Pooler plastic recycling

Unveiling the Illusion: Debunking the Myth of Plastic Recycling in Georgia

The myth of plastic recycling in GA

The recycling rate is falling, especially in relation to its cost: it is still too expensive compared to the production of plastic. Plastic recycling rates are declining in Georgia, while production is on the rise, according to Greenpeace, which calls the existence of a circular economy touted by the industry a fiction.

A survey published by Greenpeace USA finds that American homes generated 51 million tons of plastic waste in 2021, of which only 2.4 million tons were recycled.

And the recycling rate of plastics consumed is rather declining, especially since China stopped accepting waste from the West in 2018, and at the same time recycling some of it. In addition, plastic production prices are falling due to a rapidly developing industry.

Industry groups and large corporations have been pushing to present recycling as a solution, explained Lisa Ramsden of Greenpeace USA. By doing this, they evaded responsibility, she added, citing companies like Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Unilever and Nestlé.

Researchers have discovered an enzyme capable of degrading polyethylene. A find that could have applications on plastic pollution, but it is still to early if this new waste management technique will be used and if dumpster rentals services will decrease.

Two recyclable plastics

According to Greenpeace USA, only two types of plastics are accepted at most of the country’s 375 material recovery centers. The first is polyethylene terephthalate (PET), commonly used for water and soda bottles, and the second is high-density polyethylene (PE-HD), used for example for shampoo bottles or household products. These two types are categorized numbers 1 and 2, according to the standards used, which include a total of seven kinds of plastic.

According to the report, PET and PE-HD had remanufacturing rates of 20.9 and 10.3 percent respectively, two numbers down from the last Greenpeace USA survey in 2020. Additionally, Type 3 plastics to 7 (which include plastic bags, children’s toys, yoghurt packaging, etc.) were reconditioned at rates below 5%.

Several associations have joined forces to document the decline of single-use plastic in Europe. This September, they published their annual report on the theme. France is fairly well rated.

Economically unsustainable

According to the report, the practice of plastic recycling is not working for five reasons.

First, because the amount of plastic waste is such that it is extremely difficult to collect all of it.

Moreover, even if they were all recovered, since this waste cannot be recycled together, it would make it practically impossible to sort trillions of products, according to the report.

Third, plastic recycling processes are themselves harmful to the environment, exposing workers to chemicals and generating micro-plastics.

The fourth reason is that these recycled plastics cannot be reused to contain food, because of the risk of toxicity.

Superfluous or even useless plastic to protect food: despite the 2020 anti-waste law, over-packaging persists, deplore consumer associations in Pooler, GA and elesewhere in the country.

Finally, recycling is too expensive, according to the NGO. New plastics are in direct competition with recycled ones, and the former are much cheaper to produce, for better quality, underlines the report.

Lisa Ramsden called for prioritizing non-plastic containers that can be reused, and for companies to support an international plastics treaty, the development of which was launched this year by the United Nations. She pointed out that the problem regarding plastic recycling was unique, and did not apply to cardboard or metals.

Dumpster rentals to the rescue

Can dumpster rental services help reduce plastic pollution?

Yes they could according to this website about waste management services in Georgia. If specific dumpsters were allocated to plastic waste collection in bulk in a given neighborhood, this could help gather a large quantity in one go, so that it could be brought all together to the nearest recycling facility.

But such services are not yet readily available and it requires new regulations by each county.

Louisville sustainability

Louisville solutions to remove junk in bulk

Sustainability in the state of Kentucky

Sustainability in the state of Kentucky is a growing focus as communities recognize the importance of balancing economic development with environmental conservation and social responsibility. Here are seven key aspects of sustainability in Kentucky:

Renewable Energy Transition: Kentucky has been traditionally reliant on coal for its energy needs. However, the state is making strides towards renewable energy sources. There has been an increase in solar and wind energy projects, with investments in renewable infrastructure. The shift towards clean energy helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, mitigates climate change impacts, and promotes sustainable development.

Agriculture and Local Food: Kentucky’s agricultural sector plays a vital role in sustainability efforts. There is a growing emphasis on local food production, organic farming practices, and farm-to-table initiatives. Farmers’ markets, community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs, and farm cooperatives are gaining popularity, promoting sustainable farming methods, reducing food miles, and supporting the local economy.

Forest Conservation: Kentucky is home to abundant forests, which provide critical ecosystem services and support biodiversity. Efforts to conserve and sustainably manage these forests are crucial. The state has implemented programs for reforestation, wildlife management, and the protection of endangered species. Sustainable forestry practices are encouraged, including responsible logging, tree planting initiatives, and forest certification programs.

