Researchers have discovered a link between air pollution, food delivery and plastic waste. Sorapop / iStock / Getty Images Plus
Researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) have discovered a link between air pollution, food delivery and plastic waste.
<p>In a study published in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-020-00961-1" target="_blank">Nature Human Behavior</a>, the researchers found that the more polluted air outside is, the more likely office employees are to use food delivery services. This, in turn, increases the waste produced from single-use food packaging and <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/plastic-bags" target="_self">bags</a>.</p><p>"While we see more research on the impact plastic pollution is having on the natural environment, there has been less work trying to understand the human behaviour that drives plastic pollution," Alberto Salvo, one of the study's authors, said in an <a href="https://news.nus.edu.sg/research/air-pollution-drives-food-delivery-consumption-and-plastic-waste" target="_blank">NUS news release</a>. "This is where our study seeks to contribute – finding a strong causal link between air pollution and plastic waste through the demand for food delivery."</p>
<p>The study surveyed the lunch choices of 251 office workers for 11 workdays each in three Chinese cities known for having levels of smog – Beijing, Shenyang and Shijiazhuang, the release explained. They also looked at data from an online food delivery platform with over 350,000 users. By comparing both datasets with air pollution data during the lunch hour, NUS researchers found that employees were 43% more likely to order food delivery when there was a 100 μg m–3 increase in particulate matter pollution (PM2.5), <a href="https://www.ibtimes.com/how-air-pollution-can-increase-food-deliveries-plastic-waste-3065010" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">International Business Times (IBT)</a> reported. By contrast, the general public was 7.2% more likely to use food delivery services with the same increase in air pollution.</p>
<p>PM is the most common indicator for air pollution, and includes nitrates, ammonia, sulfate, mineral dust and black carbon, the news report explained. According to the <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ambient-(outdoor)-air-quality-and-health" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">World Health Organization (WHO)</a>, PM affects more people than any other pollutant, and PM2.5, or fine particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, can penetrate the lung barrier and enter the blood system. Chronic exposure to particles contributes to the development of <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/air-pollution-deaths-study-2648424420.html" target="_self">cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and lung cancer</a>, the WHO said.</p><p>During the lunchtime periods surveyed by NUS researchers, PM2.5 levels were often well above the 24-hour U.S. National Ambient Air Quality Standard of 35 μg/m³, making pollution highly visible, the NUS release said.</p><p>"Faced with smog or haze outside, a typical office worker at lunchtime can avoid exposure only by ordering food to be delivered to his or her doorstep," said NUS researcher Chu Junhong in the NUS release.</p>
<p>Chu also explained in the release why air pollution seemed to have a smaller impact on food delivery in the general public than in workers, because people try to avoid the outdoors on a polluted day by using a home kitchen or eating at a cafeteria within their office building.</p><p>In a second part of the study, office workers submitted photos of their lunches, which researchers used to quantify the amount of disposable plastic in different dining choices, explained an <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7M8AFvBEoE" target="_blank">NUS Business School video</a>.</p><p>Not surprisingly, researchers found that delivered meals used more plastic than meals eaten in restaurants. The average delivered meal used an average of 2.8 single-use plastic items or an estimated 54 grams of plastic, the video explained. By comparison, the average restaurant meal used an average of 6.6 grams of plastic, usually in the form of chopstick sleeves or bottles.</p>
<p>COVID-19 has <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/coronavirus-plastic-use-2645882816.html" target="_self">exacerbated the problem</a> by increasing the demand for delivered meals, which are usually packaged in plastic, the video explained.</p><p>According to the research, if all of China were exposed to a 100 μg/m³ PM2.5 increase in air pollution, the same as Beijing regularly experiences, 2.5 million more meals would be delivered daily, creating a total of five million more plastic food containers and plastic bags, reported <a href="https://www.sciencetimes.com/articles/27790/20201020/air-pollution-causes-people-choose-food-delivery-services-resulting-plastic.htm" target="_blank">Science Times</a>.</p><p>NUS Researcher Liu Haoming said, "Individuals protect themselves from – and show their distaste for – air pollution by ordering food delivery which often comes in plastic packaging," in the NUS release.</p><p>IBT concluded that the study shows how people inadvertently contribute to the increasing plastic waste issues because they are trying to avoid air pollution. Liu added in the NUS release that the study makes it evident that "air pollution control can reduce plastic waste."</p><p>The findings could apply to other polluted developing nation-cities, such as Bangladesh, India, Indonesia and Vietnam, he said in the release.</p>
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One report in spring 2020 found that 38% of students at four-year universities were food-insecure. Frederic J. Brown / AFP / Getty Images
By Matthew J. Landry and Heather Eicher-Miller
When university presidents were surveyed in spring of 2020 about what they felt were the most pressing concerns of COVID-19, college students going hungry didn't rank very high.
<p>Just <a href="https://www.acenet.edu/Research-Insights/Pages/Senior-Leaders/College-and-University-Presidents-Respond-to-COVID-19-April-2020.aspx" target="_blank">14% of the presidents</a> listed food or housing insecurity among their top five concerns.</p><p>Granted, these academic leaders had plenty of other things to worry about. Some 86% said they were worried about fall enrollment – a concern that has shown itself to be a legitimate one, especially in light of the fact that low-income students have been dropping out of college at what one headline described as "<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/09/16/college-enrollment-down/" target="_blank">alarming rates</a>."</p><p>As <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=AfhawtoAAAAJ&view_op=list_works&sortby=pubdate" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">researchers who specialize</a> in the study of <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=2ujk8c8AAAAJ&view_op=list_works&sortby=pubdate" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">food insecurity</a>, we see the dropout rate as being related to a host of underlying issues. And not having enough to eat is one of them.</p><p>Data support this view. The signs of this growing problem - known as <a href="https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-us/definitions-of-food-security/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">food insecurity</a> – began to emerge when the COVID-19 epidemic was beginning to take its toll.</p><p><a href="https://hope4college.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Hopecenter_RealCollegeDuringthePandemic.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">One spring 2020 report</a> found that 38% of students at four-year universities were food-insecure in the previous 30 days. That was up 5 percentage points from <a href="https://hope4college.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">33% in the fall of 2019</a>.</p><p>College students, clearly, warrant special attention as a group. These rates of food insecurity are more than three times the rate of that in all U.S. households, which was <a href="https://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/pub-details/?pubid=99281" target="_blank">estimated to be 10.5%</a> in 2019.</p><p>Historically, estimates of food insecurity among college students have ranged from 10% to 75%, according to 50 studies from U.S. academic institutions carried out from 2009 to <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/advances/nmz111" target="_blank">before the COVID-19 pandemic</a>.</p>
Why It Matters
<p>This is not just a matter of growling stomachs. This is a straight-up education and health issue.</p><p>When students don't really know if they'll be able to get enough to eat, it can lead to a series of problems that make it harder to stay in school. For instance, it can affect <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177%2F1359105318783028" target="_blank">academic performance</a> and <a href="https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-019-6943-6" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">sleep quality</a>. It can also lead to <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105318783028" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">poor mental and physical health</a> outcomes for college students.</p><p>Food insecurity can also result in disrupted eating patterns if there is <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6627945/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">not enough food or the variety</a> or <a href="https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-019-6943-6" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">quality of what someone eats</a> is low.</p>Campus Food Pantries
<p>Previous strategies by <a href="https://www.gao.gov/assets/700/696254.pdf" target="_blank">colleges and universities</a> to fight hunger in their student bodies have varied widely. They include campus food pantries, emergency cash assistance and nutrition education through noncredit classes or workshopse.</p><p>These strategies were put to the test during the spring 2020 semester, when nearly <a href="https://hope4college.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Hopecenter_RealCollegeDuringthePandemic.pdf" target="_blank">three in five students</a> said they had trouble meeting their own basic needs during the pandemic.</p><p>College food pantries saw <a href="https://www.utrgv.edu/newsroom/2020/05/01-utrgv-student-food-pantry-seeing-recent-increase-in-demand-during-covid-19.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">big increases</a> in demand. Others said they <a href="https://www.theprospectordaily.com/2020/09/22/uteps-food-pantry-is-running-out-of-food/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">were getting less donated food</a>. This made it even harder to meet the rising food needs of students.</p><p>Campus food pantries largely rely on local or regional food banks, which have been dealing with <a href="https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/2020/10/04/indiana-food-banks-call-more-food-stamps-meet-publics-need/3523683001/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">greater demand</a> than they are able to meet during the pandemic.</p><p>The many students who are attending college remotely will, of course, have less access to campus resources like food pantries.</p>Federal Help
<p>Other potential ways to get more food are government programs like the <a href="https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/recipient/eligibility" target="_blank">Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program</a>, known as SNAP. Yet the majority of able-bodied students are not eligible. Long-standing restrictions, like the <a href="https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/students" target="_blank">college SNAP rule</a>, prevent full-time students from receiving these benefits.</p><p>Such regulatory hurdles were created under the assumption that most students can rely on their parents to get enough to eat. However, college students have vastly different levels of financial support. Some students can rely on their parents for everything and others cannot rely on their parents for anything.</p><p>Decreased reliance on parental financial support is <a href="https://ir.library.louisville.edu/jsfa/vol47/iss3/5/" target="_blank">especially common</a> for first-generation students and students of color, who now make up <a href="https://1xfsu31b52d33idlp13twtos-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Race-and-Ethnicity-in-Higher-Education.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">45% of enrolled college students</a>.</p><p>Under normal circumstances, many college students might rely on part-time jobs to pay for their food.</p><p>Two-thirds of the students who were employed before the pandemic said that job insecurity was a problem for them, according to the Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice <a href="https://hope4college.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/HOPE_realcollege_National_report_digital.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">#RealCollege survey</a>. As the number of <a href="https://www.bls.gov/news.release/youth.nr0.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">jobless young Americans</a> remains elevated, unemployment and underemployment remain a problem.</p><p>Jobless students face a potential double threat of less money for food and unemployment benefits cutting off their access to SNAP because the program <a href="https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/students" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">requires most students to work</a> at least part time.</p><p>Attempts have been made at both the federal and state levels to meet the basic food needs of college students. Lawmakers have focused on temporarily suspending eligibility requirements or expanding the criteria for participating in nutrition assistance programs.</p><p><a href="https://www.jneb.org/article/S1499-4046(20)30511-X/fulltext#seccesectitle0005" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Seventeen bills</a> aiming to address food insecurity among college students were introduced to Congress during the 2019-2020 legislative session. However, these proposals failed to gain momentum, and the four COVID-19 stimulus bills to date have not addressed the hunger needs of college students. Notably, some students were ineligible to personally receive a <a href="https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus-tax-relief-and-economic-impact-payments" target="_blank">CARES Act stimulus relief payment</a> because they were claimed as dependents by their parents.</p>
Short-Term Solutions
<p>Universities and colleges can make it a priority to ensure students are aware of all available campus resources and services. They can also potentially help students apply for federal assistance benefits.</p><p>Campus food pantries are not a fully effective and efficacious solution for the scale of college food insecurity, but they can be a good interim solution to increase access to food for students.</p><p>Campuses without food pantries can start one, making use of resources the <a href="https://cufba.org/resources/" target="_blank">College and University Food Bank Alliance</a> provides. Schools with food pantries can try to get them to <a href="https://www.swipehunger.org/5campuspantry/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">reach more students</a>.</p><p>Universities and colleges can also lean on one another for support. The <a href="http://wp.auburn.edu/endchildhungeral/alabama-campus-coalition-for-basic-needs/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Alabama Campus Coalition for Basic Needs</a> is a great example of this. It brings together 10 universities across the state of Alabama collectively working to address student food insecurity.</p>From Your Site Articles
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Plain Naturals offers a wide variety of CBD products including oils, creams and gummies.
