PCBs Could Pose Risks for Property Buyers and Sellers, and Affect Values
Feb 14, 2011 9:19 AM, By Tricia H. Foley, Esq. and John B. Hankins, LEP, NREI Contributing Columnists
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Polychlorinated biphenyls, known as PCBs, are man-made organic chemicals manufactured in the United States from 1929 until they were banned in 1979 because of indications that they cause cancer and have other serious health consequences.
During that time, approximately 1.25 billion pounds of PCBs were manufactured in this country. PCBs are commonly associated with old transformers and electrical equipment. But during their period of manufacture, and particularly between 1950 and approximately 1978, the chemicals were used in a variety of building materials because of their insulating and elastic properties.
For instance, they were used in caulk, grout, paint, architectural coatings, adhesives, and insulation such as fiberglass and foam rubber, and in ceiling tile coatings. PCBs could also be found in HVAC gaskets and waterproofing compounds, as well as roofing materials.
As if that weren’t enough, PCBs can migrate to surrounding building materials and soil. They can lurk in dust, and even become airborne. Recently, the issue of PCBs in window caulk, particularly in school buildings, has drawn significant attention from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
PCBs are primarily regulated under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), but may also fall within the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and other federal and state environmental statutes depending on where they are found, and in what concentrations.
Currently, owners are not expressly obligated by federal regulations to test for PCBs in building materials, and the methods best suited for detecting PCBs vary based on the type of building material and its condition. Building owners, sellers, and buyers can manage risks associated with PCBs by working with a qualified consultant familiar with PCB detection, and by learning their obligations if removal and disposal of contaminated materials is necessary.
Hazards could involve liabilities
The presence of PCBs in old buildings may pose substantial risks to buyers and sellers. It may affect valuation of the building, along with warranties related to environmental hazards, liability to tenants, requirements for lender assessment and assurances. They may even have tax and insurance implications.
Buyers and sellers should understand when and how to test for the presence of PCBs and how to dispose of PCB-contaminated building materials. Following are additional considerations:
• If PCBs are extensive and exceed the health and safety thresholds set by the EPA, removal and disposal could be time-consuming and expensive, especially if those PCBs are airborne and have
• Owners should consider the potential liability to tenants arising from exposure to toxic PCBs in the building.
• A seller who warrants a building is free from contamination or environmental hazards may find himself in breach of that warranty if the buyer later discovers PCBs.
• Lenders may require assessments or assurances related to the presence of PCBs.
• There could be tax implications for undertaking a PCB removal project, rather than removing the chemicals as part of renovation or remodeling.
To Test or Not to Test
Owners and developers face a dilemma when considering whether to test building materials. For the owner, testing could trigger a mandatory report to the EPA and a requirement to conduct a large and expensive remedial project that would not have been required had the samples not been collected.
Although there is typically no obligation to test building materials for PCBs, testing has become more common as a step in the pre-acquisition due diligence process. It has also become part of pre-demolition assessments, particularly since there are substantial fines for disposal of PCB-containing waste at an unlicensed facility, even if the generator or facility was unaware of the presence of the PCBs.
There are three basic types of PCB testing: air samples, wipe samples and bulk samples. The first phase of testing is to cost-effectively determine the presence or absence of PCBs in the building materials. If PCBs are detected during the initial screening, more extensive testing may be required to determine the extent and the range of concentrations. The EPA typically requires samples on a 10-ft. grid. Large buildings could require hundreds of samples.
Removal and Disposal
The presence of PCBs at concentrations above 50 ppm, which is common for caulk, triggers a mandatory report to the EPA, which in turn triggers a mandatory requirement to remediate the condition.
The process of abatement of PCBs in building materials can be quite complex and expensive. For caulk, which can contain 3% or more of PCBs (30,000 ppm), it is common to find that the PCBs have migrated from the caulk into the surrounding building materials. When this occurs, the remedy needs to address not just the caulk but any building materials that contain more than 1 ppm for most occupied buildings. In some cases the contaminated materials must be transported across state lines for disposal.
Owners and developers must understand and deal with the consequences of current state and federal regulations. Although these regulations have been in effect for decades, the regulators and regulated community have only recently realized the extent to which PCBs occur in building materials and the practical and fiscal implications that this is having on the construction industry.
The best advice, whether you are an owner or a developer or both, is to understand these implications and to plan in advance. Plan before you buy, plan before you renovate, and perhaps most importantly, plan before you sample.
