Why You May Want Healthier Air at Home

- and How to Get It

While we worry about smog, worse pollution is closer to home.  In fact it is in our homes.

As reporter Chandra Shikhar discovered, “more than three decades after the Clean Air Act, the air outdoors is much cleaner, even with many more people, cars and industries … but indoor air is another matter.”

“It is an insidious kind of poisoning of our lives,” said former California state legislator, Fred Keeley who successfully fought for indoor air regulation.

“Pollutants inside buildings vastly outnumber those outside”, said Jed Waldman, who heads the Indoor Air Quality program at the California Department of Health Services.

Yet there’s good news. You can take a few, powerfully simple steps to make the air inside your home – the one place you can control – better than the air outside. Here’s to living healthier and longer with clean air at home.

Five Alarming Facts to Motivate You to Act

1.  50 percent of all illnesses are either caused or aggravated by poor indoor air quality.

2. Asthma is now the most common chronic disorder in childhood, affecting an estimated 6.2 million children in the U.S., according to the American Lung Association.

3. The EPA ranks poor indoor air quality as one of top five public health risks. (Asthma, allergies, and other breathing difficulties, lung and heart disease, headaches and dizziness.)

4.  Americans spend nearly 90% of their time indoors.

5. Indoor air pollution can be two to fives times to sometimes 100 times higher than outdoor air pollution.

Who is Most Vulnerable to Dirty Air?

Those most at risk to polluted air at home:

•  Infants and young children.

•  People with asthma, allergies or other respiratory illnesses or who have heart or lung problems – especially those who also lead stressful lives.

•  Elderly, most of whom have reduced lung capacity.

•  Smokers and those who live with them.

•  People who work at home.

•  Those in colder climates who tend to stay inside even longer.

•  People in urban areas.

•  Those living in energy-efficient or other well-built homes that seal air inside.

Even Tidy, Conscientious People Get Sick From Their Home

Even if you use non-toxic products, clean regularly, have a HEPA vacuum cleaner and do not smoke, nor have asbestos or damp surfaces or use a fireplace or a wood stove, you are still vulnerable to the tiniest dust particles in your home – the respiratory suspended particulates (RSPs).

They become airborne from even slight actions such as walking on the carpet, sitting on a sofa or lifting a blanket. The particles are microbial air contaminants, ranging from bacteria and viruses to fungi and spores. They include pollens, spores, asbestos fibers, insect debris, food remnants, and pet dander.

What Makes RSPs So Dangerous to Your Healht?

Size does matter. RSPs are so small that you can breathe them deep into your lungs. Multiple studies show they cause acute or chronic health effects.

They enter the blood or lymph tissue and cause a host of respiratory problems. Those who are allergic to respirable particles succumb to a range of health problems, from allergic rhinitis to bronchial asthma.

Radon and benzo-a-pyrene (suspected carcinogenic agents) are transported by RSPs into the lungs.

Gases or other substances may also be carried by RSPs into the lungs.

Respiratory illness, especially chronic illnesses like bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma may be linked to, or aggravated by, exposure to RSPs.

Lung damage may be small yet it is cumulative. That is especially devastating for young children as the effect of the damage increasingly reduces lung capacity as they age.

Recent research shows that respiratory problems from RSPs and other air pollutants can also lead to heart problems.

It Gets Worse

These pollutants affect you more if you are sensitive to them or the longer you are exposed to them – for example, the amount of time you spend at home.  Health dangers range from itchy eyes to allergic reactions to more dangerous effects such as a damaged immune systems, reduced lung capacity, heart difficulties and cancer.

Slightly larger particles, such as pollen, dander and house-dust allergens, don’t penetrate your lungs as deeply, but they can cause debilitating allergic responses.

Consider Testing the Air Quality in Your Home

Consider getting a whole home air test, conducted by a certified indoor air consultant. Also consider testing how efficiently your HVAC system is working.  Most are at about 58% efficiency.

Some people simply buy a continuously high-performing, whole home air cleaning system for peace of mind. They want to feel secure that they are making the air healthy in the one place they can control – their home.

