Installing an air purifier in your house can offer a lot of outstanding health perks. Here are just a couple of them.

1. Reduces Allergy and Asthma Triggers

Air purifiers decrease pollutants in your home, such as some of these standard triggers:

• Dust
• Pollen
• Mold
• Volatile organic compounds, including cleaners, air fresheners and personal care products

 

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2. Alleviates Other Symptoms Linked to Poor Indoor Air Quality

Even if you or someone in your household doesn’t have allergies or asthma, an air purifier can decrease other symptoms linked to bad indoor air quality. These involve:

• Scratchy throat, eyes, nose or skin
• Headaches
• Sneezing and coughing
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Nausea

It can be difficult to determine troubles linked to indoor air quality, since they can be linked to lots of other illnesses. However, if you’re aware that you feel better after you leave your residence, your indoor air quality is likely causing a problem.

3. Gets Rid of Odors

Odors that hang around, including cigarette smoke or cooking smells, can be tricky to eliminate. If you are having a hard time removing strong smells in your house, our professionals advise getting an air purifier with charcoal or an activated carbon filter.

4. Can Lower Your Probability of Becoming Sick

An air purifier can eliminate some bacteria and viruses under certain airflow conditions, keeping you and your loved ones in better health, especially during colder months. To take total advantage of this benefit, we recommend a UV air purifier. Disinfecting ultraviolet light gives an added layer of defence against airborne pathogens.

 

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Almost anything we do, every product we use and everywhere we go, leads to us polluting the environment in one way or another. Driving pollutes the air, sending waste to landfills pollutes the air and land, and growing food using fertilizers and pesticides poisons groundwater as well as surrounding bodies of water.

 

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One of the easiest ways of cutting back on pollution is recycling. Recycling converts waste materials into new materials and objects. It is the third component of the ‘Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle Waste hierarchy and is a vital part of cleaning the environment. This article looks into how recycling could help reduce pollution.

How Does Recycling Help Reduce Pollution?

1. An overall reduction in pollution levels

According to research by the University of Central Oklahoma, recycling paper cuts down on air pollution by 73% and water pollution by 35%. Recycling steel reduces 97% of the mining waste produced through the manufacture of virgin resources, and cuts back 86% and 76% on air pollution and water pollution, respectively. Additionally, using recycled glass decreases mining wastes by 80% and air pollution by 20%.

2. It protects ecosystems

Recycling reduces the need to grow, harvest and extract raw materials from the earth for additional products. This, therefore, lessens the harmful disruption and damage done to the natural world. It means fewer forests will be cut down, wild animals will be less harmed or displaced, no more diversion of rivers and as such, less pollution of the soil, water and air. Also, if more plastics are recycled, less of them will find their way into the ocean waters, damaging marine life

3. It saves energy

Making products from recycled materials requires less energy as compared to making them using raw materials. The huge difference in energy means less pollution. For instance, producing new Aluminum from old products like recycled cans and foil uses 95% less energy than making it from scratch. The figure is 70% with regards to steel. Saving on energy means fewer strains on the power grid, which means less carbon is emitted at the power plant as a result of drawing too much energy

4. It reduces the demand for more raw materials

As already mentioned, recycling reduces the need to grow, harvest and extract raw materials from the earth for additional products. As such, if more is recycled, the raw materials from which these products are extracted will not be touched in quite a while.

This is what it means for a reduction in the demand for more raw materials. When these raw materials, such as forests are hunted, the vulnerable people living next to them also suffer, not forgetting the corresponding river systems.

5. It is better at it than collecting waste

Landfills might be able to accommodate a lot of waste that has been thrown away there. They might also eliminate a lot of waste than a recycling company can when recycling waste. However, recycling means a new product is arrived at from the waste of another.

Landfills, before they help a product decompose, might take a very long time. At the same time, they will allow leaching which will contaminate or pollute bodies of water. It also results in the production of harmful gases like methane, polluting the air. All this is avoided if you decide to recycle.

6. It conserves natural resources

The point of avoiding pollution is to preserve natural resources. Recycling is a wonderful tool that will make new products, and at the same time avoid pollution, by conserving natural resources. For instance, recycling paper and wood saves trees and forests.

