According to the latest RAC Fuel Watch, drivers will still need to pay 172.88p per litre of unleaded and 183.74p per litre of diesel on average. And, despite both prices slowly dropping, it might still take a while for motorists to see a considerable difference.

With that in mind, drivers across the UK have been reminded how they could get the most out of their air conditioning systems and save money on petrol and diesel.

Tom Hixon, Head of Instructor Support at Bill Plant Driving School, exclusively told Express.co.uk: Air con is a modern-day luxury many motorists have within their cars, and it often helps to make journeys more bearable during the summer months.

As positive as air con can be, it will eat into your fuel consumption which isnt ideal in the current climate.

Luckily for drivers, the expert shared some tips that drivers can follow to reduce their cars fuel consumption.

READ MORE:Drivers warned as secondhand VW sells for 25k more than new model

Mr Hixon said: To begin with, it would be easy to think that its best to put your air con on the highest setting as soon as you get in the car, but this actually makes the temperature hotter, as the air con is taking the existing hot air from inside the car and circulating it.

To prevent this from happening, allow cooler air to enter the car and then gradually increase the air con settings.

A simpler tip is to try and park in the shade where possible, this will then create a cooler temperature in the vehicle and will allow the air con system to work quicker and in turn, reduce the amount of time its working for.

Experts have also previously shared tips on how drivers can remain cool without using air con.

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Motorists can put on a dashboard cover on the cars windshield to keep sunlight away from the cars interior.

The heat won't be as overwhelming if there are no hot vinyl surfaces to touch.

Its obviously not a good idea to open windows all the way but leaving just a small crack will promote ventilation and help to keep the car cool.

Read the rest here:

Drivers urged to use air con in the right way to see best results Works quicker - Express

Heatstroke can affect anyone, whether they are exercising outdoors in the heat or not. While exercisers should take particular caution, even sitting in a hot apartment for several days can raise the bodys core temperature to potentially dangerous levels.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion generally appear before heatstroke sets in.

People experiencing heat exhaustion dont exhibit the behavior associated with heatstroke, Morocco said, but they are likely to:

People who are experiencing these symptoms need to get out of the heat and into shade or an air-conditioned space, drink non-alcoholic fluids and rest.

People experiencing heat exhaustion will usually recognize they are overheating, Morocco said. However, those experiencing heatstroke may not, as the condition worsens with continued exposure to heat.

People can be exposed to increasing levels of heat over a heat wave of a couple of days, or even a week, and slowly get worse and worse and worse, he said. It begins with, Its hot; I feel bad. And maybe they have other medical issues or challenges. And then, all of a sudden, they slip into this state where theyre not able to really recognize quite whats going on with them.

To learn more, take UCLAs Heatstroke Quiz

Stay out of the sun during the hottest times of the day, if possible. If you exercise outdoors, aim for early morning or late evening. When spending a day at the beach or the park, seek out a shady spot. Remind children to rest periodically and drink water.

And when a heat wave hits, look for cool places to be inside. If your home lacks air conditioning, consider heading to a public library or other air-conditioned space. Call your county public health department to ask for the location of cooling centers. Even a few hours in cooler temperatures will help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat.

The most important thing for folks to realize is that in hot weather, youve got to check on people who are at risk, Morocco said. That includes the elderly; it includes people who have lots of medical problems; it also includes infants and children.

Seniors have a harder time regulating body temperature and may be taking medications that amplify the risk of heat exposure.

Babies and young children dehydrate more easily and are more vulnerable to high temperatures.

Pregnant women can overheat or become dehydrated more easily. Extreme heat also carries an increased risk of preterm birth.

People with chronic illness may be less likely to sense and respond to changes in temperature, and their medications can worsen the effects of extreme heat. Air pollution is often worse during heat waves, which can exacerbate asthma and other respiratory illnesses.

Overweight and obese individuals tend to retain more body heat and may be more prone to heat-related illnesses.

Outdoor workers are at risk from the lack of shade and increased body temperatures from their exertions. Its vital that they get breaks, have ways to cool down, and remain hydrated.

Unhoused people are exposed to the elements constantly and may not have water, cooling centers or shade to help them lower their body temperatures.

Pay attention to the humidity: Hot temperatures coupled with humidity are particularly dangerous. If its too humid for sweat to easily evaporate, the human body struggles to cool itself down. Take extra care to avoid overheating when its hot and muggy out.

Stay inside, if you can:Seek out air-conditioned environments, if possible. If you dont have air conditioning, check your county public health department for cooling centers, or go to a public library, the movies, or other air-conditioned environment(s).

Beware the electric fan: When temperatures reach the high 90s, electric fans will not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or bath or moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off.

Dress for the heat:Wear loose-fitting, light-colored, lightweight clothes.

Listen to your body:If exertion in the heat makes your heart pound and leaves you gasping for breath, stop all activity. Get into a cool area or into the shade, and rest, especially if you become lightheaded, confused, weak, or faint.

Wear sunscreen:Sunburn affects your bodys ability to cool down and can make you dehydrated. If you must go outdoors, protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher 30 minutes prior to going out.

Drink plenty of fluids:Drink more fluids regardless of how active you are. Dont wait until youre thirsty to drink. And avoid alcoholic drinks or those that are high in sugar.

Replace salt and minerals: Heavy sweating removes salt and minerals from the body that need to be replaced. A sports drink can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat.

Never leave children or pets in cars: Cars can quickly heat up to dangerous temperatures, even with a window cracked open and when the outside temperatures are relatively mild.

