Sometimes even our homes can also be a source of air pollution. This may be because we live in a polluted city, near a busy street, or a factory. Either way, there are plenty of toxic particles in such air that you don’t want to breathe in. Even if you keep your house spanking clean, there are still chemicals and dust particles floating around. Some more dangerous than others. But instead of throwing a ton of money on expensive machines to purify the air, you can opt out for beautiful plants. Bring life into your home that not only looks pretty, but also does a great job at keeping the air clean. Some scientists suggest that adding effective air purifying plants to your home can help clear and detoxify the air. So, let’s take a look at what flora we should try to have in our living space.

Invest in air purifying plants 

Having indoor air purifying plants is a great solution if you’re worried about air pollution and rising CO2 levels. They add a nice colorful, fresh touch to your living space, and they get the job done. Plant’s also help boost moods, productivity levels and better sleep quality! However, keep in mind that if you have a furry friend at home, it’s best to check beforehand if the plant is pet-friendly.

Plants add a nice colorful, fresh touch to your living space

Spider Plant

Spider plants are amazing. They are one of the easiest plants to grow and maintain. Not only that, but they are champions when it comes to getting rid of toxins within the air. So, if you’re not great at keeping your plants alive, but want some greenery to help purify the air and look cool, this plant is the one for you. All they need is some indirect sunlight and a bit of water.

Spider plants are easy to maintain

Pineapple Plant

According to scientist at NASA, pineapple plants are incredible for producing oxygen and boosting the quality of air. Consequently, this may improve sleep quality. And, just like the spider plant, you don’t need to be a remarkable gardener to keep it alive. Pineapple plants are super hardy. They even require very little water. However, keep in mind that they don’t do well in the cold.

You can grow your own pineapple plant at home

English Ivy

Another easy growing plant. This vine is very effective when it comes to reducing any airborne fecal particles. This makes it amazing for purifying the air in the bathroom or the kitty litter. Not only that, but some studies suggest that English ivy also combats mold. This beautiful plant needs around four hours of sunlight and a good amount of water. While you may have seen it crawling on walls outside, this plant also enjoys being in a plant and actually prefers if it’s crowded.

This vine is very effective when it comes to reducing any airborne fecal particles

Weeping Fig

This ficus is native to the southeast parts of Asia. These plants can grow super tall, so they will need a big pot. There are great at removing particles such as formaldehyde and xylene, which are two chemicals you wouldn’t want to have in your air. Keep this plant in bright, direct sunlight and make sure to water it weekly. It’s best if you let it dry out completely in between watering.

Weeping figs can grow super tall, so they will need a big pot

Flamingo Lily

If you want to add some color to your collection of air purifying plants, make sure to add the flamingo lily. This beautiful plant has a bright red, pink color and is great if you are a plant beginner. It does wonder for the air, and it’s easy to take care of. Just make sure to keep it in bright, indirect sunlight and to water it one to two times per week. This plant also does fine in humid rooms, such as the bathroom.

This beautiful plant has a bright red, pink color

Gerbera Daisy

These beautiful flowers were one of NASA’s highly rated air purifiers. Just having them in your house for a day can improve the quality of the air significantly. It removes all kinds of particles such as benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene. Benzene is known as a strong carcinogen that suppresses bone marrow.  There are plenty of colors to choose from, and they are generally easy to take care of. Just place them somewhere they can get enough natural light and keep the soil well-drained, but moist.

These beautiful flowers were one of NASA’s highly rated air purifiers

Snake Plant

Another great plant for a good night’s sleep and clean air. Plus, it looks super cool. Snake plant is also called as Mother-in-Law’s tongue and is a succulent. This plant releases clean oxygen primarily at night and is amazing at filtering harmful toxins out of the air. Just like the weeping fig, this plant also grows tall and is quite low maintenance to look after. All you really need to mind is to not overwater it and to keep it in a sunny spot for a couple of hours a day.

Snake plant is also known as Mother-in-Law’s tongue and is a succulent.

Aloe Vera

Ah, what isn’t aloe vera good for?! It has astounding anti-inflammatory benefits, it’s great for acne, incredible at healing burn and repairing wound. And as you guessed it, it’s also a champion when it comes to purifying air. All this green plant needs is a nice sunny and warm spot to sit, and it will thrive. If you notice any brown spots on the leaves, it means that there is an extreme amount of chemicals in the air.

