Air Pollution Tips: What Are The Symptoms of Sick Building Syndrome?

March 9th, 2010 Shaka

Health Disease Tips >>  Air Quality Tips >> Air Pollution Tips
Air Pollution Tips: What Are The Symptoms of Sick Building Syndrome?

Sick building syndrome has been on the rise ever since the energy crisis of the 1970s, according to some sources. Buildings made to be more energy efficient are also very good at trapping air pollution inside. There are a few symptoms of sick building syndrome to be aware of:

1. Eye and nose irritation

2. Respiratory irritation

3. Increased cancer rates

If you think you’re suffering from sick building syndrome, talk to your doctor about ways to feel better while at the office. Also check with your building management and employer about possible anti-air pollution efforts that can be made to the office area.

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Air Pollution Tips: Anti-Air Pollution Efforts

March 9th, 2010 Shaka

Health Disease Tips >>  Air Quality Tips >> Air Pollution Tips
Air Pollution Tips: Anti-Air Pollution Efforts

Some locales across the country have initiated “tall chimney” acts in an effort to help clean the environment in your area. These acts are passed by state or federal governments with the basic notion is that a taller chimney will prevent buildup of noxious fumes or smoke over the urban area. It’s been determined, however, that it takes more than a tall chimney to reduce air pollution.

If you want to get involved in fighting anti-air pollution and protecting the environment, educate yourself first on the common causes and resolutions of air pollution. A simple Internet search will yield thousands of results that offer statistics and research on air pollution campaigns and awareness programs. If you want to get involved with your state and/or local government, search for grassroots organizations in your area and find ways to get involved.

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Air Pollution Tips: An Air Pollution Fact That May Surprise You

March 9th, 2010 Shaka

Health Disease Tips >>  Air Quality Tips >> Air Pollution Tips
Air Pollution Tips: An Air Pollution Fact That May Surprise You

It’s easy to assume that particulate matter–air pollution caused by the burning of fossil fuels and other materials–can cause damage to the lungs. But the real danger when it comes to this kind of air pollution is particle size. The smaller the particles, the greater the damage to the respiratory system.

A culprit in these damaging particles? Diesel engines such as the ones found on large trucks and on public transportation. The air pollution problems caused by diesel are due to incomplete combustion, and while advances in some engines is reducing emissions, there are far too many ordinary diesel engines on the road, spewing health damaging particles.

If you live near a highway, filling station, or other concentration of diesel exhaust, you should consider an air filtration system in your home.

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Air Filtrationy Tips: Do Your Drapes Emit Fumes?

March 4th, 2010 Shaka

Health Disease Tips >>  Air Quality Tips >> Air Filtration Tips
Air Filtrationy Tips: Do Your Drapes Emit Fumes?
Did you know that new drapes are often treated with a formaldehyde-based finish? It’s true; your drapes can emit irritating fumes for a time. You will need to be aware of your air cleaner’s capacity for handling fumes, and operate it at a higher level than usual until you feel confident the fumes are gone. It’s also a very good idea to air your new drapes outdoors or in a garage area to dissipate some of the odors. Once the new drapes are hung, make sure the area is well ventilated. A properly-rated air cleaner is perfect for situations like these, but if you are using portable air filters which can’t handle fumes or vapors, you may need to air out the new drapes for a while longer before hanging. Check your air filter’s owner manual to be sure.

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Air Filtrationy Tips: I Use An Air Cleaner, But Still Smell Smoke

March 3rd, 2010 Shaka

Health Disease Tips >>  Air Quality Tips >> Air Filtration Tips
Air Filtrationy Tips: I Use An Air Cleaner, But Still Smell Smoke
For those who use Air Cleaners to help with at-home cigarette smoke, there are some issues you should be aware of:
1. Air cleaners are generally effective at removing the particles found in tobacco smoke. This is a good thing, as one of the chief concerns is deep inhalation of such particles.
2. Some Air Filtration systems release scent into the air to mask odors, but some do not. You may discover that an offending ashtray smell lingers because of the odors from the cigarette ash is not being masked by the scented air.
3. Cigarette smoke odor is not caused by the particles removed by an Air Cleaner, it is caused by gases which may not be purified with your particular make and model of air filtration system.
If you still smell smoke when using your Air Cleaner, remember that the odor is not an indication of a bad air filter! When in doubt, clean the filter or replace it, but keep in mind these additional factors when it comes to cleaning up the air after a smoker.

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Air Quality Tips: Humidity and Indoor Air Quality

March 3rd, 2010 Shaka

Health Disease Tips >>  Air Quality Tips
Air Quality Tips: Humidity and Indoor Air Quality
High humidity and moisture creates conditions ripe for mold growth. Mold is listed as an environmental hazard by the CDC, and those who are sensitive to mold should be very informed as to how it can enter the home, how it grows, and becomes a problem.
Did you know that mold-sensitive people are advised to avoid wooded areas and piles of cut grass? It’s true. In the right conditions, mold can be found everywhere, especially in the home where sources of heat and moisture can go undiscovered until the mold is already growing there. A good dehumidifier can help in these cases, as well as good temperature control in the home. You may need a basement dehumidifier, or a unit for the bathroom, or possibly a larger solution for the whole home, depending on where you live. Wherever you place the unit, be sure to also double check the area for leaks, condensation, and other moisture factors that can be corrected for maximum mold control. You may need to do some repairs!