Now, here’s to helping you make the smartest choice in a home air cleaner.

Choose the Most Efficient Air Cleaner for Your Home

You can get a whole home air cleaner if you have a forced air system, meaning you have a furnace or furnace and air conditioner. Then you already have a basic mechanical filter. That’s your first, crude level of defense against air pollution.

These mechanical filters are typically made of a coarsely woven metal. They can only remove large particles of dirt and hair.  Even that capacity is greatly reduced when the filters are not replaced regularly. Worse yet, these mechanical filters can’t capture the tiny RSPs.

If you do not have a forced-air system or want to consider a portable, room-only device, here’s the basics you need to know.

Get a Portable Room-only Device or a Whole Home System?

The next step is to choose between a portable room-only cleaner and a whole home cleaner. Unfortunately, some don’t have that choice. You can’t get a whole home system if you do not have a forced-air home furnace or air conditioning system.

In considering portable devices you have two kinds: ones with mechanical filters or ionizers.

Mechanical Filter-Based Portable Air Devices

The best kind of portable systems meet the HEPA (high efficiency particulate air filters) standard.  That means they can capture 99.97 percent of the airborne particles 0.3 microns and larger that pass through the filter. These include tobacco smoke, household dust and pollen. Mechanical filters draw air through a flat, pleated or high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) surface to trap particles.

That design means HEPA filters can be efficient in the beginning yet tend to clog easily. Clogging reduces airflow and thus their ability, over time, to remove pollutants. Filters must be changed with some frequency to maintain HEPA-level efficiency. Not all if us remain that diligent, even if we intend to be.

“Gary McEldowney, the marketing director for AllergyBuyersClub.com, said the cost of a purifier could range from $150 to $700, depending on size and features. Replacement HEPA filters cost $40 to $150.” Other models are much more expensive.

Another obvious disadvantage is that a single room cleaner can’t keep the rest of the air in your home clean.  It can’t even maintain the high HEPA standard in the room in which it is used, unless it runs continuously and the door and windows to the room are kept closed – an unlikely possibility.

This room-only approach is akin putting a bandaid on a wound.

Portable Room Ionizers

Ionizers emit a small charge to the air stream that causes particles to adhere to the filter or other surfaces by a magnetic-like attraction.  But this is not efficient as particles can become re-suspended.

Worse yet, ionizing emits ozone, a lung irritant that is also linked to other health problems. It can have damaging health effects, especially for those with asthma and other lung diseases, children and the elderly.

According to Consumer Reports and the EPA, “While some indoor air pollutant concentrations decline in the presence of ozone, other pollutants increase. In fact, upon reaction with ozone, some previously undetected, toxic chemicals emerge in indoor air, including formaldehyde and other aldehydes.” See the EPA’s article, “Ozone Generators Sold as Air Cleaners.”

To add insult to injury, the units make a zapping and other noise as they emit ozone. Also it requires time-consuming cleaning and frequent filter changes to maintain even a lower level of performance.

Your best option, if you cannot get a whole home air cleaner, is to get a portable, room-only device with a mechanical, HEPA-grade filter.

If your home has a forced-air system you can get a whole home system. Now you’ll see your options. The good news is that there are clear choices. You do not have to spend a lot of time nor money to get healthy air throughout your home.

How to Choose the Most Efficient Whole Home Air Cleaner

Whole home air cleaners can be placed in the ductwork of forced-air systems heating or air-conditioning (also known as in-duct air cleaners).

“If you are using forced air for, the best way to clean the air in your house is to add a filtration module to your system,” said Alex Wilson, president of BuildingGreen in Brattleboro, Vermont.  As you’ll read further down, however, you may not have to mess with the ducts, with a hybrid system. It can be retrofitted, that is bolted right onto your existing unit.

Here are the kinds of whole home air cleaners from which you can choose:

Electrostatic Precipitators (ESPS)

All electrostatic precipitators use electricity to charge particles passing through them and then attract them electrically (make them “stick”) to either plates or a filter.

