Staff Reporter

How to manage your allergies in spring

April 12, 2022 by Staff Reporter

Spring is here, which means warmer temperatures and more opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities.

But if you’re one of the millions of Americans who suffer from allergies, going outside when pollen is in the air may not be a good idea.

Here’s how to keep your seasonal allergies in check during the warmer months.

What causes spring allergies?

The biggest cause of spring allergies is pollen, according to WebMD.

In spring, trees, grasses and weeds release tiny grains of pollen into the air to fertilize other plants. When they enter your nose, your immune system can mistake the pollen for a danger and release antibodies that attack the allergens.

This often leads to the release of histamines into your blood, which can trigger allergy symptoms like:

• Runny nose

• Watery eyes

• Sneezing

• Coughing

• Itchy eyes and nose

• Dark circles under the eyes

How to reduce your exposure to allergy triggers

There are steps you can take to reduce your exposure to things that trigger your allergy symptoms, according to Mayo Clinic:

• Stay inside on dry, windy days. The best time to go outside is after it rains, when pollen is cleared from the air.

• Shower after spending time outside to rinse pollen from your skin and hair.

• Wear a pollen mask if you decide to do chores outside.

• Avoid outdoor activities in the early morning when pollen counts are highest.

• Close your doors and windows at night or when pollen counts are high.

• Start taking allergy medications before your symptoms appear.

Over-the-counter remedies for allergies

According to Mayo Clinic, many types of nonprescription medications can help ease allergy symptoms. They include:

• Oral antihistamines to relieve sneezing, itching, runny nose and watery eyes like Claritin, Alavert, Zyrtec Allergy and Allegra Allergy

• Decongestants to provide relief from nasal stuffiness like Sudafed and Afrinol

• Nasal spray to ease allergy symptoms

• Some OTC medications like Claritin-D and Allegra-D that combine an antihistamine with a decongestant

How to keep the air inside your house allergen-free

It’s impossible to eliminate all the allergens from the air in your home, Mayo Clinic says, but these methods can help reduce them:

• Use high-efficiency filters in your air conditioning unit and follow regular maintenance schedules.

• Keep indoor air dry with a dehumidifier.

• Use a portable high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter in your bedroom.

• Use a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA air filter.

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Originally Appeared Here

Plan for new water treatment plant gains momentum at city | News

April 12, 2022 by Staff Reporter

During a raging rainstorm the night of April 4, the Northfield City Council’s approvals were flowing fast and furious.

Justin Wagner, utilities manager for the city of Northfield and Seth Peterson, principle environmental engineer for Bolton & Menk, Inc., presented more evidence as to why the drinking water treatment plant project should progress. Council members heard the pair discuss how gravity filtration with reverse osmosis would remove the manganese found in Northfield’s drinking water.

City engineering staff is proposing a new water treatment plant at $33.5 million, but it hopes to see that cost to the city reduced through grants.

The benefits of constructing the new water treatment plant include removing the hardness in the water that often leaves a while scaly ring around a facet, saving residents money without paying for a water softener, and ultimately, residents would use less water, approximately 2,500-4,000 gallons of water a year.

“Also, by removing chloride, we would be future-proofing our system,” Wagner said.

Of the three sites proposed for the new plant, input from residents recommend narrowing the choice to two: Hall Avenue and south of Maple Street.

That would eliminate the third site, which is south of Spring Creek Elementary, mainly because the cons outweigh the pros on the city owned property near the much-used high school athletic fields.

According to the survey results, the Spring Creek site was shown to be the least preferable with 64% negative rating. The most preferred site, with 61%, was Hall Street.

While user rates would increase 28.5% over the next four years from $14.70 this year to $40.09 in 2026, Wagner said they were seeking federal money to reduce costs to users. He referred to a chart comparing Northfield with comparable cities, which showed that Faribault, St. Peter and Mankato, all cities with more filtration rates, had water costs around $40 a month.

Wagner reported that the two open houses held virtually Feb. 24 and in person March 3 were successful, as was the survey with 127 total responses and comments included in the appendix of the study.

Three action steps remain: The council passes the water system study; the city moves forward on negotiating with property owners; and engineers begin to design layouts and renderings, he said.

Councilor Suzie Nakasian asked about the timing of the project. Wagner replied the next step would be to apply for grant funding, particularly the request for funding 75% of the cost, leaving the cost at about $8 million.

“We don’t have a a timeline on that,” said Peterson. “The typical bonding cycles end in May, but the grant for removing manganese could come in before September.”

Councilor Nakasian said, “It sounds like you’d like to move forward without the grant funds?” To which Wagner said “Yes, that is our intention.”

Mayor Rhonda Pownell asked about similar facilities built. Wagner replied that the Minnesota Department of Health has a new grant to remove manganese.