Stay informed: Check the news for extreme heat alerts and safety tips and to learn about any cooling shelters in your area.

Top photo credit: iStock/Liudmila Chernetska

Read this article:

How to stay safe in a heat wave - University of California

After a summer of high temperatures, New Hampshire residents will be sweating out higher electric bills starting next month.

On Aug. 1, Eversource and Liberty Utilities customers saw around a 50% increase in their energy prices, which measures out to an average monthly bill hike of around $70. New Hampshire Electric Co-op customers will be paying around $38 more.

But residents receiving financial assistance could also get a shock on their electric bill. The electric assistance programs currently in place in New Hampshire, the funding of which is administered by the states five community action agencies, doesnt differentiate what a user does with their electricity, state Consumer Advocate Don Kreis said. Regardless of function, the assistance program gives the consumer a break on their electric bill and is funded by the systems benefits charge on each bill sent by utilities.

If youre using your air conditioning, you might well get beyond the threshold of what the state helps to relieve, Kreis said. Running a single window unit for six hours would cost roughly the same as doing two full loads of laundry, and New Hampshire electric bills typically increase around 25% in the summer due to cooling appliances.

The unpleasant effects of those higher prices wont be felt until September, Kreis said. Consumers wont find out until after the fact how hard it was to afford air conditioning during the heat wave.

Bonnie Stebbins has lived in Hannah Village Mobile Home Park in Lebanon since 2005, and she said that shes preparing herself to receive a more costly electric bill next month. To save money, she runs the appliances in her home as little as possible including her AC window units. We do it with a second thought. Do we really want to run this? Is it worth it?

But keeping the air conditioning off leaves her concerned for her health.

Im 70 years old, Stebbins said. And this heat has been really uncomfortable.

New Hampshires Environmental Public Health Track department reported that air conditioning, especially for vulnerable populations like the elderly, infants, and people with chronic conditions is essential. Hesitations to acquire or turn on air conditioners due to rate hikes can be dangerous. The department found an increase in the excess number of emergency department visits on days that clock in above 75 degrees and warns against relying on fans as a primarily cooling device, recommending instead staying in air conditioning as much as possible.

While cooling assistance programs which provide relief specifically aimed at electricity used for cooling are a mainstay in warm regions across the country, most states in New England typically use assistance funds for their demanding heating seasons. However, as summer temperatures in the region are more closely mirroring those of states with established cooling assistance programs, like New York, cities and towns are responding at the local level. Last summer, Chelsea, Mass., opened up applications for free air conditioners that came with $300 utility relief checks, and an agency in Portsmouth, N.H., regularly gives out air conditioners to vulnerable populations free of charge.

Listen Programs Director Angela Zhang said that the community service provider has fielded more requests for AC units than it ever has before, and its donation-driven energy assistance fund is stretched to a breaking point.

In the past that fund was only used for heating, Zhang said.

She thought of the program as only running November through April, but Zhang said that in the last decade or so, demand has been year-round.

Over time, we need to think about not just supporting the coldest of winter but also the heat waves in the summer, Zhang said. This is something that well have to think about going forward with climate change.

This year, New Hampshire was able to provide a credit toward electric bills of customers who also qualified for fuel assistance in hopes that it could relieve the anticipated summer spike in electric costs. But the credits provided with money leftover from ARPA funds, which expire at the end of September are not a permanent solution.

Hopefully this relief would give people the leeway to buy a fan or an AC, or at least feel less hesitant to run one, state fuel assistance administrator Eileen Smiglowksi said, adding that in a perfect world, one devoid of funding and demand fluctuations, New Hampshire would put its weight behind a more permanent cooling program. But this year, frankly because of the incredible influx that were planning on seeing in the winter, its not a focus for us.

Kevin Hanlon, weatherization consultant for Liberty and Unitil, said that while cooling assistance is certainly on the radar of the providers, nothing is set in stone yet. New Hampshire is generally considered a heating state, and the subject of cooling and its contribution to someones electric bill has never been a big issue around here, Hanlon said. But the strength of the recent hot spell tied in with the increase in electric rates, and its certainly on the plates of electricity providers.

Like Smiglowski on the state side, Hanlon hopes that providers can pull together their own cooling assistance programs by next summer.

Across the board from the state to utility providers to community action agencies those working in energy assistance recommend weatherization as the first step a homeowner should take toward saving money on utility bills. Installing attic and wall insulation, in addition to other lower-cost weatherization efforts like replacing filters on furnaces, can keep a house both cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter while also reducing energy costs.

Cooling is weatherization, New Hampshire Weatherization Assistance Program Manager Kirk Stone said. Waitlists are currently long for government-funded weatherization programs, which are administered by community action agencies. But Stone urged residents to put their names down anyway. In the meantime, he tells residents to weatherize as much as they can on their own, especially as New Hampshire moves from an expensive cooling season into an expensive heating season.

Go here to see the original:

Summer temperatures put heat on NH to develop cooling assistance programs - Concord Monitor

Background

Airports are hubs of diverse human interactions. During pandemics, they may serve as centers for the spread of airborne infection. Appropriate methods for the prevention of the spread of airborne infections must be integrated into the air conditioning systems of airports. Along with ultraviolet germicidal irradiation and other sanitization methods, dilution ventilation can be the easiest and most available method for the prevention of airborne infection, which means the intake of outside air into the indoors, which flushes out the aerosolized droplets containing pathogens. Though this process has been adopted by multiple buildings in reaction to the pandemic, it may present the challenge of intake of high concentration of suspended particulate matter in the intake air, amajor air pollutant in developing countries, which may enter through the air conditioning systems. Appropriate filtration is necessary so that along with dilution ventilation for airborne disease prevention, the risk of suspended particulate matter of diameter 2.5 micron or PM2.5 induced lung issues is also reduced.