Tricia H. Foley
Tricia Foley is a partner in the real estate and environmental law department at Day Pitney LLP in Hartford, Conn. Her practice includes the business and regulatory aspects of environmental law, including green and sustainable business practices and carbon reduction programs. Ms. Foley has been an adjunct professor of environmental law at the University of Hartford, and is a frequent author and speaker on environmental topics.
John Hankins directs the Environmental Due Diligence Group at Fuss & O’Neill, in Manchester, Conn. His practice focuses on transaction-related environmental assessments as well as the assessment and remediation of contaminated sites throughout the Northeast.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Gas Pump Handles Top Study of Filthy Surfaces
Body & Mind - HEALTH
Gas Pump Handles Top Study of Filthy Surfaces
Published October 25, 2011
| Reuters
Just when you thought filling up your car could not hurt any more, researchers may have found another reason to avoid touching the gas pump: germs.
Gas pump handles turned out to be the filthiest surface that Americans encounter on the way to work, according to a study released on Tuesday by Kimberly-Clark Professional, a unit of personal hygiene giant Kimberly-Clark Corp.
A team of hygienists swabbed hundreds of surfaces around six U.S. cities to see what everyday objects are breeding grounds for the worst bacteria and viruses.
The top offenders, following gas pumps, were handles on public mailboxes, escalator rails and ATM buttons.
Closely following on the filthiest list were parking meters and kiosks, crosswalk buttons and buttons on vending machines in shopping malls.
"It comes down to the fact that nobody cleans the things that you're going to touch on a daily basis," said Dr. Kelly Arehart, program leader of Kimberly-Clark's Healthy Workplace Project.
Testers analyzed swabs of the surfaces for levels of adenosine triphosphate, which signals the presence of animal, vegetable, bacteria, yeast or mold cells, and the high levels found suggest they can be transmitting illness, researchers said.
Swabs were taken in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami and Philadelphia.
Arehart's colleague Brad Reynolds said germs from people's hands can transfer seven times before leaving the skin. People should wash their hands as soon as they get to work, he said.
Gas Pump Handles Top Study of Filthy Surfaces
Published October 25, 2011
| Reuters
Just when you thought filling up your car could not hurt any more, researchers may have found another reason to avoid touching the gas pump: germs.
Gas pump handles turned out to be the filthiest surface that Americans encounter on the way to work, according to a study released on Tuesday by Kimberly-Clark Professional, a unit of personal hygiene giant Kimberly-Clark Corp.
A team of hygienists swabbed hundreds of surfaces around six U.S. cities to see what everyday objects are breeding grounds for the worst bacteria and viruses.
The top offenders, following gas pumps, were handles on public mailboxes, escalator rails and ATM buttons.
Closely following on the filthiest list were parking meters and kiosks, crosswalk buttons and buttons on vending machines in shopping malls.
"It comes down to the fact that nobody cleans the things that you're going to touch on a daily basis," said Dr. Kelly Arehart, program leader of Kimberly-Clark's Healthy Workplace Project.
Testers analyzed swabs of the surfaces for levels of adenosine triphosphate, which signals the presence of animal, vegetable, bacteria, yeast or mold cells, and the high levels found suggest they can be transmitting illness, researchers said.
Swabs were taken in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami and Philadelphia.
Arehart's colleague Brad Reynolds said germs from people's hands can transfer seven times before leaving the skin. People should wash their hands as soon as they get to work, he said.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
LM Import & Export Recalls Toy Cars Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard
Connecticut Department of Public Health
410 Capitol Avenue, MS#51 LED
Hartford, CT 06134-0308
Message Cover Sheet
DATE: September 29, 2011
TO: Directors of Health
Chief Sanitarians
Regional Lead Treatment Centers
Lead Contacts
FROM: Rhonda Wisniewski, Health Program Assistant PHONE: (860) 509-7299
FAX: (860) 509-7295
RE: LM Import & Export Recalls Toy Cars Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard
cc: LPPCP and HH Staff, Suzanne Blancaflor, Francesca Provenzano and CT DCP
Number of pages including cover sheet: 3
Please see the attached product recall issued by CPSC. The products (toy cars) are
manufactured by LM Import & Export, Inc., of Miami, Fla. Surface paint on the toy cars contains
excessive levels of lead, a violation of the federal lead paint standard. Lead is toxic if ingested
by young children and can cause adverse health effects.
