This is difficult to write, but only because the mere thought of ticks gives me the willies; I was cringing during the entire first part of that sentence, and it continues.

But I’m here to help, so I will get over it.

We’re heading into summertime and ticks will be serious business; good grief, a non-existent one scared my grandmother to death when I was a child. We were eating dinner, and they’d been talking about ticks (what a fun dinner topic) when I shouted, “I got one.” It was a piece of lint; I had no idea what a tick looked like. My grandmother was not pleased.

SKIP THE GUESSING GAME AND SAVE THOSE TICKS

But listen, you don’t need to worry about sending LINT in to have it tested. You can, however, send in your ticks. That’s right. If you discover a tick on your person or on another person’s person or on your pet, try not to panic so much that you immediately flush it. If you are so inclined, you DO have available resources for identifying that horrific little arachnid and learning if it carries disease.

I know plenty of people with Alpha Gal who would love this information. And, of course, you don’t mess around with Lyme Disease or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Actually, it’s a never a bad idea to learn as much as possible about ticks.

FINDING OUT IF A TICK IS A DISEASE CARRIER

So yeah, if you discover a tick, carefully remove the heinous little beast with tweezers, place it in alcohol–maybe in an alcohol-soaked cotton ball (just a suggestion)–then seal it up in a something like a Ziploc bag, and mail it to the University of Kentucky’s entomology department. These are the instructions of department head Professor Reddy Palli.

Here also is some helpful information from Johns Hopkins University.

To find out the exact address you’ll need, contact your local University of Kentucky extension office. In Daviess County, it’s located inside the main campus of Owensboro Community and Technical College on New Hartford Road. The phone number is 270-685-8480.

In the meantime, it’s good to learn how to protect yourself from ticks and what their bites look like.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOU SEND IN YOUR TICK

Professor Palli says the individual who mails the specimen will be contacted if a pathogen of any kind is detected. You’d then be given instructions regarding what to do next.

Summertime is great, but it ain’t all swimming pools, cardinals, and backyard cookouts. Ticks are serious business, and we should get just a serious when we find them.

Kentucky Creepy-Crawlies — the Beautiful, the Weird, and the Ugly

I’ve run across some peculiar insects in Kentucky. Some beautiful, some NOT beautiful. And now I know what they all are.

KEEP READING: See 25 natural ways to boost your immune system

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Originally Appeared Here

This is a wonderful time of year for most people. Days are warmer. Evenings are longer. and the trees and flowers are growing again.

But for those who suffer from seasonal allergic rhinitis, more commonly known as hay fever and sometimes simply called allergies, this time of year can be challenging.

Pollen, Allergies, and Allergens

Pollen is a powdery substance created by certain plants as part of their reproductive process. It’s generated by trees in the spring, grasses in the summer, and flowers (weeds) in the fall. It’s also one of the most common triggers of seasonal allergies. In fact, when inhaled, airborne pollen causes sneezing, congestion, runny nose, and other cold-like symptoms in as many as one in six Americans, myself included.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, pollen exposure can also trigger symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis, or inflammation of the lining of the eye (conjunctiva). CDC maintains that allergic conjunctivitis is found in as many as 7 out of 10 patients with hay fever. Symptoms include red, watery, and/or itchy eyes. CDC warns too, that exposure to pollen has been linked to asthma attacks and increases in hospital admissions for respiratory illness.

Medical costs linked to pollen exposure exceed $3-billion annually, with almost half of those costs linked to prescription medications.

Allergies are among the most common chronic health conditions in the world. According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI), more than 50 million Americans suffer with some type of allergy.

In people with pollen allergies, the immune system, which normally defends the body against attack by harmful intruders (e.g. infectious bacteria, viruses), mistakenly identifies harmless pollen as potentially lethal and overreacts, producing antibodies intended to defend the body from the innocuous pollen. This is called an allergic reaction, and the pollens that cause it are called allergens. Dust, pet hair, mold, and cigarette smoke are also allergens.

Longer Pollen Seasons; Higher pollen Counts

A study published last year in the journal, the Proceedings of the National Academies of Sciences, determined that the pollen season now starts about 20 days earlier than it did in 1990 and that seasonal pollen loads are around 21% higher than 1990 levels. A more recent article, Projected climate-driven changes in pollen emission season length and magnitude over the continental United States (Zhang, Y. M., Steiner, A. M.), published in the journal, Nature Communications, projects that as the planet’s temperature rises and carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations increase, the pollen season will continue to lengthen and pollen counts will continue to rise.