Aloe vera has many amazing properties and benefits 

Devil’s Ivy

This type of Ivy also carries the name photos. It’s super easy to grow, adds some delightful color to the room, and it’s great at managing common household toxins. What more could you want from a plant? It also does well in hanging baskets, pots, and even in just water! They can basically thrive pretty much anywhere. However, they do like their sunny spots. You can also put this plant in the bathroom as it’s fine with moisture. Devil’s ivy is a great choice if you want cleaner air, but aren’t the best with handling plants.

Devil’s ivy is easy to grow and it’s great at managing common household toxins

Heartleaf Philodendron

Oh, what a beauty. The heart-shaped, glossy green leaves of this plant are a stunning addition to any plant owner’s collection. They only need indirect sunlight and need to be watered every one to two weeks. It’s best if you let the soil dry out in between watering. If you decide to put this plant in a sunnier spot, keep in mind that it will need more water. However, this beautiful air purifying plant is toxic to pets, so it’s best to skip this one if you have furry friends at home.

This heart-shaped, glossy green leaved plant is a great addition to any plant owner’s collection

Florist’s Daisy

This colorful flora has many names – pot mum, florist’s mum and so on. This beautiful daisy is thought to be one of the best plants when it comes to purifying air at home according to NASA. You can easily find this flower at most flower shops, and it requires just some love to thrive. Leave it in a sunny spot for around four hours a day and make sure to water them regularly.

This colorful flora has many names and comes in many colors

Clivia

If you want to bring some color into your home, then this is the plant for you. And they are super tough to kill, so if you are a plant newbie, don’t worry. The clivia is amazing at keeping the air nice and clean, it also brings  the most beautiful red and orange blooms to your home. Keep this plant in a pleasant bright spot of indirect sunlight, as if you leave it straight into the sun it may burn.

Clivia is super tough to kill

Bromeliad

This colorful, fun-shaped plant is great for purifying the air. And bonus, it’s also safe for pets! The bromeliad last really long, so you’ll always have a pop of color. This plant loves moisture and also does great in humid environments. Just make sure this little plant also has some water but isn’t too soggy and keep it in a bright place of indirect light.

This colorful, fun-shaped plant is great for purifying the air

Those were just some air purifying plants you can add to your home. There are plenty of cool plants you can pick from based on what you prefer. However, you may need quite a bunch of them in order to truly improve air quality. According to NASA, you will need at least ten plants per square foot of the space. And while that may seem like a lot, when you take into account all the amazing health benefits you get plus the beautiful aesthetics, it’s easy to see why it’s worth investing.

According to NASA, you will need at least ten plants per square foot of the space

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IRELAND: Johnson Controls has opened an OpenBlue Innovation Centre in its global HQ at One Albert Quay, Cork, Ireland.

OpenBlue is Johnson Controls cutting-edge technology suite of connected AI solutions and services for operational energy efficiency, occupant comfort and sustainability.

The OpenBlue Innovation Centre aims to create a future-ready built environment for both local and global customers and is part of an international network of OpenBlue Innovation Centres which Johnson Controls says is working to pioneer new ways to provide smart, healthy and sustainable spaces for customers.

“This centre will serve as our regional centre of excellence to bring clients to see Johnson Controls’ latest cutting-edge innovations on how to solve for net zero,” announced Tomas Brannemo, vice president and president, Building Solutions EMEALA at Johnson Controls.

Fitted with the most advanced Johnson Controls building technology solutions, the OpenBlue Innovation Centre will serve as a showcase of the latest and most innovative solutions from the company in a live environment. 

The research and development grant Johnson Controls received from the Irish government will support engineering activities at the centre, including developing a professional services hub for the Europe, Middle East, Africa and Latin America region over a two-year period. 

Johnson Controls’ research and development presence has grown substantially in recent years and it is expected that 18 new research and development roles will be created as a result of the OpenBlue Innovation Centre, in addition to 40 roles already in place working on the next generation solutions for Johnson Controls and its customers.

Research and development at the OpenBlue Innovation Centre will focus on the global priority to reduce carbon emissions in the building sector, which currently accounts for nearly 40% of global annual CO2 emissions.