Plain Naturals is making waves in the CBD space with a new product line for retail customers looking for high potency CBD products at industry-low prices.
<p><a href="https://plainnaturals.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">PlainNaturals.com</a> manufactures 95% of their products in the USA and has been offering wholesale CBD oil, CBD isolate and other hemp products to retailers since 2019 and has recently launched their own high-potency, low price product line via their website <a href="https://plainnaturals.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener">PlainNaturals.com</a>. </p><p>Plain Naturals has CBD oil tinctures in 3 strengths: 1000mg, 1500mg and 5000mg, all in a 30ml or 1 fluid ounce bottle. <a href="https://plainnaturals.com/shop/ols/categories/cbd-oils" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">5000mg tinctures</a> typically sell for $225 or more per bottle. Plain Naturals offers a 5000mg tincture for just $99.99. The rest of their prices are also very low by industry standard. </p><p>They attribute this to their "no frills" approach to packaging and distributing their product. Rather than spend what many sellers do on packaging (up to $20 per bottle), Plain Naturals packages their product for less than $5 per bottle. The same philosophy is applied to their other products like <a href="https://plainnaturals.com/shop/ols/categories/cbd--hemp-creams--lotions" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener">CBD Creams</a> and CBD Gummies.</p>
Is More CBD Really Better?
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Coast Guard members work to clean an oil spill impacting Delaware beaches. U.S. Coast Guard District 5
Environmental officials and members of the U.S. Coast Guard are racing to clean up a mysterious oil spill that has spread to 11 miles of Delaware coastline.
<p>When the spill was first discovered Monday, it covered only three-fourths of a mile along Broadkill Beach, <a href="https://eu.delmarvanow.com/story/news/2020/10/21/delaware-bay-oil-spill-affects-wider-area-day-three/6004537002/" target="_blank">Delaware Now reported</a>. However, the tides have extended the reach of the <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/oil" target="_self">oil</a> every day, spreading it along seven miles of Delaware Bay coastline by Tuesday and 11 by Wednesday.</p><p>"We are focused on cleanup operations and getting the oil off our beaches and out of our coastal communities as quickly as possible," Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) Secretary Shawn Garvin said in a <a href="https://news.delaware.gov/2020/10/21/unified-command-incident-command-post-established-for-oil-cleanup-efforts-on-delaware-shore/" target="_blank">Wednesday press release</a>. "Expediency is key. We want to capture as much of the oil as we can before it disperses further and causes more environmental harm."</p>
<p>DNREC is working under unified command with the U.S. Coast Guard to clean the spill, which now extends from Fowler Beach, which borders the Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, to Cape Henlopen State Park. It was estimated initially that more than 215 gallons of oil had spilled, but the actual amount may be larger, <a href="https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2020/10/22/oil-spill-off-delaware-beach-appears-to-be-spreading/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CBS Philly reported</a>.</p>
<div id="d251e" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="7e03c3596cb3f2b3cf90bb8da0df1a82"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1318672504018317314" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">The oil line from the spill now extends approximately 11 miles from Fowler Beach bordering Prime Hook National Wild… https://t.co/c4TfENSvGw</div> — DNREC (@DNREC)<a href="https://twitter.com/YourDNREC/statuses/1318672504018317314">1603230999.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p>As of Tuesday, recovery efforts had removed around two tons of oily sand and debris, according to DNREC. There are currently more than 75 contractors, DNREC workers and Coast Guard members responding to the spill.</p>
<div id="2bfe2" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="96675d12f78afda6e8606f0fb7d1fe93"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1319010494993358849" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">Approximately two tons of oily sand and debris was removed from the affected areas as of 7 p.m., Tuesday. https://t.co/bdCxr8ZNda</div> — DNREC (@DNREC)<a href="https://twitter.com/YourDNREC/statuses/1319010494993358849">1603311582.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p>The oil has already impacted some <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/wildlife" target="_self">wildlife</a>. <a href="https://tristatebird.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research</a> had responded to reports of 24 seagulls covered in oil as of Wednesday.<br></p><p>The spill has mostly taken the form of oil patties that range in size from a quarter to a manhole cover, the <a href="https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSCG/bulletins/2a6cad4?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=twitter&utm_term=01335c08-da44-4982-a064-9551c1d7e263&utm_content=&utm_campaign=" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Coast Guard said Tuesday</a>.</p><p>Cape Henlopen park watch volunteer Julie McCall got a first-hand view of the strange black blobs when she was conducting a bird count on Beach Plum Island Monday.</p><p>"On the way back, after the tide had gone out quite a bit, I started seeing these bigger patches, and I thought, 'That looks like oil,'" McCall <a href="https://whyy.org/articles/seven-mile-oil-spill-fouls-delaware-coastline/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">told WHYY</a>. "Some were bigger than my foot."</p><p>The Coast Guard said it would use the blobs to try and determine the source of the spill.</p><p>"Working with our partners at DNREC and state agencies, we will continue to monitor the future potential to the Broadkill Beach area, continue cleanup operations and conduct an investigation to try and determine the source," Capt. Jonathan Theel, the commanding officer of Sector Delaware Bay, said in a press release.</p><p>However, officials think the oil is probably heavy fuel oil that leaked from a vessel, WHYY reported.</p><p>McCall said she was worried about how the oil would impact people and animals.</p><p>"It's very scary," she told WHYY. "Of course, we're always concerned about the marine animals, and any kind of toxic material in the water. I'm also concerned about <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/birds" target="_self">birds</a>, any kind of wildlife. A lot of people fish at Beach Plum Island and people walk their dogs and there are kids on the beach. So I'm concerned about exposure to people and animals."</p>
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What happened to all that plastic you've put in the recycling bin over the years? Halfpoint / Getty Images
By Dr. Kate Raynes-Goldie
Of all the plastic we've ever produced, only 9% has been recycled. So what happened to all that plastic you've put in the recycling bin over the years?