“They love the Northfield project and they are willing to give money to the city with the highest manganese levels so that looks favorable for us,” he said.

Councilor Nakasian asked, if Northfield got that grant, would it impact the pricing structure? Wagner said the city would update the user rate.

Councilor Jami Reister asked if the pair could review the health update for Northfield families. Wagner explained that manganese found in infants 1 year old and younger, could potentially cause HDHD or ADD. He said high levels of manganese were also not recommended for pregnant women or for mixing with baby formula.

Councilor Jessica Peterson White asked if home filtering systems can remove all the nitrates. Wagner said the levels would have to be tested.

“Homeowners would have the ability to do that, but renters would not,” she said.

Councilor George Zuccolotto asked if the new system would prohibit nitrates in our drinking water. Wagner said yes, noting that nitrates, PFAS and other emerging contaminants would be blocked.

Mayor Pownell asked if the Northfield Utility department had reached out to other partners, like Rice County public health or Northfield Hospital + Clinic. Wagner said he would do that this week.

Councilor Brad Ness asked how many gallons are in a cubic feet, to which Wagner replied immediately, “7.48.” Everyone laughed, acknowledging the engineer’s expertise.

Peterson White, Nakasian and Reister all praised the water engineers for their work on such an important issue for all city residents.

“I view this as an environmental justice issue to ensure we all have safe drinking water,” said Peterson White.

“This is a sign for consumers that clean water can help households conserve water,” Nakasian said. “This has been educational for us all.”

“Even though the price tag is huge, this is a health and equity issue,” said Reister. “I’m optimistic we can find grants, not just for the end product but for the grant money to flow in — no pun intended—- to be better for the environment and for residents.”

“I am heartened by the comments coming from around the table,” said Mayor Pownell.

The resolution passed unanimously.

Spending American Rescue Act Funds

Brenda Angelstad, financial director, reported that last year Northfield received $1.3 million from the American Rescue Act and will likely receive the same amount this year. The city can chose how to spend the money, she said.

Councilor Ness moved to approve a resolution to accept the funds, and Councilor Reister seconded. The motion passed.

In another motion, Angelstad listed the items the ARA advisory committee recommended spending on, including funds for K95 face masks, protecting signage, the salary for the Spanish interpreter, and updating the interior of City Hall.

“That still leaves 50% of the funds unspent,” she said.

The proposal before the council was to apply those remaining funds to approving the contract for Enterprise Resource Planning, which would upgrade the old system for city procedures.

Councilor Reister asked if residents would see an upgrade with more efficient systems. Angelstad replied that reporting would be enhanced especially for the Community Development Department.

“Anyone who applies and pays for a permit, which is not a patchwork system, would see an improved method,” she said.

City Administrator Ben Martig said this upgraded system was long overdue.

“When I came here in 2016, our accounting system seemed lacking,” he said. “We would have done a better job handling COVID if we would have had this new system in place.”

The council passed the motion to approve the funding to modernize the financial planning systems.

Martig delivered his administrative update with the news that the internet outage on Tuesday, April 5 was caused by Charter doing some tree removals in Castle Rock. The internet outage stretched from mid-morning until about 5 p.m. before engineers could get the system back online.

Martig said the April 19 agenda would involve the next steps of the Kraewood development project and Rice County rezoning.

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Originally Appeared Here

AEG products receive the Seal of Approval for outstanding anti-bacterial performance…

April 12, 2022 by Staff Reporter

04/12/2022 – 14:00

Home Appliances Electrolux GmbH

document

We are sending you our current press release, “AEG products receive the Seal of Approval for Outstanding Anti-Bacterial and Viral Performance.”

We look forward to reporting in your media and are available for press inquiries and interviews.

Best regards

Your AEG Team at Kaltwasser Kommunikation

Email: [email protected]

Tel: 0911/530630

AEG products receive seals of approval for outstanding anti-bacterial and anti-viral performance

Nuremberg, 12 April 2022

Smart programs for perfect hygiene: Swissatest Testmaterials AG, one of the leading European test centers for washing, cleaning and hygiene, certifies that AEG dishwashers, washers and dryers have an excellent effect when it comes to removing bacteria and viruses. AEG is the famous Swissest certified for its washers with the Anti-Allergy programme, for rotary dryers with the Hygiene program and for dishwashers with the ExtraHygiene function.

