Grand Portage Healthy Homes is looking for homes to test and fix.
Do you have anyone in your household with asthma, COPD, or other lung health issues?
Do you live on the Grand Portage Reservation?
If you can answer yes then you can enroll in the Healthy Homes program. This free program will provide an expert air analysis of your home to look for mold and other contaminants, a remediation plan to improve the air, and even will provide repairs as needed by the remediation plan. The remediation money is not unlimited, and will be dispersed on a first-come, first-serve basis so sign up now to be part of this exciting program to improve lung health in Grand Portage. Stop by my office at Trust Lands or call me at 475-2415 ext. 35 and sign up today!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
The Effect Of Excess Carbon Dioxide That No One Wants to Talk About
The climate chaos caused by the rapid rise in CO2 levels in the atmosphere is only one reason that we need to reduce carbon emissions, the other is that it is making the oceans more acidic.
The oceans naturally absorb around one third of our CO2 emissions every year, but while removing it from the atmosphere is a good thing from a climate standpoint, the effect on ocean chemistry could be just as catastrophic. CO2 dissolves in seawater and forms carbonic acid which lowers the PH. This reduced PH is already being seen by scientists. Many life forms at the base of the oceanic food web depend on carbonate shells or exoskeletons, and if the sea becomes too acidic they will no longer be able to make them. Studies of corals on the Great Barrier Reef have shown that growth rates are slower now than they have been in 400 years.
Over 150 marine scientists have signed the Monaco Declaration (pdf) expressing their alarm over findings of increased ocean acidification worldwide. Although CO2 levels have been higher in the past, the extreme rapidity of the current changes will leave no time for ecosystems to adapt. I recently read a study on the correlation between lack of coral reefs and mass extinctions, so even if you don't think our excess CO2 emissions are warming the earth there are other important reasons we need to reduce them.
The oceans naturally absorb around one third of our CO2 emissions every year, but while removing it from the atmosphere is a good thing from a climate standpoint, the effect on ocean chemistry could be just as catastrophic. CO2 dissolves in seawater and forms carbonic acid which lowers the PH. This reduced PH is already being seen by scientists. Many life forms at the base of the oceanic food web depend on carbonate shells or exoskeletons, and if the sea becomes too acidic they will no longer be able to make them. Studies of corals on the Great Barrier Reef have shown that growth rates are slower now than they have been in 400 years.
Over 150 marine scientists have signed the Monaco Declaration (pdf) expressing their alarm over findings of increased ocean acidification worldwide. Although CO2 levels have been higher in the past, the extreme rapidity of the current changes will leave no time for ecosystems to adapt. I recently read a study on the correlation between lack of coral reefs and mass extinctions, so even if you don't think our excess CO2 emissions are warming the earth there are other important reasons we need to reduce them.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Do You Ever Think About The Water Suppy Hoses To Your Washing Machine?
You Should!
The rubber hoses commonly sold for this can unexpectedly fail, particularly the hot water supply. Failure of these hoses are one of major sources of water damage in homes, and most people never even consider this until they are up to their ankles in water.
I was reminded of this the other day when one of these hoses began leaking after I had moved a washer slightly. The homeowner said the hoses were put in when the washer was installed - about fifteen years before. Rubber hoses need to be replaced at least every five years, or better yet replaced with stainless steel flex hose.
I never thought about them myself until I was at one of my mold trainings last summer and found out how often the rubber hoses fail. I went out and immediately bought stainless and now I sleep better at night.
The rubber hoses commonly sold for this can unexpectedly fail, particularly the hot water supply. Failure of these hoses are one of major sources of water damage in homes, and most people never even consider this until they are up to their ankles in water.
I was reminded of this the other day when one of these hoses began leaking after I had moved a washer slightly. The homeowner said the hoses were put in when the washer was installed - about fifteen years before. Rubber hoses need to be replaced at least every five years, or better yet replaced with stainless steel flex hose.
I never thought about them myself until I was at one of my mold trainings last summer and found out how often the rubber hoses fail. I went out and immediately bought stainless and now I sleep better at night.
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