Posts Tagged ‘Common’

10 Common Indoor Air Quality Problems

January 30th, 2010 admin

Mold and water damaged building materials.

When leakage occurs it results in the growth of mold that in turn results in the release of pungent smelling and irritating volatile organic compounds, and allergenic mold spores into your air. Persons with allergies or asthma often have reactions to such contaminates in the air while others may have no reaction at all. People with compromised immune systems may even contract infections from some molds. Some of the most common mold related infections are chronic allergenic fungal sinusitis, this is a type of allergic like reaction and infection that results from spores germinating in the sinuses, the agent of infection is usually Alternaria mold spores. Other persons may develop lung infections caused by certain species of Aspergillus growing in the lungs. Fungal infections are more a product of a person’s poor health than of the environment they are in. Home inspectors, mold inspectors and other building investigators may use a moisture meter to detect moisture hidden inside water damaged building materials.

Infrared cameras can also be used to detect moisture hidden inside walls and other areas by measuring very slight temperature differentials between cooler wet surfaces and warmer dry surfaces. Where there is moisture mold is often not far away. Drying up water within 24 to 48 hours and repairing leaks can go a long way in preventing mold problems.

Dust dust mites and particulates

Air contaminated with excess particles can also cause negative reactions. Some particles cause direct irritation when levels are elevated. In the case of house dust people do not typically have a direct allergenic or irritation related reaction. Common dust is as much as 80% dead human skin cells thus the dust itself is not seen as a forging invader by your body. When people have allergic reactions to common household dust it is not the dust causing the problem but allergenic proteins found in dust mite feces. Particles counters can be used to measure airborne particulates, particle counters are highly sensitive scientific instruments that use an internal laser to count particles passing through it that are of a predetermined size range. Good quality pleated filters at your AC unit return can help reduce dust, also use a good quality vacuum that is equipped with a hepa filter. A bad vacuum cleaner will remove dust from your carpets then blow it into your face.

Carbon dioxide

High carbon dioxide levels are not typically a direct threat to human health in home and commercial properties. High carbon dioxide levels usually indicate a lack of adequate outdoor air being introduced into the building. Dust, chemicals, body odors and other indoor air pollutants often build up along with carbon dioxide in poorly ventilated buildings, and it is these other indoor pollutants that result in indoor air quality complaints and health complaints. According to Parat and others “A properly maintained and operated mechanical ventilation system can reduce indoor Bioaerosols concentrations by limiting infiltration of outdoor Bioaerosols and by diluting those from outdoor sources” ( Parat et al., 1994, 1996 ).

According to American Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers ASHRAE 62-89 Outdoor air supply into the building should be at least 20 cubic foot per min per person in offices and thus help maintain carbon dioxide levels below 1000 ppm. Newer requirements recommend levels no more than 700 ppm higher than outdoor carbon dioxide levels. Outdoor air that is being introduced into a building must meet the US EPA National Primary Ambient Air Quality Standards is short it must be clean or it must be properly filtered.

In conclusion letting clean dry outdoor air into homes and commercial buildings can help dilute and flush out indoor pollutants.

Carbon monoxide

WARNING: Carbon monoxide can rapidly rob your bloods ability to properly absorb oxygen thus it can be deadly. If carbon monoxide levels at your property are dangerously high then emergency measures such as immediate evacuation may be deemed necessary. Even if slightly elevated further investigation by a qualified, licensed, specialist is recommended and appropriate repairs or other measures may be needed. The leading cause of deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning in homes is automobile exhaust escaping from garages, however improper combustion of fuel in gas appliances, improper ventilation of combustion gases to the exterior, and cracked heat exchangers are also important sources of carbon monoxide exposure.

“At low concentrations the health effects are fatigue in healthy people and chest pain in persons with heart disease. At higher concentrations it causes impaired vision and coordination problems, headaches, dizziness, confusion, nausea. It can cause flu like symptoms that clear up after leaving home. Carbon monoxide is fatal at very high concentrations.

Average levels in homes without gas stoves 0.5 to 5 ppm.

Levels near properly adjusted gas stoves are 5 to 15 ppm.