“Our partnership with the Irish government through IDA Ireland shows how governments and industry can drive real change. The financial support will allow us to increase our headcount, which will contribute not only to the local economy, but also to the development of our OpenBlue net zero solutions globally to have a positive impact on climate change,” said Eamonn Hughes, vice president and general manager, Digital Solutions EMEALA at Johnson Controls.

Welcoming the investment, IDA Ireland’s Head of Engineering and Green Economy, Eileen Sharpe added: “IDA Ireland is committed to supporting the work of world class companies such as Johnson Controls to utilise the latest developments in AI, Data Analytics and Cloud Architecture to build new technologies to enable a more sustainable world. This is a most welcome investment for Cork and for Ireland and is in line with our strategy aim to develop Ireland as a leading location for Sustainability Engineering solutions.”

Related stories:

Indoor air quality as a service – 18 January 2022
USA: Johnson Controls has launched its OpenBlue Indoor Air Quality solution as a Service for buildings, by delivering energy-efficient, clean air outcomes with an innovative financing model. Read more… 

Johnson Controls acquires edge AI software – 13 January 2022
USA: Johnson Controls has completed the acquisition of FogHorn, a California-based developer of edge AI software for the industrial and commercial IoT solutions. Read more…

AI solution drives clean air, energy and comfort – 26 October 2021
IRELAND: Johnson Controls has introduced what it claims is an industry-first, AI driven, all-in-one, digital solution to manage clean air, energy, sustainability, comfort and cost in buildings. Read more…

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Originally Appeared Here

Annihilare Awarded Certified Green Product Designation For Its Green Cleaners Made From Water, Salt, And Electricity

BOSTON , May 12, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — 53% of cleaning products contain ingredients that can harm lungs. This can create an environment where indoor air can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air. That’s where green chemistry pioneers Annihilare are taking an advanced green clean approach to cleaning restaurants in a safe and effective way. 

The Green Restaurant Association is proud to announce the following Annihilare products as Certified Green Products:

Certified Green

A New Generation of Clean

Cleaning Products:

• Annihilare FREE (Catholyte Degreaser)
• AOS-500
• Annihilyte
• AOS-Mini

Annihilare promotes this healthy environment for all people with their cutting-edge infection prevention technology, including EPA-registered disinfectants, on-site generation technology and state of the art facilities management tools. All Annihilare’s Certified Green Products are made from water, salt, and electricity.

“The restaurant industry has an enormous impact on our environment. We applaud Annihilare for producing these Certified Green Products that are safe to use anywhere and lower restaurants’ environmental impact,” says Michael Oshman, CEO and Founder of the Green Restaurant Association.

Annihilare’s products can earn a restaurant 4 GreenPoints™ towards becoming a Certified Green Restaurant®.

From Marty Paris, Founder and CEO of Annihilare, “With the launch of the AoS-Mini in late 2021, Annihilare now offers traditional ready to use bottled products and a smaller on-site generation system.  Both delivery methods in combination with earning GreenPoints™ perfectly positions restaurants with more effective, safer, and greener chemistry for everyday use.”

About the Green Restaurant Association
The Green Restaurant Association is a national non-profit organization that provides the only official Certified Green Restaurants® mark in the country. Since 1990, the GRA has pioneered the Green Restaurant® movement and has been the leading voice within the industry encouraging restaurants to listen to consumer demand to green their operations using transparent, science-based certification standards. With their turnkey certification system, the GRA has made it easy for thousands of restaurants to become more environmentally sustainable in a profitable manner. The GRA has been featured on CNN, NBC Nightly News, NPR, and in The New York Times, and The Washington Post. For more information visit www.dinegreen.com.

About Annihilare
Annihilare provides a comprehensive approach in fighting germs, while improving indoor air quality. In these challenging times, being able to clean and disinfect safely and more often has never been more important. Visit https://www.annihilare.com to learn more about this unique approach to the sustainable infection prevention.

Contact:
Andrea Marcotte
Green Restaurant Association
P: (617) 737-4425
[email protected]

Bill Bath 
Annihilare
P: 855.545.5677
[email protected]

SOURCE Green Restaurant Association; Annihilare

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Originally Appeared Here

To keep the indoor air environment cool and comfortable, boatmen invest in boat air conditioners in Stuart and Miami, Florida.

