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Staff Reporter

New ‘Actions to Breathe Cleaner’ study finds 6 out of 10 UK classrooms have worse air quality than traffic-filled roads

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With World Health Day this week, Otrivine Natural reveals the results of its initiative, developed to help educate children about the health impact of air pollution and equip them with simple daily actions to reduce the effect

A new initiative that galvanized over 1,000 young ‘pollution detectives’ from schools across the UK has discovered that the average indoor air quality index (AQI) in classrooms is nearly 46% higher than the average outdoor city-wide AQI.

The study also found that whilst children know that air pollution is bad, they do not know what to do about it. After participating in the ‘Actions to Breathe Cleaner’ (ABC) initiative which consisted of both in-classroom education and air pollution monitoring, the pupil’s knowledge of air pollution and how they might reduce their exposure to it, increased by 54%.

The launch of this initiative and the results of the air pollution data collected are particularly relevant today on World Health Day themed ‘Our planet, Our health’ where we are being encouraged to share stories about the steps we are all taking to protect our health and that of the planet.

The ‘Actions to Breathe Cleaner’ initiative from Otrivine Natural helps to educate primary school children about the quality of the air they breathe and actions to help them breathe cleaner.

The initiative was inspired by the WHO’s categorisation of air pollution as the world’s largest environmental health threat, with 93% of children around the world breathing polluted air every day.

With some of the highest rates of childhood asthma among all European countries , it was important to start the ABC initiative in the UK. Developed in partnership with teachers, school children were able to analyse the air quality inside and outside their schools over a two-week period through detective-like-search using digital pollution monitors.

Sarah McDonald, GSK VP of Sustainability commented, “We want to inspire people to take action against the health impact of air pollution because children contribute the least to it but are some of the most vulnerable to its effects . One of the first steps is to be aware of your personal exposure and then learn the actions you can take to breathe cleaner.”

Story continues

The study took place in schools located in UK cities, towns and villages and revealed that the indoor air pollution of village schools is no better than that of city schools. In some cases, levels exceeded the 1-hour exposure threshold set by the WHO, meaning high air pollution that could cause one to experience adverse health effects.

Sarah continued, “We discovered that indoor air quality can be worse than outdoors and therefore, as part of Actions to Breathe Cleaner, we recommend daily ventilation of classrooms, at times when outside traffic is at its lowest. Also, let’s not forget that our noses are our first line of defense, so another action is to wash your nose daily.”

26 schools across the UK embarked on the study, which included monitoring the air for 15 minutes in a stationary position outside the school, during a 15–30-minute walk outside and for 15 minutes inside the classroom after each walk. In addition, the monitors were left on inside the classrooms, when not in use, to help understand the daily pollution rhythms inside the classrooms.

Whilst astounding, the results are in line with previous studies from Cambridge and Indiana Universities that show higher rates of indoor air pollution are not restricted to schools but apply to all indoor spaces including homes and offices.

See how two schools got on here

A further 4,000 children were involved in the initiative through a bespoke educational programme that consisted of extensive classroom learning.

Sarah concluded, “The ABC initiative has helped educate over 5,000 children on air pollution and how it is affecting them personally on a daily basis. Children spend a significant amount of time at school, and our research shows they may be exposed to air pollutants that could have a detrimental impact on health.

“No action is too small to reduce air pollution. By taking simple small ‘Actions to Breathe Cleaner’ such as nasal washing with saline solution like Otrivine Natural Daily Nasal Wash, ventilating rooms and adapting the route to school, we can breathe better, now.”

The ABC initiative data also revealed:

• 59% of schools had an indoor AQI significantly above the city outdoor averages

• Town and village school indoor pollution was driven by PM10*, and city schools a relatively even mix of VOCs* and PM10

• Air pollution levels varied notably day by day, highlighting the need to monitor daily air pollution levels

• A third of schools also had an outdoor AQI over the city average

What the teachers & students thought:

Participating in ‘Actions to Breathe Cleaner’ not only helped educate but also inspired longer term behaviour change.

