Buying a new HVAC system is a significant investment, and you must consider certain things to make the best decision. Homeowners must consider its size, efficiency, and ratings to make a more informed decision. 

The best time to replace your unit is when it breaks down often and fails to keep your home comfortable. However, you are advised to conduct certain maintenance practices to ensure this unit has a longer lifespan. You should also buy a 10x36x1 air filter for the best results. 

Below we discuss the top factors to consider when buying an HVAC system.

Homeowners are advised to consider the heat pump’s size before purchasing this unit since it ensures peak performance while maximizing energy savings. This unit should be sized appropriately to your area’s square footage for the best results. 

Remember, a small heat pump will struggle to cool the surface, thus reducing its efficiency and effectiveness. Experts use the British Thermal Units measurement when calculating the unit’s cooling and heating capacity. Also, several factors determine an area’s BTU requirements, including; interior dimensions and the number of occupants. 

It is possible to estimate your ideal heat pump size through an online BTU calculator. However, contacting your local HVAC technician is the best way to determine the required capacity. 

Cost is another top consideration when buying an HVAC unit. Homeowners should research various manufacturers to know who offers the best deals within their budget. You are also advised to consider the lifetime cost and potential savings before buying to make a more informed decision. 

Most homeowners are going for upgrades that save energy. Remember, poorly built ductwork causes significant cooling and heating loss. It will also help to consider a programmable thermostat as it offers various benefits. 

These thermostats are designed to meet all energy needs during the day. This thermostat also lowers your energy bills at no extra expense. 

Efficiency is another top consideration when buying an HVAC system. You are advised to buy a high-quality HVAC unit that you can comfortably finance within your home. Besides efficiency, you are also required to purchase indoor air quality components simultaneously with your unit. 

These components include humidifiers and high-quality air filtration units, and most contractors have discounts when installing them. 

HVAC units are available in different types, and various manufacturers have distinct features. Kindly work with transparent dealers who sell high-quality brands for the best results. Besides choosing the right brand, you are also advised to choose the best contractor to install your unit. 

This system must be customized to your home’s needs, and you can only achieve this by hiring a professional contractor. These experts will take the required time to ensure the unit is well-installed and offer the best maintenance guidelines.

Final Thoughts

An HVAC unit is integral in a home setup, and you must consider several things before buying one. The top considerations include cost, efficiency, and heat pump size. Kindly reach out to us for more information.

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NEW HOPE, Minn., Sept. 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — P-A Industrial Services (PAIS), a Donaldson company that offers preventative maintenance/filter change services, parts, and equipment for dust/mist/fume collection systems, industrial fans, air compressors, and nitrogen/oxygen generators, is pleased to expand its operations to the Sioux Falls area. This includes the regions of eastern South Dakota, southwestern Minnesota, and northwestern Iowa.

With over 100 years of combined industry experience, the company strives to help make its clients’ plants safer and more productive workplaces. As part of the Donaldson family, the global leader in industrial filtration solutions, PAIS is pleased to expand its scope of expertise and technology.

PAIS can service, repair, design, and install various types of dust/mist/fume collection and compressed air systems from numerous global brands, such as Donaldson, Atlas Copco, and more. This includes everything from installing compressed air piping and new equipment to providing on-site baghouse filter changes and dust/mist/fume collector replacement parts such as diaphragm valves and fans.

Regarding the company’s Preventative Maintenance & Remote Monitoring Program, PAIS offers a total system approach and broad product expertise that enables its team to optimize all equipment components in a system. When remotely monitoring, the company utilizes Donaldson’s proprietary iCue™ connected technology to provide operational insights directly to end users.

PAIS staff consists of thoroughly trained and factory-authorized field technicians to perform service, data collection, and trending of all key points. This includes fan performance, compressed air quality, filter condition, filter pressure differential, air velocity, airflow (CFM), and maintaining detailed documentation for record keeping and historical trending.

The key benefits of investing in the PAIS Preventative Maintenance & Remote Monitoring Program include helping to prevent equipment downtime, ensuring clean air for the working environment, assisting in managing air emissions, supporting OSHA/EPA/MPCA regulatory compliance, and receiving recommendations for system efficiency that support lower operating costs and higher productivity.

PAIS General Manager Patrick Becker notes, “More and more companies are addressing inefficiencies head-on and striving to work smarter, not harder. PAIS is here to help. We look forward to serving you!”

