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Staff Reporter

Anthony Carrino shares air quality monitor tip

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We asked Kitchen Cousins star Anthony Carrino for one small, immediate change we can make to improve our homes, and he recommended buying an air quality monitor. It’s not sexy, but well worth considering.

Investing in one of the best air purifiers will reduce the pollutants, odors, and dust in the air, and can also make a big difference if you suffer from hay fever or pet allergies. Anthony Carrino, home designer and developer and Trane Residential partner, says a piece of kit that will update you on the air quality in your home is a must-have.

air quality monitor and purifier from Quiet Mark

(Image credit: Quiet Mark (UK))

Anthony Carrino’s air quality monitor tip

‘A change people can make is to start monitoring their air quality with an indoor air monitoring device,’ says Anthony Carrino. ‘These can be bought online and can help you identify the pollutants that can compromise your health and your comfort when at home.’ 

Indoor air quality’s not something we used to give a lot of thought. In times gone by we’d open a window, keep on top of dust, and hope for the best. But we spend so much of our time indoors, whether at work, at home or in school, and an air quality monitor provides us with some peace of mind.

HGTV's Kitchen Cousins stars Anthony Carrino and John Colaneri

(Image credit: Alamy)

Everything from cleaning chemicals to dust can compromise our air quality, and living with poor air quality can be harmful to our health.

‘The Awair Element ($299) is compatible with many smart home systems and can easily share data with you about how your indoor air quality measures up against indoor air factors like humidity, dust, and carbon dioxide,’ the HGTV star explains. If you already have an Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant at home, the Awair Element Indoor Air Quality Monitor will link up with them.

air quality monitor and purifier from Quiet Mark

(Image credit: Quiet Mark (UK))

This particular model measures various factors: temperature, humidity, CO2, fine particle matter and TVOC (total volatile organic compounds). It takes these into account and translates it into a concise overall score.

Sure, we can think of home updates that would get us a little more excited, but an air quality monitor will help us breathe easy.

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Grand Gulf begins scheduled refuel, ensuring future reliability

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News Center > Grand Gulf begins scheduled refuel, ensuring future reliability

For Immediate Release

02/28/2022

Grand Gulf Nuclear Station has begun the plant’s 23rd scheduled refuel. Nuclear plants refuel every 18 to 24 months. Hundreds of contract workers have joined the Entergy team, creating an economic boost for the local communities.

Grand Gulf Nuclear Station has begun the plant’s 23rd scheduled refuel. Nuclear plants refuel every 18 to 24 months. Hundreds of contract workers have joined the Entergy team, creating an economic boost for the local communities.

Grand Gulf Nuclear Station has begun the plant’s 23rd scheduled refuel. Nuclear plants refuel every 18 to 24 months. Hundreds of contract workers have joined the Entergy team, creating an economic boost for the local communities.

Refuel begins after year of record generation

PORT GIBSON, Mississippi – Grand Gulf team members joined with hundreds of employees and contracting partners this weekend to commence the station’s 23rd scheduled refueling and maintenance outage following a record-setting year of power generation.

Control room operators removed the plant from the grid at 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, placing the plant in safe shutdown while refueling takes place. Refueling outages typically last several weeks, allowing for safe, secure and reliable operation when the refuel and other maintenance activities are finished.

Hundreds of contract workers are joining the Grand Gulf team, along with Entergy employees from other nuclear plants and headquarters. The influx of contract workers throughout the duration of the outage, many from outside the area, and their associated spending will provide an economic boost to the local communities.

Grand Gulf is one of the largest operators of its kind in the world, and the plant enters its 2022 refuel after setting all-time station records for both gross generation and net generation in megawatt-hours. In 2021, Grand Gulf’s net generation was 11,731,254 megawatt-hours, with gross generation of 12,200,125 megawatt-hours. Gross generation is total generation, and net is the amount of total generation produced minus the electricity used to operate the power plant. Previously, Grand Gulf’s all-time record was in 2015, with 11,715,621 and 12,160,896 megawatt-hours, respectively.

Nuclear power plants around the world schedule refuels every 18 to 24 months, typically in the spring or fall when power demands are lower.

