N95 respirator

After Maui fires, human health risks linger in the air, water and even surviving buildings

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, August 12, 2023

The fires also left lingering health risks for humans and wildlife.

Key Points: 
  • The fires also left lingering health risks for humans and wildlife.
  • When fires spread through communities, as we’ve seen more often in recent years, they burn structures that contain treated wood, plastics, paints and hazardous household wastes.
  • Lahaina and other Maui communities face similar risks ahead.

Chemical hazards in fire debris

    • Less obvious are the chemical hazards that can reach well beyond the fire zone.
    • State health officials recommended that residents wear close-toed shoes, N95 respirators, chemical resistant gloves and other protective equipment while looking through property debris.
    • When disaster debris is eventually removed by professionals, the contractors will be wearing Tyvek suits and possibly respirators to protect their health.

Buildings that didn’t burn can still have hazards

    • Particles and vapors can enter buildings through cracks, doors, windows and other portals.
    • Some of these pollutants settle onto surfaces, while others penetrate fabrics, stick to walls and enter air ducts.

Drinking water risks and soil testing

    • My colleagues and I have documented benzene levels that exceeded hazardous limits for drinking water after several previous fires.
    • These and other chemicals pose an immediate health risk to water users, even if the water smells fine.
    • Proper inspections and testing in buildings and for private wells and larger water systems are important.

Protecting waterways and aquatic life

    • Lahaina stretches along Maui’s west coast and has long been a popular site for seeing sea turtles and other marine life.
    • That sea life may now be at risk from pollutants from burned coastal buildings and runoff.
    • Communities can avoid more harmful runoff during the cleanup process by placing pollution-control barriers near storm drains, around properties and near waterways.

What happens to all the debris?

    • After the 2021 Marshall Fire in Colorado, where about 1,200 structures were destroyed, the cleanup generated 300,000 tons of waste.
    • In the process, I recommend residents reach out to public health departments for advice to help them stay healthy and safe.

Public Health Update on the Health Effects of Wildfires

Retrieved on: 
Monday, June 19, 2023

Wildfires produce thick smoke that can lead to both minor and more serious health issues.

Key Points: 
  • Wildfires produce thick smoke that can lead to both minor and more serious health issues.
  • This includes providing advice, health and environmental information to the public through the AQHI, as well as helping health jurisdictions create and manage cleaner air spaces by providing technical expertise, public health guidance, and air quality monitoring equipment when requested.
  • In response to a request from British Columbia First Nations Health Authority, Health Canada is procuring an additional 25 indoor air quality monitors.
  • Between 2013 and 2018 the annual economic valuation of the health impacts was estimated at $410M-$1.8B for acute health impacts and $4.3B-$19B for chronic health impacts.

Wildfire smoke and your breathing - 3M scientists offer resources and tips to protect yourself in unhealthy air

Retrieved on: 
Friday, June 9, 2023

"It's important for people to pay attention to the Air Quality Index for their area and plan accordingly."

Key Points: 
  • "It's important for people to pay attention to the Air Quality Index for their area and plan accordingly."
  • Dr. McCullough has spent the past 30 years as a respiratory scientist at 3M, testing and developing products to protect respiratory systems for all types of people and environments.
  • "The everyday mask is not enough to protect you from wildfire smoke.
  • If it's safe to do so, the best place to be when air quality is poor is indoors and to continue filtering your air."

3M and Svante Announce Joint Development Agreement to Develop and Produce CO2 Removal Products

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, May 16, 2023

3M (NYSE: MMM) is expanding its ongoing commitment to materials science-based climate tech solutions by working with BC-based Svante Technologies, Inc. (Svante) to develop material that can trap carbon dioxide (CO2) found in the atmosphere and permanently remove it.

Key Points: 
  • 3M (NYSE: MMM) is expanding its ongoing commitment to materials science-based climate tech solutions by working with BC-based Svante Technologies, Inc. (Svante) to develop material that can trap carbon dioxide (CO2) found in the atmosphere and permanently remove it.
  • “3M is committed to helping build a low-carbon economy.
  • “3M is another great addition to our network of world-class strategic partners and investors,” said Claude Letourneau, Svante’s president and chief executive officer.
  • Because of the wide array of markets the company serves, Letourneau says Svante’s technology can be applied to 85% of the total carbon capture and removal segment.

3M and Svante announce joint development agreement to develop and produce carbon dioxide removal products

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, May 16, 2023

ST. PAUL, Minn., May 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- 3M (NYSE: MMM) is expanding its ongoing commitment to materials science-based climate tech solutions by working with Svante Technologies, Inc. (Svante) to develop material that can trap carbon dioxide (CO2) found in the atmosphere and permanently remove it.