About: P-A Industrial Services is a one-stop shop for services, parts, and equipment for various industrial applications. As a Donaldson company, PAIS can provide its clients with innovative technology to help their businesses operate at peak efficiency.

Contact: To learn more about PAIS, visit https://www.paindustrialservices.com/ or contact Patrick Becker at [email protected].

SOURCE P-A Industrial Services

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Candles are calming, smell great, create ambience, and always score as a favorite house-warming gift. But you may have heard that they can also spew toxic, cancer-causing chemicals into the air. These rumors may leave you wondering, Are candles bad for you or the environment?

Don’t panic. There’s no need to throw away your luxe stash. While candles do release vapors and particles into the air while burning, you should not be concerned about any negative impact on your health, says Pamela Dalton, PhD, a lead researcher in odor perception and irritation at Monell Chemical Senses Center.

“People always talk about how a candle contains formaldehyde and benzene, but they never talk about the amount of any chemical that’s present,” she says. “It’s not simply a chemical’s presence or absence, because we’re surrounded by chemicals all the time in indoor air and outdoor air, but it’s the concentration that matters.”

More From Women’s Health

 

And unless you have a million candles in a small space with no ventilation, the levels of chemicals you breathe in from your favorite scented candles are really low, says Karin Pacheco, MD, an allergist at National Jewish Health in the Division of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences.

Okay, so is it reasonable to assume that candles are totally safe? For the most part, yes. But you should still be cautious about what types you burn and where and how you use them to minimize any possible harmful effect. Here’s everything you need to know to keep reaping the relaxation benefits and avoid any potential downsides, according to experts.

Meet the experts: Pamela Dalton, PhD, is a member of the Monell Chemical Senses Center, where she studies odor and sensory irritation from volatile chemicals.

Nikaeta Sadekar, PhD, is a respiratory toxicologist at the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials, an international authority for the safe use of fragrance materials.

Arvey Stone, MD, is a pulmonologist affiliated with Advocate Lutheran General Hospital.

Are candles really bad for you?

Let’s clear the air: Candles can produce and vaporize particles that could be unsafe if inhaled at an extremely high dose, but your average candle will not harm you, says Dr. Pacheco. “Most wax is made out of paraffin, which is derived from petroleum and can produce formaldehyde, benzene, acetaldehyde, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons,” she says. “But these chemicals are at very low concentrations, and harmful lead-containing candle wicks have been banned since 2003.”

So, yes, a candle does technically put out small amounts of chemicals that could be bad for you, but studies have found that the amount of released chemicals is not enough to cause health problems. And there is no significant association between candles and heart disease, pneumonia, or lung cancer, according to a 2022 study published in the journal Indoor Air.

The chemicals released from a candle are at very low concentrations, so your average candle will not harm you.

And remember that everything is relative. “At some concentration, almost every chemical that is used in the fragrance or candle industry has the potential to produce some irritation, like your nose tingling or your eyes watering,” says Dalton. But that potentially harmful threshold is way higher than what you’d get with any scented candle.

If you do feel a little irritated after lighting a candle, you’re likely reacting to the fragrance itself. “Everyone has a different sensitivity, but there is nothing in commercial candles that is harmful in the long term from a fragrance perspective,” notes Dalton.

Some people have compared candle vapor to secondhand smoke. Are candles as bad as cigarettes?

If you’re worried about this, you can breathe a sigh of relief. The difference between the two lies in the temperature at which they burn. “Smoke produced from a cigarette is basically a smoldering, low-temperature combustion, and the temperature that cigarettes are burning at contributes to the formation of cancer-causing chemicals,” says Paul Guentert, MD, a pulmonologist at Saint Joseph Pulmonology.

With a candle, on the other hand, you get a higher-temperature combustion with not much coming out of it. And incinerating something at a very high temperature breaks it down to the base molecules, which tend to be less toxic than if something is smoldering like a cigarette, explains Dr. Guentert.

That being said, if you have multiple candles burning for long periods of time (like in a church), there will be an accumulation of soot. FYI: Soot is a combination of partially burned carbon, which can stick to walls or ceilings and cause health issues like heart disease, asthma, and even cancer if ingested or inhaled. But unless you have many candles going at the same time 24/7, there’s no need to worry about soot buildup in your home.

Are candles bad for the environment?

Since the amount of chemicals used in candles is very small, there are no concerns about any adverse effects on the environment, says Nikaeta Sadekar, PhD, a respiratory toxicologist and senior scientist at The Research Institute for Fragrance Materials.