Whether it’s mites, pollen, bacteria or viruses – clean and hygienic laundry has become more important in your home. This is also shown in Electrolux’s 2020 study The Truth About Laundry 1. Here, fighting germs has been high on the agenda for more than one in ten adults. Several respondents mentioned that getting rid of germs is the main reason for washing clothes. To further increase consumer confidence, AEG is going a step further by having its smart software certified by Swissatest. While all AEG software aims to eliminate bacteria by default, the high performance of certified devices is most evident with a 99.9999 percent removal rate of some bacteria and viruses. A rigorous evaluation by the external testing institute showed that special AEG programs are successful against non-enveloped viruses such as E. coli bacteriophage MS2. This type of virus is difficult to eradicate due to its high ability to disinfect and other cleaning procedures.

“Cooperating with Swissatest supports our company’s goal of making life better. By having certified software that removes up to 99.9999 percent of certain bacteria and viruses, we want to offer our customers even more security,” explains Lynn DeVos, Head of Product Line Care who He has worked throughout the company, including in the areas of research and development, product marketing and textile and tableware care. We are very proud that our products have met the required testing requirements of Swisstest, and we are pleased with the positive result. “

“It is the first time that we, as a scientific testing institute and manufacturers of test materials, have been able to share our comprehensive view of washing operations, considering cleaning performance, sustainability and hygiene aspects, with end-users,” says Christian Portman, Managing Director.

Quick overview of AEG accredited programs

Swissatest Testmaterials AG emphasizes the high efficacy of the hypoallergenic washing program for washing machines. This high-performance wash removes more than 99.99 percent of bacteria and viruses from laundry, including Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis 2. By keeping the wash temperature above 60°C, the AEG program can also reduce allergens.

Rotary dryers with the proprietary AEG Hygiene Program also comply with Swissatest testing standards. By drying textiles for at least ten minutes at a temperature of over 60 degrees, the Hygiene Program effectively removes more than 99.9% of bacteria and viruses, including Candida albicans, MS2 spores and E. coli from blankets, pillows, and clothing.³

Swissatest testers were impressed with the functionality of the AEG ExtraHygiene for both freestanding and partially integrated dishwashers. During the last rinsing phase, the temperature is kept at 69 degrees for ten minutes. This cleans dishes hygienically and removes more than 99.99 percent of bacteria and viruses, including Micrococcus luteus and MS2 bacteriophage4.

More information can be found here: https://www.aeg.de/

About Swisstest

Swissatest Testmaterials AG is a competent center for test materials and tests in the areas of washing, cleaning and hygiene. Hygiene label tests are conducted in the in-house “Hygiene and Microbiology” department, which includes various procedures in the areas of laundry hygiene, textile hygiene, antifouling and anti-fouling testing, disinfectant testing and quality assurance. In addition, the department is involved in several research and development projects. The knowledge gained there flows into new testing methods, products, and services.

Additional information

How do consumers know if their devices have approved software?

All UniversalDose washing machines have approved programs.
The following models of rotary dryers are supported: T9DE98685, T9DS88689, T8DBC40689, T8DBC40688, T8DBA6680, T8DB68689
In the case of dishwashers, all free-standing and semi-integrated models are equipped with approved programs.
The “Swissatest Approved” logo on the AEG website indicates the corresponding models as certified.

Have the programs also been checked for SARS-CoV-2?

No tests have been conducted for SARS-CoV-2 as SARS-CoV-2 is classified in risk group 3. This limits the number of laboratories where testing can be performed. (Biosafety level 3 or 4).
Because household appliances are open systems, it is difficult to protect laboratory workers from infection.
SARS-CoV-2 is an enveloped virus and therefore more susceptible to disinfection and cleaning procedures than non-enveloped viruses.
Non-enveloped viruses are generally more difficult to inactivate and require higher concentrations and temperatures than disinfectants, while enveloped SARS-CoV-2 is easier to inactivate in the washing process (Sidwell & Dixon, 1969; Gerba, 2001; Gerba & Kennedy, 2007; Gerhardts et al., 2009; Heinzel et al., 2010).
The tests were carried out at Swissatest using the well-known non-encapsulated MS2 E. coli, which has a high tolerance for disinfection and cleaning procedures.

[1] The Truth About Laundry, 2020 report is based on a survey of 12,000 Europeans in 12 countries including Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, Sweden, Spain and Italy.
[2] Tested for the detection of Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecium, Candida albicans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and MS2 in an external assay by Swissatest Testmaterials AG in 2021 (Test Report No. 202120117).
[3] Tested for the detection of Candida albicans, MS2 phages and Escherichia coli in an external test by Swissatest Testmaterials AG in 2021 (Test Report No. 20212038).
[4] Tested for the detection of Micrococcus luteus and MS2 in an external test by Swissatest Testmaterials AG in 2021 (Test Report No. 20212029).

