According to Dr. Bassam Mahboub, Vice President of the Emirates Allergy & Respiratory Society (EARS), and Associate Professor at Sharjah University, key triggers for Asthma and breathing allergies in the UAE are mould, pollen and dust mite allergens - coughs, colds, sneezing, watery eyes and nasal congestion are commonly caused by airborne allergens and sufferers are often unaware that these are symptoms of allergies.
He added that if either parent suffered from Asthma or breathing allergies, then children were more likely to be susceptible, and that from research conducted across the Gulf and Near East, 52% of children who suffered from Asthma missed school in the preceding year.
Mr. Mihir Patel, CEO of Amancorp, exclusive regional distributors for Airfree® Air Purifiers, a European brand globally renowned for its simple, effective and maintenance-free air purification technology, said: "As residents of the Gulf, we suffer a disproportionately higher rate of breathing allergies and asthma according to the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA), a World Health Organisation initiative. Interestingly, UAE research suggests that age (the younger the person), sex (females more than males), ethnicity (Arabs more than other races) and education levels (the more educated) all play a part in increasing one's vulnerability to breathing allergies."
Mr. Patel averred that although the UAE Government has implemented multiple standards for Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) as part of the UAE National Strategy & Action Plan for Environmental Health, Health Authority of Abu Dhabi (HAAD) Guidelines, Environmental Authority of Abu Dhabi Strategy (EAD), Abu Dhabi Environment, Health & Safety Centre (EHSMS), Dubai Municipality Building Control standards, and the Dubai Green Building regulations, much can still be done to make for optimum conditions, especially given that most people spend more than 90% of their day indoors, particularly in hot, arid environments like in the UAE.
"Improved Indoor Air Quality can improve health, concentration, productivity and sleep, and research conducted by the International Centre for Indoor environment & Energy (ICIEE) showed up to 35% improvement in mental arithmetic, comprehension and problem solving ability in school children with an improvement in Indoor Air Quality." Mr. Patel revealed.
Mr. Patel said that in the present climate, and given the fact that we take in as much as 10,000 litres of air per day, the need to improve Indoor Air Quality is becoming increasingly apparent and important. Reduction in ambient fine particulate air pollution in the USA in the last 30 years has resulted in an increase in life expectancy by as much as 15%, and it is clear today that we need to invest in air purifiers to improve the general quality of our lives. He suggested that rather like bottled drinking water was deemed a luxury two decades ago, but has become a daily essential to life today, pure air is already a premium commodity in short-supply.
Consumers in the US lead the way in terms of air purifier purchases - the US market is worth an estimated $221m a year, in a $1.4bn air quality industry.
Health experts are increasingly advising that in hot & humid environments like the UAE, where there is an over-dependence on air-conditioning 24 hours a day for 365 days a year, and not much attention is paid to cleaning air ducts and filters - preserving Indoor Air Quality is the need of the hour.
2011年4月28日星期四
Authors Reveal Hundreds of Green Secrets in Little Black Book
Lauded by Maria Shriver, Chelsea Handler, Sally Jessy Raphael and Trista & Ryan Sutter, among others, Just Green It! Simple Swaps to Save the Planet and Your Health reveals how consumers can now avoid falling prey to the dizzying and often misleading world of green shopping, or sometimes called green washing. "We debunk the 'green washing' that is so prevalent today and teach readers how to understand the difference between such confusing and often deceiving terms as 'natural,' 'organic,' 'chemical-free,' and 'non-toxic,' among others," explains co-author, Ron Beres. Consumers will learn to decipher fact from fiction as the Bereses empower readers through their direct writing style of a "Green It! or Skip It!" approach to live a healthier lifestyle and exercise their purchasing power. They clearly lay out in a visual format what is the better choice -- between brands, benefits, and costs in everything from household appliances and cleaning tools to food, cosmetics, and clothing for you, your kids, your home, and your budget.
While the Green Movement is concerned about the effects of our carbon footprint on the planet, the Bereses are equally concerned with how our footprint is endangering the health and well being of each individual. Did you know that product label claims like "natural" or "hypoallergenic" aren't regulated? Or that "wrinkle-free," "no-iron," or "easy care" often means a fabric was treated with a formaldehyde resin to keep it from wrinkling?
Everything in our lifestyle -- what we eat, touch, wear, and use to furnish and clean our homes -- is linked to our health and well-being. Unfortunately, we sometimes forget this and choose to ignore the many toxic materials that we come into contact with on a daily basis. With Just Green It!, there's a guidebook for today's consumer to decipher fact from fiction, live a healthier lifestyle, and exercise not just their voice, but their purchasing power as well.
While the Green Movement is concerned about the effects of our carbon footprint on the planet, the Bereses are equally concerned with how our footprint is endangering the health and well being of each individual. Did you know that product label claims like "natural" or "hypoallergenic" aren't regulated? Or that "wrinkle-free," "no-iron," or "easy care" often means a fabric was treated with a formaldehyde resin to keep it from wrinkling?
Everything in our lifestyle -- what we eat, touch, wear, and use to furnish and clean our homes -- is linked to our health and well-being. Unfortunately, we sometimes forget this and choose to ignore the many toxic materials that we come into contact with on a daily basis. With Just Green It!, there's a guidebook for today's consumer to decipher fact from fiction, live a healthier lifestyle, and exercise not just their voice, but their purchasing power as well.
Sharp rise in breathing-related allergies in MENA region
World Asthma Day, which will be commemorated on May 3, 2011, is an annual awareness-raising event organized by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA), a collaboration between the US National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, US National Institutes of Health, and the World Health Organization.
Expressing concern at the research finding that respiratory allergies will increase at the rate of 70 pr cent in the MENA region over the next 25 years, experts pointed out that the direct annual cost per capita for Asthma and allergies in the MENA region is US$500, and that research done locally indicated that instead of coming down, the incidence of Asthma and breathing allergies in the UAE has significantly increased over the years.
According to Dr. Bassam Mahboub, Vice President of the Emirates Allergy & Respiratory Society (EARS), and Associate Professor at Sharjah University, key triggers for Asthma and breathing allergies in the UAE are mould, pollen and dust mite allergens - coughs, colds, sneezing, watery eyes and nasal congestion are commonly caused by airborne allergens and sufferers are often unaware that these are symptoms of allergies.
He added that if either parent suffered from Asthma or breathing allergies, then children were more likely to be susceptible, and that from research conducted across the Gulf and Near East, 52% of children who suffered from Asthma missed school in the preceding year.
Mr. Mihir Patel, CEO of Amancorp, exclusive regional distributors for Airfree® Air Purifiers, a European brand globally renowned for its simple, effective and maintenance-free air purification technology, said: "As residents of the Gulf, we suffer a disproportionately higher rate of breathing allergies and asthma according to the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA), a World Health Organisation initiative. Interestingly, UAE research suggests that age (the younger the person), sex (females more than males), ethnicity (Arabs more than other races) and education levels (the more educated) all play a part in increasing one's vulnerability to breathing allergies."
Mr. Patel averred that although the UAE Government has implemented multiple standards for Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) as part of the UAE National Strategy & Action Plan for Environmental Health, Health Authority of Abu Dhabi (HAAD) Guidelines, Environmental Authority of Abu Dhabi Strategy (EAD), Abu Dhabi Environment, Health & Safety Centre (EHSMS), Dubai Municipality Building Control standards, and the Dubai Green Building regulations, much can still be done to make for optimum conditions, especially given that most people spend more than 90% of their day indoors, particularly in hot, arid environments like in the UAE.
"Improved Indoor Air Quality can improve health, concentration, productivity and sleep, and research conducted by the International Centre for Indoor environment & Energy (ICIEE) showed up to 35% improvement in mental arithmetic, comprehension and problem solving ability in school children with an improvement in Indoor Air Quality." Mr. Patel revealed.
Mr. Patel said that in the present climate, and given the fact that we take in as much as 10,000 litres of air per day, the need to improve Indoor Air Quality is becoming increasingly apparent and important. Reduction in ambient fine particulate air pollution in the USA in the last 30 years has resulted in an increase in life expectancy by as much as 15%, and it is clear today that we need to invest in air purifiers to improve the general quality of our lives. He suggested that rather like bottled drinking water was deemed a luxury two decades ago, but has become a daily essential to life today, pure air is already a premium commodity in short-supply.
Consumers in the US lead the way in terms of air purifier purchases - the US market is worth an estimated $221m a year, in a $1.4bn air quality industry.
Health experts are increasingly advising that in hot & humid environments like the UAE, where there is an over-dependence on air-conditioning 24 hours a day for 365 days a year, and not much attention is paid to cleaning air ducts and filters - preserving Indoor Air Quality is the need of the hour.
Expressing concern at the research finding that respiratory allergies will increase at the rate of 70 pr cent in the MENA region over the next 25 years, experts pointed out that the direct annual cost per capita for Asthma and allergies in the MENA region is US$500, and that research done locally indicated that instead of coming down, the incidence of Asthma and breathing allergies in the UAE has significantly increased over the years.
According to Dr. Bassam Mahboub, Vice President of the Emirates Allergy & Respiratory Society (EARS), and Associate Professor at Sharjah University, key triggers for Asthma and breathing allergies in the UAE are mould, pollen and dust mite allergens - coughs, colds, sneezing, watery eyes and nasal congestion are commonly caused by airborne allergens and sufferers are often unaware that these are symptoms of allergies.
He added that if either parent suffered from Asthma or breathing allergies, then children were more likely to be susceptible, and that from research conducted across the Gulf and Near East, 52% of children who suffered from Asthma missed school in the preceding year.
Mr. Mihir Patel, CEO of Amancorp, exclusive regional distributors for Airfree® Air Purifiers, a European brand globally renowned for its simple, effective and maintenance-free air purification technology, said: "As residents of the Gulf, we suffer a disproportionately higher rate of breathing allergies and asthma according to the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA), a World Health Organisation initiative. Interestingly, UAE research suggests that age (the younger the person), sex (females more than males), ethnicity (Arabs more than other races) and education levels (the more educated) all play a part in increasing one's vulnerability to breathing allergies."
Mr. Patel averred that although the UAE Government has implemented multiple standards for Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) as part of the UAE National Strategy & Action Plan for Environmental Health, Health Authority of Abu Dhabi (HAAD) Guidelines, Environmental Authority of Abu Dhabi Strategy (EAD), Abu Dhabi Environment, Health & Safety Centre (EHSMS), Dubai Municipality Building Control standards, and the Dubai Green Building regulations, much can still be done to make for optimum conditions, especially given that most people spend more than 90% of their day indoors, particularly in hot, arid environments like in the UAE.
"Improved Indoor Air Quality can improve health, concentration, productivity and sleep, and research conducted by the International Centre for Indoor environment & Energy (ICIEE) showed up to 35% improvement in mental arithmetic, comprehension and problem solving ability in school children with an improvement in Indoor Air Quality." Mr. Patel revealed.
Mr. Patel said that in the present climate, and given the fact that we take in as much as 10,000 litres of air per day, the need to improve Indoor Air Quality is becoming increasingly apparent and important. Reduction in ambient fine particulate air pollution in the USA in the last 30 years has resulted in an increase in life expectancy by as much as 15%, and it is clear today that we need to invest in air purifiers to improve the general quality of our lives. He suggested that rather like bottled drinking water was deemed a luxury two decades ago, but has become a daily essential to life today, pure air is already a premium commodity in short-supply.
Consumers in the US lead the way in terms of air purifier purchases - the US market is worth an estimated $221m a year, in a $1.4bn air quality industry.
Health experts are increasingly advising that in hot & humid environments like the UAE, where there is an over-dependence on air-conditioning 24 hours a day for 365 days a year, and not much attention is paid to cleaning air ducts and filters - preserving Indoor Air Quality is the need of the hour.
2011年4月26日星期二
Steve Bernardi and Dr. Gary Kracoff: Natural remedies for spring allergies Read more: Steve Bernardi and Dr. Gary Kracoff: Natural remedies for spring allergies - Dedham, Massachusetts - The Dedham Transcript http://www.dailynewstranscript.com/archive/x215606186/Steve-Bernardi-and-Dr-Gary-Kracoff-Natural-remedies-for-spring-allergies#ixzz1KgbSxgdd
For many people who suffer from allergies in the spring, the tried-and-true methods they have been using for years are certainly tried, but not necessarily true.
Most allergy sufferers get little relief from antihistamines and decongestants. In fact, these medications can sometimes do more harm than good.