The products are sold in packages of four or six toy cars which are painted in silver, black or
blue with red stickers with “super,” “max” and “racing” labeled on the top and sides of the cars.
The 4” plastic car sets have item numbers “43835” and “43836” printed on a white label on the
back of the cardboard packaging. “Gallop X” or “RACING CARS” is also printed on the product
packaging.
The recalled items were sold at Mega Wholesale stores throughout Miami, Florida from
September 2010 through January 2011 for between about $2 and $3 per set. They were
manufactured in China.
Please see the recall notice for specific information for consumers and contact information for
the company. You may also contact the CT Department of Public Health Lead Poisoning
Prevention & Control Program at 860-509-7299.
410 Capitol Avenue, MS#51 LED
Hartford, CT 06134-0308
Message Cover Sheet
DATE: September 29, 2011
TO: Directors of Health
Chief Sanitarians
Regional Lead Treatment Centers
Lead Contacts
FROM: Rhonda Wisniewski, Health Program Assistant PHONE: (860) 509-7299
FAX: (860) 509-7295
RE: LM Import & Export Recalls Toy Cars Due to Violation of Lead Paint Standard
cc: LPPCP and HH Staff, Suzanne Blancaflor, Francesca Provenzano and CT DCP
Number of pages including cover sheet: 3
Please see the attached product recall issued by CPSC. The products (toy cars) are
manufactured by LM Import & Export, Inc., of Miami, Fla. Surface paint on the toy cars contains
excessive levels of lead, a violation of the federal lead paint standard. Lead is toxic if ingested
by young children and can cause adverse health effects.
The products are sold in packages of four or six toy cars which are painted in silver, black or
blue with red stickers with “super,” “max” and “racing” labeled on the top and sides of the cars.
The 4” plastic car sets have item numbers “43835” and “43836” printed on a white label on the
back of the cardboard packaging. “Gallop X” or “RACING CARS” is also printed on the product
packaging.
The recalled items were sold at Mega Wholesale stores throughout Miami, Florida from
September 2010 through January 2011 for between about $2 and $3 per set. They were
manufactured in China.
Please see the recall notice for specific information for consumers and contact information for
the company. You may also contact the CT Department of Public Health Lead Poisoning
Prevention & Control Program at 860-509-7299.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
FDA Phases Out Inhaler Due to Environmental Impact
FDA Phases Out Inhaler Due to Environmental Impact
WASHINGTON – Federal health officials are alerting asthma patients that a type of inhaler sold over-the-counter will be phased out at year's end because it uses carbon gas that depletes the Earth's atmosphere.
The Food and Drug Administration says patients who use the epinephrine inhalers will need to switch to other types of inhalers which are only available with a doctor's prescription. The Epinephrine inhalers subject to the ban use chlorofluorocarbons to propel medication into the patient's airways.
The FDA finalized plans to phase out the products in 2008 and currently only Armstrong Pharmaceutical's Primatene mist is still available in the U.S. Other manufacturers have switched to an environmentally-friendly propellant called hydrofluoroalkane. These inhalers treat the same asthma symptoms but are only available via prescription.
WASHINGTON – Federal health officials are alerting asthma patients that a type of inhaler sold over-the-counter will be phased out at year's end because it uses carbon gas that depletes the Earth's atmosphere.
The Food and Drug Administration says patients who use the epinephrine inhalers will need to switch to other types of inhalers which are only available with a doctor's prescription. The Epinephrine inhalers subject to the ban use chlorofluorocarbons to propel medication into the patient's airways.
The FDA finalized plans to phase out the products in 2008 and currently only Armstrong Pharmaceutical's Primatene mist is still available in the U.S. Other manufacturers have switched to an environmentally-friendly propellant called hydrofluoroalkane. These inhalers treat the same asthma symptoms but are only available via prescription.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Indiana Schools IAQ Regulations
As students and teachers head back to school, state health officials have implemented tougher indoor air quality requirements for Indiana classrooms. The new rules bring immediate changes for schools across the state, and they come on the heels of an Eyewitness News investigation showing serious air quality problems inside hundreds of Indiana schools. 13 Investigates shows you what schools are now required to do, and how it will impact students, teachers and even parents.
13 Investigates found classrooms across Indiana have an invisible problem.
They are filled with high levels of carbon dioxide, which can have a big impact on students.