Electrolux is a leading global manufacturer of home appliances that has been improving the lives of its customers for more than 100 years. We are reinventing taste, care and luxury for millions of people, always striving to be at the forefront of sustainability through our innovations and solutions. Under our brands, which include AEG and Electrolux, we sell about 60 million home appliances in about 120 countries each year. In 2021, we generated sales of SEK 126 billion (about €12.1 billion) with 52,000 employees worldwide. For more information, see www.electroluxgroup.com.

Pressekontakt:
Corinna Schrätz
[email protected]
Tel.: +49 911 530 630
Electrolux Hausgeräte GmbH
Fürther Straße 246
90429 Nürnberg
Tel.: +49 911 323 0

www.electrolux.com
https://newsroom.electrolux.com/de/
www.aeg.de
Sitz der Gesellschaft: Nürnberg
Geschäftsführung: Michael Geisler
Aufsichtsratsvorsitzender: Dr. Peter Greiner
Registergericht: HRB 20603
USt-IdNr: DE 811117185

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Originally Appeared Here

TK Elevator’s Innovation and Qualification Center (IQC) in Atlanta achieves LEED Gold certification

April 12, 2022 by Staff Reporter

The IQC is the second TK Elevator building in the U.S. to earn this prestigious distinction. In 2015, TK Elevator’s North American manufacturing headquarters in Middleton, Tennessee, earned LEED Gold certification. While the Middleton facility earned this distinction in the Existing Buildings category, the IQC was recognized in the New Construction category.

“At TK Elevator, we understand that our environmental commitment must extend beyond simply manufacturing the most sustainable mobility solutions. Sustainability has to be embedded in all aspects of our business – from the vehicles TK Elevator field technicians drive to the buildings TK Elevator employees work in every day. The IQC truly embodies the future of our industry and the built environment, and we are very pleased to receive this designation,” said Kevin Lavallee, CEO BU North America and Group COO Field.

To achieve LEED Gold certification, the IQC realized a 12% reduction in embodied carbon compared to typical construction through concrete mix optimization – using ground granulated blast furnace slag and fly ash. This approach saved 2.36 million pounds of carbon-dioxide emissions. The IQC achieved more than a 40% reduction in potable water use compared to baseline buildings through the selection of efficiency flush and flow fixtures that will save 60,000 gallons of water annually.

The IQC utilizes a Smart Building metering system, which fully integrates specialty equipment such as HVAC and lighting. The Department of Energy estimates that a building employing this system can realize up to 45% energy savings as the elevators put power back into the building with regenerative drives, reducing the energy load of elevators.

In addition, TK Elevator prioritized the materials used throughout the IQC, installing products that were produced with a high recycled content, reducing the need for raw materials and ensuring natural resources could be preserved. This includes using carpet comprised of recycled PET plastic, flooring tile verified to have the lowest global warming potential among comparable products, as well as finish materials tested and proven to have low VOC emissions, contributing to a healthier indoor air quality. TK Elevator’s own products also complied with many of the materials credits as its elevators boast the industry’s first Health Product Declarations (HPDs) and Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) focused on environmental and human health.

“The material health of elevators has long been a priority for TK Elevator, and today we are keenly focused on lowering operational and embodied carbon in our pursuit of net-zero carbon. In North America, the IQC will serve as a symbol of the built environment’s healthier future, and we are excited to earn this rare achievement for our industry,” added Monica Miller Brown, LEED AP BD+C, Senior Sustainability Manager for TK Elevator.

The IQC was designed by Gensler, a global architecture, design and planning firm with a portfolio that saves more than 17 million metric tons of carbon dioxide from being emitted on a yearly basis.

“The IQC’s resourceful and resilient design demonstrates tremendous leadership within the industry,” said Gensler Principal John Haba, AIA, LEED Green Associate. “The decision to prioritize themes of transparency and sustainability while maintaining a passion for innovation is what has made the IQC a standard for others to emulate.”

TK Elevator has taken substantial steps toward addressing climate change and carbon reduction in North America. This includes joining the Drawdown Georgia Business Compact, an inclusive and collaborative initiative focused on galvanizing climate action in Georgia. Created by the Ray C. Anderson for Sustainable Business at the Georgia Tech Scheller College of Business, the Compact’s mission is to leverage the collective impact of Georgia’s business community to achieve net-zero carbon emissions in the state by 2050, which aligns with TK Elevator’s own organizational goals. TK Elevator is also a member of materialsCAN, a program committed to acting on the smart, sustainable prioritization of embodied carbon in building materials as well as driving a better understanding of the carbon footprint of projects across the industry.

To learn more about TK Elevator and its commitment to creating healthier, more sustainable solutions, go to https://www.tkelevator.com/us-en/.

PRESS IMAGES
Available here.