The Right to Information Act, 2005, was used to file applications forinformation on the details of the air conditioning systems in Indian airports. The 58airports in the study were also listed according to the list of cities that fall under the criteria for non-attainment of good air quality standards.

Out of 58 airports considered,27 fell in the non-attainment of good air quality list. On appraisal of filter systems, it was found that 23 had an intake of fresh airbut only five had filters with a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) of10 and above in their air conditioning systems, as is recommended for filtration of suspended particulate matter.

It can be concluded that mostairports did not have the appropriate filter required for filtering PM2.5, which is a major pollutant in Indian cities. In light of coronavirus disease 2019, where dilution ventilation through the intake of outdoor air is suggested, it may also lead to the entry ofair with high particulate matter into the indoors.

Airports are hubs of large-scale human interaction. This interaction is all the more critical during the pandemic, when human movement across continents may account for higher chances of spread of infection [1]. Airports are good examples of public spaces where most people are unique visitors. This makes tracking and surveillance of visitors difficult, as obtaining records of previously done activities by these unique visitors is difficult. In the case of airborne diseases,there is a potential risk and unpredictability due to thenovel interactions of such people. Particularly in large congregations, which are high-volume enclosed spaces, having airborne infection control measures is, therefore, of utmost importance. At the same time, it is important that dilution ventilation is encouraged, as it leads to a decrease in the concentrations of aerosolized disease-causing organisms like viruses and bacteria [2-6]. Out of the various other airborne infection-control measures, dilution ventilation is particularly suitable due to the easy availability and relative ease of implementation, especially in low-resource settings [6-11]. It basically requires an increased intake of outside air to replace the inside air through higher fresh air changes per hour [12-13]. What is of concern in dilution ventilation is the quality of the air that is allowed to be taken inside [14-16]. This outdoor air should be pollution-free, and, in particular, free from PM2.5,which is a key pollutant in cities of the developing world [17-18]. It is also one of the key causes of lung and respiratory issues [19].

This study aims to look at the measures in place in the air conditioning systems of the airports with respect to airborne infection spread. This is to look out for two factors: first, whether there is dilution ventilation (and other measures) for airborne infection control, and second, whether the air conditioning system has the required filtration capacity to filter out PM2.5from the ambient air to be taken indoors [20-21]. This is particularly important for airports that are located in cities with possibilities of high PM2.5 concentrations.Airports that are located in the non-attainment list of cities under the study were listed and evaluated. The non-attainment list of cities' is a list of cities where the ambient air quality standards prescribed by the Central Pollution Control Board are not met [22]. This included five-year monitoring for ambient air, where if there is an excess of suspended particulate matter (or nitrogen dioxide) as per the National Ambient Air Quality Standards, the cities are listed in the non-attainment list [23-24]. In Indian cities, the major polluter is suspended particulate matter, PM2.5, which has an aerodynamic diameter of 2.5 microns [25]. Our study looks at whether the filters present in the air conditioning systems of the airports have the appropriate minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) capacity, with MERV 10 to 13 and above being ideal to filter out PM2.5 [17,26]. This is important to understand because airport managers may bediluting the inside air by allowing in fresh air from the outside [27]. This dilution ventilation plays a key role in flushing out the aerosolized pathogens, but, in this process, also brings in pollutants that the filtration system of the air conditioner must be capable of filtering [4]. Otherwise, owing to a lack of proper filtration, the action of dilution ventilation, appropriate for airborne infection control, may cause harm and lead to lung issues caused due to inhaled particulate matter.

The Airports Authority of India is the statutory body created by an act of the Indian parliament [28]. This body is responsible for creating, upgrading, maintaining, and managing civil aviation infrastructure in India. It also directly manages about 125 airports in India. Being a government-run organization, it is under the purview of the Right to Information Act, 2005 [29]. This Act, aimed at bringing transparency to government functions, is also a boon for researchers who can access information from government bodies and other public authorities. The advantage of this approach is a time-bound, authentic, and ethical source of information that is available in the public domain.

The aim of this study is to perform an appraisal of the air conditioning systems present in Indian airports with respect to the types of air conditioners and the presence of airborne infection control measures. It is to further study the filtration capacity for the inlet air of airport air conditioning systems in cities with considerable levels of ambient pollution, especially with respect to suspended particulate matter PM2.5.

To undertake the study, multiple steps were involved. The first step was creating a set of questions or parameters for which the information from the airport was required to be received. This was followed by creating a list of airports from where the information needs to be obtained. It was then important to formulate a list of methods that are possible to obtain information from the airports.These methods are listed in Table 1. After deciding on the rationale presented, the suitable method was chosen for obtaining information, i.e., using the Right to Information Act, 2005, for obtaining technical information from the airports [30]. This required follow-up with airports. The information obtained was collated and collected. The information compiled was analyzed against the parameters set in the research. The results were reported and recommendations were made.

In the study, 90 applications under the Right to Information Act, 2005 were sent to the airports managed by the Airports Authority of India. Out of these 61 replies were received of which 58 have been taken into consideration in this study. The remaining 29 either refused information based on some minor technical discretion or simply did not respond in violation of the Right to Information Act, 2005. Three information replies in the 61 were not fully discernible. This research, therefore, takes into consideration the replies received from 58 airports in India across the five sub-regions of airports in India, namely,northern, eastern, western, southern, and northeastern. Studying 58 airports out of around 129 airports in India represents a substantial number of airports. Because the data provided came from fairly random locations across the nation, made up around 50% of the total airports, and is representative of the various sub-regions of the country, the researchers believe that the sample to meet the criteria for the study may be valid. The sample size has a confidence level of 95% with a margin of error of 10. This means the sample size is justified. This study was started in the earlier part of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic around the year 2020.