• 35% increase in teachers’ belief that their pupils are taking action to reduce exposure to air pollution

• 83% increase in pupils’ knowledge of the role of personal hygiene, such as nasal washing, in reducing their exposure to air pollution.

A further 4,000 children were involved in the initiative through a bespoke educational programme that consisted of extensive classroom learning

A further 4,000 children were involved in the initiative through a bespoke educational programme that consisted of extensive classroom learning

Since taking part in the ABC initiative, many schools have reported that they are putting additional actions into practice, such as adding more plants and building a ‘living’ green wall, to help mitigate the health impact of air pollution.

What you can do: 11 actions you can try to breathe cleaner today

PLAN YOUR TRAVEL

• Choose low air polluted routes

• Shift from motorised to active transport (cycling, walking)

• Optimise driving style, reduce idling

• Use public transportation, electric cars

TRACK YOUR AIR QUALITY

• Your air quality is personal to you

• Monitor and understand air pollution data at your street level, in your home, at your children’s school

PURIFY THE AIR AT HOME, SCHOOL & WORK

• Improve ventilation in your home, especially cooking areas

• Grow plants

• Vacuum and dust regularly

• Use air purifiers

CLEAN YOUR NOSE

• Our nose helps to naturally filter out the environment around us. Daily cleaning of your nose with saline washes such as Otrivine Natural Daily Nasal Wash can restore its effectiveness in filtering harmful particles

To learn more about the simple daily actions you and your children can take to breathe cleaner, visit https://youtu.be/x9_B4UFoGq

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Honeywell International : Blumenthal Performing Arts And Honeywell Collaborate To Help Improve The Theater’s Indoor Air Quality

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. – March 29, 2022 – Blumenthal Performing Arts is working with Honeywell (Nasdaq: HON) to create a healthier environment for its performers and staff to help boost their confidence and continue to provide premium performing arts and entertainment experiences for the Charlotte community. Honeywell will deploy a customized Healthy Buildings dashboard and air quality sensing technology throughout the backstage areas and green rooms of Blumenthal Performing Arts Center’s Belk Theater, Booth Playhouse and Stage Door Theater.

The Honeywell Healthy Buildings dashboard at Blumenthal Performing Arts measures key indoor air quality (IAQ) parameters such as temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, particulate matter and volatile organic compounds (VOC), enabling theater staff to quickly visualize and correct any potential issues. A network of IAQ sensors connected to the dashboard monitors and validates the effectiveness of the theater’s existing air cleaning systems.

These efforts, along with installation of Honeywell mobile HEPA air purifiers, allow Blumenthal to establish an IAQ baseline that can be communicated to performers both during the booking process as well as during show runs.

“During shut down, we learned of the criticality of indoor air quality – it was essential to navigating our way out of the COVID-19 crisis and creating a healthier environment for audiences, artist and our staff,” said Tom Gabbard, president and CEO, Blumenthal Performing Arts. “Working with Honeywell, we’re able to identify ways to better measure, monitor and control our existing air quality systems and provide performers with a greater peace of mind about our facilities. Our goal is to provide the best performing arts experiences to the Charlotte community and by investing in our facilities, we’ve can reassure artists that we care about the environment in which they perform.”

The dashboards integrate into the theaters’ existing systems, giving Blumenthal’s facilities staff an upgraded, comprehensive view of backstage conditions. Monitoring IAQ not only supports the creation of a healthier environment but also provides facility managers with metrics to help them operate the building in a more energy-efficient manner.

“As we’ve all become more aware of the impact of IAQ on our well-being, creating a healthier building experience is becoming a standard ask on performance riders,” said Manish Sharma, vice president and general manager of sustainable buildings, Honeywell Building Technologies. “Creating a healthier back-of-house environment with the Blumenthal team allows them to create a healthier facility and continue to attract renowned artists and events to Charlotte.”

In addition to updating its IAQ systems and monitoring, Blumenthal instituted a contactless guest experience from ticketing to restrooms and updated its cleaning processes and frequency, along with requiring face coverings for indoor events. Blumenthal and Honeywell’s corporate headquarters are both located in Charlotte, N.C.

