FEAR OF GERMS PHOBIA - Mysophobia or Misophobia - People with an excessive fear of germs believe the world to be a ‘filthy place’ and may develop obsessive-compulsive disorders. As a result, they are always washing or cleaning well beyond a concern with cleanliness. They are known to spend major parts of their day doing these activities over and over. Mysophobia is the excessive and often irrational fear of microbes or getting contaminated with germs. Mysophobia is also known as germophobia. They are known to spend major parts of their day doing these activities over and over. Mysophobics may also spend vast amounts of money on buying cleaning products and exposing themselves more than necessary to the harmful chemicals which many of them contain. A Mysophobic individual is mainly concerned with contamination and sterilization as unlike a tidy person who would only clean surfaces to ensure there is no dust. Many people with the extreme fear of germs also tend to think about microbes all the time. They fear getting contaminated from dirt, dust, grime or people who are sneezing or coughing. The more often a Mysophobe falls sick, the likelier s/he is bound to believe the need to clean. This can severely impact one’s daily functioning. Mysophobia usually stems from an Obsessive compulsive disorder or OCD. The sufferer feels the need to wash his/her hands frequently, which is one of the characteristics of OCD.

 

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Fear of Germs Phobia

Mysophobia or Misophobia

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People with an excessive fear of germs believe the world to be a ‘filthy place’ and may develop obsessive-compulsive disorders. As a result, they are always washing or cleaning well beyond a concern with cleanliness. They are known to spend major parts of their day doing these activities over and over.

BY JACOB OLESEN

 

Mysophobia

Myso is the Greek word for germs and Phobos means fear.

Thus, Mysophobia is the excessive and often irrational fear of microbes or getting contaminated with germs.

Mysophobia is also known as germophobia.

Fear of Germs Phobia - Mysophobia

People with an excessive fear of germs believe the world to be a ‘filthy place’ and may develop obsessive-compulsive disorders.

As a result, they are always washing or cleaning well beyond a concern with cleanliness.

They are known to spend major parts of their day doing these activities over and over.

Mysophobics may also spend vast amounts of money on buying cleaning products and exposing themselves more than necessary to the harmful chemicals which many of them contain.

It is important to note the difference between ‘being tidy/orderly’ to being a Mysophobe.

A Mysophobic individual is mainly concerned with contamination and sterilization as unlike a tidy person who would only clean surfaces to ensure there is no dust.

Many people with the extreme fear of germs also tend to think about microbes all the time.

They fear getting contaminated from dirt, dust, grime or people who are sneezing or coughing.

The more often a Mysophobe falls sick, the likelier s/he is bound to believe the need to clean. This can severely impact one’s daily functioning.

Causes of the fear of germs phobia

Mysophobia usually stems from an Obsessive compulsive disorder or OCD.

The sufferer feels the need to wash his/her hands frequently, which is one of the characteristics of OCD.

Naturally, in case of Mysophobia, the motivation to frequently wash stems from the fear of microbes unlike that in the OCD where it is more of a matter of following routine.

That being said; most patients are known to suffer from both conditions.

A thorough medical evaluation is hence necessary to determine if it is Mysophobia or OCD.

Heredity and genetics are believed to have a strong link to the fear of germs phobia.

Children with an obsessive-compulsive parent or caregiver are more likely to become Mysophobes.

Additionally, a traumatic (personal or witnessed) event in the past or sometimes even a random event can trigger Mysophobia.

Media, learning about germs at school or getting sick after coming in contact with germs can reinforce one’s belief’s about microbes to the extent that the individual learns to excessively fear germs.

Symptoms of Mysophobia

Depending on the level of fear, different symptoms may be seen in the individual:

Physical symptoms of a panic attack (in what is perceived to be the presence of germs) such as shaking, dry mouth, sweating, nausea, rapid and irregular heartbeat etc are seen in people suffering from the excessive fear of germs. The patient is also likely to indulge in unreasonable behavior or actions like:

o  Washing frequently and excessively.

o  Refusing to use public bathrooms.

o  Avoiding all kinds of social activities or places that include coming in contact with ‘germy’ people or animals.

o  Refusing to share personal items like combs, brushes, or food with anyone.

