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New Study Suggests Possible Link to Risk of Heart Attack and Air Pollution

February 25th, 2011 . Posted in Everything, Health, Studies | 1 Comment »
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Air quality may be an important link to reducing heart attacks according to a recent study. WebMD.com, states the study was published in The Lancet and ranks air pollution as a possible contributor just as physical exertion, anger and alcohol use are considered triggers. It states that air pollution may be linked to heart attacks for the general population.

The fine particles in the air created by both traffic and power plants are considered to trigger the same number of heart attacks as negative emotions, shoveling snow or other physical exertion and alcohol. While on an individual level, the risk of air pollution triggering a heart attack is low – when these smaller risks are considered for a larger group of people – they could be considered a trigger.

Andrea Baccarelli, MD, PhD, associate professor of environmental epigenetics in the department of environmental health at the Harvard School of Public Health, Boston stated that while the analysis was not difficult, no one had ever done it before. But to compare air pollution to other risk factors was, “brilliant” as air pollution is a concern in communities.

This research is very interesting and echoes other research studies we’ve discovered that discuss the potential health risks for air pollution. Clearly air pollution is not good for people’s health.

Take the time to understand the air quality in your community. Ask how you can be involved and help improve your air quality. While air quality may seem like an overwhelming problem, if you get involved and others do too – you have the ability to make a difference. Others will be inspired by your changes and they may make healthy changes too.

Consider carpooling to work or using public transportation a few days a week for your commute. In most communities this is an easy and convenient choice. Carpooling can have its benefits as you get to know your neighbors and coworkers. You may have the opportunity to network or make new friends.

Plants improve our air quality. Taking the time to grow plants, flowers and trees will help air quality. Even if you don’t have a garden of your own – you can help grow by volunteering at a community garden or growing plants on your windowsill or deck. Every plant you nurture and grow has the ability to help air quality. Best of all you can enjoy fresh veggies, fruits, flowers and the beauty of nature.

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World’s First Hybrid Electronic Tugboat is a ‘Clean Machine’

January 26th, 2011 . Posted in Air Quality, Everything, Vehicles | No Comments »
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Those concerned with air pollution and air quality will be excited to learn about the invention of the world’s first and only hybrid electric tugboat. This great tugboat can be found at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, California.

hybrid tugboatThe hybrid and electric tugboat has been found to reduce emissions greatly. It reduces soot emissions by 71%, oxides of nitrogen (known to cause smog) by 51% and carbon dioxide by 27%.

These ports in California are considered to be the largest contributors in the South Coast Air basin. Diesel pollution is known to have serious health impacts. The new hybrid electric tugboat is being watched with great interest by scientists at UC Riverside who specialize in air pollution.

This hybrid electric tugboat raises some interesting points. The inventor of this tugboat certainly was thinking in a creative way about solving air pollution and air quality – what if each of us tried to think about our impact on air pollution and air quality in that very same way? What type of air quality or air pollution would we then have?

It is easy to see that the tugboat is solving a diesel pollution problem in an area known for air pollution. But no matter where you are – air quality can always be improved. Your daily effort to improve air quality and reduce air pollution will be felt by everyone you know. Making this effort will matter. Just as we look at the percentages for the tugboat and see that these numbers can help make a difference for everyone in that area.

So what can you do? Here are some easy steps to take to reduce air pollution and improve air quality:

Grow a garden and/or plant a tree. You don’t have to have an extensive green thumb to plant a lovely garden. Hardy plants will grow in your area; ask your local gardening center for advice. Gardening is very relaxing and a great hobby also. Your garden big or small helps to improve air quality and reduce air pollution.

Go hybrid or electric for that new car. This is a big step but an important one. Look into a hybrid or electric car for your new automobile. This can help to greatly improve air pollution and to help the air quality overall in your area.

Can’t get a new car yet? Look at other options. Try carpooling when possible or just get more organized about your use of the car. Many of us drive back and forth in the car, all over the place without even realizing it. Planning your use of the car not only saves gas but it helps reduce its emissions. You can also reduce its emissions by keeping it in good working order.

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California Farmers Say “Goodbye” to Diesel Tractors to Improve Air Quality

January 8th, 2011 . Posted in Environmental, Everything | No Comments »
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Everyone doing their part can help improve air quality. In California, farmers and ranchers are helping to reduce air pollution by taking part in a federal program which replaces their diesel tractors with clean running farm equipment. According to MercuryNews.com, this is especially important for the San Joaquin Valley and other California valleys that have trouble with smog and air pollution.

During the last two years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Services helped farmers to trade in 814 farm equipment machines for modern, air friendly machines. What a great program for the environment! With this program, it helps to reduce nitrogen oxide which is an important part of what creates smog. The program has helped to reduce nitrogen oxide by 1,349 tons – the equivalent of taking 408,000 cars from the California highways. Anyone can see how this would help Californians, and all of us, to breathe just a bit easier.

The U.S. government states they will put $24 millions into the program for 2011. The program splits the cost of upgrading the equipment with the farmers and ranchers. Reducing the smog in California with this program is very important – the California “farm belt” is known for having one of the highest levels of airborne dust, smoke and soot in the U.S.A..

It is great the California farmers are taking part in this program to reduce air pollution in the farm belt. By improving their equipment – it makes a great difference for all of California and beyond. With the California farm belt having one of the highest levels of airborne dust, smoke and soot in the country – it is critical that they reduce these levels. Changing their equipment to more modern machinery is a big improvement that has a great impact.