“The chemical concentration in candles is so small, there is virtually no environmental impact from a single consumer using a product,” says Dalton.

Candles do produce volatile organic compounds, a.k.a. carbon compounds that can easily turn into a gas at room temperature, but they evaporate almost immediately, says Sadekar.

The bigger environmental concern is if a candle manufacturer has a spill. “If large quantities of fragrances in high production volumes spill, that is concerning for waterways until it is diluted,” notes Dalton.

How do you minimize the harmful effects of burning a candle?

First things first, make sure you light candles in a well-ventilated space. “Don’t light candles in your closet or in a bathroom with the doors and windows closed,” says Dr. Pacheco. “Light them in an open area where you have some sort of air movement.”

Another pro tip: Choose candles made with natural ingredients. Candles made from palm oil release half the amount of soot as paraffin ones, and natural candles made from coconut, soy, vegetable, and beeswax release the lowest amounts of potentially harmful chemicals, according to a 2013 study in the journal Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. And since paraffin candles are derived from petroleum in the first place, stay on the safe side and look for the more natural options that do not emit the same kind of chemicals, says Dr. Pacheco.

In addition, if you or someone in the room suffers from asthma or a chronic lung condition like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), studies show candles could exacerbate symptoms. “If you have otherwise sensitized airways like in asthma or COPD, then any type of heavy odor or fumes are going to be a problem,” Dr. Guentert says. In these cases, it’s best to avoid candles all together, or light non-scented candles in a large room.

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How do you use candles safely?

Again, keyword: ventilation. “If you burn candles in a large space, the volume of air in the room will disseminate the candle-related gasses so you aren’t breathing in any high concentrations” says Arvey Stone, MD, a pulmonologist at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital. Any type of flame needs ventilation, so just be mindful of where your candles are burning.

Also, trim the wicks before each burn. Untrimmed candle wicks can cause uncontrolled flames, smoky, black residue in the jar, and produce extra smoke that can lead to more soot, according to the National Candle Association. To prevent any danger (and keep your candles looking good!), make sure to cut the wick to about one-fourth inch and remove any debris (like wick trimmings and broken matches) before each use.

Lastly, don’t leave open flames unattended, says Dr. Guentert. Regardless of any minimal health risks, make sure you blow out all candles before you go to sleep and keep open flames away from children and pets.

The bottom line: Limit yourself to burning one to two candles at a time, and always make sure you have plenty of air circulation when you do that.

Andi Breitowich is a Chicago-based writer and graduate student at Northwestern Medill. She’s a mass consumer of social media and cares about women’s rights, holistic wellness, and non-stigmatizing reproductive care. As a former collegiate pole vaulter, she has a love for all things fitness and is currently obsessed with Peloton Tread workouts and hot yoga.  

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Many everyday cleaners contain harsh chemicals but labels certified by the EPA can make it easier for householders to choose genuinely greener products instead. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other harmful chemicals used in cleaning products can cause serious health issues such as respiratory illnesses or skin irritations when used in the home and, at the same time, they contaminate natural outdoor habitats when they are flushed away.  In addition, the single use plastic in which cleaning products are contained ends up polluting the land, waterways and oceans. By implementing safer cleaning practices at home, you can minimize the risks to your health and reduce your impact on the environment without compromising on the cleanliness of your home.

Maintaining a Healthier Home

Regular cleaning is essential in order to remove harmful bacteria and allergens from the home, however, many products contain dangerous VOCs and other harmful chemicals that cancel out the benefits of cleaning when they end up polluting the indoor air upon release. Studies have linked strong cleaning chemicals with respiratory illnesses such as asthma and allergies, but these conditions can also be caused by natural allergens in the home that need to be removed through cleaning.  As well as reducing your impact on the environmental, using greener products and gentler cleaning methods will help to remove natural allergens and chemical irritants from the air in your home. By swapping aerosols, chlorine bleach and heavily scented products for eco-friendly or homemade natural products, you can ensure your home is a healthier and safer place to live.