An allergic reaction, such as a runny nose or watery eyes, represents an attempt by the body to rid itself of a hostile allergen, such as pollen, oak, birch or grass. An antihistamine will dry the body so that there are fewer symptoms.
The problem is, without the runny nose or watery eyes, the allergens are delayed in leaving the body, and the body takes longer to fully cleanse. And many antihistamines make people drowsy, which is seldom a good thing.
A homeopathic remedy can help the body respond more appropriately and stabilize itself without irritations like the drowsiness or dry eyes that can become painful when wearing contact lenses. But before delving too deeply into possible solutions, much good can result from determining and then minimizing the exposure to the allergen by considering the home environment.
Before eliminating anything else, it is important to remember that open windows will compound the effects of an allergy. Sufferers should not sleep with open windows. The same pollen residue that finds its way onto windowsills and dressers is also on pillows and sheets and inhaled all night long as a person sleeps.
An air purifier with HEPA filter, by contrast, can add clean, fresh air to a room, and that can be beneficial. An air conditioner works in the same way. It is just very important in either case to make sure that filters are cleaned or replaced regularly.
Mold is an allergen that poses a great risk to overall health. Make sure your house is free of mold. Damp basements are a common source.
The real key with allergies is to help the body to respond in the right way. Like any other illness, for the body to respond effectively, it must be properly nourished, and rest is vitally important. Heavily processed foods with lots of white flour or white sugar should be minimized. Stress and strain on the body must be reduced wherever possible, and a good night's sleep is essential to good health and to winning the battle with the allergens.
Avoid contact with allergens as much as you can. If you are allergic to grass, you might want to hire a high school student in the area to cut it for you. Yard work should be put off when the pollen count is at its worst.
Quercetin is a substance found in foods, such as the skin of red apples, red onions and black tea. It has many healthful effects. It can suppress the release of histamines from mast cells and is a natural solution to the problem of allergies.
Off-the-shelf treatments may be less effective because they are not specific to what is found in your environment. Homeopathic medications that have been used successfully by allergy sufferers include Natural Creations nasal spray, which can be used to safely reduce congestion.
Histaminum are homeopathic pellets that can be placed under the tongue that also reduce symptoms. Another product that relieves symptoms and provides comfort is a special preparation just for people with mold allergies called Allergy Atlantic Mold Mix. Lastly, consuming local or raw honey can help combat allergies.
The key in fighting allergies is to help the body work its magic, not hinder it by suppressing natural responses. A runny nose may be an inconvenience, but it is also proof your body is working, as if it were saying, "Attack, attack!"
The trick is to minimize the effect these symptoms have on your daily living and to be as comfortable as possible.
Most allergy sufferers get little relief from antihistamines and decongestants. In fact, these medications can sometimes do more harm than good.
An allergic reaction, such as a runny nose or watery eyes, represents an attempt by the body to rid itself of a hostile allergen, such as pollen, oak, birch or grass. An antihistamine will dry the body so that there are fewer symptoms.
The problem is, without the runny nose or watery eyes, the allergens are delayed in leaving the body, and the body takes longer to fully cleanse. And many antihistamines make people drowsy, which is seldom a good thing.
A homeopathic remedy can help the body respond more appropriately and stabilize itself without irritations like the drowsiness or dry eyes that can become painful when wearing contact lenses. But before delving too deeply into possible solutions, much good can result from determining and then minimizing the exposure to the allergen by considering the home environment.
Before eliminating anything else, it is important to remember that open windows will compound the effects of an allergy. Sufferers should not sleep with open windows. The same pollen residue that finds its way onto windowsills and dressers is also on pillows and sheets and inhaled all night long as a person sleeps.
An air purifier with HEPA filter, by contrast, can add clean, fresh air to a room, and that can be beneficial. An air conditioner works in the same way. It is just very important in either case to make sure that filters are cleaned or replaced regularly.
Mold is an allergen that poses a great risk to overall health. Make sure your house is free of mold. Damp basements are a common source.
The real key with allergies is to help the body to respond in the right way. Like any other illness, for the body to respond effectively, it must be properly nourished, and rest is vitally important. Heavily processed foods with lots of white flour or white sugar should be minimized. Stress and strain on the body must be reduced wherever possible, and a good night's sleep is essential to good health and to winning the battle with the allergens.
Avoid contact with allergens as much as you can. If you are allergic to grass, you might want to hire a high school student in the area to cut it for you. Yard work should be put off when the pollen count is at its worst.
Quercetin is a substance found in foods, such as the skin of red apples, red onions and black tea. It has many healthful effects. It can suppress the release of histamines from mast cells and is a natural solution to the problem of allergies.
Off-the-shelf treatments may be less effective because they are not specific to what is found in your environment. Homeopathic medications that have been used successfully by allergy sufferers include Natural Creations nasal spray, which can be used to safely reduce congestion.
Histaminum are homeopathic pellets that can be placed under the tongue that also reduce symptoms. Another product that relieves symptoms and provides comfort is a special preparation just for people with mold allergies called Allergy Atlantic Mold Mix. Lastly, consuming local or raw honey can help combat allergies.
The key in fighting allergies is to help the body work its magic, not hinder it by suppressing natural responses. A runny nose may be an inconvenience, but it is also proof your body is working, as if it were saying, "Attack, attack!"
The trick is to minimize the effect these symptoms have on your daily living and to be as comfortable as possible.
Amway durables products top $1 billion sales mark for first time in 2010
Amway marked the first $1 billion sales year for its durables division in 2010.
The results, announced Monday, combined the Ada-based direct marketing firm's gross sales of eSpring Water Purifier, Atmosphere Air Purifier and iCook and Amway Queen cookware products.
The privately held company began selling water purification systems since 1984 and air purification products in 1986. Cookware has been among its offerings since 1961.
Amway said eSpring was the world's largest selling brand of kitchen water filtration systems in 2009 and the world's second largest selling brand of home water filtration systems.
Amway launched its third-generation air purifier under the Atmosphere in 2005 and, in 2010, the Atmosphere brand was launched in China, where it went on to become the company's largest-ever single-market product launch.
Amway reported sales of $9.2 billion in 2010, led by its Nutrilite supplements and Artistry Cosmetics.
The results, announced Monday, combined the Ada-based direct marketing firm's gross sales of eSpring Water Purifier, Atmosphere Air Purifier and iCook and Amway Queen cookware products.
The privately held company began selling water purification systems since 1984 and air purification products in 1986. Cookware has been among its offerings since 1961.
Amway said eSpring was the world's largest selling brand of kitchen water filtration systems in 2009 and the world's second largest selling brand of home water filtration systems.
Amway launched its third-generation air purifier under the Atmosphere in 2005 and, in 2010, the Atmosphere brand was launched in China, where it went on to become the company's largest-ever single-market product launch.
Amway reported sales of $9.2 billion in 2010, led by its Nutrilite supplements and Artistry Cosmetics.
2011年4月24日星期日
Catching flights, not germs: How to stay healthy on planes
When Peter J. Sheldon boards a plane to any destination, his safety routine extends well beyond buckling his seat belt and noting the nearest exit. Once at his seat, he meticulously wipes down the cushions, armrests and tray table with disinfectant wipes. He refuses to touch the in-flight magazines and avoids using the restroom if at all possible. Since he began his in-flight cleansing routine he says he has weathered countless stares from other passengers but has never gotten ill from a flight.
"I've become a cautious germ freak," said Sheldon, an executive at a commercial cleaning company. As someone who thinks about germs for a living, Sheldon may be more neurotic than most, yet a look at the growing number of products catering to traveling germaphobes suggests he's not alone.
A combination of factors, including the H1N1 influenza flare-up of 2009, recent bedbug infestations at hotels and increasingly crowded flights that put passengers in closer proximity to one another, has made people more concerned about the germs and bugs they can pick up while traveling. It has also made them more proactive about protecting themselves. As a result, companies are hawking a growing array of products promising to help, including disposable face masks, antiseptic spritzers, airline seat covers and portable air purifiers.
Magellan's, a company that specializes in travel products, features a two-page spread on "travel health and hygiene helpers" in its spring catalog, including the Nano UV Scanner ($90), which, according to the catalog, uses ultraviolet light to kill germs on airplane tray tables, hotel bedding and TV remote controls. It is also selling Flight Spray, a "natural antiseptic" made with turmeric root that "helps prevent viral infections by creating an unsuitable environment for inhaled germs to reproduce" ($15.85). The health and hygiene category has increased 18 percent since 2006, the company says. Among the new offerings this year: a range of bed bug protectors, including organic sprays that are said to kill the critters, and luggage covers.
"Travelers hunker down to see who their neighbors are and are paranoid that they are flying in a sealed infections hospital ward," said Stanley Weinberg, chief executive of Los Angeles-based Wein Products, which makes a small air filter that hangs around your neck called the Ultra-Mini Air Supply (about $135), which the company says uses ionic technology to reduce pollutants in the air. "Our Air Supply revenue has doubled over the past three years because of infection concerns," he added.
Concerns among passengers that using such products might brand them as over-the-top neurotics seem to be diminishing, at least according to Angela Aaron, a fashion stylist who created and sells cover slips that fit over airplane seats to reduce exposure to germs. "In the beginning, people thought that you'd have to be phobic to use this product," she said, but added that interest from both travelers and airline employees alike have encouraged her. "It's airline stewards and stewardesses who are the most emphatic about what a valid idea they think it is," Aaron said.
Although no data exists to suggest that more passengers are getting sick on planes than in the past, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention points out on its website that "as with other close contact environments, cramped aircraft quarters may facilitate the transmission of influenza virus from person to person or through contact with contaminated surfaces." And at least one study confirms the obvious: There are germs on planes.
In 2007, Dr. Charles P. Gerba, a professor of environmental microbiology at the University of Arizona, swabbed airplane bathrooms and tray tables on eight flights to see what bugs might be lurking onboard. Four out of six tray tables tested positive for the superbug methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and norovirus, the highly contagious group of viruses that can cause a miserable one- or two-day bout of vomiting, diarrhea and cramping, was found on one tray. Most of the bathrooms he swabbed had E. coli bacteria. Thirty percent of sinks, flush handles and faucet handles had E. coli, as did 20 percent of toilet seats, according to his research.
Airlines insist that they work diligently to keep aircraft clean. American Airlines deep-cleans its planes every 30 days on average, washing seat covers and carpets and scrubbing lavatories, bins and tray tables. Southwest introduced a new cleaning regime this year in which it performs a "light" deep-cleanse twice a week and a heavy cleanse each month "where all surfaces, nooks and crannies are thoroughly scrubbed and cleaned," according to Chris Mainz, a spokesman.
And though many people worry about air quality in planes, it is the shared surfaces touched by passengers throughout the day that often transmit germs. "Cold and flu viruses can survive up to 72 hours on plastic surfaces," said Gerba, while noroviruses can survive for two to four weeks.
But germ experts told about these new products say that many of the offerings may be more effective at subduing psychological fears than in preventing infection. "All you have to do is wash your hands prior to touching your face and also before you eat or drink anything," said Philip M. Tierno Jr., the director of clinical microbiology and immunology at NYU Langone Medical Center and the author of "The Secret Life of Germs."
Liberal use of hand sanitizers or disinfectant wipes can also help ward off disease, he said. But other than surgical face masks, which he said might offer some protection against catching a cold from a hacking seatmate, he dismissed most of the products being marketed to travelers as "ineffective" or "inefficient." For instance, while purifying the air with ions can help reduce airborne pollutants, he said, it can't protect you from catching a cold. "All the passenger next to you has to do is sneeze, and you're done," he said.
Weinberg of Wein Products agreed that fliers seated next to a sick passenger are more apt to catch a cold, but countered, "If you can reduce the number of germ particles that reach you, you reduce the probability of inhaling an infective dose."
Then there are customers like Susan O'Neal, from Scottsdale, Ariz., who travels frequently for philanthropic projects. She said that the Wein Products Ultra-Mini Air Supply has kept her from getting sick on flights to more than 68 countries. The quiet hum of the battery-operated air filter, which she hangs around her neck when she boards, "makes me feel I'm safe," she said.
Bottom line: Buying products that make you feel safer and wiping down the airline tray tables and hotel TV remote controls can't hurt, but they should not be a substitute for diligent hand washing and use of hand sanitizers, which are the best ways to ward off infection.