What is a refuel?

Nuclear refuels are similar to fueling a vehicle, beginning when plant operators take the unit offline. Then work begins. Nuclear professionals remove a portion of the fuel from the reactor, shuffle current fuel rods and replace the removed fuel with new fuel.

While the unit is offline, the team completes maintenance work and other projects to improve reliability. Every detail of a refueling outage is meticulously planned and every Grand Gulf worker plays an important role.

To ensure the safety of Grand Gulf employees and supplemental workers, COVID-19 prevention protocols will be enforced. Those protocols include mask-wearing when appropriate, social distancing, frequent cleaning and disinfecting, as well as having employees stay home if they feel sick.

With its 800-plus employee workforce, Grand Gulf has a robust impact through community engagement, such as its home winterization drive, park cleanup and other volunteer efforts that help improve local lives while teambuilding for the plant.

Grand Gulf, owned by Entergy (90 percent) and Cooperative Energy (10 percent), is known worldwide for its generation capabilities. Since 1985, the plant has provided an economic boost to the community while providing low-cost power to Entergy’s customers. Additionally, Grand Gulf and its employees maintain a strong presence in the communities they serve by spending more than $9 million per year with local companies, and through charitable contributions and donations that promote community development, education and the environment.

About Entergy

Entergy, a Fortune 500 company headquartered in New Orleans, powers life for 3 million customers across Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Entergy is creating a cleaner, more resilient energy future for everyone with our diverse power generation portfolio, including increasingly carbon-free energy sources. With roots in the Gulf South region for more than a century, Entergy is a recognized leader in corporate citizenship, delivering more than $100 million in economic benefits to local communities through philanthropy and advocacy efforts annually over the last several years. Our approximately 12,500 employees are dedicated to powering life today and for future generations. Learn more at entergy.com, follow @Entergy on social media and @EntergyNuclear on Twitter. #WePowerLife

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Federal government launches call for problem-solving proposals to help solve the undrinkable water crisis in some First Nations communities

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In an effort to help solve the undrinkable water crisis in some First Nations communities, the federal government has launched a call for problem-solving proposals.  

The Canadian government announced on March 2, 2022, that they have launched a call for proposals for projects that address the retention, recruitment, and availability of water and wastewater operators working on reserves.  

The Honorable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services commented on the need for safe drinking water, “Our government remains committed to improving access to clean drinking water for First Nations communities.” 

She continued, “For many of these communities in need of long-term solutions for reliable access to safe, clean water, the availability and retention of a trained water and wastewater operator plays an important part in addressing that challenge.” 

“Proposals funded through this initiative will help to address some of these barriers and support First Nations in creating and sustaining a qualified workforce of operators,” she concluded.  

Proposals need to address community-based, regional, or national issues related to building water and wastewater operator capacity in First Nations communities.  

Proposals that are delivered or offered by Indigenous communities, organizations or in partnership with Indigenous peoples, will be prioritized.  

Projects that get selected will receive up to $500,000 in funding.  

The deadline to submit a proposal is April 25, 2022.  

According to the Government of Canada, they are committed to supporting First Nations as they implement sustainable solutions that address the need for skilled operators in ways that best suit their communities. 

Since 2016, the Government of Canada has committed over $5.2 billion to build and repair water and wastewater infrastructure, and to support effective management and maintenance of water and wastewater systems on reserve.  

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Put some spring into your walking

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As winters go, this hasn’t (so far) been a terrible one in Chicago. A little cold, a bit of snow but we’ve had days of decent temperatures.

So we have little reason to hibernate until warmer weather arrives. Walking outdoors on a winter’s day is actually good for us for a variety of reasons. You just have to, as our mothers used to say, dress for the weather.

Research has long established the benefits of walking outdoors. It reduces stress, elevates your mood and improves your sleep. You might even lower your blood pressure and lose a bit of weight — with regular energized walking. It’s a weight-bearing exercise that’s good for your joints and, for women, bone preservation.

Unlike walking on a treadmill, walking outdoors is also a social activity. You can carry on a conversation with a buddy while getting in that 20- or 30-minute walk.

Perhaps surprisingly, there are benefits that are specific to walking in colder weather. Here are some of them, along with some warnings and safety tips.

