Pollution

Type 2 diabetes is a serious problem in the United States - nearly 26 million Americans have diabetes, with 90 to 95 percent of diagnoses being type 2 diabetes, Healthline.com reports. In many cases people develop this problem due to being overweight or obese, but a new study has found exposure to pesticides in their food and the air could also be to blame. 

Scientists from the University of Granada came to this conclusion after analyzing the concentrations of a specific group of Persistent Organic Pollutants (CPOs) in the adipose (fat) tissue of 386 participants. Researchers discovered patients with higher levels of CPOs were four times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes in comparison to their counterparts who were exposed to fewer pesticides. These results held true regardless of patients' age, gender or body mass index. Despite the surprising finding, more research needs to be conducted to figure out the link between pesticides and diabetes.

Since some pesticides are found in foods and the air, people should take certain precautions to limit how exposed they are to CPOs. Washing produce thoroughly and investing in home air purifiers like the Airgle PurePal MultiGas AG950 are real options. The latter works to filtrate the air, allowing families to breathe in only the cleanest, most pure air.

Business operators and homeowners in California's San Joaquin Valley could be affected by local officials' desire to meet federal air quality regulations by 2019. According to The Bakersfield Californian, local officials are considering an increase in the number of no-burn days - periods when administrators would limit activities such as residential wood burning and commercial cooking emissions - to control air pollution throughout the region. 

San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District staff members noted that 90 percent of area residents live in portions of the region that will be in compliance with federal rules by 2017. However, specific areas of the valley are significantly impacted by air pollution, and these sections will need extra time to meet national requirements. Local Air Pollution Control District Executive Director Seyed Sadredin said that the plan has been comprehensively evaluated to ensure that the valley can meet the federal deadline. 

With the IQAir® GC VOC, commercial and residential property owners can control a wide range of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), including benzene, butane and chlorine. The air purifier provides high-efficiency particulate filtration and removes more than 97 percent of particles before they can reach the gas phase media. 

The Grand Canyon is a national landmark celebrated by thousands of visitors every year, and federal legislators are evaluating ways to reduce air pollution surrounding the area. According to the Arizona Republic, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggested the installation of a catalytic converter at a nearby coal-fired power plant to eliminate haze around the canyon.

EPA officials noted that the Navajo Generating Station near Page, Arizona, is among the primary contributors to haziness at the landmark. Additionally, the station's emissions of nitrogen oxide affects all five southern Utah national parks and Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado.

With the catalytic converter in place, federal administrators stated that the device could significantly lower nitrogen oxide emissions and potentially reduce visible Grand Canyon haze by roughly one-third. EPA leaders noted that they would like to use the best technology available to enhance air quality in the region.

The IQAir® GC MultiGas is a top choice for commercial and residential building owners who want to control wide spectrum molecular and particulate contaminants. This air purifier features an interchangeable cartridge design and is able to meet almost any moderate gas phase removal need for business operators and homeowners.

Officials in Missoula County, Montana, have issued warnings for residents about air quality concerns throughout the area. According to the Missoulian, state administrators reported that air quality levels exceeded national limits due to particulate matter on January 18, 2013.

Sarah Coefield, an air quality specialist, noted that she does not expect the county's air quality levels to improve soon.

"The high pressure ridge parked over the Missoula Valley is unlikely to leave in the next several days," Coefield told the news source. "The high pressure ridge coupled with strong inversions means conditions will likely continue to deteriorate."

Residents in Missoula County are encouraged to avoid nonessential driving and use public transportation if possible. Coefield stated that people with heart or lung disease, smokers, children and the elderly should limit prolonged exertion until air quality levels improve in the area.

The IQAir® GC VOC is ideal for people who want to manage Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). This air purifier protects business operators and homeowners against VOCs such as chlorine, sulfuric acid and xylene. Additionally, the unit is tested for particle filtration efficiency, filter leakage and air delivery to ensure professional-grade results.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will spend $2.7 million to reduce air pollution from diesel engines in New Jersey and New York. EPA officials are targeting solutions to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter and improve air quality in both states.

By helping two organizations replace several diesel engines, EPA administrators could eliminate the emissions of pollutants that are linked to health problems such as asthma and heart disease. While diesel engines are durable, older models predate stricter air pollution standards. However, the EPA's investment may reduce air pollution from some of the more than 11 million older diesel engines that are still in use.

"Older diesel engines generate significant amounts of air pollution that can make people sick," EPA Regional Administrator Judith A. Enck said. "Replacing old polluting diesel engines reduces asthma attacks and other respiratory ailments."

