ASBESTOS EXPOSURE

It wasn’t until the mid-20th century that researchers officially established the connection between asbestos exposure and serious respiratory conditions (although evidence was presented as early as the 1920s). But by then, millions of workers had already been exposed in the workplace and in other locations. While federal asbestos exposure limits were imposed in 1972, an estimated 10,000 people in the United States continue to pass away each year from related illnesses.

Asbestos exposure occurs when someone inhales or swallows asbestos fibers. Just about everyone breathes in asbestos from the outside air, but these trace amounts rarely cause health problems. While no level of asbestos exposure is considered safe, most asbestos-related illnesses arise after heavy, repeated exposures. Harmful exposures happen in a wide range of occupational settings. Construction work and home renovations can be especially hazardous because many common building materials contain asbestos. When asbestos products start to deteriorate, or someone cuts, sands, drills or otherwise disturbs them, microscopic fibers enter the air.

For instance, the sandblasting practices of Alaska-based shipbuilding and repair facility Seward Ship’s Drydock have come under fire by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC). The ADEC issued a notice of violation to Seward Ship’s Drydock for uncontrolled “fugitive particulate emissions” at its sandblasting operations. If workers were sandblasting asbestos-containing materials such as paint, insulation or joint compounds off of a vessel, the asbestos fibers released were no longer confined to the sandblasted area and possibly inhaled by individuals elsewhere in the shipyard. Fibers can remain airborne for hours, placing anyone nearby in danger. Once inhaled, they become trapped in the respiratory tract and lungs, where they may stay for life.

For more information, visit our website at BIOWASHING.com

JERSEY SHORE FLOODING

Here’s a set of photos from the recent storms down the Jersey Shore, and one showing the beginning stages of the cleanup. 

LEGIONNAIRES & IT’S SYMPTOMS

The bacterium responsible for Legionnaires’ disease belongs to the genus Legionella. There are approximately 35 Legionella species known to produce the disease. Legionella species are commonly found in any aquatic environment. They can survive for several months in a wet environment and multiply in the presence of algae and organic matter.

Legionnaires’ disease can have symptoms like many other forms of pneumonia, so it can be hard to diagnose at first. Signs of Legionnaires’ disease can include:

• Cough
• Shortness of breath
• High fever
• Muscle aches
• Headaches

These symptoms usually begin 2 to 10 days after being exposed to the bacteria, but people should watch for symptoms for about 2 weeks after exposure.

Risk Factors

• Being 50 or older
• Having a chronic lung condition such as asthma or emphysema
• Smoking cigarettes
• Taking medications that suppress the immune system
• Having an immune-suppressing illness

For more information, visit our website by safely clicking here:  BIOWASHING.com

WHAT TO DO BEFORE, DURING & AFTER A FLOOD

Sometimes there is no warning of flash floods, and that is why it is important to think of them and prepare for them before they happen. Here are a few things you can do.

Before the floods… 

• Know about your local relief centers and evacuation routes.
• Keep emergency numbers and important information handy, as well as emergency supplies, kits, first aid items. These may include water, canned food, can opener, battery-operated radio, flashlight and protective clothing.
• Fold and roll up anything onto higher ground (or upper floors of your home), including chemicals and medicines.
• Make sure everything that is of importance is secured (jewelry, documents, pets, and other valuables).
• Plant trees and shrubs and keep a lot of vegetation in your compound if you are in a low-lying area as that can control erosion and help soften the speed of the flowing water.

During the floods…

• Flash floods occur in a short spate of time. As soon as they start, be quick, keep safe and ensure that children and elderly are safe by leaving the house to a higher ground.
• Turn off all electrical appliance, gas, heating and the like if there is a bit of time.
• Leave the area before it gets too late. Do not drive through the water as moving water can sweep you away.
• Stay away from power lines or broken power transmission cables.
• Try to keep away from flood water as it may contain chemicals or other hazardous materials.