Using computer simulations, climate scientists were able to predict that, because of changing temperature, the pollen season in the United States will start up to 40 days earlier and end 19 days or more later, by the end of this century. The article also predicts that annual total pollen emissions will increase by 16% – 40% in the United States for 13 of the most prevalent airborne plant pollens, and that in some areas, pollen concentrations could increase by three times their current levels.

According to CDC’s National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH), higher pollen concentrations and longer pollen seasons can make susceptible individuals even more sensitive to allergens that can trigger flare-ups; potentially resulting in diminished productivity and attendance at school and work.

How long does allergic rhinitis last?

Allergic rhinitis isn’t a dangerous medical condition. Normally, there are no serious side effects. But if left untreated, symptoms will persist, potentially making you miserable for as long as you’re exposed to the irritating allergen, often several weeks, which can certainly have an impact on your quality of life, before it resolves on its own.

Cornell Health (health.cornell.edu) recommends the following self-care measures

• Use oral antihistamines containing cetirizine, loratadine, or fexofenadine for runny nose, itching, and sneezing. Brand names include Zyrtec, Claritin, and Allegra.

• Use non-prescription corticosteroid nasal sprays (e.g. Flonase, Nasacort), which are most effective when used daily.

• Use a product with a decongestant such as pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine for nasal congestion. (Check with a pharmacist before using decongestants if you take stimulant medications and/or have a history of significant anxiety.)

• Avoid known allergens.

• Stay indoors on dry, windy days.

• Remove clothes worn outside and shower to remove pollen from hair and skin.

• Use an air conditioner when possible.

• Use a dehumidifier to keep indoor air dry.

• Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter.

When to see a medical provider

• If you’re having any signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling of the throat, loss of consciousness, dizziness (or lightheadedness), shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, skin rash, or a rapid or weak pulse

• If you would like to be evaluated for allergies or get a prescription for allergy shots

One last thought: The facemasks we’ve been using to protect against COVID-19 can also work as barriers against pollen. The better the mask; the better the protection. and wearing glasses or sunglasses (or eye-protecting safety glasses when daily pollen counts are extremely high) can help with keeping pollen away from your eyes.

— Richard L. Gast, Extension Program Educator II: Horticulture, Natural Resources, Energy; Agriculture Programs Assistant (retired); Cornell Cooperative Extension of Franklin County. 355 West Main St., Suite 150, Malone, 12953. Call 483-7403, fax 483-6214 or email [email protected].

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Detectives from the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a suspicious death that was discovered over the weekend on Billings’ south side.

According to the press release from Yellowstone County Sheriff Mike Linder, an adult woman was found deceased in a residence located in the 3200 block of Stone Street just after 9 pm on Saturday (5/14).

After responding and processing the scene of the death, YCSO deputies determined there was “evidence of foul play at the scene.”

YCSO detectives are following leads about the death as the investigation is ongoing, with more information about the autopsy expected to be released today (Monday 5/16).

Yellowstone County Sheriff’s are asking for anyone who may have been near the 3200 block of Stone Street on Saturday (5/14) to call the Sheriff’s office at 406-256-2929 with information about the incident.

No further details are being released at this time, according to the YCSO press release.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

KEEP READING: 15 Natural Ways to Improve Your Sleep

 

KEEP READING: See 25 natural ways to boost your immune system

 

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Originally Appeared Here

(Oslo, Norway – May 16, 2022) Airthings (AIRX), the global leader in air quality
monitoring and energy-saving solutions, today releases its “Breathe Better
Report: Airthings Sustainability Journey 2021”.

The report includes Communication on Progress (COP) for the period of March 2021
– March 2022 as part of the UN Global Compact (UNGC) and has been prepared in
accordance with the principles of the UNGC and in line with the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs).

Airthings uses the SDGs as a framework for its ESG actions and has prioritized
six SDGs where the company can contribute directly and indirectly: 3 – Health
and wellbeing, 4 – quality education, 8 – decent work and economic growth, 11 –
sustainable cities and communities, 12 – responsible consumption and production,
and 13 – climate action.

The 2021 report lists fifteen sustainability highlights. Among these, the
company reports that they educated over 500 000 people about air quality last
year, launched a child-focused education program called Air for Kids, completed
product lifecycle assessments, and quantified scope one, two, and three
emissions for the company.

