Capsaicin is a colorless and odorless compound found in chili peppers, which creates a burning sensation in any tissue that it contacts. Capsaicin is produced in the fleshy parts of the pepper and is used in topical ointments, creams, and dermal patches to relieve pain. It is also the active ingredient in pepper spray, as it is an irritant to the eyes and lungs. In large quantities, capsaicin is toxic, causing difficulty in breathing and leading to convulsions. The quantity needed to kill an adult makes the risk of accidental poisoning by...
Blossoms lift our spirit, relieve the dreariness of late winter and, unfortunately, trigger allergies. Sufferers glare through watery eyes at pink-swathed cherry trees or the white masses of phlox blossoms, but these showy, hig...
Usually shortened to "phosphoric acid," orthophosphoric acid appears in clear liquid form or as crystals that dissolve in water and in alcohol. The substance, which does not have an odor, is acidic enough to corrode metals, por...
Biting into a spicy pepper in a chili or curry dish can be an exhilarating and occasionally painful experience. The chemical compound capsaicin --- and the chemically similar dihydrocapsaicin and nordihydrocapsaicin --- cause t...
These costs are part of the indirect contributors to your carbon footprint. From the resources and energy needed to raise livestock to the fuel needed to transport them to market, every purchase you make has an environmental co...
This combination is often used to create a solid protective barrier in the ground. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, slurry walls are consistent and safe to shield the health of the population and the environment.
Manual muscle testing is used to measure variations of muscle weakness that results from a disease, disuse or injury. Assessment and data recording obtained provides a measuring tool for planning therapeutic care. Periodic rete...
Environmental health safety involves monitoring the relationship between the health of humans and the environment, including the indoor environment. Government agencies take the lead role in monitoring and enforcing environment...
Poor indoor air quality represents one of the top five public health risks, according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Science. With the average person spending about 90 percent of his time indoors, taking step...
Climate control continues to be important in industry and small business alike, as well as in creating a relaxing environment in private residences. Using capacitive or resistive relative humidity sensors is one way to achieve ...
A vegan is someone who chooses to avoid consuming or using animal products for a variety of reasons that often include ethical, environmental and health factors. Vegetarians do not consume meat, fish or poultry products. In add...
Birch trees are among most of the common types of trees in the United States, as there are different types of species. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, birch trees thrive in the Northeast and Midwestern...
Municipal solid waste refers to the garbage that people produce daily. Some of these wastes contain harmful materials that have adverse effects on the environment and human health. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency advis...
Playgrounds must have soft mats or material that will cushion these falls and allow the child to fall with a minimum of discomfort. Improper surfacing can increase the chance of serious injury, as well as contribute to potentia...
The term radiation refers to energy that exists in the form of an electromagnetic wave, which is one of the fundamental forces of the universe. Therefore, radiation is a natural part of the world. Most people who come into cont...
Waste that is not completely broken down can carry coliform bacteria, or e coli, into the water system where it is hazardous to human health. Alternatives to traditional septic systems offer disposal of human waste in a safe, a...
Ozone located 10 to 30 miles above the Earth's surface is the so-called good ozone that protects the planet from ultraviolet radiation from the sun. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), ground-level ozon...
Despite their advantages for storing dinner leftovers and other food items, such plastic food containers can present several dangers. These dangers and risks run a wide gamut ranging from health risks to you and your family, to...
Longline fishing is a technique usually employed to fish for tuna, swordfish and sharks. A single central fishing line that might range from one to 60 miles long is strung with hooked and baited lines about 6 yards long, which ...
As civilization progresses and grows, so does the amount of waste produced. Unfortunately, much of this waste can contain harmful disease-causing substances, such as bacteria, fungi and viruses, which can be transmitted to huma...
Tires are space hogs in landfills, and many states either will not accept them for disposal or will charge fees to accept them at landfills. Dumping your tires is not a good option, advises the U.S. Environmental Protection Age...
The pesticide can specifically target a pest such as a fungicide for fungal conditions or it may be broad-based to act on anything to which it is applied. Fertilizers enhance soil quality by adding nutrients that may be lacking...
Despite the widespread use of sunscreen however, more than one million new cases of skin cancer are reported each year according to the Environmental Working Group, or EWG. Not only are some popular sun blocks considered ineffe...
Solar energy is an icon of renewable, environmentally friendly energy generation. Although solar panels during use produce no emissions and deplete no non-renewable fuels, they do have an environmental impact that should be co...
Lead-based paint is common in older homes, especially ones built before 1978, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. An extremely toxic metal, lead causes a variety of health issues, to which children 6 and younger a...
While most forms of algae are merely a nuisance, some are toxic. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), harmful algal blooms are increasing in number each year and could pose a significant health ris...
Most children spend the first two or three years of their lives wearing nappies, or diapers as they are commonly known. Cloth diapers are gaining popularity, with both environmental and health benefits, but disposable diapers a...
Occupations in the environmental and occupational health industry can be varied, but they all serve a common purpose: to ensure that companies, workplaces and all public locations are monitored and maintained so that they do no...
The U.S. General Services Administration defines sustainable or green design as reducing "negative impacts on the environment, and the health and comfort of building occupants, thereby improving building performance."
HVAC cleaning by a certified professional is not cheap---the National Air Duct Cleaners Association, or NADCA, estimates several hundreds of dollars---but it may pay off in the long run. Cleaning an HVAC system provides you wit...
