That information about the relationship between air quality and cardiac risk was news to me and much appreciated. I live in Florida but have good friends in northern Ohio who tell me the smoke is really bad.
Not sure if public health investigators will be able to do anything with what I'm trying to report, but I had cyclosporiasis starting April 24th and I never eat iceberg lettuce, nor do I ever eat at Taco Bell. I hope they will keep investigating and get broader data. My best guess is that I had broccoli, not cooked quite long enough to kill the parasite. Bought it at Whole Foods. Maybe there was some kind of cross-contamination? Because I would not have been buying lettuce of any kind in April.
The air pollution article was good, but it would be timely to include the administrations attempts to pardon polluters and rescind increased air quality orders.
I really appreciate understanding what wildfire smoke can do to you, especially as an older person with asthma. I'm also really glad to know the most likely culprit - both the provider and the product - for the diarrhea problem. I will continue to go for whole produce, and will make sure that I no longer buy packaged coleslaw mix. Even though cabbage isn't the issue, most likely, it's not that hard to cut it up when I need it. This issue of your news letter was exceptionally good. Thank you for staying on top of these issues.
Thank you Katelyn, this is really helpful. I have 2 questions that I haven’t been able to find a satisfactory answer to: 1) My elderly parents are at a vacation home in an area experiencing “very hazardous” air quality — they don’t have air purifiers and their HVAC doesn’t have good filtration, but they are at least staying indoors. Is it best for them to leave the area until the AQI improves? Seems without air purification indoor air is little different than outdoor air, right? 2) How long does it take after the air quality event for these risks to reduce to baseline? Do we need to be on higher alert for cardiovascular events for a period after prolonged exposure? Nothing I’ve read addresses how long the risks remain elevated.
Helpful to have the comparison re: 1 hour in Code Purple air...wondering though about shorter stints. For instance, we went outside to catch the bus as it was coming up (maybe 2-3 min outside), rode the bus 5 min or so (door opening for customers), then were outside for maybe another 5 minutes as I took my young kid to daycare. Especially when in that more vulnerable group, what really counts as "prolonged" time outside to worry about?
I’ve read articles stating that regular or prolonged exposure to wildfire smoke also increases the risk of dementia. I’d love to have you write about that at some point!
I regularly buy bagged spinach at Trader Joe's, and I've learned that Taylor Farms is one of the store's suppliers. Given that, I'm wondering whether it would be prudent to avoid it for the time being.
Thank you so much for the outstanding information, all the time! Now, moving upstream, how can we advocate for prevention and control of wildfires (including international aid to do this), control of the other modifiable risk factors for cardiopulmonary disease as the air problems are probably at least additive, and prevention and control of parasites and infectious agents entering our food chain? What are the practical measures that need to be taken for this?
Our HEPA filter (Sans) does just that. Yesterday morning, despite the house being closed up it showed a reading of 50 for the 2.5 microns (while the putside reading for our area was over 250). By afternoon, it was down to 6. Normally it's in the 2 - 4 range.
Sorry if I wasn't clear, it's an "air purifier" that shows the indoor air quality (2.5 micron, 10 micron, and VOC) numbers on the top of it. Not sure if that's what you were asking about.
Ruuvi makes one (Finnish company). I ordered one, and don't have it yet, but I do have several of their temperature monitors — the build quality and data display and monitoring features are first-rate.
Thank you for this clear and important information. Stay healthy, everyone!
That information about the relationship between air quality and cardiac risk was news to me and much appreciated. I live in Florida but have good friends in northern Ohio who tell me the smoke is really bad.
Not sure if public health investigators will be able to do anything with what I'm trying to report, but I had cyclosporiasis starting April 24th and I never eat iceberg lettuce, nor do I ever eat at Taco Bell. I hope they will keep investigating and get broader data. My best guess is that I had broccoli, not cooked quite long enough to kill the parasite. Bought it at Whole Foods. Maybe there was some kind of cross-contamination? Because I would not have been buying lettuce of any kind in April.
Susan, would you mind sharing the state or city? Do you know if it was reported or not, or if it's the same strain?
The air pollution article was good, but it would be timely to include the administrations attempts to pardon polluters and rescind increased air quality orders.
I really appreciate understanding what wildfire smoke can do to you, especially as an older person with asthma. I'm also really glad to know the most likely culprit - both the provider and the product - for the diarrhea problem. I will continue to go for whole produce, and will make sure that I no longer buy packaged coleslaw mix. Even though cabbage isn't the issue, most likely, it's not that hard to cut it up when I need it. This issue of your news letter was exceptionally good. Thank you for staying on top of these issues.
Thank you Katelyn, this is really helpful. I have 2 questions that I haven’t been able to find a satisfactory answer to: 1) My elderly parents are at a vacation home in an area experiencing “very hazardous” air quality — they don’t have air purifiers and their HVAC doesn’t have good filtration, but they are at least staying indoors. Is it best for them to leave the area until the AQI improves? Seems without air purification indoor air is little different than outdoor air, right? 2) How long does it take after the air quality event for these risks to reduce to baseline? Do we need to be on higher alert for cardiovascular events for a period after prolonged exposure? Nothing I’ve read addresses how long the risks remain elevated.
Thank you, thank you, Katelyn❣️❣️I’ve shared this with many!
Helpful to have the comparison re: 1 hour in Code Purple air...wondering though about shorter stints. For instance, we went outside to catch the bus as it was coming up (maybe 2-3 min outside), rode the bus 5 min or so (door opening for customers), then were outside for maybe another 5 minutes as I took my young kid to daycare. Especially when in that more vulnerable group, what really counts as "prolonged" time outside to worry about?
I’ve read articles stating that regular or prolonged exposure to wildfire smoke also increases the risk of dementia. I’d love to have you write about that at some point!
Taylor Farms produce is in many stores here in Detroit, including the local Whole Foods.
Such helpful information. I am passing this on to friends all over the country.
Thank you, YLE. I appreciate you!💐
I regularly buy bagged spinach at Trader Joe's, and I've learned that Taylor Farms is one of the store's suppliers. Given that, I'm wondering whether it would be prudent to avoid it for the time being.
You got that right. Clowns to the left of me. Jokers to the right……
Thank you so much for the outstanding information, all the time! Now, moving upstream, how can we advocate for prevention and control of wildfires (including international aid to do this), control of the other modifiable risk factors for cardiopulmonary disease as the air problems are probably at least additive, and prevention and control of parasites and infectious agents entering our food chain? What are the practical measures that need to be taken for this?
anyone recommend an indoor air quality monitor?
Our HEPA filter (Sans) does just that. Yesterday morning, despite the house being closed up it showed a reading of 50 for the 2.5 microns (while the putside reading for our area was over 250). By afternoon, it was down to 6. Normally it's in the 2 - 4 range.
you are referring to a HEPA indoor air quality monitor? i looked, didn’t see a monitor.
Sorry if I wasn't clear, it's an "air purifier" that shows the indoor air quality (2.5 micron, 10 micron, and VOC) numbers on the top of it. Not sure if that's what you were asking about.
thank you for clarifying.
Ruuvi makes one (Finnish company). I ordered one, and don't have it yet, but I do have several of their temperature monitors — the build quality and data display and monitoring features are first-rate.