This press release was orginally distributed by ReleaseWire

Ft. Lauderdale, FL — (ReleaseWire) — 05/12/2022 — Owning a boat is a significant investment for those living in Stuart and Miami, Florida. There’s nothing like experiencing the scenic beauty of the ocean, and this can be possible only by owning a boat.

Considering the Florida heat, pulling out into the sea without a sufficient cooling unit can be risky. In other words, installing an air conditioner on the boat or yacht is necessary. Investing in a boat air conditioner in Stuart and Miami, Florida comes with a share of benefits.

The most overriding reason boat owners invest in a boat air conditioner is its functionality. Florida is known for its hot temperature. The temperature might reach up to real high degrees in the ocean in the summer. Getting exposed to direct sunlight can make the trip uncomfortable. Having an air conditioner installed in the boat will protect boatmen from the terrible heat, making the ride enjoyable and comfortable.

Beard Marine is a leading company offering marine air conditioning and self-contained AC units. Their product portfolio includes a range of units, such as D/X Self-Contained Units, D/X Split-Gas Systems, Chilled Water Systems, Cabin Controls, Chilled Water Controls, and more.

An installation of a boat air conditioner increases the boat’s value, making the yacht or small fishing boat more comfortable and enjoyable. Besides, it turns out to be a great piece of real estate for potential buyers.

For boat owners who are thinking of selling the boat or considering it a potential option in the future, having a boat air conditioner installed is the best way to preserve the value of the investment.

Boat air conditioners make use of available resources to cool the interior air of the boat and provide comfort, thanks to options for entirely self-contained and portable systems. Certain units come equipped with water cooling, whereas others feature radiators. Irrespective of what system is installed, boat AC will not use excessive energy detrimental to the environment.

For more information on marine air conditioning in Stuart and Jupiter, Florida, visit http://beardmarine.com/.

Call Fort Lauderdale, FL – (954) 463.2288 Palm Beach, FL – (561) 881.9598 Savannah, GA – (912) 356.5222.

About The Beard Marine Group
Founded in 1981 by Larry and Dean Beard, The Beard Marine Group has grown from just one small office in Fort Lauderdale to four offices in three cities. They are the most extensive marine air conditioning, watermaker, and refrigeration sales and service Company in the Southeastern United States, with offices in Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach, Florida, and Savannah, Georgia.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/beard-marine-offers-boat-air-conditioner-in-stuart-and-miami-florida-1357292.htm

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Originally Appeared Here

First published MAY 12, 2022
Updated 1 hour ago

Marc Daalder

Marc Daalder is a senior political reporter based in Wellington who covers Covid-19, climate change, energy, primary industries, technology and the far-right. Twitter: @marcdaalder.

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Covid-19

The Green Party says provisions in the Building Code to prevent the spread of viruses should be strengthened or enforced in light of Covid-19, Marc Daalder reports

With almost all Covid-19 restrictions repealed under the Orange setting, experts now say that ventilation is one of the few remaining tools to slow virus transmission.

Improving indoor air quality through filtering out harmful particles or ventilating spaces with fresh air is a mainstay of infection control. While other countries have been tackling Covid-19 as an airborne virus since 2020, New Zealand’s first approach to air quality came at the start of last year.

Then, transmission between rooms in the Pullman managed isolation facility in Auckland saw an overhaul of ventilation across the MIQ system. Experts at the time called for that approach to spread to other cramped, indoor venues, but that hasn’t happened.

“We’ve seen in the MIQ facilities that hotel rooms aren’t necessarily suitable for having people who are infectious in them. They’re not designed for the ventilation and things,” University of Otago public health expert Julie Bennett told Newsroom in November.

“It goes for all buildings that we need to be really considering what kind of systems we’re going to be putting in these buildings and how are we going to keep them warm. That might take us to a different way of building and a higher set of standards to get the outcomes that we’re after.”

The Building Code is updated every year, but no changes to the virus-related provisions in the standards were proposed as part of the latest revamp. The Green Party says the code needs to be strengthened or better enforced, because so few buildings have Covid-safe ventilation, while Building and Construction Minister Poto Williams says regulations aren’t the answer to this problem.

One section of the code specifically requires buildings to “have a means of collecting or otherwise removing the following products from the spaces in which they are generated”, including “bacteria, viruses or other pathogens”.

“There is a pathway to do it,” Greens Covid-19 spokesperson Teanau Tuiono said. However, it doesn’t seem to have made a difference in getting building owners to take Covid-19 into account.

