Ventilation in Classroom Ariticle

Classroom Ventilation Affects Learning Outcomes
Lourdes Salvador
November 28, 2010
Parents are addressing air quality issues at their children´s schools with increasing frequency. Commonly addressed issues include poor ventilation, mold, fragrance, new carpeting, pesticides, and a myriad of cleaning products used on a routine basis to maintain schools. Now, researchers at the University of Tulsa, Indoor Air Program agree that increasing the ventilation rates in classrooms translates into improved academic achievement for students.The researchers studied 100 elementary schools in the US in two different districts. Ventilation rates were measured along with students´ standardized test scores.Eighty-seven of the 100 classrooms evaluated had ventilation rates below the recommended guidelines, indicating a need for the average school to improve indoor air quality.The results of the study found that for every unit of ventilation rate increase, 2.9% more students passed the standardized test for math and reading. This is a significant finding in terms of academic achievement. Increasing ventilation rates reduces the amount of contaminants in the air. Less pollution and better air allows students to think and focus better. Symptoms of attention deficit disorder and learning disabilities appear to also diminish when ventilation rates and air quality improve. Other methods of reducing indoor air pollution include the use of fragrance free, non-toxic cleaning products, avoiding the use of fragranced personal care products by students and staff, cleaning up mold and mildew, avoiding pesticide use or using an integrative pest management practice, and using low or no-voc, non-toxic materials for building and renovations. This would include no-voc paints and avoiding varnishes, floor waxes, carpets, and other materials which release gases in to the air.
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One common product that has made its way into schools that pollutes indoor air is hand sanitizer. These germicidal products contain both fragrance and ingredients which are registered pesticides. Instead of relying on hand sanitizers, schools can encourage hand washing and provide fragrance free, non-toxic soap in restrooms. Scientific evidence shows that better air means better grades and better behavior. Many schools are starting to take this seriously and creating new policies and procedures. Still others are resistant to change either due to time or perceived increased cost of initiating new procedures, and sometimes simply due to long-standing habits.Yet the change is for the benefit of students, which means cost savings long term for special education and remedial programs. Oftentimes a change to less toxic products also means less cost for on-the-job injuries.The bottom line is that the nation´s kids matter and to do their best in class, research shows they need clean air!ReferenceHaverinen-Shaughnessy U, Moschandreas DJ, Shaughnessy RJ. Association between substandard classroom ventilation rates and students' academic achievement. Indoor Air. 2010 Aug 24. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0668.2010.00686.x. [Epub ahead of print]This article originally appeared in the MCS America News, December 2010 Issue