Near poorly adjusted stoves 30 ppm or higher.” The above information is from epa.gov/iaq/co.html
If you have an attached garage, or any types of gas burning appliances or devices in your building or home have it checked for carbon monoxide. Make sure that gas appliances are working properly and properly vented to the exterior.

VOC’s

Volatile organic compound also known as VOC’s are common indoor pollutants composed of organic chemicals that evaporate into the air easily, they often cause chemical odors, respiratory irritation, headache, and other indoor air quality related complaints. At certain high levels they can be dangerous. These chemicals are released by paints, paint thinners, varnish, new carpets, new cabinets and furniture that contain particle board, household cleaners and air fresheners, fuel gas, improperly vented combustion devices, photocopier machines, blueprint machines, and many other sources. Refrain from the excessive use of household product that contains chemicals.

Purchase paints and new carpets with low emission levels of voc’s. Solid wood cabinets and furnishings contain less voc’s than those composed of particle board type materials. When using chemicals or when installing new carpets, paints, cabinets, and other furnishings let the property air out in a safe and reasonable way. Healthy buildings will typically contain less than 1 ppm or even less than .5 ppm.

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is a common volatile organic compound that results in lots of indoor air quality problems, it is found in glues used in the manufacture of particle board, wood veneers, wood furniture, plywood, and other wood products.

It is also found in some spray-on insulating foams. These resins slowly give off formaldehyde over time. Formaldehyde is one of the more common indoor air pollutants. At concentrations above 0.1 ppm in air, formaldehyde can irritate the eyes and mucous membranes, resulting in watery eyes. If inhaled, formaldehyde at this concentration may cause headaches, a burning sensation in the throat, and difficulty breathing, as well as triggering asthma symptoms.

The above recommendations made in regards to other volatile organic compounds also applies to formaldehyde.

Sewer gas

Hydrogen sulfide it the gas that produces rotten egg or sulfur like odors in well water, sewer systems, rotten eggs, and other areas where water and organic compounds have a lack of oxygen. Hydrogen sulfide odors may lead to complaints of foul odors and also eye & throat irritation cough and shortness of breath. According to wikipedia “.0047 ppm is the recognition threshold, the concentration at which 50% of humans can detect the characteristic rotten egg odor of hydrogen sulfide.”10 to 15 ppm is the borderline concentration for eye irritation.
Drain pipes have letter u shaped curve that traps water, you have seen this under your sinks, and this trapped water is intended
to keep sewer gas from backing up from the sewer system and into your home. Make sure that drains such as basement floor drains, sink drains, and even toilet bowls etc contain some water. If the water evaporates from a drains p trap then sewer gas will back up into the building. In vacant properties anaerobic bacterial may invade your water heater and produce sulfur gas odors in your drinking water, in properties with well water similar bacteria may invade your well water system and create strong sulfur odors. The latter two conditions are annoying but are typically thought of as harmless and can be repaired by a plumber or well water service company.

No2

Nitrogen dioxide is composed of nitrogen and oxygen atoms, incomplete combustion in vehicles or gas burning appliances can create this pollutant and improper venting of such combustion gases from gas appliances, loading docks, and parking garages, can result in the gas entering into the indoor environment. Nitrogen dioxide is a respiratory irritation. If you have any types of gas burning appliances or devices in your building or home have the property checked for nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide and other combustion gases. Make sure that gas appliances are working properly and properly vented to the exterior.

O3

Ozone is a fresh smelling oxygen molecule composed of 3 oxygen atoms, the oxygen we breathe is made of just two oxygen molecules. In the upper atmosphere ozone blocks out harmful UV light thus protecting living organisms below, at ground level ozone is an air pollutant that can have harmful effects on our respiratory system in fact ozone is a constitute of smog pollution. Asthmatics are especially at risk from the effects of ozone exposure.

Despite claims of safe levels of fresh smelling ozone emitted by ozone producing machines, some ozone machines have been found to produce ozone at levels that may result in respiratory irritation in some persons. It is true that ozone can break down smoke, odors, and other air contaminates but the break down product follow the most basic laws of physics and thus do not disappear for existence but instead these products have end up in the air where some of them can serves as irritants to sensitive persons.

