Your frying pan may be harming your health, especially when cooking meals that involve frying or sauteing, according to a new study from The University of British Columbia (UBC) published in the journal Environmental Science; finding that frying or sauteing releases brown carbon aerosols that could be impacting indoor air quality as well as your health.
In today's world, where we spend the majority of our time indoors, ensuring good indoor air quality is paramount for our health and well-being. Environmental testing plays a crucial role in identifying and mitigating hidden hazards that may lurk in the air we breathe, both at home and in the workplace.
Only seven countries in the world (less than four percent) had air quality levels at or below the healthy annual average recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2023, according to one report from the Swiss air quality organization IQAir. In many cases, poor outdoor air quality is fueled by environmental factors, though the improvement of indoor air quality is equally as imperative to minimize the health effects associated with pollution. From the state of air quality in 2024 to the impact on human health, there are several simple ways in which indoor air quality can be improved for the sake of a healthier at-home environment.
Welcome to the transformative world of biophilic design, a unique approach that links the beauty of nature to our living spaces.
This design philosophy transcends mere aesthetics and is crucial in enhancing our well-being through nature and connecting us more deeply with the environment. Biophilic design is not just about adding plants; it's about creating a living space that embodies the essence of nature. From using natural materials to integrating real light and greenery, this approach has been shown to improve mood, reduce stress, and even enhance productivity and creativity. Discover how to incorporate biophilic design into your new home, bringing nature indoors and transforming it into a serene sanctuary.
As the days become darker, colder and seemingly longer many of us find ourselves spending less time outdoors and retreating inside our homes to the warmth and comfort it provides. After some time inside many will start to feel that stuffiness inside and miss the great outdoors, but care not to venture back out into the harsh elements that have replaced the warmth and comfort that it provides, which I have grown to appreciate more with each passing year.
People typically spend 90 percent of their lives inside, at home, at work, or in transport. Within these enclosed spaces, occupants are exposed to a multitude of chemicals from various sources, including outdoor pollutants penetrating indoors, gaseous emissions from building materials and furnishings, and products of our own activities such as cooking and cleaning. In addition, we are potent mobile emission sources of chemicals that enter the indoor air from our breath and skin.
A new type of ultraviolet light that is safe for people took less than 5 minutes to reduce the level of indoor airborne microbes by more than 98%, a joint study by scientists at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and the U.K. has found. Even as microbes continued to be sprayed into the room, the level remained very low as long as the lights were on.
As the days become darker, colder and seemingly longer many of us find ourselves spending less time outdoors and retreating back inside our homes to the warmth and comfort it provides. After some time inside many will start to feel that stuffiness inside and miss the great outdoors, but care not to venture back out into the harsh elements that have replaced the warmth.
Studies suggest that activities held outdoors in warmer temperatures could pose lower risk for COVID-19 than those done in confined indoor spaces. As reopening of states is being considered, states should look to ease rules to allow more access to recreational, religious, and business activities that occur outside, according to Scott Gottlieb, MD, former commissioner of the FDA from 2017 to 2019.u00a0