"I've become a cautious germ freak," said Sheldon, an executive at a commercial cleaning company. As someone who thinks about germs for a living, Sheldon may be more neurotic than most, yet a look at the growing number of products catering to traveling germaphobes suggests he's not alone.
A combination of factors, including the H1N1 influenza flare-up of 2009, recent bedbug infestations at hotels and increasingly crowded flights that put passengers in closer proximity to one another, has made people more concerned about the germs and bugs they can pick up while traveling. It has also made them more proactive about protecting themselves. As a result, companies are hawking a growing array of products promising to help, including disposable face masks, antiseptic spritzers, airline seat covers and portable air purifiers.
Magellan's, a company that specializes in travel products, features a two-page spread on "travel health and hygiene helpers" in its spring catalog, including the Nano UV Scanner ($90), which, according to the catalog, uses ultraviolet light to kill germs on airplane tray tables, hotel bedding and TV remote controls. It is also selling Flight Spray, a "natural antiseptic" made with turmeric root that "helps prevent viral infections by creating an unsuitable environment for inhaled germs to reproduce" ($15.85). The health and hygiene category has increased 18 percent since 2006, the company says. Among the new offerings this year: a range of bed bug protectors, including organic sprays that are said to kill the critters, and luggage covers.
"Travelers hunker down to see who their neighbors are and are paranoid that they are flying in a sealed infections hospital ward," said Stanley Weinberg, chief executive of Los Angeles-based Wein Products, which makes a small air filter that hangs around your neck called the Ultra-Mini Air Supply (about $135), which the company says uses ionic technology to reduce pollutants in the air. "Our Air Supply revenue has doubled over the past three years because of infection concerns," he added.
Concerns among passengers that using such products might brand them as over-the-top neurotics seem to be diminishing, at least according to Angela Aaron, a fashion stylist who created and sells cover slips that fit over airplane seats to reduce exposure to germs. "In the beginning, people thought that you'd have to be phobic to use this product," she said, but added that interest from both travelers and airline employees alike have encouraged her. "It's airline stewards and stewardesses who are the most emphatic about what a valid idea they think it is," Aaron said.
Although no data exists to suggest that more passengers are getting sick on planes than in the past, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention points out on its website that "as with other close contact environments, cramped aircraft quarters may facilitate the transmission of influenza virus from person to person or through contact with contaminated surfaces." And at least one study confirms the obvious: There are germs on planes.
In 2007, Dr. Charles P. Gerba, a professor of environmental microbiology at the University of Arizona, swabbed airplane bathrooms and tray tables on eight flights to see what bugs might be lurking onboard. Four out of six tray tables tested positive for the superbug methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and norovirus, the highly contagious group of viruses that can cause a miserable one- or two-day bout of vomiting, diarrhea and cramping, was found on one tray. Most of the bathrooms he swabbed had E. coli bacteria. Thirty percent of sinks, flush handles and faucet handles had E. coli, as did 20 percent of toilet seats, according to his research.
Airlines insist that they work diligently to keep aircraft clean. American Airlines deep-cleans its planes every 30 days on average, washing seat covers and carpets and scrubbing lavatories, bins and tray tables. Southwest introduced a new cleaning regime this year in which it performs a "light" deep-cleanse twice a week and a heavy cleanse each month "where all surfaces, nooks and crannies are thoroughly scrubbed and cleaned," according to Chris Mainz, a spokesman.
And though many people worry about air quality in planes, it is the shared surfaces touched by passengers throughout the day that often transmit germs. "Cold and flu viruses can survive up to 72 hours on plastic surfaces," said Gerba, while noroviruses can survive for two to four weeks.
But germ experts told about these new products say that many of the offerings may be more effective at subduing psychological fears than in preventing infection. "All you have to do is wash your hands prior to touching your face and also before you eat or drink anything," said Philip M. Tierno Jr., the director of clinical microbiology and immunology at NYU Langone Medical Center and the author of "The Secret Life of Germs."
Liberal use of hand sanitizers or disinfectant wipes can also help ward off disease, he said. But other than surgical face masks, which he said might offer some protection against catching a cold from a hacking seatmate, he dismissed most of the products being marketed to travelers as "ineffective" or "inefficient." For instance, while purifying the air with ions can help reduce airborne pollutants, he said, it can't protect you from catching a cold. "All the passenger next to you has to do is sneeze, and you're done," he said.
Weinberg of Wein Products agreed that fliers seated next to a sick passenger are more apt to catch a cold, but countered, "If you can reduce the number of germ particles that reach you, you reduce the probability of inhaling an infective dose."
Then there are customers like Susan O'Neal, from Scottsdale, Ariz., who travels frequently for philanthropic projects. She said that the Wein Products Ultra-Mini Air Supply has kept her from getting sick on flights to more than 68 countries. The quiet hum of the battery-operated air filter, which she hangs around her neck when she boards, "makes me feel I'm safe," she said.
Bottom line: Buying products that make you feel safer and wiping down the airline tray tables and hotel TV remote controls can't hurt, but they should not be a substitute for diligent hand washing and use of hand sanitizers, which are the best ways to ward off infection.
Fujitsu Semiconductor Releases 52 Products as Second Offering of New FM3 Family of 32-bit Microcontrollers
Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited today announced the release of 52 microcontrollers, the second offering of chips from its new FM3 family of 32-bit general purpose RISC microcontrollers, announced last November, that employ the ARM® Cortex™-M3 core. Recently, a total of 52 new products, including MB9AF316NBGL from the MB9A310 Series and MB9AF116NBGL from the MB9A110 Series, will gradually begin shipping in sample quantities.
FM3 is a family of 32-bit microcontrollers that employ the ARM® Cortex™-M3 global-standard processor core and incorporate a wide variety of peripheral features that have been cultivated during Fujitsu’s years of experience developing its FR microcontrollers.
The MB9A310 Series and the MB9A110 Series achieve a balance between cost-performance and low power consumption. They have been designed for applications including inverter control in major home appliances, particularly those in emerging countries, as well as motor control used in printers, copy machines and other devices.
The FM3 family, which employs the high-performance ARM® Cortex™-M3 core, combines Fujitsu Semiconductor’s wealth of experience in implementing ASIC products using ARM® cores with the peripheral features cultivated through the FR microcontroller family, which has gained broad market acceptance. With the addition of the latest 52 products, Fujitsu Semiconductor has expanded the FM3 family’s basic product line to a total of 60 chips. The lineup has been expanded with a focus on applications in major home appliances (air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, etc.), digital consumer devices, and office automation devices. The FM3 family now boasts a total of 96 products, including both the high-performance and basic product lines.
FM3 is a family of 32-bit microcontrollers that employ the ARM® Cortex™-M3 global-standard processor core and incorporate a wide variety of peripheral features that have been cultivated during Fujitsu’s years of experience developing its FR microcontrollers.
The MB9A310 Series and the MB9A110 Series achieve a balance between cost-performance and low power consumption. They have been designed for applications including inverter control in major home appliances, particularly those in emerging countries, as well as motor control used in printers, copy machines and other devices.
The FM3 family, which employs the high-performance ARM® Cortex™-M3 core, combines Fujitsu Semiconductor’s wealth of experience in implementing ASIC products using ARM® cores with the peripheral features cultivated through the FR microcontroller family, which has gained broad market acceptance. With the addition of the latest 52 products, Fujitsu Semiconductor has expanded the FM3 family’s basic product line to a total of 60 chips. The lineup has been expanded with a focus on applications in major home appliances (air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, etc.), digital consumer devices, and office automation devices. The FM3 family now boasts a total of 96 products, including both the high-performance and basic product lines.
2011年4月21日星期四
An Te Liu: Blast at MKG127
An Te Liu steps gingerly around a homely array of mechanical conveniences and distractions — humidifiers, dust-busters, an archaic PlayStation, an E-Z Bake oven, at least one facial vaporizer — arranged in careful groupings on the gallery floor.
“There are 51 hanging points that need to be precisely located,” he says, turning his gaze to the reinforced plywood ceiling he’s installed at MKG127, where “Blast,” his new installation, opens Saturday April 23. A critical squint, then a shrug. “I tend to look up a lot.”
Last summer, Liu’s 2008 piece “Cloud,” a dangling cluster of air purifiers arranged to evoke a blocky, cubist version of its namesake, showed at the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art on Queen Street. “Cloud” has covered some distance since then. Acquired by the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, it’s on display there as part of a group show called “Paradesign.”
In no uncertain terms, “Cloud” embodied a clever critique about our cheap-and-easy, mechanically aided reality. A stand-in for a natural world, its constituent parts were built to protect us from the damage we’ve done to it.
Installed, “Cloud” was both eerily gorgeous — lit from below, it glowed with almost unearthly purity — and unnervingly active: Suspended above, the purifiers were switched on, breathing their grim duty to the last.
It is precisely the kind of complex puzzle in a simple, tightly-wrapped package for which Liu has since become well-known. In 2009, “Title Deed,” a simple post-war bungalow in North York that Liu painted top to bottom in Monopoly-game green, became an international meme.
Part of the Leona Drive Project, in which a gang of artists staged interventions in a cluster of soon-to-be-demolished bungalows, “Title Deed” was alarmingly simple yet potently symbolic: Reduced from home to economic unit in the ongoing game of urban policy and commercial development in the ever-gentrifying urban landscape, Liu’s green house, with the slightest of gestures, spoke volumes.
The building blocks of “Blast” may be more eclectic, but it shares a root concern.
“Everybody has a stuff fascination, and a stuff problem,” says Liu, pausing from the tedium of screwing his plastic menagerie to sturdy wooden frames. “What to keep, what to get rid of, what to store in boxes and put away. And the whole time, we’re just accumulating more and more.”
The accumulation of “Blast” was, of course, fully intentional. Liu spent four solid days on the road — “from Burlington to Markham,” he smiles — culling Salvation Armies and Value Villages for his collection. What’s striking about the mix is the prevalence of objects once deemed to be on the proverbial cutting edge: The original Nintendo gaming system, a PlayStation of similar vintage, an iconic Braun food processor, a George Foreman grill.
Stripped of function and context here, these objects and dozens like them are spray-painted a pure, almost-saintly white. Destined to be suspended in a clunky tornado-like swirl, the effect is elevation in more ways than one. Once innovative, his menagerie of the obsolete evades the landfill in becoming a work of art.
It’s a cheeky transformation, trading one form of uselessness for another, but it’s just a minor part of the greater whole. “Blast,” Liu explains, was the name of the journal of the early 20th-century Vorticist movement. Edited by Wyndham Lewis, it revolved around a group of artists whose associates included such literary heavyweights as T.S. Eliot and Ezra Pound.
Running alongside such Modernist revolutions as Futurism and Cubism, the Vorticists took a decidedly less sunny view of the gross upheavals of modernity’s dawn. Eliot was particularly gloomy about the prospects of a nascent world of faster, cheaper, mechanically better, as evidenced by the title of his most famous poem, “The Wasteland.”
If Liu’s “Blast” has any such revolutionary propositions, they’re kept close to the chest. One thing is certain: His entropic swirl of obsolescence conjures all sorts of complex reactions, from the warmly nostalgic — I remember coveting that Nintendo as a teen — to mild disgust at the volume of waste it suggests.
Is it a eulogy, then, a canonizing of our once-coveted objects, now shuffled off to the dustbin of consumer history? Liu demurs.
“There’s a critique built in,” he says. “Sure, waste is bad, obsolescence is bad; it’s so much a part of our make-up to want new things, to acquire new things and move on to the next.
“But I have a loving relationship with these things. To be honest, I’ll kind of miss them.”
“There are 51 hanging points that need to be precisely located,” he says, turning his gaze to the reinforced plywood ceiling he’s installed at MKG127, where “Blast,” his new installation, opens Saturday April 23. A critical squint, then a shrug. “I tend to look up a lot.”
Last summer, Liu’s 2008 piece “Cloud,” a dangling cluster of air purifiers arranged to evoke a blocky, cubist version of its namesake, showed at the Museum of Contemporary Canadian Art on Queen Street. “Cloud” has covered some distance since then. Acquired by the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, it’s on display there as part of a group show called “Paradesign.”
In no uncertain terms, “Cloud” embodied a clever critique about our cheap-and-easy, mechanically aided reality. A stand-in for a natural world, its constituent parts were built to protect us from the damage we’ve done to it.
Installed, “Cloud” was both eerily gorgeous — lit from below, it glowed with almost unearthly purity — and unnervingly active: Suspended above, the purifiers were switched on, breathing their grim duty to the last.
