Monday, November 7, 2022

CDC home ventilation for covid reduction

 




The CDC interactive home ventilation tool allows home owners to make changes to their home ventilation system and observe how it affects the levels of infectious particles.  The fan cycling, filter efficiency, HEPA filters, windows can be changed and the resulting removal efficiency is displayed. 



Friday, September 30, 2022

Through the eyes of your camera

 

Bald Eagle - N. Carlson

One of the videos recommended for the Minnesota Master Naturalist program at the U of M is a  Nebraska Nature Conservancy production as part of the Nature Unites Us Online Learning Series.




Tuesday, September 27, 2022

Interim Infection Prevention and Control for Health Care during COVID-19

 


As of September 23, 2022 the CDC issued Interim recommendations for health care personnel during COVID-19

Portions of the recommendations suggest altering mask wearing and infection control guidelines based on Community Transmission. The prospect of changing recommendations base on transmission levels can be problematic resulting in confusion. The changes back to a more restrictive guidance are often delayed until after transmission rates are high. 

The recommendations suggest adding engineering controls which can reduce transmission. 


Tuesday, August 9, 2022

EPA Indoor air quality publications and webinars

 


Today I listened to EPA's webinar on ASHRAE's Guidance for Covid-19 risk management. A recording of the webinar will be made available in the near future.  

For a list of past and upcoming webinars please visit the EPA's Webinars, Meetings and update page



ASHRAE Standards before, during, and after COVID - Approximately 120 minutes


Monday, July 18, 2022

Monkeypox disinfection

 

Monkeypox can be picked up from surfaces or fomites. It is an enveloped virus and products used for Covid-19 disinfection will be similar to the ones for Monkeypox. Read the disinfectant product label and use as directed. The document: CDC disinfection for Monkeypox is available as a reference. CDC Information on Infection Prevention and Control of Monkeypox in Healthcare Settings.

Information of the design for mass testing sites; Hospital Design for better infection control

Please see the approved chemicals on List Q: Emerging viral pathogens.



Monkeypox prevention and control webinar -63 minutes







Monkeypox Outbreak - What the cleaning industry needs to know. - 2min. 46 sec. 


Thursday, July 7, 2022

How exploding manhole covers work

 

There have been recent reports in the news of exploding manhole covers. This post covers some of the common causes and options for prevention. 

Cause: A combination of flammable gases and a spark cause an expansion of air volume that lifts  the manhole cover in the air.

Prevention: 

  1. Slotted manhole covers that allow pressure relief. (This will not work for sanitary sewers as it allows storm water to enter the sanitary sewers). 
  2. Inspection of wiring in areas below ground to assure the wires are in good shape.  This is often done using infrared cameras.
  3. Early detection of flammable gasses or liquids in the underground utility system.
  4. Proper disposal of flammable liquids as hazardous waste.
  5. Avoid using sparks or flames near manhole covers. 

How it Works describes the circumstances for an exploding manhole



The science behind exploding manhole covers - 2 min. 





Tuesday, June 28, 2022

Pesticide Safety and Environmental Education

 

Flowers at the Como Conservatory - St. Paul, MN - N. Carlson

The University of Minnesota Extension is offering training on Pesticide Safety and Environmental Education.  The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has a list of all of the Pesticide Categories with licenses and requirements.   

Coming soon there will be a PesticideSmart website available to the general public to help individuals make informed decisions about pesticide use.  

Current concern is focused forest management practices for the Spruce Budworm that cyclically attacks spruce trees in the US and Canada.  It is actually a caterpillar and moth that attacks the tree and kills it making it very easy to burn. 


Spruce Budworm - NE Minnesota - 18 min. 



Thursday, June 23, 2022

School indoor air quality training in Minnesota this fall

 

Darkfield photo of fungal growth - N Carlson

The MDH (Minnesota Department of Health( is offering school IAQ plan trainings in fall 2022, in-person statewide and a webinar. This training will discuss the state’s best practices for school IAQ management plans. School staff, service providers, and others are welcome to attend. The training is free. Registration is required. See MDH School IAQ Plan Training for details and registration.

When and Where

  • Mankato: September 22, 2022 (10:00 am – 2:00 pm)
    South Central Service Cooperative
    2075 Lookout Drive, North Mankato, MN 56001
    Directions
  • St. Cloud: October 11, 2022 (10:00 am – 2:00 pm)
    Minnesota Department of Health
    Midtown Square
    3333 West Division Street, Suite 212, St. Cloud, MN 56301
    Directions
  • Bemidji: October 12, 2022 (10:00 am – 2:00 pm) 
    Minnesota Department of Health
    705 - 5th Street NW, Suite A, Bemidji, MN 56601-2933
    Directions
  • Metro: October 18, 2022 (9:00 am – 12:00 pm)
    Bethel University
    Anderson Center, Room 125
    2 Pine Tree Drive, Arden Hills, MN 55112
    Directions
  • Metro: November 2, 2022 (1:00 pm– 4:00 pm)
    Bethel University
    Anderson Center, Room 125
    2 Pine Tree Drive, Arden Hills, MN 55112
    Directions
  • Webinar: November 3, 2022 (1:00 pm – 4:00 pm)
    (Email with instructions will be sent to webinar registrants.)

Monday, May 16, 2022

Wildfire Resources recently available



wildfire soot microscopic
Soot - microscopic brightfield - N. G. Carlson

Wildfire resources for home owners have recently become available. 

Monday, May 2, 2022

Weather support for Events in MInnesota and Wisconsin

 

Sunlight through the clouds - N. Carlson


Weather Support Request for Events

Event Ready (This resource provides planning resources and situational awareness for your event)


Minnesota State Climatology (UMN climate) or (DNR Climate)


Wednesday, April 27, 2022

Avian flu resources

Bald Eagle - N. Carlson

The latest strain of highly pathogenic Avian influenza has affected raptors and other birds in the spring of 2022. The Minnesota Raptor Center provides an Avian Flu resource page with helpful information. 


Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in 2022 by Dr. Janice Mladonicky -24 min. 


Thursday, February 10, 2022

Filtration and ventilation fact sheets

 



Air filtration calculation from Professor David Pui at the University of Minnesota


School IAQ ventilation fact sheets from US Green Building Council


ASHRAE Covid ventilation website - American Society of Heating Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Enginers

Covid data sites for Minnesota

 




The following websites are useful for making public health decisions with respect to the risk of covid infections. 

Minnesota Covid Waste water dashboard

Mayo Clinic Covid case map

Johns Hopkins Minnesota Data

APMresearchlab Covid in Minnesota

For advice on where we go from here please see the March 1, 2022 report on the Getting to and Sustaining the Next Normal: A Roadmap for Living with COVID  The authors suggest that we will reach the point where COVID becomes like the seasonal flu when daily death rates average 165/day.  

As of March 8, 2022, the daily death rate averaged over seven days in the US was 1,414/day.  Update information is available from the NY Times COVID in the US