“As leaders in indoor air quality monitoring and focused on the health and
wellbeing of people, sustainability is close to our hearts and fundamental to
our core values. We remain fully committed to the UN Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs), and strongly believe that our solutions have the potential to
improve many of the environmental and societal challenges we face. At Airthings
we believe a sustainable business is a good business,” says CEO Øyvind Birkenes.

In February 2022, Airthings was awarded a Silver Sustainability Rating from
EcoVadis, being ranked in the top 25% of all companies evaluated and higher than
78% of its peers. The company has also been dedicated to enabling real estate
owners and facility managers to reduce their energy usage. In February,
Airthings reported that they had saved their customers more CO2e emissions in
2021 than the company themselves had emitted in operations.

Please also see www.airthings.com/sustainability.

For questions or interview/meeting requests, please contact:

Øyvind Birkenes – CEO
T: +47 922 43 551
E: [email protected]

Jeremy Gerst – CFO
T: +47 455 11 103
E: [email protected]

About Airthings:
Airthings is a global technology company and producer of award-winning radon and
indoor air quality monitors for homeowners, businesses, and professionals.
Founded in 2008, Airthings is on a mission to ensure that people around the
world recognize the impact of indoor air quality and take control of their
health through simple, affordable, and accurate technology solutions while
optimizing energy consumption in buildings. Airthings’ products have made radon
detection and indoor air quality monitoring easy to deploy, accurate, and user
friendly, and have received several accolades including the TIME’s Best
Inventions award and CES Innovation Award Honors. Headquartered in the heart of
Oslo, Norway, and with offices in the US and Sweden the company has over 140
employees from more than 30 nationalities-and counting. To see the full range of
Airthings indoor air quality monitors and radon detectors or to learn more about
the importance of continuous air quality monitoring, please visit airthings.com

Click here for more information

© Oslo Bors ASA, source Oslo Stock Exchange

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Originally Appeared Here

UV Angel Clean Air Technology Installed At Senior Residential Facility

After an extensive environmental study, The New Bedford Housing Authority added UV Angel Clean Air™ units to the Boa Vista Tower to make community activities safer for residents.

Like many other housing facilities, the New Bedford Housing Authority’s Boa Vista Tower for senior residents has been impacted by Covid-19. In order to resume community activities and social gatherings at the a federally-funded, 99-unit high-rise building located in New Bedford, MA, NBHA recently installed UV Angel Clean Air™ units in many high traffic and shared spaces including hallways, lobbies, staff office areas, conference rooms, laundry rooms and stairwells.

Boa Vista Towers is a federally-funded, 99-unit high-rise building located near downtown New Bedford, MA.

An environmental study including extensive pre-installation and post installation environmental testing was performed at the NBHA to demonstrate the efficacy of UV Angel Clean Air technology, which uses Upper-Room Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI). The results from third-party independent laboratories reported that UV Angel Clean Air units eliminated 88% of air bacteria within the communal areas. Another dramatic improvement to NBHA environmental testing results showed that by cleaning the air, the UV Angel technology also reduced bacterial contamination on surfaces by 83% without adding any chemicals to the environment. These results and the efficacy of this flagship installation with the NBHA will influence the organization’s strategic plans, ensuring this technology is prioritized in the budgets for future housing projects in the years to come, particularly those built for elderly residents.

“The installation of the UV Angel Clean Air treatment systems have made a huge impact on the quality of life for Boa Vista Tower residents,” said Steven Beauregard, Executive Director of NBHA. “The residents can now partake in more fulfilling community-based activities with peace of mind, knowing that the air is being treated in addition to rigorous cleaning processes throughout the building.”

Engineered to continuously clean the air and safely operate in occupied spaces with no chemicals or harmful by-products, the UV Angel Clean Air Upper-Room UVGI technology seamlessly integrates a patented control platform into the room ceiling space. Studies show that as people talk, sing, laugh and breathe the heat generated from their bodies and breath rises, carrying expelled germs such as viruses and bacteria toward the ceiling. Operating completely independent of existing building HVAC, the automated system runs quietly and continuously 24×7/365 by actively pulling room air into a sealed UVGI infection control chamber, where viruses, bacteria, and fungi (mold) are killed up to 99.99%. Once treated, the clean air is safely returned to the room, providing a cleaner, safer, and healthier environment.

