are beginning to dissect the full potential of AI and are currently in discussions exploring associated benefits and risks. 

What is Artificial Intelligence?

The basic definition of AI is the scientific engineering of intelligent machines that expands beyond computers' ability to understand to bridge the gap between biological observance and human intelligence. Artificial Intelligence inside human technology has been a topic of interest since the 1950s, and has continued to be refined and implemented over the past 70 years. 

The simplest form of AI seeks to combine robust amounts of data enabling a program to engage in problem solving, without human interference. AI algorithms are created to synthesize datasets using machine and deep learning protocols that output predictions and classifications. 

Deep Learning

  • Comprised of neural networks

  • Predominantly automated extraction from datasets

  • “Scalable machine learning”

  • AI determines results between data inputs and outputs

Machine Learning

  • Requires human intervention or facilitation to extract entire datasets

  • Restricted to smaller datasets

  • Human observes determine results between data inputs and outputs

A variety of different applications for AI has been developing incorporating both factors of algorithm learning. Some of the most common systems implementing AI include speech recognition, customer service, computer vision, recommendation engines, and automated stock trading. Many aspects of society are beginning to rely on artificial intelligence features to facilitate daily tasks and communications, gradually invading people’s own personal data and online activities. 

The applications of artificial intelligence are continually expanding and recent developments have spurred many doctors into researching potential uses related to patient care as the technology is already aiding X Rays, digital imaging, and hospital management.

Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare

Millions of users across the country are familiar with some form of artificial intelligence in their life, often acting as rollout testers as companies rush to create competitive products for users. The rapid distribution across the internet has made accessing AI tools incredibly easy for average users. These tools are most often being used to develop medical diagnoses, writing assignments, software installation, and so many other tasks. 

Critics of the technology argue large spearheading companies like Microsoft and Google have failed to completely test the safety and validity of the new tools before distributing to the public. Artificial Intelligence has already raised concerns over employment security, privacy violations, misinformation campaigns, and identity theft as even President Biden has advocated for ensuring AI’s safety, and addressing aforementioned risks. Officials agree the technology has the potential to significantly improve lives in medical settings, but only after it can meet new legal responsibility regulations. President Biden and his administration have released an AI Bill of Rights and risk management framework to begin the facilitation of the technology on its pathway to medical utility. 

AI Bill of Rights: To address urgent challenges surrounding artificial intelligence by describing five core protections each American is to be entitled.

  1. Safe and Effective Systems

    1. Users should be protected from unsafe and ineffective systems. 

  2. Algorithmic Discrimination Protections

    1. Users should not be subjected to discriminations by algorithms

    2. Systems should be used and designed in an equitable manner

  3. Data Privacy

    1. Users should be protected from abusive data practices by installing protections and agency control governing how data is used and stored. 

  4. Notice and Explanation

    1. Users must be alerted to the automated system being used and understand its contributions to its uses. 

  5. Alternative Options

    1. Users must have an opt out option, to be redirected to a person that can consider and remedy problems manually. 

Artificial Intelligence Meets Mental Health

Many doctors agree there are a multitude of uses and potential benefits for supporting mental well being with artificial intelligence, most notably addressing the severe nationwide shortage of active providers. Technological solutions based on AI usage would allow greater accessibility to health professionals by patients, and facilitate ongoing daily treatment plans. Doctor Zachary Grinder, a psychological consultant in California even described how the technology could be used to identify concerning patterns of language and online behavior indicative of underlying mental health conditions. He also described how direct access to mental health communications can normalize the condition and get people connected with appropriate services. 

The caveat to the potential benefits is the interpersonal dependency AI interactions may inadvertently cause in a patient’s life. As the tools continue to advance and expand user applications, some users may begin to rely too heavily on their relationship with the artificial intelligence rather than human connections. Early users to tools released on several media platforms have already described how they tend to use their AI chats when lonely, looking for a ‘quick fix’ to their mental health. 

One of the most significant areas of concern for many doctors is the human-like response style and clinical authority most AI chat bots reply in. This style of dialect can be confusing to younger demographics who may not realize they are not communicating with a person. The clinical authority with which AI provides solutions is also perceived to be accurate by the user, when algorithms operating the AI sometimes fabricate answers. The complications of AI uses reach far beyond mental health vulnerability and the technology is likely to be subjected to many additional regulations as it continues to advance, attempting to limit misinformation and protect users.