After the floods…

• Make sure you have permission from emergency officers to get back inside your house.
• Keep all power and electrical appliance off until the house is cleaned up properly and an electrical personnel has confirmed that it is OK to put them on.
• Make sure you have photographs, or a record of all the damage, as it may be needed for insurance claims.
• Clean the entire home, together with all the objects in it very well before you use them again. They may be contaminated.
• Wear appropriate gear (mask and gloves) before cleaning begins.
• For more information, visit our website at Biowashing.com

WINDOW TIPS

October may still be warm enough to have your windows open, but it’s already time begin thinking about the cold weather ahead. Early fall is a great time toinstall storm windows and reap the benefits of lower heating costs this winter.

In colder climates, storm windows on single pane glass can reduce heat loss through the window by 25% to 50% and lower your heating costs by as much as 13%! And the savings jump to 20% if the storm windows have a low-E coating.

If your home already has storm windows, this is a great time to clean and close them. Removable screens can be taken down, scrubbed, and put away until spring. While it’s not necessary to remove screens in winter, the added light can help brighten up your house on dark winter days.

If storm windows aren’t an option for you, an alternative is to seal out cold drafts using plastic window insulation kits. These are applied over the inside of the window with self-adhesive tape. A warm hair blower is then used to heat and shrink the plastic to make it tight and nearly invisible.

For more information, visit our website at Biowashing.com

HOME REMEDIES FOR HEAD LICE

If your child just got back from an sleepover with friends or school and your child or a parent tells you that one of the kids has lice, there’s no need to panic. While they can spread, they don’t carry disease—and it doesn’t mean that you or your child are in any way “unclean/dirty.” To treat lice, there are times when all you need to do is use a lice comb to comb your child’s hair every morning and evening for three weeks. You can combine the combing with some easy—although sometimes messy—home treatments. From tea tree oil to simple olive oil, there are numerous home remedies.

Nearly all home remedies rely on some method to suffocate the lice. Using an effective home remedy is probably preferable to putting harsh chemicals on your child’s head. Here are some of the natural “suffocating” or “smothering” treatments that work well if you follow the instructions. It’s important to note that some experts believe that the combing does most of the work. The “suffocating” treatments just stun the lice and make them slower and easier to catch on the comb.

Coat the hair with olive or almond oil. (Vaseline and mayonnaise are not recommended—they are unnecessarily messy, and both can be difficult to wash out.) Some people suggest coating the comb instead of the hair and re-applying the oil as needed. You may have to try both methods to see which works best for you. Separate the hair into small sections, using a hair clip to move them out of the way. Work under a good light so you can see what you’re doing. Rinse out the comb often under running hot water as you go. Once you have completely combed out your child’s hair, use their regular shampoo, rinse, and repeat. Make sure you wash all the towels used and clean out the lice comb. You can soak it in a 10 percent bleach solution or 2 percent Lysol solution for 30 minutes and rinse very well. Alternatively, you can soak the comb in vinegar for 30 minutes or boil it in water for 10 minutes. Follow this procedure every day for a week. Then, for the next two weeks, comb through your child’s hair every night to make sure the lice are gone.

A number of essential oils have been shown to be effective—along with combing—in eliminating head lice. Before you use any essential oil, put a small drop on the back of your child’s hand. Although it’s rare, some kids have allergic reactions to these oils—specifically tea tree oil. If your child is allergic to one, move on to the next oil on the list.

n order of most to least effective, the essential oils to try include:

• Tea Tree Oil
• Lavender Oil
• Neem Oil
• Clove Oil
• Eucalyptus Oil
• Aniseed Oil
• Cinnamon Leaf Oil
• Red Thyme Oil
• Peppermint Oil
• Nutmeg Oil

Mix 2 ounces of olive oil with 15 to 20 drops of the essential oil. Apply to the scalp using cotton balls. Leave this mixture on the scalp and hair overnight—at least 12 hours. Alternatively, mix the 15 to 20 drops of essential oil in 4 ounces of rubbing alcohol. Place the mixture in a spray bottle and saturate the hair with it, leaving in 12 hours. The following morning, comb out your child’s hair. Then, shampoo, rinse, and repeat. Once the lice have been eliminated, the alcohol – essential oil spray can be used as a preventive treatment. Remember—combing out the hair is absolutely essential to removing the lice!