The information sought from the airports, mentioned in Table 2, was intendedto get a complete picture of the air conditioning systems present in the airport. It was further aimed at obtaining airborne infection control and indoor air quality-related measures in these airports. It wasspecifically aimed to get pointed information regarding four important points. First, it was to understand whether the airport air conditioning systems had the provision for the intake of fresh air inside the volume of the enclosed space and whether the system provides dilution ventilation for flushing of aerosolized droplets containing pathogens? Second, it was to knowthe size of the filters used in the HVAC systems of the airport in order to filter the various contaminants like pathogens, dust, and other pollutants like particulate matter. Third,to understand whether ultraviolet germicidal irradiation has been integrated into the air conditioning system of the airport [31]. And fourth, to know whether there are types of air conditioning systems present at the airports, which do not have the capacity to bring in fresh air (or have a reduced capacity) from the outside to the inside. An example would be the split air conditioning system, which recirculates the air inside. The list of cities with non-attainment was directly taken from literature and a comparison was made for the filter sizes and the status of the city with respect to the ambient air quality [22-23].

Once the required information was received from the airports, it was compiled into tables and a comparison was made among the airports. The analysis was reported and the conclusions were drawn.

This article was previously posted to the engrXiv preprint server on March 12, 2022 [32].

This study included no questionnaire and no human subject. No employee,visitor, or staffwas contacted directly for this study. This study used information available in the public domain through the Right to Information Act, 2005, where an application was made under an appropriate section of the Act and the information was supplied. The information provided was signed and certified by the airport through a senior official and released into the public domain. The Right to Information Act, 2005, allows for the provision of only such information that is not the third-party or personal information of any individual. This prevents any information about any human subject. The use of information available under the public domain and has no human subjects is exempt from review under the 'Indian Council of Medical Research: National Ethics Guidelines for Biomedical and Health Research involving Human Participants' [33]. It further goes on to state that the scope of ethics is only for studies involving human participants, which this study does not involve.According to the above-mentioned scope, this study does not require Ethics Committee Approval or its equivalent Institutional Review Board Approval. The author declares the same.

There were a total of 58 airports were considered for this study out of 61. Out of these, six did not have flight operations but had an operational building. The type of air conditioner system in the airports varied from being full-fledged central heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system to ones with split air conditioners in a room. The total diversity in air conditioning systems is given in Table 3.The filtration capacity of the air conditioning systems of the airports has been listed in Table 4. Out of the 58 airports, 43 had a filtration of some kind, the majority being pre-filters of the MERV value or minimum efficiency reporting values in the range of 5 to 8. Only five had filters of MERV value equal to or above 10. MERV is the unit in by which the filtration capacity of filters is measured. A high MERV value means the filter can arrest finer particles. Studies have shown that MERV 10 and above are more capable of arresting particulate matter PM2.5.It was important to understand the ambient air quality of the cities where the airports were located. The Central Pollution Control Board of the Indian government has listed cities that are in the 'non-attainment category'. This means that the ambient air quality does not meet the air quality standards. In India, the primary ambient air pollutant is PM2.5. It was found that out of the cities where the airports under the study were located,27 cities came under the non-attainment category. Out of these, 23 had an intake of fresh air through the HVAC system, but only five had filters of rating MERV 10 and above in their air conditioning systems. The consequences of these values have been further discussed in the discussion section.

Six out of 58 had installed an ultraviolet germicidal irradiation systemwhile 19 had the work of installation in the pipeline at the time of the study. Forty-three out of the 58 had provision for a filter within the HVAC system. The filter type details are listed in Table 4.A separate list was made of airports that fall in cities that come under the non-attainment listof ambient air quality by the Central Pollution Control Board of India [22].Table 5 contains the list of the airports that fall in the cities with non-attainment. It was found that out of the 58,27 came under the non-attainment category. Out of these, 23 had an intake of fresh air through the HVAC system, but only five had filters of rating MERV 10 and above in their air conditioning systems.

The study brought to light the state of the air conditioning systems at airports in India. Airports, being a primary source of diverse human interaction, pose a key threat to the spread of airborne infections. Appropriate methods for airborne infection control are recommended to reduce the infection spread. The studyfound that out of the 58 airports in question, only 18 had a full-fledged heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systemwith the presence ofair-handling units for fresh air intake or the possibility of ultraviolet germicidal integration [27,31,34]. Using ultraviolet germicidal irradiation has been suggested, but there may be concerns regarding its use [35]. Out of the remaining, 12 were depending on split air conditioning systems, which have no provisions for fresh air intake and constantly recirculate the air inside the space [9]. These spaces cannot provide a predetermined and measurable quantity of fresh air into the space and have to depend upon measures like opening the windows and gates in some cases [12]. There were others that used a package-type air conditioner system using variable refrigeration flow. This technology is used due to the fact thatit achieves energy savings due to lower demand-based usage. The downside to this technology is the absence of a full-fledged air handling unit. In some cases, treated air units were installed, but it may lack the possibility of quantification that air handling units can achieve through calculated customization. Talking about the integration of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation in the air conditioning system, out of the 58 airports, six had installed the UVGI system at an earlier stage of the pandemic, when the study was conductedwhile 19 others were in the process of installation of the ultraviolet systems.