Honeywell’s Healthy Buildings solutions integrate air quality, safety and security technologies with advanced analytics to help building owners improve the health of their buildings, operate more cleanly, comply with new guidelines, and help reassure occupants. Honeywell’s advanced IAQ portfolio can help improve occupant well-being, meet energy efficiency goals, and importantly, change the way occupants experience a building.

About Honeywell Building Technologies

Honeywell Building Technologies (HBT) is transforming the way every building operates to help improve the quality of life. We are a leading building controls company with operations in more than 75 countries supported by a global channel partner network. Commercial building owners and operators use our hardware, software and analytics to help create safe, efficient and productive facilities. Our solutions and services are used in more than 10 million buildings worldwide.

Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 technology company that delivers industry specific solutions that include aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings and industry; and performance materials globally. Our technologies help aircraft, buildings, manufacturing plants, supply chains, and workers become more connected to make our world smarter, safer, and more sustainable. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywell.com/newsroom.

About Blumenthal Performing Arts

Blumenthal Performing Arts serves the Carolinas as a leading cultural, entertainment and education provider. For more information, call (704) 372-1000 or visit BlumenthalArts.org. Blumenthal Performing Arts receives operating support from the North Carolina Arts Council. Blumenthal Performing Arts is also supported by PNC Bank, sponsor of the PNC Broadway Lights. Follow Blumenthal Performing Arts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

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Originally Appeared Here

Watching YouTube, cooking become habits during pandemic: survey

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During the COVID-19 pandemic, watching videos on YouTube, cooking and regularly washing hands became part of a new routine to Koreans and foreigners alike, according to a recent survey by the Corea Image Communication Institute.

The CICI’s survey titled “Effects of COVID in our daily lives” involved 417 participants — 214 Koreans and 203 foreigners who have visited or resided in Korea, with more than 57 percent of the participants in their 30s.

On the question of newly developed habits after the pandemic began, 71.5 percent of Koreans answered, “regularly washing hands and periodically cleaning and disinfecting hands,” whereas 78.3 percent of foreigners noted “watching videos on TV, YouTube, etc.” With multiple selections possible, “cooking” came in second for foreigners at 64 percent, and third for Koreans at 50.9 percent.

Among the changes that the respondents hope will remain after life returns to normal, both Koreans and foreigners agreed on “washing hands regularly” and “periodic cleaning and disinfection.” Meanwhile, 31.5 percent of foreigners hoped the culture of working from home would stay for good and 25.2 percent of Koreans hoped there would be fewer company get-togethers when life resumes normalcy.

In regard to spending in the past year, the increase in delivery food expenses was the highest for foreigners and Koreans alike, with the figure 9.5 percentage points higher for foreigners. An increase in spending to improve physical fitness came in second with over 50 percent in both groups each saying that they did. 

While 55.6 percent of foreigners responded that they spent more last year on purchasing electronics and electric home appliances, 43.4 percent of Koreans said they spent more last year buying groceries.

The survey noted an overall increase in peoples’ awareness of hygiene and increased personal expenditures for indoor hobbies and lifestyle upkeep.

By Kim Hae-yeon ([email protected])

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Four Ways to Get in the Spring of HVAC Things

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Though it seemed impossible a few short weeks ago, the signs are clear: Puddles the size of small lakes, pups and children tracking mud wherever they go, and the welcome return of birds chirping on those first joyful walks without winter layers.

Spring is here, and summer is just around the corner.

Warm weather takes hold in Minnesota slowly and then all at once. Even as we’re still waking up to morning frost, it’s time to prepare your home for the hot months ahead. The pros at Standard Heating & Air Conditioning share ways to manage the seasonal transition without breaking a sweat.

Refresh Your Furnace

Excuse me, my furnace? Yes, your furnace worked hard all winter, but it also plays an important role in the summer—circulating cool, conditioned air throughout your home. So don’t flip the switch from “heat” to “cool” without making sure it’s in tip-top shape.