Water Conservation: Water conservation is essential in Kentucky, particularly due to its rivers, lakes, and groundwater resources. The state has implemented water management programs to protect water quality, reduce water consumption, and promote efficient irrigation techniques. Additionally, educational campaigns raise awareness about water conservation and encourage responsible water use at both individual and industrial levels.

Waste Reduction and Recycling: Kentucky is actively working towards waste reduction and recycling initiatives. The state has implemented recycling programs, encouraging residents and businesses to divert waste from landfills. Efforts to promote recycling education, expand recycling infrastructure, and support composting initiatives help reduce waste, conserve resources, and minimize environmental impacts.

Green Building and Energy Efficiency: Kentucky is promoting energy-efficient and sustainable building practices. The state encourages green building certifications, such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), which prioritize energy efficiency, use of sustainable materials, and environmentally friendly construction techniques. Government incentives and programs support energy-efficient upgrades in residential, commercial, and industrial sectors.

Sustainable Tourism: Kentucky’s natural beauty and cultural heritage provide opportunities for sustainable tourism. The state’s parks, trails, and recreational areas attract visitors who can appreciate and support environmentally responsible tourism practices. Sustainable tourism initiatives focus on preserving natural resources, promoting local culture, and minimizing the ecological footprint of tourism activities.

These sustainability efforts in Kentucky contribute to the state’s long-term environmental health, economic prosperity, and social well-being. By embracing renewable energy, promoting sustainable agriculture, conserving forests and water resources, reducing waste, adopting green building practices, and fostering sustainable tourism, Kentucky is taking steps towards a more sustainable future.

The reasons to rent a dumpsters to clean up a pile of old junk

Renting a dumpster to clean up a pile of old junk offers several advantages that make it a practical and efficient solution. Here are some compelling reasons to consider renting a dumpster for junk removal:

Convenience: Having a dumpster on-site provides a convenient and centralized location to dispose of all your junk. Instead of making multiple trips to a landfill or waste disposal facility, you can simply toss the items into the dumpster, saving time and effort.

Efficient and Time-Saving: A dumpster allows for quick and efficient junk removal. Rather than sorting and organizing items into different disposal methods, you can throw everything into the dumpster, eliminating the need for separate trips or multiple pickups. This can significantly speed up the cleaning process, especially if you have a large amount of junk to remove.

Versatility: Dumpsters come in various sizes to accommodate different amounts of junk. Whether you have a small pile or a massive accumulation of old items, you can choose a dumpster size that suits your needs. This versatility ensures that you have adequate space to dispose of all your junk without worrying about running out of room.

Proper Disposal: Renting a dumpster ensures that your junk is disposed of properly. Professional dumpster rental services adhere to waste management regulations, ensuring that the junk is taken to appropriate disposal facilities. This helps prevent illegal dumping and ensures that recyclable materials are appropriately sorted and recycled, promoting environmental responsibility.

Safety: Cleaning up a pile of old junk can be hazardous, with sharp objects, heavy items, or potentially dangerous materials. By renting a dumpster, you create a safer environment by containing the junk in a designated space. This reduces the risk of accidents, injuries, or damage to your property during the cleanup process.

Cost-Effective: Renting a dumpster can be a cost-effective option compared to alternative junk removal methods. It eliminates the need for multiple trips to the landfill or hiring a professional junk removal service, which can be more expensive. With a dumpster rental, you can efficiently dispose of all your junk in one go, potentially saving you money.

Flexibility: Dumpster rentals offer flexibility in terms of rental periods. Whether you need the dumpster for a day, a week, or longer, you can choose a rental duration that fits your timeline. This flexibility allows you to tackle the cleanup at your own pace and ensures that you have ample time to remove all the junk.

Renting a dumpster provides a practical, efficient, and cost-effective solution for cleaning up a pile of old junk. It offers convenience, versatility, and proper disposal methods, promoting a safer and more efficient junk removal process. Whether you’re decluttering your home, renovating, or handling a large-scale cleanout, renting a dumpster can help simplify the task and streamline the disposal of unwanted items.

References

Buffalo waste management overview

Buffalo is a city in Upstate New York that pays attention to sustainability, reducing wastage and improving recycling operations with better dumpster rental and landfill facilities. Waste management companies such as Buffalo Dumpster Rental HQ are at the forefront of this local initiative.

Philip Services Waste Management

But let’s have a look at the competition when it comes to junk disposal and dumpster rental services.

