All Healthy News

Clean Air. Pure Water. Healthy Home.

HEALTH BEGINS WITH:
Clean Air. Pure Water. Healthy Homes.

Staff Reporter

The Bay and Nordstrom stores at Pacific Centre score well on air quality (for those hoping to avoid COVID-19)

by

A cofounder of Safe Schools Coalition B.C. recently took a carbon-dioxide monitor to Pacific Centre in downtown Vancouver.

Jennifer Heighton did this to demonstrate what consumers can do to reduce their likelihood of contracting COVID-19.

Much to Heighton’s delight, two big stores in the mall—the Bay and Nordstrom—scored exceptionally well.

Her best measurement came in the Bay, which had readings of about 500 parts per million on each floor.

Next best was Nordstrom, which clocked in at 535 parts per million.

Heighton used a portable Aranet4 carbon-dioxide monitor, which tracks this gas.

It can be used as a proxy indicator for human-expelled aerosols, which carry the virus that causes COVID-19.

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recommends a level of 800 to 1,000 parts per million of carbon dioxide in indoor air.

In the mood for new shoes? Nordstrom at Pacific Centre is keeping the air clean in the midst of a pandemic. Amanda Siebert

The change rooms in the Bay and Nordstrom remained below the ASHRAE threshold but were still higher than levels on the floor.

Many other stores were in the 600 to 750 parts per million range.

Even the food court in Pacific Centre had a decent reading.

However, that was not the case in the food-court washroom, which posed a dreadful reading of 1,412 parts per million.

You can read Heighton’s entire Twitter thread below.

https://twitter.com/jheighton3/status/1503963493115916289https://twitter.com/jheighton3/status/1503963509519912968https://twitter.com/jheighton3/status/1503963541727969281https://twitter.com/jheighton3/status/1503963572774207497https://twitter.com/jheighton3/status/1503963602545373189https://twitter.com/jheighton3/status/1503963604848062467

One of Heighton’s followers tweeted that Meeku at Metrotown also has a low level of carbon dioxide in the air.

https://twitter.com/ryderseashells/status/1502884049412534274

The B.C. government’s recent decision to scrap indoor mask mandates has upped the ante for shoppers with compromised immune systems. But with these carbon-dioxide monitors, it’s possible to put one’s mind at ease to a certain extent.

According to ES-Canada.com, an Aranet4 carbon-dioxide monitor costs $299 (as of this writing) with delivery in two to six business days.

More
[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

Do Custom Air Filters Help With COVID?

by

 

It is commonly known that if appropriately used, air cleaners and HVAC filters will help reduce airborne contaminants, including viruses, in a building or a small place.

Notably, the COVID-19 virus is tiny, at approximately 0.1 micros across. Just imagine that you can fit hundreds of these viruses inside a red blood cell. While being so small, they can slide through most fabrics, including the masks. So are custom-air-filters recommended to be used in blocking the coronavirus?

Can Air Filters Prevent the Spread of COVID-19?

According to the U.S . Environmental Protection Agency, having the proper air cleaner with the right air filter may lessen the spread of germs, coronavirus included. Separately, as stated by the University of California, San Francisco, air filters can help with coronavirus but won’t stop the virus transmission on their own.

Studies have shown that high MERV filters can effectively prevent the spread of COVID-19 in an office because they will purify the air. For this, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using an air filter with a MERV rating of 13 or higher. So yes, a custom air filter can help with COVID as long as the MERV rating is high enough.

However, it would be best to keep the regular countermeasures, such as disinfecting all the surfaces, as often as possible.

The Role of High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA)

HEPA filters can trap and remove microscopic particles from the air, such as the COVID-19 viruses. HEPA filters can protect against COVID-19 from spreading to someone from an infected person. But as the EPA has noted, it generally takes a multi-pronged approach to combat COVID or other viruses.

A true HEPA filter will remove at least 99.7% of particles with 0.3 microns in size or larger. Some can remove smaller particles.

Where To Get High MERV Filters From?

Many companies offer cheap, low MERV filters, but they won’t play any role in curbing infections from infectious diseases like COVID-19.

You can, however, find or customize air filters that will help with COVID. You can place a custom order by selecting the size you could need and the MERV rating, all at a price that will keep your budget happy.