Protecting The Wider Environment

As well as polluting indoor air, VOCs also negatively affect the wider outdoor environment where, together with other chemicals such as ammonia and phosphorus commonly found in cleaning products, they contaminate fresh water sources. When they are left uncontrolled they accelerate the growth of certain aquatic plants. These clog natural animal habitats and when they die, take oxygen from the water. As well as killing off fish and other freshwater creatures, the water soon becomes unsuitable for human use.  While the contents of cleaning products are known to be harmful, the plastic bottles in which they are stored also cause damage to the environment both in their production and when they are discarded after use. By swapping to recycled or compostable cloths and bottles, you can help to minimize this impact. Better still, you can now choose from a growing number of plastic-free brands that supply concentrated, eco-friendly cleaning products that are dissolved in water in a glass bottle.  As much smaller amounts of product are needed, the carbon footprint of transportation is also significantly reduced.

Harsh chemical cleaners can be hazardous both within the home and when they reach the outside environment.  By taking advantage of a greater choice of eco-friendly products, you can safely remove harmful allergens from indoor air, minimize pollution from single-use plastics and help to reduce the overall carbon footprint of cleaning products.

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7-layer purification Xiaomi MIJIA Air Purifier Ultra has been released

• Xiaomi’s MIJIA air purifier removes 99.99% of viruses and 99.05% of formaldehyde.
• The device can purify 90 square metres in 17 minutes.
• It has a built-in fan that can move 12,500 litres of clean air every minute.

Xiaomi’s MIJIA Air Purifier Ultra includes 7 purification layers. The innovative new MIJIA air purifier has a digital screen that shows the level of formaldehyde to the thousandth. The design was based by a four-leaf clover’s bent stream. Xiaomi and the Chinese Academy of Sciences worked together to come up with the MIJIA air purifier.
The MIJIA full-effect air purifier Ultra’s 4.3-inch LCD colour screen displays air quality data. The air purifier takes a new approach to getting rid of formaldehyde in the air. It has an aldehyde breakdown filter that continually decomposes formaldehyde into carbon dioxide and water. The air filter has a primary filter, a durable filter, a high-energy plasma field, a carbon array, an aldehyde filter, a UV module, and a filter that cleans itself. The 7-layer air purification system guarantees that the user will always be breathing clean air while using the device.

MIJIA air purifier Ultra removes 99.99% of viruses and 99.05% of formaldehyde. It also has a formaldehyde purification rate of 400m3/hour and a solid-state formaldehyde sensor that gives accurate readings on the display. The built-in EBM DC fan can run all day and can move up to 12,500 litres of clean air every minute.

Xiaomi says the device can purify 90 square metres in 17 minutes. The air cleaner uses American Kimberly filter paper, which can hold a lot of dust. This lets the device work with little wind resistance and let clean air out when it is in use. Four sets of high-energy plasma generators and UV lamps assist sterilise the system. This gets rid of smells and gases that are bad for both the machine and the environment.

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Xiaomi MIJIA Vacuum Cleaner 1S launched; features sweeping & mopping

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MIDDLETOWN — Chase Randall had himself a very profitable night Saturday at 34 Raceway.

In the season finale for 34 Raceway, Randall won the $5,000 to win30-lap  feature race for the Sprint Invaders. 

After a series of incidents on two starts, Paul Nienhiser took the lead. But he suffered a flat tire when he contacted the car of Chase Richards in turn one, ending the night for both drivers.

Randall took the lead on the restart with Bret Tripplett and Chris Martin in pursuit.

Randall held off Garet Williamson for the win, followed by Martin, Zach Daum and Tripplett.

“It was unfortunate what happened to Paul there,” Randall told sprintinvaders.com. “I think it would have been a good race between him and me. We were set up really good. I got to second early, and kind of just rode around to figure out where my car would work best. I found the top really good the whole way around, especially off of four. We got to lapped traffic early there. They were all over the place in front of us, we slid a car and Paul got together with the other car. That benefited us. We were able to get the lead and get out front. Clean air was very key. I’m glad to get another win here and 34, and I thank them for having us. It was a long race…nothing we could control. We finally got it going. It was a fun race after that, and I’m glad to be here.”

Williamson would go on to win the Sprint Invaders finale Sunday night at Adams County Speedway in Quincy, Illinois. 

Williamson cruised to the win ahead of Daum, Nienhiser, Chris Martin and Randall. Monty Ferriera, Jamie Ball, Bret Tripplett, Colton Fisher and Cody Wehrle completed the top ten.

Cody Wehrle nailed down the driver point championship for the series. Wehrle competed with a 305 under the hood loaned from Roger Grant to maintain his title. 

