This morning, I went out to lunch with my cousin out in Irvine. Someone was smoking right next to us, and my cousin started coughing. She complained about her asthma, and how it was so hard for her to breathe sometimes. I told her, "Don't you wish we could have an air purifier for the air outside, as well?" She looked confused until she finally asked me what an air purifier was. I was shocked - I thought everyone at least knew what an air purifier did, but apparently I was wrong.

I told her about HEPA filters and how they capture allergens like dust and pollen, and about carbon filters and how they absorb odors and smoke. She was pretty fascinated, so I convinced her to get the small Vornado AQS500 air purifier as a starter. It's small and it's super easy to use, so I thought it would be perfect for her. I haven't talked to her since this morning, but I'm sure that I'll hear some positive results from her by tomorrow!

Indoor Air Quality: Little Known Sources of Indoor Air Pollution

To improve the indoor air quality inside of your home you'll need to find the sources of indoor air pollution. Here are a few of the lesser known ones to make sure you are well on your way to creating a healthier environment in your home.

Ozone: Some household appliances emit ozone, which is a molecule that is unsafe at high levels. Sometimes the amount of ozone emitted from photocopiers, laser printers, ultraviolet sources and electrostatic or ionic air cleaners is a "safe" amount. The problem is that different regulatory agencies disagree on what level of ozone is safe. To make sure you aren't being exposed you can test the level of ozone present in your home with inexpensive ozone test strips.

Carpet: Carpet can be a source of chemical emission because it emits volatile organic compounds. The products used to install carpeting like the adhesives and padding also emit VOCs. Carpet may also absorb biological pollutants such as pesticides, dust mites and fungi.

Paint: After the application of paint, it may off-gas for months. To prevent this, purchase paint with low VOCs and follow all of the recommendations regarding application, removal and ventilation. Also keep in mind that the health consequences can be even greater for children and those suffering from respiratory issues or compromised immune systems.

Cleaning Products: Household cleaning products can be the sources of hundreds of potentially harmful chemicals. Some release their harmful chemicals right away while others release them over a period of time. Make sure you use these products in an area with adequate ventilation.

Furniture: Furniture is most often put together with glue that contains formaldehyde, which will off-gas over time. Formaldehyde is a contributor of allergies, asthma and cancer over long periods of exposure. To prevent this from happening in your home avoid pressed wood products unless you are sure that they are free from formaldehyde.

Cooking: When you cook with a gas stove, nitrogen dioxide is produced at levels that the EPA considers unsafe to breathe. Nitrogen dioxide can worsen asthma and increase the risk of respiratory infection. To prevent these effects, ventilate the stove to the outside or keep a window open while cooking.

Plants: Some common house plants can actually remove harmful indoor air pollution, but others produce VOCs. These plants include peace lilies, areca palms, weeping figs and snake plants. Choose plants that are grown without pesticides and pot them in non-plastic pots (such as ceramic ones).

Alen Air Purifiers: Pure, Fresh, Life

Our tour of air purifier manufacturers continues this week with Alen Corp. The Alen Corp. started off in a different way than other air purifier manufacturers. Peter Mann,, the founder and CEO started the company because of a personal experience he had. His young son suffered from asthma and the medications he was given caused major side effects. After watching his son suffer in vain, he decided to help his son and others breathe easier by providing non-invasive and natural alternatives to medication. He started the company in 2005 to improve indoor air quality. Alen Corp. strives to truly help those afflicted with allergies and asthma and offers products with a superior quality, advanced technology, low prices and lifetime warranties. A new standard of excellence was established after Peter Mann founded by Alen Corp.

Along with the superior quality, advanced technology, low prices and lifetime warranties, Alen's commitment to the environment includes air purifiers that are RoHS certified lead free, Energy Star rated and ozone safe. There are a variety of filtration technologies utilized in Alen air purifiers. They include:

Silver Ion HEPA Filtration: This filtration technology destroys up to 99% of bacteria, up to 50% of viruses that cause influenza and 99% of airborne allergens. The filter is coated with Silver Ion, making it antimicrobial and keeping germs from developing and bacteria from blowing into the air. The presence of fungi and bacteria is reduced within five minutes.

True HEPA Filtration: This filter can eliminate up to 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns and larger. These particles include mold spores, bacteria, viruses, dust, pet dander and pollen.

UV Light: 96% of airborne bacteria are removed by ultraviolet light.

Ionizer: All Alen air purifiers feature negative ionizers because it has been proven that healthy environments have higher levels of negative ions. When used in conjunction with a HEPA filter, ionizers are very effective in removing particles from the air. Alen air purifiers are guaranteed ozone safe because high levels of ozone can cause side effects worse than the benefits.