<p>Hands up if you grew up thinking that recycling plastic waste is key to saving the environment.</p><p>It turns out that for decades <a href="https://www.npr.org/2020/09/11/897692090/how-big-oil-misled-the-public-into-believing-plastic-would-be-recycled" target="_blank">the recyclability of plastics was grossly oversold</a> by the plastics industry.</p><p>The creation of this recycling "myth" is why, despite 30 years of being diligent recyclers, we have things like the <a href="https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/great-pacific-garbage-patch/" target="_blank">Great Pacific Garbage Patch</a>.</p><blockquote>In fact, we've only recycled 9% of <em>all</em> the plastics we've ever produced. And, our use of plastics is still increasing every year.</blockquote><p>The reality of the situation is that recycling plastics is actually really hard and expensive.</p>
Triangle of Mistruths
<p>The myth created around plastic recycling has been one of simplicity. We look for the familiar triangle arrows, then pop the waste in the recycling bin so it can be reused.</p><p>But the true purpose of those triangles has been misunderstood by the general public ever since their invention in the 1980s.</p><p>These triangles were actually created by the plastics industry and, according to a report provided to them in July 1993, <a href="https://www.npr.org/transcripts/912150085" target="_blank">were creating "unrealistic expectations"</a> about what could be recycled. But they decided to keep using the codes.</p><p>Which is why many people still believe that these triangular symbols (also known as a <a href="https://sustainablepackaging.org/101-resin-identification-codes/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">resin identifier code</a> or RIC) means something is recyclable.</p><p>But according to the American Society for Testing and Materials International (ASTM) – which controls the RIC system – the numbered triangles "<a href="https://www.astm.org/Standards/D7611.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">are not recycle codes</a>." In fact, they weren't created for the general public at all. They were made for the post-consumer plastic industry.</p><p>In other words, the symbols make it easier to sort the different types of plastics, some of which cannot be recycled – <a href="https://www.ecobin.com.au/understand-recycling-codes/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">depending on the recycling facility</a>.</p><p>"Unfortunately, just placing your plastic into the recycling bin doesn't mean it will get recycled," says Lara Camilla Pinho. She is an architect and lecturer at the UWA School of Design who is researching novel uses of plastic waste.</p><p>"The recycling system is complicated and often dictated by market demand. Not all plastic is recyclable. We cannot recycle plastic bags or straws for example."</p>Behind the Scenes
<p>So, what makes recycling plastics so difficult?</p><p>"Essentially, there are two types of plastics – thermoplastics and thermosets. While thermoplastics can be re-melted and re-molded, thermosets contain cross-linked polymers that cannot be separated meaning they cannot be recycled," says Lara.</p><p>"Even thermoplastics have a limit to the amount of times we can recycle them, as each time they are recycled they downgrade in quality."</p><p>Even when plastics are recyclable, it is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/oct/13/war-on-plastic-waste-faces-setback-as-cost-of-recycled-material-soars" target="_blank">often more costly</a> than simply making new plastics.</p>Sugar, Seaweed and Mushrooms
<p>If the conventional recycling system isn't working, what else can we do with all the plastic we've created?</p><p>Lara is looking for ways to add value to recycled plastics such as using it in the design and development of architectural products. She hopes to use these architectural products to help underserved communities that are disproportionately affected by plastic waste.</p><p>In addition to recycling, we also need to find ways to reduce our use of virgin petroleum-based plastics.</p><p>Bioplastic is one such product that has been getting a lot of hype over the last few years. And although they're better than petroleum-based plastics, bioplastics also come with their own <a href="https://phys.org/news/2017-12-truth-bioplastics.html" target="_blank">set of challenges</a>.</p><p>"There are already a lot of bio-based alternatives to plastic, such as bagasse – a byproduct of sugar cane processing," says Lara.</p><p><a href="https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/the-mycelium-revolution-is-upon-us/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mycelium</a>, a type of fungi we most often associate with mushrooms, are also providing an interesting plastic alternative.</p><p>"In the field of architecture, mycelium is starting to be used as an alternative to plastic insulation, but also as compostable packaging and bricks," says Lara.</p><p>"The bricks take around five days to make and are strong, durable, water resistant and compostable at the end of their use."</p><p><a href="https://www.arup.com/news-and-events/hyfi-reinvents-the-brick" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Hy-Fi Tower</a>, created by <a href="http://www.thelivingnewyork.com/living_about.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">The Living</a>, is an example of a building made from these bricks.</p><p>And finally, there's seaweed.</p><p>"[Seaweed is] cheap and can reproduce itself quickly without fertilizers. In architecture, there is use for seaweed as an alternative to plastic insulation but also as cladding," says Lara.</p>More Money, More Problems
<p>While all these alternatives are great, the main cause of our plastic dilemma is not scientific or technological, but economic.</p><p>As long as it remains <a href="https://engineering.mit.edu/engage/ask-an-engineer/why-is-it-cheaper-to-make-new-plastic-bottles-than-to-recycle-old-ones/" target="_blank">cheaper to create new plastics</a> from fossil fuels rather than from bioplastics or from recycling, we're going to be stuck with plastic garbage islands floating in our oceans.</p><p>The true cost to our health and our environment has yet to be included in the equation. But once it is, maybe that is when the real shift will happen.</p>From Your Site Articles
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Donald Trump and Joe Biden arrive onstage for the final presidential debate at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, on Oct. 22, 2020. JIM WATSON / AFP via Getty Images
Towards the end of the final presidential debate of the 2020 election season, the moderator asked both candidates how they would address both the climate crisis and job growth, leading to a nearly 12-minute discussion where Donald Trump did not acknowledge that the climate is changing and Joe Biden called the climate crisis an existential threat.
<p>In response to the question from moderator Kristen Welker, "How would you both combat climate change and support job growth?" Trump insisted that he loves the environment and wants clean air and water. He said that his administration has started to plant trees and there have been record drops in carbon emissions during his administration. </p><p>Trump then made a rambling remark about air pollution in India, China and Russia, before touting that he took the U.S. out of the <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/paris-agreement">Paris agreement</a>, giving a false version of what the Paris agreement requires of the U.S. and insisting that it would have sacrificed "tens of millions of jobs."</p>
<p><br></p><p>By contrast, Biden noted that the climate crisis and a warming planet are "an existential threat to humanity."</p><p>"We have a moral obligation to deal with it and we're told by all the leading scientists in the world we don't have much time," he said and then pointed out that scientists say we have 8 to 10 years to tackle the crisis before we pass the point of no return, as <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/10/22/climate-change-biden-trump-debate/" target="_blank">The Washington Post</a> reported.</p><p>He then went on to list infrastructure investments in charging stations to promote the use of electric cars, and retrofitting older buildings so they do not leak their heating and cooling. Biden said those upgrades will save millions of barrels of oil, help clean the environment and create more than 18 million jobs.</p>
<p><br></p><p>Trump, in his response, insisted that Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and three other female Democratic lawmakers "know nothing about the climate." Trump then claimed the plan would cost $100 trillion, even though Biden's website says his plan will cost $2 trillion.</p>
<p>Biden turned his attention to the support he has received from both environmental groups and labor unions.</p><p>The moderator then asked Trump why people of color, who are disproportionately affected by pollution since their communities are often up against oil refineries and chemical plants, should give him four more years in office.</p><p>"The families that we're talking about are employed heavily and they're making more money than they've ever made," Trump replied. He then went on to claim that he saved the oil industry.</p><p>Biden replied by talking about the effect of living next to a fence line and how important it is to keep people safe by imposing restrictions on pollution.</p><p>Trump then stopped Welker from asking her final question and asked Biden if he would close down the oil industry. Biden insisted he would stop federal subsidies of <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/fossil-fuels">fossil fuels</a> and usher in a transition to <a href="http://www.ecowatch.com/renewable-energy/">renewable energy</a>.</p><p>"We have to move towards a net zero emissions," Biden said.</p>
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What will happen to all these batteries once they wear out? Ronny Hartmann / AFP / Getty Images
By Zheng Chen and Darren H. S. Tan
As concern mounts over the impacts of climate change, many experts are calling for greater use of electricity as a substitute for fossil fuels. Powered by advancements in battery technology, the number of plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles on U.S. roads is increasing. And utilities are generating a growing share of their power from renewable fuels, supported by large-scale battery storage systems.