PRESS CONTACT
Dennis Van Milligen
Manager, Public Relations
TK Elevator North America
P +1 312 525 3190
[email protected]
www.tkelevator.com/us

COMPANY BLOG
Insights

ABOUT US

TK Elevator (formerly: thyssenkrupp Elevator)
With customers in over 100 countries served by more than 50,000 employees, TK Elevator achieved sales of around €8 billion in the fiscal year 2020/2021. Over 1,000 locations around the world provide an extensive network that guarantees closeness to customers. Over the past decades, TK Elevator has established itself as one of the world’s leading elevator companies and became independent since its separation from thyssenkrupp AG in August 2020. The company’s most important business line is the service business represented by over 24,000 service technicians. The product portfolio covers commodity elevators for residential and commercial buildings to cutting-edge, highly customized solutions for state-of-the-art skyscrapers. In addition, it also consists of escalators and moving walks, passenger boarding bridges, stair and platform lifts. Integrated cloud-based service solutions, such as the MAX platform, are gaining in importance. With these digital offerings, there are no limits to urban mobility anymore. TKE – move beyond.

SOURCE TK Elevator

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Originally Appeared Here

The $430M taxpayer-funded Blondell homeless shelter needs to go – Bronx Times

April 12, 2022 by Staff Reporter

Everyone is up in arms about the $800 million in taxpayer money going to the Buffalo Bills Stadium, and rightly so. But I can top that one: $430 million for a 3-story building to house 200-single homeless men on Blondell Avenue. Yes, folks, the cost to clean up the toxic and waterlogged site has gone from $350 million to $430 million. Think of that huge amount of money, it boggles the mind.

One of our conscientious members found the following information online:

For 1347 Blondell Ave. for a homeless shelter and health clinic:

Development cost: $430 million (including all soft costs and hard costs). The report was done by Andrew Knox, of Edelman Sultan Knox Wood Architects, and was sent to the office of then Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. The developer is Dan Shavolian, who is known as a developer of homeless shelters throughout the city. The site will be 37,803 square feet and three floors. This debacle was supposed to begin June 2021 and end December 2022.

As if this is not bad enough, consider this: A soil boring survey was done at the site, which found evidence of water between 8-10 feet below the surface (it is a recognized flood zone because a creek runs below it).

At the Blondell Commons site, which is adjoining at 1346 Blondell Ave., the DEC stated:

“Volatile organic compounds in the groundwater may move into the soil vapor (air spaces within the soil), which in turn may move into overlying buildings and affect the indoor air quality. This process, which is similar to the movement of radon gas from the subsurface into the indoor air of buildings, is referred to as soil vapor intrusion. The potential exists for people to inhale site contaminants due to soil vapor intrusion in any future redevelopment and occupancy.” 1347 Blondell Ave. has the same toxic history, if not worse.

So, let me recap. The city is planning on spending $430 million of your tax dollars to house 200 homeless men in a 3-story building on a toxic site with a water table of 8-10 feet. The building has been delayed until 2024, but it should just be killed. This is an outrageous and ridiculous expenditure. We have contacted the new borough president, the city comptroller, our councilperson, and our state senator about this insanity. This goes beyond the bounds of rationality. It must be one of the biggest boondoggles since a conman in 1824 named Lozier told people to show up with their saws to saw off part of Manhattan Island or it would sink. The development of the Blondell site will be a toxic disaster and quagmire. Can no one stop this insanity?

And now a few choice words for those who recommended this wonderful site to the city Department of Homeless Services, as well as another “ideal” site for 200 homeless men just yards away from the Easter Seals Bronx Developmental Center playground. Obviously, in recommending these terrible sites for homeless shelters you did not do your homework and were only interested in sites on the periphery of your district. These decisions you have made so lightly have the potential to change communities and the health of so many people, who will have to live with this for decades. The White Plains Road shelter has been killed, and these two also need to go. Maybe next time you recommend and put forward a site for a shelter (and I’m looking at you CB11), you will at least do the right thing and research it first.

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Originally Appeared Here

Little Rock School District Reports Positive Impact On In-Person Learning After Installation of Air Purifiers in Schools

April 12, 2022 by Staff Reporter

The school district worked with Sanalife™, a national leader in indoor air quality solutions, for a customized and rapid implementation of high-tech air purifiers

LITTLE ROCK, Ark., April 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — In October 2021, the Little Rock School District (LRSD) invested a portion of its federal COVID-19 relief funds in high-tech air purifiers to enhance safety measures and improve indoor air quality by delivering clean air throughout their district. After six months of use, Little Rock is thrilled to report that the impact of cleaner air has proven to be a highly successful COVID-19 mitigation strategy and has seen a noticeable decrease in absenteeism and a positive contribution to the health and safety of students, teachers and staff.