"Higher levels of carbon dioxide make a person sleepy and it also decreases their learning ability," said David Gettinger, a facilities manager who monitors CO2 levels for Perry Township Schools. "More carbon dioxide means there's not enough oxygen in the classroom and you don't think as straight."
Ron Clark, who conducts school indoor air quality inspections for the state health department, says elevated CO2 levels are one of the most common problems he finds in schools.
"It means they aren't bringing in enough fresh air for students," Clark said. "It would impact their education and their learning level."
For most students and teachers, high levels of CO2 won't make them sick, but it signals a problem with a school's air circulation, and the consequences can be devastating.
Students and teachers suffering
Students with asthma struggle to breathe in classrooms filled with high concentrations of carbon dioxide and often miss many school days as a result.
Poor air quality in schools takes a toll on many teachers, too.
"I go past a school building and I'll think there are people in there and they're having class and they're working. Why aren't I doing that?" asks Arlana Smith.
Smith taught adult education classes for Indianapolis Public Schools for 20 years before taking a medical disability leave three years ago. She says high levels of mold and pesticides tainted her classroom and destroyed her health.
"I've been diagnosed with multiple chemical sensitivity disorder, asthma, auto immune dysfunction, I have chronic pain, chronic fatigue," explained Smith, who spends much of her week traveling to doctor appointments. "I miss the students. I miss everything about having a normal life."
Smith's story is not unique.
Eyewitness News obtained state indoor air quality inspection reports for schools all over Indiana. They show many schools have elevated levels of bacteria and fungus, even visible mold. And 66% of Indiana schools inspected by the Indiana State Department of Health have too much carbon dioxide.
Even when problems are found, 13 Investigates discovered some schools go years without fixing them.
"We can't require them to fix what we find," Clark told WTHR in January. We make recommendations, but they're not enforceable."
New rules finally here
Indiana lawmakers ordered the state health department to change that two years ago, requiring the agency to establish new rules for school indoor air quality. The rules were supposed to be in place by summer 2010. After WTHR exposed a statewide problem with school indoor air quality earlier this year – highlighting health department delays in implementing tougher air quality standards – ISDH officials finally issued new rules, and they'll impact students and teachers right away.
"I think it's possible there will be more inspections because of the new rules," said Jennifer House, who oversees indoor air quality issues for ISDH. She says the new rules mean state inspectors can now act more quickly to investigate problems.
"Parents or teachers who are concerned about the quality of air don't need to actually fill out a specific complaint. Now if we get word that there could be a problem we can act, go in without someone putting their name to a piece of paper that they're complaining," House said.
Under the new indoor air rules, schools have to take action right now. They are required to:
--Implement a policy to limit vehicle idling when you pick up and drop off your kids at school.
--Implement policies to reduce allergens in classrooms such as air fresheners, chemicals and live animals.
--Implement a policy for routine cleaning of heating and air conditioning equipment, carpeting and furniture within each school.
--Fix all water leaks and mold problems identified inside the school within 48 hours.
--Tell students, teachers and parents exactly who's in charge of air quality within each school building.
"It gives [schools] a basis for what they need to be done to provide the right environment," House said.
Forgotten committee meets
The state health department is also going a step further. After years of delays and inaction, ISDH is reconvening a committee to help schools improve their air quality.
Lawmakers mandated the School Indoor Air Quality Panel in 2003 to help keep kids safe. Earlier this year, 13 Investigates discovered most seats on the committee were vacant and the group hadn't met in almost seven years.
13 Investigates contacted most original appointees of the 12-member panel. Nearly all of them expressed interest in meeting to discuss strategies that would improve air quality in schools, but all said the state health department had not contacted them in years.
"I haven't heard anything," panel appointee Jay Potesta said in March. "I think the health department was the wrong department to put in charge of this. Frankly, they haven't done much and we still have sick schools."
"There's been no communication whatsoever," added Mary Tanis, a teacher in the Lake Central School Corporation who was also appointed to the air quality panel. "For years, I tried e-mailing the governor. I wrote letters to him saying this was really important for schools and I never heard anything. I tried writing letters to the health department and finally I just gave up because it was not a priority."
13 Investigates obtained internal emails from ISDH that suggest state health officials were not eager to convene the committee. An August 2008 e-mail from John Ruyack, who was then serving as the health department's chief of indoor air quality, stated "there are not any issues [for the panel] to discuss," and efforts to implement a new indoor air quality rule for schools was not a high priority. "The rule is apparently on the back burner," he wrote. Ruyack told panel members he would schedule a panel meeting for early 2009, but there are no written documents to show that attempt ever happened.