<p>These trends, coupled with a growing volume of battery-powered phones, watches, laptops, wearable devices and other consumer technologies, leave us wondering: What will happen to all these batteries once they wear out?</p><p>Despite overwhelming enthusiasm for cheaper, more powerful and energy-dense batteries, manufacturers have paid comparatively little attention to making these essential devices more sustainable. In the U.S. only about 5% of lithium-ion batteries – the technology of choice for electric vehicles and many high-tech products – <a href="https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2019/07/f64/112306-battery-recycling-brochure-June-2019%202-web150.pdf" target="_blank">are actually recycled</a>. As sales of electric vehicles and tech gadgets continue to grow, it is unclear who should handle hazardous battery waste or how to do it.</p><p>As engineers who work on <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=pPgKUOEAAAAJ&hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">designing advanced materials</a>, including <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=dD8UWYEAAAAJ&hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">batteries</a>, we believe it is important to think about these issues now. Creating pathways for battery manufacturers to build sustainable production-to-recycling manufacturing processes that meet both consumer and environmental standards can reduce the likelihood of a battery waste crisis in the coming decade.</p>
<span style="display:block;position:relative;padding-top:56.25%;" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="15499060d7b57be67100758264d9f877"><iframe lazy-loadable="true" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iFchfHH0qzg?rel=0" width="100%" height="auto" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;"></iframe></span>
Hazardous Contents
<p>Batteries pose more complex recycling and disposal challenges than metals, plastics and paper products because they contain many chemical components that are both toxic and difficult to separate.</p><p>Some types of widely used batteries – notably, lead-acid batteries in gasoline-powered cars – have relatively simple chemistries and designs that make them straightforward to recycle. The common nonrechargeable alkaline or water-based batteries that power devices like flashlights and smoke alarms can be disposed directly in landfills.</p><p>However, today's lithium-ion batteries are highly sophisticated and not designed for recyclability. They contain hazardous chemicals, such as toxic lithium salts and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/transition-metal" target="_blank">transition metals</a>, that can damage the environment and leach into water sources. Used lithium batteries also contain embedded electrochemical energy – a small amount of charge left over after they can no longer power devices – which can cause fires or explosions, or <a href="https://www.epw.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/e/5/e5530917-434d-451c-8a6b-c5cdfad1b5ec/EED12407A6BF7DE6C86A4B39C25CF6A4.greenberger-testimony-07.17.2019.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">harm people that handle them</a>.</p><div id="007de" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="34d57a5a359e141bcf74c9b1f66eae5f"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1026491976722468865" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">The dangers of disposing of lithium batteries improperly - Battery blamed for Guernsey recycling site blaze https://t.co/Xcs76DI520</div> — Daniel Kinsbursky (@Daniel Kinsbursky)<a href="https://twitter.com/kbirecycling/statuses/1026491976722468865">1533569733.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p>Moreover, manufacturers have little economic incentive to modify existing protocols to incorporate recycling-friendly designs. Today it <a href="https://www.epw.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/e/5/e5530917-434d-451c-8a6b-c5cdfad1b5ec/EED12407A6BF7DE6C86A4B39C25CF6A4.greenberger-testimony-07.17.2019.pdf" target="_blank">costs more to recycle</a> a lithium-ion battery than the recoverable materials inside it are worth.</p><p>As a result, responsibility for handling battery waste frequently falls to third-party recyclers – companies that make money from collecting and processing recyclables. Often it is cheaper for them to store batteries than to treat and recycle them.</p><p>Recycling technologies that can break down batteries, such as <a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/pyrometallurgy" target="_blank">pyrometallurgy</a>, or burning, and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/hydrometallurgy" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">hydrometallurgy</a>, or acid leaching, are becoming <a href="https://doi.org/10.1007/s41918-018-0012-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">more efficient and economical</a>. But the lack of proper battery recycling infrastructure creates roadblocks along the entire supply chain.</p><p>For example, transporting used batteries over long distances to recycling centers would typically be done by truck. Lithium batteries must be packaged and shipped according to the U.S. Department of Transportation's <a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=83659c6aca8187cdb60b38763b2ffbb8&node=se49.2.173_1185&rgn=div8" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Class 9 hazardous material regulations</a>. Using a <a href="https://www.anl.gov/egs/everbatt" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">model developed by Argonne National Laboratory</a>, we estimate that this requirement increases transport costs to more than 50 times that of regular cargo.</p>
Safer and Simpler
<p>While it will be challenging to bake recyclability into the existing manufacturing of conventional lithium-ion batteries, it is vital to develop sustainable practices for solid-state batteries, which are a next-generation technology expected to enter the market within this decade.</p><p>A solid-state battery replaces the flammable organic liquid electrolyte in lithium-ion batteries with a nonflammable inorganic solid electrolyte. This allows the battery to operate over a much wider temperature range and dramatically reduces the risk of fires or explosions. Our <a href="http://zhengchen.eng.ucsd.edu/" target="_blank">team of nanoengineers</a> is working to incorporate ease of recyclability into next-generation solid-state battery development before these batteries enter the market.</p><p>Conceptually, recycling-friendly batteries must be safe to handle and transport, simple to dismantle, cost-effective to manufacture and minimally harmful to the environment. After analyzing the options, we've chosen a combination of specific chemistries in next-generation all-solid-state batteries that <a href="https://doi.org/10.1557/mre.2020.25" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">meets these requirements</a>.</p><p>Our design strategy reduces the number of steps required to dismantle the battery, and avoids using combustion or harmful chemicals such as acids or toxic organic solvents. Instead, it employs only safe, low-cost materials such as alcohol and water-based recycling techniques. This approach is scalable and environmentally friendly. It dramatically simplifies conventional battery recycling processes and makes it safe to disassemble and handle the materials.</p><img lazy-loadable="true" src="https://assets.rebelmouse.io/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJpbWFnZSI6Imh0dHBzOi8vYXNzZXRzLnJibC5tcy8yNDU2NjkxOC9vcmlnaW4ucG5nIiwiZXhwaXJlc19hdCI6MTY1NDM3MjcyOX0.wyUKJaMauaSnDy5y2wkBWaI26DowukyA4vAk9MOLrI4/img.png?width=980" id="d54f2" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="f8a929e3797557d44277a9a62e6d715f" data-rm-shortcode-name="rebelmouse-image" />
A proposed procedure for recycling solid-state battery packs directly and harvesting their materials for reuse. Tan et al., 2020, CC BY
<p>Compared to recycling lithium-ion batteries, recycling solid-state batteries is intrinsically safer since they're made entirely of nonflammable components. Moreover, in our proposed design the entire battery can be recycled directly without separating it into individual components. This feature dramatically reduces the complexity and cost of recycling them.</p><p>Our design is a proof-of-concept technology developed at the laboratory scale. It is ultimately up to private companies and public institutions, such as national laboratories or state-run waste facilities, to apply these recycling principles on an industrial scale.</p>
Rules for Battery Recycling
<p>Developing an easy-to-recycle battery is just one step. Many challenges associated with battery recycling stem from the complex logistics of handling them. Creating facilities, regulations and practices for collecting batteries is just as important as developing better recycling technologies. China, South Korea and the European Union are <a href="https://www.epw.senate.gov/public/_cache/files/d/c/dc43cdc9-ef56-4f8c-b442-d325aa8acf72/D775B276380B37ABF9A49BFD581DD1A5.sanders-testimony-07.17.2019.pdf" target="_blank">already developing battery recycling systems and mandates</a>.</p><p>One useful step would be for governments to require that batteries carry universal tags, similar to the internationally recognized standard labels used for plastics and metals recycling. These could help to educate consumers and waste collectors about how to handle different types of used batteries.</p><p>Markings could take the form of an electronic tag printed on battery labels with embedded information, such as chemistry type, age and manufacturer. Making this data readily available would facilitate automated sorting of large volumes of batteries at waste facilities.</p><p>It is also vital to improve international enforcement of recycling policies. Most battery waste is not generated where the batteries were originally produced, which makes it hard to hold manufacturers responsible for handling it.</p><p>Such an undertaking would require manufacturers and regulatory agencies to work together on newer recycling-friendly designs and better collection infrastructure. By confronting these challenges now, we believe it is possible to avoid or reduce the harmful effects of battery waste in the future.</p>
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Eastern box turtles are among South Carolina's native amphibians and reptiles that will be officially protected from illegal trade. Jim Lynch, National Park Service / Wikimedia Commons / CC by 2.0
South Carolina has officially ended the illegal turtle trade. On Wednesday, Governor Henry McMaster signed a bill protecting native turtles, along with amphibians and reptiles. The ceremonial signing took place at Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, S.C., WTLX in Columbia reported.
<p>"This Native Reptiles and Amphibians bill, known as the 'Turtle Bill,' is a great one, because we discovered over the years that people were taking our wildlife elsewhere — smuggling them out, smuggling in non-native species, and we had some tools to deal with it but not enough," McMaster told WTLX. "But our legislators in the House and the Senate stepped up, recognized we needed to do this, and so they've done it; and they've made us just a little bit better, a little bit stronger, a little bit better place to live, work, and raise a family."</p><p>The bill is a hit with wildlife advocates who say that prior to its passing, South Carolina law allowed unregulated trapping and selling of several turtle species, <a href="https://www.postandcourier.com/news/mcmaster-signs-bill-to-protect-native-turtles-from-commercial-trade-and-poaching/article_d14bc17a-1482-11eb-8c1a-d786a94f0390.html" target="_blank">The Post and Courier</a> reported, including striped mud, eastern mud and eastern musk turtles. Now, poachers will no longer be able to "trap, sell, ship or remove native reptile and amphibian species from the state," the The Post and Courier added. This includes animal parts and eggs.</p><p>"We're thrilled that South Carolina has taken this meaningful step to protect its native turtles," Elise Bennett, an attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity said in a <a href="https://biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press-releases/south-carolina-governor-signs-bill-protect-wild-turtles-poaching-trade-2020-10-22/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">statement</a>. "This law will raise the state out of a morass of turtle trafficking and make it a safe haven for wild turtles. Finally South Carolina's native turtles get a fighting chance."</p>
<p>Bennett added that South Carolina's turtles are often caught and exported to other countries, destined to be food or pets. She told The Post and Courier that wild turtles are critical for maintaining local ecosystems. "Their eggs feed many animals on land," Bennett said. </p><p>"They're kind of like the cleanup crew, especially things like snapping turtles and larger turtles," Rick Hudson, president of the Turtle Survival Alliance based in Charleston, S.C, told The Post and Courier. "If there's dead fish and dead turtles and dead animals in the water, these animals clean it up."</p><p>The law also outlaws introducing non-native, invasive species into South Carolina's wetlands, and limits the number of native turtles people can own, The Post and Courier reported. According to <a href="https://abcnews4.com/news/local/gov-mcmaster-signs-law-to-protect-reptiles-amphibians-against-illegal-trading" target="_blank">WCIV</a>, people can own up to 10 native turtles, with some exceptions: the limit is two for Eastern box turtles and diamondback terrapins. People who already own more than 10 are exempt from the new law if they register and receive a permit, WTLX reported.</p><p>"South Carolina has long been targeted as a source for wild collected reptiles and amphibians and a center for illegal wildlife trading," South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Director Robert Boyles told WCIV. "This law is an important conservation achievement that protects South Carolina's native turtles and other reptiles and amphibians. We are grateful for the support of our General Assembly, stakeholders, and the conservation community in helping to ensure a future where these species can thrive."</p>
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Tesla has more than doubled its third-quarter profits, delivering a record number of electric automobiles despite the pandemic. Tesla
By Kristie Pladson
U.S. electric carmaker Tesla has more than doubled its third-quarter profits, the company has announced, delivering a record number of electric automobiles amid a pandemic that has crippled fellow automakers.