It doesn’t take much; just replace the air filter to keep your airflow fresh and HVAC system healthy. (You should do this every one to three months all year, but in case you’ve let it slide, consider this your friendly reminder!) 

Dust Off Your Registers

Air supply and return registers are the entry and exit points of your HVAC system. As forced air flows in and out, dust, pet dander, and other allergens can collect on the grilles. Before firing up your AC, make the rounds to dust and wipe down your registers.Want to go above and beyond in the name of indoor air quality?

Want to go above and beyond in the name of indoor air quality? Consider scheduling a professional duct cleaning service (especially if you can’t remember when you last had it done). Standard Heating & Air Conditioning’s technicians use powerful vacuums to remove accumulated layers of dust and other contaminants from your ductwork to improve airflow, performance, and ventilation.

Clean Your AC Condenser

After a gnarly Minnesota winter, your AC condenser—the unit in your backyard—is likely covered in dirt and debris. The condenser coils in your outdoor unit release heat generated by the cooling process. Dirty coils can trap heat, making your system work harder with lackluster results. That means higher energy bills and less heat relief.

You can clean your outdoor unit yourself with a low-pressure garden hose. Add a capful of bleach to the condensate pump monthly to keep the pump line clear. Not sure what a condensate pump is? Standard Heating & Air Conditioning includes AC cleaning in spring maintenance visits.

Schedule a Seasonal Tune-Up

The easiest way to ready your HVAC system for a new season and extend its overall lifetime is to schedule seasonal maintenance with HVAC professionals. A Standard Heating & Air Conditioning tune-up visit includes thorough equipment inspection, safety testing, and cleaning to ensure your system is working efficiently and effectively.

Far from an unnecessary luxury, regular HVAC maintenance means lower utility bills, fewer costly repairs, and better performance over the lifespan of your system.

Standard Heating & Air Conditioning is a woman-owned and operated family company helping Twin Cities residents enjoy safe, comfortable homes since 1930. Committed to providing affordable and exceptional HVAC service, Standard Heating & Air Conditioning offers specials and financing options for any budget. Call 612-324-1015 to schedule your next service.

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Water provided by SPMWD safe to drink – City water quality report given per TCEQ rule | News

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The City of Rockport is required, under TCEQ rule, to notify customers when EPA Maximum Contaminant Level(s) are exceeded. The City reported in a press release Monday, April 4 City water exceeded the quarterly average by .002 parts per million. However, the current Maximum Contaminant Level is below the exceedance and the City’s water supply is safe to drink.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has notified the City of Rockport TX0040002 public water system that the drinking water being supplied to customers has exceeded the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for total trihalomethanes. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) has established the MCL for total trihalomethanes to be 0.080 milligrams per liter (mg/L) based on a locational running annual average (LRAA) and has determined that it is a health concern at levels above the MCL. Analysis of drinking water for total trihalomethanes indicates a compliance value in quarter one 2022 of 0.082 mg/L for DBP2-02. While the levels still exceed the maximum allowed, the laboratory testing indicates the levels are indeed dropping.

Trihalomethanes are a group of volatile organic compounds that are formed when chlorine, added to the water during the treatment process for disinfection, reacts with naturallyoccurring organic matter in the water.

In the case of the City’s water distribution system, the City does not treat the water customers receive. The San Patricio Municipal Water District (SPMWD) treats the City’s water prior to delivery. As such the City has no control over the water treatment process.

Once received, the City distributes the water to its customers. There is, however, the possibility that even though the City does not treat or add chemicals, a small amount of TTHM formation can take place within the water distribution system.

Some people who drink water containing trihalomethanes in excess of the MCL over many years may experience problems with their liver, kidneys, or central nervous systems, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.

Rockport water customers do not need to use an alternative water supply. However, if you have health concerns, you may want to talk to your doctor to get more information about how this may affect you.