Recycling plastic means creating less new plastic which is beneficial for the environment, especially because plastics are made from hydrocarbons, which terribly pollute the environment. Recycling metals could also result in less need for the risky, expensive and damaging mining and extraction of new metal ores.

 

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Who Contributes to The Pollution The Most?

1. Industrial plants and manufacturing activities

Emissions from these plants have to be the biggest culprits of polluting the environment. Industries such as tanneries, lead smelting, mining and ore processing, and chemical and product manufacturing are giant pollutants. The majority process raw materials to get the final product, through the use of toxic chemicals that contain toxic elements like cadmium, lead, chromium and mercury.

When these pollutants end up in underground waters and the soil, they contaminate the water we drink and the food we eat. The by-products of these production processes include harmful gases, like carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide, that have a greenhouse effect.

Additionally, they pollute the air and could contribute to poor visibility. Some of these gases are also harmful if inhaled and could also produce acid rain, which affects everything it touches, including marine wildlife.

2. Fossil fuel combustion

Combusting fossil fuels is the major reason as to why we have smog clouds and bad air quality in urban areas. Such combustion is done in power plants that use fossil fuels to generate heat and emissions from cars and other vehicles. The result is carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, lead, dust particles and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which when released into the air, create smog clouds.

Motor vehicles are responsible for about 75% of carbon monoxide pollution in the US, with the transportation industry causing 14% of greenhouse gas emissions globally. Low-income countries also burn charcoal and wood, resulting in carbon monoxides and dioxides, and dust particles.

3. Agriculture

This is another significant contributor to pollution in the world. Crop cultivation requires the use of pesticides and fertilizers that slowly poison the soil. They also sip underground and poison groundwater reservoirs and rivers. Livestock cultivation also requires heavily on scarce water resources, could result in overgrazing and is the reason why most forests are being cut down.

Raising them also results in air pollution. For instance, raising cattle for food emits 5% of all greenhouse gas emissions as they release massive amounts of methane into the atmosphere. Cattle are the animal species responsible for the most emissions, representing about 65% of the livestock sector’s emissions

4. Humans

How can we forget the impact that humans have on the environment? Humans, in their exploration, have come up with all these technologies, that although benefit us, are taking a toll on the environment. Let us not forget about landfills, where we really love to deposit any trash we have. Landfills grow bigger daily and more waste is buried underground.

Although landfills are supposed to aid trash in decomposing, the truth is not all trash decomposes by itself even for a couple of centuries, like plastics. Landfills emit methane as a by-product of the decomposition process, which is a greenhouse gas, about 30 times more potent than carbon dioxide when it comes to trapping heat. Decomposing waste could also leach into groundwater streams and contaminate fresh and drinkable water.

There’s still a lot to learn about the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). We do know that there are some precautions that we can take to help slow the spread of the disease. Here are the top 10 ways you can help reduce the spread of COVID-19:

1. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after any activity.

This includes blowing your nose, coughing, etc. Always wash your hands before eating or cooking.

 

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2. Wear a mask (disposable or cloth mask).

A cloth face covering may not protect the wearer, but it may keep the wearer from spreading the virus to others. To reduce the spread of COVID-19, CDC recommends that people wear cloth face coverings in public settings when around people outside of their household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. 

 

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3. Maintain social distancing. Work from home if possible and avoid large gatherings, public spaces and public transportation.

Keep three to six feet between yourself and others. Avoid social touching, this includes shaking hands, kissing or hugging, instead try a hand wave or a smile.

 

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4. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

Be mindful to keep your hands away from any location on your face where a virus could enter your body.

5. Clean “high-touch” surfaces regularly.

It’s still unknown if COVID-19 can spread from hard surfaces to people or how long it may live outside the human body. Take extra caution and clean high-touch surfaces like tables, doorknobs, light switches, desks, toilets, faucets, and sinks with household disinfectants that are appropriate for the surface.

 

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6. Stop sharing

Even though you may usually steal a bite from your kid’s plate or share a dessert with a friend or spouse, now is the time to be selfish with your food. Don’t share any common kitchen objects such as dishes, drinking glasses, utensils, cups, and, of course, food with anyone—even the people in your home. Also be sure to wash any kitchen items thoroughly after use with hot water and soap, or put them in the dishwasher.