As you compare systems consider these five key factors:

1.  Performance over time: Efficiency goes down over time in some systems.

2.  Maintenance: It is key to continuously high performance. Some systems are considerably more complex, messy and time-consuming – as are some filters. Even a diligent person can get tired of the upkeep and avoid doing it. Some systems require more frequent filter changes than others.

3. Ease and cost of installation.

4. Sound: Some systems create noise while others are quiet.

5. Ozone emission: Some cleaners emit ozone, the pollutant in smog. Ozone can cause lung damage and other health problems. It also creates noise as it arcs, sparks and pops.

Following are the categories of air cleaner systems, described in the order of increasing levels of air cleaning performance, maintenance needs and convenience.

This is the least expensive kind of filtering system, removing 90% of particles that are 0.3 microns or less. It requires frequent filter change and, more importantly, performance goes down over time.  One example is the Filtrete. Electrostatic units filter the air using static electricity. They have a static charge on the filter to allow airborne particles to “stick” to the filter, just like static-charged clothing sticks together.

The drawbacks to these units are that they capture fewer RSP’s and the filter needs to be replaced frequently

2. Conventional Electronic Air Cleaners

EACs charge particles and cause them to stick to plates inside the unit or to a filter. In this way they trap and filter up to 98% of pollutants from the air passing through your heating and cooling system. This kind of air cleaner can capture microscopic impurities like dust, smoke and smog particles in addition to larger particles like mold spores and cat dander.

Collected pollutants are removed by cleaning the plates in the sink or dishwasher.  Some EAC’s use grounded filters instead of plates but these require expensive replacements.

3. Hybrid Electronic Air Cleaner

A hybrid electronic air cleaner eliminates the need for wires (or pins) and plates.  Instead it uses a non-metallic material to conduct the electricity and charge the RSP’s. Thus you can avoid the messy and time-consuming cleaning that comes with metal-based EAC technology.

Then, it uses an inexpensive, recyclable but highly-efficient, loosely woven filter to capture the particles.  This loose weave enables the unit to operate with low static pressure. Filters replacements are easier than with conventional EACs.

Once to twice a year, depending on amount of air pollution filters are changed.

As a consequence of these innovations, consumers get the upside of a conventional EAC (high efficiency) without the downsides (higher maintenance, costlier and more invasive installation, ozone emission in some, etc.).

Plus, since this hybrid operates in a way that reduces system wear and tear and is easier to maintain, the initial high-performance is continuous. It does now go down over time.

One final thought. Winter is coming. Days are getting colder and shorter. You may be spending more time inside. Consider installing an air cleaner soon. Healthier air is the priceless gift for yourself and those who share the holidays with you at home.

We never think about the air we breathe, unless we have allergies or asthma that can get in the way of our daily activities. The truth is that the air today is filled with a variety of agents, from dust particles to animal dander, and even bacteria that can cause serious health issues.
Many people have purchased an air purifier to use in their homes, and when the time came to clean or change the filter, they were amazed to discover how much dirt had collected. Our lungs are built to protect our body, but there are bacteria and other airborne substances that can still get in and infect us with unhealthy elements. Fortunately, there are some tips and suggestions on how the Holmes air purifiers can make your life healthier.
The Right Air Purifier
There are many air purifiers available on the market today, as more people are finding out about the pollutants in the air we breathe. However, choosing the one best one for your needs can be tricky, with so many different options to select from.
Many people tend to avoid brand names in any kind of product, because they are concerned about the higher costs involved. However, brand names such as Holmes air purifiers are known because of their quality and performance.

You will find a great variety in styles and price ranges of a Holmes air purifier to choose from, depending on your personal requirements and needs.
The first thing you need to consider is the size of the room in which you want to place the air purifier. This information will allow you to choose the correct capacity of the unit that you need. If you are not sure of how this information will help you to determine your choice, you can ask an expert at a Holmes air purifier retailer to help you.
Guaranteed Clean Air
Holmes air purifiers guarantee clean air, because they are equipped with HEPA filters, which will cut down 99.97% of allergens found in the air. You will be able to get Holmes air purifiers large enough to clean the air in your house or office, and small enough to carry around with you; the choice is yours.
Other Advantages of Holmes Air Purifiers
The others advantages to Holmes air purifiers are the energy efficient and low noise features. Because they are energy saving devices, you can plug them in all day long and still not worry about the size of your utility bill. These units are also quiet enough to not interfere with your daily activities such as watching television, sleeping or relaxing.

