Don't Let This Happen to You!

Purifying doesn't only pertain to air quality - it also applies to water quality. Many times, we only worry about the air we breathe because we think that bad indoor air quality can lead to more harmful results. In fact, water quality is just as important because your skin absorbs the water and, if you're not using a water filter of any sort, your skin may also absorb the chemicals and bacteria found in the water.

The other day, I read about a woman discovering a dead rat in her water tank, not realizing that she had been showering in that water for months. Can you imagine all of the bacteria and microorganisms that her body may have absorbed? While it is still important to check your water tank once in a while, using a filtered shower head is almost a necessity because you never know what will end up in your water. If a similar situation ever happens to you (hopefully, it won't), having a filtered shower head installed may significantly reduce and, more likely, eliminate bacteria, chemicals, microorganisms, and VOCs from your water.

Air Purifiers Should Be Everywhere

As a clean air enthusiast, I get a little upset when I don't see an air purifier in every home I enter. I know, it's ridiculous. However, I really think that everyone should have one. Every time I go to a friend's house, I always worry about the kind of indoor air quality that I might encounter. Will it have a ton of pet dander? Pollen? Or even worse, chemicals? Since my nose has an uncanny ability to find allergens, I get crazy allergy symptoms right away. That's one of the main reasons why my air purifier at home is turned on 24/7. I can't afford to have my allergies get the best of me when I have to worry about food allergies as well!

I'm not sure, but I think that maybe my criticism of the lack of air purifiers in my friends' homes may be the reason why most don't invite me back! That is, until they come inside my home and find out what they've been missing out on!

When most people think about air purifiers, they think of the appliances that capture allergens like pet dander, pet hair, dust, viruses, etc. However, what many don't realize is that sometimes you need a chemical removing air purifier for removing other types of particles in the air, including ammonia, formaldehyde, tobacco, nitrogen dioxide, and more.

These chemicals not only smell bad (ammonia smells like rotten eggs - literally!), but they also are extremely harmful for your health. Many times, these chemicals can come from new carpets, new furniture, paints, cleaning products, and even plants! I know, you're probably thinking, "You're crazy! How can plants be harmful to your health?" The truth is that many plants are sprayed with pesticides - some even produce their own volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These plants include peace lilies, areca palms, weeping figs and snake plants, so be extra careful when you choose the plants that you want to keep in your home.

Air Purifier FAQs

Here are some common questions that often come up when talking about air purifiers:

What is IAQ and why is it important?
IAQ stands for Indoor Air Quality and refers to the purity of the air you breathe, well, indoors. Most of the time, it refers to the air you breathe inside your home. IAQ is important because, as it turns out, most people spend their time indoors. If the IAQ is bad, then you end up inhaling many fumes or chemicals left from cleaning supplies, or even pollutants such as allergens. As a result of bad IAQ, you may have heightened allergic symptoms and more irritations. Air purifiers help improve your IAQ using various technologies.

What are the different technologies that air purifiers use and how are they different?
There are HEPA air purifiers, which are best for removing smaller, hard-to-see particles like pet dander, pollen, and other tiny allergens up to 0.3 microns in size. Ionic air purifiers change the polarity of the contaminants in the air, causing them to fall from the air you breathe. Carbon air cleaners are great for removing odors, gases, and chemicals. And finally, UV air purifiers use a UV light that stop microbiological contaminants such as mold, fungus, bacteria, and viruses from reproducing.

For more information about air purifiers, take a look at this handy air purifier guide! You'll learn all you need to know about using an air purifier to start living a healthier life with this guide.

Goodbye 2009, Hello 2010!

Allergies are most worrysome when it comes to children. A lot of the time parents think that giving their children some allergy medicine, everything will be all right. In fact, the situation may not be so simple - you can't just keep giving your child allergy medication every day! Children and adults alike may be experiencing allergies from more than you'd expect. There are other factors to consider, such as the indoor air quality of your home. The indoor air quality of your home depends on a lot of different factors, many of which you might not realize are effecting the quality of the air you breathe. If you have pets, dander and waste can be a result of itchy and watery eyes. If you use many cleaning products and there is no fresh air being circulated in or out of the house, you and your family may experience unpleasant respiratory symptoms. By keeping an air purifier inside of the house (you can even keep one in every room for better indoor air quality), you can have safer, fresher air for everyone to breathe! And for children's rooms, I would recommend a unit like the Crane EE-5064. This air purifier is shaped like a shark and it operates quietly, ultimately making your child's room a healthier environment to live in.

