KANBERRA GEL: Clean Air Without Chemicals
E.L.
The hairs inside my nostrils twitched in anticipation, but they detected nothing. Nothing? Mold is a longtime foe aboard Land’s End, my 1935 wooden Crocker ketch. So when an old-fashioned print advertisement for mold-and-mildew assassin Kanberra Gel caught my eye, I perked up. It’ll never work, I fretted, glancing around the main saloon, gazing woefully at cushions and pillows I faithfully haul off the boat each fall and launder each winter. Now it was spring, and I’d dragged every sweet-smelling thing aboard again, but with fading optimism that by September, all would stay fresh as a daisy. But I learned that the polymer-based Kanberra includes tea tree oil, which attacks airborne mold spores and bacterial growth and actually breaks them down.
Note: Kanberra Gel isn’t a deodorizer. The proof that it’s working isn’t the scent of pine or lemon or fresh linen; it’s nothing but clean air. That’s the point, says product developer David Levesque. Levesque, who’s worked in indoor-filtration and air-purifier systems for clients ranging from the U.S. Navy to the healthcare and hospitality industries, devised the product after “drinking lots of rum on a hiking trip.” His first foray into the marine industry was via the megayacht market, and he struck a nerve. The product is available at coastal chandleries
and on line. Any sailor can relate to the rum-drinking bit, so I gave
it a go. Sold in self-dispensing jars ranging in volume from two to
eight ounces, the gel is easily distributed belowdecks. Eight ounces, enough for a boat of about 40 feet, lasts for two to three months, and that period can be extended with each reapplication. The verdict? After placing it in the saloon and shutting Land’s End up tight, I gleefully admit—it does work, and it keeps working. For more about this natural gel, log on to the product’s website www.kanberragel.com.
Fall is Beautiful...Fall Allergies are Painful
One in five people in the US has asthma or allergy symptoms which accounts for about 55% of the US population including both children and adults. Allergies rank 5th among chronic diseases in the US and are responsible for multiple ER visits and missed work or school. An allergy occurs when the body’s natural defense system overreacts to allergens like pollen, dust mites, animal dander, mold, latex and certain foods. Allergies and asthma symptoms may also be triggered by changes in the seasons and some sufferers may find that their symptoms are worse during one particular season. Pollen counts tend to be high during the fall in certain geographical locations and mold can develop in windy weather or in the fall. Some people may be susceptible to year-round allergies because of exposure to indoor molds. When you react to these allergens, you may experience a runny nose, coughing, itching, hives, headaches, red, itching, painful, burning or watery eyes or other symptoms. Most of these reactions are mild and tolerable but there are others that can make your life miserable and then a few others can be sudden and life-threatening. Some allergens may trigger asthma, a chronic respiratory problem that can cause wheezing, coughing and difficulty breathing. There is no cure for asthma and its symptoms can get worse at any time. There are also irritants like pollution, chemicals including fragrance, and smoke that can negatively affect your airways and cause these symptoms which can last for weeks or even months.
There is no cure for allergies or asthma but you can devise a plan that can help avoid triggers and manage, control or reduce your symptoms so you can live a productive, active and healthy life. Triggers are the irritants and allergens that make your symptoms feel worse and intolerable. Below is a list of things you can do to avoid triggers and to manage symptoms:
- Avoid stressful situations as much as possible. Try some relaxation techniques and other stress busting activities.
- Exercise indoors in cold weather and when pollution is high. Consider changing your exercise routine when your symptoms are not well-controlled.
- Maintain a clean and dry home environment. Clean air filters or replace them at least once a year and clean heating vents before turning the heat on for the first time. If you have carpeting, have it professionally cleaned at least every 12 months. Use a vacuum cleaner that has a high quality filter. Wear a mask when cleaning, dusting or using cleaning agents with strong scents. Use a damp mop for dusting. Make sure you don’t have any water leaks. Have someone else clean areas of your house where mold growth may be a problem.
- Avoid cleaning products with irritating ingredients or chemicals like deodorizers or perfumes.
- Avoid using humidifiers to prevent growth of mold. Use a dehumidifier during humid weather.
- Use feather-free bedding or mite-proof covers. Wash them frequently using hot water.
- If you have a pet, keep it out of your bedroom or out of your house or your car. Bathe your pet at least every two weeks and wash your hands frequently. Use an air purifier with a HEPA filter in your bedroom.
- Wash your hands often. Wash off and change your clothes after being outdoors.
- Avoid cigarette smoke. If you smoke, quit. Don’t allow others to smoke in your home or car.
- Consider using air purifying and deodorizing products with natural ingredients.
- Remove clothes from the washer and dry them immediately.
