Never has breathing been so important. Gasping for air must surely be one of the most frightening experiences. Millions of people around the world have experienced asthma, serious colds and flu, and even more serious illnesses that affect the respiratory system. And now the COVID-19 virus has taken root in our lives and our world has changed forever.
The respiratory system is made up of the nose, the throat, and lungs. The respiratory system is split up into an upper and lower respiratory tract, with the upper section including the nose, mouth and larynx. The lower respiratory tract makes up the rest and includes the lungs themselves.
Nature of particles
Each day we breathe in millions of different types of dust particles; some are dangerous, and some not. When you use that spray or deodorant, walk down a dusty road, pat your pet, enjoy your garden or print at your office, you are exposed to dust or types of particulate matter of different sizes. Depending on the health of the individual, the reaction to the type of dust will be different. Those that have underlying allergies may have an allergic response, with runny noses and itchy eyes; some may experience an asthmatic response with a tight, wheezy chest. So what is the problem with dust? It’s all about size. The smaller the particle, the further into the lungs it is likely to go. Particles smaller than 5 micrometres (those we can’t see with the naked eye) enter the lungs directly. Obviously when the particles enter the lungs it is difficult for the body to get rid of. Generally, the dust clouds we see contain large particles, and cause the sneeze/cough reaction to rid us of the dust.
Denne historien er fra Volume 10 / Issue 2 July - October 2020-utgaven av To Build.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra Volume 10 / Issue 2 July - October 2020-utgaven av To Build.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Work Surfaces — An International Case Study
Nestled in the foothills of North Tustin, California, is the beautiful home of a well known interior designer, Hilary Hale. Amongst the well-appointed and stylish rooms, the kitchen received a visually striking counter-island to serve as the centrepiece.
Opinion: Tech Can Boost Infrastructure Recovery
As COVID-19 and financial constraints hinder South Africa’s plans for infrastructure development, there is likely to be greater reliance on applying innovative technologies. TO BUILD invited Consulting Partner and Principal Engineering Technologist for SRK, Steve Bartels, to share his views.
Engineering Project Provides Traffic Flow Relief
Finally handed back to the City of Cape Town by the contractors mid-last year, the Kommetjie Road upgrade in the city’s far southern suburbs took four years to complete.
Key ‘People In Construction' Issues
Key ‘people in construction’ issues The Conseil International du Bâtiment (CIB), which is known as the International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction, is a worldwide network of more than 3 000 experts from 300 member organisations focused on all aspects of research and innovation in building and construction. CIB members are institutes, companies, and other types of organisations involved in research, or in the transfer or application of research results. Member organisations appoint experts to participate in CIB working commissions (WCs) and task groups (TGs).
Future Of Home Design Post-Pandemic
We present an opinion by the principal architect of an established New-Delhi firm of architects, which points to the direction that residential design could take post-pandemic.
Container Village Provides A Safe Haven For Impoverished Kids
The Jabulani Feeding Scheme, in Parkwood Estate, Cape Town, sits in an official Zone of Poverty declared by the Department of Social Development. The centre is built on reclaimed land that used to be a dumpsite, so any structure erected must be removable.
Office space: a view of the future
TO BUILD asked partners of a large South African architectural firm what their views were on the future of office space and whether the concept of dedicated office parks could survive in the next decade, especially in a post-pandemic world.
Country chic – stylish and sustainable
Our much loved South African country areas do not have to stand back for the city places when it comes to decor and refurbishment. Proof of this comes by way of an amazing refurbishment done at the Sanddrif holiday resort and working farm. Situated in the central Cederberg area of the Western Cape, the farm is a comfortable 4 hours’ drive from Cape Town, during which time you climb to 1 036 metres above sea level.
Unlawful occupation of property and the stay of eviction proceedings
Implications for property owners and developers: the unlawful occupation of property.
An architect's view
According to historians, New Year’s Day has been celebrated for over four millennia. But this time, we had to dig really deep to find the good that came from 2020. On the other hand, we could talk for hours about what went wrong. However, to have this conversation is senseless; because it is clear that nobody was left unaffected by the absolute devastation that 2020 brought to this planet. Like a tsunami, the COVID-19 virus hit every shore, on every continent, leaving nothing but destruction in its wake.