Photo-Catalytic Oxidation: This technology utilizes a UV-C light and a permanent titanium dioxide grid to turn volatile organic compounds into harmless elements through a series of reactions. To prevent consumers from coming into contact with the rays of UV lights, this technology is located on the inner most section of any Alen air purifiers.

Children and Allergies: Some Useful Tips

Allergy season is upon us, and that means protecting you and your family from allergy related sickness. Children are of course, very susceptible to allergies and on any given day over 10,000 children miss school because of allergies. Forty percent of all kids suffer from a nasal allergy and millions more have food and skin allergies.

This is equally as hard on the child as it is the parent. Play dates can quickly be effected because of both outdoor and indoor allergies. Indoor allergies can range from dust mite fecal matter to pet dander. If you are hosting children, especially allergy sensitive children, over to your house it is important to be prepared with a variety of allergy precautions.

Always have anti-allergen fabric spray on hand. This spray can reduce allergens and is usually both fragrance and dye free so it is safe to use around children and animals. It has been developed to not irritate skin either. Be sure to wash fabric toys and blankets with an anti-allergen bleach as well because it can help destroy allergens that are found in fabric fibers and on hard surfaces.

Be sure to vacuum whatever room you plan on hosting the get together. Be sure to use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to complete this task. This filter can eliminate 99.97% of dust, debris, dander and allergens down to 0.3 microns and comes recommended from a variety of health authorities.

Also, be sure to check out if the child has any allergic reactions in their diet. Food allergy and improper diet often speed up the effects of other allergies. Consult your child’s physician on planning a proper meal to help prevent and reduce the effects of allergens.

There are also some products on the market that offer superior sterilization over specific items, like toys, furniture and blankets.

Germ Guardian NS2000 Dry Heat Nursery Sanitizer



The Germ Guardian NS2000 Dry Heat Nursery Sanitizer is a perfect example of this. Toys are a prime location for germs, bacteria and other known allergens. This product allows you to sanitize toys, pacifiers, bottles among other infant instruments that they often come in contact with.

This tool can eliminate 99% of bacteria within 30 minutes making it both quick and effective. It uses dry heat to sanitize and kill bacteria without using any chemicals. Extremely easy and safe to use, the NS2000 shuts off automatically once the cleaning cycle is complete and will never shrink or fade colorful fabrics or melt plastic and rubber items. It has a proven success rate in killing germs that cause pneumonia, RSV, earlobes, diarrhea, colds, and flu and has been tested by third parties to help verify their results.



Germ Guardian LW18 UV-C Sanitizer Wand

For a more portable sanitizer you should look at the Germ Guardian LW18 UV-C Sanitizer Wand. All you have to do is run it over surfaces to kill 99 percent of bacteria and viruses. It also helps eliminates allergens like mold and dust mites as well as odors.

Utilizing UV-C light that is used in hospitals for superior sanitization, all you have to do is hold the wand over an object for 20 seconds at a distance of about 2 inches for quick and effective sterilization. The wand has a maximum of 8,000 hours of use and can be programmed from anywhere between 5-60 minute intervals. The LW18 UV-C Sanitizer Wand is the perfect tool for a quick bacteria and allergen sweep before a childes play date.

Indoor Air Can Be Worse Then Outdoor Air For Children who Sufferer From Asthma

For years, the conventional theory has been that if you are inside your should be free from common allergy and asthma triggers like pollen or pollution. Researchers are now discovering that depending on where you live, indoor pollution can be much worse then outdoor air pollution. Right now, they are trying to educate the public on proper pollution prevention techniques and have a large goal of trying to cut children who suffer from asthma down by 50% by 2012.

While parents have always known that polluted air can bring on asthma attacks, they didn't know how severe the damage that can occur within their homes can be. This is especially true with children who suffer from breathing problems and live within the inner city. Even in their house they are subjected to cigarette smoke, dust mites, mold and even smells that come from cooking with a variety of herbs and spices all of which can trigger an attack.

There is a direct correlation between the air that children breathe at home and the hundreds of thousands of emergency room visits in the U.S. every year. After this study, done by John Hopkins researchers, was released many health care professionals made it their point to educate the public about the dangers of indoor air pollution as an attempt to greatly reduce the amount of child asthma sufferers.

Right now, as many as one in five Baltimore children suffer from asthma, and is the most common disease among kids. The number is disproportionate as a large majority of these kids are inner-city youth. This number has increased greatly over the last twenty years. Unfortunately there is no set specific reason for this increase yet doctors are continuously looking for an answer.

