Subscribe Now

For every two minutes a car idles, it uses about the same amount of fuel it takes to drive one mile. While it may be tempting to idle your car for a few minutes to “warm it up” during winter, 30 seconds is plenty of time to get going. Tailpipe emissions from cars contain pollutants [...]

January is National Radon Action Month. What is radon? Radon is a radioactive gas produced when uranium in soil decays; it can be found all over the United States. Radon gas moves up through the ground into your home through cracks and holes in the foundation, becoming trapped inside. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates [...]

According to AAA, nearly 40 million travelers hit the roads over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend! Increased traveling distance and unpredictable weather can result in hazardous driving conditions at this time of year. Here, read about some memorable Thanksgiving weather events and get tips for safe and efficient travel, whether your destination is near or far.

As you get outdoors this fall, know how to protect yourself if you are allergic to urushiol oil of plants, such as poison ivy and poison oak.  Poison ivy’s appearance can vary greatly between plants and in different locations. It always has three leaflets per stem, but some leaves can be broad and big like [...]

Thanks to ragweed, fall is hay fever season for many Americans. Common ragweed occurs all over the country and is in full bloom in Texas in August and September.  It is often confused with tall goldenrod, a showier native plant across much of the United States. Viewer Tip: The “rag” in ragweed comes from the [...]

National Public Lands Day (NPLD) will be held on Saturday, September 24, 2011 in more than 2,000 communities around the U.S.  For nearly 20 years, NPLD has been supporting national, state and local public lands by bringing volunteers together to give back and spruce up the lands that belong to all Americans. Volunteers have fun, [...]

Recent flooding, wildfires and earthquakes provide good reminders of the importance of being prepared for natural disasters and other emergencies. According to NOAA’s National Climatic Data Center, there have been 10 billion-dollar weather disasters so far in 2011, including flooding from Hurricane Irene; drought, heat waves and wildfires in the Southern Plains and Southwest; and [...]

Even on days with relatively mild temperatures of about 70 degrees Fahrenheit, the temperature inside a vehicle can reach dangerous levels. While the windows of a car do not warm very much from the sun’s rays, the objects inside of a car absorb and radiate heat. A dark-colored seat or dashboard can reach temperatures of [...]

Nitrogen and phosphorus are part of healthy aquatic habitats. These nutrients support the growth of underwater plants that provide oxygen and habitat for fish and other animals. They also support algae growth, which is a source of food for many fish and shellfish. Aquatic habitats can become unbalanced, however, when too much nitrogen and phosphorus [...]

Have you noticed more frequent encounters with yellow jackets recently? Yellow jackets are a type of paper wasp found across the country. Depending on the species, they either nest above or below ground in colonies with workers and one queen that lays eggs. During the spring and early summer, workers build-up the colony with chambers [...]

Ocean and lake beaches around the country get closed every year due to poor water quality from pathogens – disease-causing bacteria and viruses. One way that pathogens get into the water is from pet and wild animal waste being washed down storm drains when it rains. In most communities, storm drains discharge storm water directly [...]

Some cities in the United States, such as Miami and Phoenix, receive over 3,000 hours of sun every year! In the summer, when temperatures can top 90 or even 100 degrees, a popular way to beat the heat is to take a dip in the pool. Unfortunately, in some states – including California, Florida and [...]

Although thunderstorms impact relatively small areas when compared to winter storms or hurricanes, they are still dangerous.  Thunderstorms can be accompanied by hail, strong winds and flash flooding. Every thunderstorm is accompanied by lightning. Viewer Tip: In 2011, there have been 13 lightning fatalities* in the United States – all of them have occurred outdoors. [...]

Insects can become a major problem after heavy rains or flooding has occurred.  Standing water and debris are perfect breeding grounds for insects, especially mosquitoes and houseflies.  Cleanup should be done immediately after heavy rains or flooding to eliminate possible breeding areas and control insect populations around your home. Viewer Tip: To prevent insects from [...]

The sun emits radiation in the form of ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV radiation is at its highest when and where the sun’s rays are the strongest. This means that UV levels will be highest around noon on a clear sunny day, as well as during the summer months. UV levels will also be highest near [...]

When the temperature goes up outside, so does the demand for energy for cooling. Research shows that for every one degree Fahrenheit increase in outdoor air temperatures, demand for energy increases by 1.5 to two percent! Rising energy use can lead to an increase in air pollutant emissions, which impact human health and contribute to [...]

Heavy rains can cause flash flooding quickly and without warning.  Flash flooding may occur below burn scars from recent wildfires – just a short burst of moderate rainfall can lead to floods and debris flows in these areas.  Water running over burned areas can pick up ash, dirt, large rocks and loose vegetation.  Rushing water [...]

On hot, sunny days, surface temperatures of roofs and pavement can be from 50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than the air temperature! These hot surfaces contribute to “urban heat islands” where temperatures in cities are hotter than surrounding, less developed areas. The urban heat island effect can be particularly pronounced at night, when city [...]

Summer fun can sometimes be hindered by pesky insects such as mosquitoes. Often our defense for this bothersome biter is to apply lotions and sprays or ignite repellant-infused candles. This is an effective way to deter the current mosquito population, but taking the time to prevent breeding and repopulation can significantly increase your summertime enjoyment. [...]

That’s what the old timers would say and it meant you could dig for the many types of clams that make Puget Sound world famous for its good shellfish. But make sure you check local health advisories before digging for clams or harvesting oysters and mussels to eat. Some beaches are closed to harvesting due [...]