Localized Exhaust Ventilation

What is localized exhaust ventilation?  Well, according to the site http://www.hse.gov.uk/lev/ , it is a way for dust, fumes and air contaminants to be funneled away before they are breathed in.  How exactly does this work, you might think, however.  Well, basically a localized exhaust ventilator looks like a giant pump the is placed at a maximum distance away from the contaminant source that is equal or less than the diameter of the ventilator tube itself.  Why is this?  This distance results in the most efficient way of making sure no contaminants escape from the opening of the ventilation system, which would be dangerous to your health.  Taking the contaminants directly away from the source and into the ventilator is obviously very good in keeping workers safe.  Not only do localized exhaust ventilators keep people safe and protect their health, but according to the site http://en.sovplym.com/support/industry.htm , having a localized exhaust ventilation system can also increase productivity by ten to twenty percent.  If the contaminants aren't in the way of the workers, they are able to concentrate more on what they are doing and get more accomplished.  So where can you buy a localized exhaust ventilation system?  Well, simply researching localized exhaust ventilation systems creates many links about them and where to get them, there are companies who specifically make them.  According to the site http://www.lev-co.com/ , there are five types of localized exhaust ventilation systems that one can choose from depending on what the need.  These five types are hoods, ducts, fans, filters, and discharge stacks.  You might be familiar with the ventilation system hood, which is used at a lot of food businesses.  I hope this blog provided some helpful information about localized exhaust ventilation systems, and what one of these systems is used for and also that getting one of these systems installed is simply a matter of contacting a company that specialized in exhaust ventilation systems and discussing with them what system would be best for you.

Particulate Matter

What is particulate matter?  Well, basically, particulate matter is air pollution.  However, you may not be able to see particulate matter due to the fact that there are different particle sizes.  According to the site http://www.epa.gov/pm/ , this matter can be microscopic size particles, which would be particles in a haze or a smoke,  or coarse particles.  These coarse particles can be found near industries where pollution is visible, but they are considered coarse if they are larger than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, and smaller than 10 micrometers in diameter.  Obviously, pollution is not good for your health, so it is understood that particulate matter is not good for your health.  How exactly is it bad for your health?  Well, if particles are breathed in, they can enter the lungs which would effect your health negatively, and according to the site http://www.epa.gov/pm/basic.html , some particulate matter may even make its way into the bloodstream.  Also on this site is an example of just how big and or small particulate matter is.  Well, a human hair is approximately 70 micrometers in diameter.  So compare that to the largest particulate, with a diameter of 10 micrometers, that will give you some direction into just how small even the particulates that are considered large are, and also just how microscopic the smallest particulates are.  So, it is clear that particulate matter can cause some serious health effects.  According to the site http://www.sparetheair.org/Stay-Informed/Air-Quality-and-Your-Health/PM-Health-Effects.aspx , some of these include irritation to the lungs, chronic lung diseases, clotting of the blood, which may lead to a heart attack, and increase the likelihood of catching a virus or bacteria.  I hope this blog was helpful in providing a little more information to you about what particulate matter is and how it can be dangerous to your health. 

Wheatstone Bridge

The Wheatstone bridge is a circuit in a sensor used in recording air quality, specifically for combustible gases like carbon monoxide.  This type of sensor is also called a catalytic combustion sensor, and the Wheatstone bridge is the circuit inside the sensor that detects the combustible gases.  So how is the Wheatstone bridge used in air sampling?  Well, these sensors contain a Wheatstone bridge circuit which contains a catalyst that reacts with the combustible gas.  Once the gas reacts with the catalyst in the sensor, there is a noticeable difference in heat.  This changes the electrical resistance inside the sensor on the catalyst.  Once there's a change in the electrical resistance, there is a level in the circuit that is directly proportional to the level of combustible gas present.  So this change in the level of the circuit is measured, which then gives the reading of the level of combustible gas that is present.  It is obviously a lot more complex than this, but that is just a short summary of how a Wheatstone bridge circuit is actually used in air sampling because once the sensors react with a gas, there are readings for the level of gas present.  Also, Wheatstone bridge circuits are used in sensors that record thermal conductivity.  So, what exactly is a Wheatstone bridge? Well, it is a circuit inside a sensor used in measuring combustible gas levels, and also thermal conductivity.  It contains a lot of pipes and valves and meters needed to be used in the detection of a combustible gas in the area being recorded.  Once there is a reaction inside the circuit, levels and signals begin to change in the sensor and this change in the sensor is the level of combustible gas being recorded.  I hope this blog gave you a little more information about what a Wheatstone bridge actually is and how it is used in air sampling.  (Nims, 132-133)

Source- Basics of Industrial Hygiene by Debra K. Nims

Particle Size and Respiratory Disease

There are studies being done about the relationship between particle pollution and the size of particles and if this is directly related to health problems.  According to the site http://www.epa.gov/pm/health.html , the smaller the particle size the more dangerous.  Why is this you may ask?  Many people may think larger particles are more dangerous but that's not the case.  Smaller particles are more dangerous because they can get into the lungs and if small enough, into the bloodstream which is not good for your health.  Particles smaller than ten micrometers in diameter are the most deadly.  Also from this same site there were listed health effects that result from particle pollution.  Some of these health effects include aggravated asthma, irregular heart beats, nonfatal heart attacks, and more.  The reason for these health problems is from the particles in the particulate matter.  Particulate matter, according to the site http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/how_do.html , are solids and/or liquids that are distributed in a gas.  The fact that they are in a gas makes them very dangerous to peoples health, and this particulate matter can be very common in the workplace and may expose workers to dangerous particulates for hours at a time.  This obviously isn't good for someone's health, so the EPA is required to set air quality standards to keep these particulates and particulate matter at a minimum.  Sometimes particulate matter can be visible, which is when there is a haze somewhere present, and these particles can be spread through the air and contaminate the food and water we eat and drink, so these particulates can do a lot more damage than one might think.  These health effects don't necessarily happen from visible particulate matter, the fact that it can spread and travel into water and onto vegetation can also cause health problems.  I hope this blog was helpful in talking about the health effects that can be caused due to particulate matter. 

Botox

What is Botox, exactly?  Well, according to the site http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/158647.php , Botox is a drug that is used for many things medically to cure certain muscle conditions, but it is probably most known for temporarily paralyzing muscles in order to remove wrinkles.  Botox is made from a neurotoxin, which are toxins that aim at the nervous system and disrupt signals.  So how does Botox work?  Well, the toxin is injected into neuromuscular tissue, and it can take up to 72 hours to take effect.  So, Botox seems to be pretty expensive, but just how expensive?  Well, according to the site http://www.realself.com/question/how-much-does-botox-cost , the three most common areas people get Botox injections are in between the brows, the crows feet, and the forehead.  It takes about 60 units to treat all three of those areas, and each unit costs about ten dollars a piece.  So it can be very expensive.  So ok, its expensive, but is it temporary or permanent?  Botox is temporary.  And according to the site http://www.realself.com/question/how-long-does-botox-last , Botox on average will last about three to four months.  So is it worth it?  Well, that's up to the individual.  Some people may think that Botox is outrageously expensive while others might think it is not that bad of a price.  According to the site http://www.youbeauty.com/face/botox-facts , Botox was first used in 1977 to treat eye muscle problems.  It later became known that wrinkles were nonexistent and it started to be used cosmetically.  The FDA approved the use of Botox cosmetically in 2002.  Ever since, it has been used for removing wrinkles rather than for how it was originally used in 1977, although it is still used for that purpose, just not as often.  I hope this blog was helpful in providing a little more information about what Botox actually is and how it started.