• We burn more calories.

When it’s cold, our bodies have to work harder to maintain our core temperature, so you burn more calories. You can burn even more calories by going uphill and downhill and swinging your arms. Walking poles are also a way to take your walk to the next level.

        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        

 

• We can boost our brains

Researchers have found cognition is actually improved with winter activity, meaning it can help you think more clearly. If you’re having trouble focusing at work, your brain might benefit from a brisk walk outdoors.

• We can fight infections.

Indoor air tends to be heated, and we certainly don’t open the windows as much, which makes it ideal for transmitting viruses. A study by scientists at Charles University in Prague showed exposure to the cold can activate the human immune system. It’s a modest improvement — not as good as a vaccine — but you might reduce the likelihood of getting a cold or the flu.

• We can look better.

Moderately cold temperatures (40 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit) constrict blood vessels in the skin and makes it less prone to redness and swelling. It can also tighten your pores — and give you that rosy glow!

• We get a better cardio workout.

Exercising in cold weather causes the heart to pump more oxygenated blood around the body to maintain its temperature.

• We can beat the winter blues.

The dark and cold days of winter are often associated with seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. Activity will cause your body to boost chemicals like serotonin and endorphins, which can improve a feeling of well-being.

        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        

 

Before you head outside, though, familiarize yourself with some possible hazards and safety tips.

Hypothermia: A dangerous drop in body temperature is one winter hazard. If it’s very windy and cold, put your walk off to another day. Warm up your muscles indoors by walking in place and light arm pumping before going out.

Pick the right clothes: Wear several layers of loose clothing. The layers will trap warm air between them. Avoid tight clothing — leggings and such — which can keep your blood from flowing freely and lead to loss of body heat. Wear a hat, scarf and gloves and appropriate snow- or water-repellent boots or shoes.

Wear light colors or something reflective: And stay aware of your surroundings; you don’t want to slip on the ice. Don’t walk on rivers or bodies of water that may look frozen but aren’t. It’s OK to listen to music or a podcast while walking, but it’s best not to be distracted by phone or video conversations.

Consider yourself lucky if your neighborhood or area around your office is safe for pedestrians. But we have a lot of great walking spots in the Chicago area. You can find paved paths in the forest preserves and among suburban and city parks.

The best exercise is the one you’ll actually do. Walking is easy, low-impact and accessible. So if you’re battling the winter blues or just sitting on the couch too much, bundle up and enjoy a winter walk.

• Teri Dreher is a board-certified patient advocate. A critical care nurse for 30+ years, she is founder of NShore Patient Advocates (www.NorthShoreRN.com). She is offering a free phone consultation to Daily Herald readers; call her at (847) 612-6684.

        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        
        

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New Toxics Release Inventory Data Show Decline in Releases of Certain Toxic Chemicals

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New Features to Make Data More Accessible, Help Identify Environmental Justice Concerns

March 3, 2022

WASHINGTON (March 3, 2022) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its 2020 Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) National Analysis, which shows that environmental releases of TRI chemicals by facilities covered by the program declined by 10% between 2019 and 2020. The 2020 TRI National Analysis summarizes TRI chemical waste management activities, including releases, that occurred during calendar year 2020. More than 21,000 facilities report annually on over 800 chemicals they release into the environment or otherwise manage as waste. EPA, states, and tribes receive TRI data from facilities in industry sectors such as manufacturing, mining, electric utilities, and commercial hazardous waste management.

“EPA is encouraged by the continued decrease in releases of toxic chemicals reported to the Toxics Release Inventory,” said Assistant Administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention Michal Freedhoff. “Making this information publicly available also incentivizes companies to reduce pollution and gives communities tools to act locally – particularly underserved communities that have historically been disproportionately impacted by pollution.”

This 2020 Analysis includes enhancements to make data more useful and accessible to communities, including communities with environmental justice concerns. EPA has added demographic information to the “Where You Live” mapping tool, making it easy to overlay maps of facility locations with maps of overburdened and vulnerable communities. Community groups, policymakers, and other stakeholders can use this information to identify potential exposures to air and water pollution, better understand which communities are experiencing a disproportionate pollution burden and take action at the local level.