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What’s Right About ADHD Tips: Ten Reasons to Celebrate Exceptional Children

March 1st, 2010 Shaka

Health Disease Tips >> Add ADHD Tips >> What’s Right About ADHD Tips
What’s Right About ADHD Tips: Ten Reasons to Celebrate Exceptional Children:

Parents, teachers, and others who interact with ADD or ADHD children often wonder about their future. Will their scattered tendencies create difficulty when they get jobs? Will they pay their bills on time? How will they be able to keep track of all of the information that drives busy lives? And what about their tendency to speak out spontaneously without pausing to think about the appropriateness of the comment? Listed here are 10 traits that celebrate what is right about these highly creative, intelligent, and intuitive children.

1. As the owners of differently wired brains, these children are imaginative, creative, loving, visual, artistic and often gifted in music or creating exciting, imaginative stories. They bring excitement into the world.

2. The traits that many consider to be negative are actually positive when you consider that these children are born entrepreneurs and explorers.

3. These children are born world changers. Their passion for their vision drives them to be idealistic and they tend to pursue their interests in a single-minded way.

4. These children are natural risk-takers and ideally suited to those ventures that call for self-directed dedication.

5. These children thrive in situations where they are free to create structure that will support intuitive approaches.

6. These children are born leaders. They thrive when they are encouraged to use their gifts of charisma freely.

7. These children tend to wear their hearts on their sleeves and they seek relationship, a sense of connection with those whom they love, a sense of belonging, and a purpose.

8. These children personify persistence and their future success will be based on their ability to pursue their goals in a diligent and persistent manner.

9. When allowed to develop their innate gifts, these children heal from the inside out. Their natural creativity and gift of visualization restores their sense of purpose and joy. Their confidence soars.

10. They enrich the community with their vibrancy, compassion for those who are misunderstood and under-appreciated and their sharp intellect.

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What’s Right About ADHD Tips: The Gift of a Bright Mind

March 1st, 2010 Shaka

Health Disease Tips >> Add ADHD Tips >> What’s Right About ADHD Tips
What’s Right About ADHD Tips: The Gift of a Bright Mind

Attention Deficit Disorder has its disadvantages, but it also brings great gifts to the table, and one of those gifts is a very bright mind. ADD, with or without learning disabilities, cannot stop great minds from creating.

Bright minds can create magnificent artwork, music, fashion, or poetry. Just ask Tommy Hilfiger, Tony Bennett, or musician Jewel. Follow the lead of William “Bill” Packard, Richard Rogers, architect, or Bill Wilson, a fire investigator credited with solving the unsolvable in car crashes. Bright minds write beautiful stories: Fanny Flagg, Stephen J. Cannell, and Pulitzer Prize winner, Gareth Cook. And bright minds entertain us: Suzanne Sommers, Henry Winkler, Vince Vaughn, Jay Leno, and British Chef, Jamie Oliver.

The treasure is there. Sometimes it takes time to mine for it, but it is worth it to do so. Notice daily the gifts your child shows to you and the world.

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What’s Right About ADHD Tips: The Gift of Humor

March 1st, 2010 Shaka

Health Disease Tips >> Add ADHD Tips >> What’s Right About ADHD Tips
What’s Right About ADHD Tips: The Gift of Humor

Where would we be without our beloved cut-ups and class clowns? Oh, sure when we are on the receiving end of a particularly clever and honest assessment presented to us in a humorous way, we do not always appreciate the quicksilver mind that produced the quip instantly and effortlessly. Being able to find what’s funny in mundane or boring circumstances is a special talent of ADDers. They are masters at turning their personal stories into side-splitting funny monologues.

Despite the fact that many of these children are on the receiving end of hurtful remarks or critical comments or dealing with expectations that they either cannot fulfill or haven’t mastered a particular skill yet, it is a marvelous trait to be able to use humor as a way to make life a little less intense. Connect with your child through play and humor.

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What’s Right About ADHD Tips: The Gift of the Dreamer

March 1st, 2010 Shaka

Health Disease Tips >> Add ADHD Tips >> What’s Right About ADHD Tips
What’s Right About ADHD Tips: The Gift of the Dreamer

Historically, “dreamers” were called “visionaries.” In our own time, it seems that dreaming is not given its rightful place in the pantheon of creativity.

Dreamers, or the visionary types, are typically chided for “wasting time.” Nothing could be further from the truth. Whose dreams will create charities that serve countless numbers? Who will invent the next essential product that will make daily life a lot easier? Who will tinker with transportation and give us an environmentally friendly mode of transportation? It could be anyone, including children with Attention Deficit Disorder.

Encourage your child to pursue his or her interests even if they do not seem practical to you.

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