<p>In a letter to investors, the company said it delivered 139,300 vehicles in the third quarter, a new quarterly record. It aims to have produced and delivered 500,000 cars by the end of the year.</p><p>Net profits in the third quarter reached $331 million, more than twice the $143 million posted at the same time a year earlier. Revenue went up nearly 40% to $8.7 billion, exceeding analysts' expectations.</p><p>The value of Tesla shares — which have increased fivefold since the beginning of the year — were up 4.3% to $440.81 in extended trading, news agency Reuters reported. </p><p>This marks the fifth straight quarter of profits for the company. As of September, Tesla reported making $451 million in 2020 and seems on course to post its first annual profit.</p>
CO2 Offset Sales Still Key
<p>An uptick in demand abroad countered a drop in US car sales of nearly 10% over the last year; global deliveries increased 44% in the third quarter.</p><p>But Tesla still partly owes its success to competitor carmakers: as in past quarters, the electric car company's profits relied on the sale of CO2 credits to fellow carmakers, which allow them to offset their emissions and reach government climate targets. Valuing $331 million in the third quarter, Tesla would not have been profitable otherwise. </p>Competition Heats Up
<p>While traditional automakers are suffering in a global economy marked by a pandemic, Tesla is no longer alone in its electric ambitions.</p><p>"The company is still incredibly highly rated, as if it were working in a vacuum. But the competitors are working like mad to catch up," said analyst Craig Irwin of Roth Capital Partners, pointing to hundreds of new battery-powered vehicles that are expected to be released by 2024.</p><p>Volkswagen group is investing over €40 billion ($47 billion) into developing an electric car portfolio, and other competitors have announced similar initiatives.</p><p>"With more electric vehicle launches on the horizon, Tesla has a big red target on its back," said Jessica Caldwell, executive director of insights for the Edmunds.com auto website.</p><p>In its letter, Tesla admitted that reaching its production targets "has become more difficult" and it will rely on of its Model Y small SUV as well as greater activity at its China plant.</p>
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AOC Joins Jane Fonda for Fire Drill Friday on Importance of November Victory for Earth
23 October
Politics
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez joins actor and activist Jane Fonda to discuss early voting, "real climate leadership," and the Green New Deal. Fire Drill Fridays
By Andrea Germanos
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Friday will be the latest "fireside" chat guest to join actor and activist Jane Fonda, whose Fire Drill Fridays campaign—which has resulted in the arrests of fellow notable actors—has boosted demands for urgent action to rein in the climate emergency.
<p>The team behind Friday Drill Fridays sent an email to supporters on Thursday promoting the conversation, describing the New York Democrat as "clearly prepared to fight for and stand with working people no matter what" and saying she'd provide "insightful perspective" during the chat.</p><p>Fonda and Ocasio-Cortez's <a href="https://greenpeace.zoom.us/webinar/register/3016028606071/WN_OYvyfV5fQnSH4iSJFLFr8Q" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">talk</a> is slated to cover a range of topics including early voting, "real climate leadership," and the Green New Deal—the resolution Ocasio-Cortez <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/02/07/major-party-backing-ocasio-cortez-and-markey-unveil-green-new-deal-outlining-wwii" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">introduced</a> last year with Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.).</p><p>"This is one of our most important calls in the lead-up to Election Day, and we want to come out on the other side of November 3 celebrating—and with no regrets," the email, signed by Fonda and the Fire Drill Fridays team at Greenpeace, said. "We know this election is absolutely critical for the political fight ahead for a Green New Deal and just recovery from Covid-19, and we're ready to fight for this win."</p>
<div id="7bafb" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="1669c4d28a3e920d9e21791ea6f8a469"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1318584259825848321" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">🔥FRIDAY🔥 @JaneFonda, @GreenpeaceUSA, and @FireDrillFriday are thrilled to be joined by Rep. @AOC for a critical con… https://t.co/omILPXRe9W</div> — Fire Drill Fridays (@Fire Drill Fridays)<a href="https://twitter.com/FireDrillFriday/statuses/1318584259825848321">1603209960.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p>The conversation is scheduled to take place Friday, October 23 at 2 pm ET.</p><p>Eighty-two year old Fonda, a longtime environmentalist and veteran activist, kicked off Fire Drill Fridays in October last year with a focus on three demands: a Green New Deal, an end to fossil fuels, and a just transition to a renewable energy-based economy.</p><p>The weekly campaign featured Thursday night teach-ins—each with a different climate focus and speaker or speakers—ahead of Friday rallies and protests on the steps of the Capitol building in Washington, D.C.—a place organizers <a href="https://firedrillfridays.com/about/%20" target="_blank">framed</a> as "the epicenter of the fight for our climate." The acts of civil disobedience resulted in multiple arrests, including of Fonda herself and her "Frankie and Grace" co-star Lily Tomlin.</p><p>Now forced to a largely digital format in light of the coronavirus pandemic, Fire Drill Fridays has kept up the momentum, with recent fireside Fire Drill guests including Juan Parras, founder and director of<a href="https://www.tejasbarrios.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> TEJAS</a>, and youth climate leader Jamie Margolin, also founder and co-executive director of <a href="http://thisiszerohour.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Zero Hour</a>.</p><p>Fonda is also out with a new memoir, <a href="https://www.marieclaire.com/politics/a33915820/jane-fonda-what-can-i-do-excerpt/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><em>What Can I Do?: My Path from Climate Despair to Action</em></a>.</p>
<p><em>Reposted with permission from <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/10/22/aoc-join-jane-fonda-fire-drill-friday-focused-planetary-imperative-november-victory" target="_blank">Common Dreams</a>.</em></p>From Your Site Articles
- Jane Fonda Arrested During Climate Protest on US Capitol Hill Steps ›
- Ted Danson Joins Jane Fonda at Climate Crisis Protest. Both Are ... ›
- How Jane Fonda, in Her 80s, Has Turned to Climate Activism ... ›
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We pet owners know how much you love your pooch. It's your best friend. It gives you pure happiness and comfort when you're together. But there are times that dogs can be very challenging, especially if they are suffering from a certain ailment. As a dog owner, all you want to do is ease whatever pain or discomfort your best friend is feeling.
<p>Like us pet owners, dogs can have a variety of ailments like chronic pain, bowel disease, inflammation, anxiety, and many others. Along with that, there can be many treatment options that you can choose from, one of which is the use of CBD oil or products.</p><p>The use of CBD oil for dogs has been recently a hot topic due to much anecdotal evidence that reveals how much of a miracle CBD oil products can be for dogs. Although it is not a cure to all, it's still amazing to look at the many angles on how the best CBD oil for dogs can help with any typical dog ailment. Let's find out below, including the best products that we have reviewed.</p>
<h3>Editor's Choice</h3><p><a href="https://jglobalhealth.org/product/ecowatch-dog-oil-honestpaws/?s1=ecowatch-cbd-dogs" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Honest Paws CBD For Dogs</a></p><ul><li>Outstanding Quality</li><li>Tested by Third Party</li><li>Organic Ingredients</li></ul>
<h2>Top 10 Best CBD Oil for Dogs 2020</h2><ol><li><a href="https://jglobalhealth.org/product/ecowatch-dog-oil-honestpaws/?s1=ecowatch-cbd-dogs" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Honest Paws Dog Oil</a> - Top Pick</li><li><a href="https://jglobalhealth.org/product/ecowatch-dog-treat-honestpaws/?s1=ecowatch-cbd-dogs" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Honest Paws CBD Dog Treats</a> - Best Treats</li><li><a href="https://jglobalhealth.org/product/ecowatch-dog-oil-spruce/?subid=ecowatch-cbd-dogs" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Spruce CBD</a> - Best Subscription</li><li><a href="https://jglobalhealth.org/product/ecowatch-dog-oil-pure/?subid=ecowatch-cbd-dogs" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CBD Pure</a> - Most Affordable</li><li><a href="https://jglobalhealth.org/product/ecowatch-dog-oil-cbdfx/?source=ecowatch-cbd-dogs" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CBDfx</a> - Most Potent</li><li><a href="https://jglobalhealth.org/product/ecowatch-dog-oil-joy/?source=ecowatch-cbd-dogs" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Joy Organics</a> - THC-Free</li><li><a href="https://jglobalhealth.org/product/ecowatch-dog-oil-med/?source=ecowatch-cbd-dogs" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Medterra</a> - Best Variety</li><li><a href="https://jglobalhealth.org/product/ecowatch-dog-oil-petly/?source=ecowatch-cbd-dogs" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Petly CBD Oil</a> - Best Organic</li><li><a href="https://jglobalhealth.org/product/ecowatch-dog-oil-americanshaman/?source=ecowatch-cbd-dogs" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CBD American Shaman</a> - Best Flavor</li><li><a href="https://jglobalhealth.org/product/ecowatch-dog-oil-royal/?campaign=ecowatch-cbd-dogs" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Royal CBD</a> - Most Sustainable</li></ol><p>Note: Use coupon code "HEALTHCANAL" to get 15%-20% off</p>