“I just want them to [improve ventilation]. If this is not going to make them do it, then of course we need to find something that’s more stringent. But if I read it, it looks like there’s enough there for them to get on with it.”

Williams, in a statement to Newsroom, said the code was up to scratch but not the right tool for the job.

“The Building Code cannot prevent Covid-19 infections on its own. The Building Code applies to new building work only and sets minimum requirements for buildings to provide adequate outdoor air to maintain air purity,” she said.

“The most significant reduction in transmission risk is achieved when several Covid-19 measures are used together, including vaccinations, masks, social distancing, good hygiene practices, and getting plenty of fresh air.”

While experts have called for a major retrofit of buildings across the country, Williams said this isn’t on the cards.

“Most building ventilation designs were never intended or designed to cope with a Covid transmission scenario and it is not expected for existing ventilation systems to be retrofitted,” she said.

“The best strategy is to ventilate as much as is practicable, and where natural ventilation solutions are used, purge the air by opening windows to bring in new fresh air. Fresh air increases the dilution of any aerosol content reducing the risk of contamination.”

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Originally Appeared Here

Daikin Industries, Ltd. recently invested in Wlab Ltd., a startup company based in London, United Kingdom.

Wlab Ltd. also known as Sensio Air, is a company that provides sensors to detect and identify airborne allergens by type, monitoring them in real-time using AI and IoT technologies, along with software applications for users. Daikin has been collaborating with Wlab since 2018 to create air conditioning business solutions that can realize safety and reliability in indoor air quality and air environments.

Since the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, people have been spending more time indoors, and their interest in indoor air quality including allergens such as pollen, mites, pet dander and mold has grown significantly. Consequently, air quality monitoring and management has become increasingly more important. Recognizing this, Daikin aims to leverage Wlab’s technologies for 24-hour monitoring of allergens with its own air conditioning products to generate even greater value with air.

In its strategic management plan FUSION 25, Daikin established its growth strategy themes of ‘Promotion of Solutions business connected with customers’ and ‘Creating value with air.’ Through joint development with partner companies that include customers and startups, the company is striving to create new value with air by strengthening the creation of safe and reliable air environments that combine technologies such as indoor air quality diagnostics, ventilation, and disinfection. With this investment, Daikin aims to further solidify its collaboration with Wlab and accelerate the creation of a new air conditioning solutions business.

Additionally, through the CVC Office in the Technology and Innovation Center established in November 2019 as an organization to promote collaborations with startup companies, Daikin set aside a fund of 11 billion yen for investments in a five-year period extending until 2024 and has already invested roughly 3 billion yen in over 10 companies. Daikin will continue to build strong relationships in the future with new partners around the world in a variety of fields and fast-track open innovation initiatives.

About Wlab

Based in London and Silicon Valley, Wlab Ltd. is a company that provides sensors to detect indoor allergens including pollen, mold, pet dander and mites in real-time together with applications that identify the detected allergens and provide users information that helps remediation. Currently, it has expanded its business with a focus primarily on North America and Europe and offers an allergen analysis service of living environments that utilizes environmental measurement with smart devices.

Contact:

WEB: https://www.northamerica-daikin.com

(C) 2022 Electronic News Publishing, source ENP Newswire

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Originally Appeared Here

Dr. Deborah Birx Will Keynote Inaugural GBAC Symposium

Dr. Deborah Birx will be the keynote speaker at the GBAC Symposium on Air Considerations, to be held August 16-17 in Chicago.

Dr. Deborah Birx, world-renowned medical physician, infectious disease expert, and diplomat, will be the keynote speaker at the GBAC Symposium on Air Considerations, August 16-17, at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. The Global Biorisk Advisory Council™, (GBAC), a Division of ISSA, will bring together scientists and industry thought leaders to share innovations and best practices for improving indoor air quality (IAQ) in nonhealthcare settings for the inaugural GBAC Symposium.

“The GBAC Symposium is our next step in driving innovation and advancement to make our world safer,” said GBAC Senior Director Michael Diamond. “This event will bring together environmental safety and infectious disease experts such as Dr. Birx and organizations to discuss real solutions for public health concerns.”