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The summer months have passed, and all the beauties of autumn have begun to show themselves all over Türkiye. The colors that emerge in autumn create landscapes that are insatiable for nature lovers. So, we have compiled some places to visit for those who want to enjoy this season to the fullest and witness the picturesque landscapes.

You can stay on these routes where you can get away from the stress of the city and participate in different and enjoyable activities. Here are five Turkish routes you should definitely take in autumn.

Lake Abant

Abant and its mesmerizing lake, one of the routes worth seeing in autumn, fascinates its visitors with its beauty in every season. Abant is located 35 kilometers (21 miles) southwest of Bolu with its unique views, clean lake and mountain air. Also known for its proximity to Istanbul and Ankara, it is one of the most preferred places for those who want to get away from the city at the weekend. You can have a walk, picnic and ride horses and phaetons in the Lake Abant Nature Park, which is famous for its natural beauty. Abant is even more peaceful this season with the unique landscape and riot of colors revealed by autumn. The region surrounding the titular lake is also home to numerous plateaus and smaller lakes that are worth checking out.

Cappadocia

Cappadocia is a unique beauty to behold in autumn. Standing out with its fairy chimneys, Cappadocia makes the region one of the best places to visit during this season with its historical texture, cultural richness and stunning views. You can see the fairy chimneys and visit the historical stone houses. Balloon tours, horse riding and the ritual of riding a motorcycle at sunset are also indispensable. Do not forget to taste the unique flavors of the region.

Safranbolu

Another locale that fascinates everyone in autumn with its mystical atmosphere is the Safranbolu district of Karabük. Safranbolu, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage list, is one of the routes worth exploring with its historical mansions, streets and natural beauties. The typical Ottoman city is famous for its natural vegetation, its newly built glass terrace – a glass observation deck, extending from a cliff’s edge, featuring panoramic views of the canyon it overlooks, and its gorgeous architecture across the streets that once played a key role in the caravan trade over several centuries and is renowned as one of the best preserved historical cities in the world with its beautiful Ottoman houses the driving reason behind the city’s climb to fame.

Uzungöl

Uzungöl, which is one of the most important touristic destinations of northern Türkiye, is located in the Çaykara district of Trabzon. Uzungöl is among the places to be seen with its natural beauties, clean air, local wooden houses and streams. The pine trees covering the region and the unique view of autumn is sure to impress you immensely.

Adıyaman

If you want to see all the colors of autumn together, you can visit Adıyaman, the Mesopotamian city that has hosted numerous civilizations. Mount Nemrut, which is on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List, is the most important place you should see here. If you want to watch the sunrise and sunset in autumn, Mount Nemrut is waiting for you. Don’t forget to take your camera with you before enjoying this historical place.

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Perry is a trusted local home services provider that has proudly served loyal customers in the Tucson community since 1949.

Tucson, AZ – September 26, 2022 – Perry Plumbing Heating and Cooling announced today that it now offers a wide range of plumbing services to customers throughout Tucson, AZ and the surrounding area. The company’s trusted, certified technicians now help customers with plumbing repair, repiping, leak detection, and many other plumbing services. With the additional service, the company is updating its name to Perry Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling.

Perry is a trusted local home services provider that has proudly served loyal customers in the Tucson community since 1949. A longstanding provider of heating, cooling and indoor air quality services, the company is well known for its focus on customer satisfaction and reliability.

The company decided to add plumbing services to continue delivering value to Tucson households and provide its customers with a one stop solution for their home service needs. Perry Plumbing Heating and Cooling will serve its plumbing customers with award winning customer service and friendly, experienced technicians – exactly as they’ve done for over 70 years.

“We get a lot of customers who are really happy with the HVAC service we provided and naturally, want to know if we can help them with plumbing as well,” says General Manager Monica Diaz. “Now we can help customers with even more of their home services needs. We view our decision to offer plumbing as an investment in the loyal people we’ve had the privilege of serving for decades.”

Here are many of the plumbing services Perry Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling provides today:

– Plumbing repair

– Burst pipe repair

– Plumbing inspection

– Repiping

– Sump pumps

– Gas lines

– Bathroom/kitchen plumbing

– Water filtration

– Water softening

– Water wells

– Backflow testing

– Leak detection

– Septic tanks

– 24/7 emergency services

Plus, all of the trusted heating, cooling, and water heater services the company has provided since day one.

To find out more about Perry Plumbing Heating and Cooling and see its full list of home services, visit https://perryheatingandcooling.com today.