Three years later -- soon after WTHR's investigation -- the health department officially reconvened the state's indoor air quality panel. The group met in May, although only five panel members attended and five of the panel's twelve seats had not been filled. The governor's office, health department and State Department of Education have yet to fill all of the vacancies left by disillusioned committee members who resigned during the past seven years.
"Really good progress"
Indoor Air Quality Panel members present at the May meeting approved a set of guidelines to help schools assess and improve their indoor air quality. The guidelines are supposed to be sent to all Indiana schools, and the panel is scheduled to meet again this fall.
Efforts of the panel combined with new, tougher air quality rules for schools should help teachers, parents and students breathe a little easier in classrooms all across Indiana.
"We're making some really good progress, but there is still a lot of room for improvement," Tanis said. "There is a lot more Indiana can do."
13 Investigates found classrooms across Indiana have an invisible problem.
They are filled with high levels of carbon dioxide, which can have a big impact on students.
"Higher levels of carbon dioxide make a person sleepy and it also decreases their learning ability," said David Gettinger, a facilities manager who monitors CO2 levels for Perry Township Schools. "More carbon dioxide means there's not enough oxygen in the classroom and you don't think as straight."
Ron Clark, who conducts school indoor air quality inspections for the state health department, says elevated CO2 levels are one of the most common problems he finds in schools.
"It means they aren't bringing in enough fresh air for students," Clark said. "It would impact their education and their learning level."
For most students and teachers, high levels of CO2 won't make them sick, but it signals a problem with a school's air circulation, and the consequences can be devastating.
Students and teachers suffering
Students with asthma struggle to breathe in classrooms filled with high concentrations of carbon dioxide and often miss many school days as a result.
Poor air quality in schools takes a toll on many teachers, too.
"I go past a school building and I'll think there are people in there and they're having class and they're working. Why aren't I doing that?" asks Arlana Smith.
Smith taught adult education classes for Indianapolis Public Schools for 20 years before taking a medical disability leave three years ago. She says high levels of mold and pesticides tainted her classroom and destroyed her health.
"I've been diagnosed with multiple chemical sensitivity disorder, asthma, auto immune dysfunction, I have chronic pain, chronic fatigue," explained Smith, who spends much of her week traveling to doctor appointments. "I miss the students. I miss everything about having a normal life."
Smith's story is not unique.
Eyewitness News obtained state indoor air quality inspection reports for schools all over Indiana. They show many schools have elevated levels of bacteria and fungus, even visible mold. And 66% of Indiana schools inspected by the Indiana State Department of Health have too much carbon dioxide.
Even when problems are found, 13 Investigates discovered some schools go years without fixing them.
"We can't require them to fix what we find," Clark told WTHR in January. We make recommendations, but they're not enforceable."
New rules finally here
Indiana lawmakers ordered the state health department to change that two years ago, requiring the agency to establish new rules for school indoor air quality. The rules were supposed to be in place by summer 2010. After WTHR exposed a statewide problem with school indoor air quality earlier this year – highlighting health department delays in implementing tougher air quality standards – ISDH officials finally issued new rules, and they'll impact students and teachers right away.
"I think it's possible there will be more inspections because of the new rules," said Jennifer House, who oversees indoor air quality issues for ISDH. She says the new rules mean state inspectors can now act more quickly to investigate problems.
"Parents or teachers who are concerned about the quality of air don't need to actually fill out a specific complaint. Now if we get word that there could be a problem we can act, go in without someone putting their name to a piece of paper that they're complaining," House said.
Under the new indoor air rules, schools have to take action right now. They are required to:
--Implement a policy to limit vehicle idling when you pick up and drop off your kids at school.
--Implement policies to reduce allergens in classrooms such as air fresheners, chemicals and live animals.
--Implement a policy for routine cleaning of heating and air conditioning equipment, carpeting and furniture within each school.
--Fix all water leaks and mold problems identified inside the school within 48 hours.
--Tell students, teachers and parents exactly who's in charge of air quality within each school building.
"It gives [schools] a basis for what they need to be done to provide the right environment," House said.
Forgotten committee meets
The state health department is also going a step further. After years of delays and inaction, ISDH is reconvening a committee to help schools improve their air quality.