The city is taking the following actions to address this issue:

• Has contacted and stays in contact with the SPMWD regarding this very important issue

• The SPMWD is working to determine the source of the trihalomethanes, and take corrective actions.

• Some of the potential corrective actions being considered include the use of alternative disinfectants.

• Has increased water system flushing and will continue until the problems with water treatment and storage is corrected.

• Further evaluating operational changes to the storage tanks and water distribution system to minimize water residence time and thus minimize potential for TTHM development.

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Hays County reports zero COVID-related fatalities, 127 active cases in past week – Corridor News

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Staff Reports

EDITORIAL NOTE

According to the CDC, the State of Texas and Hays County Public Health all give the same disclaimer on all current counts and totals. “The Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a very fluid situation, and it will continue to be. All case numbers and totals are subject to change. As new information becomes available, we will publish those updates.”

HAYS COUNTY COURTHOUSE – The Hays County Local Health Department (HCLHD) is now reporting COVID-19 data in a manner that is more in line with how the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) now calculates whether a community has high, medium or low transmission (visit that webpage here; Hays County is currently identified as Low Transmission). It’s also in a more standardized format for comparability across counties and regions.

Beginning last week, HCLHD added a metric: the weekly case rate per 100,000 (7-day average).

HCLHD reminds everyone that COVID-19 is a respiratory virus that spreads primary through the air. Wearing an N95, KN95, or KF94 mask while indoors will reduce your chances of catching the virus. Additional measures include utilizing indoor air filters, social distancing, and frequent hand washing.

Staying up to date with COVID vaccinations greatly reduces the risk of severe disease and death. Everyone age five and older is eligible to receive the vaccine. Everyone over the age of 16 is encouraged to get a booster dose.

Hays County residents can upload at-home COVID-19 test results here: https://arcg.is/1G4P1r. No identifying information is collected. While these reports are not included in our official case counts, they help provide a better understanding of community spread.

Vaccine opportunities:

  • Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines @ Christus Trinity Clinic (formerly Live Oak), 401 Broadway, San Marcos
  • M-F, Walk-in Pfizer vaccine clinics @ CommuniCare, 2810 Dacy Ln., Kyle, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-3 p.m.
  • More locations can be found here: https://www.vaccines.gov
  • Check with your health care provider to see if they offer vaccines

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UPDATED APRIL 6, 2022

HAYS COUNTY & COVID-19: THE AFFECTS

KEY STATISTICS

HAYS COUNTY
 MAR. 17
 MAR. 23
 MAR. 30
 APRIL 6
NEW CASES
(Total new cases since the last report. This includes both PCR and antigen-positive tests. This is a change from the previous 2 years reporting that separated PCR tests (confirmed) from antigen tests (probable).)
DAILY CASE RATE PER 100,000 (7-day average)
(The number of new cases per 100,000 population. This is calculated by dividing the 7-day average by the county population and multiplying by 100,000. This standardizes the data in a way that makes it easy to compare data across areas with differing populations.)
WEEKLY CASE RATE PER 100,000 (7-day average) Calculated by dividing the total number of cases in the past 7 days by the county population and multiplying by 100,000. This metric is one that the CDC is currently using to determine COVID-19 community levels.
ACTIVE CASES
(The number of new cases over the past 7 days. This number is a very broad estimate of the number of people who may be contagious.)
HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS (total past 7 days)
(Total number of new COVID-19 hospital admissions in the past 7 days.)
HOSPITALIZATIONS PER 100K (7-day average)
(Total number of new COVID-19 hospital admissions divided by the county population and multiplied by 100,00.)
FATALITIES
(COVID-19 deaths reported in the past 7 days.)
7-DAY TEST POSITIVITY RATE
(Percentage of performed tests that were positive in the past 7 days. Calculated by dividing the number of positive test results by the total number of reported tests and multiplying by 100. Test positivity rate aims to measure the viral prevalence in a community but is also affected by testing strategies and availability.)

NR = Not Reported

 

UPDATED APRIL 6, 2022

TEXAS & COVID-19: THE AFFECTS

NOTE: DSHS has removed the estimates of active and recovered cases because of the difficulty of assigning them to a specific year.

