Sep 20
2007

Air Purifiers are all the rage now, everybody has them and everybody sells them. There are Ionic Air Purifiers, regular filter Purifiers and HEPA filter purifiers.

the Journal of the American Medical Association now suggests that the air pollution existing today in the US raises the risk of lung disease to a point where more than half of the US population is breathing unhealthy amounts of air pollution.

More than 50 million Americans seem to be suffering from allergies and more than 20 million battle asthma.

There is such a thing as Sick Building Syndrome, a worldwide phenomenon, when chemical substances used in office construction such as glue, insulating materials, cardboard, and fiberglass are steadily released into the atmosphere from electronic equipment, carpeting, furniture and fittings.

That is why the air inside buildings or residential structures may be many times more polluted than the air outside, according to the EPA.

Because of all these reasons Air Purifiers have become very important. The different types of air purifiers include mechanical purifiers, electronic air purifying systems, hybrid purifiers and gas phase purifiers. Most of these systems remove particles and harmful toxins from the indoor air.

The HEPA Filter is a High Efficiency Particulate Arrested Filter designed to remove 99.97% of all airborne pollutants 0.3 microns or larger from the air that passes through the filter ( including tobacco smoke, household dust and pollen).

There are also filtering technologies that operate by using ozonation. The most popular air purifier on the market today uses ozone. These purifiers actually produce ozone which is an irritant that can worsen asthma and decrease lung function.

The removal of particles from the air is what is measured when the efficiency rate is trying to be achieved.

The fraction of particles that is removed from the indoor air being measured is what determines the amount of efficiency an air purifier possesses.

Air cleaners using mechanical filters or electronic technology can perform particle removal. Mechanical home air purifiers are units that can draw the indoor air through a metal or fibrous filter that is designed to trap the particles.

Because filters have different size pores they are able to catch these particles. is able to catch these particles with its different sized pores. Different types of filters may be pleated , square, round, with different levels of efficiency.

Mechanical filters in general are very efficient in eliminating contaminants from the air as long as they are cleaned regularly. There are 3 diferent types of electronic purifiers:

Electrostatic purifiers pull air into a chamber and charge the particles electrically. The air is then let through wafers which are negative ion generators, give particles a charge and cause them to stick to the nearest solid object.

These purifiers are not as effective as the other electronic or mechanical purifiers because they do not eliminate particles but move them to another location.

Ionizers do the same thing but create ozone which in itself may be bad for your health. Ozone is a lung irritant produced by ion generators and some other electronic air cleaners and ozone generators.

While indirect ozone production is of concern, there is even greater concern with the direct, and purposeful introduction of a lung irritant into indoor air. There is no difference, despite some marketers’ claims, between ozone in smog outdoors and ozone produced by these devices. Repeated exposure to ozone pollution may cause permanent damage to the lungs.

Hybrid air cleaners use both mechanical filters and electronic technology in order to clean the air of particles. Ozone emissions may be present from the use of electrostatic air purifiers and negative ion generators. High levels of ozone may be harmful but cleaning the units as specified by the manufacturer may mitigate the possible bad effects of ozone to some extent.

Efficient Air Purifiers can cost anywhere from $500 to $1500 for a single room and a System to clean a whole house can easily run into the thousands of dollars.

About the author:

Frank Hague is very interested in air purifiers as you can see at: http://www.air-purifiers-now.info and http://www.youwillquit.com

Written By: Frank Hague

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Jan 11
2007

How Not to Kill Mold

We hear about mold in the news all the time. It has been linked with:

* Headaches
* Sinus Infections
* Coughing
* Weakened Immune System
* Dizziness
* Skin Infections
* Ear Infections
* Cancer
* Brain Damage
* ADHD

The toxins (poisons) that the molds create are harmless to humans outdoors where concentrations are low. Indoors, concentrations go up. When the amounts are sufficiently high, the mycotoxins (mold poisons) can make you and your kids sick.

The Arab Oil Embargo of 1972 caused us to tighten up our homes to conserve energy. This has allowed mold toxins to build up even in homes with only a moderate amount of mold colonies. You often aren’t sick enough to go to the doctor when you are infected by mold. You take aspirin for your headaches and decongestants for your sinuses.