In 1994, Philip Environmental (Ontario) announced a turnover of C$ 253m, up 61% thanks to several acquisitions. This company, controlled by the Fracassi brothers of Toronto, only entered the market in 1990, focusing on recycling while having some collection activities; it went public the following year.

It will continue in this direction. Acquisitions in the United States allow it to carry out 40% of its business there. The company is on an exponential curve, focusing on California waste management among other niches.

A Philip Utilities Management subsidiary has a few small issues with hazardous waste. For 1997 alone, it acquired 30 companies for $1.3bn and in March 1998 it announced a partnership with two investment companies (Apollo Advisors and Blackstone Management) to merge with Safety Kleen, the number 5, subject moreover to a offer from Laidlaw Environmental Services.

Buffalo junk disposal services

This decision seems to mark the high point in this story. The same month the company was to announce a loss of $95.8m for 1997 and recalculated its results for the previous two years after discovering a cover-up of losses in the trade in recycled metals for at least $60m.

The value of the stock drops rapidly from $13 per share to $8. The year will be catastrophic and will end with a loss of $1.6bn.

A year later, the firm is at its worst and is filing for bankruptcy protection to prepare a restructuring plan. The value of the security is now only 42 cents Canadian.

In the spring of 2000, the activities were taken over by a company under American law, Philip Services Corporation. Thanks to the sale of assets, the debt was reduced from $1bn to $235m; 10% of the new shares are acquired by a fund based in the Bahamas: Cerberus International.

The group focuses on metal recycling and business services in the United States, Canada and Europe.

What general lessons can we draw from this journey? In ten years the transformation of the offer is considerable. Two companies that did not exist in 1990 set out to conquer the markets, buy out and consolidate and end up taking over the historic numbers 1 and 2. Behind them other newcomers are trying the same route.

In the industrial waste sector, the amplitudes are just as great. Several companies also created in the 1990s rise, rise and fall. Another forks. This American waste market is anything but a peaceful universe.

These enormous fluctuations, sometimes destructive, bear the mark of financial funds and consolidators specializing in the takeover of firms in the sector for their resale.

They also testify to the power of the shareholders compared to that of the managers. The recoveries of the two historical leaders cannot be explained otherwise. The strength of the two little ones is to have first convinced the markets and pension funds of the credibility of their policy by highlighting the synergies of integration and compliance with new regulations.

Buffalo dumpster rental services

These fluctuations also lead to wondering what is the foresight of the markets by the visible hand of the leaders of Laidlaw or that of the pension funds, when we observe the decisions to enter a sector followed the next day by an exit.

In this great movement of consolidation, which most often involves mergers between firms and exchanges of shares, certain funds specializing in “green gold” play a role similar to that of investment banks in Europe; they seek to bring companies together.

But it seems that they did it more in a financial logic (raise the value of securities) than in an industrial logic aimed at better use of assets. It was only at the end of the 1990s, after the mega-mergers, that this industrial path was followed by firms with exchanges of assets monitored by public authorities.

Finally, we can wonder about the part attributable to the institutional framework. Treating this area as a commodity creates a situation in which market forces (firms and consolidators) can fully express themselves with all the spillover effects.

This is a big difference with continental Europe. The pressure of the financial markets with the sanction of quarterly reports constitutes another factor of movement. And then we can think that the introduction of federal regulations in waste management and dumpsters was a final factor of upheaval.

The US waste sector looks like a hot object in formation, full of turbulence. This experience should certainly be studied at a time when many emerging countries are looking for references to organize their environmental services.

California waste management laws

Under the influence of European law, waste law in California is evolving and imposes new obligations. But for Glendale, in terms of the management of waste, it is concerned by this device which is characterized by the implementation of regulations insofar as “all legal texts are intended, with some exceptions, to apply locally; the decentralization has led, overseas in particular, to a transfer of skills and of responsibilities, recent and accentuated; finally, its natural and social environment needs to be protected, in order to limit and stop all attacks on the quality of life of the population must be preserved or improved.

Strengthening regulations in the household waste sector

Since the 90’s California has undergone a process of development which is therefore triggered on all fronts. However, it was faced with environmental problems especially in the area of ​​waste disposal. Thus, from 1989, a state plan for the collection and management of household waste has been drawn up by the local officials.

At the level of the state, this scheme, after having been approved of the Governor and examined by the Departmental Hygiene Committee, entered in force by decree. This scheme is spearheaded by fight against the eradication of certain gross landfills and numerous deposits wilderness that undermines the Californian landscape, while it is one of the major assets of the state for the development of tourist activity, as well as the public health.