Best HEPA Filter for Viruses, Germs, and Bacteria

Like all products, some HEPA filters better combat the COVID-19 virus or other viruses, bacteria, and germs. Some of the best HEPA filters are:

Honeywell HEPA Filters

As you may already know, Honeywell is a top manufacturer of HEPA air filters. When it comes to combating COVID 19, you can opt for the Honeywell True HEPA Allergen Remover Air Purifier.

Kenmore HEPA Filters

This brand is well known for home appliances and HVAC systems, so there is no surprise that Kenmore HEPA filters are a frontrunner in air filters.

What Should You Know?

Although HEPA filters are the best air purifiers for viruses as a standalone device, they are usually not the best option for the HVAC system. They can restrict airflow too much, putting the equipment at risk and reducing energy efficiency. Instead, it is recommended to use a MERV 13 air filter. An air filter with a MERV 13 rating can remove 98% of airborne particles as small as .3 microns, making them great for home use.

 

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

Chevron Phillips Chemical Company Agrees to Reduce Harmful Air Pollution at Three U.S. Chemical Plants

by

Settlement Will Cut Flaring at Plants in Texas

March 9, 2022

WASHINGTON (March 9, 2022) – Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP has agreed to make upgrades and perform compliance measures estimated to cost $118 million to resolve allegations that it violated the Clean Air Act and state air pollution control laws at three petrochemical manufacturing facilities located in Cedar Bayou, Port Arthur, and Sweeney, Texas. Chevron Phillips will also pay a $3.4 million civil penalty. The settlement will eliminate thousands of tons of air pollution from flares.

According to the complaint filed with a consent decree, the company failed to properly operate and monitor its industrial flares, which resulted in excess emissions of harmful air pollution at the three Texas facilities. The company regularly “oversteamed” the flares and failed to comply with other key operating constraints to ensure the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) contained in the gases routed to the flares are efficiently combusted.

“This settlement will require Chevron Phillips to install pollution control and emissions monitoring equipment at three facilities in Texas, reducing emissions of greenhouse gases and other harmful gases by thousands of tons per year,” said Acting Assistant Administrator Larry Starfield for the EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “Those controls, plus a requirement for fence line monitoring of benzene emissions and corrective actions when benzene readings are high, will result in significant benefits for the local communities in Texas.”

“The Justice Department and EPA will enforce the law against petrochemical plants that violate the Clean Air Act,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “We are committed to reducing harmful air pollution from unnecessary and improper flaring, especially near overburdened communities with environmental justice concerns.”

“While the health impacts of Clean Air Act violations in Port Arthur, Cedar Bayou and Sweeny, Texas, cannot be reversed, this Consent Decree does provide for improvements at Chevron Phillips facilities that are located close to residential neighborhoods,” said EPA Regional Administrator Dr. Earthea Nance. “Port Arthur and these communities have been demanding assistance for years. It is good to see this kind of bold enforcement action.”

Once fully implemented, the pollution controls are estimated to reduce emissions of climate-change-causing greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, methane and ethane, by over 75,000 tons per year. The settlement is also expected to reduce emissions of ozone-forming VOCs by 1,528 tons per year and of toxic air pollutants, including benzene, by 158 tons per year.

The pollutants addressed by the settlement can cause significant harm to public health. VOCs are a key component in the formation of smog or ground-level ozone, a pollutant that irritates the lungs, exacerbates diseases such as asthma, and can increase susceptibility to respiratory illnesses, such as pneumonia and bronchitis. Chronic exposure to benzene, which EPA classifies as a carcinogen, can cause numerous health impacts, including leukemia and adverse reproductive effects in women.

Flares are devices used to combust waste gases that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere during certain industrial operations. Well-operated flares should have high “combustion efficiency,” meaning they combust nearly all harmful waste gas constituents, like VOCs and HAPs, and turn them into water and carbon dioxide. The agreement is designed to improve Chevron Phillips’s flaring practices. First, it requires the company to minimize the amount of waste gas that is sent to the flares, which reduces the amount of flaring. Second, the company must improve the combustion efficiency of its flares when flaring is necessary. 

Chevron Phillips will take several steps to minimize the waste gas sent to its flares at each facility. At the Cedar Bayou facility, Chevron Phillips will operate a flare gas recovery system that recovers and “recycles” the gases instead of sending them to be combusted in a flare. The flare gas recovery system will allow Chevron Phillips to reuse these gases as a fuel at its facilities or a product for sale. At the Port Arthur and Sweeny facilities, Chevron Phillips will be required to amend its air quality permits to limit the flow of gas at selected flares. Chevron Phillips will also create waste minimization plans for each facility that may further reduce flaring. For flaring that must occur, the agreement requires that Chevron Phillips install and operate instruments and monitoring systems to ensure that the gases sent to its flares are efficiently combusted.