* According to the EPA some health effects of overexposure to ozone are:

* Decreases in lung function

* Aggravation of asthma

* Throat irritation and cough

* Chest pain and shortness of breath

* Inflammation of lung tissue

* Higher susceptibility to respiratory infection

For more info please visit: epa.gov/iaq/pubs/ozonegen.html

Radon

Last but not least on or list of 13 sinister Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) problems is radon, a colorless odorless gas that finds its way into buildings through cracks in the foundations. If a building is negatively pressurized then that negative pressure can cause radon to be actively sucked into the building. Radon is unheard of in some areas such as South Florida; in other areas such as New England radon is common. Radon is a carcinogen or cancer causing agent. Often persons living with radon will have no clue that the problem exists till it is to late. Even in non smokers radon causes lung cancer. If you know of a household where a non smoker developed lung cancer you should suggest that the home or the victim’s previous residence be tested for radon gas. According to the EPA and the surgeon general radon is responsible for 15,000 deaths a year.

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Using Some Common Home Remedies Could Save Your Life!

January 29th, 2010 admin

I love those self help books which tell you how to easily remove stains and odours, be more efficient and various other useful tips, just by using some common sense and normal household cleaning products, such as vinegar and bicarbonate of soda.

Do you know that practically all cleaning can be done efficiently and quickly using these two amazing, totally safe and non-toxic ordinary household items?

I’m not going into this here, because this article is all about using some really common homeopathic remedies at home. But I encourage you to check them out. Just imagine, no more toxic fumes or dangers for small children or pets. Or you, for that matter.

Back to home remedies.

Just imagine your small daughter falls and cuts herself badly. She’s screaming, you’re panicking and you’ve got a flat tyre on your car. Your neighbours are away on holiday on one side, and at work on the other. The bus drivers are on strike. Your family live miles away. And you’re a single parent.

Well, you could panic some more.

Or you could ring for a taxi, which will probably take a while to come.

You might try ringing your friend, but she could be out of town. Or, at the very least, a few minutes drive away.

You drive to the local hospital.

And then you wait…

Don’t you just love the wait?

You could be dying, for all most hospitals seem to care. They seem to be more interested in your private insurance cover, or your next of kin – great feeling of confidence.

Now supposing you had a small kit of common homeopathic home remedies, with an instruction sheet.

You could quickly get that out, run through the ailments section and pick the appropriate remedy for the wound.

That might take a couple of minutes.

Almost like magic, your daughter stops screaming. With peace descending, you wash and dress the wound. By the time your friend or the taxi arrives, the worst is over. Your daughter wants to get back to playing.

You’re left wondering why you were in such a panic. But you know it was real. There’s a wound to prove it.

Homeopathic home remedies work so fast, as soon as they hit your tongue they’re working, provided you have selected the correct one.

Learning something new, like using the most appropriate home remedies in emergencies, is something so valuable for us all, if should be taken very seriously.

So, where do you look for help?

My suggestion is to find a good, regular (at least weekly) natural health or homeopathic ezine (internet magazine) to subscribe to. This way, learning becomes almost effortless. Learning which common home remedies do what, could stand you in good stead later in life.

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Here's How To Prevent Some Common Kinds Of Cancer

January 29th, 2010 admin

About half a million people die of cancer each year in the United States. There are about 200 versions of this dreadful disease based on the part of the body affected. A person’s diet, lifestyle and exposure to specific pollutants are the major factors that determine his risk of developing this dreaded condition. As is widely known, the use of tobacco can greatly increase the chances of developing cancer. In fact, medical studies have proved that even passive smokers face a high risk of suffering from smoking-related conditions.

Food is another major factor that determines the health of your body and the possibility of developing cancer. In various studies, nutritionists have proved that consuming ample servings of fruits and vegetables can actually help reduce the risk of developing cancers by half no matter how old the person is. Reducing the amount of concentrated fats also helps cut down the risk of developing cancerous cells in the body. This is exactly why it is a good idea to completely avoid junk food that contains high amounts of concentrated fats. In addition to its famous benefits, Omega-3 fats are also believed to be highly effective in lowering and completely preventing the possibility of developing cancer. The fatty acids found exclusively in fish have been noted to eliminate the risk of colon cancer.

Common Kinds Of Cancers

Now let us look at the most common kinds of this dreaded condition:

* Cancers Of The Breast

Cancers of the breast are the most common type of this disease that affects women around the world. However, women today have methods to detect this condition at an early stage. They simply have to undergo a yearly mammogram to detect signs of the disease. The mammogram now allows women to detect the signs of cancer earlier than they could in the past. This test is usually done by noting changes in the breast tissue structure and assessing lumps in the breasts. Such cancers are treated based on how far it has spread. Treatments include radiation therapy, chemotherapy and hormonal therapy.

* Cancers Of The Colon And Rectum

The large intestine is made of the colon and the rectum. This system is said to be cancerous when tumors develop along the interior wall of the large intestine. In some cases, cancerous cells may severely damage nearby tissues or organs such as the liver or the lungs. If cancer of the colon or rectum spreads to other organs, it will be almost impossible for the victim to make a complete recovery. Cancers of this kind are especially common in countries that adopt a Western diet consisting of prepackaged and processed food.

* Cancers Of The Lung

This is among the most deadly and uncontrollable kinds of cancers. This form of the disease also quickly spreads and infects other parts of the body like the brain and the liver. The lung may also develop tumors due to cancerous cells that originate from other body parts. This is exactly why it is important to treat lung cancer at a very early stage.

Hopefully, medical science will continue to discover newer and better ways of detecting and treating all these kinds of cancerous conditions.

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Common Causes of Female Infertility And Treatments

January 29th, 2010 admin

In women, infertility can occur when insufficient nutrition reaches the reproductive tissue. Sometimes this might be due to poor eating habits, but other times there is a medical issue such as poor digestion or some obstruction due to toxins. In men, excessive smoking, drugs and hard liquor can contribute to a low sperm count, which in turn makes it difficult to conceive. Additionally, other medical issues including diabetes, thyroid conditions, stress and even weight can contribute to difficulties conceiving a child.

Common causes of Female infertility are:

1. Ovulation problems
2. Tubal causes
3. Sperm causes
4. Unexplained infertility
5. Age-related factors

The main symptom of infertility in a woman is irregularity in her menstrual period, or when menstruation fails to occur for many months at a time. Such an occurrence is an indication that a visit to the doctor or gynecologist is in order. In men, the loss of interest in sexual activity or the urge to have sex is often an indication of infertility.

Although the symptoms of infertility are concerning, there are ways to cure it with medication in many cases, or in severe cases with surgery. In addition, in vitro fertilization clinics and artificial insemination can help with conception.

So, how can you tell whether you have fertility problems? Keep a journal of any symptom that you may encounter. For instance, when you have your menstrual cycle, make a note in a journal. If any irregularities occur, note them as well. Then on a regular basis keep track of any changes in these symptoms.

Normally the steps of a basic infertility evaluation would include:

1. History: – Taking a thorough medical history including any other medical conditions you might be having, any history of drug intake, and any other obstetric or gynecological problems that you may have.
2. Physical examination: – A thorough physical examination.
3. Blood tests: – Depending on the individual couple’s situation, various blood tests on either the female or the male may be needed. They can include testing for the levels of various sex hormones.
4. Taking a sample of semen and doing a semen analysis
5. Finding out if the woman is ovulating or not (i.e. producing egg in every menstrual cycle)
6. Hysterosalpingogram: – This test is done in order to assess the anatomy of the cavity of the uterus and the fallopian tubes.
7. Laparoscopy: – May be required after basic tests have been done. The surgeon looks inside the abdomen through an endoscope to look for any deformities of the tubes or for endometriosis.

Once a medication or course of treatment has been prescribed for you, keep another journal in which you describe the results. Have the symptoms improved? Are they worse? Are there any side effects? Keep track of when side effects occur and how severe they are. Having this information handy will help your doctor prescribe the treatment that best addresses not only your fertility, but your overall health as well.

You owe it to yourself to take an active role in managing your own health. Infertility can usually be addressed but you need to use every tool at your disposal to make sure you get the best results possible.