State garbage disposal schemes

Local collection schemes attempt to provide solutions by putting in place an organized waste collection and treatment policy for housewives at the department level. But given their low legal significance, their effectiveness is also reduced with elected officials to the extent that they do not impose any real prescriptions to be followed.

Indeed, developed under the leadership of the representative of the State of California, the plan proposes to establish, under acceptable economic conditions, collection circuits, number and location of depots and treatment factories as well as their capacity for action and radius.

Nevertheless, it is important to identify existing services and facilities and study their cost. In addition, the diagram is presented in the form of two documents: the first is a general report including a presentation plan of factories and landfills controlled and the second represents a study of the marketing of sub products. Also, the plan provides for the creation of additional water at least two so-called controlled landfills.

But their elaboration constitutes a dispute because it will depend on the provisions issued by the counties which, in the field of extension and strengthening of urbanized spaces and activities, will proceed expressly at the location of these landfills as well as the collection perimeters. This project is therefore only indicative and evolving.

In addition, in view of the evolution of urban growth, techniques and marketing of by-products, the circular highlights that the conclusions of this report can be modified and therefore, the scheme should be able to be reworked.

Also, the creation of a circular relating to the collection and treatment of urban waste is the weak link in this scheme. Indeed, this process does not give the diagram any value since it tends to establish projects and that he is not obliged to impose constraints on municipalities. In fact, its application, subject to no obligation, therefore depends on the free will of these last.

Even if no financial means are provided for these schemes, when do they have even the merit of provoking the “reflection” of the municipalities. This taking of consciousness dates back to 1989 when we witnessed a broadening of skills in the field of household waste. Some waste management council was created in 1993 and later dissolved in the extent to which it has achieved its objective and is therefore overwhelmed by the cooperation which has practically spread throughout the state.

Waste management regulations

In the field of the environment, it ensured (1) the management of the park of garbage collection bins, which are endowed all inhabitants, (2) door-to-door collection and (3) the collection of bulky waste door to door. In fact, it’s more a “sight” collection, meaning that the truck collects all bulky the waste on public roads.

Also it took care of the transfer of waste from the municipalities and composting of green waste on two platforms, one in Glendale (valuation remains insufficient, there is less than 10% of the tonnage collected compared to 300 to 400 in the entire state), which also processes sludge from a sewage treatment plant, and the other up north.

However, it is clear that these departmental diagrams did not have any legal value, to which the federal law did not refer. In front of these unsuccessful environment patterns, only partially responding to the treatment of waste and faced with the growing scale of the latter, California voted a framework law on waste. But very few of his articles have been so far applied. This law provided in particular that the municipalities have the obligation to collect waste, at least once a week in the towns or villages with more than 500 inhabitants.

Also waste disposal plans would be drawn up to avoid the current “every man for himself” (the implementing decree has not been issued after seventeen years); that the manufacture and sale of products could be regulated, or even prohibited, generators of waste that are difficult to eliminate; that the producers of waste-generating products may be obliged to contribute to their elimination; that the recovery of materials or energy must be “facilitated”, that we can even impose a minimum proportion of materials recovered in certain products.

The federal law obliges producers of packaged household products like Glendale dumpster rentals and others to either collect their packaging themselves, or entrust this recovery to an approved body, such as eco-packaging, which can in particular selectively collect or sort the packaging.

The most common erotic dreams

Do you have erotic dreams? Nothing could be more natural! But you still have to know what they really mean.

Much has been written about the meaning of dreams for generations. But what about erotic dreams? Decryption of the 7 most common erotic reveries from a dream expert.

Dreaming about having sex with a friend

The majority of us have already dreamed of having sex with a friend at some point in our life. Yes, even you! It doesn’t mean that you want this person.

In reality, this dream stems from an emotional overflow that turns into a sex drive at night. Good sometimes (but rarely), it can also be a sign that your friend could be much more than that.

Dreaming of having sex with an ex

As with a friend, dreaming of having an intimate relationship with an ex does not mean that you have regrets, or that you are always attracted to him / her.

This type of dream would actually resurface from your memories. Thus, it is enough to have a reminiscence during the day to dream of your ex. And as with the previous type of dream, it can also mean that you have a renewed interest in this ex.

Dreaming of having a homosexual relationship

Jungian psychology explains that we have all of the feminine and masculine aspects within us. These two aspects make us happy as soon as they are balanced.

The feminine side of a man is called his ‘anima’, and the masculine side of a woman is his ‘animus’. Before continuing, having sex with someone of the same sex may mean it’s time to kiss that side of you.