Chevron Phillips will also perform air quality monitoring that is designed to detect the presence of benzene at the fence lines of the three covered plants. Monitoring results must be publicly posted, providing the neighboring communities with more information about their air quality. The monitoring requirements also include a trigger for root cause analysis and corrective actions if fence line emissions exceed certain thresholds. Flare compliance is an ongoing priority for EPA under its Creating Clean Air for Communities National Compliance Initiative.

The consent decree, lodged in the Southern District Court of Texas, is subject to a 30-day public comment period and final court approval. The consent decree will be available for viewing at https://www.justice.gov/enrd/consent-decrees.

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

Filed Under: EPA

Govt working to supply safe water to grassroots level: PM

by

“We are adopting steps to supply pure drinking water not only to Dhaka and Chattogram, but also to the union levels to bring 90% people under the coverage,” she said

BSS

16 March, 2022, 09:50 pm

Last modified: 16 March, 2022, 09:59 pm

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. TBS Sketch.

“>

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. TBS Sketch.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. TBS Sketch.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said her government has been taking measures to supply pure drinking water to grassroots people up to union levels to bring 90% of the population under its coverage.

“We are adopting steps to supply pure drinking water not only to Dhaka and Chattogram, but also to the union levels to bring 90% people under the coverage,” she said.

The prime minister said this while inaugurating “Sheikh Hasina Water Treatment Plant-2” of Chattogram WASA at Hotel Radisson Blu in Chattogram, joining the programme virtually from her official Ganabhaban residence in the capital.

She said her government has started implementing the Delta Plan-2100 as the grassroots people can get pure drinking water and lead an improved life.

The prime minister said her government has given special focus on materialising the goal no 6 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is to ensure safe water and proper drainage system for the people, as everyone demands safe water.

She asked all concerned to harvest the rainwater and increase the use of surface water instead of ground water to check the risk of earthquakes as Bangladesh is an earthquake prone country.

The prime minister also asked to take effective measures to save the rivers particularly the Karnaphuli from pollution and preserve the river water to use for the drinking purpose.

She directed the mills and factories’ owners to build their own mechanism for waste management to save the river from pollution.

She also stressed building water reservoirs while taking up projects to harvest rainwater.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Tazul Islam and Chattogram City Corporation Mayor Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, spoke on the occasion.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud was present among others.

Local Government Division Senior Secretary Helal Uddin Ahmed moderated the function and Chattogram WASA Managing Director Engineer AKM Fazlullah delivered the welcome address.

A video documentary on the development of Chattogram WASA was screened.

With the inauguration of the water treatment plant, the overall water supply capacity of Chattogram WASA now stands at 50 crore litres.

The newly constructed Sheikh Hasina Water Treatment Plant-II at Rangunia under Chattogram WASA Karnaphuli Water Supply Project (Phase-II) has the capacity of producing 14.30 crore litres.

Sheikh Hasina asked all concerned to keep water reservoirs in every place in case of construction of any structure, no matter if it is housing or industrial one, aimed at harvesting rainwater and conserving river water during the rainy season.

She said: “Our dependency on the underground water is declining since the water treatment plants are using surface sources”.

Describing Chattogram as the main commercial city, she said her government has been working to make its overall development.

“The entire Bangladesh will be benefited, if we can develop Chattogram. There is no doubt to this end,” she said.

Many areas across the country, particularly Chattogram, had to face an acute water crisis in the past, she said.

“But we’ve been working relentlessly to solve the problems,” she said.

The prime minister added that her government started implementation of ‘Karnaphuli Water Supply Project (Phase I)’ in 2011 and inaugurated Sheikh Hasina Water Treatment Plant-1 in 2017 which was constructed under the project.

Later, the government opened the Sheikh Russel Water Treatment Plant at Madunaghat in 2020 with the daily supply capacity of nine crore litres in a bid to meet the growing water demand in the port city, she said.

The PM said her government formulated the drainage and sanitation master plan to provide a modern sewerage system to the Chattogram city dwellers.

“Now the plan is being implemented”, she said.

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

KCK and KCMO Mayors Join EPA to Fight Radon Exposure

by

21,000 people die from cancer caused by radon exposure each year in U.S.