Oh, I also want to wish a Happy New Year to all! Is anyone going to watch the ball drop tomorrow night? I always wish I could be over in New York while the ball drops, but I image it's probably a little too crowded over there every New Year's eve. Anyway, we hope that 2010 turns out to be a great year for everyone!

I always seem to forget that here in Southern California, the weather is always changing. Even now, in the winter, we go from mid-60 degree rainy weather one day to 70 degree weather the next! Though the weather outside may vary, you need to remember that your indoor air quality is changing. Outside, you might see leaves and branches flying every which-way. Yet you might miss the thousands of tiny pollutants, allergens, and microorganisms swimming around every inch of your home! Air purifiers are the only sure way to control these pollutants and stop them from invading your home. Read more about indoor air quality at our indoor air quality library!

And on that note - Merry Christmas, all!

Yoga Studios: Please Get an Air Purifier!

For the last few months, I haven't really been able to exercise all that much. I had almost no time because I'm a full-time student and, of course, I work as well. I usually do yoga at a studio, but because of my schedule, I've been doing yoga by myself at home. So when I went to the yoga studio last night, I was really shocked. The place smelled really bad! I didn't realize just how dirty the air is in yoga studios. My solution for this would be a commercial air purifier. I don't think that the yoga instructor realized how important clean air is, especially in an area where people need a lot of oxygen while they exercise. I told her about my idea, but I don't think she'll be buying one anytime soon. It's a shame for the people who normally go there (I shudder just thinking about all the sweat they're smelling and how bad the indoor air quality must be)! I'm glad that I do my yoga at home now - at least I get to breathe in clean air!

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).

Allergies: All About Multiple Chemical Sensitivity

What is Multiple Chemical Sensitivity?

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) is an usually severe sensitivity or allergy-like reaction to many different kinds of pollutants including solvents, VOCs, perfumes, petrol, diesel, smoke and chemicals in general. MCS can also refer to problems involving common household allergens such as pollen, house dust mites, pet fur and dander.

What Are the Symptoms?

Common symptoms include burning, stinging eyes, wheezing, breathlessness, nausea, extreme fatigue/lethargy, headache/migraine/vertigo/dizziness, poor memory and concentration, runny nose (rhinitis), sore throat, cough, sinus problems, skin rashes/itchy skin, sensitivity to light and noise, sleeping problems, digestive upset and muscle/joint pain.

What Causes MCS?

MCS is commonly regarded as an idiopathic disorder. This means it has no known mechanism of causation and its processes are not completely understood. The unknown factors of MCS along with the fact that its sufferers experience varied symptoms and severities make it very hard to treat.

What Can Be Done for MCS Sufferers?

There are four basic treatments for multiple chemical sensitivity. They include:

Chemical Avoidance: Eliminating exposure to the chemicals that cause negative reactions is scientifically proven to be the most effective treatment for MCS. Sufferers can tell their employers about the situation, ask others to avoid smoke and wearing perfume in their presence, avoid working near common sources of pollution including photocopiers, faxes and printers and open windows when at all possible to ensure fresh air.

Chemical Free Housing: Household cleaners, fragrances, petrochemicals, solvents and VOCs found in building materials and furnishing make indoor environments more polluted than outdoor environments. Making sure your home is chemical-free is an important part of symptom reduction/

Nutrient Therapy: Many MCS sufferers have noticed that increasing the levels of certain nutrients, such as antioxidants, reduces their symptom severity.

Sauna Therapy and Detoxification: The environmental chemicals stored in fat cells are eliminated when the body is heated by a sauna. The chemicals are mobilized from the fat stores by the heat and released via sweat.

Indoor Air Quality: All About Dust

What is Dust?

Dust is the general name for minute solid particles with diameters less than 20 thou (500 micrometers). The dust that is commonly found in human environments like homes or offices is composed of human skin cells, small amounts of plant pollen, human and animal hairs, textile fibers, paper fibers, minerals from outdoor soil and many other materials that are found in the local environment.

Is Dust Harmful?