To assist communities with reducing pollution, EPA is offering $23 million in grant funding opportunities for states and Tribes to develop and provide businesses with information, training, and tools to help them adopt pollution prevention (P2) practices. For the first time, approximately $14 million in grant funding provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is available with no cost sharing/matching requirement, increasing access to funding for all communities. These grants are a critical component of the President Biden’s Justice40 initiative by providing a meaningful benefit to communities impacted by legacy pollution issues. As such, EPA will administer this program in accordance with this initiative to ensure at least 40% of the benefits are delivered to underserved communities.

EPA is hosting a public webinar on March 23, 2022, highlighting the findings and trends from the 2020 TRI National Analysis and explaining the interactive features of the National Analysis website. Register for the webinar.

New Tools

In addition to the new community mapping tools, the National Analysis also includes a new map in the data visualization dashboard that displays international transfers of chemical waste by facilities in each state. The map includes information on the facility that shipped the waste, the destination country, and how the waste was managed in that country.

Additionally, the National Analysis includes a new profile of the cement manufacturing sector and the addition of greenhouse gas reporting information in certain sector profiles. Users will be able to track greenhouse gas emissions for electric utilities, chemical manufacturing, cement manufacturing, and other sectors. This section will also include information on the benefits of source reduction in these industries.

Notable Trends in 2020

Facilities that report to TRI avoided releasing into the environment more than 89 percent of the chemical-containing waste they created and managed during 2020 by using preferred practices such as recycling, energy recovery, and treatment.  The 2020 Analysis showcases these industry best practices for preventing waste creation and reducing pollution. Facilities reported initiating nearly 3,000 new source reduction activities. EPA encourages facilities to learn from their counterparts’ best practices by using EPA’s Pollution Prevention Search Tool and adopt additional methods for reducing pollution.

The report also includes a discussion of chemical releases into the environment, including air releases, which decreased by 52 million pounds from 2019 to 2020, continuing a long-term trend, as well as summaries of regional chemical waste management activities, illustrating the geographic diversity of U.S. industrial operations.

PFAS Reporting

The 2020 Analysis is also the first to feature reporting on the 172 per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) added to TRI by the 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Facilities reported managing 800,000 pounds of these chemicals in 2020, but of that, only around 9,000 lbs were reported as releases. Most of the production-related PFAS waste was reported by hazardous waste management facilities or chemical manufacturers, and most releases of PFAS were reported by the chemical manufacturing sector.

EPA continues to work to better understand the seemingly limited scope of PFAS reporting. The agency has used existing data to generate lists of potential producers and recipients of PFAS waste, and has contacted facilities with potential reporting errors, as well as those that were expected to report but did not.

EPA also plans to enhance PFAS reporting under the TRI by proposing a rulemaking this summer that would, among other changes, remove the eligibility of the de minimis exemption for PFAS. The de minimis exemption allows facilities that report to TRI to disregard certain minimal concentrations of chemicals in mixtures or trade name products. If finalized, this proposal would also make unavailable the de minimis exemption with regard to providing supplier notifications to downstream TRI facilities for PFAS and persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic chemicals.

Because PFAS are used at low concentrations in many products, the elimination of the de minimis exemption will result in a more complete picture of the releases and other waste management quantities for these chemicals.

To view the 2020 TRI National Analysis, including local data and analyses, visit www.epa.gov/trinationalanalysis.

Information on facility efforts to reduce TRI chemical releases is available at www.epa.gov/tri/p2.

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Originally Appeared Here

Filed Under: EPA

Easy Spring Cleaning Hacks For Your Space

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So, for those of you who truly detest cleaning (we hear you), how do you enjoy the rewards of spring cleaning without perishing in the process? We tapped home organization expert Kathryn Emery of holistic cleaning service Be The Best Home to find out. With 30 years of experience in the home improvement space, she certainly knows what it takes to orchestrate a thorough home clean — but she also knows that we’re all busy (and cleaning is rarely our top priority). That’s why she has rounded up her most efficient, low-effort tips for a good, proper spring cleaning session — designed for people who hate cleaning. Take a gander at the below, then go forth and vacuum. 
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Chandler Smith Gets Truck Win At Las Vegas; Zane Smith Disqualified

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Chandler Smith at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in Las Vegas, NV.
(HHP/Harold Hinson)

Chandler Smith won Friday night’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, taking the checkered flag after a four-lap dash to the finish.

