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Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Health
- Winnipeg Free Press
Wildfire smoke is an indoor problem, too
Opinion Zoe Pierce's recent article ('An unavoidable future,' July 31) rightly highlights how worsening air quality from this summer's wildfire season is affecting outdoor athletes in Manitoba. But the conversation can't stop there. While it's important to protect players running drills on smoky fields, we need to talk about the rest of us, quietly breathing in the same polluted air, hour after hour. Poor air quality is affecting all of us in Manitoba this summer. We are still new to the realities of wildfire smoke as a public health threat. Even if some of us are checking the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) or using sensors to track fine particulate matter in the air around us, few understand what those numbers really mean — or the health risks that come with prolonged exposure. Most of us spend about 90 per cent of our time indoors, and many of our homes, offices and public buildings are simply not equipped to keep people safe during the hazardous air that comes with widespread wildfires. Older buildings were not designed to manage the sustained presence of wildfire smoke. With climate change making wildfire seasons longer, more severe and more frequent, the long-term health consequences including respiratory issues, cardiovascular stress and pregnancy complications are only getting worse. The truth is, we don't have adequate indoor air filtration in most buildings. That's not just a design issue — it's a policy failure. Standards for indoor air quality have not been set in legislation or regulation anywhere in North America and no mechanism for enforcement is available if their poor air quality is present. By law, buildings in Manitoba have minimum heating levels while strict occupational health limits exist for high carbon dioxide levels in workplaces. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) provides clear comfort guidelines for filtration and ventilation levels. However, most buildings don't follow those standards because they don't have to. There are no mandatory regulations in place, in Manitoba or virtually anywhere else in the world, to safeguard air quality indoors, even though the science is clear and the health risks are significant. When the air outside is visibly smoky, many people close their windows and assume they're safe. But unless your building is filtering incoming air at a high enough level, you are still being exposed to contaminated air. Most HVAC systems bring in outdoor air as part of their ventilation process. If those systems aren't filtering properly, or if filters aren't replaced frequently enough, you're still breathing that wildfire smoke inside. The impact of breathing in contaminated air can lead to mild symptoms such as brain fog and fatigue, itchy eyes, or scratchy throats (what we might call 'sick building syndrome'). It can also aggravate more severe symptoms for people with existing respiratory issues. People with asthma, young children, the elderly, pregnant individuals and those with chronic illnesses are especially vulnerable to poor indoor air quality. For them, a smoky summer day isn't just unpleasant. It's dangerous. This is especially true in buildings where systems are larger, older or harder to modify quickly. That said, there are solutions that can be quickly accomplished in any building. Upgrade your existing furnace or HVAC filters, add portable air cleaners with HEPA filters or seal off air intakes temporarily during high-smoke days. These aren't complex or expensive retrofits and this situation of prolonged wildfires absolutely calls for it. So why isn't more being done? In short: because no one is measuring and enforcing it. Until there is a mechanism in place to measure and regulate indoor air quality much of the responsibility falls to individual building owners, employers and tenants to protect themselves and their communities. That means office managers, school administrators and landlords need to step up, in the absence of regulatory change by policymakers. If we're serious about public health — and about adapting to a future shaped by climate change — we need standards for indoor air filtration. And we need them soon. Fortunately, we don't have to wait for government to act. Individuals can begin by tracking indoor air quality in their own spaces. Low-cost sensors are widely available and can provide real-time data on how clean air is. If the air is bad, act: ask your building manager to upgrade filters or bring in additional temporary filters. In a pinch, you can build a DIY filter using a box fan and a furnace filter. This can have an immediate impact on your well-being. We need to start treating wildfire smoke events as the public health emergencies they are. Smoky skies are changing how we play, train and compete outdoors. But they're also quietly changing how we live indoors. We may not all be athletes doing high-intensity training outdoors, but that doesn't mean our lungs are safe from short- and long-term risks associated with poor air quality. We can't see the smoke when we're inside. That doesn't mean it isn't harming us. This summer has made it painfully clear: the air around us is getting worse. It's time we started acting like it. Matt Schaubroeck is an advocate for increasing air quality solutions within buildings.