It can be. Especially to those who suffer from allergies and asthma. Also house dust mites are present on all indoor surfaces and in the air. They feed on organic matter, which is the main ingredient of household dust. The dust mites excrete enzymes and feces that combine with other household dust, irritating asthma and allergies in humans. Besides affecting your health, dust makes your home dirtier, which attracts more dust. Don't be caught in the cycle!

What Can You Do?

1. De-clutter: Closets and floors should be kept clear for easy cleaning. Items on shelves should be in boxes or in bags. Don't leave rarely worn clothes out. Invest in a portable closet or plastic bins to pack away all miscellaneous items.

2. Change Your Furnace Filter Regularly: This is an important part of dust abatement as forced-air heating or cooling systems help control the accumulation of dust by filtering the air.

3. Change Your Sheets and Bedding: Sheets and pillowcases should be washed weekly because they, along with the rest of the bedding collect skin flakes and shed fibers. Blankets and bedspreads can be taken outside and shaken. Pillows can be beaten as well but washing or dry cleaning is really the best thing to get rid of dust.

4. Clean Well: Some cleaning methods simply spread dust around instead of capturing it. Using a damp rag or disposable cloth to clean is a better solution because these materials attract and hold dust.

5. Carpet is Key: Carpets absorb dust like a giant sponge. If you have severe allergies it may be best to tear out carpeting and install hard flooring. A less drastic solution is to vacuum regularly. Don't forget to vacuum and beat area rugs as well.

Indoor Air Quality: Death By Candlelight?

Candles are commonly used in homes to add warmth and ambiance to the atmosphere. Scented candles are also often used to rid homes of unpleasant odors. A little known fact about candles is that they emit particulate matter (candle soot) into the air, contributing to indoor air pollution. This candle soot can discolor walls, ceilings and the contents of a home. It can also contaminate the ventilation system's ductwork in your home, especially if it is constructed of fiberglass.

The worst offenders when it comes to types of candles are petroleum based (paraffin) candles and scented and/or aromatic candles. When paraffin candles are burned they release carcinogenic toxins like benzene, toluene, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acrolein and soot into the air. These are the same toxins that are released by burning diesel fuel. Scented and/or aromatic candles can trigger allergic reactions, causing symptoms such as itchy and watery eyes, sore throat, blocked nasal passages, headaches, hives, skin irritations and asthma-like conditioners. Those with asthma and respiratory allergies may experience more severe reactions.

4 Signs That Candle Soot is Affecting Your Indoor Air Quality

1. Fabrics that are light in color begin looking dingy and gray.
2. A dark film begins accumulating on the plastic items in the house.
3. There is discoloration around the vents on electronic equipment.
4. A thin, dark residue (darker than regular household dust) covers television and computer monitor screens but can be wiped of with a clean cloth.

How to Prevent Candle Soot and Allergic Reactions

Soy Candles: These candles last 50 percent longer than paraffin candles and burn slower and cooler. They are non-toxic and less likely to trigger allergies. They can be cleaned with soap and water and produce minimal soot. As well as preventing candle soot and allergic reactions, these candles are more animal and child-friendly.

Beeswax Candles: These candles are less likely to trigger allergies and do not produce toxins or soot. They are more expensive than paraffin candles but burn for a longer amount of time as well.

Extra Precautions: Keep the candle wick short (about one-fourth of an inch) because if the wick is too long, the flame will be too large and create more soot. Also, keep candles away from drafty areas because the wind will blow soot and toxins into the air. Finally, clean your home thoroughly with a vacuum and a furnace filter system that can catch micro-particles. These measures minimize the amount of pollutants circulating through your home.

All About Indoor Air Quality

Indoor air quality (IAQ) refers to the quality of the air in and around buildings and structure, most importantly as it affects the health and comfort of building occupants. Indoor pollution sources cause IAQ problems in homes by releasing gases or particles into the air. There is an increase in the level of pollutants when there is not enough ventilation because an inadequate amount of outdoor air is brought in to dilute emissions from indoor sources. This means the indoor air pollutants are not carried out of the home. High temperature and humidity levels can also contribute to the concentration of some pollutants.

