Allergy sufferers have immune systems that mean well, but are a little over-reactive, releasing chemicals like histamine to get rid of normally harmless substances called allergens. Histamine triggers the body to push the allergens out, using your nose, eyes, and mouth as exit routes, which creates inflammation and general allergy-related symptoms in the process. If […]
Allergen – A substance that induces a specific immunological response that may lead to allergic disease. Allergist – A physician specializing in treating allergies. Allergy – Symptoms induced by exposure to an allergen to which previous sensitization has occurred. Antibody – An antibody is a protein (also called an immunoglobulin) that is manufactured by lymphocytes […]
Mold is the common name of many types of fungi and funguslike protists; the fuzzy growths these organisms form are also called molds. The growths consist of numerous individual molds growing in colonies. Some molds are saprophytes; they live on dead organisms such as decaying plants or animals and on nonliving organic substances such as […]
Many people may be unaware of how asthma can be triggered on days with high levels of pollution. Part 7 of our series takes a closer look into this potential problem. [wpvideo ueAS888M]
Jobsites where workers mine, handle or process asbestos often contaminate the outside air with airborne fibers. As a result, people in nearby communities may face environmental exposures that increase the risk for serious health complications.A 2009 study tested the effects of environmental exposure in a population living near an asbestos manufacturing plant. The study examined […]
Almost all fires produce char, ash or soots in varying amounts. Char consists of irregular shaped fragments of combusted material that are greater than one micron in size. A trained microscopist is able to identify char using a light microscope, and differing fuel sources will produce char particles with different morphologies. The IESO standard focuses […]