Chandler Smith claimed the win after a last-lap pass of Zane Smith on the backstretch. The final lap began with the two drivers side-by-side as they crossed the start-finish line. Zane Smith pulled ahead in Turns 1 and 2, but Chandler Smith had more momentum as they exited onto the backstretch thanks to drafting help from teammate and owner Kyle Busch.

“We were in contention there at the very end and I stuck it three-wide and was able to clear Kyle (Busch) and get around Zane (Smith),” Chandler Smith said. “It was all being in the right places at the right times.”

After the race, Zane Smith’s second-place finish was disqualified for lug nuts that didn’t meet specifications.

Click here for race results.

Chandler Smith led four times for a race-high 32 laps and claimed his third career NASCAR Truck Series victory.

“I told Danny Stockman, my crew chief that if I ever got clean air, we were going to check out,” Chandler Smith said. “We got clean air and started inching away more and more, but then the cautions kept coming and we were also kind of plate racing. There are so many aero games you can play and things you can do to suck up here. You can’t really drive away from people unless they’re really racing hard behind you and there wasn’t too much of that”

With Zane Smith’s disqualification, Busch finished second. Busch has finished first or second in his last eight Truck Series starts.

“The 18 team was definitely the best truck tonight,” Busch told Fox Sports 1.

The top five was completed by Stewart Friesen, Ryan Preece and Tanner Gray.

After a crash on the last lap, Spencer Boyd was transported to a local medical facility for further evaluation. Boyd told Fox Sports that he had at least a dislocated shoulder.

The final run to the finish occurred after a hard crash by Christian Eckes with nine laps to go. Eckes was leading at the time and trying to fight off Busch. But as they went down the backstretch, Eckes threw a late block and was turned by Busch.

John Hunter Nemechek started from the pole and lost the lead to Busch after two laps. Daytona winner Zane Smith took a turn in the lead when he got by Busch on Lap 11.

Smith held the point until the first caution period, which started on Lap 23 when the No. 9 of Blaine Perkins wrecked after he cut down a tire exiting Turn 2.

Chandler Smith took the lead for the first time by staying out of the pits. 

The green flag waved for a matter of seconds before the caution returned, this time for a multi-car wreck in Turn 1. It included Hailie Deegan, Chase Purdy, Zane Smith and Colby Howard. 

The first stage ended under the caution with Ben Rhodes claiming the stage win over Chandler Smith.

The race resumed on Lap 38 with Carson Hocevar in the lead. He’d keep Busch at bay until Lap 46 when Busch passed him going into Turn 1.

Todd Bodine, making his first Truck Series start since 2013, brought out the fourth caution on Lap 56 for a spin exiting Turn 4. He got loose on his own and backed into the outside wall. He brought out another caution with 45 laps to go for another wreck. Bodine finished 22nd.

As a result of the first Bodine incident, the second stage ended in a one-lap shootout which saw Ty Majeski push Rhodes to the lead. Rhodes then had to fend off a charge from Busch to complete the stage sweep.

Busch assumed the lead under caution, with Nemechek in second and Chandler Smith in third.

Nemechek began challenging for the lead on Lap 70 and took it from Busch on Lap 72, moments before the caution flag returned for wreck involving the No. 24 Chevrolet driven by Jack Wood.

After the second caution for Bodine, Chandler Smith took the lead from Nemechek on the restart. The green flag was only out for a couple laps until Hocevar was spun from contact with Ryan Preece out exiting Turn 4 with 37 laps to go.

The race only resumed for one lap before Rhodes, the defending series champion, became the latest driver to get caught up in a wreck. He was turned into the outside wall from contact with his own teammate, Majeski, as they began to enter Turn 1.

 

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Inflation: Pure water price rises to N20 per sachet

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The price of sachet water, commonly known as ‘pure water’ has doubled across most states in the country, selling at a minimum of N20 per sachet from N10 recorded earlier in the year.