Dr. Deborah Birx

Dr. Birx is a medical physician and expert on HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases who served as a special representative for global health diplomacy. Most recently, she served on the White House Coronavirus Task Force from March 2020 to January 2021. Her three-decade-long career has focused on HIV/AIDS immunology, vaccine research, and global health.

As the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator for U.S Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump, Dr. Birx oversaw the implementation of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the largest commitment by any nation to combat a single disease in history. She also oversaw U.S. government engagement with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria. Serving as the U.S. Special Representative for Global Health Diplomacy, she aligned the U.S. government’s diplomacy with foreign assistance programs that address global health challenges and accelerate progress toward achieving an AIDS-free generation; ending preventable child and maternal deaths; and preventing, detecting, and responding to infectious disease threats.

The event will also include a presentation from Dr. John McKeon, medical entrepreneur and CEO of Allergy Standards Ltd (ASL), an international standards and certification body. As the founder of ASL, McKeon leads a portfolio of patent and trademark applications, licensing agreements, and equity investments. In addition to involvement in several successful healthcare-related ventures, McKeon is an Adjunct Professor in the Centre for Practice and Healthcare Innovation and a decorated doctor and expert in life sciences, biotechnology, and healthcare business.

The GBAC Symposium speaker lineup will also feature:

Chicago skyline. (Photo: Adobe Stock by Iuliia Sokolovska)

• Poppy Co-CEO Elizabeth (EC) Caley
• Environmental and architectural engineering expert Mark Hernandez, Ph.D.
• Environmental infection prevention expert John LaRochelle
• Infectious disease scientist John Lowe, Ph.D.
• Biorisk expert Dr. Paul Meechan
• GBAC Executive Director Patricia Olinger
• Biorisk International Executive Director Stefan Wagener, Ph.D.

These thought leaders will share insights and strategies for improving indoor air quality in schools, offices, restaurants, gyms, and other nonhealthcare settings during a pandemic and beyond.

Click here for more FM Alert news items.

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A new phase of the pandemic. A lull between waves. A time of reflection.

Scientists, politicians and public health leaders have spent the past few months using these phrases to describe where Washington stands in the battle against COVID-19. Now case rates are increasing once again, despite many people in recent weeks inching — or lunging — back toward pre-pandemic norms.

Public transit is often crowded, restaurants and bars packed again. Last week, a record crowd of more than 68,000 (mostly unmasked) Sounders fans packed into Lumen Field for a championship game.

But shifting public health guidance, the emergence of new variants and continued strain on hospitals has made it difficult for many to gauge their personal and community risk, leaving Washingtonians to wonder: Is this a new phase of the pandemic?

“There’s a lot of uncertainty now,” said Renee Magnan, an associate professor of social and health psychology at Washington State University. “We’ve all heard of pandemic fatigue. People are really tired of having to do the things. … And I can see that there’s frustration with how quickly, in some ways, recommendations have been changing.”

Even when faced with frustration and fatigue, though, it’s hard to ignore the latest COVID trends, said Dr. Josh Schiffer, a vaccine and infectious diseases professor at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

“I can very much understand why people feel confused,” he said. “There’s a high incidence of cases, yet we’re not measuring cases with as much precision or care as we did before. It’s certainly a bit unsettling.”

Where we are headed next is impossible to say. There is some hope in the recent numbers. The state recently recorded its lowest ever seven-day COVID death rate since the pandemic began, at 0.2 deaths per 100,000 residents, which translates to 16 deaths per 100,000 over seven days.

In March, Schiffer likened the end of indoor mask mandates to a “natural experiment.” One effect of how the experiment is playing out, it seems, is a persistent uneasiness in everyday life.

Recent trends

When Gov. Jay Inslee in February announced his plan to end indoor mask mandates, he said he was waiting for a state average of 5 COVID hospitalizations per 100,000 people — a threshold Washington met the first week of March.

By early April, the state’s COVID hospitalization rate had fallen to about 1.9 per 100,000 over seven days. Since then, however, hospitalizations have slowly climbed back up, hitting about 4.5 hospitalizations per 100,000 at the end of April.

The levels are low in comparison to past surges, but state hospital leaders are “definitely concerned,” Beth Zborowski, spokesperson for the Washington State Hospital Association, said last week.

“The entire health care system remains fragile,” Zborowski said. “We still have staffing shortages and people are seeking care for things they’ve delayed. We’re encouraging people to follow public health guidance to slow the spread of this wave by wearing well-fitting masks indoors or to move gatherings outdoors if possible.”