<h2>Is CBD Safe for Dogs?</h2><p>It's normal to ask questions on whether or not CBD oil is safe for dogs, especially if it's your first time to introduce CBD oil to your pets.</p><p>At present, CBD oil and products derived from it are considered to be a low-risk option for your dog with very minor adverse effects. Of course, we cannot dismiss the ongoing debates in the veterinary community on how efficient CBD oil is for your dog, but it certainly won't hurt your dog.</p><p>Based on <a href="https://www.healthcanal.com/best-cbd-oil/dogs" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Health Canal's Best CBD For Dogs List</a>, here are our choices.</p>
<h2>Top 10 Best CBD Oil For Dogs</h2><h3>1. <a href="https://jglobalhealth.org/product/ecowatch-dog-oil-honestpaws/?s1=ecowatch-cbd-dogs" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Honest Paws Dog Oil</a></h3>
<p><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/ft4YfiVXjKJiaFsXEjBXM_BRvooDJe_V8Tha4aqnXHo_6zgZWA0M6WSBVWUlUzjApciRjxnfHUOm5Ur0MJEQed6Fo2cYWPmSqj_E3JZokqOtLxuhMc0mI5xQFuxG6-prcTL8Oh5KLlIlP8Rs8Q"></p>
<h4>Pros</h4><ul><li>Product Options Are Impressive</li><li>Third-Party Lab Tested</li><li>Organic Ingredients</li></ul>
<h4>Cons </h4><ul> <li>A Little Expensive</li></ul><p>Our best pick from our list is the Honest Paws CBD Oil for Dogs. Not only is their CBD oil potent enough to treat whatever ailment or condition your pooch is feeling, they also come in five variations. Depending on what your dog feels or what you think your dog needs, you have a choice from their product list.</p><p>You'll surely love Honest Paws CBD Oil because all of their products are heavily focused on dogs' health and wellness, thus the name Honest Paws. Each product piece has undergone a third-party lab testing for efficacy, purity, and safety. The ingredients used are also organic to ensure the utmost potency along with the product's full-spectrum format.</p><p>Aside from that, you will also enjoy the discount you can get when you subscribe on their monthly delivery. Plus, you can utilize their 30-day money-back guarantee in case you're not happy with the products when they arrive.</p><div></div>
<h3>2. <a href="https://jglobalhealth.org/product/ecowatch-dog-treat-honestpaws/?s1=ecowatch-cbd-dogs" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Honest Paws Dog Treats</a></h3>
<p><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-k9GhYLTbJdkyFnskKoSo2WdZG4ScqEwvbqqMhHCQlEBzyvFuTLOCLFFbBPLJr-mEGDiq_oVPcDKoGPAxadkVIkKPbSf-m4Q3n7YfgF5_flHsoiHTM6PtZcCH3c2YrdBetDXIaQHRQ5vw3woRw"></p>
<h4>Pros</h4><ul><li>Product Options Are Impressive</li><li>Third-Party Lab Tested</li><li>Organic Ingredients</li></ul>
<h4>Cons </h4><ul><li>A Little Expensive</li></ul>
<p>Dogs certainly love dog treats! What also makes dog treat time even better is offering CBD oil-infused dog treats. At Honest Paws, they offer not only the best CBD oil for dogs, but also dog treats that are infused with CBD oil goodness. Each pack contains a <a href="https://www.extractlabs.com/cbd-guides/what-does-full-spectrum-mean/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">full-spectrum CBD</a> made from organic ingredients.</p>
<p>Honest Paws offers two types of dog treats in various flavors. If your dog prefers a classic crunch, then the Bites packs are the perfect option. The Bites packs come in two options, Calm Bites and Relief Bites, both of which offer a calming and relieving aid for your dog's joint health. You would also surely tap yourself on the back after de-stressing your pooch in the healthier way possible.</p>
<p>On the other hand, if you have a dog who's smaller or on the older side, then you may prefer the Soft Chews Packs that come in three options: Mobility Soft Chews, Wellness Soft Chews, and Calm Soft Chews.</p>
<h3>3. <a href="https://jglobalhealth.org/product/ecowatch-dog-oil-spruce/?subid=ecowatch-cbd-dogs" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Spruce CBD</a></h3>
<p><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/9WWQBPMGDGdqGSlWf86PaVhkpp0J-D6edAQ2rDFPJu7d7b_ch0KkwOUQ1xA4oY22aP6DwW13N75iw91a9fxPvONRphq083ecpM1lLpUD3s8-1nmmJpRhpJGPecM_cCyThs_J0ioQT0YXTWN_9w"></p>
<h4>Pros</h4><ul><li>100% Natural</li><li>Third-Party Lab Tested</li><li>Low THC / Zero High</li></ul><h4>Cons </h4><ul><li>Hefty Price Tag</li></ul><p>What we love about Spruce CBD oil for dogs and other pets is the thoughtful preparation behind every bottle. Did you know that Spruce CBD purposely chose coconut oil as the carrier oil for their CBD oil for dogs because they found out that it is easier for the dog's digestion than the hemp carrier oil? Plus, the taste coconut oil brings about is milder which makes it bearable for dogs. The "no added flavor" also highlights the lovely taste of their oils.</p><p>Although there's not many product options for dogs on the Spruce CBD oil website, still we praise them for coming up with a highly effective CBD oil. Several dog owners have also testified how the Spruce CBD oil made their dog's coat healthier and shinier than ever. What's more, their products are also ultimately safe since there is a very low THC content in every bottle. We truly find Spruce CBD oil for dogs as one of the best CBD oil for dogs on the market these days.</p>
<h3>4. <a href="https://jglobalhealth.org/product/ecowatch-dog-oil-pure/?subid=ecowatch-cbd-dogs" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CBD Pure</a></h3>
<p><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/0dn-En9NYJhM0TjRK05Vn8em6OhSlXSXt_IduCsWPOAOEN3strR0-hmVDnsdiy9B8uNt_OWCAIcod3HGko9FfAWhBIClGsk1rbdIxhAsOfEwQ5usQfJR2fmxDMvRBfieZRi2E2ydwYsaV2dJAw"></p>
<h4>Pros</h4><ul><li>Simple Concentration</li><li>Organic and Non-GMO</li><li>Money-Back Guarantee</li></ul><h4>Cons </h4><ul><li>Limited Product Option</li></ul>
<p>If you're looking for a fusion of affordable pricing and simple dosage, then look no further since the CBD Pure oil for dogs is the best choice. Its dosage recommendation is pretty basic. Their 100-milligram bottle can be consumed by getting a 1/2 dropper for every 10 pounds of weight of your dog. Plus, it has a very low THC content and it does not contain overwhelming flavors that usually distract a dog's palate.</p>
<p>Aside from enjoying the simplicity of the CBD Pure oil for dogs, you would also benefit from its affordability. For only around $24, you can get one bottle for your pooch. For added discount, you can purchase either the set of 3 or the set of 6 for a discounted price. Even better, CBD Pure also offers a whopping <a href="https://www.cbdpure.com/guarantee.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">90-day money-back guarantee</a> to give you ease and comfort.</p>
<h3>5. <a href="https://jglobalhealth.org/product/ecowatch-dog-oil-cbdfx/?source=ecowatch-cbd-dogs" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CBDfx</a></h3>
<p><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/vtINDF7fAqUGcpBgUiMFPDfRo6cQRTPqoKIEIpZMZKoNMIo6PAn6yg2S-eVnvQpYaLcl-Lb7Jaj94H9cO9fqabM2m8e2gT8SJidguV90dRJ0D_YFO1Hdc4UyybjYHKAay9iXyKvqVmCmopSwfg"></p>
<h4>Pros</h4><ul><li>Non-Toxic and All-Natural Ingredients</li><li>Broad-Spectrum Format</li><li>Third-Party Lab Tested</li></ul>
<h4>Cons </h4><ul><li>A Little Expensive</li></ul>
<p>CBDfx is known for their organic CBD oil products, with many other reviewers also tagging them as having the best CBD oil for dogs in terms of most organic product lines. Considering that their oils are non-GMO and broad-spectrum, you can expect only the best effects for your beloved pooch, including pain relief from usual dog inflammation.</p>
<p>The dosage in CBDfx CBD oil is also simple. One drop of oil can be administered for every 20 pounds of weight and just do the math if your dog requires more. The very minimal traces of THC also makes this CBDfx CBD oil a lot safer for your pooch.</p>
<p>When it comes to the product choices, you can easily find one that fits your dog. The oils are the same, with only differences in potency level. They offer three oil options for small breed, medium breed, and large breed. How can that get any better?</p>
<h3>6. <a href="https://jglobalhealth.org/product/ecowatch-dog-oil-joy/?source=ecowatch-cbd-dogs" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Joy Organics</a></h3>
<p><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_fTVZxgDEuPU8D8YKCVePFDwrVH6evzMwGAavdTCe6nYMM6N-cdMVQqkdr_CBSWxQV58riF4WVPI8XBgkwbCBAqd-PGo2lrNMRyPL072DP5_GzQ1l0kWTBPI6NlRR_BUDjXWoU7xhjrHMPV9Qw"></p>
<h4>Pros</h4><ul><li>Organic</li><li>Broad-Spectrum Format</li><li>Money-Back Guarantee</li></ul>
<h4>Cons </h4><ul><li>Limited Product Options</li></ul>
<p>If you're looking for a CBD oil that's completely free from THC, then the Joy Organics CBD oil that comes in 225 milligrams and 400 milligrams are the best choices for you. These oils are also made from premium hemp obtained through a process of CO2 extraction. Aside from that, Joy Organics also offers free shipping and a money-back guarantee for added ease to your purchase!</p>