It is precisely the kind of complex puzzle in a simple, tightly-wrapped package for which Liu has since become well-known. In 2009, “Title Deed,” a simple post-war bungalow in North York that Liu painted top to bottom in Monopoly-game green, became an international meme.
Part of the Leona Drive Project, in which a gang of artists staged interventions in a cluster of soon-to-be-demolished bungalows, “Title Deed” was alarmingly simple yet potently symbolic: Reduced from home to economic unit in the ongoing game of urban policy and commercial development in the ever-gentrifying urban landscape, Liu’s green house, with the slightest of gestures, spoke volumes.
The building blocks of “Blast” may be more eclectic, but it shares a root concern.
“Everybody has a stuff fascination, and a stuff problem,” says Liu, pausing from the tedium of screwing his plastic menagerie to sturdy wooden frames. “What to keep, what to get rid of, what to store in boxes and put away. And the whole time, we’re just accumulating more and more.”
The accumulation of “Blast” was, of course, fully intentional. Liu spent four solid days on the road — “from Burlington to Markham,” he smiles — culling Salvation Armies and Value Villages for his collection. What’s striking about the mix is the prevalence of objects once deemed to be on the proverbial cutting edge: The original Nintendo gaming system, a PlayStation of similar vintage, an iconic Braun food processor, a George Foreman grill.
Stripped of function and context here, these objects and dozens like them are spray-painted a pure, almost-saintly white. Destined to be suspended in a clunky tornado-like swirl, the effect is elevation in more ways than one. Once innovative, his menagerie of the obsolete evades the landfill in becoming a work of art.
It’s a cheeky transformation, trading one form of uselessness for another, but it’s just a minor part of the greater whole. “Blast,” Liu explains, was the name of the journal of the early 20th-century Vorticist movement. Edited by Wyndham Lewis, it revolved around a group of artists whose associates included such literary heavyweights as T.S. Eliot and Ezra Pound.
Running alongside such Modernist revolutions as Futurism and Cubism, the Vorticists took a decidedly less sunny view of the gross upheavals of modernity’s dawn. Eliot was particularly gloomy about the prospects of a nascent world of faster, cheaper, mechanically better, as evidenced by the title of his most famous poem, “The Wasteland.”
If Liu’s “Blast” has any such revolutionary propositions, they’re kept close to the chest. One thing is certain: His entropic swirl of obsolescence conjures all sorts of complex reactions, from the warmly nostalgic — I remember coveting that Nintendo as a teen — to mild disgust at the volume of waste it suggests.
Is it a eulogy, then, a canonizing of our once-coveted objects, now shuffled off to the dustbin of consumer history? Liu demurs.
“There’s a critique built in,” he says. “Sure, waste is bad, obsolescence is bad; it’s so much a part of our make-up to want new things, to acquire new things and move on to the next.
“But I have a loving relationship with these things. To be honest, I’ll kind of miss them.”
2011年4月20日星期三
Cooper farms tell story at today's Rotary Meeting
Cassie Jo Arend, a communications coordinator for Cooper Farms spoke during the weekly Rotary meeting today. Arend spoke about the ever changing agricultural business.
Arend gave compared today's farms with farms of the mid 1900s and showed that the $98 billion industry in Ohio is strong and continues to grow.
Cooper farms was started in 1938 by Virgel and Birginia Cooper and continues to be a family operated company to this day. What started as a hatchery grew to four divisions located in Van Wert, St. Henry, Ft. Recovery and Oakwood.
The company operates 27 farms in five counties and annual produces 15 million poults, 200,000 breader hens and 12,500 sows which produce 300,000 piglets.
The operation prides themselves on the quality of life they provide for their animals along with the quality of food they produce. Their production lines consist of special air purifiers that provide clean air and a virtually bacteria free environment.
Recently, the company constructed a 50,000 square foot facility in Van Wert and cooks 1.2 million pounds of turkey per week or 52.4 million pounds per year. 95 percent of their product is sold to a private label.
Arend gave compared today's farms with farms of the mid 1900s and showed that the $98 billion industry in Ohio is strong and continues to grow.
Cooper farms was started in 1938 by Virgel and Birginia Cooper and continues to be a family operated company to this day. What started as a hatchery grew to four divisions located in Van Wert, St. Henry, Ft. Recovery and Oakwood.
The company operates 27 farms in five counties and annual produces 15 million poults, 200,000 breader hens and 12,500 sows which produce 300,000 piglets.
The operation prides themselves on the quality of life they provide for their animals along with the quality of food they produce. Their production lines consist of special air purifiers that provide clean air and a virtually bacteria free environment.
Recently, the company constructed a 50,000 square foot facility in Van Wert and cooks 1.2 million pounds of turkey per week or 52.4 million pounds per year. 95 percent of their product is sold to a private label.
2011年4月19日星期二
Roelandts Fellows Grants Fund Projects from Compressed-Air Bikes to Solar-Powered Water Purifiers at Santa Clara University
Nearly two dozen Santa Clara University students and faculty members are researching ways to bring science and technology to underserved parts of the world, thanks to an endowment from benefactors Willem “Wim” Roelandts and Maria Constantino-Roelandts, to SCU’s Center for Science, Technology, and Society.
The Roelandts Fellows grant program provides nearly $50,000 of annual support for Santa Clara University projects focused on the study and implementation of science and technology for social benefit.
“I believe that technology can do a lot to help people progress in life,” said Wim Roelandts, a lifelong engineer and the former chairman and CEO of Xilinx. “I hope some of these ideas will result in projects that really make change on the ground, make people’s lives better somewhere – maybe even one day receive a Tech Award.”
His wife Maria Constantino-Roelandts agreed, saying the couple was especially excited to come to campus to counsel and guide the student grant recipients in any way necessary. She said she and her husband try to get all young people who come into their orbit – including nieces, nephews and student scholarship recipients -- interested in engineering. “Engineers really are the creators of wealth, and play an important role in improving lives,” she said.
The students and faculty researchers who received grants for 2010-2011 plan to use their awards for projects such as a mobile application for piece workers in developing countries to learn if they’re getting a fair price; solar-powered water purifiers; motorized bicycles powered by clean compressed air; and bamboo housing for Haiti and elsewhere.
The Roelandts’ have a long history of support for Santa Clara University, including as members of the university’s valued Golden Circle of donors. Wim served for more than 10 years on the advisory board of CSTS, and was granted an honorary doctorate in engineering from SCU in 2004. In addition to her activities with the Golden Circle, Maria serves on the executive committee of the SCU Board of Fellows, of which she’s been a member since 2008.
“Santa Clara is very grateful for the Roelandts family's unwavering support of our mission and values," said Santa Clara University President Michael Engh, S.J. "Their generous donation of expertise and funds enables us to advance technology that provides for the fundamental needs of people for a more just, humane, and sustainable world."
The Roelandts Fellows grant program provides nearly $50,000 of annual support for Santa Clara University projects focused on the study and implementation of science and technology for social benefit.
“I believe that technology can do a lot to help people progress in life,” said Wim Roelandts, a lifelong engineer and the former chairman and CEO of Xilinx. “I hope some of these ideas will result in projects that really make change on the ground, make people’s lives better somewhere – maybe even one day receive a Tech Award.”
His wife Maria Constantino-Roelandts agreed, saying the couple was especially excited to come to campus to counsel and guide the student grant recipients in any way necessary. She said she and her husband try to get all young people who come into their orbit – including nieces, nephews and student scholarship recipients -- interested in engineering. “Engineers really are the creators of wealth, and play an important role in improving lives,” she said.
The students and faculty researchers who received grants for 2010-2011 plan to use their awards for projects such as a mobile application for piece workers in developing countries to learn if they’re getting a fair price; solar-powered water purifiers; motorized bicycles powered by clean compressed air; and bamboo housing for Haiti and elsewhere.
The Roelandts’ have a long history of support for Santa Clara University, including as members of the university’s valued Golden Circle of donors. Wim served for more than 10 years on the advisory board of CSTS, and was granted an honorary doctorate in engineering from SCU in 2004. In addition to her activities with the Golden Circle, Maria serves on the executive committee of the SCU Board of Fellows, of which she’s been a member since 2008.
“Santa Clara is very grateful for the Roelandts family's unwavering support of our mission and values," said Santa Clara University President Michael Engh, S.J. "Their generous donation of expertise and funds enables us to advance technology that provides for the fundamental needs of people for a more just, humane, and sustainable world."
2011年4月18日星期一
Alen air purifiers are created for those people who have a dream of the perfectly fresh air
It also kills quite a few of the unsafe microorganisms that waft by means of your air like airborne bacteria and mold spores. Contrary to older designs, the ionizer does not operate by making ozone, which can be either ineffective or dangerous - useless if it doesn't deliver adequate, unsafe if it makes ample to crystal clear the air.
The 12-hour timer onboard lets the unit get started and stop automatically. That permits you to optimize the use of its air filtering, although retaining noise to a minimal when you're about. Let it operate on very low at night time so you sleep soundly.
This is the recommended unit for individuals who suffers from allergy and asthma. The Alen T300 and the Alen A350 is practically alike in their effectiveness level.
Alen Paralda
Named right after the elemental king of air, gives a modern-day get on air purification. With owning a HEPA filter effectiveness of ninety nine% in rooms up to 400 sq ft, the Paralda comes with an ultraviolet light that kills airborne mold, viruses and bacteria.
There are a lot more types of air purifiers obtainable in the market place that you can very easily select from.
If you desire to modify the velocity, the Alen A350 has 4 distinctive enthusiast speeds, and a twelve hour timer so that you can set it to run at intervals easy for you.
Though most purifiers are good for persons with allergies, respiratory troubles, smokers, and normal well being challenges what makes this purifier special is that inside of minutes you can scent and think the variance in the air. Also, compared with most HEPA filter purifiers, this purifier performs multi-purification processes at after. It is not only a HEPA purifier, but it has an ozone absolutely free- developed in ionizer that can be manually turned on or off.
This Air purifier has easy series of lights to remind you when it is time to improve the filters. As well as you cannot defeat the lifetime guarantee that this air purifier offers.
If you are accustomed to a quiet sounding purifiers, continue to keep in brain that the A350 has a marginally humming energy offer. All in all, this purifier is uncomplicated to use, fairly low-priced to manage, and would seem to gets the job performed!
When you are taking into account getting an air purifier, there are many distinct characteristics that you need to have to look for. These capabilities contain, its potential to hold the air clear, how numerous and what variety of particles it removes from the air and as a final point, regardless of whether or not it is made to support folks with allergies.
Air purifiers such as the Ionic Breeze are frequently touted as being in a position to do all the do the job of a usual air purifier and extra. Even so, the Ionic Breeze has almost nothing on the IQAir HealthPro As well as. The IQAir HealthPro Plus is the most advance air purifier on the marketplace. It has four different filters that catch about ninety% of the nasty particulates that can bring about allergy symptoms. This model is also great for folks who are suffering from Asthma, as it catches the molecular irritants that bother so many asthmatics.
The 12-hour timer onboard lets the unit get started and stop automatically. That permits you to optimize the use of its air filtering, although retaining noise to a minimal when you're about. Let it operate on very low at night time so you sleep soundly.
This is the recommended unit for individuals who suffers from allergy and asthma. The Alen T300 and the Alen A350 is practically alike in their effectiveness level.
Alen Paralda
Named right after the elemental king of air, gives a modern-day get on air purification. With owning a HEPA filter effectiveness of ninety nine% in rooms up to 400 sq ft, the Paralda comes with an ultraviolet light that kills airborne mold, viruses and bacteria.
There are a lot more types of air purifiers obtainable in the market place that you can very easily select from.
If you desire to modify the velocity, the Alen A350 has 4 distinctive enthusiast speeds, and a twelve hour timer so that you can set it to run at intervals easy for you.
Though most purifiers are good for persons with allergies, respiratory troubles, smokers, and normal well being challenges what makes this purifier special is that inside of minutes you can scent and think the variance in the air. Also, compared with most HEPA filter purifiers, this purifier performs multi-purification processes at after. It is not only a HEPA purifier, but it has an ozone absolutely free- developed in ionizer that can be manually turned on or off.
This Air purifier has easy series of lights to remind you when it is time to improve the filters. As well as you cannot defeat the lifetime guarantee that this air purifier offers.
If you are accustomed to a quiet sounding purifiers, continue to keep in brain that the A350 has a marginally humming energy offer. All in all, this purifier is uncomplicated to use, fairly low-priced to manage, and would seem to gets the job performed!