Common sources of indoor air pollutants include:

Combustion sources: oil, gas, kerosene, coal, wood and tobacco products

Building materials and furnishings: deteriorated, asbestos-containing insulation, wet or damp carpet, cabinetry or furniture made of certain pressed wood products

Standard household staples: products for household cleaning and maintenance, personal care or hobbies

HVAC: central heating, cooling systems and humidification devices

Outdoor sources: radon, pesticides and outdoor air pollution

Effects of Poor Indoor Air Quality

Immediate effects of poor indoor air quality may occur after a single exposure to indoor air pollutants or after a few repeated exposures. These effects include irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, headaches, dizziness and fatigue. Some symptoms of disease such as asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis and humidifier fever may also occur soon after exposure to indoor air pollutants.

There can also be long term effects from poor indoor air quality that occur years after exposure or after long, repeated periods of exposure. These effects include some respiratory diseases, heart disease and cancer and can be severely debilitating or fatal.

Improve Indoor Air Quality in 3 Easy Steps

Source Control: To complete this step you'll need to eliminate the individual sources of pollution or reduce their emissions. This includes sealing or closing some sources and adjusting others to decrease the amount of pollutants emitted. This is probably the most cost effective approach to improving indoor air quality.

Ventilation Improvements: To complete this step you'll need to increase the amount of outdoor air coming indoors. This includes opening windows and doors, operating window or attic fans when the weather permits and/or running a window air conditioner with the vent control open. Also helpful in increasing the outdoor ventilation rate are bathroom and kitchen fans. These fan exhaust outdoors, removing contaminants directly from the room where the fan is located.

Air Cleaners: Air cleaners are made in a wide range of types and sizes from inexpensive table top models to sophisticated and expensive whole-house systems. There are two determining factors in the effectiveness of an air cleaner. One is how well it collects pollutants from indoor air which is expressed as a percentage efficiency rate. The other is how much air it draws through the cleaning or filtering element which is expressed in cubic feet per minute. Any cleaner should be maintained according to the manufacturer’s directions to ensure optimal long term performance.

Air Treatment for Eczema?

Eczema is a skin condition that is triggered, usually, by things that we cannot control. My father had a pretty bad case of eczema on his legs, and although I was unaware of what eczema was, I had inherited it from him. Now we have cortisone stocked in our medicine cabinets and 50 different types of lotions and creams.

My most recent breakout was while I was in college. Unfortunately the eczema formed around my left eye, and the redness would cause people to question if I was in some abusive relationship. When a skin condition forms on the face it's quite troublesome. Makeup was an option, but my skin would flare up even more.

I went to college away from the ocean shores and it truly affected my skin. The area is notorious for its bad air quality and dry, hot atmosphere. When I went to visit Washington for the Holidays the air was much more moist and my skin healed from the breakouts. I did not notice it at the time, but my skin began to worsen once again. I took this idea back to my mom, and she gave me an air purifier and humidifier believing that the good air would make my skin better.

After about 2 months my eczema faded. After almost 4 years I have not had a breakout and I keep some kind of air filtration in my home today. I do believe that purified air had something to do with my skin, especially when it came to humidity.

New Study Shows How Carbon Can Decrease Greenhouse Gases

Last week, a team of researchers at the Soft Materials Laboratory in Wyoming found that low-cost activated carbons were responsible for removing up to 90 percent of toxic carbon dioxide gas from the smokestacks of electrical power plants.

Such plants burned significant amounts of coal and other fossil fuels (major sources of greenhouse gases) which prompted the need for new and inexpensive methods to remove carbon dioxide gases from smokestacks. The study found that a new carbon dioxide capture process called a "Carbon Filter Process" was able to dramatically decrease carbon dioxide via inexpensive filters filled with porous carbonaceous sorbent that worked well at low pressures. Therefore, their data suggested that these simple carbon filters worked better than existing technologies at just a fraction of the cost.

These studies have corroborated the findings that many air purifier manufacturers have claimed for years; that activated carbon is one of the most effective materials known today for treating airborne gases, chemicals, and odors. Activated carbon, also known as activated charcoal or activated coal, is processed to make it extremely porous with a large surface area for chemical reactions. Unlike HEPA filters which are more effective at filtering out the tiniest of particulates, activated carbon filters actually help change chemicals and gases from a gaseous phase to a solid phase, and they have had a long history of commercial use in conjunction with other filtration technologies.