Dreaming of sleeping with your boss

Sex at work is enormously fantasizing. But dreaming of sleeping with your boss rarely means that you have an attraction for him. Indeed, it seems that this type of erotic dreams appeal to your unconscious and that it is the sign that you want to evolve in your professional status. So, you want – quite symbolically – to “get closer” to your boss.

Dreaming of sleeping with a work colleague

According to dream interpretation expert Medium Christina, sexual dreams are mostly a mark of attention to your inner qualities.

So, when it relates to a co-worker, it deals with your professional qualities but also with those that you appreciate in your employees. This type of dream can also have the value of will

Dreaming of having a very intense orgasm

Our sexual desire is the creative force of the universe and experiencing an intense orgasm is the reward for cultivating your power”, decrypts Medium Christina. An intense orgasm in a dream often occurs when you feel good, above all, free and sensually balanced.

Dreaming of failing to reach orgasm

The inability to reach orgasm could symbolize a frustration that you are currently experiencing in your life,” says the specialist. Conflicting emotions, desire to get something … so many ambiguous feelings that make you dream of sexual breakdown.

How to Recycle Better

Learning to recycle and waste less is important for keeping our planet green, as we all know. If you care about the environment, check out the best ways to recycle you everyday items!

The recycling rate in the United States has increased from less than 7% in 1960 to over 34% in 2015. While the progress is promising, we still have a long way to go. This article should help get you started so that you can recycle more at work, home, and school. Recycling in and around the home can be easy when you know how to do it. By thinking carefully about what products you buy at the supermarket and how to recycle them is the first step towards efficient recycling. Find ways of recycling different materials by better understanding the recycling processes.

How to recycle best, this is the question. Recycling conserves raw materials and saves the additional energy that manufacturers would use producing new products from scratch. Recycling also reduces the amount of material going into landfills, which is a big bonus given that many countries are fast running out of space for trash.

For instance, do you recycle in several rooms of your home? If you only recycle in the kitchen, recyclables in your home office or bathroom get thrown away. So make recycling a collaborative effort where everyone participates, enabling the most recycling of the right materials.

Recycling may not be a cure-all to pollution and landfill issues—following a zero waste lifestyle to limit use of landfill-clogging items may be the more environmentally friendly route—but for recyclable items already out there, recycling is the best way to do whatever possible to keep those items from damaging natural resources. Maintaining a recycling system, learning how to recycle are important duties everyone should get involved with.

By the way recycling creates jobs. EPA released significant findings on the economic benefits of the recycling industry with an update to the national Recycling Economic Information (REI) Study in. This study analyzes the numbers of jobs, wages and tax revenues attributed to recycling.

Learn which materials belong in your bin, where to recycle or donate other items, and what to throw away. Do your part and recycle smart to enhance the environment, boost the economy, and save your community money. To learn more about local recycling, composting, and hazardous household product, use google to research the question.

Recycling doesn’t have to be a big commitment. Just think, the few seconds a day you take to recycle will have a positive impact on the health, safety and cleanliness of your community – not to mention, the future of our environment! There are easy steps to recycling better. Learn What to Recycle. Make your recycling efforts count. Learn what items go into your recycling and what items should be put in the garbage. Residents in single-family and multifamily homes can learn how to prepare their bins optimally.

Recycling is a huge part that everyone must take action in to keep the environment safe and to decrease landfill space. Teaching kids how to recycle is important, as they can learn early in life and continue with it as they grow older. Hire waste management services if needed, some companies will take your junk in bulk and recycle all they can.

In the USA, determine local requirements: first and foremost, consult with your local recycling jurisdiction to see if there are any special requirements as to what materials are accepted, how they must be sorted and cleaned, and what bins must be used for depositing them for pick-up. Some areas may not accept all seven classes of resins. Look at the bottom of the plastic bottle to verify that it is an allowed item for the recycling facility.

Reduce Stress by Using Coupons

Not having enough money can add a lot of stress to your life. You find yourself constantly worrying about how you are going to pay for things and if you don’t have the money you need your life is going to be more difficult.

One way to make things easier to buy is to use coupons. Coupons can save you a lot of money and they reduce stress because they allow you to save money. Promos will help you stretch out your money and it will be a lot easier to take care of the things you need to take care of when you use coupons.

Money stress affects a lot of people and when you are stressed out about money all the time you can’t enjoy life as much. Especially on big purchases like a mattress, a good resource to save money is http://laylamattresscoupons.com/. You can save money and reduce your stress when you use coupons to help you save money.

You can find coupons for just about any product and coupons are easy to find and use. It doesn’t take long to find the coupons you want and it is easy to search for them online. You can quickly find the deals you want to use and clip them or use them when you are shopping online.