For more information, visit our website at Biowashing.com

COMPLICATIONS OF MOLD ALLERGIES

Most allergic responses to mold involve hay fever-type symptoms that can make you miserable, but aren’t serious. However, certain allergic conditions caused by mold are more severe. These include:

• Mold-induced asthma. In people allergic to mold, breathing in spores can trigger an asthma flare-up. If you have a mold allergy and asthma, be sure you have an emergency plan in place in case of a severe asthma attack.
• Allergic fungal sinusitis. This results from an inflammatory reaction to fungus in the sinuses.
• Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. This reaction to fungus in the lungs can occur in people with asthma or cystic fibrosis.
• Hypersensitivity pneumonitis. This rare condition occurs when exposure to airborne particles such as mold spores cause the lungs to become inflamed. It may be triggered by exposure to allergy-causing dust at work.

Besides allergens, mold may pose other health risks to susceptible people. For example, mold may cause infections of the skin or mucus membranes. Generally, however, mold doesn’t cause systemic infections except for people with impaired immune systems, such as those who have HIV/AIDS or who are taking immuno-suppressant medication. Exposure to mold may also irritate eyes, skin, nose and throat in some people. Other possible mold reactions are the subject of ongoing research.

For more information, visit our website at Biowashing.com

A number of factors can make you more likely to develop a mold allergy, or worsen your existing mold allergy symptoms, including:

• Having a family history of allergies. If allergies and asthma run in your family, you’re more likely to develop a mold allergy.
• Working in an occupation that exposes you to mold.Occupations where mold exposure may be high include farming, dairy work, logging, baking, millwork, carpentry, greenhouse work, winemaking and furniture repair.
• Living in a house with high humidity. If your indoor humidity is higher than 60 percent, you may have increased exposure to mold in your home. Mold can grow virtually anywhere if the conditions are right — in basements, behind walls in framing, on soap-coated grout and other damp surfaces, in carpet pads, and in the carpet itself. Exposure to high levels of household mold may trigger mold allergy symptoms.
• Working or living in a building that’s been exposed to excess moisture. Examples include leaky pipes, water seepage during rainstorms and flood damage. At some point, nearly every building has some kind of excessive moisture. This moisture can allow mold to flourish.
• Living in a house with poor ventilation. Tight window and door seals may trap moisture indoors and prevent proper ventilation, creating ideal conditions for mold growth. Damp areas, such as bathrooms, kitchens and basements, are most vulnerable.

MUSTY ODORS VS. MOLD

Musty odors are caused by volatile organic compounds. While mold is a common source for these compounds, they can come from other sources. If there is no water anywhere in the basement, then musty odors are probably not caused by mold. If there is water, mold probably plays a role, but may not be the entire problem.

First, let’s talk about mold. Actively growing mold produces a wide range of volatile compounds, some of which can impart a musty odor. Many of these compounds can be detected by the human nose at very low concentrations. The mold colonies do not have to be sporulating to release these compounds, so that nearly invisible mold can be the source. When I see carpeting on a basement floor, I usually assume that it is the source for any musty odors that might be present, even if the carpeting looks new and dry and clean. Removal of the carpeting usually ends the odor problem. Mold does occur behind paneling if the wall is damp, and drying the wall is the only solution. Such drying may or may not involve removing the paneling. In both of these cases, airborne spore concentrations can be very low. This is an indication either that the mold producing the odors is not sporulating, or that any spores that are produced are trapped and not entering the air.

Wet concrete has an odor that could be interpreted as musty. While mold can grow on the surface of concrete, it isn’t always present, and just the dampness may be producing odors. Standing water usually doesn’t result in mold growth, but bacteria may grow and produce volatiles with “musty” odors.

Dehumidification is one means for controlling both mold and the damp concrete odors discussed above. I use a dehumidifier that keeps my entire 1000+ square foot basement odor free, and that drains directly into my stationary washtub. It could also drain into a floor drain. Otherwise, the reservoirs of dehumidifiers have to be emptied regularly, and if they are not, they could become odor sources in themselves.

Finally, some dry environments have a musty odor. One cause of this odor that I call the “Antique Shop Odor” is degradation of paper products and very old wood. Old waxes and polishes could also contribute. I am not aware of publications that discuss the specific compounds that cause these odors. I do know that some people find them objectionable and, for that reason, don’t visit antique shops or even museums with antique collections.

For more info click this link:  Biowashing.com