While doctors have known for years that there are always hidden dangers in the air we breathe, this is the first study to directly connect indoor air with asthma. For years, many believed that the simple act of keeping your kids inside during bad pollution days, sweeping the floor and using plug in air fresheners was a good way to keep your family safe and asthma risks down. But unfortunately these misconceptions often do more harm then good. When you sweep you are only kicking up stagnant dust making it easier for inhalation. Air fresheners have been shown to have side effects on young children who have trouble breathing, and the simple act of keeping them inside could be very harmful if your house or apartment does not have proper ventilation.

When trying to keep your house clean, there is a good chance you are making things worse. Air borne insecticides used to prevent mice and cockroaches have a high history of inducing asthma attacks. Also chemicals found in older homes that come from old plaster and wood are beginning to surface as other sources for asthma attacks.

The problem researchers are finding in their Baltimore movement for better asthma prevention is that you begin to encroach on individual rights when trying to educate and change indoor air quality health. This is especially problematic when you discover that for every 10 microgram-per-cubic-meter increase in indoor coarse air particle pollution there was a 6 percent increase in the number of days of coughing, wheezing and chest tightness. This results in a 7 percent increase in limited speech and a 4 percent increase in the number of days rescue medication was needed. Perhaps, the biggest problem is that there is no set standard for levels of indoor air pollution set by the EPA like there is for the outdoors. This, results in more kids staying inside on "bad days" even if inside is worse.

The one thing all researchers recommend is an item with a HEPA filter. This could be on an air purifier or a vacuum cleaner. Either way, it is a very effectual way to eliminate airborne impurities.

What we recommend:



On that note, we recommend the Electrolux EL491A oxygen PlasmawWave HEPA air purifier, in white sleep mode features multiple levels of air filtration. It begins with a pre-filter that catches all the large pieces of debris so that the air purifier can do its job better. The carbon filter eliminates smells without using any harsh chemicals. The true HEPA filter is a great way to eliminate allergens and asthma triggers as it filters, 99.97% of dust, debris, dander and dirt all the way down to 0.3 microns.

The EL491a operates silently and is energy star certified to keep your energy bill low. There is a sleep mode to keep it running smoothly even when you wish to sleep. There are also odor sensors to automatically adjust performance to the level needed. It features five fan speeds and PlasmaWave technology for added power.

Allergy Tips and Tricks

Allergy Tips and Tricks

Let's face it, allergies can make life difficult. They affect your health making anything from work to day-to-day living extremely difficult to deal with. But thankfully there are ways to help curb the effects and severity of your allergies to make your life more manageable. Here are a couple of tips to help you make it through allergy season with little trouble:

Check the Pollen Count

If your allergies are acting up or you are worried about how bad they can be that day, check out the daily pollen count at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. If its really bad try exercising indoors or going out later in the day as allergies tend to have higher counts in the early to mid morning. Also expect pollen counts to be higher on warm, dry or windy days. Pollen counts are lower on wet and cloudy days as well.

Spend Time Next to the Ocean

Try timing vacations to be congruent with allergy season. Then vacation next to water like a lake or ocean. Allergens and pollen counts tend to be significantly lower next to areas near open water. That way you can enjoy your vacation and bypass a good part of your local allergy season.

Eat Healthy

Believe it or not, your diet does impact your susceptibility to allergies. Research has shown that food high in antioxidants and omega 3s, like fish help individuals with asthma breathe easier.

Stay Clean

Shower and wash your hair every night before going to bed. Change your pillow case and sheets often. Remember to frequently wash your clothes and pajamas. Try to stay clean as possible as allergens and molds have a tendency to build up significantly. Just because you can't see them doesn't mean you are not breathing them.

Keep Your Eyes Clear

Keep your eyes as clean as possible, and try to avoid rubbing them to prevent pushing allergens in further. Try rinsing your eyes in the shower with a baby tear-free baby shampoo to remove any other allergies that might have built up over time. If you have vision problems contact your doctor to see what sort of solution can work best for you


Avoid Cross-Reactions
Eating certain foods, especially produce can cause additional allergic reactions especially if you have seasonal tree allergies. This is because of an adverse reaction between proteins found with fruits and pollens. You can tell if this is occurring because you may have tingly mouth or itchy throat. Foods like melons or tomatoes have a tendency to cross react with grass pollens so be aware of what you are eating.

Breathe 'Fresh' Air

Whether you are in the car or your house, remember to keep your windows closed and to set the air conditioner to re-circulate to help remove pollen. Also remember to clean the filters regularly, especially allergy or pollen season. Also look into purchasing an air purification unit for better allergy prevention and protection.