Gradually, the individual may impose many restrictions upon himself including refusing to touch the doorknobs directly or shaking hands with anyone, as well as constantly using products like hand sanitizers or soaps, which, in large quantities, are (paradoxically) known to make one more prone to infections. Thus, Mysophobia can severely impact one’s occupational, social and familial activities.

Treatment for fear of germs

o  A combination of therapies is recommended for treating phobias like Mysophobia and anxiety disorders like OCD. These include drugs, cognitive behavior therapy, exposure and gradual desensitization therapies as well as relaxation training.

o  Exposure therapy consists of helping the phobic relearn how to encounter germs gradually until he is able to refrain from washing his hands. The individuals also learn to focus on calming techniques and develop the ability to remain in a ‘contaminated environment’ without having a panic attack.

o  Cognitive behavior therapies help the person with a fear of germs change his attitude and thoughts about them. This involves writing down negative and positive thoughts such as “I fear I will die from germs” to “Germs are sometimes healthy and useful to us” and so on. The patients are then asked to decide on beliefs that are healthier and useful to them.

Germs are a necessary part of our lives and for a person with excessive fear of germs; life can be very stressful and complicated.

However, there is hope and many treatment options that can help one heal completely from Mysophobia.

Welcome to FEAROF – I’m Jacob, creator of this site.

Are you suffering from panic attacks or general anxiety?

Then let me tell you that you’re in the right place.

Here’s how this site can help you:

Discover the cause of your fear

Understand your symptoms

Overcome your phobia

I can help by sharing techniques that can get you on the right track towards a life without fear.

https://www.fearof.net/fear-of-germs-phobia-mysophobia/

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POOPING ON AN AIRPLANE - Pooping on an Airplane Can Be Dangerous, Research Says - According to a new study, airplane bathrooms contain a lot of antibiotic-resistant microbes. There's no other option to use the bathroom on an airplane when you need to use it, what are you going to do, pee your pants? Maybe it's better to do it. According to recent research published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology, scientists tested airplane sewage from five different German airports. The sewage tested turned out to contain many different antibiotic-resistant microbes, which is much more than the number of microbes in the sewages of nearby wastewater plants and hospitals, which were also tested.Microbiologist Stefanie Hess of Technische Universität Dresden in Germany told Science News, "This study clearly shows that the antibiotic-resistance problem is a global problem, and a global effort is necessary to tackle this severe threat for human and animal health." Around 90 percent of the 187 E. coli were tested, and according to the study, they were resistant to at least one antibiotic. This is actually a serious problem since infections that can be caused by antibiotic-resistant microbes can be difficult to treat and deadly. At the same time, the number of antibiotic-resistant bacteria was around 45 to 60 percent in the samples from the waste treatment facilities.

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 Pooping on an Airplane

Pooping on an Airplane Can Be Dangerous, Research Says

According to a new study, airplane bathrooms contain a lot of antibiotic-resistant microbes

By Nursah Ergü

Interesting Engineering

There's no other option to use the bathroom on an airplane when you need to use it, what are you going to do, pee your pants?

Maybe it's better to do it.

According to recent research published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology, scientists tested airplane sewage from five different German airports.

The sewage tested turned out to contain many different antibiotic-resistant microbes, which is much more than the number of microbes in the sewages of nearby wastewater plants and hospitals, which were also tested.

Microbiologist Stefanie Hess of Technische Universität Dresden in Germany told Science News, "This study clearly shows that the antibiotic-resistance problem is a global problem, and a global effort is necessary to tackle this severe threat for human and animal health."

Around 90 percent of the 187 E. coli were tested, and according to the study, they were resistant to at least one antibiotic.

This is actually a serious problem since infections that can be caused by antibiotic-resistant microbes can be difficult to treat and deadly.

At the same time, the number of antibiotic-resistant bacteria was around 45 to 60 percent in the samples from the waste treatment facilities.

According to a research done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2019, more than 2.8 million antibiotic-resistant infections occur every year in the U.S.A. and it causes the death of more than 35,000 people.

Some infections such as strep throat, pneumonia, gonorrhea, and foodborne illnesses can get worse and they can be more difficult to treat due to antibiotic resistance.

Microbes become resistant to antibiotics and treatments because of small changes in their DNA and they can transfer this resistance to the other microbes they encounter.