Infections also continue to increase throughout the state.

Washington is averaging about 185 daily infections per 100,000 — or about 2,019 cases per day — far below its omicron peak of about 1,817 cases per 100,000 and at about half its delta peak last summer, about 333 cases per 100,000.

King County is recording an average of 1,000-plus new infections per day, a count that’s tripled since the start of April. The record-breaking winter surge of omicron cases still dwarfs current infection levels, according to the county’s data dashboard, but cases have passed the peak of the county’s delta wave last summer, which had a seven-day average of about 630 daily infections in late August.

The increase was anticipated, King County health officer Dr. Jeff Duchin said last month, and is a sign to slow down on rolling back prevention measures. Still, the county has no plans to return to mandatory masking at this point.

“As always, it’s difficult to predict the extent and severity of future surges,” Duchin said in a statement Wednesday.

Cases are picking up elsewhere, too. Snohomish County last week joined Whatcom County in moving from a category of “low” community transmission risk to “medium” community risk, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In a news conference, Snohomish County’s top health officer, Dr. Chris Spitters, recommended increased COVID preventions for all residents, including consistent use of face masks, which are now “strongly recommended,” he said.

King County also falls into the medium-risk category, while Pierce remains at the low-risk level.

Deaths statewide remain relatively low compared to the seven-day death rates of about 5.5 per 100,000 in January and 4 per 100,000 last summer.

New variants

Omicron and its subvariants continue to make up the vast majority of virus circulating in Washington.

While the initial omicron strain sped through the state, shocking health experts by leading to unprecedented case and hospitalization numbers in a matter of weeks, the subvariants that emerged in different parts of the world since then have spread at a much slower pace in Washington.

Omicron’s BA.2 subvariant remains dominant, after outpacing the initial strain in recent months — a reminder that new variants continue to emerge and surpass previous ones, which virologists expect as the virus evolves.

BA.2 currently makes up about 93% to 96% of circulating variants, while its sublineage, BA.2.12.1, accounts for about 2 to 4%, according to the state Department of Health’s (DOH) weekly sequencing report. Other omicron lineages (ones not classified as variants of concern or variants being monitored) make up about 1.4%.

Scientists noticed BA.2.12.1 first start picking up in New York and Massachusetts and is estimated to be about 25% more transmissible than BA.2.

Two other omicron subvariants, BA.4 and BA.5, which have caused spikes in South Africa, are also circulating at low levels in the United States, The New York Times reported last week. Neither is a current concern in Washington.

Although omicron’s subvariants appear to be more infectious, which would help explain the recent change in case trends, the illness they cause seems less severe, according to public health officials.

“It’s fairly unsettling how quickly this version of omicron evolved to be even more contagious than the last version, and it’s next to impossible to say when that will end and what that will look like,” Schiffer said.

Trevor Bedford, a leading infectious disease scientist in Seattle who has tracked the virus’s genome since the pandemic began, said in a webinar last month that he generally expects future viral evolution to occur in a gradual accumulation of mutations, similar to influenza viruses.

Some predictions aren’t yet clear, however, and Bedford added that more targeted experiments are needed.

Ongoing prevention

Despite changing state requirements, general safety recommendations have largely stayed the same: Get vaccinated and boosted, wear masks in crowded settings, improve indoor air ventilation and get tested before gatherings.

Washington state and the federal government are still shipping free COVID rapid tests, which are in much greater supply now, according to DOH.

In March, Washington announced an expansion of its free test program (sayyescovidhometest.org) to allow up to two orders per household every month while supplies last. Last week, DOH confirmed it has 3.3 million tests on hand and more on the way.

The White House also expanded its program (COVIDTests.gov) in March to allow households to order a second batch of four more.

In addition, the state’s exposure notification system, known as WA Notify, is still running, gaining new activations every month, said Dr. Bryant Thomas Karras, DOH’s chief medical informatics officer. As of this week, the program — which went live in November 2020 — reported more than 3.2 million activations, about 300,000 of which were turned on this year, Karras said.

Users who enable the system can receive notifications when they’ve been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID, or anonymously report a positive test. The program uses Bluetooth technology to exchange codes with other phones nearby and takes into account how close users are and for how long they might have been exposed to each other.