When you are taking into account getting an air purifier, there are many distinct characteristics that you need to have to look for. These capabilities contain, its potential to hold the air clear, how numerous and what variety of particles it removes from the air and as a final point, regardless of whether or not it is made to support folks with allergies.
Air purifiers such as the Ionic Breeze are frequently touted as being in a position to do all the do the job of a usual air purifier and extra. Even so, the Ionic Breeze has almost nothing on the IQAir HealthPro As well as. The IQAir HealthPro Plus is the most advance air purifier on the marketplace. It has four different filters that catch about ninety% of the nasty particulates that can bring about allergy symptoms. This model is also great for folks who are suffering from Asthma, as it catches the molecular irritants that bother so many asthmatics.
2011年4月17日星期日
Pickering brings trees to the city
A rather bare corner in Pickering will soon be lush and green thanks to a $15,000 grant awarded to the City.
Pickering was one of 23 recipients of the 2011 TD Green Streets program, run in partnership by TD Friends of the Environment Foundation and Tree Canada. The funding will go toward a small arboretum that will contain 26 different species of native deciduous and coniferous trees and shrubs, located at Finch Avenue and Rosebank Road, currently called Sequin Park.
"The staff here are excited that it's going to go ahead and are looking forward to working with the community and making it come to fruition," said Arnold Mostert, Pickering's co-ordinator of landscape and parks development.
The City had been preparing for this grant for the past couple of years with help from the Altona Forest Stewardship Committee. They figured it would be a great legacy to leave for 2011 Pickering's bicentennial.
"We're currently doing our urban forest study and strategy as well," Mr. Mostert said. "We're trying to get the public to buy into importance of trees in the urban area."
The grants were open to municipalities, business improvement areas and First Nations communities across Canada. Mary Desjardins, executive director of the Friend of the Environment Foundation, said out of a stack of more than 100 applications, Pickering's stood out because of the community involvement aspect.
"They're actively involved in local schools and community organizations in the planting of the trees and in the ongoing care and maintenance," she said.
Mr. Mostert said plans include labeling all of the species and to have a sign at the park explaining them. What can't fit on the sign will go online. Also, since there are 26 schools in Pickering, Mr. Mostert hopes each will care for one of the 26 trees.
Ms. Desjardins said plans include encouraging schools to use the space for scientific studies, as an outdoor classroom, where the students can learn about trees such as red maple and white birch, and native shrubs such as winterberry.
She added the arboretum can also be a tool for homeowners to visit and get ideas on the types of trees and shrubs they'd like to plant on their own properties.
The City hopes to set up a planting date sometime in mid-September, and Mr. Mostert said a name change might be in order, possibly calling it Bicentennial Arboretum.
The TD Friend of the Environment and Tree Canada teamed up about a year ago to create the project. TD has provided more than $54 million to more than 19,500 grassroots environment and wildlife projects across Canada since 1990. Tree Canada, a not-for-profit charitable organization, engages Canadian companies, government agencies and individuals to support planting trees, greening schoolyards, and other efforts to promote the benefits of trees.
Pickering was one of 23 recipients of the 2011 TD Green Streets program, run in partnership by TD Friends of the Environment Foundation and Tree Canada. The funding will go toward a small arboretum that will contain 26 different species of native deciduous and coniferous trees and shrubs, located at Finch Avenue and Rosebank Road, currently called Sequin Park.
"The staff here are excited that it's going to go ahead and are looking forward to working with the community and making it come to fruition," said Arnold Mostert, Pickering's co-ordinator of landscape and parks development.
The City had been preparing for this grant for the past couple of years with help from the Altona Forest Stewardship Committee. They figured it would be a great legacy to leave for 2011 Pickering's bicentennial.
"We're currently doing our urban forest study and strategy as well," Mr. Mostert said. "We're trying to get the public to buy into importance of trees in the urban area."
The grants were open to municipalities, business improvement areas and First Nations communities across Canada. Mary Desjardins, executive director of the Friend of the Environment Foundation, said out of a stack of more than 100 applications, Pickering's stood out because of the community involvement aspect.
"They're actively involved in local schools and community organizations in the planting of the trees and in the ongoing care and maintenance," she said.
Mr. Mostert said plans include labeling all of the species and to have a sign at the park explaining them. What can't fit on the sign will go online. Also, since there are 26 schools in Pickering, Mr. Mostert hopes each will care for one of the 26 trees.
Ms. Desjardins said plans include encouraging schools to use the space for scientific studies, as an outdoor classroom, where the students can learn about trees such as red maple and white birch, and native shrubs such as winterberry.
She added the arboretum can also be a tool for homeowners to visit and get ideas on the types of trees and shrubs they'd like to plant on their own properties.
The City hopes to set up a planting date sometime in mid-September, and Mr. Mostert said a name change might be in order, possibly calling it Bicentennial Arboretum.
The TD Friend of the Environment and Tree Canada teamed up about a year ago to create the project. TD has provided more than $54 million to more than 19,500 grassroots environment and wildlife projects across Canada since 1990. Tree Canada, a not-for-profit charitable organization, engages Canadian companies, government agencies and individuals to support planting trees, greening schoolyards, and other efforts to promote the benefits of trees.
2011年4月14日星期四
Holden Commodore SS-V
When dressed in something less glaring than our car's canary yellow, the Commodore is a smartly designed large family sedan. By pushing the front wheels as far to the front of the car as possible, the Commodore proudly advertises its rear-wheel drive layout. It's only on the high-end models, though, with their fat tyres and big wheels, that the aggression of the flared wheel arches is sufficiently realised.
The SS-V's 19-inch alloy wheels, quad tailpipes, body kit, 10mm lower suspension and large boot spoiler are essential parts of the car's boy-racer looks. The spoiler is functionally debatable, but worse, it horribly obstructs vision rearwards, fuelling our paranoia to the point where we began suspecting that any white car behind us was a police vehicle.
Late in 2010, Holden updated the Commodore range, with the shift from VE Series I to II marked by a series of mild cosmetic changes. Only the most ardent Commodore fan will notice the lightly redesigned bumpers, new alloy wheel designs and more pronounced aero lip on the sedan's boot. For many, the most obvious alternations are the Series II badges and less rectangular headlights.
At 4.9m long from bumper to bumper there's no denying that the Commodore is a big car. The boot isn't quite as capacious as we were hoping for, partly because our review vehicle was fitted with the optional full-size spare wheel instead of the standard inflation kit and can of sealant - without the spare wheel boot space is rated at 498-litres. Unless you opt for the wagon, the rear seats can't be folded down; boot-expansion on the sedan is limited to a supersized ski port for long items. There's no internal handle or grip on the inside of the boot lid, either, so prepare to get your hands dirty every time you close the trunk.
Interior
It mightn't have Audi quaking its boots, but generally speaking the Commodore's cabin is nicely designed and a comfortable place to be. That is, of course, unless you opt for a red or light or dark grey SS-V, in which case your eyes will be assaulted by splashes red on the seats, lower dashboard and various other locales.
The cockpit's materials feel quite hardy, especially the leather seats, and there's even soft plastic on the dashboard top and a rubberised bin in the centre console that's a perfect fit for most smartphones. On the down-side, the cup-holders aren't well placed, the plastic cover for the instrument panel reflects quite badly - making it almost impossible to read the analog instruments without the interior illumination on and the handbrake design can easily trap your thumb if you're not careful. There are also some rough edges on the underside of the plastic that lines the centre console, and the centrally located electric window switches feel a bit flimsy.
Given the car's dimensions, it's no surprise that the Commodore is spacious, with plenty of room for all five passengers. As the steering wheel is adjustable for both height and reach, finding a comfortable driving position should be possible for all, although the seat adjustment ratchets can be tiring and for down-sized individuals (such as this writer) the seats don't feel as grippy as they look. The rear seats are quite vertical, although occupants do get their own air conditioning vents. Lowering the rear armrest is quite a chore as there's no pull latch attached and, oddly, the rear seat's cup-holders can only be accessed when the ski port is folded down.
Features
Given the retail price of $55,290 after GST but before dealer and statutory charges, the SS-V isn't creaking under the weight of its tech-gear. On the flip side, it does offer acres of space, a wonderful driving and riding experience (more on that later) and plenty of tyre-frying V8 action.
Standard features on the SS-V include leather seats, steering wheel and gear knob, automatic headlights, front fog lights, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, cruise control, electric height adjustment on the driver's seat, alloy pedals and a flip-out key as standard. On the performance and safety front there are 19-inch alloy wheels, 10mm lower sports suspension, a limited slip differential and stability and traction control.
Other nice features - such as auto-dimming rear view mirror, xenon headlights, rain sensing wipers, fully electric seats and a separate rear seat entertainment module - are only available on the luxury-themed Calais and Caprice models.
Entertainment and navigation
As part of the Series II upgrade, all Commodore and Caprice models now come fitted with the Holden-iQ system. Driven by a 6.5-inch touchscreen, it has dragged the Commodore entertainment and navigation offering from near the bottom of the class to a position where it can vie for dux. Sound quality is decent, as is the bass-thumping, when the loudness feature is switched on.
Placed nice and high on the dashboard, the 6.5-inch screen is easy to view when on the move, but we do wish that the screen had a higher resolution. Flanked by buttons for iQ's various functions and music sources, the interface is easy to use, although list items are on the small side, so tapping the right one on the go is a lottery. Complementing the touchscreen are steering controls that allow the driver to switch sources and tracks, as well as adjust the volume and access their phone.
Although the SS-V's system can't play DVDs (either video or audio), the list of music options is pretty comprehensive. Bluetooth is present and not only handles hands-free calling, but also allows for wireless music streaming. The USB port is compatible with both flash memory drives and iPods/iPhones, although scrolling through a large music library on an iPod/iPhone requires the patience of a hundred Gandhis; an auxiliary jack is also included. An almost-impossible-to-find CD slot can play audio discs straight. Alternatively, there's 1GB of internal flash memory that can store up to 15 ripped CDs - bring your patience though, as ripping a CD can take upwards of 15 minutes.
Like many factory-fit nav systems, Holden-iQ misses out on text-to-speech. It is, however, one of the few such systems to feature speed limit info; available for most roads, it appears as a small icon in the bottom left-hand corner of the 6.5-inch display and, rather more usefully, in the LCD screen in the instrument cluster. That screen can also display fuel economy stats, a digital speedo and next turn instructions. Other features include live traffic information from Suna and lane guidance system, although this is primarily limited to freeways.
For more on the Holden-iQ system, check back soon for our full review.
On the road
Mated to the standard six-speed manual transmission, the 6-litre V8 generates 270kW of power and 330Nm of torque. Pay AU$2000 for the convenience of the six-speed auto, and power and torque drop to 260kW and 317Nm respectively. Either way, when you sink your slipper into the go pedal, the authoritative urge of all that torque will make you grin from ear to ear. Acoustically, though, the V8 lacks the bad-ass soundtrack that we had hoped for.
Even though the engine is able switch seamlessly and automatically between running on four or eight cylinders, the SS-V drinks like a school of fish. Our heavy feet in the inner city meant that the SS-V consumed refined dinosaur remains at an alarming rate of between 24.6 and 26.3L/100km. Out in the 'burbs, consumption fell to a less heartbreaking 15.3L/100km, while on the highway we recorded an average figure of 10.11L/100km. To offset some of the damage it might wreak on the environment, the 6-litre V8 is capable of drinking unleaded fuel blends that are up to 85 per cent ethanol, although finding servos that sell E85 fuel is difficult.
Good thing, then, that the SS-V handles like a dream. The power steering lightens up just enough at speed to make the car feel nimble and pointy, and the cornering is commendably flat. The only time you really feel the car's weight is when it floats over undulations at high speed. Just as impressive as the handling is the ride, which, despite the sports suspension and low profile tyres, isn't like a Muhammad Ali punch to the jaw followed by a kick in the lower spine. Rather, it soaks up everything from smallest bump to the largest pothole with ease. Despite its sporting intent, the SS-V's cabin is almost as a quiet as a regular Commodore's, with tyre noise well quelled on all but the coarsest of roads.
Our only complaints with the driving experience are that the brakes aren't a match for the car's mass and performance. To get the necessary braking performance, buyers will have to shell out AU$2500 for the Redline package that also comes with even sportier FE2 suspension. Vision out of the car is compromised by the thick windscreen pillar that can swallow up entire roundabouts and sidewalks. For such a large car, the wing mirrors are on the small side, and only the passenger's side has convex glass. Although the pictures from the rear-view are grainy and low res, we're glad that it's fitted to the SS-V.
