I attended a Lunch and Learn meeting in a neighboring town today about clean air and asthma. It was sponsored by Cool People Care, Clean Air Partnership of Middle Tennessee and the local chapter of the American Lung Association. As an environmentalist, I am very glad that I attended, as I learned many disturbing facts about our air, especially the air where I live.
Gail Bost, development director of the local chapter of the American Lung Association spoke and gave us some startling information.
I am an animal lover and have always had a pet, either fish, bird, dog, cat or rabbit. Dog dander stays in a room for six months after the dog leaves, and this includes regular vacuum cleaning. Cat dander hangs around for one year.
In the United States, over 20,000,000 people have asthma. Over 353,000 adults in my home state of Tennessee have asthma. That is one in every 13 persons, which is increasing in epidemic proportions.
St. Louis ranks #1 in American cities with dirty air. Tennessee has three cities in the top ten nationwide with Chattanooga at #4, Memphis at #6 and Knoxville at #7. My home Nashville comes in at #32 on the list. Dirty air, not only causes lung problems, but also increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Radon gas is a major problem in the Tennessee region. While radon is a naturally occuring element, it is the second greatest cause of lung cancer. I learned that I need to get the air in my house tested for radon.
While these statistics are somewhat frightening, we can all take steps to stay healthy. We can pay attention to the daily air quality rating in our city. This is usually publicized by radio, television, local newspapers or the internet. We can avoid using Plug-In air freshener, which contain carcinogens. Air fresheners just perfume the air and does not clean it.
Have fresh air blowing into your home on days when the air quality is good. Use public transportation or reduce automobile driving on bad air days. Walk or use bicycles for transportation.
Tags: Environment | Weather | Air Quality
During the Great American Clean Up, I have been showing some objects I find that we normally do not think of litter. I found these broken golf tees on a street in a neighborhood close to my neighborhood. They are made of wood which is a natural product and would eventually decay.
I had the honor today of participating in my first Nashville Arbor Day Celebration as chair of the Metro Beautification Environment Commission. I thought that I was just an attendee, but I was seated on the stage with the mayor and other local community leaders. I felt like Kramer from Seinfeld as I was underdressed for the occasion and did not think I merited the honor .
Many readers of this blog know my dog Neyland, who is over 12 years old. He woke us up this morning at 1:30 with a seizure. Neither of us knew what was happening to Neyland, but both my husband and I woke up about the same moment.
The local newspaper, The Tennessean, once a week publishes local news for some of the communities in the Nashville area. Until a few weeks ago, this local edition was packaged with ad inserts and mailed to everyone. I gladly received it weekly in my mailbox with other mail.