Key Points: 
  • 3M and Svante will partner to develop Direct Air Capture (DAC) products for the carbon dioxide removal (CDR) industry, driving their shared commitment to find materials science-based solutions to achieve net-zero emissions and combat global warming.
  • ST. PAUL, Minn., May 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- 3M (NYSE: MMM) is expanding its ongoing commitment to materials science-based climate tech solutions by working with Svante Technologies, Inc. (Svante) to develop material that can trap carbon dioxide (CO2) found in the atmosphere and permanently remove it.
  • 3M Ventures, the venture capital arm of 3M, recently participated in Svante's Series E fundraising round, which raised $318 million to accelerate the manufacturing of Svante's carbon capture and removal technology.
  • The joint development agreement (JDA) between 3M and Svante focuses on the development and manufacture of solutions using parallel channel structured adsorbent technology for sale into the carbon dioxide removal (CDR) industry.

Radians helps Eight Days of Hope with Mississippi tornado relief

Retrieved on: 
Friday, April 7, 2023

Then others, like Eight Days of Hope and Radians, build back up and bring hope.

Key Points: 
  • Then others, like Eight Days of Hope and Radians, build back up and bring hope.
  • An important outreach of Eight Days of Hope is its Rapid Response Ministry, which moves large amounts of critically needed aid into disaster areas to bring hope and recovery to those devasted by the disaster.
  • "Since Memphis is our headquarters, Mississippi is our next-door neighbor," said Radians President, Bill England.
  • The email said that Radians wanted to donate PPE for Mississippi tornado relief.

SafeSource Direct Introduces New, Lightweight Nitrile Exam Gloves Made in America

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 22, 2023

BROUSSARD, La., March 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SafeSource Direct is proud to announce its newest American-made PPE product: a nitrile exam glove designed for maximum feel and sensitivity. The approximately 3.5 mil thick chemo-rated nitrile exam gloves have received FDA 510(k) clearance and offer superior tactile feeling at a price point that meets the needs of busy medical professionals who go through large numbers of gloves in a day.

Key Points: 
  • BROUSSARD, La., March 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SafeSource Direct is proud to announce its newest American-made PPE product: a nitrile exam glove designed for maximum feel and sensitivity.
  • With two state-of-the-art facilities in Broussard, Louisiana, SafeSource Direct has multiple operational production lines capable of manufacturing 108,000 gloves per hour.
  • As the company expands its capacity over the coming months, it will be among the largest manufacturers of chemo-rated nitrile exam gloves in America- if not the largest.
  • More information on the new lightweight gloves and SafeSource Direct's other American-made PPE can be found at safesourcedirect.com/our-products.

The Global N95 Respirators Market is expected to grow by $415.31 million during 2023-2027, accelerating at a CAGR of 6.1% during the forecast period

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, November 22, 2022

Key Points: 
  • This study identifies the growing advances in N95 respirators as one of the prime reasons driving the n95 respirators market growth during the next few years.
  • Also, vendors boosting production capacity and increasing sales of N95 respirators through online platforms will lead to sizable demand in the market.
  • Our report on the N95 respirators market covers the following areas:
    This robust vendor analysis is designed to help clients improve their market position.
  • Ltd. Also, the N95 respirators market analysis report includes information on upcoming trends and challenges that will influence market growth.

FDA Clearance Clears Way for American-Made PPE

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, November 17, 2022

BROUSSARD, La., Nov. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SafeSource Direct, LLC, the maker of high-quality, American-made personal protective equipment (PPE), announced today that its chemo-rated nitrile exam gloves have received FDA 510(k) clearance. The determination follows extensive testing and clears the way for the gloves to be used in healthcare.

Key Points: 
  • BROUSSARD, La., Nov. 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- SafeSource Direct, LLC , the maker of high-quality, American-made personal protective equipment (PPE), announced today that itschemo-rated nitrile exam gloves have received FDA 510(k) clearance .
  • The determination follows extensive testing and clears the way for the gloves to be used in healthcare.
  • In addition to gloves, SafeSource Direct produces Level 1 and 3 surgical ear loop and surgical tie masks and standard three-ply Level 1 and 3 procedure masks, which received FDA 510(k) clearance in May.
  • Positioned near the Mississippi River, rail lines, and interstate highways, it is well positioned to distribute PPE to the nation.

The Worldwide Disposable Masks Industry is Expected to Reach $31.3 Billion by 2030 - ResearchAndMarkets.com

Retrieved on: 
Friday, September 30, 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a sharp increase in demand for disposable masks as individuals strive to protect themselves from the disease.

Key Points: 
  • The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a sharp increase in demand for disposable masks as individuals strive to protect themselves from the disease.
  • Disposable Masks are devices that are designed to protect the wearer from inhaling harmful airborne particles, bacteria, and viruses.
  • The rise in the number of confirmed cases is expected to drive the demand for face masks in the region.
  • For the purpose of this report, the author have segmented the global Disposable Masks market according to Product Type, Distribution Channel, Application, and Region: