Kids Can Go Green

21 Austin South Asian | May 2021 New Ways Families With Kids Can Go Green

Having kids can mean having a lot of stuff, not all of which is made from eco-friendly materials. However, if you’re like many parents, you want your children to have a clean, healthy planet to live in when they grow up. Going green while parenting might sound challenging, but it’s definitely not impossible. These tips and insights can help get you started:

Reusable Food Packaging

With a little creativity, you can ditch the plastic utensils, baggies and single-use beverage containers at lunchtime. To substantially reduce your family’s plastic waste, switch to organic, reusable lunchboxes featuring partitions and tightly-fitting, leak-proof lids. Keep kids hydrated with easy-toclean stainless steel water bottles or thermoses. Finally, rethink the types of products you buy most often. Rather than opting for snacks pre-packed in single-serving plastic, instead buy favorite items in bulk and wrap smaller portions in reusable, compostable wrapping.

Eco-Friendly Play

Some of your children’s favorite

toy brands are already going green, making it easy to make playtime eco-friendly. One example of a leader in the industry is electronic learning toy company VTech, which is committed to sustainability and has plans to replace its fossil-based blister packaging with plant-based alternatives in 99% of its electronic learning products by 2025. Additionally, the brand is launching a variety of green elec-

tronic learning products later this year as part of its commitment to replace fossil-based plastics with sustainable alternatives by 2030. New eco-friendly toy options from VTech include the Sort & Recycle Ride-on Truck, which not only highlights the importance of protecting the environment through play, but is made of 90% reclaimed plastic, as well as three new vehicles in the popular Go! Go! Smart Wheels line, all made of 85% plant-based plastic.

Its LeapFrog line will include the Choppin’ Fun Learning Pot with food pieces made of 85% plantbased plastic while two new wooden toys, Touch & Learn Nature ABC Board and Interactive Wooden Animal Puzzle, will include wood from responsibly-managed forests certified by Forest Stewardship Council.

The brand’s partnership with TerraCycle also provides an easy way for consumers to recycle its electronic learning products. To learn more about VTech’s sustainability efforts, visit vtechcares.com. Composting

Composting is a simple way to reduce waste and teach children about how they can positively impact the environment. Start by setting up a compost bin and work with your children to identify ingredients that can be added to it.

A good compost recipe includes materials such as dry leaves, household waste like vegetable scraps, coffee grounds and eggshells, and a layer of soil. Add some water and watch as science comes to life. Kids will love seeing their compost turn to soil over time and allowing them to be hands on throughout the process teaches them the concept of recycling in a realistic and relatable way.

With a few simple tweaks, parents can make choices that better protect the environment, while setting a great example for kids. (StatePoint)

5 Important Facts About The Lung Disease, Silicosis

Silicosis, a type of lung disease caused by breathing in tiny bits of silica, mainly affects workers in jobs such as construction and mining. Over time, exposure to silabout the disease:

1. Silicosis is the world’s oldest known occupational disease. Approximately 2.3 million U.S.

workers are exposed to silica in the workplace, including 2 million in construction and other industries, like stone countertop fabrication, foundry work, masonry, mining, general construction and other jobs that involve drilling or breaking materials that contain silica, the most abundant mineral in the Earth’s crust.

ica particles causes scarring in the lungs, which can harm your ability to breathe.

In an effort to help people prevent, diagnose and treat silicosis, the American Lung Association is sharing these five important facts 2. Silicosis normally takes 10–30 years after first exposure to develop. Microscopic silica particles can penetrate deep into a person’s lungs and greatly affect their ability to breathe.

Symptoms typically worsen over time, especially if exposure to silica dust is ongoing.

Over time, the particles can cause lung inflammation that leads to the formation of lung nodules and scarring called pulmonary fibrosis.

Individuals with silicosis have a higher risk of developing other health issues like tuberculosis, bronchitis and lung cancer.