“As we developed our COVID-19 response strategy, we recognized that high-quality air filtration systems in our classrooms were of the utmost importance to maintain in-person learning,” said Mr. Kelsey Bailey, Chief Deputy of Finance and Operations for Little Rock School District. “Since implementing the air purifiers, we’ve seen a significant decrease in absenteeism. We are thrilled that the investment has kept our students, teachers and staff safe and in the classroom.”

The Little Rock School District purchased more than 2,000 air purification units from Sanalife™, a national leader in advanced indoor air quality solutions for schools, businesses and organizations across the United States. Sanalife partnered with LRSD to develop a customized solution and deployment strategy to ensure the most effective results. The units were hand-delivered, and the Sanalife team worked with LRSD to help install the air purifiers into classrooms within a matter of days to ensure the safety of students, teachers and staff within the school district as the Delta and Omicron COVID-19 variants began to spike in the area.

“We are honored to partner with Mr. Bailey and the Little Rock School District and meet their timely needs to quickly roll out the installation of our air purifiers in all their classrooms and see such positive immediate results,” said Toly Chea, Sanalife, COO. “The COVID-19 pandemic has influenced a heightened awareness of air quality among the general population and how clean indoor air directly impacts our health and the health of those around us. By implementing an indoor air quality plan that addresses airflow, filtration and viral loads within the classroom, we have been able to ensure that students, teachers and staff are breathing clean, healthy air. The district’s own data speaks for itself. Little Rock School District is a case study for how people, process and technology should be used together to help solve the air quality crisis in a post-COVID world.”

Story continues

The air purifiers implemented across the LRSD were Sanalife’s Beyond Guardian Air, powered by ActivePure® technology. This active purification technology creates oxidizing molecules that significantly reduce viruses, bacteria, odors and volatile organic compounds. In unaffiliated third-party laboratory tests, ActivePure has been proven to reduce up to 99.99% of pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19), Avian influenza, E. coli, MRSA, Norovirus, Staph bacteria, Candida, Swine Flu, Hepatitis, Legionella and more.

Sanalife protects over 700,000 students in over 100 school districts, colleges and universities, as well as office buildings, government municipalities and healthcare facilities across the nation. Learn more about Sanalife at www.sanalifewellness.com.

About Little Rock School District
The Little Rock School District is the state’s second largest district, serving approximately 22,000. LRSD added the new 400,000 SQF, state-of-the-art Little Rock Southwest Magnet High School to its educational fleet in 2020 with a capacity of 2,200 students. Continuing to build on that momentum, the District will soon welcome a new K-8 and new high school. LRSD has the distinction of having three national Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence; nearly 200 teachers with National Board Certification; and historically within the past decade, the most National Merit Semifinalists in the state, a record 30 in 2021. LRSD is also home to the 2019 Arkansas Teacher of the Year and consistently ranks among the top award recipients in STEM-related competitions and the performing/creative arts.

About Sanalife™
Sanalife™ is a wellness solutions brand offering advanced indoor air quality products and solutions to schools, businesses and organizations across the United States. Together, Sanalife and its customers find the best end-to-end, customized solutions to solve partner-specific problems related to indoor air quality. Sanalife and its solutions partners have a combined 140+ years of experience that meet the needs of any organization, regardless of the industry, size or space.

Media Contact: [email protected]

Cision

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/little-rock-school-district-reports-positive-impact-on-in-person-learning-after-installation-of-air-purifiers-in-schools-301523198.html

SOURCE Sanalife

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Originally Appeared Here

Boulder Establishes Air Quality Alert System After Marshall Fire

April 12, 2022 by Staff Reporter

BOULDER, CO — Boulder County announced Monday that it has established an air quality monitoring and alert system for people who live in and around the areas impacted by the Marshall Fire.

The health department has planted up to 25 air quality monitors throughout the affected and nearby areas to provide immediate and accurate data and information concerning the local air quality, according to a news release. The monitors, solar-powered and connected with cellular technology, track the “volume of ultrafine pollutants called particulate matter” in the air.

The information that these monitors collect will be available 24/7, accessible through Boulder’s website, according to the news release. Locals can also opt in to receive email or text alerts about the air quality in the area.

The data that this new monitoring system collects will be scaled to the Environmental Protection Agency’s Air Quality Index, which measures air quality from zero to 500, the news release said. The higher the number on the scale, the worse the air quality in the area.

A value of 50 or below is considered “good,” while a value of 100 or above is considered “unhealthy,” and a value of 300 or above is considered “harmful.”

The health department recommends people living near the burn areas monitor their indoor air quality and get their home’s HVAC ducts professionally cleaned as soon as possible. The department also suggests that those living near those burn areas limit their time outdoors on particularly windy days, and if they must be outside, wear a mask.

As of Tuesday morning, the air quality monitor planted at the Marshall Mesa Trail was “good,” with the suggested action that it is a “great day to be active outside.”