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Food Allergy – a Common Problem in Humans

January 25th, 2010 admin

Now a day’s food allergy becomes a common health problem to all people. It is really horrible experience to face in daily life. Food allergy can affect human body very badly. It can appear with red rashes on skin or sometime even it can take the suffered person to death. Allergic symptoms are generally very easy to identify but sometimes it is not easy enough.  Food allergy very commonly happens due to having eggs for many people even from very childhood. It is very important for the parents to observe what food is not suiting their baby because food allergy can destroy your health day by day. You will not feel comfortable with your daily life. Before giving any food to child the parents should be concerned about the labels of baby food. But if it noticed from the very starting there can be absolute solution as well as treatment of this kind of allergy prescribed by the physicians so that egg will be no more allergy source.

If your family member or members are suffering from any type of food allergy, try to avoid that food in your home very strictly. That will be very safer for the sufferer. Stop to buy that particular product causing health trouble to the family members so that they wont fell that they are missing something in their plates.

Another important food allergy can take place due to having wheat. The same measures have to be taken to stop the cause of allergy. The most rigorous allergy, which can take people to death, is allergy due to having peanuts, which can cause food anaphylaxis. Firstly the parents should be cautious until the child grows mature enough to get the knowledge of being ill because of food allergy. The reminders should be constantly given to them so that they become alert to avoid food, which can cause trouble to their health.

The bad consequences of peanut allergy are severe that people become very conscious about this. Very strictly it is followed that children should not bring any food to schools even. Adults are generally become cautious about this matter of fact because of having continuous problem due to having particular foods. When the person become mature enough he or she should personally consult with the physician so that the exact problems can come out into to be observed.

So it is better to make a diet chart including only the food that don’t cause allergy from any part. If you are no able to identify the symptoms try to consult with the physicians. They will lead you measures to follow. Don’t neglect to maintain unless it will never be cured and thus it will make you sufferer for the entire life.

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Low motality – Common reason for infertility in men

January 24th, 2010 admin

When a pair is coated with the problems of reproduction and the concept is very shortsighted and medically inaccurate to assume that should always be the problem of women. Infertility in men is the cause of reproductive issues in about half the cases reported, so if you and your partner are having problems that conceive, you do well to investigate the common causes of infertility in men to handle these issues on time and fully. Here are the most common causes:

Low sperm account ‘most common reason for infertility in men

Yes, men typically have millions of sperm to produce during each relational encounter, however, that sperm is very fragile and very little actually survive the journey through the system of a woman to reach an egg to fertilize. This is why it is necessary to produce the millions! But in reality, any one sperm reaches an egg to fertilize it is like winning the lottery ‘there are millions of tickets sold, but it is unlikely that is the winner. So, take account of the lower normal sperm makes it that much more difficult for the concept occurs. Since this is the most common reason for infertility in men, chances are that a doctor would want to collect a sample of semen from a man to test the semen of other evidence before you.

Low mobility of sperm

A human being, journey through the system of a woman to reach the egg dropped by the fallopian tubes are tiny tubes. But the tiny microscopic sperm, it can be miles long! Any sperm that can not be pushed to get through the journey that will die off before they do so, and again, sperm is very fragile to begin with. The low mobility of the sperm can not be the most common reason for infertility in men, but it is quite common that again, the doctors want to control the capabilities of their “little swimmers” can sure make your trip longer. If not, alternative means of the concept may need to be explored.

Malformed sperm

If the sperm does not form properly can not propelled forward to the arduous journey, malformed sperm is a common reason for men infertility, and can also be one of the most common reasons for low mobility of sperm. However, it is important to remember that malformed sperm does not mean that a child conceived with it is going to somehow be malformed or that this is a cause for birth defects, simply means that again, there may need to be an alternative explore the concept that something that relying on the natural course of action.

Blocked sperm ducts

Many people mistakenly assume that every time a man ejaculate during relational activity, that it contains sperm. This is not necessarily true, only about 1-2% of the semen of a man is actually sperm. The frozen sperm ducts are another common reason for infertility in men; he has no sperm at all in the ejaculate in these cases.

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