Talking about the filtration capabilities to allow for fresh air intake, out of 58, 43 had filtration of some kind, the majority being pre-filters of MERV values in the range of 5 to 8. Only five had filters of MERV value equal to or above 10. This means their general capability to filterPM2.5,the major pollutant in most cities of the developing world, is very low. This is because studies have shown that for the filtration of fine suspended particulate matter,MERV 10 and above is suitable [17].It is very important that the fresh air intake in the cities that fall in the non-attainment list of ambient air quality in Indiabe filtered and made free from PM2.5, which is the major pollutant, caused due to burning of fossil fuels like coal, petrochemicals, and farm waste. Out of the 58 airports,27 were located in cities that were in the non-attainment category. This means that the ambient air quality of these cities did not meet the national standards of the recommended levels of pollutants in ambient air. In India, one of the primary pollutants is PM2.5,which is the leading cause of lung diseases [19,36]. Out of these 27airports, 23 had an intake of fresh air through the HVAC system, but only five had filters rating MERV 10 and above in their air conditioning systems. This means that the air intake in these airports for airborne infection control may lead to an increased air pollutant concentrationinside, leading to the situation of a double paradox, where the air intake is important for airborne infection control but may consequently lead to bad indoor air qualitydue to high pollutant concentrations. This hints at a lack of preparedness for the particulate matter pollution that is a leading cause of lung issues in India [19].

This is all the more critical when the right to a healthy environment has time and again been declared a human right [37]. Efforts need to be put in place to have appropriate measures for indoor air quality in large public spaces. There should be constant monitoring andthe levels of the indoor air quality must be displayed to the occupants of the space so that awareness about this issue can be created [14]. Ventilation of buildings needs more focus and this is not a mere engineering problem but a public health issue deserving urgent attention [38-39].

As stated in the discussion section, the airports studied may have a further scope of work to be done to improve their air conditioning systems for suitable indoor air quality. This is not only to prevent the spread of airborne infectionsbut also to filter out the PM2.5 that may enter through the inlet of the HVAC systems in these airports, and cause respiratory issues for the occupants. The situation of this double paradox exists for 27 airports that may have toincrease fresh air intake for dilution ventilation for infection control, but out of these, only five had filters that could efficiently filter most of the PM 2.5. This means that the air intake may not only lead to dilution ventilation but may also increase the concentration of PM2.5in indoor spaces. This indicates that large public buildings in India, especially airports, which are places of high stranger exposure, may need steps to ensure appropriate airborne infection control measures and appropriate indoor air quality. This can be achieved by having well-thought-out laws governing indoor air quality and the allied equipment made with inputs from a wide range of disciplines, including medicine, engineering, architecture, social sciences, epidemiology, and public health. The enforcement of indoor air quality standards must be strictly performed and must be placed under legal obligation, and not just be mere guidelines. An appropriate way of doing so may be by including indoor air within the purview of air pollution laws in countries across the world. With this action, indoor spaces of large congregate spaces will come under regulation. The buildings must be regularly audited from the airborne infection control and indoor air quality point of view. This is all the more relevant when we are in the current universal indoor air crisis, facing the threat of airborne pandemics and an alliedproblem of particulate matter pollution in cities of the developing world. Indoor air quality must be treated as a public health issue and not merely an engineering problem.

See the article here:

Studying the Double Paradox in Air Conditioning at Indian Airports for Airborne Infection Prevention and Filtration of Harmful Suspended Particulate...

The 4-year-old boy who plunged to the ground from a sixth-floor window of a Bronx apartment building a day ago suffered two fractured legs and kidney damage but is expected to survive, cops say, thanks to a patch of grass that helped lessen the blow.

The child, who has not been identified, remained hospitalized Wednesday after being taken there around 12:45 p.m. Tuesday when he fell from the window at the Patterson Houses, a NYCHA complex on East 143rd Street in Mott Haven, police said.

Neighbors pointed to the grassy patch as possibly helping save the boy's life. They say he was conscious immediately after he hit the ground but he was bleeding from his head. He was taken to a hospital just across the street from the housing complex.

"Let me tell you something: Its a miracle that he fell in this grass, that boy was still fighting," said neighbor Juanita Kelsey.

A 4-year-old boy fell out a sixth-floor window of a Bronx apartment building Tuesday, authorities said. NBC New York's Gaby Acevedo reports.

Police have said their investigation is ongoing. It's not clear what caused the fall.

The window he fell from had an air conditioning unit. There was a small space to the side of it that had a piece of blue cloth hanging in it, with no window bars visible from the ground level. That's where witnesses said the boy fell through.

NYCHA says it is also investigating.

"NYCHA is investigating this unfortunate incident and will work with the family to make sure that they have the services they need," a spokesperson said. "Upon initial review, window guards are present throughout the apartment where required and were last checked in February 2022, and there are no repair work orders on record for the air conditioners present in the residence."

Window bars are required if a child 10 years of age or younger lives in the apartment, but guard rails are not required next to air conditioner units.

According to NYCHA's website, "there shall not be any unguarded spaces greater than 4 1/2 inches on either side of, or above the air conditioner. Spaces greater than 4 1/2 inches must be covered with rigid metal panels that can withstand 150 lbs. of pressure instead of accordion panels."

NBC New York observed multiple windows in the complex that did not appear to meet those standards, however, leaving some concerned.

"Thats why its best to have guard rails, to make sure the kids dont have access to the windows. Thats the number one thing," one neighbor said.

