All articles tagged with #ventilation
In a controlled hotel-room study with five influenza patients and 11 healthy volunteers, close face-to-face contact did not result in transmission, likely due to limited coughing, rapid mixing and dilution of airborne virus, and possibly age-related protection; the findings underscore ventilation, air movement, and masking as effective defenses against indoor flu spread and could inform infection-control guidelines.
A study reveals that indoor activities like wood burning and cooking significantly contribute to indoor air pollution, which can pose health risks, especially during holiday seasons when people spend more time at home. Simple measures such as improving ventilation, careful stove management, and using exhaust fans can help reduce exposure to harmful pollutants.
An increasing trend of lung cancer among non-smoking women is linked to factors such as poor kitchen ventilation, exposure to cooking fumes from solid fuels, hormonal influences, genetic mutations like EGFR, and chronic lung damage from long-term exposure to indoor pollutants, emphasizing the need for better ventilation and awareness.
The episode explores the hidden dangers in the air we breathe, emphasizing the presence of microorganisms like bacteria and viruses, the importance of good ventilation, lessons from COVID-19, and potential measures such as CO2 monitors and UV purification to improve air safety.
New research from the University of Bristol reveals that higher concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) in indoor environments can significantly extend the lifespan of airborne viruses like SARS-CoV-2, challenging long-held beliefs about CO2 as merely an indicator of poor ventilation. This discovery underscores the need for improved indoor air quality standards to mitigate the risk of viral transmission, especially in poorly ventilated spaces.
Xbox Series X owners are debating whether to store their consoles vertically or horizontally. While the official Xbox support page states that both orientations are acceptable as long as the console is well-ventilated and unobstructed, users on r/xboxone have differing opinions. Some prefer horizontal storage to prevent tipping, while others favor vertical storage to reduce dust accumulation. Ultimately, the choice seems to depend on personal preference and available space.
The World Health Organization and 500 experts have defined what it means for a disease to spread through the air, aiming to prevent confusion and improve prevention strategies for diseases like measles and future pandemics. The new definition moves away from past debates over "droplets" versus "aerosols" and considers the risk of exposure and disease severity. This development follows criticism of the WHO's early response to COVID-19, with experts emphasizing the importance of ventilation in addition to measures like handwashing. The agreed-upon definition is expected to facilitate discussions on ventilation in various settings and improve disease prevention practices.
Storing items on top of the refrigerator can obstruct ventilation, leading to overheating and potential fire hazards, while also posing risks of falling objects and clutter. To maintain a safe and functional kitchen, it's important to keep the top of the fridge clear, especially of heavy items, and periodically inspect and organize the space to ensure proper ventilation and minimize hazards.
A TikTok user's video complaining about her Samsung fridge needing to be emptied every two weeks to defrost has sparked discussion, with commenters suggesting potential issues such as a clogged drain tube, faulty defrost sensor, and inadequate ventilation due to the fridge being pushed into a small space. Other users shared similar experiences with Samsung fridges, prompting the user to attempt to remedy the issue herself as Samsung would not fix it without proof of purchase.
Indoor air quality has been largely overlooked in public health discussions during the pandemic, but researchers are now emphasizing its importance in curbing the spread of respiratory infections like COVID-19. Aerosol scientists argue that viruses can travel through the air much farther than six feet, making social distancing alone insufficient. Improving ventilation and air filtration systems in indoor spaces is crucial to reducing the risk of transmission. Companies like Amazon are investing in state-of-the-art HVAC systems to ensure the health and safety of their employees, and experts believe that prioritizing indoor air quality will have long-term benefits for public health.
A Harvard professor and founder of the Healthy Buildings Program emphasizes the importance of ventilation in preventing the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections. He argues that indoor air systems have been overlooked in building design and public health discussions, leading to the rapid spread of the virus. Studies have shown that improving ventilation can significantly reduce the risk of infections. Companies are now prioritizing indoor air quality for the health of their employees, and experts believe that "healthy buildings" with proper ventilation will become the preferred choice for workers in the future.
A study from MIT has found that germicidal UV lights, which are used to reduce airborne pathogens in indoor spaces, can produce potentially harmful compounds. The UV lights interact with oxygen in the air to form ozone and other oxidation reactions, leading to the production of harmful compounds and secondary organic aerosols. The accumulation of these compounds in poorly ventilated indoor environments poses health risks. The study suggests that UV lights should be used in conjunction with appropriate ventilation rather than as a substitute. Further research is needed to understand the full implications of these findings in real-world indoor environments.
The COVID-19 pandemic and increasing frequency of wildfires have highlighted the importance of clean indoor air, which can reduce heart and lung disease, improve cognitive performance, and prevent the spread of deadly pathogens. While the Biden administration has held a summit on indoor air quality and the CDC has published federal recommendations for air circulation, many experts argue that businesses and governments must take a larger role in addressing the issue. Some suggest new laws to require better indoor air management, while others call for a coordinated public pressure campaign. Improving indoor air quality can be expensive, but it could ultimately save money by reducing healthcare spending and increasing productivity.
Experts warn that even though the World Health Organization (WHO) declared an end to the global emergency status for COVID-19, countries still need to continue surveillance and monitor infections as this is a 'continuing problem', posing a threat. The change in terminology can mislead people worldwide into believing that the virus has disappeared, which in turn will give way to a dangerous level of complacency. Experts believe that the right kind of public health education, systemic changes like ventilation upgrades, and continuous surveillance is equally important today than it was during the pandemic. The easiest and the most 'painless' way of avoiding future infections is by upgrading indoor air quality systems in every building.
The Two Squares House by 24 7 Arquitetura is a residential project that consists of three separate blocks connected by two small squares covered by the slab of the bedrooms above. The garage, social, and barbecue with laundry blocks are surrounded by landscaping and Goiás stone pavers. The mixed structure of exposed concrete slabs with metal beams helps solve the spans of the three volumes of the ground floor without the presence of pillars, making the sensation of a large, connected span between interior and exterior even more interesting. The upper level features an extensive and wide lateral corridor that brings the idea of a covered balcony to the bedrooms and the family's more intimate TV room. The house is naturally illuminated and ventilated, providing cross ventilation from end to end, both on the ground floor and on the upper floor.