This is based on a recent survey carried out by Nairametrics Research across some states in the country. Specifically, a 20 pieces bag of sachet water rose by 100% to sell for a minimum of N200 wholesale price, compared to an initial average of N100 per bag, while a sachet now sells for N20.

Nigerians have had to reluctantly accept the price increase, considering it is the most popular and convenient source of drinking water in most areas of Nigeria. Several households also use it as their major source of drinking water in their homes.

The increase in the price of pure water is coming at a time when Nigerians are grappling with drooping effect of increased inflationary pressure from almost all fronts, with cost of food items continually moving up, transportation cost also surging on the back of sustained fuel scarcity in the country.

The recent increase in the price of sachet water indicates a 300% compared to N5 recorded before the covid-19 lockdown in 2020. The price increase has now spread across major states in Nigeria, with Abuja, Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Kwara, Imo States amongst others already selling a sachet of pure water for N20.

What they are saying

According to Mr. Alex, a manager of a sachet water company in Ogun State, he explained to Nairametrics that the union agreed to increase the price of sachet water to reflect changes in the prices of production materials in the country.

“The price of materials has surged, and it has affected our ability to even record profits, as a bag of sachet water at N100 is really below production cost,” he said.

In the same direction, Mrs Jane, a pure water seller in Abuja stated that the price increase commenced immediately after the strike action embarked on in September 2021, which resulted to a 100% increase in the wholesale price from N100 to N200 per bag.

Consequently, the price of a sachet of pure water moved from N10 to N20 per sachet, while some traders sell for a discounted rate of three sachet for N50.

Back story

Water Producers Association of Nigeria (WAPAN) stated in November of 2021 that the price of ‘pure water’ could rise from N20 to about N50 per sachet if the federal government implements the proposed Excise Duty on carbonated beverages.

The statement was following the move of the House of Representatives Committee on Finance to amend the Finance Act to include levies on all carbonated and non-carbonated drinks.

What this means

While Nigerians are still dealing the weakening effect of surging inflationary pressure as a result of high cost of food items, transport cost and other related issues, they will have to make provision to buy sachet water for double the price, hereby eroding their purchasing power further.

Sachet water, which has in time past been an easy-to-get item, before now with N20, a customer would be able to buy four sachets of water, however, can now only get 25% of its initial value in just less than two years.

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Laurastar IGGI steamer review

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After the past two years, we have all tried to be conscious of germs. From singing “Happy Birthday” while washing our hands to hoarding hand sanitizer, the overall alert around germs has been heightened and measures have been taken to eliminate them. However, you may not remember to use antibacterial wipes every time you’re cleaning your house. Plus, you may have run out. But what if you had a device that not only could sanitize and disinfect your home but also keep your clothes from wrinkling? Enter the Laurastar IGGI steamer.

The Laurastar IGGI steamer is a handheld 2-in-1 device that disinfects fabrics and more. With high-pressure steam, it can keep your home cleaner and keep you looking better. It’s targeted at those who need it for travel but also families who want to keep their kids’ toys clean. Does it hold up? I reviewed it to find out.

Laurastar IGGI Handheld Steamer

Rating: 4.5 Stars

The Laurastar IGGI Handheld Steamer is a two-in-one device that will disinfect surfaces and steam fabrics.

BGR may receive a commission

BGR may receive a commission

Pros

  • Expertly designed with good safety features
  • Heats up incredibly fast
  • Kills 99.9% of germs without using chemicals
  • Compact enough to carry

IGGI design

The Laurastar IGGI design is a rather simple one but it is made from Swiss engineering, so it has been tested vigorously. It looks similar to other steamers you may have seen before with a nozzle and a trigger that shoots out the steam. But it is incredibly efficient, more than 15x faster than other leading steamers. You receive the refill bottle that carries three ounces of water and has an auto-stop function. You fill this up and unscrew the cap on the device and push the bottle into the device. That causes the water to come out. You can use distilled water and bring three ounces of it with you and it won’t leak, thanks to the bottle design.