Read this article:

4-Year-Old Fractures Both Legs, Damages Kidney in Fall From 6th-Floor NYC Window - NBC New York

NORFOLK, Va. Cole Uvila and his roommate got off the bus and stepped into the sticky North Carolina heat a kind of heat that didnt wane, even at 3 a.m., when the High-A Down East Wood Ducks returned home from a road trip. All Uvila wanted to do was sleep.

But when he and his roommate got to their apartment in 2019, the air conditioning was broken again. That sticky heat had infiltrated the walls of their bargain accommodations, and Uvila had a decision to make.

Uvila chose the bathtub, hoping the cool lining would provide some comfort. His roommate opted for his car, leaving the air conditioning running all night to sleep.

We all have stories, Uvila said, pointing around the field at his teammates during batting practice ahead of Triple-A Norfolks Opening Day on Tuesday. Everybody has stories like that.

Those stories could be fewer in frequency now, though, after Major League Baseball passed a rule at the end of last season that made teams responsible for providing housing for minor leaguers. Across the league, concerns remain about the paltry wages many players receive and the level of housing provided by each individual organization.

But when Uvila walked into a fully furnished apartment last week in Norfolk provided by the Orioles organization for him, his wife and his dog, he couldnt help but smile.

Its different. It really is different, said Uvila, a reliever in his first season with Baltimore. Not dealing with stuff like that, it makes it about [baseball], which is huge.

The Orioles are providing their players at minor league affiliates with fully furnished two- and three-bedroom apartments and town houses, said Jennifer Grondahl, senior vice president of community development and communications. Each player has an individual bedroom with a queen bed. And players with spouses are provided a single apartment.

Thats a change from last year. Outfielder Kyle Stowers, who was drafted in 2019, hasnt experienced a normal season the pandemic canceled the minor league season in 2020 and restrictions were still in place in 2021. He spent last year living out of hotels as he made the jump from High-A Aberdeen to Triple-A Norfolk.

Having an actual apartment makes it just feel so much more homey, makes it feel like you have your own place, Stowers said. And theres a lot to be said for not having to be worried about that stuff and allowing you to focus more on what happens here at the field.

Other players faced more uncertainty last year, said Harry Marino, executive director of Advocates for Minor Leaguers, a nonprofit that seeks to improve working conditions for minor league baseball players who, unlike major leaguers, are not represented by a union. Marino, a former Orioles minor leaguer himself, said many players struggled with housing insecurity, paying for their own living arrangements while breaking leases each call-up or demotion. When the advocacy group raised concerns about the housing situation last year by sharing the experiences of a group of Double-A Bowie Baysox players who considered sleeping in their cars, Orioles executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias dismissed the claim as not accurate and a reference to hearsay.

At one point in 2019, Uvila had three leases at his Low-A, High-A and fall league locations. That wont be an issue this season. According to a source with direct knowledge of the situation, each lease for players within Baltimores pipeline spans six months. If a player moves teams, the organization will fill that vacancy with a new player.

It hasnt been as fluid across the league, however.

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At this point it seems clear that different major league organizations are going to be handling minor league housing differently this season, said Marino, whose organization notes that the median annual salary for a minor league player is $12,000, just below the federal poverty level. Some teams are giving every player their own bedroom and making accommodations for players with spouses and families. Other teams are taking shortcuts and failing to solve the minor league housing problem by either putting two players in the same bedroom, using hotel rooms and host families or failing to make accommodations for families with spouses and families.

In Baltimore, at least, some of that headache has been mitigated. Uvila recalled playing for Double-A Frisco last year, an affiliate of the Texas Rangers. He and some of his teammates literally didnt make enough money to live in any of the apartments in the area, he said, forcing them into hotels.

He had saved enough money from an offseason job to afford his own room. Others, though, shared rooms to save. While Marino emphasized low player salaries is the root of the issue, teams providing housing makes it more manageable.

The element too that I think a lot of people arent talking about is: Its not coming out of my pocket, Uvila said. Last year in Round Rock, I was making $3,000 a month. But my rent was $2,200. So, youre not really going forward. Youre just kind of surviving.

Uvila said with a salary increase this year, his second in Triple-A, hell be able to start saving money. By the time he reaches the offseason, he might not have to immediately find an additional job which means more time to focus on training and nutrition and all that stuff, Uvila said. The kind of domino effect this could set off for all of us is super exciting.

On Monday night, Uvila sat in the living room of his new apartment, feet up on his coffee table. When teammate David Lebron stopped by to watch Kansas beat North Carolina to win the NCAA mens basketball national championship, Uvila took a moment to compare his current situation with what he experienced last year and the rest of his minor league career.

I was like, You know right now, wed be moving and signing paperwork, Uvila said. And now its done. We just showed up.

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For Orioles minor leaguers, team-provided housing allows them more time to focus on baseball: 'It really is different' - Baltimore Sun

PORTSMOUTH Despite hearing claims of migraines, loss of sleep and astronomical electric bills, a Newport County Superior Court judge denied a motion for a preliminary injunctionfiled by a group of residentsto stop the towns operation of a wind turbine near the high school.

Eight abutters, who live between 740 and 1,155 feet from the turbine, filed a complaint in Superior Court in November 2021. Online court records, though, indicate one of the plaintiffs recently was removed from the case.

Offshore wind: Wind farms that alter Newport's ocean views could benefit city to the tune of millions

Judge Richard Licht denied the motion for a preliminary injunction on March 23. An email and phone call to the attorney representing the plaintiffs, Joseph F. Hook,werenot returned.