One air purifier manufacturer who utilizes activated carbon in all of their models is AllerAir. All of their models, including the AllerAir AirTube, use large, deeper bed carbon filters that adsorb more airborne pollutants than competing brands. Their air purifiers also combine activated carbon with HEPA filters to offer the most comprehensive air purification available to treat airborne particles, gases, chemicals, and odors. As such, AllerAir air purifiers are especially suited for allergy sufferers, asthma prevention, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), tobacco smoke, pet odors, and general home or office air purification.

Addressing Air Quality Issues in Commercial Settings

Because humans take over 20,000 breaths a day on average and air is something we can't go without for more than a few minutes, the importance of breathing in fresh, clean air can't be stressed enough. Indoor air quality is important to human health because individuals spend a large fraction of their time indoors at their residences, schools, and workplaces, and breathing in polluted air can result in health problems such as respiratory disorders and even cancer.

IAQ in the Commercial Setting
Those working in industrial settings are particularly at risk due to the high levels of pollution that exist in such areas. In addition, there are numerous sources of airborne toxic pollutants in these indoor environments, and outdoor air ventilation often provides the only primary means to dilute pollutant concentrations.

Dust Masks: Are They Enough?
Many industrial workers make use of filter masks which are aimed to providing protection to the wearer from harmful airborne substances, and these usually cover only the mouth and nose. They work by limiting the course of air so that it flows through a filter that removes harmful particulates, and these types of masks range from single-use, disposable types to reusable models with replaceable cartridges. Because of their simple design, these masks are commonly used for filtering out tiny solid or even liquid particles through dense, fine mesh. Some types of dust masks even utilize mesh that is coated with substances to enhance filtration.

While these masks may be suitable less demanding applications, they are only designed to trap large particles such as sawdust, and generally will not protect lungs from fine particles such as smoke, gases, chemicals, or VOC's. As such, in industrial or commercial situations where there are high levels of indoor air pollution, one of the most effective methods of combating such contamination is through the use of a high-quality, commercial-grade air purifier.

Why Commercial-Grade Air Purifiers?
Commercial air purifiers are essential for any work environment because they are often capable of eliminating the most difficult to remove pollutants, including smoke and toxic chemicals. Some of the best commercial air purifiers utilize a combination of filtration methods, but HEPA filters are usually the most common and effective.

With that in mind, one of the advanced HEPA commercial air purifiers is the IQAir VOC GCX ($1895.00). Engineered to provide maximum control of gaseous chemicals and working just like a professional gas mask, this air purifier relies on an interchangeable cartridge design for optimized gaseous pollutant control. The HEPA filter first eliminates micro- and nano-sized particles such as allergens, bacteria, smoke, and viruses; then the four specialized GCX cartridges filters down the molecular level; and finally, the micro-charged post filter removes any particles left over from the filtration process, therefore ensuring clean, fresh air.

Air Purifier Reviews: Biozone Air Purifiers - A New Type of Air Cleaner

On the surface, air purifiers may seem to employ simple technology to clean the air, as many effective air purifiers often draw air with a fan and through a filter, and send it back out into the room. However, many new and exciting technologies are becoming more prevalent in the air purification industry.

Biozone, a world-leading manufacturer of ozone generators and ozone water treatment processes, have developed air purification systems which utilize ozone oxidation technology. Originally developed for commercial, industrial, and agricultural markets, Biozone air purification technology is now available to consumers, and their air purifiers provide odor control and disinfection by harnessing the high oxidation potential of ozone.

Biozone calls their advanced air purification system "PureWave," and this involves the combination and synergy of two powerful purifying technologies: photoplasma and photochemistry. Photoplasma involves exciting gases by the energy emitted from UV light waves. This creates an energized gaseous state, and the resulting plasma has the ability to destroy organic pollutants such as viruses, bacteria, mold, and noxious odors. On the other hand, photochemistry involves the chemical reaction or change in material caused by exposure to light energy. UV light in this range is extremely useful for disinfection purposes, as strong UV light destroys toxic VOCs and viruses. Therefore, unlike other air purifiers which simply filter out particles from the air, Biozone air purifiers break down contaminants at the source, and they are extremely powerful at purifying heavily contaminated areas such as bars or salons. In addition, because Biozone air purifiers use ozone oxidation, photoplasma, and photochemistry to clean the air, they do not employ noisy fans or filters and are silent, making them ideal for home use.