7. If you think you have symptoms of COVID-19:

Learn more about when to seek care and options for speaking with a caregiver. People who are mildly ill with COVID-19 are able to recover at home. Do not leave, except to get medical care.

 

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8. Avoid any unnecessary travel.

While you may be tempted to visit your grandkids or family, don’t travel during this time because it may expose you to someone who may be infected.

9. Prepare for your needs in case you’ll need to stay home for an extended period.

Make sure you have enough groceries, household items and medications (including over-the-counter medicines) on hand, and that you know how to order more either online or by making a phone call.

10. Have a plan if you get sick.

Talk to friends and family about who can help you if you get sick. Plan who could cook and deliver meals, run errands and even take care of you.

Extra precautions for high-risk patients

Individuals who are at a higher risk of getting COVID-19 are recommended to take extra precautions to stay safe. This includes individuals who:

• Are over the age of 60
• Have heart disease
• Have diabetes
• Have lung disease, including asthma
• Are taking immunosuppressive drugs

If you’re at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19, do not travel. Traveling may expose you to someone who may be infected. Make sure you have a plan if you get sick. Talk to your friends and family or you can sign-up for a mobile or online meal delivery service.

Lastly, another way you can help reduce the spread is by educating others. Share this article with your family and friends so they can also help prevent the people they love from getting sick.

Children and young people should understand basic age-appropriate coronavirus (COVID-19) information, including its symptoms, complications, how it is transmitted, and how to prevent transmission.

Get information about COVID-19 from reliable sources of information such as UNICEF, the World Health Organization, the Ministry of Health and the Government website dedicated to COVID-19.

Follow our advice:

• In a situation like this, it is normal to feel sad, worried, confused, scared or angry. You should know that you are not alone and should talk to someone you trust, such as a parent or a trusted adult so that you can protect yourself and your health.
• Ask questions, educate yourself and listen to information from reliable sources.
• Wash your hands frequently, always with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Remember not to touch your face.
• Do not share cups, food or drinks with others.
• Do not stigmatize and exclude your peers and do not tease anyone that they are ill; remember that the virus does not know about geographical boundaries, ethnicity, age, ability or gender.
• Tell your parents, another family member or whomever that is taking care of you if you are feeling sick and ask to stay home.
• Be aware of false information and misconceptions, whether transmitted verbally or online.
• Take a break from watching, reading, or listening to the news, including social networks. Listening about the spread of the viral infection multiple times throughout the day can be disturbing.
• Take care of your body. Take a deep breath, stretch out or meditate. Try to eat healthy, balanced meals, exercise regularly, sleep a lot, and avoid harmful substances.
• Have some time for relaxing. Try to combine things you have to do with activities you enjoy.

 Don’t forget:

• People with the virus circulating in the population and transmit it to others, often without knowing that they may be symptom-free or only have mild symptoms. That is why it is important to accept the call to stay home in order to avoid transmission and to go into quarantine if symptoms appear.

Recommendations for parents of adolescents

Children and adolescents often react in the same way as the adults around them. When adults deal with an unpleasant topic, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, with calm and confidence, they are providing them with the best support.

Parents can provide more stable support for others around them, especially for children, if they are better prepared. Not all adolescents respond to stress in the same way. Some common changes you should pay attention to:

• Excessive worrying or sadness
• Unhealthy eating or sleeping habits
• Irritability and inappropriate behaviours
• Avoiding school-related obligations
• Attention and concentration difficulties
• Avoiding activities he/she used to enjoy in the past
• Unexplained headaches or body aches
• Alcohol, tobacco or substance abuse

 There are many things you can do to support them:

• Take some time to talk to your child about the COVID-19 pandemic. Answer their questions and share facts about COVID-19 in a way that your child can understand.
• Convince your child that they are safe. Let them know that it’s okay if they feel upset. Share with them how you cope with your own stress.
• Limit your family’s exposure to news, including social media. Children can misinterpret what they hear and may be scared of something they do not understand.
• Try to maintain regular routines. Make a schedule of work activities and relaxing or fun activities.
• Be a role model. Rest, sleep, exercise and eat well. Connect with friends and family members.