March 16, 2022

LENEXA, KAN. (MARCH 16, 2022) – EPA Region 7 Administrator Meg McCollister joined Kansas City, Kansas, Mayor and CEO Tyrone Garner and Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas for a special proclamation signing to fight radon exposure and to encourage all citizens to test their homes regularly for the presence of radon. The special ceremony was held on Wednesday, March 16, at Ilius W. Davis Park, 11th and Oak Street, across from City Hall, Kansas City, Missouri.

Kansas City, Kansas, and Kansas City, Missouri, are both in EPA Radon Zone One, meaning that both cities have the highest potential to have homes test higher than the recommended radon level assigned by EPA.

“This event today is a significant step forward as we work together to limit unnecessary radiation exposure and achieve healthier indoor air quality in homes, especially for vulnerable populations, said McCollister. “We are working with communities to enhance and leverage EPA funding for states to reduce exposure to radon through home testing and mitigation.”

With the signing, the cities of Kansas City, Kansas, and Kansas City, Missouri, are encouraging the placement of EPA radon posters in city buildings to raise awareness of the cancer risks of radon exposure.

This partnership also challenges local hospitals and medical health networks in the Kansas City metropolitan area to place EPA radon posters in their medical buildings, waiting rooms, and exam rooms to help raise awareness of the importance of radon testing and mitigation to help prevent lung cancer caused by radon exposure.

Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers and is responsible for 21,000 deaths in the U.S. every year. In Kansas and Missouri, one in four homes have elevated levels of radon. The only way to know if your home has elevated levels of radon is to test it. EPA recommends that homes apply some level of mitigation if the radon level is 4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter) or more. Learn more on EPA’s website.

# # #

Learn more about EPA Region 7

View all Region 7 news releases

Connect with EPA Region 7 on Facebook: www.facebook.com/eparegion7

Follow us on Twitter: @EPARegion7

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

Camden strengthens air quality commitments ahead of publishing new Clean Air Action Plan

by

In 2018 Camden Council became the first local authority to adopt the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline limits for air pollution.

The WHO has subsequently revised its guideline limits to be more stringent, calling for policy makers and regulatory authorities to adopt these in recognition of the impact of air pollution upon human health, both at an individual level and across society as a whole.

The council remains firmly committed to realising the Camden 2025 vision for a borough in which no person experiences poor health as a result of the air they breathe, and it will now align its air quality targets with the new WHO limits. In doing so, Camden becomes the first authority to commit to meeting the new WHO guidelines.

The revised WHO guideline limits are significantly more ambitious than the current UK legal limits for air pollution and meeting these levels will require collective action not only from the Council but from the communities, businesses and other organisations active in Camden, all with a shared vision for a healthier, more sustainable borough.

A new Camden Clean Air Action Plan will be published later this year which will set out the next four years of headline actions and key outcomes towards the WHO targets. The Council will develop the Action Plan collaboratively with communities, businesses, schools and universities, healthcare, and other stakeholders, before publicly consulting on a draft plan in summer and launching the final plan in the autumn.

As well as setting out a pathway to achieving the WHO guideline limits, the Clean Air Action Plan will address the need to tackle the disproportionate impact of air pollution on certain communities and groups. Additionally, the Action Plan will go beyond the legal requirements for council air quality policy and will set out measures to improve indoor air quality and reduce workplace exposure to air pollution in Camden.

Recent air quality projects in the borough include the installation of electric power supplies along the Regent’s Canal as part of the Camden Electric Moorings project, ongoing work to provide clean power for ice cream traders, and an air quality and health awareness campaign as part of the Somers Town Future Neighbourhoods programme.

‘,
‘window.fbAsyncInit = function() {‘,
‘FB.init({‘,
‘appId:’216372371876365′,’,
‘xfbml:true,’,
‘version: ‘v2.6”,
‘});’
];
ppLoadLater.placeholderFBSDK.push(‘_ga.trackFacebook();’);
ppLoadLater.placeholderFBSDK.push(‘};’);

var ppFacebookSDK = [
‘(function(d, s, id) {‘,
‘var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];’,
‘if (d.getElementById(id)) return;’,
‘js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;’,
‘js.src = “https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js”;’,
‘fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);’,
‘}(document, ‘script’, ‘facebook-jssdk’));’
];
ppLoadLater.placeholderFBSDK = ppLoadLater.placeholderFBSDK.concat(ppFacebookSDK);
ppLoadLater.placeholderFBSDK.push(”);
ppLoadLater.placeholderFBSDK = ppLoadLater.placeholderFBSDK.join(“n”);

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

‘It’s every other patient I’m seeing right now’

by

(WXYZ) — Asthma is a condition in which a person’s airways narrow and swell making breathing difficult.