As a life-long educator and future superintendent, I have witnessed a multitude of physical buildings that house the American school child. Some of them are new buildings with beautiful architecture, while others have been 100-year old small rural schools. Public schools are a source of allergens, germs and environmental nuances that affect the quality of the child’s daily life. This year, the main threat to many schools was the MRSA virus. With some schools closing down and others experiencing declining attendance due to this particular disease alone, valuable attendance dollars were dwindled down. With the school budget being one of the main concerns of many superintendents, when the attendance is down, so is the budget.

I worked in one 100-year old school house. What a charming place that was! I thought it was “Little House on the Prairie” as I romanticized the entire experience. But…what was lurking in the walls besides all the dust??? Mold…yes…you don’t make it to 100 without getting a little water damage here and there. Part of the school was condemned, yet, one would have to walk through the condemned area on a daily basis to retrieve daily mailbox messages and also, the teacher’s workroom was there. Fortunately, they did get a new school; so that was taken care of….or was it?

New schools and the building supplies that are used to build them emit mega doses of contaminants. Now we have “Sick Building Syndrome” which Wikipedia describes ….”as flaws in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Other causes have been attributed to contaminants produced by outgassing of some types of building materials, volatile organic compounds,molds   (molds again???) improper exhaust ventilation of light industrial chemicals used within, or fresh-air intake location / lack of adequate air filtration (see Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value). ” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sick_building_syndrome). How are the children suppose to handle the contaminates at a new school?

Traditionally, the overhead lights are enough to distract even normal school children with the ongoing flickering, buzzing and vibrations. Many autistic children are not able to be in classrooms and moms may keep them home knowing that the buzzing sets off their child. This lighting may influence seizure and tic disorders. ADHD children are distracted by the frequencies, too. Our children, as a whole, are becoming highly sensitized to many conditions that perhaps fifty years ago would not bother a child. Schools need to address the needs of all children and with the fact that this is becoming so common, we need to do what is in the best interest for all children and provide the proper type of lighting that does not cause adverse reactions.

I don’t know about you, but when I walk into a room, I notice how clean it is. When I look at the walls and see stains and marks and then look at the floor and a layer of dirt on the baseboard, I think dirt, plain and simple. You have no idea how many substitute teaching jobs I walked into and observed filth on a regular basis. Children breathe the dust and overall, it sets a very bad example.

So what are public schools suppose to do to deal with this health threat? With No Child Left Behind and the English Language Learner demands, school districts are at a premium to make their own budgets without the additional expenses of dealing with many of these issues. Obvious dirty classrooms or facilities are the responsibility of the building administrator. The child has a right to be educated in a safe environment, so yes, we must focus on the health of the school building to ensure the health of our children. There are air purifiers that would possibly be the answer to some of the problems. Buying the right air purifier for the school could be explored. Some air purifiers are built to kill germs, mold, viruses and bacteria, besides filtering dust, and pollens. Purchasing several purification systems would only pay for themselves in the long run with the money a school or business (even hospitals) would save on illnesses or closures due to MRSA or other diseases. There are proven laboratory studies to back the germ killing claims with certain brands.

High stakes tests would likewise benefit from a clean air test sitting. Who knows, test scores may rise because children are not sneezing from the allergens of dust mites or pollen in the classroom and are able to concentrate fully on the exam.

Finding money in the budget will be the most difficult part of the equation. With that being said, I am realistic enough to know that this is not going to be a major concern for the school board’s agenda. I think it may take parent groups to get together and brainstorm what they can best do to raise money to purchase the air purifiers.

Good luck with your project of having a “SAFE AND HEALTHY SCHOOL”.