However, there is one caveat: those who are sensitive to ozone, or asthma and allergy sufferers, should not consider these types of air purifiers, as exposure to ozone can cause short-term health effects such as coughing, chest tightness, and can even aggravate asthma attacks and allergy symptoms. Over time, ozone exposure may result in the induction of asthma and permanent lung damage. Although the ozone levels emitted by Biozone are well below the government-allowed limit, those with respiratory problems should take caution.

Pros:
- Excellent filtration of large areas (the Biozone 4000 is capable of cleaning areas up to 4000 sq. ft.)
- Almost completely silent
- Suitable for areas with high pollution and/or odors

Cons:
- Not suitable for those with respiratory problems
- May not be effective at removing larger particulates such as dust and hair

Air Purifier News: Poor Indoor Air Isn't Just Limited to Homes

Unfortunately, poor indoor air quality is not just limited to homes, as office buildings and industrial work sites are notorious for being significant pollution sources. Contributing factors to workplace indoor quality can stem from inadequate ventilation, building materials, and chemical fumes. Also, because people generally have less control over the indoor environment in their offices than they do in their homes, they may be more susceptible to harmful indoor air. Here are some other examples of contamination sources:

-landfills
-oil refineries
-any type of manufacturing plant that uses any kind of cleaning solvents
-chemical waste storage facilities
-chemical manufacturing plants
-incinerators
-gas stations
-machine shops

Generally speaking, people of all ages can be exposed to workplace hazards so potent they cause a range of health problems, and over time, exposure to the above contamination sources can result in an increased incidence of health problems, including the following:

-various forms of cancer, such as leukemia, lymphoma, or skin cancer
-respiratory problems such as allergies, asthma, or breathing difficulties
-learning disabilities such as ADHD
-gastrointestinal effects
-cardiovascular effects
-renal problems, including blood in the urine and other types of kidney problems
-neurological disorders, including chronic headaches and reflex malfunction

In fact, in an investigation conducted by USA Today, it was found that employees in more than 35 states had unwittingly transported toxins away from their work sites, therefore potentially exposing their families and members of their households to contaminants such as mercury, radioactive material, and arsenic. Toxins were often carried in workers’ cars, on shoes, clothes, and even briefcases.

If you work in an industry in which poor air quality may be a problem, alerting your employer to the situation should be your first step in combating the problem. In addition, if you suspect that you have been exposed to contaminants in your workplace, have your case evaluated by a qualified employment attorney. While each exposure and injury can involve different elements of damage, an environmental lawsuit against an employer can usually present the following:

-medical compensation
-emotional distress
-loss of quality of life, as the damages incurred as a result of workplace contamination can affect one’s lifestyle
-personal injury
-punitive damages

Indoor air quality is regulated by both federal and state laws, and state provisions are often monitored by the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Therefore, an employment attorney can inform you of your health and safety rights in the workplace, and represent you in court if you choose to file a lawsuit against your employer for violating clean air standards.

Allergy Furnace Filters: Inexpensively Transform Your Home into an "Allergy-Proof Zone"

Although studies have shown that indoor air quality can be several times worse than the air outdoors, cleaning the air you breathe can wreck havoc on your wallet, as some of the more higher-end air purifiers on the market can cost several hundred dollars. However, for those of you watching their finances, clean air may still be within your reach.

Furnace filters are easy-to-install, high-efficiency filters that look like pleated panels. Specially designed to meet the needs of allergic and asthmatic individuals, these are simple to install and require little to no tools, as they are inserted into the filter opening of your home furnace or air conditioning unit. The fibers of a furnace filter act like magnets to attract and capture 90% of large allergens like dust, mold, and pet dander, therefore allergy-proofing your home and almost transforming your home into a "whole house filter."

Nonetheless, while allergy furnace filters are effective at capturing the particles circulating in your home's air, they cannot remove what is hiding in your ductwork. Rather, for the most complete protection against airborne particulates, allergy furnace filters are still best used in conjunction with some time of air purification system, and are simply an inexpensive way to help your home become an "allergy-safe zone."

For more information on allergy furnace filters, Click Here.

Air Purifier News: What Silent Killer is Riding Shotgun in Your Car?

