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Environmental Risks Explained by an expert -showers, swimming, hiking

Posted by Sue, Volunteer Mentor @sueinmn, Oct 22 10:35am

This was posted today by a noted expert in NTM regarding risks and aerosols on another NTM & Bronchiectasis site. (ntminfo.org)
For those of you asking about enjoying the outdoors, rest assured that your risk of infection from your surroundings is low because of SPACE - in open air any germs are well-diluted by huge volumes of air.
His post:
"Yes, with the fact that MAC and NTM are everywhere, the concern is that there is no safe place.

Well, the important fact to remember is space. Showering in a bathroom exposes someone to a high density of NTM aerosolized from water to air by the showerhead. Further, staying in the misty bathroom means the exposure duration is longer.

Outside, NTM mists from waterfalls and rapids are diluted by the large volume of outside air. The same holds true for a hot tub. Outside hot tubs of spas are okay because the mist from the tub or spa is diluted by the outdoor air. An indoor spa or hot tub exposes one to an NTM mist in a closed space for a long period of time.

Swimming in lakes and streams is okay as long as you don't swallow lots of water and have gastric reflux (GERD), again as the aerosols from the water are diluted by the vast volume of air.

Outside rambles are fine, as long as one doesn't find themselves in an enclosed space, like a cave or grotto by waterfalls."
Joseph Falkinham
Professor of Microbiology
Virginia Tech

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the MAC & Bronchiectasis Support Group.

scoop | @scoop | Nov 7 3:23pm
In reply to @sueinmn "All I can say is to try it and see. Some people with Bronchiectasis or other..." + (show)
@sueinmn

All I can say is to try it and see. Some people with Bronchiectasis or other lung issues are very sensitive to smells, others not so much.
What is a VOC (volatile organic compound)? Any chemical, natura or synthetic, that vaporizes easily into the air. That includes industrial compounds, natural substances (like the esters and oils in herbs, scents from flowers, cooking aromas.)

Are all VOC's bad for us? Not necessarily! My concern with vaporizers with essential oils, scented waxes, or scented candles are the OTHER things that are vaporizing and lingering in the air, not the scents themselves - impurities in the wax, possible conversion of the VOC in the carrier oils due to high temperature...the paper referenced by @scoop above seems to reinforce that idea, as heat is generally applied in gas chromatography to separate the compounds for measurement.

What do I do? I continue to use high-quality essential oils from a known source that are tested for purity - at room temperature or body temperature. If I make mixtures, I use fresh food-grade oil as the carrier and make small batches so nothing gets rancid. I clean my containers thoroughly and sanitize in the dishwasher.

I would think that using fresh herbs in a pot that reaches at least 180F would be safe as well, but as an added protection I would use boiled water or spring water.

Each of us has our own comfort level - mine may be more or less conservative than yours.

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What company do you purchase your essential oils from? When I was diffusing I purchased from a Canadian company, https://www.saje.com. I need to do some more research about what other stuff they might put in their oils. Or continue not diffusing.

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Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Nov 7 3:38pm
In reply to @scoop "What company do you purchase your essential oils from? When I was diffusing I purchased from..." + (show)
@scoop

What company do you purchase your essential oils from? When I was diffusing I purchased from a Canadian company, https://www.saje.com. I need to do some more research about what other stuff they might put in their oils. Or continue not diffusing.

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I use YoungLiving.com and their spin-off Revive-eo.com. But I don't diffuse - I use these in rubs and roll-ons. When I found sticky/oily residue on surfaces near the diffuser, it reminded me of cleaning cigarette smoke - nicotin & tar off windows and woodwork where smokers lived - I figured there was no way I wanted in the air.

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blm1007blm1007 | @blm1007blm1007 | Nov 7 9:51pm
In reply to @sueinmn "Barbara - It all comes down to know and trust your source. I buy spices only..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Barbara - It all comes down to know and trust your source. I buy spices only from established sellers. When it come to turmeric, mine comes from our local food co-op who diligently vet their distributors. I could go right down the block and buy from the Asian market a lot cheaper, but I don't know where their stuff comes from nor whether it is pure turmeric.

That said, in my humble opinion, turmeric tea made from powder is yukky and unpleasant to drink. The Japanese make theirs with dried turmeric root (much like you make ginger tea from ginger root) that might be better. Or you can buy turmeric tea already in tea bags from a number of providers of herbal teas.

So, d you trust the source? Try it! If not mybe try the root or a commercial tea?

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I foolishly didn't remember to look for whole turmeric root. I buy the whole ginger root and make tea. AND.....I was able to have a go of the yukk. I will almost do anything to try to do right by myself and my lungs
I agree Sue...it is best "know and trust your source".
Well I just did a little research after your kind reply and my raising this question. I bought the Sadaf brand that you can find in all the international grocery stores but had second thoughts after doing so. I just found that Sadaf products are certified by the FDA, GMP, HACCP, Kosher, and Halal. Hope I, we, can truly rely on the FDA. However, after researching herbs and spices ...I was reminded that herbs and spices are known to carry heavy metals...arsenic, cadmium and lead ......I guess like anything grown in soil and fed water. Also read almost all herbs sold in grocery stores by the food processors are grown overseas. Of course my concern is bacteria. Hope that is handled by being sure the high boiling point is reached for ten minutes. Going to look for turmeric root, probably will find it in one of the international grocery stores.
Barbara

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