But over time these problems get worse. Minor problems with the sinuses turn into inflammatory problems.

Inflammatory problems include:
* Lupus
* Arthritis
* Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
* Blood vessel deterioration

There is a more detailed list of molds and the diseases they cause at http://www.themoldlab.com

The most common approach to killing mold is to use bleach. Unfortunately, bleach doesn’t kill mold. It just bleaches it. It takes the color out. The mold is still alive and producing its poisons but we cannot see it.

The EPA, at one point, said to use bleach to get rid of mold on glass and tile surfaces only. However, as of 2002, the EPA does not recommend the use of chlorine bleach. (http://www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/i-e-r.html)

Many chemicals that kill mold will burn people’s lungs. This is particularly true for small children. Even EPA approved mold killers do this.

Most, if not all, companies that eliminate mold use these strong chemicals that are very toxic to people with asthma (3 of 7 people according to the American Lung Association). Many people with asthma cannot reenter their own houses if they have been sprayed with commercial fungicides (mold killers). And to add insult to injury, most fungicides are not applied properly so they do not even kill the mold.

There are 100,000′s of different molds. Each causes it own problems; each has its own needs. The trick to killing mold is to know what molds you have and deny them their basic needs. This gets rid of the mold but does not poison the residents.

About the Author

For 30 years, Dr Graham has been helping people treat and prevent disease by showing them how to live in a clean environment.

Written By: Dr George W Graham

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Dec 24
2006

Ozone air purifiers or “ozone generators” are known for their effectiveness at reducing and masking the smells of new carpet and acrolein, a chemical partly responsible for the noxious odor of second-hand tobacco smoke. There are two types of ozone generators. Direct ozone generators work by intentionally producing ozone that goes out to cancel out some chemicals in the air of your home. For bars, fire restoration jobs, and other major odor issues, nothing beats a direct ozone generator. When possible, vacate the premises, including pets, plants, art, and important items that are made of rubber. Seal the building and run the generator for a few days. Thoroughly ventilate the interior before reentering.

Indirect ozone generators are part and parcel with ionic air purification systems. Ionic air purifiers produce and send out negatively charged ions into the air, causing chemicals and particles to drop to the floor and surfaces. You clean off the surfaces as part of your regular chores. Ozone is one byproduct of this process.

Ozone, which is composed of three oxygen molecules, changes the air by interacting with certain chemicals, transforming them into carbon dioxide, oxygen, water, a variety of aldehydes, and formic acid. In high enough amounts, ozone is bad for your health. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, ozone can decrease lung function, aggravate asthma, irritate your throat, make you cough, give you chest pain, cause shortness of breath, inflame the lung tissue, and increase your susceptibility to respiratory infection. That’s why human health advocacy organizations worldwide have recommended a maximum outdoor ozone exposure of 50 to 80 ppb (parts per billion.)

As a result, many manufacturers of ozone air purifiers have voluntarily limited their indoor units to outputs of 50 ppb. Note that the further you are away from the unit, the less concentrated the ozone is. So place the unit at least two to ten feet away from you.

For regular use, look for an indirect ozone generator with a low tested emission rate. Consumer Reports recommends the Friedrich C-90A. The fan is a little noisy, but the Friedrich C-90A scores high marks for low ozone emission rates and effectiveness at reducing smoke, dust, and pollen.

About the Author

Air Purifiers Info provides detailed information on home, ionic, ozone, and HEPA air purifiers, as well as reviews of the best air purifiers on the market today. Air Purifiers Info is the sister site of Air Filters Web.

Written By: Marcus Peterson

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Oct 31
2006

Humidifiers get a lot of use in baby nurseries. When baby is having a breathing problem due to illness, improving and moisturising the air will help him/her breathe easier. But, humidifiers are not just for baby.