UVGI, as a technology platform, is recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), and was strongly recommended by the White House during a March 29 briefing on Covid-19 and clean indoor air. The White House stated that Covid-19 is airborne and measures must be taken to protect people and prevent transmission indoors, and upper-room UVGI is an effective added protective measure against viruses, bacteria and fungi (mold).

“Our passion at UV Angel is to deliver leading technology based in science to improve public health, and we are proud to enable a safer living environment for Boa Vista Tower residents,.” said Dr. Linda Lee, MBA, CIC, Chief Medical Affairs and Science Officer of UV Angel. “We believe that partnering with the New Bedford Housing Authority and using our technology will further support the organization in future housing project plans to ensure residents continuously have cleaner, safer environments in which to live and socialize.”

Check out all the latest facility management news related to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) and indoor air quality.

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Originally Appeared Here

Indoor air quality is finally getting more attention at the federal level. Representative Don Beyer (D-Virginia) has introduced legislation that would incentivize IAQ upgrades in commercial buildings. Beyer’s legislation would provide tax breaks for commercial building owners who conduct air quality assessments and upgrade their ventilation and air filtration systems. “Improving indoor air quality reduces the risk of COVID-19 transmission, but it can also benefit employers and workers by reducing sick days, creating a cleaner and more comfortable work environment, and lessening the risk of long-term health conditions,” Rep. Beyer said in a press release.

The Airborne Act is backed by many industry groups including the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), an organization that creates recommends standards for HVAC and filtration systems. The legislation would provide a $1 per square foot tax credit for commercial building owners who conduct IAQ assessments. It would also incentivize building owners to upgrade their HVAC systems to meet ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2019. The tax credit for HVAC upgrades would equal $5 per square foot of buildings affected by air filters and an additional $50 per square foot for ventilation systems, limited to 50 percent of the total project cost.

The EPA lists harmful indoor air quality as one of the top 5 risks to public health, but there’s very little regulation around it, especially at the federal level. The Airborne Act would be a package of tax incentives, not a regulation, but air quality advocates say it’s a step in the right direction. COVID and airborne transmission of the virus has increased focus on IAQ recently, and building owners should expect more of a push for cleaner indoor air in the coming years.

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Originally Appeared Here

Air Plants (Tillandsia species) are a lot of fun to grow as houseplants. They are unique because they are not grown in pots. This gives you a lot of flexibility to be creative on how you display your Air Plant at home. You can hang your Air Plant on the wall, let it suspend mid-air, or keep it in a dish on your coffee table. There is one variety of Air Plant that is grown in pots- the Pink Quill (Tillandsia cyanea). Here are tips on how to care for your Air Plant at home.

Air Plant Infographic

Air Plant Infographic

Tips on How to Take Care of Your Air Plant

1. Your Air Plant is Happiest in Bright, Filtered Light  

Air Plant will be happy in bright, filtered light. It will do well at an East or West facing window but make sure it’s not getting direct sunlight. You can filter the sun with sheer curtains and sheer blinds. 

2. Moderate Water is Best for Your Air Plant

There are 2 ways to water your Air Plant. You can spray your Air Plant with distilled water twice a week (spray the entire plant) or you can submerge your Air Plant in water once every 2 weeks for 2 hours. If you have Xeric Tillandsia variety, the preferred method is the spray it with water twice a week, since it is native to more arid conditions. While if you have Mesic Tillandsia variety, you can opt for the submerging method.

Just make sure you let your Air Plant dry out completely within 4 hours. The best way to air dry your Air Plant is to leave it upside down so water does not accumulate at the roots which can cause root rot. 

3. Get the Soil Right for Your Air Plant

Pink Quill (Tillandsia cyanea) needs an organic potting mix. Use potting mix for orchids.

4. Fertilize Your Air Plant

Your Air Plant should be fertilized at half strength once a month during the growing season. You can spray the leaves with diluted fertilizer, just make sure the entire plant dries out completely. Don’t overspray.

5. Get the Temperature Right for Your Air Plant

Your Air Plant needs to have a daytime temperature of 70F to 80 Fahrenheit (21-26C). The nighttime temperature should be at 60-70 Fahrenheit (15-21 C).

6. Your Air Plant Can Tolerate Dry Indoor Air

Your Air Plant is a houseplant that can tolerate dry indoor air. It does not need additional misting on top of its regular watering. If you have the Xeric Tillandsia variety, it comes from more arid conditions so it does not require a lot of moisture. The Mesic Tillandsia variety, it is native to moderately humid environments so will prefer a little more humidity. But either way, they don’t require additional misting in between watering. 