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Originally Appeared Here

I’m an organizing expert – these are the Dollar Tree cleaning items you NEED to buy to quit scrubbing

April 12, 2022 by Staff Reporter

IT may come as a surprise, but the Dollar Tree is a treasure trove of handy cleaning items.

According to organizing expert Kathryn, who runs the Do It On A Dime YouTube account, the Dollar Tree has some pretty amazing products that can clean any part of your home.

Expert organizer and cleaner, Kathryn of the Do It On a Dime YouTube channel, shared the best cleaning products at Dollar TreeCredit: YouTube/Do It On a Dime

According to Kathryn, the discount store has a ton of products that will get your houses sparkling clean for cheapCredit: YouTube/Do It On a Dime

And of course, the best part is that they will only cost you around $1 each.

First, Kathryn shared Dollar Tree’s Scrub Free glass cleaner, a new product that she said was in her top three products of the entire store.

“It goes on in a super satisfying foam, it smells great, and it truly leaves your glass and mirrors streak-free without any scrubbing,” she said.

Next, Kathryn said the LA’s Totally Awesome cleaner at $1.25: “Creates the best and most satisfying foam you can use to clean anything.”

It comes as a concentrated cleaner that must be diluted depending on what you’re cleaning, but the instructions come right on the bottle.

Kathryn uses it herself outside on her windows and doorways.

Then, the expert pointed out the TikTok famous cleaner Fabuloso is available at Dollar Tree for $1.25 as well.

Kathryn uses the antibacterial Fabuloso with her O Cedar Double Bucket Mop to get her floors sparkling clean.

Next up on Kathryn’s Dollar Tree must-haves is LA’s Totally Awesome bathroom cleaner for $1.25.

“I can say fully this works awesome,” Kathryn added.

She used the spray to clean the hard-to-reach areas on her toilet, plus on her countertops.

Kathryn then circles back to explain what her top two favorite Dollar Tree products are: Lim-A-Way toilet bowl cleaner and the Ty-D-Bol automatic toilet cleaner, both priced at $1.25.

She used the Lim-A-Way to wipe her toilet bowl clean then clipped the Ty-D-Bol on the back part of the toilet so that it continues to clean with each flush.

Kathryn also tried the $1.25 Rust Lime and Calcium cleaner for the first time, which she said: “did a pretty good job.”

The expert then grabbed a $1.25 container of Clorox disinfecting bleach to clean up her jetted tub.

She explained: “I pour the entire thing in and run a few cycles through the jets to clean out all of that gunk.

“Such an inexpensive way for one dollar to get a clean and refreshed tub.”

Moving on to the laundry aisle, Kathryn picked up a few individual containers of Downy and Gain’s laundry scent boosters, both only costing $1.25.

“Pour one of these into a spray bottle and add warm water. Mix it up and the scent boosters will dissolve, now you have a DIY room spray,” she said.

Kathryn used her own room spray in her closet and on her couch cushions.

Lastly, Kathryn grabbed baby oil for $1.25 to shine up her bathroom fixtures and a roller scraper to easily scrape off excess paint.

Kathryn said she likes to use Ty-D-Bol in her toilet so that it is always cleaning with each flushCredit: YouTube/Do It On a Dime

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Testimonies From the Frontlines of Chinatown’s Air Pollution Battle –

April 12, 2022 by Staff Reporter

Chinatown continues to be one of Boston’s more vibrant communities. However, behind that curtain, the residents, workers, and businesses breathe the dirtiest air in Massachusetts.

Joan didn’t know that Chinatown had the dirtiest air in Massachusetts when she moved here eight years ago. But when her two twin girls were diagnosed with asthma two years ago, she was shocked. She couldn’t understand why. No one in her own family had asthma and no one smoked at home. Then her children’s nurse at Tufts Medical Center told her about the polluted air in Chinatown and thought that it might be responsible for her twin’s asthma.

Lydia Lowe, Director of the Chinatown Community Land Trust, has participated for more than a decade in the Community Assessment of Freeway Exposure and Health (CAFEH) research project that has done extensive research and data collection in Chinatown that linked exposure to ultra-fine particulate matter (UFPs) in the air with heart- related issues like inflammation and high blood pressure. Many researchers have found that pollution in Chinatown is the worst in the state.

This is just one of many important environmental issues facing Chinatown, Lowe says, along with the very real threat of future flooding and the health risks of being one of the city’s “heat islands.” “It is important,” she says, “for every level of government to put more priority on reducing pollution and addressing climate change now. That includes stricter regulations against pollution, improving public transit, and allocating funds to communities that have been and are most impacted. This is commonly called ‘environmental justice.’”