Pursuant to an agreement with the town, WED Portsmouth OneLLCinstalled a wind turbine at Portsmouth High School in 2016, which replaced a turbine that had been there between 2009 and 2012.

The plaintiffs Denise and Mark Wilkey, Jayme and David Souza, Donna and Anthony Olszewski, Mark Jones and David Schuller (removed from the case on March 28) filed a complaint against WED and the town, alleging the new turbine constituted both a public and private nuisance.

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The plaintiffs allege in the complaint the new turbine generates more noise and shadow flickers than the previous one.

We have lost a lot of the enjoyment of our once peaceful property, Denise Wilkey wrote in an affidavit included in court records. We had to abandon 2 bedrooms on that side of the house and retreat to the rear bedrooms, with air conditioner, white noise machine and earplugs. Its the only way to block it out at night. I also had to get a prescription for sleeping pills.

Other plaintiffs mentioned their need for prescription sleeping pills. Some alleged the shadow flicker caused migraines, and some complained of dizziness and nausea.

More: Missing jewelry, a Newport home and accusations of theft follow a Washington, D.C., man

Judge Licht, in his written decision, noted Donna Olszewski said she runs her air conditioning and fan year-round because she cant open her windows due to the noise from the turbine. Her electric bills were so high she had to take out a loan to install solar panels on her home.

The defendantsthe town and WEDasserted the plaintiffs had no empirical (i.e. non-testimonial) evidence to support their claims of pain and suffering, aggravation and emotional distress.

The plaintiffs offered Dr. Harold Vincent,who holds a PhD in ocean engineering from the University of Rhode Island and is an expert in underwater acoustics,as an expert on noise.

More: Retired Portsmouth fire captain sues the town, claiming retaliation after work injury

Vincent conducted a study of the turbine noise levels and found this wind turbine creates consistently higher noise levels than other previous noise studies, but he could not link this high noise level to any of the Plaintiffs alleged adverse health effects, Licht wrote in his decision.

Plus, Vincents report would probably be found unreliable as his methodology is not used by anyone else. It has not been peer reviewed. It has chain of custody issues, Licht wrote. Moreover, while Dr. Vincent exhibited extensive knowledge of acoustics, his expertise is with underwater acoustics.

The plaintiffs claimed the turbine diminished their property values, but provided no evidence in support other than some hearsay testimony that a couple of Plaintiffs testified that they consulted a real estate expert who said the turbine would affect their property values. No appraisals were done.

More: Sex abuse case against Portsmouth Abbey, former teacher can move forward, judge rules

And the plaintiffs did not present evidence the turbine emitted noise above the allowed levels stipulatedin the towns noise ordinance, Licht wrote in his decision.

The town and WED also argued Portsmouth voters approved the construction of the turbine by referendum in 2009, which is nothing if not indicative of the public interest, Licht wrote in his decision.

Licht opined that living with the wind turbine for over five years (inclusive of its noise and shadow flicker) is an exceptionally long time to now claim irreparable, immediate harm.

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Portsmouth residents sue town over wind turbine. Here's why the judge ruled against them - newportri.com

Company Secures Sought-after Industry Recognitionfor Advanced HVAC Solutions in Six Different Product Categories

SEOUL, South Korea, April 4, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Global innovator LG Electronics has been honored by the Air-Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) with the Performance Award for the fifth year in a row.

Established in 1953, AHRI is a globally-respected trade association with more than 350 member companies and representing the world's HVAC, refrigeration, and water heating solution manufacturers.

For the Performance Award, AHRI enlists the services of Intertek, a leading third-party standards, certification and testing organization, to assess if actual product performance is consistent with the specifications listed by the manufacturer. Only those companies whose HVAC offerings have passed the primary performance evaluation for three consecutive years are considered for the Performance Award.

A total of 55 LG HVAC solutions across six categories passed AHRI's stringent evaluation process, marking the third year in a row that all products submitted by LG have done so. The tested models belong to the following categories: Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems, Unitary Small Heat Pumps, Air-Cooled Chillers, Water-Cooled Chillers, Packaged Terminal Heat Pumps, and Room Fan Coil Units.

One of the LG products evaluated was the LG Multi V large-capacity outdoor unit, which utilizes the company's own Ultimate Inverter Compressor to provide outstanding performance and energy efficiency. Popular worldwide, and especially in Northern hemisphere countries where winters can be long and harsh, LG's flagship VRF system delivers dependable heating operation, even in temperatures as low as negative-30 degrees Celsius (negative-22 degrees Fahrenheit).

Also tested was LG Multi V Water, a water source cooling system offering better thermal efficiency thanks to the implementation of plate-type heat exchanger. LG's solution also reduces energy consumption by adjusting the volume of water used.

The air-cooled Inverter Scroll Chiller also leverages advanced inverter technology to achieve a high level of efficiency. Its compactly designed unit delivers an impressive performance without taking up as much space as other models in its class.

"Earning the AHRI Performance Award for a fifth consecutive year is a testament to the quality, performance and reliability built into every LG HVAC solution," said James Lee, head of the Air Solution Business Unit at LG Electronics Home Appliance & Air Solution Company. "The trust customers have in our products is a major reason for our ongoing success, both in North America and all around the globe. By offering innovative solutions that maximize customer value, we will continue to strengthen our position in the HVAC market and bolster our reputation as an industry leader."