3 Common Air Plant Problems

The common problems for Air Plant are root rot, brown leaf tips, and mealy bugs.

Fluffy White Growth In Between the Leaves of Your Air Plant

Problem: There are fluffy white growths in between the leaves of your Air Plant. Cause: Mealybugs are causing the fluffy white growth on your Air Plant. It is a common houseplant disease. 

Mealybugs

Solution: To get rid of mealybugs on your Air Plant, wash your plant with water. You can also use soapy water. Spraying rubbing alcohol on affected areas can also get rid of mealybugs. Horticultural oil and insecticidal soap are also effective in getting rid of mealybugs. Just make sure to air dry your Air Plant completely to avoid root rot.

Check out our article on how to make your own homemade pesticides using baby shampoo: How to Make Horticultural Oil and How to Make Insecticidal Soap

Your Air Plant looks Wilted

Problem: Your Air Plant looks wilted. Check for root rot by examining the roots (if any). If the roots of your Air Plant plant look mushy (healthy roots are firm) and the roots are gray to black in color, these are telltale signs of root rot. 

Cause: Root rot is caused by fungus and is a serious problem for your Air Plant. Root rot is a result of not letting your Air Plant air dry immediately. 

Solution: When your Air Plant is afflicted with root rot the chance of survival is slim. Your best course of action is to throw your Air Plant out and start over with a new plant. This time make sure to let your Air Plant air dry. Air dry your Air Plant upside down so water does not accumulate on the roots. 

Tip of Leaves of Your Air Plant Turning Brown

Problem: The tips of the leaves of your Air Plant plant are turning brown. 

Cause: When the tips of the leaves of your Air Plant turn brown that is a result of not enough water or humidity. The tips of the leaves are turning brown because they are dying. 

Solution: Water your Air Plant and increase humidity by watering your Air Plant. Just make sure to let your Air Plant completely air dry so it does not suffer from root rot.

Facts About Air Plant 

Name	Air Plant
Scientific Name	Tillandsia species
Light	Bright, Filtered Light
Daytime Temperature	70 to 80 F (21-26C)
Night Time Temperature	60 to 70 F (15-21C)
Water	Moderate Water
Humidity	Low Humidity
Potting	For Pink Quill, you will need an organic, potting mix for orchid
Fertilizer	Spray once a month at half strength during the growing season

Air Plant Facts

Air Plant: Frequently Asked Questions

What are Other Names of Air Plant?

Air Plant (Tillandsia species) is also called Sky Plant.

Air Plant: Varieties 

Popular Air Plant varieties are Tillandsia cyanea, Mesic Tillandsia and Xeric Tillandsia. Tillandia cyanea variety can be found in pots. 

How Can You Tell When It’s Time to Water Your Air Plant?

You can either spray your Air Plant or submerge your Air Plant in water. If you spray your Air Plant, spray the entire plant with distilled water twice a week. You can also submerge your Air Plant in water once every 2 weeks for 2 hours.

If you have Xeric Tillandsia, the preferred method is the spray it with water twice a week, since it is native to more arid conditions. While if you have Mesic Tillandsia, you can do the submerging method. Make sure you let your Air Plant completely dry out within 4 hours. The best way to dry is to leave it upside down so water does not get accumulated at the roots which can cause root rot. 

Can You Use Cold Water When Watering Your Air Plant?

Your Air Plant can’t be watered with tap water. Your Air Plant is too sensitive to the chemicals in the water. Use distilled water or filtered rainwater for your Air Plant. Keep the water temperature comfortable so it’s not too cold and not too hot.

What Fertilizer Should You Use for Your Air Plant?

Use a balanced liquid fertilizer on your Air Plant. Dilute the fertilizer to half strength.

How Do You Propagate Your Air Plant?

Your Air Plant is easy to propagate. You can propagate your  Air Plant by dividing the pups.

Below are steps on how to propagate Air Plant by dividing its pups.
1. Separate the pups after the mother plant has died
2. Attach the pups
Position the pups to where you want to attach them to. Gently secure the pups with wire. If there are any roots, you can wrap the roots with a little moist sphagnum moss.