The SS-V's 19-inch alloy wheels, quad tailpipes, body kit, 10mm lower suspension and large boot spoiler are essential parts of the car's boy-racer looks. The spoiler is functionally debatable, but worse, it horribly obstructs vision rearwards, fuelling our paranoia to the point where we began suspecting that any white car behind us was a police vehicle.
Late in 2010, Holden updated the Commodore range, with the shift from VE Series I to II marked by a series of mild cosmetic changes. Only the most ardent Commodore fan will notice the lightly redesigned bumpers, new alloy wheel designs and more pronounced aero lip on the sedan's boot. For many, the most obvious alternations are the Series II badges and less rectangular headlights.
At 4.9m long from bumper to bumper there's no denying that the Commodore is a big car. The boot isn't quite as capacious as we were hoping for, partly because our review vehicle was fitted with the optional full-size spare wheel instead of the standard inflation kit and can of sealant - without the spare wheel boot space is rated at 498-litres. Unless you opt for the wagon, the rear seats can't be folded down; boot-expansion on the sedan is limited to a supersized ski port for long items. There's no internal handle or grip on the inside of the boot lid, either, so prepare to get your hands dirty every time you close the trunk.
Interior
It mightn't have Audi quaking its boots, but generally speaking the Commodore's cabin is nicely designed and a comfortable place to be. That is, of course, unless you opt for a red or light or dark grey SS-V, in which case your eyes will be assaulted by splashes red on the seats, lower dashboard and various other locales.
The cockpit's materials feel quite hardy, especially the leather seats, and there's even soft plastic on the dashboard top and a rubberised bin in the centre console that's a perfect fit for most smartphones. On the down-side, the cup-holders aren't well placed, the plastic cover for the instrument panel reflects quite badly - making it almost impossible to read the analog instruments without the interior illumination on and the handbrake design can easily trap your thumb if you're not careful. There are also some rough edges on the underside of the plastic that lines the centre console, and the centrally located electric window switches feel a bit flimsy.
Given the car's dimensions, it's no surprise that the Commodore is spacious, with plenty of room for all five passengers. As the steering wheel is adjustable for both height and reach, finding a comfortable driving position should be possible for all, although the seat adjustment ratchets can be tiring and for down-sized individuals (such as this writer) the seats don't feel as grippy as they look. The rear seats are quite vertical, although occupants do get their own air conditioning vents. Lowering the rear armrest is quite a chore as there's no pull latch attached and, oddly, the rear seat's cup-holders can only be accessed when the ski port is folded down.
Features
Given the retail price of $55,290 after GST but before dealer and statutory charges, the SS-V isn't creaking under the weight of its tech-gear. On the flip side, it does offer acres of space, a wonderful driving and riding experience (more on that later) and plenty of tyre-frying V8 action.
Standard features on the SS-V include leather seats, steering wheel and gear knob, automatic headlights, front fog lights, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, cruise control, electric height adjustment on the driver's seat, alloy pedals and a flip-out key as standard. On the performance and safety front there are 19-inch alloy wheels, 10mm lower sports suspension, a limited slip differential and stability and traction control.
Other nice features - such as auto-dimming rear view mirror, xenon headlights, rain sensing wipers, fully electric seats and a separate rear seat entertainment module - are only available on the luxury-themed Calais and Caprice models.
Entertainment and navigation
As part of the Series II upgrade, all Commodore and Caprice models now come fitted with the Holden-iQ system. Driven by a 6.5-inch touchscreen, it has dragged the Commodore entertainment and navigation offering from near the bottom of the class to a position where it can vie for dux. Sound quality is decent, as is the bass-thumping, when the loudness feature is switched on.
Placed nice and high on the dashboard, the 6.5-inch screen is easy to view when on the move, but we do wish that the screen had a higher resolution. Flanked by buttons for iQ's various functions and music sources, the interface is easy to use, although list items are on the small side, so tapping the right one on the go is a lottery. Complementing the touchscreen are steering controls that allow the driver to switch sources and tracks, as well as adjust the volume and access their phone.
Although the SS-V's system can't play DVDs (either video or audio), the list of music options is pretty comprehensive. Bluetooth is present and not only handles hands-free calling, but also allows for wireless music streaming. The USB port is compatible with both flash memory drives and iPods/iPhones, although scrolling through a large music library on an iPod/iPhone requires the patience of a hundred Gandhis; an auxiliary jack is also included. An almost-impossible-to-find CD slot can play audio discs straight. Alternatively, there's 1GB of internal flash memory that can store up to 15 ripped CDs - bring your patience though, as ripping a CD can take upwards of 15 minutes.
Like many factory-fit nav systems, Holden-iQ misses out on text-to-speech. It is, however, one of the few such systems to feature speed limit info; available for most roads, it appears as a small icon in the bottom left-hand corner of the 6.5-inch display and, rather more usefully, in the LCD screen in the instrument cluster. That screen can also display fuel economy stats, a digital speedo and next turn instructions. Other features include live traffic information from Suna and lane guidance system, although this is primarily limited to freeways.
For more on the Holden-iQ system, check back soon for our full review.
On the road
Mated to the standard six-speed manual transmission, the 6-litre V8 generates 270kW of power and 330Nm of torque. Pay AU$2000 for the convenience of the six-speed auto, and power and torque drop to 260kW and 317Nm respectively. Either way, when you sink your slipper into the go pedal, the authoritative urge of all that torque will make you grin from ear to ear. Acoustically, though, the V8 lacks the bad-ass soundtrack that we had hoped for.
Even though the engine is able switch seamlessly and automatically between running on four or eight cylinders, the SS-V drinks like a school of fish. Our heavy feet in the inner city meant that the SS-V consumed refined dinosaur remains at an alarming rate of between 24.6 and 26.3L/100km. Out in the 'burbs, consumption fell to a less heartbreaking 15.3L/100km, while on the highway we recorded an average figure of 10.11L/100km. To offset some of the damage it might wreak on the environment, the 6-litre V8 is capable of drinking unleaded fuel blends that are up to 85 per cent ethanol, although finding servos that sell E85 fuel is difficult.
Good thing, then, that the SS-V handles like a dream. The power steering lightens up just enough at speed to make the car feel nimble and pointy, and the cornering is commendably flat. The only time you really feel the car's weight is when it floats over undulations at high speed. Just as impressive as the handling is the ride, which, despite the sports suspension and low profile tyres, isn't like a Muhammad Ali punch to the jaw followed by a kick in the lower spine. Rather, it soaks up everything from smallest bump to the largest pothole with ease. Despite its sporting intent, the SS-V's cabin is almost as a quiet as a regular Commodore's, with tyre noise well quelled on all but the coarsest of roads.
Our only complaints with the driving experience are that the brakes aren't a match for the car's mass and performance. To get the necessary braking performance, buyers will have to shell out AU$2500 for the Redline package that also comes with even sportier FE2 suspension. Vision out of the car is compromised by the thick windscreen pillar that can swallow up entire roundabouts and sidewalks. For such a large car, the wing mirrors are on the small side, and only the passenger's side has convex glass. Although the pictures from the rear-view are grainy and low res, we're glad that it's fitted to the SS-V.
Electrolux Exhibits Resourceful Concept Appliances
Electrolux challenged Masters design students at the Domus Academy in Milan to rethink kitchen appliances and will this week exhibit nine concepts based on existing technology that consider sustainability and culture under the ReSource theme.
The exhibit coincides with the 2011 Milan Design Week and comes just before entry to the annual Electrolux Design Lab contest closes on May 1, 2011.
"To re-source is to re-generate, re-energize, re-mix, and re-lax,” says Bruno Lizotte, Design Manager at Electrolux, “and the appropriate space for this multi-tasking is, more than ever before, the home and its vibrant centre – the kitchen.”
Lizotte, who tutored the students, said the concept appliances show "a dynamic way of looking at appliance design, offering novel solutions for the kitchen environment.”
This kitchen waste disposal and recycling appliance uses enzymes to break down organic waste, creating energy that is channeled via conductive pipes to heat the home's small appliances.
The Chefiamo virtual cookbook assists, guides, inspires, and maintains cooking traditions. A hologram avatar, intended to appear like a friend or relative, is projected onto the countertop and guides users through the cooking process.
The exhibit coincides with the 2011 Milan Design Week and comes just before entry to the annual Electrolux Design Lab contest closes on May 1, 2011.
"To re-source is to re-generate, re-energize, re-mix, and re-lax,” says Bruno Lizotte, Design Manager at Electrolux, “and the appropriate space for this multi-tasking is, more than ever before, the home and its vibrant centre – the kitchen.”
Lizotte, who tutored the students, said the concept appliances show "a dynamic way of looking at appliance design, offering novel solutions for the kitchen environment.”
This kitchen waste disposal and recycling appliance uses enzymes to break down organic waste, creating energy that is channeled via conductive pipes to heat the home's small appliances.
The Chefiamo virtual cookbook assists, guides, inspires, and maintains cooking traditions. A hologram avatar, intended to appear like a friend or relative, is projected onto the countertop and guides users through the cooking process.
2011年4月13日星期三
Daily Dose: Spring is in the Air... and So Are Allergies
Allergy season is here in the northeast, and it's making a lot of us uncomfortable. Medication and natural treatments (like doing a nasal saline rinse) can help a lot, but what about air purifiers? Can they really help to ease allergy symptoms—and does the type of air purifier make a difference?
I posed this question to WD health advisory board member Dr. Martha White, research director at the Institute for Asthma & Allergy in Wheaton, Maryland. Here's what I learned:
Yes, air purifiers can help by limiting your exposure to many allergens like pollen, mold and dander from pets. One allergen they won't fight: dust mites. "Dust mites are heavy and not airborne," explains Dr. White.
Which kind to buy: Dr. White recommends choosing one with a HEPA filter. Make sure you buy one that can handle the size of the room you plan to put it in (it should say ont he box). Avoid air purifiers with ionizers; Dr. White says these introduce ozone into the air and can actually trigger asthma symptoms.
Where to put it: In the bedroom, and possibly in the family room ("assuming the family room has a door that can be closed so that the machine isn't being asked to filter the whole house," says Dr. White).
How to get it function best: "Remember to close the windows!" says Dr. White. "A room purifier won't do much if you keep the doors and windows open and expect it to clean the whole house."
Do you use an air purifier? Has it helped ease your allergy symptoms?
I posed this question to WD health advisory board member Dr. Martha White, research director at the Institute for Asthma & Allergy in Wheaton, Maryland. Here's what I learned:
Yes, air purifiers can help by limiting your exposure to many allergens like pollen, mold and dander from pets. One allergen they won't fight: dust mites. "Dust mites are heavy and not airborne," explains Dr. White.
Which kind to buy: Dr. White recommends choosing one with a HEPA filter. Make sure you buy one that can handle the size of the room you plan to put it in (it should say ont he box). Avoid air purifiers with ionizers; Dr. White says these introduce ozone into the air and can actually trigger asthma symptoms.
Where to put it: In the bedroom, and possibly in the family room ("assuming the family room has a door that can be closed so that the machine isn't being asked to filter the whole house," says Dr. White).
How to get it function best: "Remember to close the windows!" says Dr. White. "A room purifier won't do much if you keep the doors and windows open and expect it to clean the whole house."
Do you use an air purifier? Has it helped ease your allergy symptoms?
2011年4月11日星期一
Consumer Reports' 75 years of flops and latter-day stinkers
Our latest list of Best & Worst Home & Yard Products includes a rogues’ gallery of unimpressive coffeemakers, air purifiers, oven cleaners, and others from our tests. But we’ve also seen some product categories we once maligned turn into winners—and others remain iffy in our tests.
French-door fridges make good
“Who would want the French-door models?” we asked during our first, 1996, test of these models, which put the freezer on the bottom and split the fridge portion so you can open one or both doors. French-door refrigerators are now the fastest-growing segment, cost less than before, and outperform many top-freezer and side-by-side models. Notable performers from our most recent tests include the Samsung RF266AE[WP], $1500, and the Whirlpool Gold GX5FHTXV[Q], $1700.