Buzz Feed
12-07-2025
- General
- Buzz Feed
These Portable AC Units Work Even Without Standard-Sized Windows
After years of sticky summers in small city apartments, my childhood memories of air-conditioned houses started to feel more and more distant. Living in buildings with small, oddly-shaped windows or even no exterior ventilation to hold a traditional box-shaped window unit had tarnished my dream of ever having my own AC. Then I learned about portable stand-alone units. They're air conditioners that you don't put in your window, so they're perfect for apartments, basements, attics, hallways and any other place that gets too freakin' hot. There are two main types of stand-alone air conditioners. One is a portable unit that typically sits on the floor and is equipped with a hose that ventilates hot air out of a window or opening, similar to a traditional window AC. Units of this type often also function as dehumidifiers, pulling heat and moisture from the air, compressing it with the internal motor, and then recirculating cooler, drier air into the space. They're better suited for humid climates, and tend to cost around $ you've ever shopped for an AC unit before, you're probably familiar with BTUs (british thermal units), the unit of measure for an air conditioner's cooling power. Starting around 2020, some manufacturers of portable air conditioners started listing two different BTU ratings, one from ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) and one called SACC (seasonally adjusted cooling capacity).Traditionally, the BTU rating that you'd see on the unit's packaging came from ASHRAE, and was the result of testing the unit's performance in ideal environmental conditions (and more likely to result in peak performance). The newer SACC rating takes more variables into account to replicate the real-life environment that an AC unit might inhabit, and creates an average performance score based on a variety of temperature and humidity levels. (FYI: This updated rating system only applies to portable AC units, and we've included the SACC rating for each device unless otherwise noted.)The evaporative or 'swamp' cooler, on the other hand, is another type of portable cooling device that functions a little differently. These units are lined with moisture-soaked membranes that add humidity to the surrounding air. They use an internal fan and tank of cold water and ice to send cold, moist air into a room. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, they work best in dryer areas with lower humidity and higher heat, namely the West, Southwest and Pacific Northwest. These tend to be cheaper than portable hose-vented units, generally ranging from $40-$120, though prices can vary greatly. Efficiency for these devices is usually measured in CFM (cubic feet per minute) although you'll sometimes see BTU ratings for these devices, too. To help you find the best home cooling for you, we've rounded up the best vent-hose and evaporative portable stand-alone AC units in a variety of styles and sizes. May your home become the fancy cool-air house of your dreams this summer. This portable AC on wheels with a built-in dehumidifier and fan For small rooms and larger spaces like garages or basements, this compact portable AC packs a punch. With over 12,000 positive reviews, this 8,000-BTU machine is said to cool off large rooms and enclosed smaller spaces quickly. It comes with a remote control to help you switch between the cooling, dehumidifying and fan modes. It comes in six model options, including ones that also work as heaters. While the unit sits on the ground, it comes with an exhaust hose to be placed in your window. (There's only one BTU rating listed for this machine, and it's not totally clear whether it's SACC or ASHRAE.)Get it from Amazon for $269.90. A sleek portable AC with over 30,000 5-star reviews With tens of thousands of 5-star reviews, this standing air conditioner from Black + Decker is a bestseller in the portable AC unit category on Amazon. It comes with a handy remote control so you can adjust the temperature from across the room and it offers dehumidifying and ventilation in addition to air cooling. This 5,800-BTU AC works better in smaller rooms and offices and comes in seven models, some of which offer different BTUs and portable heating in addition to cooling. Note that while the unit itself does not go in a window, it does have a five-foot hose (and window adaptor) that review: "An absolute MUST for hot summer days. It's been 4 years since I've purchased this portable AC unit. I've been using it every day, when it's not summer I simply use the built-in fan for airflow when I'm working and white noise when I'm sleeping. When it's blazing hot during summer I have the unit blasting cool air in my home office while I'm working. This is an absolute must-buy if you're looking for some AC relief without breaking the bank. I will without a doubt buy a brand new one the moment this thing breaks down on me but it's been going strong for 4 years now and I still can't see it breaking anytime soon!" —sonnyGet it from Amazon for $399.99. An energy-saving version with four modes This Zafro portable AC unit has four modes: cool, dehumidifier, fan and sleep, with a low noise level. It has 8,000 BTUs (this appears to be an ASHRAE rating, with the SACC rating not available). The machine is easily portable with four wheels and two handles for