Very simply, a humidifier puts moisture into the air. This moist air makes it easier for anyone who suffers with allergies, asthma, sinus headaches or swollen nasal passages to breathe. Humidifiers also help prevent dry skin and hair and static electricity in the winter time when the heat is on in the home. Humidifiers can also be beneficial for the home by preventing over drying of wood, peeling of wallpaper, and preventing cracks in drywall and plaster.

Humidifiers can make cool mist or warm mist. A warm mist humidifier has been compared to being in a greenhouse, whereas a cool mist humidifier puts out cool air and will not make the air in the room warm. You will choose based on your personal preference.

You can purchase humidifiers to handle one room, such as a bedroom, or nursery, or purchase a humidifier to handle a large space such as a whole house humidifier. There are many features available on humidifiers. You will probably want to look for a humidifier with an automatic shut off. It will turn off when the unit is empty. This is a good safety feature. Some humidifiers have a built-in humidistat. This can help when a humidifier is used frequently as they can make a room wet, or over-humidify a room. Some humidifiers come with an ultraviolet light that is used to kill bacteria in the water before it is dispersed into the air by the humidifier. Some humidifiers have quieter motors than others, and this can be important as they are often used while sleeping.

Studies done by the government have shown that cool mist humidifiers can disperse microorganisms and minerals into the air. The EPA suggests that you use a bottled distilled water in your humidifier to help lower the mineral content in the air. Also, you should not humidify indoors to over 50% as high humidity encourages growth of biological organisms, such as mold, in the home. It is suggested you keep the humidity level in your home between 35-45%.

It is very important that you keep your humidifier clean and follow the manufacturers suggested cleaning schedule.

About the Author

Article courtesy of http://www.humidifier-guide.com

Written By: Kelly Gillis

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Oct 22
2006

Air purifiers have been around in various forms since the 1940s, when the first HEPA filter was designed to protect workers from airborne nuclear material. Since then, air purifiers have been used in hospitals, work sites, and homes to protect against viruses, mold, bacteria, pollen, pet dander, tobacco smoke, dust mites, and a great number of industrial and household chemicals. The people who stand the most to gain from air purifiers are those with allergies, asthma, and other respiratory ailments.

But everybody can benefit from having cleaner air in the home. The Environmental Protection Agency lists indoor air pollution among the top five environmental risks to public health. In fact, the inside of your home could well contain two to one hundred times more air pollutants than an outdoor urban environment.

Air purifier value varies widely. You can spend upwards of $1600 for the best air purifiers known to man, or you can spend as little as $70 for a good car unit. You can also spend an arm and a leg on junk if youre not careful. One thing to keep in mind when buying an air purifier is unit-to-filter value. If your unit uses a HEPA filter, find out how much it costs to replace the filter. You may end up spending thousands on the filter alone. The question is, what kind of a machine do you want?

Home air purifiers use a number of technological approaches to cleaning your air so you can breathe more easily. They use HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters; electrostatic filters, ion generators, ozone generators, ultraviolet light, and other methods to get rid of both large and miniscule particles. Some operate by drawing in air via a fan, cleaning the air, and re-releasing it. Others work by actually sending out purifying agents throughout the room.

Today you have two basic choices for home air purifiers: room air purifiers, and whole house purifiers. Generally speaking, room purifiers are better for air-cleaning efficiency and cost.

About the Author

Air Purifiers Info provides detailed information on home, ionic, ozone, and HEPA air purifiers, as well as reviews of the best air purifiers on the market today. Air Purifiers Info is the sister site of Air Filters Web.

Written By: Marcus Peterson

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Oct 16
2006

These are the air cleaners used for reducing indoor pollutants (indoor here refers to home). These air cleaners are especially helpful for those who suffer from asthma, hay fever or other allergies. Believe it or not, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, the air inside our homes is 10 times more polluted than the air outside! The reason for this is that our homes are so poorly ventilated that airborne pollutants such as pollen, mold, dust, cigarette smoke, and pet dander can easily accumulate.

Many would rather get a portable air purifier instead of a home air cleaner (one that links into your existing central heating and cooling system to provide clean air to your whole house) simply because of its low cost. However, the long-term cost of maintaining a portable air purifier, and its effectiveness, have slowly but surely changed the preferences of many potential buyers, and converted the existing users.