Article on House Plants and Indoor Air Quality

Household Plants More Than Room Decor
Antananarivo : Madagascar Nov 03, 2010
By Debbie Nicholson
1 0
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Health Benefits of Some of the Healthiest Plants We all use plants to brighten up our rooms and bring some of nature indoors. Other than looking great and adding energy to our room they actually provide health benefits to the body. Problems of headaches, stress and even heart issues seem to lessen with these plants around. One of the best parts is they can bring in clean air.Chicago cardiologist Dr. Bruno Cortis, states house plants do relax a person. Studies have proven that patients in hospitals who have a garden view from a window have a faster recovery rate than those who face a wall.In Norway, the University of Agriculture, conducted a study on indoor plants. Their study had shown that these plants can reduce fatigue, coughs, sore-throats and other types of cold associated illness by at least 30%. The main reason is the plants increase humidity while decreasing dust.
Large known corporations and even offices are starting to add plants indoors to boost employee morale and health.Benefits of houseplantsThey heighten a persons positive feelings while reducing negative ones like anger.Reduce sound and stress levels.Ability to control humidity to optimal levels of health.They absorb carbon dioxide and bring in fresh air and oxygen.Makes room appearance look clean and fresh.Improves concentration levels.Why purify the home with plantsSome of the biggest contributions to poor health our actually found in the home. There are plants which can remove and guard their harmful effects.Benzene which is found in tobacco smoke, paint and other types of material. Benzene can cause health issues such as headaches, dizziness and respiratory problems.Formaldehyde which easily is found in permanent-press clothing, pressed wood furniture, some paper products and even carpeting. Formaldehyde can irritate asthma and produce headaches. It to have been associated to certain cancers.Trichloroethylene is also a substance that can cause cancer in both humans and animals. It can come from numerous sources including tobacco.Carbon monoxide causes drowsiness and headaches. Can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.Some of the top choice plants aroundAreca Palm This plant is from Madagascar. It is also known under names such as the butterfly plant, yellow palm and golden cane.It is labeled as an exotic houseplant for indoors. It brings an air of tropics into your home. It takes all indoor toxins out of the air and purifies it. Large amounts of moisture get released into the air. It thrives wonderfully indoors.Boston FernThis fern was popular back in the Queen Victoria era of the 19th century. Then in Boston during the year 1914 it had began to appear. Now it is increasingly popular plant today in many homes.The plant takes formaldehyde out of the air. Formaldehyde coming from things such as pressed wood products, cigarette smoke. Formaldehyde occurs naturally in the environment and has been associated to increased risks of cancer.They need lots of sunlight so a window location is best.English IvyEnglish Ivy has been proven to effectively eliminate airborne mold and feces along with formaldehyde.If you own pets it is great plant to have and works well placed near litter boxes and cages.The plant needs bright light to grow but do not use direct sunlight.Peace LilyThe Peace Lily has the ability to remove benzene and xylene and toluene which is found in nail polish removers, paints and solvents.The plant will thrive in low light and any well draining potting mix. You need to wash the leaves now and then for the prevention of insect attacks.Bamboo plantThis is one extremely popular plant today. In Asia it is a symbol of good fortune and has been around for 4,000 years. They are considered non-toxic for pets expect for the Chinese Sacred or Heavenly Bamboo. It too removes benzene from the air.Aloe VeraAloe Vera plants not only maintain clean air quality and eliminate toxins it is well known for its medical benefits as well.As we all know the gel from this plant is extremely useful. Just cut off a section and the gel spills out. Just dab on wound or cut to speed up healing. It is an antioxidant, anticancer, antiviral which can also soothe any inflammation.Lady FernMuch like the Aloe Vera plant. It is also one of the oldest variety of ferns. Just grab a leaf and mash it in palm of hand. It's juices will rapidly ease the sting from nettle burns other burns and stings along with minor cuts.NASA Research and EPA Has The Final StatementNASA and the EPA had invested twenty-five years of research into hazardous volatile organic carbons. In the studies it has indicatHousehold Plants More Than Room Decor
Antananarivo : Madagascar Nov 03, 2010
By Debbie Nicholson
1 0
tweetmeme_url = 'http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/7223365-household-plants-more-than-room-decor';
tweetmeme_style = 'compact';
Views: 96