 Don’t forget:

• Explain to them that by protecting their own health, they are also protecting the health of everyone around them.

Innovative air cleaning leader conducts a series of tests to show efficacy of DFS technology.

Pulaski, NY, August 11, 2020– In response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, HealthWay Family of Brands has conducted a series of tests to show the efficacy of DFS technology on the capture and permanent removal of airborne viruses and bacteria. World-renowned Infection Control expert and an advisor to the U.S. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and the World Health Organization, Dr. Syed Sattar, conducted his studies in a chamber that was built to follow U.S. EPA guidelines.

Important Note

During an outbreak of a new virus like COVID-19, no products exist whether it be a surface disinfectant or an air treatment device that can make claims to kill or capture the virus. This is due to the simple fact that the virus was not available to test, and it can take more than 1 year to get a viral claim approved by a regulatory agency. For this reason, the U.S. enacted a ‘hierarchy-based’ policy. Should a company’s product be found to be effective against harder to kill or capture viruses, it is likely to kill or capture a virus like COVID-19. A product that is likely to provide the greatest protection to you from COVID-19 will have claims against at least one non-enveloped virus such as Norovirus, Feline Calicivirus, Poliovirus, Rhinovirus or Reovirus.

Test Conclusions

DFS technology was proven to remove from the air a proxy virus for SARS-CoV-2 (RNA virus MS2)1: The results of this data show 99.987% elimination in 10 minutes of the surrogate which is .03 micron in size. The test also showed that there was 100% elimination in 45 minutes and again 100% at 24 hours indicating no reintroduction of the proxy virus. The bacteriophage MS-2 is a small (about 30 nanometers or .03 micron), non- enveloped virus, which is often used as a surrogate for small, non-enveloped human pathogenic viruses such as noroviruses.Testing with Bacteriophage Phi6 as the Challenge, independent testing indicated a 99.99% reduction in 10 minutes. Bacteriophage Phi6 is a larger (approximately 100 nanometers or .1 micron), enveloped virus, which is often used to represent large, enveloped human pathogenic viruses such as coronaviruses and influenza viruses and is most similar in size and composition to SARS-CoV-2. both tests indicate substantial virus elimination within 10 minutes across a range of sizes and composition of both enveloped and non-enveloped viruses.

Source: Healthway

Indoor air quality illustrates how indoor air can affect a person’s health, comfort, and work productivity. As the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown approaches a new norm for most businesses, indoor air quality has been a large focus of attention for facilities management and tenants for safe work practices and preventive measures. The coronavirus pandemic has slingshot indoor air quality to the highest concern as published guidelines from MOH helped in providing the strategies to minimise the impacts of the coronavirus in offices, retail, and education.

Raising the Benchmark  of Indoor Air Quality and Hygiene Levels

The issues of poor indoor air quality are not uncommon yet most are not aware of the impacts. Building Related Illnesses is a well-known term that correlates illnesses to specific conditions of the building when building occupants may contract illnesses such as Legionnaires disease, hypersensitivity pneumonitis and asthma. In contrast, Sick Building Syndrome where building occupants experience headaches, dry cough, dizziness, difficulty in concentrating, and other symptoms when being in a building with poor air quality.

Recent research has established that impacts of poor indoor air quality may include productivity, decision-making, and well-being. Buildings are prone to several but not limited to indoor air contaminants such as volatile organic compounds (from cleaning agents, furniture, and other materials), and bacteria, mold, and viruses. Poor ventilation exacerbates the presence of these contaminants. 

In shared or enclosed spaces such as office environments, bacteria and viruses may linger on high touch areas or spread via droplets in the air among people in close proximity. It is important that facility management and building occupants adhere to safety precautions and increases their awareness in the current state of the pandemic. For example, hospitality industries had their cleaning frequency increased five-folds per day and commercial buildings as many as three-folds depending on the conditions, all for the sake of the country’s economic reboot.  

The sanitisation, disinfection and assessment methods had to be incorporated into the new standard operating procedures (SOP) for most buildings to curb the infections and enhance safety protocols. The focus on Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and advanced sanitisation methods should be the main priority for facility management during the post pandemic new norm.