There are some essential points that buyers should keep in mind about home air cleaners: home cleaners are less noisy; hence, they give the peace and quiet that every home should enjoy. They are also normally hidden out of sight in the home; thus there will be no unsightly devices in view of your family and friends. They clean the entire home, and not just one portion of the house. Home air cleaners only require maintenance once a year.

Air cleaners have become an essential part of our lives, be they in the work environment or in our homes. We cannot deny that our daily lives are being compromised by many day-to-day activities, and something as natural as breathing has also become hazardous to our lives. Air cleaners help us to preserve the quality of our lives and reduce the risk of many diseases and health hazards.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Air Cleaner Filters provides detailed information on Air Cleaners, Air Cleaner Filters, Electronic Air Cleaners, Home Air Cleaners and more. Air Cleaner Filters is affiliated with Ionic Air Purifiers.

Written By: Eric Morris

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Oct 7
2006

One of the most important elements for the survival of human beings is air. Air is a vital component of a very complex set of respiratory functions. This air must be free of contaminants that could cause a potential health risk. Air that contains particles of dust mites, pet dander, pollen and mold spores can cause asthma, allergies and respiratory illnesses. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that indoor air is 70 times more contaminated than outside air. Airborne chemicals from flooring, insulation, paints, cleaning products and other building materials give off dangerous chemical fumes. As a result, homes and offices could potentially increase the likelihood of an allergy or respiratory problems. In order to alleviate these risk factors, it is necessary to utilize a high efficiency air purifier. A high efficiency air purifier circulates air through filters that trap toxins, and allergens, and removes them from inside air.

An air purifier works by drawing in dirty air through an inlet vent. Air then passes through a prefilter which traps large particles, then passes through a carbon filter which captures particles and reduces gases and odors. The air then passes hrough a filter made of tightly woven fibers to capture the smaller particles. This filter is known as a HEPA filter, which is an acronym for high efficiency particulate absorbing. These filters can absorb particles as small as 0.3 micrometers. Some units have electronic ionizers which further capture smaller particles, and particles that have escaped the previous other filters. A fan then recirculates the filtered air back into the room.

Health hazards from polluted indoor air at home or at the work place have increased the incidence of respiratory illnesses. The use of an air purifier could play a significant role in reducing these risks for healthy individuals, as well as individuals with existing conditions. Purifiers minimize contaminants in the air effectively, before they can cause harm to human tissue. It is important to note that air purifiers are only a part of a bigger solution, keeping a clean living and working environment is absolutely essential.

About The Author

Jay B Stockman is a contributing editor for Digital Air Purifiers Online Visit http://air-purifiersite.com/ for more information.

Written By: Jay Stockman

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Sep 1
2006

National Academy of Sciences Report – “Clearing the Air: Asthma and Indoor Air Exposures”

Three years ago, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) asked the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to undertake an assessment of the role of indoor air quality in the growing asthma problem. EPA asked NAS to characterize the state of the science on health impacts and prevention strategies, and to provide recommendations on needed research.

In response to this request, the National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine has issued a report, Clearing the Air: Asthma and Indoor Air Exposures, on the role of indoor environmental pollutants in the development and exacerbation of asthma. The report affirms the Administrator’s asthma initiative to educate the public about the ways they can help control asthma by managing indoor air quality.

The report concludes that exposure to indoor pollutants is an important contributor to the asthma problem in this nation. Asthma sufferers should consult with their doctor about reducing their exposure to secondhand smoke, dust mites, pet dander, molds, and cockroaches.

Since Americans spend up to 90% of their time indoors, exposure to indoor allergens and irritants may play a significant role in triggering asthma episodes.

Check out Shaklee’s AirSource 3000. One table top unit will reduce most toxins for 3000 sq. feet. And no filters to change.

About the author:

Certified Nutrition Advisor consulting with individuals concerning wellness and prevention.

www.TheWellnessHut.com/air-filters.php

email me: thewellnesshut@earthlink.net

Written By: Connie Varner

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