3. There are three types of silicosis. Acute silicosis causes cough, weight loss and fatigue within a few weeks or years of exposure to inhaled silica. common form of silicosis and appears 10 to 30 years after exposure, can affect upper lungs and sometimes cause extensive scarring.

Lastly, accelerated silicosis occurs within 10 years of high-level exposure.

4. There is no cure for silicosis, making prevention essential. While there is no cure for silicosis, the good news is that this lung disease is completely preventable.

Construction sites can mitigate dust by using tools with integrated vacuum systems or by wetting down materials, using sweeping powder, and using dust and water controls appropriately. In addition, properly-fitted respirators can protect lung health while on the job.

5. Appropriate diagnosis and treatment will make life with silicosis easier. The lung damage caused by silicosis is permanent, however it is imperative to treat the disease to slow down progression and relieve symptoms.

Once silicosis has developed, your doctor will assess the degree of lung damage with tests. Some people may benefit from inhalers or supplemental oxygen to treat symptoms.

Using the proper medications and seeing an experienced specialist are important to managing the disease, as well as quitting smoking, getting adequate exercise, managing your weight and monitoring for complications.

For resources and to learn more, visit www.lung.org. (StatePoint)

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22 Austin South Asian | May 2021 THEME: SESAME STREET DOWN ACROSS

1. Scarecrow stuffing 6. Observe 9. Kind of ski lift 13. “Fear of Flying” author Jong 14. Madame Tussauds’ medium 15. Fervent 16. Never say this? 17. You to are is as thou to ____ 18. Skylit lobbies 19. *It isn’t easy “bein’ green” for him 21. *First bilingual Sesame Street puppet 23. Flower precursor 24. Rental on the links 25. Rowing prop 28. Banana remnant 30. Besmear 35. Poker variety 37. Away from wind 39. Like helium gas 40. Coconut fiber 41. Like an iPhone 43. Singular of #33 Down 44. Per ____, or yearly 46. Guesstimate phrase, 2 words 47. Raise, as in child 48. Bob Marley’s music 50. TV classic “____ Make a Deal” 52. Hi-____ monitor 53. Oscar Wilde’s Dorian ____ 55. *Sesame Street’s Meryl Sheep 57. *Every starred clue in this puzzle 60. *Self-described as lovable, cute and furry 63. One born to Japanese immigrants 64. Be in the red 66. He had no cause? 68. Thin mountain ridge 69. Local area network 70. Unmanned flyer 71. Hospital statistics unit, pl. 72. NaOH 73. Church assembly 1. D.C. V.I.P. 2. “Star ____” 3. Either Gauche or Droite in Paris 4. Like a lemon 5. Beginning of a workout 6. Special law enforcement unit, acr. 7. Elephant’s distinguished feature 8. Uncredited actor 9. Lake ____caca, South America 10. *Ernie’s roommate 11. Diva’s delivery 12. Swedish shag rug 15. “____ your seatbelts” 20. Think tank output 22. Eyeball shape 24. “I can see ____ now the rain has gone...” 25. *Trash can dweller 26. Be sorry for one’s wickedness 27. Repenting 29. *He avoids pronouns and speaks in falsetto 31. Gloomy 32. More competent 33. Arm bones 34. *Mama, Papa, Baby and Curly 36. Chemical cure 38. Gaelic tongue 42. Load carrier 45. Crow’s cousin 49. Old English for before 51. Arya Stark’s Needle and Jedi’s Lightsaber, e.g. 54. Lagoon wall 56. Each and all 57. Bog down 58. From a second-hand store 59. Four-legged friends 60. Autry or Wilder 61. Jet black 62. Nevada city 63. Pick up, as in suspect 65. Modus operandi 67. Light-emitting diode

SUDOKU Sudoku

Please email your sudoku answers to info@austinsouthasian.com. Name and photo of the inviduvidual with first correct answer will be published in May 2021 issue.

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