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.