carrying. Suitable for rooms up to 350 square feet, the brand claims this version can spend less money for the same cooling capacity as traditional large-volume review: "I never write reviews. This thing deserves it. I put it in my apartment bedroom because I like it cold when I sleep. ~160 sqft room. Absolute beast. It feels amazing in the room now!" —averyGet it from Amazon for $199. This slim model with a sleep mode and hidden handles The Strategist named this Euhomy model one of the best portable AC units for 2025, praising its value for the (relative to other units) affordable price. This 5,000-BTU unit can cool up to 350 square feet down to a minimum of 61 degrees, and has a built-in dehumidifier and fan. The 24-hour timer helps you avoid wasting energy, and the sleep mode will reduce the noise and screen brightness. Plus, it's truly portable with 360-degree wheels and hidden handles for review: "It is very affordable and keeps my room so cold almost too cold! It is also very easy to set up and the noise level is minimal. Highly recommend this product." —Amazon CustomerGet it from Amazon for $195.49. A smart unit that can work with multiple window types and sizes You may be familiar with other Dreo products like space heaters and fans, but they also make AC units like this one, which comes with universal window kits to secure it to any window between 17 and 53 inches, regardless of type. The smart unit can work with Alexa or Google Home and has its own app for operation. There are three operating modes, and the noise isolation system helps keep the noise as low as 46 dB. This one has a 12,000 BTU ASHRAE rating, and also comes in multiple colors so it doesn't have to be such an eyesore among your review: "I'm always skeptical of online reviews. But this unit earns and deserves its high ratings. Easy to set up, easy to operate. The app has worked flawlessly. The unit quickly cools the hot upstairs hallway and bedroom with ease. The dehumidify function works great, too. It's pretty humid here (ranging from 65-85%), and this thing makes a noticeable difference you can feel. As for noise, it's not bad at all. It is definitely quieter than a box fan, but a little more so than a white noise generator. But I typically have it on the highest fan speed. Lower speeds are quieter, of course. I also monitor our daily electric usage. We're in the middle of an unpleasant heat wave, so this is running quite a lot. I was surprised that it really hasn't added much to the electric usage. If you're on the fence about spending the money on a portable unit, this is worth the price. I'm pleased with it and would recommend it!" —Steven it from Amazon for $459.99. A stand-alone unit with two vent hoses that's ideal for humid areas Forget expensive serums and overly fruity bath bombs; real self-care is combating humidity. This stand-alone AC with two vent hoses functions not only as a super cooling air conditioner but also as a powerhouse dehumidifier, removing up to 71 pints of water in a day. Its SACC BTU rating is 9, review: "I've been using this unit for about a year and a half now and I still love it. I sleep with it running right next to my bed. Writing a review today because it's over 90 degrees outside, the sun directly hits a large window and wall in my bedroom all day, and this AC unit has kept my room a cool 70 degrees all day. This AC unit goes down to 61 degrees so I could absolutely make it even colder on this very hot day." —JasonGet it from Amazon for $409. This vent-hose unit that's a "total game changer" Right after the Black + Decker in the bestselling portable AC unit category on Amazon is this Shinco model, which has 4,550 BTUs, a manually adjustable air outlet grille and works with both horizontal and vertical sliding windows. Like other models, this one has a 24-hour timer, sleep mode and built-in dehumidifier and fan. It can cool up to 200 square feet. One reviewer called it a "total game changer" for living in the Florida review: "We've had this portable AC for over a year now, and it's been a great solution for our basement, which doesn't have a window—just a large sliding door and another exit. We had a contractor install it and vent it outside (not fully finished in the photo), and it's worked perfectly since. It has 3 modes, 3 fan speeds, and adjustable swing direction, which makes it super versatile. Keeps the whole basement nice and cool during hot summer days. Highly recommend!" — SandyDHolderGet it from Amazon for $229.99.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Montana lawmakers, please don't bring back smoking indoors
Cigar in ashtray (Martin Vorel/Common Creative license) Some ideas are so bad that they're ridiculous. Like bringing back smoking rooms to Montana businesses. This is what Senate Bill 150, now being debated by the Montana Legislature, stands to do. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Wylie Galt of Martinsdale, would weaken Montana's 20-year-old Clean Indoor Air Act and allow so-called 'cigar rooms' to operate in our state. If the idea sounds familiar, that's because lawmakers have rejected it time after time in past legislative sessions. But those who put profits ahead of our health keep trying. SB 150 will subject employees and non-smoking patrons to secondhand cigar smoke, which can cause lung cancer and heart disease and stroke, and which contains all the same toxic chemicals found in cigarette smoke. Every worker deserves a safe place to work – free of toxic air pollutants. If passed, Galt's bill as proposed with amendments will irreparably weaken our Clean Indoor Air Act, which, as stated in Montana law, is intended to 'protect the public health and welfare by prohibiting smoking in public places and places of employment; to recognize the right of nonsmokers to breathe smoke-free air; and to recognize that the need to breathe smoke-free air has priority over the desire to smoke.' There is no way to contain cigar smoke within a room or building. Smoke filters through cracks in windows and walls, through air ducts and even through electrical outlets. And there is no safe level of secondhand smoke exposure. If bars or brewpubs have 'cigar rooms,' everyone inside the building, not just the smoking area itself, will be at risk, just as they were back in the bad old days when smoking was allowed in restaurants and on board airplanes. Say 'so long' to the family environment many establishments have cultivated during the past two decades. Many Montanans may see their favorite spots opting in to allow smoking. There is no ventilation system that can effectively protect against secondhand smoke. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, which sets engineering standards for ventilation systems, says that 'the only means of effectively eliminating health risks associated with indoor exposure is to ban smoking activity' from a building. Ventilation may reduce odor, but it won't protect people's health. In fact, people who go inside a cigar bar or room will be at risk even when smoking isn't taking place. Toxins from cigar smoke seep into carpet, furniture and walls and can be absorbed through the skin or by breathing in contaminated dust or by eating contaminated food. Employees charged with cleaning or otherwise maintaining a cigar bar or room will be at risk. Cigar bars or rooms can even pose a hazard for neighboring businesses. Not only are backers of SB 150 and its amendment undermining our health and the Clean Indoor Air Act, but they also are breaking a promise made to the people of Montana. When the Clean Indoor Air Act was adopted 20 years ago, it included a four-year phase-in period for Montana's tavern owners to make their bars and casinos smokefree. The phase-in was agreed upon by the tavern industry, legislators and some health groups. SB 150 breaks this promise, which has been held for 16 years. The bill also runs counter to public opinion in our state. A 2021 poll by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and the American Heart Association showed that 89% of Montana voters from across the political spectrum support the Clean Indoor Air Act, and 77% (3-in-4) of Montana voters oppose allowing cigar smoking in bars. SB 150 breaks a promise made to Montana citizens and hospitality workers, and it undermines our Clean Indoor Air Act, which prevents disease and saves lives. We've had 20 years of smokefree workplaces and 16 years of smokefree bars and casinos. Why bring back the days of smoke-filled air and coming home with your clothes, skin and hair stinking of smoke? We've come to expect clean, healthy air in our public spaces. Let's not go back to the days of smoking rooms.
Korea Herald
12-02-2025
- Automotive
- Korea Herald
SK Enmove's next-gen EV refrigerants achieve US certification
SK Enmove said Wednesday its next-generation refrigerants for electric vehicles have received certification from the US amid its push for global expansion in the all-important clean mobility market. The company's two types of refrigerants, key materials used in automobiles to absorb or release heat, were granted the R-Number certification by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, which recognized their high level of safety, efficiency and overall performance. The newly certified refrigerants are specifically developed for EVs, which require dual-purpose refrigerants for both heating and cooling, as they do not produce waste heat that warms up the car like internal combustion engine vehicles. Nonetheless, these products are also compatible with gas-powered cars. SK Enmove has so far obtained R-Number certification for three products, including one certified in June last year. This accomplishment is attributed to a strategic partnership forged with Hyundai Motor Group last year, aimed at developing next-generation automotive refrigerants that improve heating and cooling performance by over 30 percent. In an in-house evaluation, the company reported that these refrigerants increased the efficiency of heat pumps, which vaporize the materials to control the temperature of EVs, thereby improving energy consumption efficiency. SK Enmove stressed that its refrigerant products comply with stringent global environmental regulations -- including the US initiative to phase down the use of hydrofluorocarbons and the EU's proposed regulations on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances -- both of which are aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 'This achievement reflects over a decade of expertise in thermal management research and development, including advancements in EV fluids and immersion cooling thermal fluids,' stated SK Enmove CEO Kim Wone-kee. 'We will continue to enhance our thermal management capabilities to position SK Enmove as a global leader in global refrigerant markets and an 'energy saving company.''