Never buy anything online without looking for a discount first. It is very easy to use coupon codes. You just copy and paste the code during checkout and the discount will be automatically applied.

You can find a lot of different discounts online that are going to save you money and help you reduce your stress. If you don’t have enough money for the things you need you are going to feel a lot of stress and this stress isn’t good for you.

You want to try to reduce your stress as much as possible. You will feel less stress when you save money and getting a good deal gives you an automatic boost.

There are lots of ways to save money when you shop online and use discounts and there are many deals you can take advantage of. Saving money always feels good and finding those deals is going to help you feel better about shopping online.

You should never pay full price for anything you buy online because there are always going to be coupons that you can use for things. You have a lot of opportunities to find good coupons and your choices are going to be endless.

You just have to spend the time looking around for the promos that you want to use. There are a lot of different stores that use coupons. If you are feeling stressed out by your financial situation make sure that you start looking about the different coupons that you want to use. Financial stress can be very stressful and there are a lot of ways you can save money online and there are coupons that are going to save you a lot of money.

The best coupons are going to give you the biggest savings and they are going to be easy to find. You want to look for coupons that are very easy to find and to use. Nothing feels better than saving money and the more you save the less stress you are going to feel.

Saving money is great and the more money that you save, the more money you will have in your pocket to spend on other things. You have a lot of opportunities to save money when you are looking for coupons so you should always take the time to look for the best savings so you don’t feel stressed out about money.

Sources of pollution and effects on health

Air pollution is a complex and ever-changing mixture of various chemical, biological and physical elements that can be toxic to humans. Every day, an adult inhales 10,000 to 20,000 liters of air with an average of 99% oxygen and nitrogen, but which can also contain various pollutants that can cause health effects.

There are different sources of air pollution (natural, related to human activities …). More and more studies highlight health effects that can be differentiated according to the source of emission considered.

Air pollution results both from:

  • Pollutant emissions from various sectors of activity (industry, transport, agriculture, heating, etc.);
  • phenomena of natural origin (Saharan sand winds, soil erosion, volcanic eruptions …);
  • Chemical reactions occurring in the atmosphere between the so-called “primary” pollutants (particles, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, etc.) which are directly emitted by the pollution sources and which are at the origin of the formation of so-called “secondary” pollutants (ozone, particles, etc.);
  • phenomena of import and export of air pollution that can occur on a large scale.

Pollutants most harmful to health

The chemical pollutants that cause the greatest public health concerns are:

  • The particles of outdoor air, classified as carcinogenic to humans since 2013 by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). The toxicity of these particles comes from both their composition and their size. The finer the particles, the more they are able to penetrate deeply into the pulmonary tree (see diagram below) and to go through the bloodstream to other organs. Various chronic diseases (cancers, cardiovascular and respiratory pathologies) develop after several years of exposure to particles, even at low levels of concentration. Other effects are more and more highlighted: possible effects on reproduction, risk of premature birth, impaired neurodevelopment of the child, dementia in the elderly … At present, particles are pollutants air for which health effects are the most documented.
  • Ozone
  • Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a highly irritating substance of the respiratory tract and the main respiratory effects described in humans are shortness of breath, bronchial obstruction, asthma attacks, or bronchitis.
  • Volatile organic compounds (benzene, formaldehyde, 1,3-butadiene …)
  • Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs such as benzo [a] pyrene)
  • Metals (such as arsenic, chromium and cadmium).
  • Biological agents, such as pollen and mold, can also be responsible for health effects. In addition, there are several types of interactions between air pollutants and pollens, since certain chemical air pollutants can promote the allergic reaction by lowering the threshold of bronchial reactivity and / or by accentuating the irritation of the nasal mucosa or ocular and can also act on the pollen grains, for example via deformation or rupture of the wall of the pollen grain, which would then allow them to penetrate deeper into the respiratory system than whole pollen grains.

Effects of air pollution on health

Effects of air pollution on health are observed as follows:

  • an exposure of a few hours to a few days (acute, so-called short-term exposure) to this pollution: ocular or respiratory irritation, asthma attacks, exacerbation of cardiovascular and respiratory disorders that may lead to hospitalization, and the most serious cases at death;
  • a multi-year exposure (chronic, so-called long-term exposure) to air pollution; in this case, the health effects can be defined as the contribution of this exposure to the development or aggravation of chronic diseases such as: cancers, cardiovascular and respiratory pathologies (asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart failure) , neurological disorders, etc.

Health and economic impacts of air pollution


According to the WHO, air pollution is the main environmental risk for health in the world. For example, exposure to indoor and outdoor air pollution leads to premature death each year (“premature death” because exposure to air pollution shortens life) by about 6.5 million people.