Once you load up the canister with water, you screw the cap back on. You plug it in and it immediately starts heating. There’s an orange light that lets you know it’s heating and when it’s done, it turns green. It takes no more than two and a half minutes. Not only is that an indication that the bottom is hot, but there is a safety near the nozzle that prevents you from accidentally pushing the trigger and having hot steam come out when you don’t want it to. Once the safety is off, you can use the device. The Laurastar IGGI also comes with a thermoprotective glove that you can wear while using it.

Disinfecting abilities

A look at what you getA look at all that comes with the Laurastar IGGI steamer. Image source: Chris Hachey for BGR

When you pull the trigger, it will shoot out hygienic Dry Microfine Steam (DMS). This can disinfect all kinds of fabrics and objects. I used it on door knobs and toys around my home. The noise that comes out is a bit loud, but the fine steam comes out in a strong force, thoroughly covering your surface. You don’t need chemicals to disinfect the areas and, while the steam may leave some moisture on the surface, it doesn’t saturate it and it dries rather quickly. It kills 99.9% of germs.

Laurastar IGGI steaming ability

Using it as a steamerUsing the Laurastar IGGI steamer to get some wrinkles out of a shirt. Image source: Chris Hachey for BGR

While disinfecting is a great feature of this, it really is great as a portable handheld clothes steamer. Using the same methods of pouring in distilled water, plugging it in, heating it up, and then pressing the trigger, the DMS will work wrinkles out. Again, this won’t saturate your fabric like some irons do if water happens to leak out of it. I was able to steam with one hand and pull the fabric with the other in order to work the wrinkles out.

It only took a matter of moments to notice the difference. The steam is warmed and works its way through wrinkles. My shirt, which was decently wrinkled, was much tidier and ironed within minutes. The steam also didn’t run out easily. It lasted a while, so I was able to disinfect and do a few more shirts in a short amount of time. When you are done steaming, you also can’t open up the canister quickly. There is a button that prevents it from opening if it’s too hot, another great safety feature. Once the canister has cooled enough, the button is able to be pushed in and the cap can be unscrewed.

IGGI portability

On top of the refill bottle and glove, it also comes with a drawstring bag that will fit the IGGI. The product measures 4.3″ x 4.3″ x 10″. It is simple to put in the bag and fit in with luggage. Using it while it’s plugged in works but it also works while unplugged. You don’t need to be near an outlet to use this. The refill bottle and glove are easy to store too. The steamer weighs 2.2 pounds, meaning anyone can use it.

Conclusions

BGR Platinum Award 2022

This is great for a lot of different people. Those with kids, who travel a lot for business, or just who need to steam clothes at home will benefit from this. Your amount of use for this will help justify if the cost makes sense for you. At $300, it is pricey.

The competition

There are other steamers that will disinfect, as seen by steam mops and steam cleaning machines. While the IGGI isn’t great for steam cleaning your floors, it’s great for smaller surfaces and specific objects. Options from Conair or PurSteam can do more for larger surfaces and may not cost as much.

Should I buy the Laurastar IGGI handheld steamer?

Yes, especially if you want to keep items in your home clean and your clothes wrinkle-free at home or on trips.

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$6.3 million to go towards WV water infrastructure

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) and Representative David McKinley (R-WV) announced that $6,313,780 from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will go towards 22 West Virginia watersheds and flood protection sites.

Through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the funding will “repair existing watershed infrastructure” and “invest in exploring new opportunities for dams and flood protection”.

“Every West Virginian deserves clean water to drink and fresh air to breathe. I am pleased USDA is investing in these 22 sites to protect against flooding, improve water quality and supply, and ensure our communities have the resources they need to thrive,” said Senator Manchin.

“West Virginia’s mountainous terrain has long made us susceptible to flash flooding and storm damage. Many of us remember the lives lost, damage created, and communities ravaged as a result of floods in our state’s history. That is why it is incredibly important that we take the necessary precautions to ensure that our communities are protected and their residents remain safe. We must do all we can to prevent the destruction to our homes, schools, small businesses and medical facilities as a result of flash flooding and natural disasters, and this funding will help us do that,” Senator Capito said

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“Today’s announcement reinforces the significance of the opportunities provided by the infrastructure bill funding for West Virginia. It means we finally have a chance to address perennial flooding issues across our state, including Marion, Grant, and Harrison Counties, just to name a few. These projects will have a dramatic impact, improving these communities and restoring their ability to support new businesses and jobs in the future,” said Rep. McKinley.

Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations (WFPO) Program:

For the following awards, a preliminary investigation feasibility report (PIFR) will be prepared to determine if WFPO can be used to assist with the site. The sponsor will take a fresh look at the watersheds to the evaluate existing infrastructure, look for new opportunities, and address multiple watershed concerns.

  • $55,000 – Harmon Creek Watershed
  • $55,000 – Upper Buffalo Creek Watershed
  • $55,000 – Patterson Creek Watershed
  • $55,000 – Salem Fork Watershed
  • $55,000 – Upper Deckers Creek Watershed
  • $55,000 – New Creek Watershed
  • $55,000 – Upper Grave Creek Watershed
  • $55,000 – Mill Creek Watershed
  • $55,000 – Polk Creek Watershed
  • $55,000 – Saltlick Creek Watershed
  • $55,000 – Sleepy Creek Watershed
  • $55,000 – South Fork River Watershed
  • $55,000 – Warm Springs Run
  • $55,000 – Daves Fork Christian Fork Watershed
  • $55,000 – Town of Rainelle
  • $55,000 – Wolf Creek Watershed
  • $55,000 – Marlin Run

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Watershed Rehabilitation Program:

For the following awards, REHAB will focus on repairing existing infrastructure and looking for new opportunities for growth and flood security in the embankment sites. 

  • $959,300 – North and South Mill Creek Site 3: This site provides protection to approximately 18 residences, buildings, road crossings, bridges, farms and commercial buildings, utilities and other infrastructure. Funding will be used for the planning phase for rehabilitation of the structure. Current deficiencies include overtopping of the dam, breaching of the auxiliary spillway during activation and drain fill filter compatibility within the embankment not meeting current NRCS design criteria.
  • $926,600 – Pocatalico River Site 28: Site 28 provides flood protection to approximately 2,984 residences, buildings, road crossings, bridges, farms and commercial buildings, utilities and other infrastructure. Funding will be used for the planning phase for rehabilitation of the structure. Current deficiencies include overtopping of the dam, breaching of the auxiliary spillway during activation and drain fill filter compatibility within the embankment not meeting current NRCS design criteria.
  • $916,100 – North and South Mill Creek Site 4: Site 4 provides protection to approximately 21 residences, buildings, road crossings, bridges, farms and commercial buildings, utilities and other infrastructure. Funding will be used for the planning phase for rehabilitation of the structure. Current deficiencies include breaching of the auxiliary spillway during activation and drain fill filter compatibility within the embankment not meeting current NRCS design criteria.
  • $876,400 – Bonds Creek Site 1: Site 1 provides flood protection to approximately 65 residences, buildings, road crossings, bridges, farms and commercial buildings, utilities and other infrastructure. Funding will be used for the planning phase for rehabilitation of the structure. Current deficiencies include overtopping of the dam, breaching of the auxiliary spillway during activation and drain fill filter compatibility within the embankment not meeting current NRCS design criteria.
  • $857,700 – Brush Creek Site 12: Site 12 provides protection to a community hospital (which serves an adjacent limited resource area), several associated healthcare buildings, Princeton High School, a regional athletic facility, several businesses, 200 residences, and multiple roads and other infrastructure. Funding will be used for the planning phase for rehabilitation of the structure. There is presently the potential for erosion of the auxiliary spillway and downstream toe of the embankment during ASW activation. The riser also needs repaired/or replaced, and the internal filter and drainage of the embankment may need addressed.
  • $842,680 – Big Ditch Run Site 1: Site 1 provides flood protection to approximately 125 residences, buildings, road crossings, bridges, farms and commercial buildings, utilities and other infrastructure.  Funding will be used for the planning phase for rehabilitation of the structure. Current deficiencies include overtopping of the dam, breaching of the auxiliary spillway during activation and drain fill filter compatibility within the embankment not meeting current NRCS design criteria.

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