For some people, asthma is a minor nuisance. But for others, it can be a major problem that interferes with daily activities and may lead to a life-threatening situation.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reports that about 10 percent of the population has asthma, but only 50 percent of adults with asthma report that their condition is well controlled.

What’s more, according to the recent Asthma Capitals report, among the top 100 most challenging places to live with asthma, Detroit ranks 15th.

And now data shows that Detroiters are far more likely to have asthma than the rest of Michigan.

We met with Steven Reifman, 73, who was being examined by Dr. Kathleen Dass in Oak Park — and the grandfather of 2 has battled with asthma since he was 8 years old.

“When you can’t breathe and you are thinking about your next breath, it takes a tremendous psychological effort, it really does… like, ‘oh God, I got to breathe again,'” said Steven.

Carrying a rescue inhaler all the time and on bad days, visiting the emergency room would be the norm for Steven, and even though all that has changed since he started treatment with Dr. Dass, Steven hopes that his journey can motivate others.

“You really do worry about the ability to take your next breath and it’s extremely distressing that something so fundamental, it would be like worrying about if your heart was going to beat next,” said Steven.

Dr. Dass says asthma is incredibly common, “it’s every other patient I’m seeing right now.”

According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, currently, the prevalence of asthma across the state is 46% higher compared to previous years.

And Detroit is one of the worst places for asthmatics across the country, according to reports. In fact, according to the recent Asthma Capitals report, Detroit has the 6th highest asthma-related mortality rate.

Dr. Dass says studies also show that asthma, in general, tends to affect more females than males.

“People are not able to go to school, they are not able to do their basic activities of daily living, they’re not able to go to work, it affects every aspect, it also affects their sleep,” said Dr. Dass.

Dr. Steve McGraw from Ascension Providence Hospital says viruses, fluctuations in temperature — all those combined with air pollution can make it challenging.

“We have really big industrial sites, that make a lot of the material that makes our air quality worse. How close are they to where people live? Can we do things to mitigate what comes out of their smokestacks?” said Dr. McGraw.

The American Lung Association’s recent State of the Air report reveals that Detroit’s particle pollution, which directly impacts air quality, recorded more unhealthy days with daily spikes in 2021 and slightly worsened compared to the years prior.

7 Action News reached out to the Department of Health to see what they were doing to help the community breathe better and in a statement they said, “they are working to improve indoor air quality in Detroit childcare facilities, provide in-home asthma education in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties, and develop policies to reduce bus and car idling on school property as well as promoting electrification of school buses.”

On a personal level, both doctors recommend not smoking around asthmatic patients, keeping homes free of insects like cockroaches, and getting an allergy test whenever possible as most allergies could trigger an asthmatic event.

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

Ugly Duct Cleaning Helps Every Home Achieve Good Air Quality

by

Bluffton, SC- Family-operated business Ugly Duct Cleaning is helping every home in South Carolina achieve good air quality through its various services.

Ugly Duct Cleaning guarantees five-star quality Air Duct Cleaning Services Bluffton SC. They also specialize in Dryer Vent Cleaning, Dryer Vent Rerouting, Dryer Vent Installation, and Dryer Line Replacement. These cleaning services help eliminate dust, pollens, spores, fungi, and other pollutants in the heating and cooling system. These pollutants can build up in the air duct systems over time and trigger allergies and other respiratory issues.

This is why Ugly Duct Cleaning is a highly recommended professional cleaning service for every home and business. Comprehensive air duct cleaning increases airflow efficiency in a home or the office. “A clean system will run at maximum efficiency and deliver the best value for the owner’s money,” they say. Air duct cleaning also promotes proper oxygenation. In addition, it filters out dangerous pollutants and home odors.

The Air Duct Cleaning Company is proud to share that they use cutting-edge technology in all their services. “We assure you that your air ducts are expertly taken care of,” they add. Apart from having the right equipment, the Ugly Duct Cleaning team also has the best professional team to do the job. They have a team of skilled, trained, capable, and courteous air duct and vent cleaning professionals ready to assist customers anytime.