<p>At Joy Organics, you also have the option to either use an oil tincture or a dog treat for your dog. Some dogs cannot tolerate oils, so you might want to add the typical CBD oil taste by offering dog treats infused with water-soluble CBD powder. Each chew of the treats is also free from THC and contains 2 milligrams of CBD oil per chunk. For such an affordable price, you wouldn't go wrong with the Joy Organics CBD oil for dogs, especially if you don't want any single hints of THC.</p>
<h3>7. <a href="https://jglobalhealth.org/product/ecowatch-dog-oil-med/?source=ecowatch-cbd-dogs" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Medterra CBD</a></h3>
<p><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/61jTQyLKbkBlJE0kyO2QnPigXxChZMfp0uZ8RYvkNTGJx18i6rxca4YsyPvYfhxFYPqUVE0slDe6-H8XArwIuKSmiGa8BPx8_AUou8BzXlnbcQLgZ9qtjh5IigHZHYqRVSf_RxMq6JgzU4kaIQ"></p>
<h4>Pros</h4><ul><li>Wide Variety of Products</li><li>Completely THC-Free</li><li>30-Day Money-Back Guarantee</li></ul>
<h4>Cons </h4><ul><li>A little expensive</li></ul>
<p>Medterra CBD products are guaranteed safe and pure since the brand is also <a href="https://ushempauthority.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">certified by the U.S. Hemp Authority</a>. You can try their best-seller CBD oil tincture in beef flavor. We bet your dog will take so much pleasure from it! The dropper is also easy to use so you can either directly pour it into your dog's mouth or add it onto his food, whichever feels right.</p>
<p>We especially love the product options at Medterra CBD because the choices are straightforward. They also offer for both cats and dogs. Their CBD oil for dogs comes in three flavor variations: chicken, beef, and unflavored. For dogs who can't stand the taste of the typical CBD flavor, just go for the unflavored version. The other flavors are also great, too, for dogs who are quite palate-sensitive. Moreover, there are dog treats available in two variations depending on the typical pet condition you want to treat. For joint pain, there's a Dog Treat for Joint Support while a Dog Treat for Calming Effects is the best choice for de-stressing your anxious pooch.</p>
<h3>8. <a href="https://jglobalhealth.org/product/ecowatch-dog-oil-petly/?source=ecowatch-cbd-dogs" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Petly CBD Oil</a></h3>
<p><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/swKVGHr7KAAUMn_lfzX_qYdIGX3QBT3iMuZ0j8aNijVydH-_2_zn-VrTn-ma6yK3SDiczJLJw80Zg2J6WNrRGbPbrAdfaVI5BBDZrjIICvC_Of0NSLYiZm_pPk2iQ0lCeCZSiYU54lkngDt2pQ"></p>
<h4>Pros</h4><ul><li>Non-GMO, Vegan, and Gluten-Free</li><li>Third-Party Lab Tested</li><li>Amazing Bundle Discount Offers</li></ul><h4>Cons </h4><ul><li>Only One Flavor Available</li></ul>
<p>What makes Petly CBD oil products different from other CBD oil products for dogs is its source. Each product is made of Petly's natural proprietary strains of phytocannabinoid-rich hemp plants that are grown in nutrient-rich soil cultivated with 100% organic farming practices. The procedure Petly follows starts by distilling the hemp plants to separate the hemp extract from the ethanol incorporated during the <a href="https://www.coleparmer.com/tech-article/supercritical-co2-extraction-method" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CO2 extraction method</a>. After this, the hemp extract is refined through a proprietary technology to remove all THC traces.</p>
<p>The Petly CBD oil comes in three potency levels to match your dog's size and needs: 125 milligrams, 250 milligrams, and 500 milligrams. For added health benefits, these CBD oils are mixed with MCT coconut oil as the carrier oil. If you're looking for dog treats, you would also find the dog treats sumptuous for your dog's palate since they are beef-flavored. They are also water-soluble, making their bioavailability higher than the oil-based CBD oil dog treats.</p>
<h3>9. <a href="https://jglobalhealth.org/product/ecowatch-dog-oil-americanshaman/?source=ecowatch-cbd-dogs" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">CBD American Shaman</a></h3>
<p><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/J_MZvBV75uB22rGwWIRtQB4PDxds2TOYv9to8i5lD6I-cLm3s8AD38DJHqbOt-C0CapXabPxH4ZEo19OS7yfzBxYrBkvwCz-F85x5FaWhAnnFKwb2hUzCCUTRXbqP9DwhTmhpgAfx5Lrqqq0GA"></p>
<h4>Pros</h4><ul><li>Certified by the U.S. Hemp Authority</li><li>Variety of CBD Oil Products for Dogs</li><li>Interesting Dog Treat Flavors</li></ul>
<h4>Cons </h4><ul><li>A Little Expensive</li></ul>
<p>Is your dog looking for new flavors and other forms of dog treats for more fun moments? American Shaman apparently has one of the most interesting flavors for CBD oil products for dogs. They have CBD oil tinctures, CBD oil dog treats, water-soluble hemp oils, and doggy nugs. They also offer products for cats and horses. </p>
<p>Since American Shaman has palatable flavor options, your dog will surely enjoy them every now and then. From their interesting flavor choices, you can try their doggy snacks available in peanut butter and turkey flavors, soft treats in beef flavor, and doggy nugs in chicken flavor.</p>
<p>Their CBD oil products for dogs are also high-quality and made from non-GMO hemp plants grown in the U.S. for a much controlled process. Also, these products may be for dogs but they are guaranteed to be tested in independent laboratories for ensured efficacy, purity, and safety.</p>
<h3>10. <a href="https://jglobalhealth.org/product/ecowatch-dog-oil-royal/?campaign=ecowatch-cbd-dogs" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Royal CBD </a></h3>
<p><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/77A6P1TEq4kQygHQshDWldyMoTva4C0HxK-7KjL9OWX9jU562hjkT6LtPMDwl4kqmElJ7fzq-JvgnohKiFDK_qF2IPYZ8_nk2zDKhMVTXL6ea0vSj10dvOrUDcRIJSnrp2YK4rOtYNru9ZbXNg"></p>
<h4>Pros</h4><ul><li>Non-GMO and Natural</li><li>Available in Different Sizes and Potencies</li><li>With Save Option</li></ul>
<h4>Cons </h4><ul><li>A Little Expensive</li></ul>
<p>Royal CBD remains consistent with their premium quality regardless of the type of CBD products they offer. Their CBD products for dogs are no exceptions, too! They are made of high quality, organic, and non-GMO ingredients that are considered safe for your beloved pooch!</p>
<p>Because dogs are natural-born carnivores, Royal CBD has made sure that their CBD products for dogs taste meaty. The flavors available in the Royal CBD product line for dogs are chicken and beef, just the regular flavors your pooch will love. Also, because dogs have different sizes and breeds, Royal CBD has put that into consideration by providing different potency levels ranging from 300 milligrams to 1,000 milligrams. That way, you can make adjustments on the dosage depending on your dog's breed and size.</p>
<p>Above all, the products are tested by an independent laboratory for safety and potency. Plus, you can take advantage of the <a href="https://royalcbd.com/return-policy/" target="_blank">30-day money-back guarantee</a> they offer in case you're unhappy with any of their products.</p>
<h3>What Is CBD Oil?
</h3><p>Cannabidiol or CBD oil is one of the 100+ phytocannabinoids found in a cannabis plant and it is said to account for more than 40% of the plant's extract. Unlike the other cannabis compounds like <a href="https://www.livescience.com/24553-what-is-thc.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">tetrahydrocannabinol or THC</a>, CBD oil does not cause intoxication or psychoactive experiences. This makes CBD a much preferred and sought-after compound because of its multiple health benefits without the "high" effect.</p>
<p>Because it is known to be a potent compound, many people turn to it for help with anxiety, pain, epilepsy, cancer, and other conditions. Even pets like dogs, cats and more have been found to benefit from the use of CBD oil.</p>
<h3>How Can CBD Help Dogs?
</h3><p>CBD can do wonders when your dog is suffering from a certain kind of pain and anxiety. It contains compounds that can alleviate pain from particular ailments. But of course, we still recommend that you seek medical advice from your pet's veterinarian. Nevertheless, once CBD is utilized along with traditional methods, the possibility of side effects is mitigated.</p>
<p>Below are also some of the typical dog ailments that can be treated by the best CBD oils for dogs:</p>
<ol><li>Anxiety</li><li>Chronic Inflammation</li><li>Autoimmune Disease</li><li>Inflammatory Bowel Disease</li><li>Regular Pain</li></ol>
<p>CBD contains compounds that interact with receptors responsible for certain inflammations in the body. When it comes to anxiety, CBD can also moderate the impulses often manifested as tension, stress, and restlessness. </p>
<h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2>
<p><strong>Question:</strong> What is the best CBD product for dogs?</p><p><strong>Answer:</strong> While dog treats can be very mouthwatering for your pooch, CBD oil is still the best form of CBD that your dog can take since the level of potency is high, especially if you're looking for your dog to truly benefit from CBD.</p>
<p><strong>Question:</strong> How much CBD should I give to my dog?</p><p><strong>Answer:</strong> We recommend you administer 2 to 5 milligrams of CBD for every 25 pounds of weight on a daily basis. </p>
<p><strong>Question:</strong> When is the best time to give CBD to my dog?</p><p><strong>Answer:</strong> You can give him CBD every day, but special occasions would also count, like if your dog is suffering from a certain discomfort or pain. You can also give him CBD hours before you go to the groomer or to the vet since dogs are most likely anxious during that time.</p>
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Smoke from the East Troublesome fire in Colorado on Oct. 22, 2020. RubyT / Flickr
Thousands of homes were evacuated Wednesday after a Colorado wildfire exploded in size, growing at a rate of 6,000 acres per hour.