According to the scientists of the research, airplane sewage should be managed and treated more carefully by public health officials.

Founded on the core mission of connecting likeminded engineers around the globe, Interesting Engineering is now a leading community with more than 15 million+ minds. Every day we share a new idea, a new thought, an upcoming technology OR an engineering breakthrough that will change the way you think about technology and engineering in today’s world and in the near future. Whether it’s a device that can charge your mobile in seconds or it’s the latest model of Boeing that has launched moments ago, we will bring everything up on your screen to view, to share and to grant you the power to comment. We believe that sharing information is the only way that can enrich and empower humans on this earth and we follow this as our core mission and responsibility. If you have got something that could entice the world, then Interesting Engineering is a perfect platform to show off your work to the outside world.

https://interestingengineering.com/pooping-on-an-airplane-can-be-dangerous-research-says

USING BLEACH TO DISINFECT, CLEAN AND PREVENT ILLNESS - In outbreaks, pandemics, and other times of illness, it helps to know you can create a bleach solution to protect yourself and your family from germs - When used properly, bleach can kill coronavirus, flu, cold, and even norovirus. The World Health Organization (WHO) specifically recommends using bleach to disinfect in pandemic situations and during the outbreak of illnesses like influenza or coronavirus. Only use chlorine bleach for disinfecting; non-chlorine bleach is not effective. How you prepare the bleach solution is extremely important. Your bleach solution must have a proper concentration of bleach for it to kill germs. Too little bleach means it will be ineffective, while too much can harm people and damage surfaces. Bleach doesn't work immediately, and it's not ideal for all surfaces. Keep these guidelines in mind when you use a bleach cleaner. Always clean before disinfecting. The WHO reports that organic materials such as food, bodily fluids, and dirt can quickly deactivate bleach and render it totally ineffective as a disinfectant.

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Using Bleach to Disinfect, Clean and Prevent Illness

In outbreaks, pandemics, and other times of illness, it helps to know you can create a bleach solution to protect yourself and your family from germs

By Kate Miller-Wilson

You probably already have one of the best household disinfectants in your laundry cabinet.

Using bleach to disinfect, clean, and prevent illness is all about understanding how much to use and where and when to use it.

When used properly, bleach can kill coronavirus, flu, cold, and even norovirus.

Disinfecting With a Bleach Cleaner

The World Health Organization (WHO) specifically recommends using bleach to disinfect in pandemic situations and during the outbreak of illnesses like influenza or coronavirus.

Only use chlorine bleach for disinfecting; non-chlorine bleach is not effective.

Additionally, the WHO notes that how you prepare the bleach solution is extremely important.

Your bleach solution must have a proper concentration of bleach for it to kill germs. Too little bleach means it will be ineffective, while too much can harm people and damage surfaces.

Supplies for Bleach Disinfectant

Gather the following supplies to make a bleach disinfectant recommended by the WHO:

·        Rubber gloves

·        Apron

·        Goggles

·        Bucket or container that holds at least 12.5 cups

·         Spoon or stirring rod

·         Cold water

·         Bleach (strength 5% sodium hypochlorite)

·         Cup measure

·         Tablespoon

How to Make a Bleach Solution

1.    Put on the apron, gloves, and safety goggle to protect your skin and clothing. Work in a well-ventilated place, such as a garage or near an open window.

2.    Measure out 12.25 cups of cold water and pour it into the container. Use only cold water because hot water decomposes the active ingredient in the bleach and makes it ineffective as a disinfectant.

3.    Carefully add two tablespoons of bleach to the cold water. Stir gently to mix.

Bleach Cleaners You Can Purchase

According to the WHO, any bleach cleaner needs to have at least 0.05% available chlorine to work as a disinfectant.

Many products will include the amount of chlorine on the label. Clorox Clean Up Cleaner + Bleach and Lysol Power White & Shine Multipurpose Cleaner With Bleach.

How to Use Bleach to Disinfect

Bleach doesn't work immediately, and it's not ideal for all surfaces. Keep these guidelines in mind when you use a bleach cleaner.

Clean Before Disinfecting With Bleach

Always clean before disinfecting. The WHO reports that organic materials such as food, bodily fluids, and dirt can quickly deactivate bleach and render it totally ineffective as a disinfectant.