Health Benefits of Some of the Healthiest Plants We all use plants to brighten up our rooms and bring some of nature indoors. Other than looking great and adding energy to our room they actually provide health benefits to the body. Problems of headaches, stress and even heart issues seem to lessen with these plants around. One of the best parts is they can bring in clean air.Chicago cardiologist Dr. Bruno Cortis, states house plants do relax a person. Studies have proven that patients in hospitals who have a garden view from a window have a faster recovery rate than those who face a wall.In Norway, the University of Agriculture, conducted a study on indoor plants. Their study had shown that these plants can reduce fatigue, coughs, sore-throats and other types of cold associated illness by at least 30%. The main reason is the plants increase humidity while decreasing dust.
Large known corporations and even offices are starting to add plants indoors to boost employee morale and health.Benefits of houseplantsThey heighten a persons positive feelings while reducing negative ones like anger.Reduce sound and stress levels.Ability to control humidity to optimal levels of health.They absorb carbon dioxide and bring in fresh air and oxygen.Makes room appearance look clean and fresh.Improves concentration levels.Why purify the home with plantsSome of the biggest contributions to poor health our actually found in the home. There are plants which can remove and guard their harmful effects.Benzene which is found in tobacco smoke, paint and other types of material. Benzene can cause health issues such as headaches, dizziness and respiratory problems.Formaldehyde which easily is found in permanent-press clothing, pressed wood furniture, some paper products and even carpeting. Formaldehyde can irritate asthma and produce headaches. It to have been associated to certain cancers.Trichloroethylene is also a substance that can cause cancer in both humans and animals. It can come from numerous sources including tobacco.Carbon monoxide causes drowsiness and headaches. Can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.Some of the top choice plants aroundAreca Palm This plant is from Madagascar. It is also known under names such as the butterfly plant, yellow palm and golden cane.It is labeled as an exotic houseplant for indoors. It brings an air of tropics into your home. It takes all indoor toxins out of the air and purifies it. Large amounts of moisture get released into the air. It thrives wonderfully indoors.Boston FernThis fern was popular back in the Queen Victoria era of the 19th century. Then in Boston during the year 1914 it had began to appear. Now it is increasingly popular plant today in many homes.The plant takes formaldehyde out of the air. Formaldehyde coming from things such as pressed wood products, cigarette smoke. Formaldehyde occurs naturally in the environment and has been associated to increased risks of cancer.They need lots of sunlight so a window location is best.English IvyEnglish Ivy has been proven to effectively eliminate airborne mold and feces along with formaldehyde.If you own pets it is great plant to have and works well placed near litter boxes and cages.The plant needs bright light to grow but do not use direct sunlight.Peace LilyThe Peace Lily has the ability to remove benzene and xylene and toluene which is found in nail polish removers, paints and solvents.The plant will thrive in low light and any well draining potting mix. You need to wash the leaves now and then for the prevention of insect attacks.Bamboo plantThis is one extremely popular plant today. In Asia it is a symbol of good fortune and has been around for 4,000 years. They are considered non-toxic for pets expect for the Chinese Sacred or Heavenly Bamboo. It too removes benzene from the air.Aloe VeraAloe Vera plants not only maintain clean air quality and eliminate toxins it is well known for its medical benefits as well.As we all know the gel from this plant is extremely useful. Just cut off a section and the gel spills out. Just dab on wound or cut to speed up healing. It is an antioxidant, anticancer, antiviral which can also soothe any inflammation.Lady FernMuch like the Aloe Vera plant. It is also one of the oldest variety of ferns. Just grab a leaf and mash it in palm of hand. It's juices will rapidly ease the sting from nettle burns other burns and stings along with minor cuts.NASA Research and EPA Has The Final StatementNASA and the EPA had invested twenty-five years of research into hazardous volatile organic carbons. In the studies it has indicated that greater than 107 of various VOCs are associated to cancer. They also can cause damage to the liver, kidney and central nervous system.Findings have indicated that indoor plants can eliminate dangerous of these toxins. Many studies have proved that indoor plants contain a huge capacity for the absorbtion of chemicals while purifying the air.The EPA states that VOCs are put into the air daily from simple household items such as paint, furniture and carpeting. These are higher indoors by up to two to five times more than if they were present outdoors.Additional studies by NASA also have shown that indoor plants effectively eliminate several main pollutants which are present indoors.Indoor plants not convert carbon dioxide into oxygen but also eliminate benzene, tricholorethylene and formaldehyde.There we have evidence from two top agencies that indoor plants do provide health benefits and are just more than a way to brighten up a room.ed that greater than 107 of various VOCs are associated to cancer. They also can cause damage to the liver, kidney and central nervous system.Findings have indicated that indoor plants can eliminate dangerous of these toxins. Many studies have proved that indoor plants contain a huge capacity for the absorbtion of chemicals while purifying the air.The EPA states that VOCs are put into the air daily from simple household items such as paint, furniture and carpeting. These are higher indoors by up to two to five times more than if they were present outdoors.Additional studies by NASA also have shown that indoor plants effectively eliminate several main pollutants which are present indoors.Indoor plants not convert carbon dioxide into oxygen but also eliminate benzene, tricholorethylene and formaldehyde.There we have evidence from two top agencies that indoor plants do provide health benefits and are just more than a way to brighten up a room.