While the state is still encouraging use of its various disease prevention tools, it can be difficult to remember every single one, and harder yet to choose to use them diligently, said Magnan, the WSU health psychologist.

“We’re really good at rationalizing our behavior,” she said. “You hear that a lot [with younger people, who are generally at less risk of severe illness]: ‘Well, I don’t need to do this and that because I’m under 20.’ “

The reaction is understandable, Magnan said, adding that preventative measures are often difficult to maintain over time.

Still, she urged people to remember, “We’re trying to help one another. That can be hard to remember sometimes. It’s not just about ourselves.”

Information from The Seattle Times archives is included in this story.

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Hitachi Astemo Americas, Inc. announced the expansion of its ignition coils lineup. The company says it now has 276 SKUs available that cover 260 million vehicles in operation (VIO). Keeping a focus on the customers’ needs, these original equipment (OE)-quality ignition coils will reduce time-consuming part searches and avoid returns, Hitachi Astemo says. Automotive professionals can find application coverage on Hitachi Astemo Aftermarket Ignition Coils at https://hitachi.mypartfinder.com/.

“As representatives of a trusted brand, our Hitachi Astemo team is dedicated to engine management systems – the parts that power the heart of your vehicle,” says Ryan Pelkey, North American marketing manager, Hitachi Astemo Americas, “When we decided to expand our coverage, we kept our focus on the categories where we have extensive OE experience.”

Hitachi Astemo says it produces millions of ignition coils each year featuring durability and long-lasting reliability. Other features include:

•Designed to perform consistently in extreme temperatures and humidity
•Deliver consistent voltage output at various load and rpm levels
•Are subjected to extensive testing before packaging

“Consumers and shops associate quality with the Hitachi brand, and for good reason,” Pelkey says. “When our customers get one of our newer coils, they can be sure they are getting the same OE quality they have come to expect from Hitachi over the last 30 years. Our pledge to our customer is, ‘If it’s not OE quality, it won’t be in our box.’”

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“ScentAir partnered with HealthWay to add DFS technology to their air purification product line.”

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Since the launch of its air purification line in 2020, ScentAir has committed to strategic partnerships with indoor air quality leaders. With the help of elite partners, ScentAir aims to give customers access to best-in-class air purification technology with the advantage of ScentAir’s unparalleled service. The addition of HealthWay’s technology brings a third air purification category to the ScentAir line—air filtration.

Featuring HealthWay’s patented DFS (Disinfecting Filtration System) technology, ScentAir’s new systems, the DFS Compact and DFS Ultrafine, provide safe and clean experiences in high-traffic spaces. More importantly, the DFS Compact and DFS Ultrafine are totally portable in-room solutions. Rated to cover 500 and 1,200 Sq.Ft. respectively, the systems make it easy to provide pure air on demand.

Individually tested to guarantee better than HEPA efficiency, DFS technology has been proven to capture 99.99% of particles down to 0.007 microns, including ultrafine particles and COVID-19 sized viruses. This technology is currently used in diverse environments including hospitals, schools, performance halls, restaurants and more.

About the partnership with HealthWay, ScentAir CEO Brian Edwards said:

“HealthWay is at the center of American innovation today. This long-term partnership aligns us with another leading global air purification brand, allowing us to deliver best-in-class air filtration systems for our clients. We continue to identify innovative partnerships that enable us to maintain our position as a global scent and air quality leader. Our partnership with HealthWay is an excellent way to bolster our product lineup with best-in-class DFS technology. We are delighted to be aligned with HealthWay and excited to evolve our long-term partnership.”

About ScentAir:
ScentAir Technologies, LLC., privately held and founded in 1994, provides best-in-class ambient scent marketing solutions to many of the world’s most recognized brands. As the global leader in olfactory marketing, the Company creates memorable impressions for both small businesses and global enterprises, elevating their customer experience through the power of scent. Based in Charlotte, NC, USA, and corporate offices in the United Kingdom, France, Netherlands, China, Hong Kong, Japan and Australia. The Company’s 425+ global team members service customers in 119 countries through its dedicated global supply chain and manufacturing operations in North America, Europe, and Asia. ScentAir is committed to the creation of customized scent strategies that boost clients’ brand sentiments, customer loyalty, and sales. To learn more, go to ScentAir.com.

SOURCE ScentAir

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