For an effective air purifier, look into the Surround Air Intelli-Pro Air Purifier. Seven comprehensive stages of air purification manage to thoroughly clean your air allowing asthma and allergy sufferers to breathe easy. It can cover up to 650 square feet effectively and has advanced sensor technology that is constantly measuring the pollutant level, letting you know how clean the air actually is. Its filtration methods include a pre-filter, HEPA filter, Ti02 filter, UV light ionizer and carbon filter. While it is always a good idea to check out other models, be sure to get an air purifier with a HEPA filter as those have been proven to be a great asset to asthma sufferers.

New Discoveries in Air Purification Could Keep Indoor Air Flu-Free

Scientists in Japan may have developed a new form of photocatalyst filtration that could keep indoor air influenza free. This new photocatalyst filter reacts to visible light which greatly raises its purification properties. This photochemical formula is expected to be applied to air purification systems to help stop the flu virus. It should be commercially applicable in three years.

Before now, chemical photocatalysts just used a grounding of titanium oxide that never reacted to light indoors. This new filter produces better results under indoor light. Currently photocatalyst filters breakdown when exposed to sunlight break down organic contamination.

To get better results from visible light, that has a longer wavelength then UV, this team of researchers used copper ions and attached them to the surface of tungsten oxide molecules. There is a 16 times increase in purification after using this process. There are plans to take this technology more viable by using a cheaper titanium oxide in the future. This new technology is especially powerful against airborne viruses like the flu.

Recommendation:



While this new filtration technology isn't available yet, one should try looking at the Airsopure S980 for a powerful purifier. This air purifier offers multiple levels of filtration. It boasts True HEPA grade filters, a carbon odor removing stage, and an incredible design layout that gives you complete control. It's HEPA filter removes 99.97% of airborne particles, including mold, spores, dust, dander and allergens. The next layer of activated carbon virtually eliminates all odors in the room. Its photocatalytic oxidation technology provides great purification. The high grade pre-filter with active carbon absorbs odors and toxic gases and the UV-C lamp is effective at eliminating bacteria and viruses smaller then 0.3 microns.

Significant studies have shown that 90% of the bacteria and viruses are eliminated in the first pass when using the Airsopure S980. The Photo-Catalytic Oxidation (PCO) chamber provides 10,000 times the ultra violet intensity of comparable sunlight, which will break the chemical chain of Volitile Organic Compounds (VOC) and turn them into water and harmless gases. The Airsopure is a great way to keep your air clean and germ free.

Air Purifier News: Can Cockroach Debris Worsen Your Allergies?

Cockroaches are a common insect infestation found in American homes and buildings. Traditionally, cockroaches were eliminated because they were offensive and caused gastrointestinal and respiratory illnesses, but cockroach debris such as old shells, saliva, body parts, and droppings can also cause a range of health problems. According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), cockroaches are one of the most common and allergenic of indoor pests, with recent studies showing that there is a strong correlation between the presence of cockroaches and increases in the severity of asthma and allergy symptoms in those sensitive to cockroach allergens and debris. In fact, the NIEHS states that cockroach debris is more likely to trigger asthma attacks than cat dander.

In the United States alone, 17 to 41 percent of people are allergic to cockroaches, with even greater numbers found in the inner cities. In addition to exacerbating asthma and allergy symptoms, cockroach debris can cause sneezing, chest pain, and conjunctivitis. In extreme cases, exposure to cockroach debris can even lead to a potentially life-threatening reaction called anaphylactic shock - a severe type of allergy reaction which involves two or more body systems, including a drop in blood pressure.

However, although cockroaches may be more prevalent in urban areas, older dwellings, and inner cities, these pests are common in even the cleanest and most immaculate homes, or wherever there is any type of food or moisture. Due to the presence of food and moisture, kitchens and bathrooms usually have some of the highest number of cockroaches, and once a cockroach infestation has taken place, getting rid of the insects and their debris can be quite a chore.

Cockroaches do not necessarily need to be actively present for their debris to do damage. Day-to-day activities such as carrying grocery bags and returning from trips can also bring cockroaches, eggs, and their debris into a home. Also, it should be noted that cockroaches tend to live in groups. If you notice one in your kitchen, there is a good chance that there can be 800 or more other cockroaches roaming around in various locations of your home.

While the best way to reduce cockroach debris is to avoid the allergen altogether, extensive extermination, as well as thorough and repeated cleanings, can eliminate a good amount of the nasty pollutant. However, for those living in apartments, removing cockroach debris may be a bit more difficult, as cockroaches can roam from one apartment to the next and will return to an exterminated area once pesticides wear off.