Road-traffic accidents are one of the world's largest public health and injury prevention problems. The World Health Organization notes that more than one million people are killed in traffic accidents each year and whether commuting to work or school, many Americans spend a good part of their day on the road. Unfortunately, this makes us highly susceptible to a number of traffic hazards that could endanger our health or even our lives. However, did you know that another huge threat to your health and safety may be the invisible fumes and toxins that are riding shotgun in your car?

According to a recent report published by the Ecology Center, two categories of chemicals found in car materials - phthalates and brominated flame retardants - were shown to cause a range of health problems, and could even be potentially carcinogenic. Phthalates are mainly used as plasticizers added to plastics to increase their flexibility and pliability (often used in car interiors). Brominated flame retardants, on the other hand, are applied to electronics, clothes, and furniture from catching fire. The Ecology Center Study found that both groups of chemicals were shown to cause kidney, brain, and liver damage, as well as thyroid problems. In addition, this study also found that the air in 20 new vehicles had extremely high levels of VOCs in the interiors, and one vehicle actually contained 200 times more hydrocarbons than what is considered safe to inhale.

Some ecologists have proposed that perhaps replacing a car's interior paper filter with activated charcoal filters could possibly decrease the levels of these chemicals.

Air Purifier News: Southern California City to Monitor Air Quality Because of Fires

Out-of-control wildfires ravaged thousands of Southern California homes two months ago, and for days, firefighters struggled to subdue flames that engulfed the entire region. These fires were fanned by hot and dry Santa Ana winds, and some of the worst damage was found in upscale-Malibu, a city known as a popular celebrity enclave.

Over 300,000 acres were scorched, and President Bush ultimately declared Los Angeles, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura counties major disaster areas, therefore opening the way for federal aid for governments, businesses, and people affected by the fires.

This ultimately caused unhealthy air in the region, and according to a recent Los Angeles Times article, Mission Viejo, a city in Orange County, will allow the public immediate access to local smoke conditions. The South Coast Air Quality Management Board will add four new sites to the existing 14 that continuously report levels of airborne pollutants - Mission Viejo, Santa Clarita, Crestline, and Temecula.

Costing approximately $225,000 and proposed because of resident complaints during the October fires, the air quality data from this new plan will be automatically recorded and immediately available through the AQMB website, informing residents whether it is safe to go outdoors or exercise.

Air Purifier News: Are VOCs Polluting Your New Home?

Indoor Air Quality, or IAQ, has become a growing concern. Air purifiers have become a billion dollar business, and home improvement products such as low-VOC paints and formaldehyde-free flooring often tout clean composition. However, is indoor air quality really a problem? Are the above solutions really able to help clean the air in our homes or workplaces?

For the past decade, the EPA has noted that indoor air can up to 10 times worse than the air outside. Indoor pollution sources that release gases or particles into the air are the primary causes of indoor air quality in homes, and inadequate ventilation can also increase indoor pollutant levels.

While air purifiers can help decrease these types of pollutants from the air through filtration and sterilization, unfortunately, a significant amount of pollution also stems from the off-gassing of difficult-to-remove volatile organic compounds. According to a recent article in the Los Angeles Times, recent studies have shown that the most common indoor airborne pollutant is formaldehyde, which is used in building materials such as particle board and hardwood paneling, and permanent adhesives used in carpeting.

In fact, in order to address these issues regarding VOCs, the California Air Resources Board has decided to place caps on the amount of urea formaldehyde found in the above types of household materials. However, at this point, the question is whether these stringent rules will actually help decrease VOC levels from the air we breathe, and the real problem lies in the categorization of household products: some additives in paint and floor finishes may not be categorized as VOCs, but can still vaporize over time and damage the respiratory system.

Interestingly enough, newer homes can often have worse IAQ levels than older ones, as recently built homes are composed of products that are just starting to outgas, and years may even pass before this process is finished. Mary Cordaro, an environmental consultant who specializes in indoor air quality, states, "There are green products with glycols in them, and they may not smell as strong, but they do outgas. They're volatizing more slowly but at high enough rates to still be toxic. It can take six months for some of these glycol chemicals to finally dissipate."