Oven cleaners fall by history’s wayside
“Dirty, undignified, and hard on the back,” is how we described oven cleaning in 1980. Brush-on pastes were tedious, and aerosols could burn skin and eyes. Today’s self-cleaning ovens make these products largely unnecessary. Among wall ovens, the Kenmore Elite 4809[3] $2,100, and the Bosch HBL54[50]UC, $1,900, were impressive at removing baked-on food in our latest tests of wall ovens. Both are also top picks.
Coffeemakers clean up their act
In 1958, this Cory vacuum coffeemaker spurted water when pushed upon too hard. Now simpler—and neater—drip coffeemakers like the Cuisinart Brew Central DCC-1200, $100 and the Kalorik CM25282, $80, are the norm. Even simpler and less messy: Single-serve pod coffeemakers like the Senseo Supreme 7832, $130—which outscored models from Keurig, Bosch and Krups in our tests—are steadily gaining market share, although none of them scored highly enough to make our winner's circle. And there’s still one other frontier to conquer: a talking coffeemaker that actually listens.
Air purifiers still go with the wind
Consumer Reports’ tests have included some notably ineffective air purifiers, including some from the Sharper Image brand that declared bankruptcy in 2008 but was purchased a year later by private investors, who now license its name to other products.
Some air purifiers in our latest tests were also unimpressive. The plant-based Andrea, $200—yes, there’s a real plant inside—and LightAir IonFlow 50F, $400, were dismal at removing dust and smoke; we judged the LightAir a Don’t Buy: Performance Problem. And last week, the Oreck Corporation agreed to stop making “allegedly false and unproven claims” about its ProShield Plus air cleaner, paying a hefty $750,000 to the Federal Trade Commission as part of that settlement. Consumer Reports had judged the $400 ProShield Plus to be only slightly more effective than the LightAir.
If you really need an air purifier, consider the Whirlpool AP51030K, $300, and Hunter 30547, $260. Both worked very well even at the lower, quieter fan speeds best suited for use in bedrooms. But before buying an air purifier, try these ways to improve indoor air quality from the Environmental Protection Agency and Consumer Reports. Proper vacuuming can also safeguards indoor air quality, and our Buying Guide to vacuums includes Ratings (available to subscribers) that measure each model’s emissions as well as cleaning performance.
We’ve also got a details on the best houseplants to improve indoor air quality—just be careful not to pick any named Andrea or Audrey II.
French-door fridges make good
“Who would want the French-door models?” we asked during our first, 1996, test of these models, which put the freezer on the bottom and split the fridge portion so you can open one or both doors. French-door refrigerators are now the fastest-growing segment, cost less than before, and outperform many top-freezer and side-by-side models. Notable performers from our most recent tests include the Samsung RF266AE[WP], $1500, and the Whirlpool Gold GX5FHTXV[Q], $1700.
Oven cleaners fall by history’s wayside
“Dirty, undignified, and hard on the back,” is how we described oven cleaning in 1980. Brush-on pastes were tedious, and aerosols could burn skin and eyes. Today’s self-cleaning ovens make these products largely unnecessary. Among wall ovens, the Kenmore Elite 4809[3] $2,100, and the Bosch HBL54[50]UC, $1,900, were impressive at removing baked-on food in our latest tests of wall ovens. Both are also top picks.
Coffeemakers clean up their act
In 1958, this Cory vacuum coffeemaker spurted water when pushed upon too hard. Now simpler—and neater—drip coffeemakers like the Cuisinart Brew Central DCC-1200, $100 and the Kalorik CM25282, $80, are the norm. Even simpler and less messy: Single-serve pod coffeemakers like the Senseo Supreme 7832, $130—which outscored models from Keurig, Bosch and Krups in our tests—are steadily gaining market share, although none of them scored highly enough to make our winner's circle. And there’s still one other frontier to conquer: a talking coffeemaker that actually listens.
Air purifiers still go with the wind
Consumer Reports’ tests have included some notably ineffective air purifiers, including some from the Sharper Image brand that declared bankruptcy in 2008 but was purchased a year later by private investors, who now license its name to other products.
Some air purifiers in our latest tests were also unimpressive. The plant-based Andrea, $200—yes, there’s a real plant inside—and LightAir IonFlow 50F, $400, were dismal at removing dust and smoke; we judged the LightAir a Don’t Buy: Performance Problem. And last week, the Oreck Corporation agreed to stop making “allegedly false and unproven claims” about its ProShield Plus air cleaner, paying a hefty $750,000 to the Federal Trade Commission as part of that settlement. Consumer Reports had judged the $400 ProShield Plus to be only slightly more effective than the LightAir.
If you really need an air purifier, consider the Whirlpool AP51030K, $300, and Hunter 30547, $260. Both worked very well even at the lower, quieter fan speeds best suited for use in bedrooms. But before buying an air purifier, try these ways to improve indoor air quality from the Environmental Protection Agency and Consumer Reports. Proper vacuuming can also safeguards indoor air quality, and our Buying Guide to vacuums includes Ratings (available to subscribers) that measure each model’s emissions as well as cleaning performance.
We’ve also got a details on the best houseplants to improve indoor air quality—just be careful not to pick any named Andrea or Audrey II.
Brace yourself for yellow dust this spring!
While the troubles at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant continue Over here in Korea, the direction of the winds is drawing public attention as the the winds blowing form Japan may contain raioactive materials.
And although the concentration level of radioactive materials in the air is highly likely to be almost negligible, this does not stop concerning Koreans who are already about to weclome another unexpected visitor around this time of the year.
That's right. It's this time of the year when Korea suffers from a massive yellow dust storm blowing from China, and this year one of the worst in the decades is expected to hit Korea this April.
And to tell us more on the yellow storm dust that is about to blanket the whole peninsula, Arirang Today's Park Hee-ju joins us now in the studio. Hello there.
[Reporter : ] Hi guys. A major concern over this year's yellow dust is that it can also be a vehicle for radioactive materials from nuclear reactors in neighboring countries
Yellow dust storm is always an unpleasant surprise during springtime, especially when the warm weather always lures us to take outdoor activities.
And it seems like Korea needs to be prepared for this year's more extreme level of yellow dust than previous years, as China is facing one of the worst droughts in decades This fear over severe yellow storm which may contain metal particles or other pollutants that can affect your health conditions is expected to hit the Korean peninsula soon. Let's take a look.
And although the concentration level of radioactive materials in the air is highly likely to be almost negligible, this does not stop concerning Koreans who are already about to weclome another unexpected visitor around this time of the year.
That's right. It's this time of the year when Korea suffers from a massive yellow dust storm blowing from China, and this year one of the worst in the decades is expected to hit Korea this April.
And to tell us more on the yellow storm dust that is about to blanket the whole peninsula, Arirang Today's Park Hee-ju joins us now in the studio. Hello there.
[Reporter : ] Hi guys. A major concern over this year's yellow dust is that it can also be a vehicle for radioactive materials from nuclear reactors in neighboring countries
Yellow dust storm is always an unpleasant surprise during springtime, especially when the warm weather always lures us to take outdoor activities.
And it seems like Korea needs to be prepared for this year's more extreme level of yellow dust than previous years, as China is facing one of the worst droughts in decades This fear over severe yellow storm which may contain metal particles or other pollutants that can affect your health conditions is expected to hit the Korean peninsula soon. Let's take a look.
2011年4月7日星期四
Oreck to pay $750,000 and to stop making health claims
The Oreck Corporation has agreed to stop making "allegedly false and unproven claims" that its Halo vacuum and ProShield Plus air cleaner can prevent illness, in a settlement announced today by the Federal Trade Commission. Oreck also agreed to pay the FTC $750,000.
During the 2009 holiday season, Oreck began advertising the pair of appliances together under the headline "Introducing the Oreck Flu Fighters." The ads claimed that the vacuum and air cleaner would "help reduce the flu on virtually any surface and in the air in your home." The vacuum sold for $600 and the air cleaner for $400.
The complaint against Oreck also alleged that Oreck provided "deceptive advertisements" to its franchises to use in marketing the Halo and ProShield Plus and that by doing so it was providing the means for its distributors to deceive consumers. Oreck agreed that it would stop making the health claims unless they could be backed up by solid scientific evidence.
The decision was two years in the making. Shortly after Oreck introduced the duo, vacuum maker Dyson initiated a challenge to its claims for the Halo with the National Advertising Division (NAD) of the Better Business Bureau. Dyson was specifically concerned about Oreck's claims that the Halo "can kill and reduce germs on all of your floors while you vacuum," and also that it "reduced up to 99.9 % of bacteria in laboratory testing."
After Oreck declined to participate in the NAD process, in which national advertising claims are reviewed for truthfulness and accuracy, the NAD referred the matter to the FTC. The agreement was approved 5-0 by that agency. It is subject to public comment for the next 30 days after which the Commission will decide whether to make it final.
Consumer Reports has tested both the Halo UVX (now discontinued) and Oreck Halo upright (no longer in our ratings). We operated under the premise that a vacuum need not kill pests as long as it removes them from the home and tested the vacuums the same way we test all models. The ProShield Plus is in our current ratings of air purifiers, where it did poorly. Oreck no longer makes germ-killing claims on its website.
During the 2009 holiday season, Oreck began advertising the pair of appliances together under the headline "Introducing the Oreck Flu Fighters." The ads claimed that the vacuum and air cleaner would "help reduce the flu on virtually any surface and in the air in your home." The vacuum sold for $600 and the air cleaner for $400.
The complaint against Oreck also alleged that Oreck provided "deceptive advertisements" to its franchises to use in marketing the Halo and ProShield Plus and that by doing so it was providing the means for its distributors to deceive consumers. Oreck agreed that it would stop making the health claims unless they could be backed up by solid scientific evidence.
The decision was two years in the making. Shortly after Oreck introduced the duo, vacuum maker Dyson initiated a challenge to its claims for the Halo with the National Advertising Division (NAD) of the Better Business Bureau. Dyson was specifically concerned about Oreck's claims that the Halo "can kill and reduce germs on all of your floors while you vacuum," and also that it "reduced up to 99.9 % of bacteria in laboratory testing."
After Oreck declined to participate in the NAD process, in which national advertising claims are reviewed for truthfulness and accuracy, the NAD referred the matter to the FTC. The agreement was approved 5-0 by that agency. It is subject to public comment for the next 30 days after which the Commission will decide whether to make it final.
Consumer Reports has tested both the Halo UVX (now discontinued) and Oreck Halo upright (no longer in our ratings). We operated under the premise that a vacuum need not kill pests as long as it removes them from the home and tested the vacuums the same way we test all models. The ProShield Plus is in our current ratings of air purifiers, where it did poorly. Oreck no longer makes germ-killing claims on its website.
2011年4月6日星期三
Awareness is the key to protecting our seniors from criminal minds
Public education is the key to protecting our seniors against the continual onslaught of society's undercrust who feed off their vulnerability.
This week at a local elder abuse seminar, seniors learned they are too friendly, generous and trusting when dealing with strangers. Case in point last week, a Point Edward senior who fell victim to a prize scam that bilked her of $50,000.
Ed Lum, a former Hamilton police detective, led the Corunna seminar and said the problem is of seniors being targeted by extortionists is only going to get worse as the population ages.
Dozens of residents who gathered for the seminar learned about psychological abuse, phone scams, home renovation scams, power of attorney issues and joint bank accounts. More of these seminars, done in conjunction with the Ontario Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse, should be held in our community.
Scammers are everywhere in our society. Identity theft, phishing, on-line shopping, social networking and credit and debit card fraud are just some of the ways crooks are scamming seniors.
One scam that has made its rounds through Sarnia-Lambton is the
"Grandparent scam." This nasty deception sees the elderly victim receive a phone call from someone claiming to be a grandchild in a different city and in need of a money transfer to get out of trouble. A variety of groups are now using this scam, sometimes calling from outside the province and the country.
Sadly, once victimized by one of these scams, the senior is likely to be targeted repeatedly.
Other common frauds include door-to-door salespeople soliciting items like air and water purifiers, or so-called contractors "who just happen to be in the area" to offer services.
The people perpetuating these crimes are slime balls who have done their homework. They research everything from Internet accounts to obituaries to get the most up-to-date and detailed information on their victims.
Anyone who believes they've been a victim of a scam artist should contact their family, the police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
The Seniors Safety Line is available 24-hours a day, seven days a week, toll free at 1-866-299-1011.
As evidenced by the woman who was scammed in Point Edward last week to the tune of $50,000, only the naive think that these crimes can't happen in SarniaLambton. Thanks to the Internet and the telephone, these kinds of crimes have no geographical borders.