You May Also Be Interested In:

How to Take Care of Ponytail Palm (Infographic)

How to Take Care of ZZ Plant (Infographic)

How to Take Care of Rubber Tree indoors (Infographic)

How to Take Care of Nerve Plants (Infographic)

How to Take Care of Monstera Plant (Infographic)

About Suburbs 101

Suburbs 101 is an insider’s guide to suburban Living. Get the inside scoop on what it’s really like to live in the suburbs through our interviews with local suburbanites and features on Food, Fashion, Home, Garden, Travel, Pets and Local Events. Be sure to Follow Us on Instagram, Like Us on Facebook and subscribe to our Monthly Newsletter.

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Originally Appeared Here

How protected is your home from dangerous toxins? “Chemicals can come out of our products and end up in the air and dust in the home, where they can enter your body,” says Dr. Ami Zota, environmental and public health expert at George Washington University. Here are five things you should never have in your home, according to experts. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.

Shutterstock

Phthalates are a group of chemicals used to make plastics and have been shown to cause possible reproductive health and developmental problems in animals. Although phthalates have to be listed on product labels, they can be omitted if listed as ‘fragrance.’ “Many hundreds of chemicals can be classified as fragrance,” says Dr. Heather Patisaul, a neuroscience and toxicology expert at North Carolina State University. “So when you use a cleaner with a scent, it probably has some phthalates in it—even though the label doesn’t specifically say phthalates.”

 

BPA—or bisphenol A—is a chemical shown to pose significant harm in animals and is a serious cause for concern in humans. “At minimum, we want to reduce our exposure, whether it’s from the water cooler bottle or the lining in a can of food,” says Russ Hauser, MPH ’90, ScD ’94, professor of environmental and occupational epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health. “It’s not like there’s a single-point source. With bisphenol A, we have literally hundreds of different sources of exposure. If you avoid the water cooler, you probably get it from other sources —food from a can, soda from a can, dental composites.”

Shutterstock

Poisonous lead is commonly found in paint, affecting millions of people—including children—every year. “New cases of childhood lead paint poisoning are diagnosed every year. Many more could go unreported,” says the EPA. “Recent research shows that new cases can be directly linked to renovations where the work environment was inadequately contained. Adults exposed to lead paint can suffer from high blood pressure, headaches, dizziness, diminished motor skills, fatigue and memory loss. Even small levels of exposure to lead paint can harm adults.”

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Recent research shows that people who eat a traditional Mediterranean diet high in fruits and vegetables are tripling their exposure to pesticides, if the food is not organic. “Many of the synthetic pesticides detected in both food and urine samples in this study are confirmed or suspected endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC),” says study co-author Carlo Leifert, Ph.D. “The 10 times higher pesticide exposure from conventional foods may therefore provide a mechanistic explanation for the lower incidence of overweight/obesity, metabolic syndrome and cancer associated with high levels of organic food consumption in epidemiological/cohort studies.”6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

Shutterstock

Air fresheners—even the ones purporting to be clean and organic—can emit potentially dangerous chemicals into your home. “Air fresheners can impact indoor air quality by adding potentially hazardous pollutants to the air,” warns the University of Massachusetts Amherst. “The use of air fresheners is associated with elevated levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, and xylenes, in indoor air. These VOCs are often difficult to smell in the air, but they can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat, as well as cause headaches and nausea. The types and amounts of VOCs emitted depend primarily on the fragrance composition of the air freshener, not on the type of air freshener. It can be difficult or impossible to find out the ingredients in air fresheners, because manufacturers are not required to disclose the complete list of ingredients.”

Ferozan Mast

Ferozan Mast is a science, health and wellness writer with a passion for making science and research-backed information accessible to a general audience. Read more

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After an extensive environmental study, The New Bedford Housing Authority added UV Angel Clean Air™ units to the Boa Vista Tower to make community activities safer for residents.

NEW BEDFORD, Mass., May 16, 2022–(BUSINESS WIRE)–UV Angel, a health and technology company that harnesses the power of Upper-Room Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) to make environments measurably safer, today announced the installation of UV Angel Clean Air™ units at the New Bedford Housing Authority’s (NBHA) Boa Vista Tower for senior residents. The NBHA, like many other housing facilities, has been impacted by COVID-19. In order to resume community activities and social gatherings that support a higher quality of life for senior residents, NBHA installed UV Angel Clean Air units in many high traffic and shared spaces including hallways, lobbies, staff office areas, conference rooms, laundry rooms and stairwells.