Lawmakers mandated the School Indoor Air Quality Panel in 2003 to help keep kids safe. Earlier this year, 13 Investigates discovered most seats on the committee were vacant and the group hadn't met in almost seven years.
13 Investigates contacted most original appointees of the 12-member panel. Nearly all of them expressed interest in meeting to discuss strategies that would improve air quality in schools, but all said the state health department had not contacted them in years.
"I haven't heard anything," panel appointee Jay Potesta said in March. "I think the health department was the wrong department to put in charge of this. Frankly, they haven't done much and we still have sick schools."
"There's been no communication whatsoever," added Mary Tanis, a teacher in the Lake Central School Corporation who was also appointed to the air quality panel. "For years, I tried e-mailing the governor. I wrote letters to him saying this was really important for schools and I never heard anything. I tried writing letters to the health department and finally I just gave up because it was not a priority."
13 Investigates obtained internal emails from ISDH that suggest state health officials were not eager to convene the committee. An August 2008 e-mail from John Ruyack, who was then serving as the health department's chief of indoor air quality, stated "there are not any issues [for the panel] to discuss," and efforts to implement a new indoor air quality rule for schools was not a high priority. "The rule is apparently on the back burner," he wrote. Ruyack told panel members he would schedule a panel meeting for early 2009, but there are no written documents to show that attempt ever happened.
Three years later -- soon after WTHR's investigation -- the health department officially reconvened the state's indoor air quality panel. The group met in May, although only five panel members attended and five of the panel's twelve seats had not been filled. The governor's office, health department and State Department of Education have yet to fill all of the vacancies left by disillusioned committee members who resigned during the past seven years.
"Really good progress"
Indoor Air Quality Panel members present at the May meeting approved a set of guidelines to help schools assess and improve their indoor air quality. The guidelines are supposed to be sent to all Indiana schools, and the panel is scheduled to meet again this fall.
Efforts of the panel combined with new, tougher air quality rules for schools should help teachers, parents and students breathe a little easier in classrooms all across Indiana.
"We're making some really good progress, but there is still a lot of room for improvement," Tanis said. "There is a lot more Indiana can do."
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
CO2 and Nasal Allergies
A shot of carbon dioxide to the nose may bring some quick, though short-lived, relief to people with nasal allergies, a preliminary study suggests.
So-called intranasal carbon dioxide (CO2) is not yet an approved treatment for nasal allergies. The new study is one of a number of clinical trials being funded by Capnia, Inc., a Palo Alto, California-based company that is developing a hand-held device that, if approved, would allow people to administer the CO2 therapy to themselves.
In the new study, researchers recruited 348 adults with year-round nasal allergies, to irritants like dust, mold or pet dander.
They randomly assigned participants to have either one dose of CO2, delivered via a nosepiece attached to a CO2 cylinder, or a placebo "treatment" where nothing was delivered through the nosepiece.
Those receiving the real treatment were further divided into four groups, receiving either a lower or higher CO2 dose for either 10 seconds or 30 seconds.
About 30 minutes later, one of the CO2 groups, the one getting the higher dose for 10 seconds, reported bigger improvements in nasal congestion, itching, sneezing and watery eyes than those getting the placebo.
The advantage lasted about four hours, according to findings published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
The degree of symptom improvement was similar to what's typically seen with standard treatments like antihistamine nasal sprays, according to lead researcher Dr. Thomas B. Casale, a professor of medicine at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska.
If approved, intranasal CO2 could offer an alternative to people with seasonal or year-round nasal allergies, Casale told Reuters Health.
Prescription nasal sprays with anti-inflammatory corticosteroids, taken regularly, are the most effective treatment out there, Casale said. But some people, including parents of young children with nasal allergies, are reluctant to use steroids, even though the low doses in allergy nasal sprays are generally considered safe.
"There are still a lot of people who don't like to take medication," Casale said, "and might view this as a 'natural' treatment."
Because the treatment is still experimental, it is not clear how much it would cost if it makes it to the market.
An allergy expert not involved in the study was unimpressed with the results.
Even if the symptom reduction is around what's seen with antihistamine nasal sprays, the latter have longer-lasting effects, according to Dr. Harold Nelson, an allergist at National Jewish Health, a Denver hospital that specializes in respiratory diseases.
One dose is good for 24 hours, Nelson said in an interview with Reuters Health, whereas the benefits of intranasal CO2 wore off after 4 to 6 hours in this study.
