Be Cool, Think Green

The world is becoming more sensitive to the term “green” and what it means to our environment and the health of our planet. Many companies are rushing to redefine their products and business practices to “go green.” Some companies, however, have always been green without even trying to be politically correct. It was just the right thing to do. Port-A-Cool, LLC, is one of those companies.

For example, the flagship product for the company is the Port-A-Cool® portable evaporative cooling unit, manufactured in Center, Texas. The unit features a one-piece, rotationally molded plastic housing which is leak and rust proof and produced at the company’s manufacturing facility. The company recycles all scrap plastic from the manufacture of the units and uses recycled plastic in the mold, reducing waste and harm to our environment.

In addition, the unit itself uses a cooling method that is environmentally friendly. The ancient Egyptians used the same principles of evaporative cooling to cool their homes by hanging a damp mat in the doorway and allowing the wind to evaporative the water and provide cooling. Port-A-Cool® units utilize the same natural cooling methods, but have implemented state-of-the-art technology to perfect the process, always keeping in mind the company’s commitment to preserving our environment. The water, which is held in a sump tank inside the unit, is pure enough to water your garden. Only tap water and 115v of electricity are required to operate the unit. Port-A-Cool® units use less than a dollar a day in resources to provide air an average of 15-25 degrees F. cooler than surrounding air. Because the Port-A-Cool® unit uses a natural cooling process, no harmful greenhouse gases, like CO2 expelled from traditional air conditioning systems, are released into the air to harm our ozone layer.

An environmentally friendly process for cooling, coupled with being “green” before “green” was cool. That has always been the “natural” choice for Port-A-Cool, LLC.

For more information, or to locate a distributor near you, call 1-800-695-2942 or 936-598-5651. Or, you can visit the manufacturer online at www.port-a-cool.com.

Avoid Heat Stress this Summer

With summer temperatures steadily climbing into triple digits, the potential for heat stroke becomes a real concern for those exposed to high temperature environments.

“High Temperature Environments” are generally referred to as those over 87˚F for light work, over 82˚F for moderate work and over 78˚F for heavy work. This amount requires 25% rest time for every 75% of work time, according to OSHA, with additional rest times for higher temperature environments. For example, work place temperatures over 86˚F require 75% rest time for every 25% of work time when a worker is producing a heavy workload.

According to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the U.S. Department of Health, and the University of Michigan, employees required to work in high temperature environments should be allowed to take frequent breaks in a cool place.

According to OSHA “rest period” recommendations, if a staff of 100 workers takes ONE additional 10-minute rest period per day, the cost to the company will be 16 hours and 40 minutes in lost production time per day or 83 hours and 20 minutes per week. In terms of dollars, at $18 per hour pay rate, excluding overtime and including benefits, the cost to the company will be $1,500 per week or $19,500 over the course of a 13-week summer. That is for ONE 10-MINUTE REST PERIOD PER DAY PER 100 WORKERS!

According to these same organizations, high temperature work environments can lead to a variety of heat-illnesses including: heat stroke, heat stress, heat strain, heat collapse, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat fatigue and heat rash.

Also according to these groups, if frequent breaks are not taken, workers are at risk of physical symptoms such as nausea, headaches, dizziness, cramps, confusion, unconsciousness, seizure and even death. Mentally, workers can become drowsy, unfocused, moody, and the effects of heat stress have been shown to contribute to accidents, work slowdowns and walkouts, according to the Southwest Michigan Coalition on Safety and Health.

All these groups recommend ventilation as a preventative and some specifically recommend evaporative cooling where available, citing the inefficiency and high cost of installing and operating central air conditioning and the additional benefit of portable evaporative cooling and the ability to direct spot cooling where desired.

Port-A-Cool® portable evaporative cooling units provide fresh cool air and require nothing but tap water and 110v of electricity to operate. Evaporative cooling has also been proven to improve indoor air quality because of the introduction of fresh air and moisture that the unit produces. The energy costs are also lowered by as much as 3/4th when utilizing evaporative cooling.

For providing 100% fresh, cool air for warehouse or shop employees, kennels, poultry houses, gymnasiums, or during outdoor activities, Port-A-Cool® units are the only choice.

For more information, please contact Port-A-Cool, LLC, manufacturer of Port-A-Cool® evaporative cooling units, at 1-800-695-2942.