Although companies such as Bioshield and Safecoat are now coming out with products with "green" considerations in mind, the problem of VOC off-gassing is still a problem, and consumers will still have to take matters into their own hands. Industrial air purifiers specifically designed for chemical abatement, such as the Airpura C600, has the ability to eliminate a host of pollutants such as Formaldehyde, Ammonia, and Toulene from the air. Also, green design experts have also recommended the use of houseplants as natural air purifiers. In fact, studies performed at NASA have shown that common indoor landscaping plants such as spider plants and even gerbera daisies can be very effective as part of a system used to provide pollution-free homes and workplaces.

Air Purifier News: Unsafe Air in Medical Facilities

Between November 2002 and July 2003, the world saw a pandemic of epic proportions. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS, lead to 774 deaths and over 8,000 infected cases. Although the epidemic originated in China and was mostly contained within Asia, the World Health Organization also issued global alerts because of SARS transmission in cities such as Toronto, New York City, and San Francisco.

SARS is primarily a respiratory disease that causes initial flu-like symptoms such as fever, myalgia, lethargy, gastrointestinal symptoms, high fever, and other non-specific symptoms. In most cases, symptoms appear within 2-3 days, and about 10-20% of cases require mechanical ventilation.

While the 2003 SARS epidemic died down shortly after the Summer of 2003, the Centers for Disease Control began to question whether health care facilities in the United States were properly equipped to handle a deadly outbreak of SARS or a similar type of virus. In a report by the University of Louisville, it was found that state and local health department budgets prevented adequate studies on these types of diseases. Health officials also warned that a disease like SARS could reemerge and strike at any time, leaving us helpless. In fact, as it is, medical facilities are often polluted from common pollutants such as debris from paper fibers found in operating rooms; and drill aerosols, abrasion powder, and mercury vapors released in the air during dental procedures.

Because SARS and other viruses can spread to new victims through the air, hospitals and clinics are susceptible. In isolation rooms, infectious diseases can still be transmitted to other patients and even healthcare workers. The Univeristy of Louisville report also noted that a few steps could be taken to decrease the chances of viral outbreaks, such as the following:

- Providing a slightly lower air pressure in patient rooms so that microbes do not flow to rooms occupied by people who are not infected.
- Developing more capacity in hospitals for a surge in people quarantined for various diseases
- Delineating authority and responsibility among federal, state, and local agencies.
- Providing increased funding for disease research
- Using a combination of HEPA filtration and UV sterilization technology in medical facilities (such as those found in medical-grade air purifiers).

Higher Rates of Lung Disease - Smoking Not Entirely to Blame

A recent study led by a research group at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland has found that the prevalence of lung disease or chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), is steadily increasing. In addition, the Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease initiative has found that stages of the disease are now more advanced than previously reported. Interestingly enough, however, these studies have found that smoking is not the only factor accounting for the higher rates of COPD.

The research group at Oregon Health and Science University observed the prevalence of COPD and its risk factors in adults at least 40 years of age and who were living in 12 cities across 5 continents. After interviewing more than 9,000 subjects and analyzing their test results, it was found that Stage II COPD affected 11.8 percent of men and 8.5 percent of women, with COPD II to IV also seeing rates over 10 percent. These numbers increased with age, but varied widely by location - Hannover, Germany averaged 5.9 percent; Cape Town, South Africa, 19.1 percent.

Although these high figures have shown how COPD has been underdiagnosed and undertreated, these studies have also found that contrary to popular belief, smoking is not the only risk factor to blame for these high numbers of lung disease. In fact, the primary risk factors for lung disease also include occupational exposure to gases, dust, vapors, and fumes; exposure to outdoor air pollutants; genetics; by the burning of organic matter for heating and cooking; and perhaps most fascinating of all - indoor air pollution.

Nonetheless, these factors are not surprising to scientists and government health care agencies who have been purporting the dangers of poor indoor air quality. The World Health Organization (WHO) has noted "indoor air pollution as the 8th most important risk factor and responsible for 2.7 percent of the global burden of disease." Some may point out that these figures are disproportionate, as they better represent underdeveloped countries such as Africa or Southeast Asia, but the WHO has also found that 56 percent of all COPD deaths due to indoor air pollution occurs in the Western Pacific region.

While it is noted that smoking and lung disease are undoubtedly intertwined, recent studies have shown that perhaps smoking alone does not account for the greater numbers and increased severity of lung disease.