Ugly Duct Cleaning also features excellent customer service and a strong work ethic. Their priority is customer safety. This is why all their “duckies” or crew are vaccinated, assuring that utmost safety measures are implemented amidst the Covid-19 pandemic. The company also ensures social distance when serving consumers. They use masks and sanitizers. Aside from these precautions, Ugly Duct Cleaning also uses an Environmental Protection Agency-approved bacterial solution to combat coronavirus.

Furthermore, the Bluffton company offers free and no-obligation appointments for their customers. The customer may instantly acquire a free quote on their requested services through their website, https://uglyductcleaning.com/. The customer fills out the web form, and the firm contacts them.

“Our mission is to provide our customers with clean, safe, energy-saving dryer vents and exceptional indoor air quality. We achieve this by using trained professionals and state-of-the-art equipment,” the Ugly Duct Cleaning states.

To learn more about Air Duct Cleaning, clients may contact Ugly Duct Cleaning at (843) 816-0537 or email at [email protected]. Ugly Duct company is located at 7 Allyan Court Bluffton, SC 29910.

###

For more information about Ugly Duct Cleaning, contact the company here:

Ugly Duct Cleaning
Ugly Duct Cleaning
843-816-0537
[email protected]
7 Allyan Court Bluffton, SC 29910

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

Fitness Facts: Spring health concerns

by

By Connie Colbert
GCU Director of Health Services

Spring is here! What health concerns should you be looking out for during spring? Some of the most common ailments are:

Connie Colbert

Seasonal allergies

Spring is a beautiful time of budding trees, bushes and flowers. However, the pollen needed for this to happen is exactly what causes seasonal allergies to flare up.

Everything from a rash to a sneeze series can indicate that you have an allergy. Don’t confuse it with a cold because while that may go away, your allergic reaction will stay until you are in contact with the allergens.

If you have a history of seasonal allergies, be proactive and start taking your allergy medicine before symptoms start.

Asthma

Asthma triggers are all around the outdoors in the spring. It can include pollen, air temperature changes, fertilizers and insect repellants. Indoor triggers — such as dust, mold, and cleaning chemicals — also can be problematic. If you are an asthmatic, be sure to routinely check your peak flow and have your rescue inhalers and medication with you and ready to use in the event of an asthma flare-up.

Pink eye

Pink eye also seems to thrive in the spring but often can be confused with allergy symptoms. Pink eye can be caused by bacteria, a virus or even an allergy. The bacterial and viral forms are both highly contagious. It is most common among children and is easily spread.

Preventive measures include regular and frequent hand washing and avoiding touching the eyes. While treatment for viral conjunctivitis is for symptoms only, bacterial conjunctivitis will require antibiotics. Treatments for allergic conjunctivitis may include oral and/or ocular antihistamines (eye drops).

Spring colds

The fluctuations in barometric pressures, temperatures and wind common during seasonal changes can irritate the nasal passages and airways and compromise the immune system’s ability to fight off other invaders and increasing our vulnerability to infection.

Spring is a peak time for the common cold. Rhinoviruses, which cause roughly 50% of all common colds, are spread easily. Prevention strategies are key. They include washing hands regularly and not touching the eyes, nose and mouth.

Flu

Unfortunately, the flu does not stop with the warmer temperatures of spring. In fact, flu viruses do well in humidity. Be vigilant and continue washing your hands and engaging in disease-control measures, especially while traveling.

Gastroenteritis (stomach flu)

The virus that causes gastroenteritis is very contagious, and although the symptoms (which include stomach pain, cramping, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting) usually last for only 1-2 days, those infected are usually contagious for three days after symptoms. Symptoms may also include a low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and fatigue. Treatment is symptomatic.

Wash your hands often, disinfect bedding and household items, and stay home from work or school as necessary.

Headaches

The coming of spring means rising temperatures. If you are one of those people who are hot and already have switched on your air conditioner, you might consider delaying this a little longer. The difference in temperatures near your AC and outside is inevitably going to lead to headaches, so beware.  

Also, keep in mind that in springtime we see an increase in travel, with many conferences, vacations and spring break. With more travel comes more exposure to a broader range of bacteria and viruses.

****

As we spring ahead, remember the prevention tips. Wash your hands frequently, take your medication as prescribed and avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. Stay home when you are sick.