To eliminate cockroach debris, you must also eliminate the three main sources of cockroach allergens: cockroaches and their food sources; warm and moist environments; and dust. Be sure to store food and garbage in tight-lidded containers and clean crumbs immediately. Plug crevices around your home and repair leaky drain pipes or faucets. Cleaning cockroach debris can also involve steam cleaning rugs, carpet and furniture; vacuuming; installing furnace filters in your heating and cooling system; and even utilizing some kind of HEPA air purifier in areas where you may suspect especially high concentrations of cockroach debris.

Air Purifier News: Asthma Sufferers - Are Drug Companies Ripping You Off?

Asthma is a chronic illness that involves the respiratory system in which the airway occasionally constricts, becomes inflamed, and is lined with excessive amounts of mucus, often in response to one or more triggers. It is estimated that roughly 5 percent of the American population suffers from asthma, with most sufferers taking some sort of medication to alleviate their symptoms. These drugs can come in the form of short-active, selective beta-adrenoceptor agonists such as Salbutamol; adrenergic agonists such as Epinephrine; Anticholinergic such as Ipratropium Bromide; antihistamines, and inhaled glucocorticoids, the most widely used of asthma prevention medications, which come as inhaler devices.

Americans spend billions of dollars on these types of asthma medications, and some argue that this is a shortsighted and self-serving approach to treating the illness. Unfortunately, drug companies often reap huge profits from the sale of such medications, and the central issue that humans will perpetually have health problems is ignored. While it cannot be argued that asthma medication can play a key role in gaining control of asthma symptoms, simple lifestyle changes can oftentimes produce very profound improvements in one's ability to breathe.

Diet changes can be helpful, and increasing one's intake of fatty acids such those found in fish, nuts, seeds, and flaxseed oil supplements can help reduce swelling in the lungs. Antioxidants are also important: because asthma is an inflammatory disease, the free radicals produced in the body can wreck havoc on the body and do a great deal of damage. Supplements containing vitamin C and E can help break up mucus in the lungs and boost the immune system.

Asthma treatment should also focus on avoiding asthma triggers such as dust and dander. Monitoring daily asthma symptoms in an asthma diary and peak flows with daily tests are also good ideas. Successful asthma treatment can include medication, but this should be limited to medication that controls inflammation and prevents chronic symptoms such as coughing and breathlessness, as well as quick-relief medication that is taken when asthma attacks occur.

Leading asthma and allergy physicians have also recommended the use of furnace filters for particulate control. These are disposal, high efficiency furnace filters that are capable of turning a home's heating and air conditioning systems into "whole house filters." They have the ability to filter out 90% of small particles found in homes, and at around 30 dollars, they are very affordable. For increased protection against asthma attacks, also consider using an air purifier. The CDC and EPA both recommend the use of HEPA filtration to remove asthma-triggering particulates. These air purifiers can be had for less than 100 dollars for a small, desktop model, with pricier models starting at around 300 dollars for whole house filtration.

UK Study Shows Correlation Between Asthma and Indoor Mold

According to a recent issue of Thorax, an international journal of respiratory medicine, a group of scientists in Wales performed a randomized, controlled trial investigating the effects of indoor mold on asthma patients. Prior to this study, it was not entirely clear whether there was a causal relationship between indoor mold and asthma, but these Cardiff University researchers found that the removal of indoor mold resulted in improvement of asthma and rhinitis systems, as well as decreased medication use among asthmatics.

The houses of asthma sufferers were randomly separated into groups: one where indoor mold was removed by the application of fungicide and a fan; and the other where no intervention had taken place for 12 months.

The results were astonishing: at six months, the group living in the homes with the fungicide and fans experienced significantly decreased symptoms of coughing and wheezing when compared to the control group. After 12 months, the intervention group saw increased reduction in medication and inhaler use, and improvement with rhinitis and rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms. Therefore, the scientists found that there was definitely a correlation between mold and exacerbated asthma and respiratory symptoms.

Jenny Versnel, Asthma UK's executive director of research and policy, stated that the study highlighted the importance of keeping houses dry and well-ventilated, as she noted, "This can reduce exposure to certain asthma triggers such as mold spores which are found in damp places."

Asthmatics and sufferers of respiratory problems can eliminate indoor mold and prevent the growth of future colonies through a few preventative steps. Because mold primarily thrives in areas with moisture, flooding, leaky pipes, faulty plumbing without proper ventilation, and unvented combustion appliances can all lead to mold growth. Proper ventilation and decreased humidity is critical in controlling mold. In addition, the use of an air purifier with a UV light such as the Alen T300 can also help destroy mold and other biological contaminants through the use of intense heat.