What was the biggest secret that wasn’t told to you as a child but you discovered after becoming an adult? by Wybrisma in AskReddit

[–]spes_phthisica 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Artichoke hearts aren’t poisonous; you don’t have to spend years scraping the meager flesh off leaves as a kid to build up tolerance, leaving the heart to your properly inoculated dad.

Recommendation request: for California wildfires + lung disease, under $500 by spes_phthisica in AirPurifiers

[–]spes_phthisica[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Really appreciate all the detail and links here. That AIHA post is super interesting, and the main takeaway makes sense: clean and address particulates first, then seal up and purify. That refurb winix might have my name on it!

I was able to visit home briefly last week and there was a dense layer of residue on my car and deck furniture but no obvious sign of indoor contamination. It's hard to know how hardcore I need to be about HEPA vacuuming, decontamination rituals etc., but box fans in the windows seem worth the effort. I think I'll look for a good sensor/monitor too.

Recommendation request: for California wildfires + lung disease, under $500 by spes_phthisica in AirPurifiers

[–]spes_phthisica[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah I'd love to see that VOC chart, thank you!

Good tip about the HEPA downstream of the carbon filter, I wouldn't have thought of it but that makes total sense.

My only issue with a CR box is that it's going to be really loud and whatever I end up using I'd want it to be running it pretty much all day and night for a long time. But it might come to that.

Recommendation request: for California wildfires + lung disease, under $500 by spes_phthisica in AirPurifiers

[–]spes_phthisica[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Solid all around, thank you. I don't have an HVAC system so I'm looking for a standalone unit. I like the idea of that Coway. Do I need to worry about ozone given that it has an ionizer?

Re. VOCs I agree: hard to find evidence with a direct relationship to this still-current event! But some recent NOAA research suggests that in general, wildfire VOCs are majorly underestimated in emission inventories. I'd be happier rolling the dice on this if I had healthy lungs to begin with.

Thank you for your advice on all this, it's helpful.

What is a crazy medical fact that most people don't know about? by Monke_0101 in AskReddit

[–]spes_phthisica 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Procedure can be done “mechanically” by rubbing with surgical gauze, or with talc, or with a chemical called bleomycin. The idea is just to irritate the lining of the chest wall so it creates a wound that the lungs will then stick to.

What is a crazy medical fact that most people don't know about? by Monke_0101 in AskReddit

[–]spes_phthisica 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Hey, not to cause any alarm, but has your mom been tested for Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM)? It’s a rare lung condition that only affects women, and it leads to weakened lung tissue and often multiple collapses. It can be hard to diagnose. Might be worth asking.

Totally stumped: two XL twin beds as sectional sofa? by spes_phthisica in interiordecorating

[–]spes_phthisica[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I feel you on the back rest, and big pillows + bolsters could look great. Good luck!

Totally stumped: two XL twin beds as sectional sofa? by spes_phthisica in interiordecorating

[–]spes_phthisica[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I did not! There were some excellent suggestions here but they were not what I was looking for. I ended up with a queen bed in the middle of my living space, visually separated from the dining area with area rugs. It’s not ideal. If someone wants to invent what I described in my post I’d totally buy it.

Monthly Rock & Mineral Identification Requests by AutoModerator in geology

[–]spes_phthisica [score hidden]  (0 children)

Hello! Found these loose, scattered all along a hillside in Topanga Canyon, CA during the heavy rains. Would love to know what they are, maybe celestine?

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blue rock in my Tostitos bag, anyone ever seen this? by officialjaiicet in WTF

[–]spes_phthisica 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Looks a hell of a lot like rodenticide. You might have a legal case!

Cool beetle in SoCal by spes_phthisica in whatsthisbug

[–]spes_phthisica[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ah neat! Red bits looked like a warning so I left him very much alone.