 

TEXAS POPULATION: 29 MILLION

NOTE: NR = Not Reported
Population Source: Census Bureau Population Clock

STATE OF TEXAS APRIL 4
 APRIL 5
 APRIL 6
TOTAL TESTED (*provisionary)
TOTAL CONFIRMED CASES
NEW DAILY CASES (*provisionary)
PROBABLE CASES
NEW PROBABLE CASES
CURRENT HOSPITALIZATIONS (*provisionary) 993  957  959 
TOTAL FATALITIES
FATALITIES OVER PAST 24 HOURS (*provisionary)
FEMALE % (updated on Fridays)
 51.67% 51.67% 51.67%
MALE % (updated on Fridays)
 45.15% 45.15% 45.15%
UNKNOWN % (Gender) (updated on Friday’s)
 3.19% 3.19% 3.19%
ASIAN % (updated on Fridays)
 2.37% 2.37% 2.37%
BLACK % (updated on Fridays)
 7.68% 7.68% 7.68%
HISPANIC % (updated on Fridays)
 26.44% 26.44% 26.44%
OTHER % (updated on Fridays)
 2.56% 2.56% 2.56%
UNKNOWN % (updated on Fridays)
 38.74% 38.74% 38.74%
WHITE % (updated on Fridays)
 22.21% 22.21% 22.21%

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*UPDATED APRIL 6, 2021

U.S. CORONAVIRUS CASE OVERVIEW

*Disclaimer: This data is provisional and the situation changes rapidly and might not reflect some cases still being reported.

US POPULATION: 330 MILLION

U.S. OVERVIEW
 POSITIVE
 FATALITIES
 RECOVERED
 ACTIVE
APRIL 6
(*provisionary)		 81,900,012  1,009,390  65,968,467  14,922,155 
APRIL 5
(*provisionary)		 81,867,963  1,008,679  65,841,278  15,018,006 
APRIL 4
(*provisionary)		 81,832,612 1,008,198 65,676,514 15,147,900
APRIL 3
(*provisionary)		 81,826,371 1,008,159 65,525,974 15,292,238
APRIL 2
(*provisionary)		 81,813,515 1,007,989 65,382,991 15,422,535

Population Source: Census Bureau Population Clock

INTERNATIONAL CORONAVIRUS CASE OVERVIEW

*Disclaimer: This data is provisional and the situation changes rapidly and might not reflect some cases still being reported.

WORLD POPULATION: 7.7 BILLION

WORLDWIDE
OVERVIEW		 POSITIVE
 FATALITIES RECOVERED ACTIVE
APRIL 6
(*provisionary)		 494,267,442  6,184,191  429,898,948  58,184,303 
APRIL 5
(*provisionary)		 492,921,730  6,179,991  428,368,224  58,373,515 
APRIL 4
(*provisionary)		 491,871,157 6,176,628 426,860,135 58,834,394
APRIL 3
(*provisionary)		 491,151,641 6,174,969 425,955,995 59,020,677
APRIL 2
(*provisionary)		 490,132,496 6,171,497 424,801,488 59,159,511

Population Source: Census Bureau Population Clock

 


RELATED HAYS COUNTY & TEXAS VACCINE STORIES…
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Hays County reports one COVID-related fatality, 109 active cases

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Fifth case of bird flu reported by Nebraska Department of Agriculture

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LINCOLN, Neb. (KMTV) — The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) announced a fifth case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) on Wednesday in a small backyard mixed flock of chicken and waterfowl in Scotts Bluff County.

HPAI, better known as bird flu, is a highly contagious virus spread easily between birds through nasal and eye secretions along with manure. The virus is spread in various ways from flock to flock.

RELATED: Heartland farmers, business owners concerned about bird flu: ‘We’re going to see something we’ve never seen before’

According to NDA State Veterinarian Dr. Rodger Dudley, the farm is quarantined and the birds have been “humanely depopulated and disposed of in an approved manner.”