<p>The East Troublesome fire had been burning since Oct. 14, but suddenly took off Wednesday in a more erratic manner than even worst-case-scenario predictions had anticipated, Grand County Sheriff Brett Schroetlin said, as <a href="https://coloradosun.com/2020/10/22/east-troublesome-fire-grand-lake-destruction/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Colorado Sun reported</a>. The fire had grown to 125,600 acres by Thursday morning and 170,163 acres by Thursday evening, making it the second-largest wildfire in Colorado history. It is only five percent contained, according to <a href="https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7242/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">InciWeb</a>.</p><p>"The growth that you see on this fire is unheard of," Schroetlin said during a Thursday press conference reported by <a href="https://www.npr.org/2020/10/22/926838887/colorado-fire-grows-by-over-100-000-acres-in-1-day-hits-rocky-mountain-national-" target="_blank">NPR</a>. "We plan for the worst. This is the worst of the worst of the worst. And no matter how we look at it, we can't control Mother Nature."</p>
<div id="85e11" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="3577a8e0d4e8a731bf0b62ac772fc8c1"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1319181412315107333" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">Heartbreaking video of homes burning in the #EastTroublesomeFire overnight. Listening to scanners right now and fir… https://t.co/y82wWnmchu</div> — Emily Allen (@Emily Allen)<a href="https://twitter.com/EmilyAReports/statuses/1319181412315107333">1603352332.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p>Schroetlin said Thursday morning that there was "lots of structure loss," according to The Colorado Sun, though no official tally of damage has been reported. As many as five people were unaccounted for by Thursday evening. However, there have been no reports of deaths or injuries.</p><p>The fast-moving fire was first driven by high winds into the town of Grand Lake Wednesday night, <a href="https://www.cpr.org/2020/10/22/grand-county-braces-for-another-large-growth-day-for-the-east-troublesome-fire/" target="_blank">Colorado Public Radio (CPR) reported</a>.</p><p>"It was basically out of a movie," retired newscaster Ernie Bjorkman told CPR. "It was a firestorm in downtown Grand Lake. Smoke and embers flying around. It was just a chaotic scene. We locked the door and said, 'hopefully, house, we'll see you when we get back.' "</p><p>As of Thursday, town manager John Crone told CPR that the town's historic Grand Lake Lodge and downtown area had not burned.</p><p>The fire then crossed the Continental Divide by 1:15 pm Thursday, according to The Colorado Sun. It also entered Rocky Mountain National Park, forcing it to close.</p>
<div id="0784c" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="083c554cdc624bc22b52ef91e2646fb9"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1319357789836353544" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">Latest satellite info shows increased fire intensity on the #EastTroublesomeFire early this afternoon. The fire has… https://t.co/GZC77SWXqB</div> — NWS Boulder (@NWS Boulder)<a href="https://twitter.com/NWSBoulder/statuses/1319357789836353544">1603394384.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p>The flames also menaced the park gateway town of Estes Park, filling it with smoke Thursday morning.</p><p>"The air quality has just decreased to a level that's almost unsafe to go outside," resident Alec Rogers told CPR.</p><p>Estes Park was also put under an evacuation order Thursday, and traffic stalled as people tried to leave.</p>
<div id="93884" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="87faed3af4a1f8c5665138a79cb37558"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1319381273757028375" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">PHOTOS: The sky has gone from yellow to orange. There is a long line of cars waiting to leave Estes Park.… https://t.co/tsKRcONrNk</div> — Matthew Jonas (@Matthew Jonas)<a href="https://twitter.com/photojmatthew/statuses/1319381273757028375">1603399983.0</a></blockquote></div>
<p>However, incident commander Noel Livingston said Thursday that a cold front had checked the fire somewhat as it burned inside Rocky Mountain National Park and that it was no longer headed towards Estes Park, The Colorado Sun reported.</p><p>The concern is now that the fire will merge with the Cameron Peak fire, the <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/colorado-wildfire-cameron-peak-2648215765.html" target="_self">largest fire in Colorado history</a>, which is burning only 10 to 12 miles away. Livingston said he thought a merger was unlikely, but not impossible.</p><p>"This year has been one of those years when low-potential events seem to be happening with high frequency," Livingston said, as The Colorado Sun reported.</p><p>Officials are hopeful that snow forecast for this weekend will help them to get the fire under control, <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2020/10/22/us/colorado-evacuations-west-coast-fires/index.html" target="_blank">CNN reported</a>.</p>
<p>The rapid growth of the East Troublesome fire is only the latest development to scorch the fire-weary Western U.S. this year. Its explosion to the second-largest fire in state history means that three of Colorado's five largest fires have now ignited in 2020.</p><p>The fire was driven quickly east by a combination of high winds, dry air and the fuel provided by lodgepole pines killed by beetles, InciWeb said. However, the <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/climate-change/" target="_self">climate crisis</a> is creating ideal conditions for fire across the West. Almost all of Colorado was experiencing <a href="https://www.ecowatch.com/tag/drought" target="_self">drought</a> by the end of September, according to NPR. Fire scientists told <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/22/us/colorado-wildfires.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The New York Times</a> that fires burning so close to winter in Colorado show how the season has grown because of changing conditions.</p><p>"People have built and developed in these areas without recognizing the hazard they're in, and climate change is notching that up every year," University of Montana fire ecologist Philip Higuera told The New York Times. "It has me concerned for communities across the West that are in increasingly flammable landscapes."</p>
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Mouthwash Can Inactivate Human Coronavirus in a Lab, but What Does This Really Mean?
22 October
Health + Wellness
Could mouthwash help stop the spread of the new coronavirus? Craig F. Walker / The Boston Globe via Getty Images
Could mouthwash help stop the spread of the new coronavirus?
<p>A study published in the <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jmv.26514" target="_blank">Journal of Medical Virology</a> last month found that some common mouthwashes and nasal rinses could inactivate a type of human coronavirus in the lab. This led the authors to hypothesize that the same products might be an additional line of defense against SARS‐CoV‐2, the virus that causes COVID-19.</p><p>"While we wait for a vaccine to be developed, methods to reduce transmission are needed," research leader Dr. Craig Meyers of Penn State College of Medicine said in a <a href="https://news.psu.edu/story/635101/2020/10/19/research/mouthwashes-oral-rinses-may-inactivate-human-coronaviruses" target="_blank">press release</a>. "The products we tested are readily available and often already part of people's daily routines."</p>
<p>The idea behind the study is that using these products might reduce the amount of coronavirus spread by people who are infected.</p><p>The researchers tested several products including a neti pot, several popular mouthwashes and a one percent baby shampoo solution commonly used by head and neck doctors to rinse the sinuses. They exposed a human coronavirus to the various solutions for 30 seconds, one minute and two minutes. Then, they exposed human cells to the various solutions in order to determine how much of the virus had been inactivated.</p>
<p>The neti pot did not succeed in inactivating any virus, according to the study, but the shampoo solution inactivated more than 99 percent of the virus after 30 seconds and more than 99.9 percent of the virus after two minutes.</p><p>Several common mouthwashes were also very successful at inactivating the virus. Crest Pro Health, Listerine Ultra, CVS Antiseptic Mouthwash and Betadine 5% all inactivated 99.9 to greater than 99.9 percent of the virus after 30 seconds. Listerine Antiseptic was the most effective, inactivating more than 99.9 percent of the virus after 30 seconds.</p>
<p>Outside experts, however, cautioned against a too-enthusiastic response to the findings.</p><p>For one thing, the researchers did not test SARS-CoV-2 itself, which requires extra levels of training and security. Instead, they looked at 229E, a coronavirus that causes human colds, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/21/health/covid-mouthwash.html" target="_blank">The New York Times reported</a>. While it has a similar structure to the new coronavirus, it is not guaranteed that the two will always act the same way, Columbia University virologist Angela Rasmussen told The New York Times. However, Meyers pointed out in the press release that a <a href="https://academic.oup.com/jid/article/222/8/1289/5878067" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">similar study</a> had managed to use mouthwashes to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 itself.</p><p>For another thing, it isn't really possible to test if something will stop the spread of a virus until it is tested on the actual human mouth, which is more complicated than a petri dish. Yale University infectious disease expert Dr. Maricar Malinis told The New York Times that the effectiveness of the products could not be proved without clinical trials on human subjects. This is something the research team is now seeking funding to do, according to <a href="https://fusion.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-mouthwashes-nasal-rinses-virus-transmission-20201021.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Philadelphia Inquirer</a>.</p>
<p>Finally, a mouthwash could never totally prevent an infected person from shedding virus because the virus would continue to replicate in their cells after the rinse.</p><p>"If you have virus in your lungs, you just cough it back up into your mouth," Thomas E. Rams, director of the oral microbiology testing lab at Temple University's Kornberg School of Dentistry, told The Philadelphia Inquirer. "You'd have to be rinsing on such a frequent basis. And what I fear is that some people would think they don't need masks because they gargled with Listerine."</p><p>Meyers said he is not proposing mouthwash as a replacement for measures like masks or social distancing, but rather another line of defense. And he acknowledged that it would only be effective for a limited amount of time.</p><p>"We have an educated guess because we know how long the virus takes to replicate in culture — 6 to 12 hours,'" Meyers told The Philadelphia Inquirer.</p>
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