BPA Article from Scientific American

Everyday BPA Exposure Decreases Human Semen Quality
The more bisphenol A men were exposed to--at work or through the environment--the worse off their sperm were, according a new study that finds the link in humans
By Katherine Harmon October 28, 2010 10

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MAN DOWN: Levels of BPA way below those currently tolerated by government agencies seem to have negative effects on the viability of sperm. Image: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS/GILBERTO SANTA ROSA
The common industrial chemical bisphenol A (BPA) has been linked to many ills, including reproductive abnormalities, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Much of the evidence for these associations, however, has been drawn from animal or in vitro research and has been somewhat controversial as to its precise implications for human health.Now, a human study has found strong links between BPA levels and semen quality—and the findings are not looking good, especially for men frequently exposed to the compound on the job.Researchers studied the urine (where BPA can be measured) and semen of 218 male factory workers in China, some of whom make BPA or put it into other products (such as plastics and epoxy resins that line cans), and the remainder, whose work did not put them in direct contact with the chemical.Compared with the control group, the men who worked in the BPA-based factories had more than four times the chance of having lowered sperm counts and more than double the risk of having lower sperm motility (swimming ability). The results of the analysis, which controlled for potentially confounding factors (including age, heavy metal and other chemical exposures, chronic disease, smoking, alcohol use, sexual history, etcetera), were published online October 28 in Fertility and Sterility in a study led by De-Kun Li, a reproductive and perinatal epidemiologist at the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research in Oakland, Calif.The men in the study group who had not been exposed to BPA in the workplace nonetheless had been subject to everyday environmental contact, such as with BPA-containing food or beverage containers. But even these men, whose levels were slightly lower than those found in a typical U.S. man, showed decreased semen quality that correlated with their relative BPA levels.The precise mechanisms by which BPA might be affecting sexual function and semen quality are not yet well understood. The chemical is thought to be seen by the body as an estrogen and anti-androgen and likely disrupts hormones and hormone receptors, thus, possibly affecting hormone-dependent semen production and survival.Previous studies by Li and his colleagues had linked environmental BPA exposure in U.S. men to sexual dysfunction. The new analysis, however, presents more objective data and implies "that BPA may have even more toxicity than we thought," Li says.The new findings help corroborate results from another human study published earlier this year, which found that men who had the highest levels of BPA in their urine had about 23 percent lower sperm concentrations. This study, published online in July in Reproductive Toxicology, had recruited male subjects via a fertility clinic. John Meeker, an assistant professor of environmental health sciences at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, who led the July study and was not involved in the newest research, notes that the latest work from Li's group helps strengthen the case that BPA might not just be passing inertly through our bodies.Li hopes that his team's work will help add to a growing body of literature that suggests current regulatory standards for BPA concentrations are outdated. "U.S. regulation is way out of whack," Li says. The men in his team's study who worked in the BPA-processing plants had median concentrations of about 38.7 micrograms of BPA per liter of urine, which was about 40 times higher than the control group (which had about 1.4 micrograms per liter—lower than average U.S. male levels, 2.3 micrograms per liter). Current U.S. regulatory standards, however, place daily intake limits at about 70 times the amount (2,687.5 micrograms per liter) that the BPA factory workers had. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is in the process of reviewing current safety data on the chemical, and as of this March the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency had listed it as a "chemical of concern."Both Li and Meeker emphasize the importance of consistent findings in human studies, which "gives you some more confidence in the existence of an association," Meeker says. And, says Li, "Our findings are consistent with animal studies," which can provide clues as to the biological processes behind the changes.