NDA will additionally establish a 6.2-mile surveillance zone around the premises. A surveillance zone means poultry producers should be on higher alert and practice biosecurity measures in order to protect their flock.

Poultry producers should know the signs and symptoms of HPAI and notify NDA immediately upon noticing sick or dying poultry. Owners should report unusual deaths or sickness to NDA at 402-471-2351, or through USDA at 866-536-7593.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the risk of humans getting HPAI infections from birds is low. No human cases have been detected in the U.S.

Read more information from NDA about HPAI below.

Symptoms of HPAI in poultry include: a decrease in water consumption; lack of energy and appetite; decreased egg production or soft-shelled, misshapen eggs; nasal discharge, coughing, sneezing; incoordination; and diarrhea. HPAI can also cause sudden death in birds even if they aren’t showing any other symptoms. HPAI can survive for weeks in contaminated environments.

Enhanced biosecurity helps prevent the introduction and spread of viruses and diseases including HPAI. NDA and USDA have resources available to help poultry owners step up their biosecurity efforts.

  • Know the warning signs of infectious bird diseases like HPAI. Be on the lookout for unusual signs of behavior, severe illness and/or sudden deaths.
  • Restrict access to your property and poultry.
  • Keep it clean. Wear clean clothes, scrub boots/shoes with disinfectant and wash hands thoroughly before and after contact with your flock.
  • If you, your employees or family have been on other farms, or other places where there is livestock and/or poultry, clean and disinfect your vehicle tires and equipment before returning home.
  • Don’t share equipment, tools, or other supplies with other livestock or poultry owners.
  • In addition to practicing good biosecurity, all bird owners should prevent contact between their birds and wild birds, making sure wild birds cannot access domestic poultry’s feed and water sources.
  • Report sick birds immediately to: NDA at 402-471-2351; the USDA at 866-536-7593; or your veterinarian. Early detection is important to prevent the spread of disease.

All poultry entering Nebraska must be accompanied by a VS form 9-3 or Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI, or health certificate). If you are considering moving an animal into Nebraska from an affected state, please call 402-471-2351 to learn more. Nebraska poultry owners wanting to ship poultry out of state should consult the state veterinarians of the destination states for import requirements.

For more information about avian influenza, visit NDA’s website or the USDA’s website.

Additional information on biosecurity for backyard flocks can be found here.

Download our apps today for all of our latest coverage.

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Music Mountain Theatre to Present BY POPULAR DEMAND Concert

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In addition to the full season of Main Stage performances, young audience series productions, summer camps, and weekly theatre school classes, Music Mountain Theatre also offers additional special events for all to enjoy!

Looking to the theatre’s future seasons, the “By Popular Demand” concert will take place on Sunday, April 10th at 7 PM.

“I don’t really know that show.” can be overheard on occasion at the theatre, particularly when discussing potential production titles for the upcoming season with our subscribers. This Broadway show tunes concert aims to fix that by presenting a few songs from the shows in consideration accompanied by a narrated synopsis of each show, in the hopes that you’ll fall in love with some of these lesser-known gems as well!

In conjunction with this concert event, Music Mountain Theatre’s fishbowl voting will be reintroduced! A handful of fishbowls will be lined up, each with the title of a musical on them. Attendees can help the theatre get ready for the 2023 season by donating any amount to their favorite show’s fishbowl, and the winner will be included in MMT’s next season. Donations will benefit the Music Mountain Theatre outreach programs.

Lending their voices to this special evening of songs are members of the MMT resident company including Jenna Parrilla Alvino, Lauren Brader, Jordan Brennan, Rhett Commodaro, Caleb Duffy, Justin Derry, Jaimie Geddes, Jennifer Hsiao, Libby Kane, Patrick Lavery, Roger Madding, McAfee Madding, David McCloughan, Alison McMullen, Louis Palena, Mike Prikril, Erik Snyder, Lauren Waksman, David Whiteman, Chelsea Connelly, Rachel Fingles, Lucy Fisher, Jill Gibilisco, Colby Langweiler, Emma Sneddon and Tristan Takacs.