On top of that, he added, intranasal CO2 "seems uncomfortable."
Of all CO2 patients in the study, upwards of 80 percent said they had nasal discomfort during the treatment, versus just about eight percent in the placebo group. Around one-quarter became teary-eyed, and 14 percent to 20 percent developed headaches.
"I must say, it's not a very attractive treatment," Nelson said.
He also pointed to what he saw as a weakness in the study: the placebo. Instead of comparing CO2 against some other gas, the researchers only gave placebo patients a nosepiece to insert.
That makes it unclear, Nelson said, if CO2 has some distinct effect, or if it was simply the intranasal pressure that somehow brought some people relief.
But Casale said that in an earlier study, this one of people with seasonal allergies, the researchers did use air in the placebo group, and the CO2-treated patients had greater symptom improvement.
Casale also pointed out that an advantage CO2 may have over antihistamines (both nasal spray and pill) and corticosteroids is that it works quickly. So the therapy might best fit into the nasal-allergy armament as an occasional, "as-needed" fix.
But that's still under study, Casale said. It also remains unclear why intranasal CO2 would be helpful against allergy symptoms, if that turns out to be the case.
Besides nasal steroids and antihistamines, some other nasal allergy treatments include nasal washes, which remove allergens from the nostrils, and allergy shots, which may be recommended for specific allergies that do not improve with medication.
Fox News
So-called intranasal carbon dioxide (CO2) is not yet an approved treatment for nasal allergies. The new study is one of a number of clinical trials being funded by Capnia, Inc., a Palo Alto, California-based company that is developing a hand-held device that, if approved, would allow people to administer the CO2 therapy to themselves.
In the new study, researchers recruited 348 adults with year-round nasal allergies, to irritants like dust, mold or pet dander.
They randomly assigned participants to have either one dose of CO2, delivered via a nosepiece attached to a CO2 cylinder, or a placebo "treatment" where nothing was delivered through the nosepiece.
Those receiving the real treatment were further divided into four groups, receiving either a lower or higher CO2 dose for either 10 seconds or 30 seconds.
About 30 minutes later, one of the CO2 groups, the one getting the higher dose for 10 seconds, reported bigger improvements in nasal congestion, itching, sneezing and watery eyes than those getting the placebo.
The advantage lasted about four hours, according to findings published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
The degree of symptom improvement was similar to what's typically seen with standard treatments like antihistamine nasal sprays, according to lead researcher Dr. Thomas B. Casale, a professor of medicine at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska.
If approved, intranasal CO2 could offer an alternative to people with seasonal or year-round nasal allergies, Casale told Reuters Health.
Prescription nasal sprays with anti-inflammatory corticosteroids, taken regularly, are the most effective treatment out there, Casale said. But some people, including parents of young children with nasal allergies, are reluctant to use steroids, even though the low doses in allergy nasal sprays are generally considered safe.
"There are still a lot of people who don't like to take medication," Casale said, "and might view this as a 'natural' treatment."
Because the treatment is still experimental, it is not clear how much it would cost if it makes it to the market.
An allergy expert not involved in the study was unimpressed with the results.
Even if the symptom reduction is around what's seen with antihistamine nasal sprays, the latter have longer-lasting effects, according to Dr. Harold Nelson, an allergist at National Jewish Health, a Denver hospital that specializes in respiratory diseases.
One dose is good for 24 hours, Nelson said in an interview with Reuters Health, whereas the benefits of intranasal CO2 wore off after 4 to 6 hours in this study.
On top of that, he added, intranasal CO2 "seems uncomfortable."
Of all CO2 patients in the study, upwards of 80 percent said they had nasal discomfort during the treatment, versus just about eight percent in the placebo group. Around one-quarter became teary-eyed, and 14 percent to 20 percent developed headaches.
"I must say, it's not a very attractive treatment," Nelson said.
He also pointed to what he saw as a weakness in the study: the placebo. Instead of comparing CO2 against some other gas, the researchers only gave placebo patients a nosepiece to insert.
That makes it unclear, Nelson said, if CO2 has some distinct effect, or if it was simply the intranasal pressure that somehow brought some people relief.
But Casale said that in an earlier study, this one of people with seasonal allergies, the researchers did use air in the placebo group, and the CO2-treated patients had greater symptom improvement.