In the WHO Europe area (53 countries), it is estimated that about 600 000 deaths per year are related to air pollution (482 000 are due to outdoor air pollution and 117 200 to indoor air pollution). According to a study published in 2015 by WHO and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the economic cost of these 600 000 premature deaths as well as diseases caused by indoor and outdoor air pollution in the WHO’s Europe area in 2010 reached 1.6 trillion (or 1.6 trillion) US dollars.

Does improving air quality really translate into improved health?

Several epidemiological studies have analyzed the health impact of a decrease in pollution levels. These so-called intervention studies confirmed that the health benefits were very real when the air quality improves.

For example, the Irish government’s ban on the sale of bituminous coal in Dublin in 1990 resulted in a net decrease in particulate matter concentrations, coupled with a 6% decline in total mortality in the following 6 years intervention.

The decline in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations in the United States between the early 1980s and the early 2000s was accompanied by an improvement in life expectancy, with a gain of over 7 months of life expectancy following the lowering of atmospheric concentrations of PM2.5 particles by 10 μg / m3, which represented a total of 15% of the improvement in life expectancy during this period.

Focus on biomass combustion (residential heating)


In a report published in 2015, WHO states that residential wood or coal heating is a significant source of air pollution both outside and inside buildings (except in the case of efficient heating appliances for the reduction of polluting emissions).

In France, PM2.5 emissions from wood heating were more than halved between 1990 and 2013. Nevertheless, the residential-service sector accounted for 51% of national PM2.5 emissions in 2016.

In addition to particles (especially fine and ultrafine particles, so easily transportable particles over long distances of up to several hundred kilometers), and particulate compounds such as carbon black and organic carbon, the combustion of biomass leads to the emission of various gases with toxic potential for human health in outdoor air and which are in particular carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds ( benzene, formaldehyde, acrolein …), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (aldehydes, phenols …), metallic elements (mercury, arsenic, lead …), dioxins and furans.

According to WHO, particles from wood combustion are associated with an exacerbation of respiratory diseases, particularly asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchitis and otitis media.

According to the literature, there is no reason to consider biomass burning particles to be less harmful to health than other urban sources of pollution, but there are few studies on the effects of biomass burning. cardiovascular effects of these particles. On the other hand, there is evidence linking wood burning to certain respiratory symptoms.

Therefore it is crucial to have efficient waste management systems in place so that all waste goes to the proper places, and does not get burnt or thrown in rivers or the sea.

Ankle Arthritis Explained

The medical term “arthritis” is not new to everyone’s hearing. You might have heard it several times, but not necessarily knowing what arthritis really is.

Arthritis is an inflammation of one or more of your joints that causes stiffness and pain. While arthritis is primarily an adult disease, some forms of the disease affect children as well.

There are several kinds of arthritis. These types include osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, septic arthritis, and post-traumatic arthritis.

These different types also have different causes, however, the symptoms and management are frequently the same. Swelling, stiffness associated with pain is the main symptoms of arthritis. Whatever joints in the body can possibly be affected by the illness, however, it is most common in weight-bearing joints specifically the hip, spine, ankle and the knee.

Arthritis has no specific cure at the moment, but there are several treatment options accessible to help manage pain to sustain daily living of the person affected by it.

Unrelatedly on whether the reason for arthritis is from injury, typical wear and tear, or disease, the joint becomes inflamed, causing swelling, pain, and stiffness. Inflammation is just one of the body’s normal responses once an injury or disease occurs. In arthritic joints, yet, inflammation may cause long-term or enduring disability.

Diagnosis for Arthritis

Arthritis is diagnosed by means of a wary evaluation of symptoms and a physical examination. X-rays are significant to show the range of any injury to the joint. Blood tests and added laboratory tests may aid to define the type of arthritis.

  • Atrophy – weakening of the muscles
  • Tenderness to touch
  • Inability or limited capacity to move the joint passively
  • Signs that various joints are painful or swollen this symptom signifies rheumatoid arthritis
  • A harsh feeling or sound (crepitus) with movement
  • Feeling of pain whenever putting pressure on the joint or else the joint is being moved

Possible Causes of Arthritis

Until today, the real cause of arthritis remains unknown. However, there are some factors recognized as possibly raising the chances of getting the disease.

  • Age. Joints tend to get damaged as you age.
  • Gender. Most of the paints of arthritis are women. Many of its types are common to women, but not gout.
  • Genes. Illnesses such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis are associated to certain genes.
  • Extra weight. Carrying excess pounds makes arthritis in the knee begin earlier and get worse quicker.
  • Injuries. Injuries can cause joint damage that can carry on some types of the illness.