This is a great example of how if we all do our part we can reduce air pollution. There are ways we can all reduce air pollution if we try. Just like the farmers in California, there may be changes that you can make to help reduce air pollution and improve the air quality in your area. A higher quality of air and less air pollution lets everyone breathe a bit easier – from people, pets, farm animals and plants/trees.

Look for ways to do your part to reduce air pollution. Ask your family and friends what they are doing to reduce air pollution. Together you may come up with great ideas to help improve air quality. Planting trees or a small garden can help improve air quality. Driving a hybrid or electric car may also help change air pollution.

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Iceland Volcano Eruptions Had Little Effect on Air Quality

December 5th, 2010 . Posted in Air Quality, Environmental, Everything | 1 Comment »
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When a volcanic eruption occurs, it can cause air pollution and this has many people worried. Volcanoes can release massive quantities of sulphur dioxide. This can then lead to acid rain and ash or volcanic aerosol which are known to bring volcanic pollution for many miles (into the thousands).

Eyjafyallajokull volcanoAccording to the European Environmental Agency, the Iceland volcano has been monitored and its effects on air pollution. This agency states that air quality has not been impacted due to the eruptions. But in Iceland, concentrations of particulate matter are higher than normal, which can be harmful to both people and animals according to the Icelandic Directorate of Health. The Icelandic Directorate of Health keeps track of pollution levels.

The potential volcanic debris and pollution will continue to be analyzed in Europe. The current weather of both rain and snow may help to remove what currently exists. Analyzing this data will take time and information will continue to be gathered for Europe. People are encouraged to check with their local centers for air quality information.

Today we don’t tend to think of volcanoes erupting but they do. For those who live near a volcano it is something to think about. Those who live in Washington State near Mount St. Helen likely remember her eruption in 1980. While this eruption was tracked and the volcano has been monitored for years, lives were still lost. Volcanoes are powerful and by nature, quite unpredictable.

The volcano in Iceland located under the Eyjafyallajokull glacier erupted a 3.7-mile shot of ash. This unique incident halted most flights through northern Europe for two weeks. The glacier erupted ash and smoke from under the glacier.

According to Reuteurs.com, a scientist stated the eruption was 10 times more powerful than one that happened last month, though the two eruptions could be considered part of the very same event. The earlier eruption existed on the flank of the volcano.

Volcanoes exist all over the world today. The gases and ash existing in volcanoes can greatly affect air quality, making it difficult for people to breathe and sometimes even to survive. Here are some of the largest volcanoes you can see:

Mount Mazama/Crater Lake in Oregon. This volcano was named after it erupted 6,000 years ago. Once it was 12,000 feet high but after the explosion now all the exists was a 1,900 foot crater otherwise known as Crater Lake. Mount Mazama/Crater Lake was designated a National Park in 1902.

Mount Etna, Sicily. This is a very active volcano in Europe today. One of the most recent eruptions occurred in December 1991.

Mount Vesuvius, Italy. Many have heard of the great volcano Vesuvius. The greatest eruption covered the city of Pompeii and the city of Herculaneum in 79 A.D.. Today the volcano is active with the last deadly eruption occurring in 1631.

Mount Tambora, Indonesia. This is considered the “deadliest volcano” in history. When it erupted in April 1815, 92,000 people died.

To help improve the air quality in your own home, you should consider buying a HEPA air purifier. Rabbit Air makes stylish and functional units.

Air Quality Experiment Shows Greater Accuracy of Ozone Levels According to Scientists

November 18th, 2010 . Posted in Air Quality, Environmental, Everything | 2 Comments »
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Scientists directed by researchers at the California Institute of Technology and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory have found a significant chemical reaction which affects the creation of pollution in smoggy air. According to PhysOrg.com, the current research used today is underestimating the ozone levels by 5 to 10 percent in Los Angeles. Using the new research will offer a more accurate understanding of the smog levels in Los Angeles.

The results of their study were published in October in the journal Science. They are expected to have a “small but significant impact on the predictions of computer models used to assess air quality, regulate emissions, and estimate the health impact of air pollution,” according to Mitchio Okumura, professor of chemical physics at Caltech and a principal investigator for the research study.

The research found the key reaction is between nitrogen dioxide and the hydroxyl radical. When sunlight is there, these two chemicals and volatile organic compounds are critical to forming the chemical reactions which create what we know as the ozone.

Scientists have not known until now how quickly the reactions between each of these does occur. The team used an advanced chemical reactor to measure reaction rates with great accuracy. With an understanding of how quickly this could be created, the scientists and researchers could discover how fast this would be created under real time conditions.

This information will be very helpful to scientists and researchers working to help improve the ozone and to improve air quality. Air pollution is a concern in so many areas around the world. By understanding the exact level of air pollution, a city or region can easily monitor their success rate with the air quality. Having their ozone levels off by a great percentage of 5 to 10 percent means that they have not had a good understanding until now. These findings are very helpful to scientists and researchers around the world dedicated to improving air quality.

What is even more exciting is to see the progress in research and to know that scientists are getting closer to understanding how air pollution is created. The molecule HOONO has not been extensively studied, but was reviewed and quite important during this particular study. Perhaps learning more about new molecules and other scientific breakthroughs will help the air quality we all can enjoy.

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