Wipe down hard surfaces first. Rinse off organic material on fabrics or other items.

Keep Bleach on the Surface Long Enough

Many people assume bleach works instantly to disinfect against germs and kill mold, but this is not true. So how long does bleach take to disinfect? This depends on the type of surface:

·      Smooth, non-porous surfaces - For smooth items like countertops, floors, bathtubs, and sinks, you need to leave the bleach solution on the surface for at least 10 minutes.

·      Porous surfaces - Leave a bleach solution on porous surfaces like concrete or fabric for at least 30 minutes.

·      Small objects - If you are soaking small objects like toys or eating utensils, leave them in the bleach solution for at least 30 minutes.

Keep Bleach Safety in Mind

Bleach is a highly corrosive material that can damage people and surfaces if not used properly. These tips can help:

·      Never mix bleach with other cleaning products. This can weaken the disinfecting ability of bleach and create a toxic gas.

·      Don't expose concentrated bleach to sunlight. It will react with the sunlight and create a toxic gas.

·      Do not use bleach on skin or hair, since it can cause burns.

·      Never get bleach in the eyes. Flush with water and call poison control if an accident occurs.

·      Keep bleach cleaners out of the reach of children and pets.

·      Bleach can weaken and discolor fabrics and corrode metals, so be aware of this when using it.

Storing Bleach and Bleach Solutions

The WHO stresses the importance of proper storage of bleach and bleach cleaners:

·      Once you've mixed up a bleach cleaning solution, it is good for only 24 hours. After this time, discard it and make a new one.

·      Never store concentrated bleach in direct sunlight. It reacts with the sun and loses potency, as well as creating a dangerous gas.

·      Keep diluted bleach out of sunlight as well, since it can quickly lose effectiveness as a disinfectant when exposed to the sun.

·      Do not store concentrated bleach for long periods of time, as it will lose effectiveness. Only buy what you need.

You Can Kill Germs

In outbreaks, pandemics, and other times of illness, it helps to know you can create a bleach solution to protect yourself and your family from germs.

You can use bleach in the dirtiest places in your home, as well as in areas that just need to be disinfected.

Knowing how and when to use bleach can mean a reduction in illness and infection in your home.

Kate Miller-Wilson is a freelance writer specializing in a range of subjects, including photography, cars, crafts, autism, pregnancy, antiques, genealogy, and more. Kate has written and edited for LoveToKnow since 2009 and loves the great variety of articles and slideshows on the various channels of LoveToKnow.

Experienced Freelance Writer

Kate has a B.A. in English from Western Michigan University and has written hundreds of articles for publication in online and print media. She's also adept at self-publishing, having successfully crowd-funded a book on Kickstarter than will be released in the coming months. Before becoming a freelance writer, Kate worked for several years as a technical writer and software test script writer for the pharmaceutical and medical device industries.

https://cleaning.lovetoknow.com/cleaning-tips/using-bleach-disinfect-clean-prevent-illness

COMMON IMPURITIES IN WATER - Water is not exempt from certain impurities that can severely affect clean consumption. These impurities include dust, fine sand, clay, dirt, and biological contaminants. Pure water is tasteless, colorless and odorless, but water from rainfall, streams and wells is known to harbor harsh chemicals and elements, including acid and metallic rust elements. Many drinking water systems also contain chlorine, as well as high levels of calcium. Dirty or unsafe water consists of elements called Total Suspended Solids that include dust, sand, clay and rust. These remain suspended in water and cause it to become muddy or cloudy. These also lack the two essentials of pure water: hydrogen and oxygen. Hydrogen and oxygen enable drinking water to become pure and basically dissolve most anything it comes into contact with. If consumed, suspended impurities in water if consumed can result in a range of medical ailments and illnesses. Biological impurities in water are caused by the presence of living organisms. Colloidal impurities in water include organic waste products and amino acids. This problem occurs due to contact with suspended matter and elements like sand, rocks and organic matter flowing in rivers, streams and lakes that renders water undrinkable or non-pure. Microorganisms can contaminate water by taking the form of calcium and magnesium salts.

