the mellow tigger's musings

I've had a Power XL air fryer for a few years. The handle separated from the basket a few times, and I've always successfully reattached it. This time, however, it is too damaged. I looked online to get a replacement basket for only $20, which is great. I was going to order it when I noticed their chemical disclosure statement. I clicked. Oops. Nope, I'm not ordering another one with the Bisphenol A.

I started searching online for air fryers without any dangerous chemicals in them. There are various options including stainless steel, ceramic, and glass. This list seemed better than most, and it includes a variety of products with why each item stands out. I like the idea of a taller oven, but my need for tall space is very rare. I'm leaning now towards the flatter Typhur Dome 2. Its specification section says the coating material is "PFAS-free nonstick ceramic". Considering the price, I then started searching for full-sized electric kitchen stoves as a more permanent alternative. Even though a proper stove would be more versatile, I still like the idea of minimizing my electricity usage with the smaller air fryer. Switching my kitchen to an electric stove will have to wait for another day. I've survived okay for years now with the gas stove disabled and using just a single electric induction plate sitting on top.

So, I'll let the idea percolate for a while longer. If I end up getting the Typhur product, then I fear I might also buy their very interesting little ice maker. That's nothing but sheer indulgence, and I have to smile at the silly luxury, just thinking about it. I'm doing fine with my two stacked metal ice cube trays in the freezer, but this new method would be so much easier.

I just learned an unexpected benefit of my current job at an academic institution. My work login allows me to access academic journals! I was able to view the good bits of this article, "Direct human health risks of increased atmospheric carbon dioxide" from 2019.

I don't know when exactly I stopped turning on the exhaust fan in the upstairs bedroom. It must've been several weeks ago, since I can't remember the last time I turned it on. I always turn it off at night, so it's easier to sleep in the bedroom upstairs without that additional noise. I happened to glance yesterday at the Aranet4 CO2 meter on the stand next to my bed. It was about 1200ppm. I've had the exhaust fan running since about noon yesterday. Now, that reading is about 700ppm.

I'm assuming high CO2 is what was causing my problems with executive malaise and general tiredness. Just like last time this happened. I really need to find a permanent solution to this airflow problem. That academic article I mentioned earlier was a review of other studies. It found some studies showing consequences of CO2 concentrations on human performance while other studies didn't. One interesting tidbit of identified problems is this one: "Participants were exposed to 550, 945 and 1,400 ppm during normal 8 h workdays throughout the week in a randomized, double-blind controlled office environment. Cognitive scores were 15% lower in 945 ppm and 50% lower in 1,400 ppm relative to 550 ppm CO2. On average, participant scores decreased by 21% per 400 ppm increase." This page is an easier plain-English read, and it mentions blood pressure being affected by a small factor, even at 500ppm.

The habit of "getting fresh air" outdoors isn't a matter of exposing yourself to higher O2 concentrations. Instead, it's a matter of avoiding the high CO2 concentrations indoors. And with even outdoors getting higher CO2 concentrations every year, I think this is an under-reported problem of greenhouse gas emissions. I think it's not too much of an exaggeration to claim that it's making us dumber. Not because the outdoor concentration is that high now, but because it raises the bar of what's even possible for indoor concentrations of CO2.

Today is a holiday in the USA. My workplace is still open, but with reduced staffing, so I had the day off from work. I forgot to change my alarms, so they still woke me up at 6:15am local time. I had things I intended to do today. I had important topics I intended to write about.

Instead, I watched YouTube all day and played computer games. I went downstairs to turn on the television and watch the 6pm NPR news. I couldn't stay awake even 5 minutes. I climbed back upstairs and fell into bed, exhausted after a full day of doing nothing. I slept until 8pm.

I'm still tired and yawning even as I write this post. I'll be glad when these doldrums are finally over.