Diane Siers

School administrator and future superintendent

d.siers@yahoo.com

Have you ever wanted to live or work in a home or a business in which the air smells fresh and clean? Are you constantly using air freshener to try to make your environment a little bit more comfortable for everyone? Do you or someone in your family suffer from allergies that are making life miserable? If the answer to any or all of these questions is “yes”, you should consider purchasing a Rain Forest air purifier for your home or office to enhance the air and the quality of life within.
Reasons to Use an Air Purifier
There are many reasons to consider using a Rain Forest air purifier. First, you are going to find that you are breathing easier in a room that utilizes an air purifier, even if you don’t have allergies. This is because the Rain Forest air purifier will take all of the potentially harmful particles and substances out of the air before circulating it back into the room, where it will be much cleaner and easier to breathe.

Another reason to consider an air purifier is that you are going to find that a Rain Forest air purifier actually creates a safer environment for you and your family. Much of the smells and odors that are found in the air actually come about because the air is filled with bacteria or other harmful substances.
By using a Rain Forest air purifier, you will actually be able to clean the air – making it much easier for you to breathe and much safer for you to live and work in. The bad thing about airborne particles is that you can’t see them. Sometimes you have no idea what you are breathing in and how it could affect your health. By using a Rain Forest air purifier to clean the air, you can rest assured that your environment is fresh and healthy.
These air purifiers are also affordable, easy to use, and easy to find. The filters do not need to be replaced very often, but when you do purchase replacements, you will see that they are very affordable as well. This means that you will have a low maintenance method of ensuring that your family is always breathing air that is clean and safe. Talk to your retail center today to find the Rain Forest air purifier that will meet your individual needs.

Some time back when there were no agents to clean the air, people who suffered from allergies continued to suffer until the introduction of air purifiers.

Air purifiers are devices that reduce impurities or contaminants in order to leave a more conducive environment for people and other organisms to live in. People who suffer from asthma are especially thankful to the scientists who invented air purifiers.

It is not only people who suffer from such ailments that are at risk, but everyone who does not appreciate rude second-hand smoke that is emitted by smokers who do not take necessary precautions to protect the people around them. The air purifiers function in many different forms, but basically they work by filtering the air and releasing the clean particles to the atmosphere.

Air purifiers are used not only to remove smoke from the air, but also very many other impurities. They include pollen which comes from plants. As you may well know pollen is a very big factor when allergies are concerned. Other impurities include dust, pet dander and mite waste. Traditionally, people poured water to dusty spaces to reduce the amount of dust that would be transfered to the atmosphere but, today there are more modern ways to cub the problem.

Usually most impurities are microscopic and need air purifiers to totally rid them from the air. Air purifiers need some amount of electrical energy to function with efficiency. This can translate in more expense but a lot of positive effect to the environment. One of the most common ways to clean the air is using filters. Air is literally filtered by various methods and purified. This method is not very suitable for very large environments and may be uneconomical.

Activated carbon is a highly porous material that can absorb impurities from the air and is usually used alongside filters. It cannot be used to absorb very huge particles and therefore limited in its function. To effectively get rid of mold, bacteria, or viruses a method that uses short wave ultra violet rays, has been proven to be very effective in its function. This method is called photo catalytic oxidation. Ionizer purifiers or needles that are used to produce electrically charged surfaces.

Another air purifier is the ozone generator. It produces ozone which is a strong oxidant. Ozone oxidizes most chemicals and therefore very effective in its function. Ozone gas is very dangerous and anyone thinking of getting this air purifier should take extreme caution and follow every safety procedure that is directed by the manufacturers. One of the major factors that you should consider when choosing an air purifier is the kind of allergens you want to get rid of. Your purifier must be effective to the kind of problems that you have.

It is wise to consider the safety indications of your method and there can be no compromise with that. You should consider the amount of space available to install your purifier. They come in all shapes and sizes.Air purifiers play a major role in ensuring that life is enhanced and sustained. One can get small household purifiers in form of sprays which are widely available in the market or you can go for the advanced versions. It is vital to remember that people with no allergies can be affected by certain chemicals and it is therefore prudent to take some consideration in their favor.