Common Greenshield lichen

 Common Greenshield lichen (Flavoparmelia caperata)

This medium to large foliose lichen is common on tree branches. It is easily visible from a distance and older colonies are often in the range of at least 6 inches or more in diameter. 

Golden eye lichen

 

 

Golden eye Lichen (Teloschistes chrysopthalmus)

A fruticose lichen that grows on the barks of trees. The bright orange color helpful in identification. 

Rough Speckled Shield Lichen

 

 

Rough Speckled Shield Lichen (Punctelia rudecta)

This foliose lichen is common on trees often growing more than one half foot in diameter.  

Popular Sunburst lichen

Popular Sunburst Lichen (Xanthoria hasseana)

This colorful foliose lichen will grow on trees and rocks. The Apothecia is bright orange. 

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. 

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.

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. 

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

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.)

Wildfire Resources recently available

Soot - microscopic brightfield - N. G. Carlson

Wildfire resources for home owners have recently become available. 

• First Street Wildfire Model
• Risk factor - How to find your homes climate risks using your zip code
• Wildfire forecasting National Academies of Science 

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)

Wisconsin State Climatology

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

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. 

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

Researchers search for the perfect face mask fit

A team of researchers at the U of Minnesota has been working on designing masks hoping to achieve fit factors approaching an N-95 respirator. They are also working on 3D modeling of faces to aid in customizing the fit of respirators/masks. Below is a report by WCCO TVs Jennifer Mayerle. (3/22/2021)

       

Jennifer Mayerle WCCO TV - Finding the perfect face mask fit - 3:04

Minnesota Covid Aware app

 

One method of slowing the transmission of COVID 19 is to download the Minnesota COVID Aware App.  This app will notify you anonymously if someone that you have interacted with for more than 15 minutes has tested positive for COVID -19. It was fairly easy to download and is available for both Apple and Android phones. 

Why you should download the Covid aware app. - 4 min. 

Broad Pro Mask instruction video

 

Video on Broad Pro Mask

Broad Pro Mask instruction video