For additional information or to purchase tickets, please call our box office at (609)397-3337 or visit our website at www.musicmountaintheatre.org

Music Mountain Theatre has remained committed to its mission of enriching, educating, and entertaining the community through the appreciation of the arts during this difficult time. The Theatre strives to provide a safe environment for all with rigorous cleaning procedures and more recently, the installation of state-of-the-art air scrubbers to increase indoor air quality and reduce contaminants. Music Mountain Theatre is located at 1483 NJ-179 in Lambertville, New Jersey.


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How are BC’s energy-saving measures affecting indoor air quality?

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‘I find it both perplexing and troubling that you appear to have mandated lockdowns without considering air quality in the indoor living environment.’

This letter was sent to Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and shared with Pique.

The adverse effects on health and the susceptibility of humans to bacterial and viral infections from poor air quality have been known for decades.

As a long time advocate for healthy air, especially in the indoor living environment that is certifiable by recognized standards with quantifiable metrics, I am disappointed that this factor does not appear to have been considered in lockdown mandates.

Starting with the 1985 British Columbia Code, energy-saving measures were mandated that included tightly sealing the vapour (air) barrier of residential dwelling units in what I coined “the plastic bag over the occupants effect.”

At the 1985 Building Inspectors Conference in Nanaimo, I stood up, addressed the Code Committee and raised serious concerns about the effect of mandating energy-saving measures that could adversely effect the health of occupants and buildings. Little attention was given to this important issue. A major failure was, and still is, the failure to educate the public whose health is at stake on the importance of attaining and maintaining good indoor air quality. Thirty-seven years later this issue has still not been fully recognized, let alone addressed.

There is no debate that suboptimal indoor air quality compromises the first line of defence in the airways and especially the nasal passages by exposing occupants to toxic gases and particulate matter that have the potential to transport viruses, including COVID-19 into the living space. I find it both perplexing and troubling that you appear to have mandated lockdowns without considering air quality in the indoor living environment.

My concerns about indoor air quality were reignited by health issues my wife and I experienced in our new high-end condo that I eventually traced to the ventilation system. A critical review of the ventilation requirements of the current BC Building Code (2018) found a number of serious inadequacies that I detailed in a report called “Clearing the Air on COVID” as well as a Code Suggestion document that has been accepted by the NRC.

David MacPhail // Maple Ridge, B.C.

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EPA Seeks Input on Revision to Air Emissions Reporting Requirements Rule

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April 6, 2022

WASHINGTON (April 6, 2022) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it is inviting qualified small businesses, governments, and not-for-profit organizations to participate as Small Entity Representatives (SERs) for a Small Business Advocacy Review (SBAR) Panel. This Panel will focus on the agency’s development of proposed revisions to the existing Air Emissions Reporting Requirements (AERR) rule that was last revised and published on February 19, 2015 (80 FR 8787). The proposal may add reporting requirements to gather data about hazardous air pollutants, emissions rate test results from facilities, emissions from facilities in Indian Country that are not currently reporting emissions data, and emissions from small electricity generating units used intermittently, such as to meet demand on high electricity usage days.  

The Panel will include federal representatives from the Small Business Administration (SBA), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and EPA. The Panel members ask a selected group of SERs to provide advice and recommendations on behalf of their company, government, or organization to inform the Panel members about the potential impacts of the proposed rule on small entities.

EPA seeks self-nominations directly from the small entities that may be subject to the rule requirements. Other representatives, such as trade associations that exclusively or at least primarily represent potentially regulated small entities, may also serve as SERs.

Self-nominations may be submitted through the link below and must be received by April 19, 2022.

Nominate yourself as a SER: https://www.epa.gov/reg-flex/potential-sbar-panel-revisions-air-emissions-reporting-requirements-aerr

More information about Air Emissions Reporting Requirements: https://www.epa.gov/air-emissions-inventories/air-emissions-reporting-requirements-aerr.

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Originally Appeared Here

Filed Under: EPA