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Common Impurities in Water

Written by AOS Treatment Solutions

Water is the world’s most precious resource.

However, it is not exempt from certain impurities that can severely affect clean consumption.

These impurities include dust, fine sand, clay, dirt, and biological contaminants.

Pure water is tasteless, colorless and odorless, but water from rainfall, streams and wells is known to harbor harsh chemicals and elements, including acid and metallic rust elements.

Similarly, many drinking water systems also contain chlorine, as well as high levels of calcium.

With this in mind, let’s look at some of the common impurities in water and learn why they are not safe for human or animal consumption.

WHAT ARE IMPURITIES IN WATER?

In the United States, dirty or unsafe water consists of elements called Total Suspended Solids (TSS) that are not designed to dissolve.

These solids include dust, sand, clay and rust.

They remain suspended in water and cause it to become muddy or cloudy. They also lack the two essentials of pure water: hydrogen and oxygen.

Hydrogen and oxygen enable drinking water to become pure and basically dissolve most anything it comes into contact with.

If consumed, suspended impurities in water if consumed can result in a range of medical ailments and illnesses.

These include, but are not limited to:

·           Cholera

·          Guinea worm disease

·          Typhoid

·          Legionella

·          Dysentery

·          Malaria – most commonly associated with mosquitoes and germs in contaminated water

Waterborne diseases stemming from drinking contaminated water result in a staggering 3.4 million deaths each year.

The problem is so significant that the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) even has a special department that deals with contaminated water in the United States.

They also network with the World Health Organization (WHO) to provide pure water and treatment solutions for developing nations.

TYPES OF IMPURITIES IN WATER

There are several types of impurities in water drinking systems and reserves.

BIOLOGICAL IMPURITIES IN WATER

Biological impurities in water are caused by the presence of living organisms.

These include algae, protozoa, pathogens, bacteria, viruses, microbes, and parasites along with their cysts (eggs) in contaminated water.

The latter are simply called germs, microorganisms that can reproduce at alarming rates.

Contaminated water is also one of the main causes of gastroenteritis for people of all ages across the United States.

COLLOIDAL IMPURITIES IN WATER

Colloidal impurities in water include organic waste products and amino acids.

This problem occurs due to contact with suspended matter and elements like sand, rocks and organic matter flowing in rivers, streams and lakes that renders water undrinkable or non-pure.

Sources of chemical impurities in water include:

·          Gases that are picked up from the atmosphere by rainwater and torrential downpours

·         Decomposing animals and plants found near streams, rivers and lakes

·         Industrial sewage and wastewater

·         High levels of calcium, iron, magnesium, sodium, and chlorides in river water

·         Organic compounds stemming from agricultural and domestic industrial waste. These are known as anthropogenic contaminants, which are found in natural and drinking water.

·         Inorganic compounds stemming from medical wastewater and equipment systems

As mentioned above, microorganisms can contaminate water by taking the form of calcium and magnesium salts.

However, these germs can also include silicates, along with ferrous and non-ferrous ion-based compounds.

IMPURE WATER SOLUTIONS

With so many impurities in natural and drinking water, one of the best solutions for communities is to have the right municipal water treatment system in place.

Water treatment systems help to eliminate aluminum, chlorides and other hidden chemical and elements from drinking water systems.

AOS Treatment Solutions is a reputable water treatment company with years of extensive industry experience in groundwater treatment, wastewater treatment, and surface water treatment for municipalities and industrial plants.

AOS has the tools and expertise to purify all types of water.

From pathogen removal to corrosion control, AOS is committed to excellence in securing fresh, clean and germ-free water for all communities and businesses.

Contact us online today for more information on how we can help keep your water safe.

AOS TREATMENT SOLUTIONS

Since 1999, AOS Treatment Solutions has provided specialized treatment of water and wastewater to the industrial and municipal markets. Over the years, we have become a leading water/wastewater treatment company utilizing an analytical and scientific approach to developing optimum treatment programs. Through our meticulous testing methodology, we find cost effective solutions to meet the needs of all our customers.

At AOS, our goal is to provide clients with a single-point source for all their water and wastewater treatment needs. We use the latest testing equipment and analyzers to deliver practical solutions that enhance operational reliability.

https://aosts.com/what-are-impurities-in-water-common/