Long-term Management

In most cases of arthritis, individuals affected by it can still continue doing their daily routine. The common management to minimize symptoms like the pain is over the counter anti-inflammatory drugs and weight reduction for overweight individuals.

In persons with major cases of arthritis, orthopedic frequently offer dramatic pain relief and reinstate lost joint function. Other types of arthritis like rheumatoid arthritis are frequently treated through a team of health care providers. These specialists may comprise rheumatologists, physical and occupational therapists, rehabilitation specialists, social workers, and orthopedic surgeons.

Living with arthritis can be dissimilar from each person, and symptoms can differ from day to day. Treatment options and medications differ with the type of arthritis, the parts of the body being affected, and its severity. Some people with arthritis in the feet use an ankle immobilizer in order to limit the risk of fracture.

Because of the fact that arthritis has no cure at present, researchers pursue their objective of getting progress in the discovery of the underlying causes of the main types of arthritis. Orthopedic surgeons, together with other practitioners and scientists, have established several operational treatments for arthritis in the meantime.

For you to get away from developing arthritis, it will be best to avoid getting injuries and maintain a healthy kind of living.

Self-Myofascial Release: Why Foam Rolling Combats Pain


Self-myofascial release, or now commonly known as foam rolling was once a recovery technique used only by professional therapists, coaches and athletes. Today, it has become a more familiar to all of us, an everyday practice for people at any level of physical fitness.

Self-myofascial release is a fancy term for self-massage. It helps release the tightness in your muscles by applying pressure to specific areas of your body. It supports the recovery of your muscles and bring back their health and elasticity.

It Is Not Enough To Stretch

Stretching can help loosen up and bring back the elasticity of your muscles, but it alone is not enough to release all the muscle tightness. This is when self-myofascial or foam rolling techniques come in the picture.

The goal of self-myofascial release or any recovery and corrective technique is to restore the point of normalcy in the muscles. Foam rolling aids blood flow and restore normal muscle functions for optimum performance.

How Foam Rolling Works

Foam rolling applies deep compressions to your muscles to help break up tight muscles and aid relaxation. On top of this, it can also address the adhesions formed between the muscles usually caused by dehydration, injury, overuse, etc.

Foam rolling your muscles can be compared to tenderizing a piece of steak. At first, there will be some slight pain and discomfort. But afterwards, your muscles will become loose and supple. If you neglect your muscle health, you will be more susceptible to pain movement, muscle adhesions and flexibility loss.

Common Pains Foam Rolling Can Fix

If you use the right technique, foam rolling can become your personal, free masseuse. It does not just prepare your body for the stresses caused by workout, it can also relieve aches and prevent them from coming back.

Here are eight common pains that foam rolling can fix for you.

1. Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain is usually caused by chronic sitting down, poor posture or tight hip flexor muscles. The pain usually gets worse when you try to bend your waist. This puts a lot of pressure at your back and lead to injury over time.

2. Upper Back Pain

Just like lower back pain, pain in the upper back is also caused by poor posture. Your upper back muscles can stiffen and lead to weak shoulder muscles. Foam rolling will relieve the sharp pains and tightness between your shoulder blades.

3. Heel Pain

For people who constantly walk around or suffer from plantar fasciitis, a foam roll will help ease their discomfort. This inflammation is located at the band of fiber that runs along the bottom of your foot called plantar fascia.

4. Knee Pain

People who suffer from weak or tight hip flexors have problems with their knees. When your hip muscles fail to stabilize your stance and support your body, the iliotibial band overcompensates for your weight. This puts a lot of pressure on your knees and cause pain.

5. Shoulder Pain

Your shoulder is one of the first places in your body to get hurt. This is because it has the most complex and unstable joint in the body. On top of this, when people exercise, they tend to focus more on the deltoids and neglect the other smaller stabilizing muscles found in the back of the shoulder joint, causing stretch imbalances and pain.

6. Shin Pain

Pain in the shin is commonly known as shin splints. It is when the sheath surrounding the tibia bone is inflamed due to extensive jumping or running on hard surfaces. Foam rolling this area will help release the inflammation around the bone and alleviate pain. Athletes who run a lot will find foam rolling their shins helpful.

Many healthcare practitioners encourage their patients to utilize foam rolling especially when they experience muscle pain. However, it is still recommended that you ask your doctor or your physical therapist first before proceeding with foam rolling, especially when you just recently recovered from an injury.

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