Do your part in protecting our seniors by educating them about the dangers.
This week at a local elder abuse seminar, seniors learned they are too friendly, generous and trusting when dealing with strangers. Case in point last week, a Point Edward senior who fell victim to a prize scam that bilked her of $50,000.
Ed Lum, a former Hamilton police detective, led the Corunna seminar and said the problem is of seniors being targeted by extortionists is only going to get worse as the population ages.
Dozens of residents who gathered for the seminar learned about psychological abuse, phone scams, home renovation scams, power of attorney issues and joint bank accounts. More of these seminars, done in conjunction with the Ontario Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse, should be held in our community.
Scammers are everywhere in our society. Identity theft, phishing, on-line shopping, social networking and credit and debit card fraud are just some of the ways crooks are scamming seniors.
One scam that has made its rounds through Sarnia-Lambton is the
"Grandparent scam." This nasty deception sees the elderly victim receive a phone call from someone claiming to be a grandchild in a different city and in need of a money transfer to get out of trouble. A variety of groups are now using this scam, sometimes calling from outside the province and the country.
Sadly, once victimized by one of these scams, the senior is likely to be targeted repeatedly.
Other common frauds include door-to-door salespeople soliciting items like air and water purifiers, or so-called contractors "who just happen to be in the area" to offer services.
The people perpetuating these crimes are slime balls who have done their homework. They research everything from Internet accounts to obituaries to get the most up-to-date and detailed information on their victims.
Anyone who believes they've been a victim of a scam artist should contact their family, the police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
The Seniors Safety Line is available 24-hours a day, seven days a week, toll free at 1-866-299-1011.
As evidenced by the woman who was scammed in Point Edward last week to the tune of $50,000, only the naive think that these crimes can't happen in SarniaLambton. Thanks to the Internet and the telephone, these kinds of crimes have no geographical borders.
Do your part in protecting our seniors by educating them about the dangers.
2011年4月5日星期二
Air Purifiers Can Help Reduce Indoor Allergens and Deliver Cleaner
For many people, the arrival of spring means they can open the windows and enjoy fresh outdoor air after a long winter. But for those suffering seasonal allergies, spring can be challenging, and opening up the windows may not be an option.
Along with warmer weather, spring brings tree, flower and grass pollen that can easily travel indoors. Add this pollen to common indoor allergens, such as pet dander, mold spores and dust and the result can be poor indoor air quality that not only seems stale but can be filled with harmful allergens.
An effective indoor air purifier can help by delivering fresher, cleaner air. Use portable air purifiers with HEPA filters in rooms where you spend the most time, such as the bedroom and the living areas (family room, living room, den or home office).
Highly effective air purifiers, such as Honeywell True HEPA air purifiers, can capture up to 99.97 percent of pollutants from the air that passes through their filters, including allergens such as dust, pollen, pet dander, mold spores and smoke. Honeywell True HEPA air purifiers can also capture germs and help reduce common household odors. Portable air purifiers circulate the air in a room, usually several times per hour -- helping to reduce stuffy, stale air and release cleaner, fresher air back into the room.
The newest Honeywell True HEPA air purifiers, the Honeywell True HEPA Tower Allergen Remover (model: HPA-150) and the Honeywell True HEPA Compact Tower Allergen Remover (model: HPA-050), are attractive, space-saving and designed to integrate nicely into any decor. Each product features three cleaning levels, can circulate a room's air up to five times an hour, and has an activated carbon and zeolite pre-filter that helps reduce unpleasant household odors. An electronic filter replacement reminder illuminates when it is time to change the filter. And, for consumers concerned about being eco-friendly, the Honeywell True HEPA Tower Allergen Remover is Energy Star-rated.
The MSRP for the Honeywell True HEPA Compact Tower Allergen Remover is $89.99, and the MSRP for the Honeywell True HEPA Tower Allergen Remover is $179.99. The products are available at Target and Best Buy.
Some additional tips for reducing indoor allergens in the home:
1. Minimize outdoor allergens from entering your home. Take off your shoes when returning indoors to prevent tracking in pollen, mold spores and other outdoor airborne allergens. Consider taking a shower and changing your clothes. Keeping doors and windows closed can help prevent outdoor pollutants from blowing inside.
2. Do a thorough spring cleaning. A thorough spring cleaning can help rid your home of outdoor air pollutants and may reduce airborne allergens already present.
3. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter on rugs and hardwood floors, wash bedding and curtains regularly, scrub bathrooms and fix moisture leaks to eliminate mold and mildew. Wipe mini blinds and shades with an electrostatically-charged cloth to trap dust or use a vacuum attachment designed for dusting.
Along with warmer weather, spring brings tree, flower and grass pollen that can easily travel indoors. Add this pollen to common indoor allergens, such as pet dander, mold spores and dust and the result can be poor indoor air quality that not only seems stale but can be filled with harmful allergens.
An effective indoor air purifier can help by delivering fresher, cleaner air. Use portable air purifiers with HEPA filters in rooms where you spend the most time, such as the bedroom and the living areas (family room, living room, den or home office).
Highly effective air purifiers, such as Honeywell True HEPA air purifiers, can capture up to 99.97 percent of pollutants from the air that passes through their filters, including allergens such as dust, pollen, pet dander, mold spores and smoke. Honeywell True HEPA air purifiers can also capture germs and help reduce common household odors. Portable air purifiers circulate the air in a room, usually several times per hour -- helping to reduce stuffy, stale air and release cleaner, fresher air back into the room.
The newest Honeywell True HEPA air purifiers, the Honeywell True HEPA Tower Allergen Remover (model: HPA-150) and the Honeywell True HEPA Compact Tower Allergen Remover (model: HPA-050), are attractive, space-saving and designed to integrate nicely into any decor. Each product features three cleaning levels, can circulate a room's air up to five times an hour, and has an activated carbon and zeolite pre-filter that helps reduce unpleasant household odors. An electronic filter replacement reminder illuminates when it is time to change the filter. And, for consumers concerned about being eco-friendly, the Honeywell True HEPA Tower Allergen Remover is Energy Star-rated.
The MSRP for the Honeywell True HEPA Compact Tower Allergen Remover is $89.99, and the MSRP for the Honeywell True HEPA Tower Allergen Remover is $179.99. The products are available at Target and Best Buy.
Some additional tips for reducing indoor allergens in the home:
1. Minimize outdoor allergens from entering your home. Take off your shoes when returning indoors to prevent tracking in pollen, mold spores and other outdoor airborne allergens. Consider taking a shower and changing your clothes. Keeping doors and windows closed can help prevent outdoor pollutants from blowing inside.
2. Do a thorough spring cleaning. A thorough spring cleaning can help rid your home of outdoor air pollutants and may reduce airborne allergens already present.
3. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter on rugs and hardwood floors, wash bedding and curtains regularly, scrub bathrooms and fix moisture leaks to eliminate mold and mildew. Wipe mini blinds and shades with an electrostatically-charged cloth to trap dust or use a vacuum attachment designed for dusting.
2011年4月1日星期五
How to Avoid an Allergy Attack
The weather's warming, blooms are bursting – and you couldn't be more miserable. Find out how to stop sniffling and sneezing this allergy season…
It starts with a runny nose, watery eyes and a tickle in the back of your throat. At its worst, you may feel as if you'll never stop sneezing.
If this happens every year, you have seasonal allergic rhinitis – otherwise known as hay fever.
It strikes when plants release pollen, usually in spring. When you breathe it in, your immune system thinks it's being attacked, so it releases chemicals called histamines to fight the invaders. Instead, you wind up sneezy, watery and itchy.
More than 50 million Americans have some type of allergy, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI). If you're one of them, here's how to stay healthy when pollen count is high:
Allergy Attack Risk Factors
The severity of allergy symptoms depends on season, weather and even your menstrual cycle. Being aware of these factors can help avoid attacks, experts say. Consider:
Time of year: Generally, pollen season lasts from February or March through October. The farther south you live, the earlier pollen – and allergy – season hits, according to the AAAAI.
In warmer places, it can be year-round.
Ragweed, the plant that causes the strongest seasonal symptoms, is most active at the end of summer – so that's the worst time for nature hikes.
The weather: Shifts in climate can trigger allergies, says Gary Rachelefsky, M.D., professor of allergy and immunology at the Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California – Los Angeles (UCLA).
"Changes in barometric pressure – a drop in humidity and hot air – can worsen symptoms," he says. "Even moving in and out of air-conditioned rooms can aggravate someone who is sensitive."
Windy days can be the worst, says Vincent Tubiolo, M.D., an allergy specialist in Santa Barbara, Calif. Breezes carry pollen through the air that you breathe.
Rain washes away some pollen, and may improve things temporarily, he adds. But don't be complacent; shortly after a rain shower, pollen count rises even higher than before.
Your time of the month: Believe it or not, allergy symptoms can be linked to your monthly cycle.
"Rising and falling hormone levels can affect allergies," Rachelefsky says.
Over-the-counter allergy medications can help when symptoms arise, he adds. Write down when this happens, so you can predict when to avoid outside activity in the future.
Pregnant or trying to conceive? Many over-the-counter allergy relief medications are safe to take – but consult your doctor first, Rachelefsky cautions.
Other substances: If environmental allergens such as dust mites, pet dander and mold bother you, they could also worsen your seasonal pollen symptoms, says allergist Anne K. Ellis, M.D., director of the Environmental Exposure Unit at Kingston General Hospital in Ontario, Canada.
This phenomenon is called "priming." Your body's defenses are already lowered, so it's harder to fight off new seasonal allergies.
Eliminating or minimizing exposure to these substances helps reduce the risk of an allergy attack. If you're allergic to pet dander, for example, don't let "Mr. Tinkles" sleep with you. If dust mites are a problem, clean frequently and use allergy-proof bedding.
It starts with a runny nose, watery eyes and a tickle in the back of your throat. At its worst, you may feel as if you'll never stop sneezing.
If this happens every year, you have seasonal allergic rhinitis – otherwise known as hay fever.
It strikes when plants release pollen, usually in spring. When you breathe it in, your immune system thinks it's being attacked, so it releases chemicals called histamines to fight the invaders. Instead, you wind up sneezy, watery and itchy.
More than 50 million Americans have some type of allergy, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI). If you're one of them, here's how to stay healthy when pollen count is high:
Allergy Attack Risk Factors
The severity of allergy symptoms depends on season, weather and even your menstrual cycle. Being aware of these factors can help avoid attacks, experts say. Consider:
Time of year: Generally, pollen season lasts from February or March through October. The farther south you live, the earlier pollen – and allergy – season hits, according to the AAAAI.
In warmer places, it can be year-round.
Ragweed, the plant that causes the strongest seasonal symptoms, is most active at the end of summer – so that's the worst time for nature hikes.
The weather: Shifts in climate can trigger allergies, says Gary Rachelefsky, M.D., professor of allergy and immunology at the Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California – Los Angeles (UCLA).
"Changes in barometric pressure – a drop in humidity and hot air – can worsen symptoms," he says. "Even moving in and out of air-conditioned rooms can aggravate someone who is sensitive."
Windy days can be the worst, says Vincent Tubiolo, M.D., an allergy specialist in Santa Barbara, Calif. Breezes carry pollen through the air that you breathe.
Rain washes away some pollen, and may improve things temporarily, he adds. But don't be complacent; shortly after a rain shower, pollen count rises even higher than before.
Your time of the month: Believe it or not, allergy symptoms can be linked to your monthly cycle.
"Rising and falling hormone levels can affect allergies," Rachelefsky says.
Over-the-counter allergy medications can help when symptoms arise, he adds. Write down when this happens, so you can predict when to avoid outside activity in the future.
Pregnant or trying to conceive? Many over-the-counter allergy relief medications are safe to take – but consult your doctor first, Rachelefsky cautions.
Other substances: If environmental allergens such as dust mites, pet dander and mold bother you, they could also worsen your seasonal pollen symptoms, says allergist Anne K. Ellis, M.D., director of the Environmental Exposure Unit at Kingston General Hospital in Ontario, Canada.
This phenomenon is called "priming." Your body's defenses are already lowered, so it's harder to fight off new seasonal allergies.
Eliminating or minimizing exposure to these substances helps reduce the risk of an allergy attack. If you're allergic to pet dander, for example, don't let "Mr. Tinkles" sleep with you. If dust mites are a problem, clean frequently and use allergy-proof bedding.
订阅：
博文 (Atom)