About the LG Electronics Air Solution Business UnitLG air conditioning provides optimized solutions for every sector and climate with a wide range of cutting-edge systems that bring exceptional heating, ventilation and air conditioning performance to buildings worldwide. Through our unmatched expertise and industry knowledge, we respond directly to the needs of businesses seeking digitalized and eco-conscious HVAC solutions. We are the partner your business has been looking for, and are well prepared to integrate our leading technology into your day-to-day operations, supporting you and your business every step of the way. For more information, please visit http://www.LG.com.

About LG Air Conditioning Technologies USA LG Electronics USA's Air Conditioning Technologies business is based in Alpharetta, Ga. LG is a leading player in the global air conditioning market, manufacturing both commercial and residential air conditioners and providing total sustainability and building management solutions. From consumer and individual units to industrial and specialized air conditioning systems, LG provides a wide range of products for heating, ventilating and air conditioning. The company's industry-leading variable refrigerant flow technology minimizes efficiency losses, provides sustainable energy savings and offers some of the lowest life cycle cost of any system on the market today. Eight -time ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year, LG Electronics USA, based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics Inc., a $63 billion global force and technology leader in consumer electronics, home appliances and air solutions. For more information, please visit lghvac.com.

Media Contacts:

LG Electronics USA

Kim Regillio815 355 0509[emailprotected]

Kasie Le-Nguyen562 452 3493[emailprotected]

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LG RECEIVES AHRI PERFORMANCE AWARD FOR FIFTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR - PR Newswire

Jason Kerby

The owner of a local home service company is lending his heating and air conditioning expertise to a new reality show.

Called Beyond the Close, the show features 10 real estate agents from across the country competing over 90 days to show their skill in the real estate market. The winner will receive $25,000 and be a judge on the shows second season.

The agents will try to impress a panel of judges that includes real estate and marketing experts and a former investor from the reality show Shark Tank.

Along the way, the contestants get advice from experts on maintenance issues that they should watch for in houses, such as electrical and plumbing, as well as heating, ventilating and air conditioning.

Jason Kerby, owner of J & J Services, was selected as the HVAC expert. He said he learned from show judge Jason Williford that J & J had been on a short list of 10 companies in California. The producers chose Kerby for the show after a final interview process.

What we were brought in for was to be an adviser, an expert in our field to advise the real estate agents and their clientele and the audience watching the show on things that you should be looking for when youre purchasing the house for the HVAC and things that you should be worried about when youre going to sell your house for HVAC, Kerby said in an interview at J & Js New Hope Road location.

Kerby flies out this week to the filming location in Florida, where he will participate in interview sessions, but there will also be exciting activities with the contestants and other experts, like snorkeling, skydiving and a black-tie charity gala.

Theyre going to film some of that, as well, and have a segment of the show (about) how we work hard, we play hard, Kerby said.

Though the prospect of being on TV makes Kerby a bit nervous, he has taken some speech classes to prepare for the screen time, and he said the shows producers have made major efforts to boost his business in return for his time.

The judges panel includes Kevin Harrington, who is credited with creating the modern infomercial format and was one of the original shark investors on Shark Tank. Fellow judge Laura Betterly is the CEO of a boutique online marketing firm, and Williford operates a real estate coaching company.

Harrington has recorded a video recommending J & J, and the show wants to film Kerbys company as it works on a clients house, offers that Kerby called invaluable.

Asked what distinguished J & J for the producers, Kerby said Williford noted the companys customer service.

I think that what makes me stand out from other people is, we all have problems. Its how you take care of those problems and make it right at the end.

He continued that the company goes above and beyond to solve customer issues.

A board member of the Galt District Chamber of Commerce, Kerby said his companys appearance on Beyond the Close is also a boon for the community.

Im pretty excited about it. I think that this is big for J & J Heating & Air, J & J Services. I think its big for our town as well, Kerby said. Basically, somebody from Galt is being put on a national map and bringing attention to us and bringing attention to our town.

The first episode of Beyond the Close is available for free on americanstories.tv. The show is available through the American Stories app and on the Roku, Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV streaming platforms.

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Reality show picks local business owner to give HVAC know-how - The Galt Herald

Emily Foxhall,Staff writer

April 6, 2022Updated: April 6, 2022 2:41p.m.

Were you sweating yesterday afternoon? We were.

Temperatures hit 90 degrees on April 5 at Houston Intercontinental Airport for the first time this year.It was an uncomfortablereminder of what scientists predict climate change will bring.

Days will get hotter, triple-digit temperatures will be more common and summer heat will start earlier and last later, according to state climatologist John Nielsen-Gammon's expectations.

This comes with all sorts of ramifications, of course, from health impacts for those who work outside to more needfor air conditioning.

Yesterday also wasn't the earliest 90-degree day compared to the past five years, said Lance Wood, who works with the local National Weather Service office. In the horrible year of 2020, we hit the benchmark on March 25.

The highest number of our first 90-degree days have fallen in April, Wood said. It can be as early as February or as late as May.

For comparison, the "normal" expected high for April 5 based on temperatures between 1991 and 2020 is 78 degrees.

More Houston and Texas stories

Emily Foxhall covers the environment for the Houston Chronicle. She joined the paper in 2015 as a suburban reporter. She has documented the city's sprawl while playing a key role in the paper's breaking news and enterprise coverage. Her reconstruction of the Santa Fe High School shooting, along with two other colleagues, won first place for feature writing from the Texas Associated Press Managing Editors. She was part of the Chronicle team that was named a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for breaking news in 2017 for coverage of Hurricane Harvey. Soon after, she began roaming the state as the Texas Storyteller.

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Houston's 90-degree April temperatures another signal of what climate change will bring - Houston Chronicle