Casale also pointed out that an advantage CO2 may have over antihistamines (both nasal spray and pill) and corticosteroids is that it works quickly. So the therapy might best fit into the nasal-allergy armament as an occasional, "as-needed" fix.
But that's still under study, Casale said. It also remains unclear why intranasal CO2 would be helpful against allergy symptoms, if that turns out to be the case.
Besides nasal steroids and antihistamines, some other nasal allergy treatments include nasal washes, which remove allergens from the nostrils, and allergy shots, which may be recommended for specific allergies that do not improve with medication.
Fox News
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Mold and Hurricane Irene
Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee Flooding Cause Millions of Homeowners to Respond Quickly to Mold and Mildew Concerns
Catastrophe modeling agency Eqecat said that it estimates U.S. insured losses from Irene of $1.5 billion to $2.8 billion. In addition to filing insurance claims homeowners must also start the cleanup of any water damage quickly. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) confirms that “mildew and mold will develop within 24-48 hours of water exposure.” To assist homeowners the website http://www.MoldnMildewRemoval.com provides free access to a comprehensive source of mold and mildew tips for homeowners.
Email PDF Print .Washington, DC (PRWEB) September 05, 2011
Catastrophe modeling agency Eqecat said that it estimates U.S. insured losses from Irene of $1.5 billion to $2.8 billion. In addition to filing insurance claims homeowners must also start the cleanup of any water damage quickly. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) confirms that “mildew and mold will develop within 24-48 hours of water exposure.” To assist homeowners the website http://www.MoldnMildewRemoval.com provides free access to a comprehensive source of mold and mildew tips for homeowners.
In a report published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) the agency confirms that mold and mildew are very serious issues that should be immediately take care. There are very serious health affects that can result from exposure to mold and mildew.
Mold and mildew can destroy a homes interior due to how it attaches itself to various objects. They are basically the same in how they cause damage. The difference is that mold can grow on walls and floors while mildew only grows on fabrics.
Individuals that suffer from allergies and asthma will that find that symptoms get significantly worse when exposed to mold and mildew. There have been reports of people not being able to breathe well for periods of time and yet their doctor can’t find what is causing it. The underlying culprit ends up being mold and mildew that is either in their home or office.
Not everyone has the same reaction to mold and mildew. That is why several people can live in the same home or work in the same office, yet only one or two of them is affected by the mold and mildew that is present.
Many doctors and health inspectors have become more aware and quicker to diagnose mold as a possible reason for a person’s deteriorating health.
Using a dehumidifier and having homes inspected on a regular basis by a professional can help to reduce the chances of mold and mildew developing
Catastrophe modeling agency Eqecat said that it estimates U.S. insured losses from Irene of $1.5 billion to $2.8 billion. In addition to filing insurance claims homeowners must also start the cleanup of any water damage quickly. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) confirms that “mildew and mold will develop within 24-48 hours of water exposure.” To assist homeowners the website http://www.MoldnMildewRemoval.com provides free access to a comprehensive source of mold and mildew tips for homeowners.
Email PDF Print .Washington, DC (PRWEB) September 05, 2011
Catastrophe modeling agency Eqecat said that it estimates U.S. insured losses from Irene of $1.5 billion to $2.8 billion. In addition to filing insurance claims homeowners must also start the cleanup of any water damage quickly. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) confirms that “mildew and mold will develop within 24-48 hours of water exposure.” To assist homeowners the website http://www.MoldnMildewRemoval.com provides free access to a comprehensive source of mold and mildew tips for homeowners.
In a report published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) the agency confirms that mold and mildew are very serious issues that should be immediately take care. There are very serious health affects that can result from exposure to mold and mildew.
Mold and mildew can destroy a homes interior due to how it attaches itself to various objects. They are basically the same in how they cause damage. The difference is that mold can grow on walls and floors while mildew only grows on fabrics.
Individuals that suffer from allergies and asthma will that find that symptoms get significantly worse when exposed to mold and mildew. There have been reports of people not being able to breathe well for periods of time and yet their doctor can’t find what is causing it. The underlying culprit ends up being mold and mildew that is either in their home or office.
Not everyone has the same reaction to mold and mildew. That is why several people can live in the same home or work in the same office, yet only one or two of them is affected by the mold and mildew that is present.
Many doctors and health inspectors have become more aware and quicker to diagnose mold as a possible reason for a person’s deteriorating health.
Using a dehumidifier and having homes inspected on a regular basis by a professional can help to reduce the chances of mold and mildew developing
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