Media Contact
Company Name: Perry Plumbing Heating and Cooling
Contact Person: Monica Diaz
Email: Send Email
Phone: (520) 200-8475
Address:3266 E Grant Rd
City: Tucson
State: AZ
Country: United States
Website: https://perryheatingandcooling.com/

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A homeowner filed a case with the Consumer Claims Tribunal in Sibu, Sarawak, claiming that he discovered the tiles he bought were discoloured after they were installed.

However, his case was dismissed as he failed to prove that the tiles were discoloured when he purchased them.

Tribunal president Timothy Finlayson Joel said the claimant Ling Hang Wee had not provided any reliable evidence when claiming compensation.

He said though the claimant had provided photos and supporting documents to claim for the refund of 50% for defective titles, he failed to show rebuttal evidence to the manufacturer’s feedback that the tiles were without any defect.

Timothy also found out that it was the contractor who chose the tiles on the homeowner’s behalf and that the homeowner did not check the tiles before installation.

He added that the case had to be dismissed as the claimant had failed to make his case.

In another case, a claimant, Salmah Mohd Ali, said she sent a letter to the respondent about not receiving an air purifier which she had bought but received no response.

Salmah told the tribunal that sometime in April this year, a water, air and home wellness company held a promotion on selected items at a booth in UTC Sibu.

“I bought an air purifier for RM2,000 during the promotion.

“I was told that they would send me the item two weeks after my payment.

“But until now, I have yet to receive the air purifier and they have also blocked my number,” she claimed.

Timothy asked the claimant to provide the tribunal with the address of the respondent. – By ANDY CHUA

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ROBERT BYRON

Devastating wildfires, unprecedented floods, prolonged drought, unrelenting heat waves with record high temperatures: pick a locale or a time, there are plenty to choose from across the United States in each of those categories this year alone. Even when experienced as a single event, each of these has significant detrimental impacts on peoples’ health; when more than one occurs at once, as is often the case, those impacts worsen.

Air pollution, especially in the form of particulate matter (PM), comes from burning fossil fuels, industrial and agricultural processes, and more intense wildfires. This leads to more emergency room visits and hospitalizations from asthma exacerbations, premature births, and heart conditions. There is also mounting evidence that PM can harm fetuses.   

Many people associate the health impacts of extreme heat with dehydration, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke, all of which are true. Few realize that heat, even with modestly increased temperatures, has been associated with increases in heart attacks and strokes, flares of lung conditions, and complications in pregnancy and worse birth outcomes for mothers and their babies.   

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Extreme precipitation events can lead to flooding, often with loss of life and property. Loss of ground cover and debris flows can lead to worse flooding in areas damaged by wildfires. Water-borne illnesses from contaminated water supplies and respiratory conditions from people living in mold-infested homes can follow flooding.

Often overlooked are the detrimental effects on pregnant women. Pregnant women and their fetuses are particularly sensitive to air pollution and climate change. Heat has been associated with more pre-term births. PM can increase the risk of pre-term birth and certain conditions in the fetus that will affect the child throughout their life. 

Climate change is also having a major impact on mental health. Climate anxiety affects many people. Farmers, ranchers, foresters, and indigenous populations often experience solastalgia, the distress people feel due to changes in their environment. Any climate event — flood, drought, wildfire, extreme rain or snow — can lead to worsening mental health, especially when more than one event occurs at the same time, such as droughts and heat waves.

There are things we can do as individuals or local communities to prepare.  Doing an assessment of our home or surroundings can help determine the risk of things such as floods or wildfires. If there is risk, developing a plan for what to do and take should such an event occur could save lives.

Wildfire smoke is increasingly common. Becoming familiar with air quality indicators, such as the EPA flag program, can guide responses. Limiting exposure by avoiding strenuous activity when air quality is poor helps. Portable or wholehouse air purifiers can improve indoor air quality. You can make an air purifier from an inexpensive box fan and filter. Many local organizations will provide these for people who cannot afford them.

Addressing climate change and its causes will take the combined effort of all of us. Start by talking to our families and neighbors about what is happening. Let your elected officials know that you think these are important issues. Talk with your school board about switching to electric school buses.

Here’s my prescription: demand that candidates who ask for your vote have developed plans to address the air pollution and climate change that is affecting everyone’s health.

Robert Byron is a Montana physician and one of the lead authors of the “Climate Change and Human Health in Montana Report” released in 2021.

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