With an air purifier like the IQAir® GC MultiGas, commercial and residential property owners can enjoy high-end particulate contaminant control. The air purifier provides maximum molecular filtration for a wide variety of gaseous chemicals and odors and features an advanced filter cartridge design.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that air quality is getting better in Birmingham, Alabama. According to The Associated Press, EPA officials noted that air conditions in Birmingham and its surrounding areas are improving, thanks in part to state administrators' increased focus on eliminating pollution concerns.

Several Alabama departments were required to enhance air quality that was compromised due to pollution issues that have affected local citizens for the past 30 years. The news source states that car exhaust, industrial emissions and soot from coal-fired power plants were among the problems that added particulate matter to the air. However, state officials have improved emissions and pollution enforcement to ensure that the area fully complies with federal regulations.

EPA representatives said that three Alabama counties now meet various primary air quality standards. State administrators noted that they anticipate air quality levels will continue to improve as they search for new ways to lower pollution levels throughout the area.

With the IQAir® GC VOC, commercial and residential building owners can easily control volatile organic compound emissions. The air purifier delivers excellent filtration of particles and relies on an interchangeable cartridge design to help people effectively manage gaseous pollutants.

In January 2013, Colorado administrators announced that they will launch a three-year evaluation of air pollution from local gas and oil activity. According to the Denver Business Journal, the study will examine the health effects of air pollution from gas and oil companies across the state, especially firms located on the northern Front Range.

Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper said that the state will spend $1.3 million to complete the study. Additionally, government officials noted that some of the evaluation resources would come from the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission Environmental Response Fund, which is managed by the gas and oil industry.

Dr. Chris Urbina, executive director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, stated that the study could significantly help business owners and residents throughout the state.

"We are working with all stakeholders to find the careful balance that protects the public and addresses legitimate concerns while ensuring that the oil and gas resources necessary to our economy can be safely developed," Urbina told the news source.

The IQAir® GC MultiGas offers protection against a wide variety of gaseous chemicals and odors. This air purifier delivers high-efficiency particulate filtration by removing 97 percent of particles before they can reach the gas phase media.

Superior Industries, a Minnesota company that specializes in the development and manufacturing of conveyor systems and components, received $20,000 in fines due to several pollution issues. According to the Star Tribune, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency penalized the company for hazardous pollution emissions between 2001 and 2011. 

The business consistently exceeded the amount of dangerous organic compounds it was allowed to produce under its permit. Company officials told the agency about its hazardous pollution emissions in December 2010, but continued their actions through January 2011.

Agency officials found that many of the compounds produced by Superior Industries were carcinogens that could cause serious health problems. Additionally, agency leaders discovered that the firm had an emergency generator that was not listed on its inventory, and control equipment had not been properly installed on sandblasting machines.

With a top-rated air purifier, companies can control dust, gases, mold, microorganisms and many other pollutants. The IQAir® HealthPro Plus is ideal for businesses because it captures even the most fine particles and features granular activated carbon adsorption to eliminate volatile organic compounds that cause odors.

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) administrators effectively managed numerous air pollutants over the past two years. According to Minnesota Public Radio News, these officials improved air quality in the Twin Cities by focusing on fine particle pollution.

Recent MPCA data showed that the Twin Cities area averages roughly 10 air quality alerts in most years. However, there were only four such alerts in both 2011 and 2012.

Air quality warnings are issued if pollutant levels are unhealthy for certain groups, including people who have respiratory problems. MPCA official Rich Strassman said that the recent reduction in the number of warnings is a positive sign for the state, but noted that the weather also impacted the agency's calculations.

"We can probably attribute it to some fairly active weather in 2012, where the concentrations just didn't accumulate over multiple days like we've seen in the past," Strassman told the news source.

The Airgle® PurePal® Plus AG850 Air Purifier features premium carbon technology that absorbs hazardous organic compounds such as benzene and toluene. This air purifier can eliminate dangerous and unpleasant odors and has a large coverage area.

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is attempting to reduce air pollution by examining the conditions surrounding a local printing plant. According to the Chicago Tribune, Madigan filed a lawsuit against Lake Book Manufacturing Inc. after the company installed 10 printing presses without construction permits.

The printing presses are capable of emitting air pollutants, and Lake Book Manufacturing could be penalized up to $50,000 for each violation and an extra $10,000 for every day it illegally operated the units. Lake Book Manufacturing's printing machines could produce more than 25 tons of volatile organic materials per year.

Madigan said that Lake Book Manufacturing did not submit annual emissions reports to the state's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from 1992 to 2010. Illinois EPA officials investigated the company's facility in November 2010 and found that the firm had not paid permit fees associated with the printing presses.

With the Airgle® PurePal® Plus AG850 Air Purifier, people can enjoy advanced particle filtration and molecular control. The air purifier uses enhanced technology to destroy bacteria and viruses and safely break down dangerous chemicals and odors.