It appears possible to control bedbugs without chemicals using plant leaves that snare the bedbug's legs. Repeated use of the approach may control an infestation.
A recent Medical Journal of Australia article: Risk of brain damage in babies from naphthalene in mothballs: call to consider a national ban William O Tarnow-Mordi, Nick J Evans, Kei Lui, Brian Darlow, on behalf of the Advisory Committee of the Australian and New Zealand Neonatal Network — Med J […]
Napthalene and haemolytic anaemias
Many public health authorities recommned dilute bleach to kill mould. It appears that bleach may be ineffective at killing mould spores, but a vinegar added to dilute bleach to reduce its alkalinity makes it much more effective.
Killing mould after the Queensland floods
The hidden danger of fungi and bacteria will be present after flooded Australian houses and buildings are renovated. The key to prevention will be the early treatment of cavities and surfaces before fungi and bacteria really get a hold.
Queensland floods, the cleanup
Its been raining for weeks and there is more to come. Things are getting mouldy and farmers are having a hard time as crops are wiped over a huge area. Some 72 people are missing and 9 are confirmed dead, half children. Brisbane was flooded in 1974 and we may […]
Queensland floods
1 Most health authorities consider droplet transmission to be important with influenza. If this is true, then height and high heels should give some protection.
Do tall people avoid the flu?
I developed an interest in ultraviolet when I was given the role of University Radiation Officer at the University of Queensland. A previous URO, Dr Don Robertson (1914-2006) was part of the Department of Physics and looked after the (unmarked) sandstone Radon Lab on the Great Court at the university. The […]
Robertson Berger Ultraviolet meter
The National Academies Press is a great source of in-depth reports on many issues. Many of the reports can be downloaded as free PDF files. The pre-publications of the report Certifying Personal Protective Technologies: Improving Worker Safety advances the very broad area of certification to ensure a minimum level of protection […]
PPE Certification
Carbon dioxide concentrations are a good indicator of room ventilation. Measurements and observations done in 1893 tally well with current IAQ recommendations.
CO2 and IAQ – a historical perspective from 1893
Hovding, a company in Malmo, Sweden has developed an “invisible” helmet that is worn as a collar around the neck and inflates to protect the head and neck. I don’t know how tear and scuff resistance it has or what it will cost. The device uses MEMs accelerometers and will be available […]