An environmental study was performed at the NBHA to demonstrate the efficacy of UV Angel Clean Air technology, which included extensive pre-installation and post installation environmental testing. The results from third-party independent laboratories reported that UV Angel Clean Air units eliminated 88% of air bacteria within the communal areas. Another dramatic improvement to NBHA environmental testing results showed that by cleaning the air, the UV Angel technology also reduced bacterial contamination on surfaces by 83% without adding any chemicals to the environment. These results and the efficacy of this flagship installation with the NBHA will influence the organization’s strategic plans, ensuring this technology is prioritized in the budgets for future housing projects in the years to come, particularly those built for elderly residents.

Engineered to continuously clean the air and safely operate in occupied spaces with no chemicals or harmful by-products, the UV Angel Clean Air Upper-Room UVGI technology seamlessly integrates a patented control platform into the room ceiling space. Studies show that as people talk, sing, laugh and breathe; the heat generated from their bodies and breath rises, carrying expelled germs such as viruses and bacteria toward the ceiling. Operating completely independent of existing building HVAC, the automated system runs quietly and continuously 24×7/365 by actively pulling room air into a sealed UVGI infection control chamber, where viruses, bacteria, and fungi (mold) are killed up to 99.99%. Once treated, the clean air is safely returned to the room, providing a cleaner, safer, and healthier environment.

UVGI, as a technology platform, is recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), and was strongly recommended by the White House during a March 29th briefing on COVID-19 and clean indoor air. The White House stated that COVID-19 is airborne and measures must be taken to protect people and prevent transmission indoors, and upper-room UVGI is an effective added protective measure against viruses, bacteria and fungi (mold). This is an important step for everyone, but is especially important when protecting vulnerable populations like seniors.

Story continues

The New Bedford Housing Authority (NBHA) is committed to providing affordable housing to community members. The COVID-19 pandemic presented the NBHA with the challenge of keeping residents, visitors, and staff members safe while maintaining standard services. UV Angel’s technology presented a solution, enabling NBHA to re-establish a sense of community by creating a cleaner, safer and healthier environment for activities and gatherings.

“Our passion at UV Angel is to deliver leading technology based in science to improve public health, and we are proud to enable a safer living environment for Boa Vista Tower residents.” said Dr. Linda Lee, MBA, CIC, Chief Medical Affairs and Science Officer of UV Angel. “We believe that partnering with the New Bedford Housing Authority and using our technology will further support the organization in future housing project plans to ensure residents continuously have cleaner, safer environments in which to live and socialize.”

“The installation of the UV Angel Clean Air treatment systems have made a huge impact on the quality of life for Boa Vista Tower residents,” said Steven Beauregard, Executive Director of NBHA. “The residents can now partake in more fulfilling community-based activities with peace of mind, knowing that the air is being treated in addition to rigorous cleaning processes throughout the building.”

About UV Angel
Designed to meet stringent healthcare standards, UV Angel’s revolutionary technology was initially developed in 2014 to serve hospitals and healthcare facilities and prevent infections. Today, many industries, along with healthcare, are benefiting from our technology, including senior living, restaurants, retail, government, education, and many more. The company uses years of advanced research and development in ultraviolet light and digital IoT platforms to help make the environments around us cleaner and safer. Automated, patented, and proven safe, UV Angel leverages Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) technology to monitor and clean the air we breathe and surfaces we touch. Complemented by a proprietary data analytics platform that delivers critical insights and strategic advantages, UV Angel helps ensure the spaces where we live, eat, and work are measurably safer. To learn more, visit www.uvangel.com.

About the New Bedford Housing Authority
The New Bedford Housing Authority (NBHA) is the public housing authority for the city of New Bedford. Founded in 1938, NBHA continues to be an integral part of the fabric of the city. With close to 1,650 federal public housing units and 850 state-aided units, NBHA services over 6,000 individuals by providing safe, well maintained, and affordable housing units. In addition, NBHA administers nearly 1,800 federally-funded rental vouchers through HUD’s Voucher Choice Program. This allows us to provide rental assistance payments to landlords to assist another 3,300 men, women, and children in securing affordable housing. We work to develop, acquire, operate, and lease out affordable housing options for our residents who have limited incomes.

The funding for NBHA primarily comes from the federal government through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), and the collection of resident rents.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220516005030/en/

Contacts

UV Angel Media Contact
Molly Walsh
[email protected]
(617) 599-4242

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How are sensors involved in the Clean Air in Buildings Challenge?

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