Eat a healthy diet that includes fruits and vegetables. Stay hydrated. It is suggested to drink at least half your body weight in ounces daily. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, shoot for 75 ounces of water daily.

It is especially important to wash your hands:

  • Before eating or preparing food
  • Before touching your face
  • After using the restroom
  • After leaving a public place
  • After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
  • After changing a diaper
  • After caring for someone sick
  • After touching animals or pets

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here

ActivePure Appoints Vincent Lyons as Chief Technology Officer

by

The new executive leads research and development operations for the air purification company

DALLAS, TX / ACCESSWIRE / March 16, 2022 / ActivePure, the global leader in continuous surface and air purification, today named Vincent Lyons as its new Chief Technology Officer. Lyons brings over 30 years of engineering and product development experience to the position, expanding the company’s expertise in product innovation in air and surface disinfection. Lyons will be based at the company’s global headquarters in Dallas and report to Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Joe Urso.

In his new role, Lyons will help direct ActivePure’s technology and innovation strategy, manage and implement a technology infrastructure and will play a key role in analyzing trends and innovations that will directly impact the company’s products and performance.

“Innovation is the cornerstone of ActivePure. The addition of Vincent’s enormous talent, intelligence and breadth of experience at this critical time of growth will undoubtedly strengthen our company,” said Urso. “Vincent brings passion, leadership and product development and is the right person to drive ActivePure’s innovation and growth.”

For over three decades, Lyons has been making significant moves in the engineering industry, including his previous position as an engineering leader for Raytheon Technologies. Prior to Raytheon, Lyons spent 10 years as the VP of engineering & technology and president of the machinery & technology group at Leggett. Lyons is well recognized for his work and received the national 1989 Black Engineer of the Year Award.

“ActivePure is the leader in indoor air quality, and I am proud to be joining the team. The company is actively working to advance and expand their line of disinfection devices for air and surfaces. Their work to educate and share the importance of clean air is especially crucial during these times,” said Lyons. “The opportunity to work alongside a team of professionals and industry experts like Dr. Deborah Birx allows me to focus on sharing technology backed by science.”

An Arkansas native, Lyons has worked his way to the top from a senior engineer to his new position in a C-Suite position as ActivePure’s chief technology officer. Lyons’ experience includes working in various fields as an engineer and manager. His hands-on experience extends to the automotive, refrigeration, machinery and product innovation industries.

Lyons attended Stanford University where he graduated with honors with a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering and was a member of the Stanford Society of Black Engineers. He later got his Master of Business Administration in management from the University of Phoenix, graduating with the highest honors.

Over the last two years, ActivePure has significantly increased executive leadership with the addition of new C-Suite-level roles. Patented ActivePure Technology provides 24/7 air and surface disinfection that seeks and reduces pathogens while improving indoor air quality. Devices powered by ActivePure are used worldwide in educational and healthcare institutions, commercial and public facilities, and hospitality and residential applications.

ActivePure is dedicated to innovating and providing products and technologies to seek and reduce safe and clean indoor environments, to create protected indoor air and surfaces. To learn more about ActivePure, visit ActivePure.com or call (888) 217-4316.

ABOUT ACTIVEPURE:
Privately held ActivePure has been the global leader in active, continuous surface and air disinfection systems for health care and educational institutions, commercial and public facilities, hospitality and residential applications since 1924. Patented ActivePure Technology has been proven in independent university and laboratory testing to effectively control and neutralize indoor contaminants. It is the only product in its class recognized by the Space Foundation as Certified Space Technology and inducted into the Space Foundation Hall of Fame. The ActivePure Medical Guardian is registered and cleared as an FDA Class II Medical Device. ActivePure was developed for use in the space program and has since evolved for use in commercial and consumer products used to reduce exposure to pathogens, including RNA and DNA viruses, bacteria and molds, by up to 99.9% in the air and on surfaces. For more information, please visit ActivePure.com or call (888) 217-4316.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Jo Trizila, TrizCom Public Relations on behalf of ActivePure
Email: [email protected]
Office: 972-247-1369
Cell/Text: 214-232-0078

Or

Tonie Auer, TrizCom Public Relations on behalf of ActivePure
Email: [email protected]
Office: 972-247-1369
Cell/Text: 817-925-2013

SOURCE: ActivePure Technology

View source version on accesswire.com:
https://www.accesswire.com/693372/ActivePure-Appoints-Vincent-Lyons-as-Chief-Technology-Officer

[ad_2]

Originally Appeared Here