According to Lowe, high quality air filtration systems can improve the indoor air in buildings next to highways, and Chinatown is a prime example of car exhaust pollution. “We should require these systems in new buildings near highways, but owners of older buildings need extra funding to make those buildings healthier. This same question arises when we talk about electrifying buildings as part of an overall plan to reduce carbon dependency. Those who benefit from energy retrofits cannot only be the upper income residents of new developments.”

Ken has lived in one of the new high-rises in Chinatown for over five years, but he is leaving Chinatown and moving to Quincy. He says he is “fed up” with the lack of concern from the city, state, and feds. Ken can see and smell the poisonous air in Chinatown every day. He believes that many Chinatown residents, business owners, and workers have no idea about the danger air pollution poses and authorities want to keep it under the radar. “I have been to too many community meetings where the authorities show up and nothing ever gets done…They don’t respect us because we don’t speak English and residents need to complain,” Nevertheless, Ken has given up. He said he is not worried about himself, but he does not want to raise his children in air where they will get cancer or where their children could be born with birth defects.

Joan is afraid to let her children play outside. She desperately wants to move out of Chinatown, but she can’t afford to go anywhere else because she lives in a subsidized unit. Joan is angry that she can’t breathe clean, fresh air, and because she is poor.

SAMPAN, published by the nonprofit Asian American Civic Association, is the only bilingual Chinese-English newspaper in New England, acting as a bridge between Asian American community organizations and individuals in the Greater Boston area. It is published biweekly and distributed free-of-charge throughout metro Boston; it is also delivered to as far away as Hawaii.

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Nell’s Students Gain Skills Beyond the Classroom with Water Quality Research

April 12, 2022 by Staff Reporter

Assistant Professor of Chemistry Kara Nell is preparing her students to find solutions to local environmental problems through water quality research and lab work. As a materials chemist, Nell focuses much of her research with students on creating functionalized materials to target specific molecules. Making functionalized materials is the process of adding new functions, features, capabilities, or properties to a material by changing the surface chemistry of the material. “I’m interested in designing and synthesizing materials to help solve environmental problems,” says Nell.

One problem that she is addressing with the help of her students relates to excess nutrients in our water, which can be detrimental to humans. Most notably, excess nitrate in the water is known to cause blue baby syndrome in infants younger than six months who are bottle-fed with formula mixed with water containing excess nitrate. The nitrate binds to the hemoglobin in the baby’s blood, making the blood incapable of carrying oxygen through the body. Nell and her students are creating functionalized materials to draw out the nitrate. Nell explains that they are specifically trying to design an organic molecule to recognize and bind only that particular analyte—the nitrate—and remove it from the water. She likened it to the claw in the claw machine at the arcade where you try to maneuver the claw to grab only the stuffed animal or toy that you want.

“We essentially are designing a ‘claw’ to grab only nitrate and phosphate from the water.”

Nell points out that the challenge is not to ‘grab’ other soluble anions that are much more abundant in water, like chlorine, which can easily happen if the molecule is designed to target the negative charge.

“We have to be careful not to remove more chlorine, for example, than anything else.”

Nell says students are involved in every step of the process. They collect the water, conduct the water testing, help design the materials, and perform the synthesis, characterization, and performance testing. Nell acts as a “very hands-on” research advisor, working hand-in-hand with the students and managing their projects and progress.

Other research projects that her students participate in include making functionalized materials to remove organic pesticides from water and making more thermally stable materials to remove carbon dioxide from gas. In fact, students are involved in all of her research projects. They also come to her with their own ideas for projects and are encouraged to do so. That way “students get to do things that they’re specifically interested in,” she says. Students also have the opportunity to lead projects and, with Nell’s assistance, are responsible for creating proposals and seeking funding for the research.

One “really fun project started by a student,” Nell notes, was isolating and characterizing all of the chemical compounds in local indigenous medicinal plants to determine—in collaboration with Associate Professor of Biology Rachel Johnson, Assistant Professor of Biology Bryan Nell, and biology students—how the compounds affect cell lines. A project like this, says Nell, allows students who are interested in pursuing medicine or are taking both biology and chemistry classes to see how both disciplines tie in together as they determine what they want to do in the future.

Nell encourages all of her students to participate in research if they are interested. One of UMN Morris’s strengths is the ability to participate in undergraduate research. Students have access to various opportunities to do paid research, research for course credit, or to stop by research labs to see what doing research would be like before making a commitment. Students can also apply to programs that pay them to do research full-time throughout the summer. Many UMN Morris students apply for and are awarded full-time summer research experiences at other institutions as well.

Students also have the opportunity to present their research findings at undergraduate research symposiums and other external venues. Overall, these research projects give students the experiential learning they may be seeking outside the classroom while developing their research and problem-solving skills.

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