Build a cleaner fire this winter season

Woodsmoke contains fine particles
that may affect your health.

It's not just during the holiday season - all winter long, families and friends will gather around fires in woodstoves or fireplaces.

But how you build that fire – and what you burn – can have a significant impact on air quality and health, both inside your home and out.

Whether you’re using a woodstove, pellet stove, or your fireplace, seeing smoke from your chimney means your fire isn’t burning efficiently or cleanly as it could.

Woodsmoke contains fine particles – also called fine particle pollution or PM2.5  -- which can harm the lungs, blood vessels and heart. People with heart, vascular or lung disease, and older adults and children are more at risk.

Here are some simple tips for building cleaner-burning fires this holiday season:

• Burn only dry, seasoned wood. Wet, or green logs, create excessive smoke – and waste fuel. How do you tell if wood has been seasoned? Listen for a hollow sound when you strike two logs together.
  
• Wood burns best when the moisture content is less than 20 percent. You can purchase a wood moisture meter to test the moisture content of your wood before you burn it. You can purchase these meters for as little as $20 at most home improvement retailers.
  
• Start a small fire with dry kindling, then add a few pieces of wood. Be sure there’s space between the pieces of wood – and give the fire plenty of air until it’s roaring.
  
• A smoldering fire, “dirty” glass doors on a wood stove, or smoke from the chimney are all signs that your fire needs more air – or the wood is too moist.
  
• Never burn household garbage, cardboard, painted or treated wood, or any wood that contains glue, such as plywood or particle board. These items release toxic chemicals when burned -- and if you’re using a woodstove, they can damage it.
  
• Check your air quality forecast on airnow.gov before you burn. Some local areas limit woodstove and fireplace use under certain air quality conditions.

If you heat your home with wood, using an EPA-certified wood stove can help you save wood while putting less smoke into the air.

In January 2014, the agency proposed updates to its requirements for newly manufactured wood heaters that will make new woodstoves, outdoor wood boilers and other wood heaters cleaner in the future. EPA anticipates issuing final requirements by Feb. 3, 2015.

Source: EPA

Concerned about smoke and chemicals in your home? AllerAir offers a wide range of indoor air purifiers for the home and office, with a complete air filter system containing activated carbon, HEPA and UV (optional). Contact AllerAir for more information and speak to an IAQ expert to find the right air purifier for your needs.

Wildfires sweeping across southwestern United States, parts of Canada

Wildfires can spread quickly and cause air quality
concerns in vast areas.

The blazes affect air quality in nearby cities and regions

Historic drought conditions in the southwestern United States are providing the perfect conditions for dozens of wildfires to ignite and spread.

Firefighters last week were battling more than a dozen fires in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, California and Utah. But other parts of North America were also feeling the heat, with wildfires in Canada’s Ontario, Michigan and other regions.

Homes and people’s health are at risk from the fires themselves and the smoky haze that can affect the air quality for a long time.

According to the CDC, smoke from wildfires can hurt people’s eyes, irritate the respiratory system, and worsen chronic heart and lung diseases.

It may also worsen symptoms for people who have pre-existing respiratory conditions, such as respiratory allergies, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

High winds help spread the particulate matter and gases from wildfire pollution, and make the fires even more difficult to control.

The fire season came early this year and has experts worried about what is yet to come.

Source: The Guardian

Air purifiers for smoke, smog and other types of pollution

During wildfire season, the air quality in vast areas across North America may be compromised by the gases and fine particles released in the burning process.

When the air quality outdoors is a problem, indoor air quality becomes even more important.

AllerAir has designed portable and highly efficient air purifiers for airborne chemicals, fine particles, gases and odors that can help reduce indoor air pollution quickly and around the clock.

Air purifiers like the AirMedic Series provide a 360-degree air intake, a deep-bed carbon filter for the removal of gaseous pollutants and HEPA filtration for fine particles.

The 5000 Exec and similar models also have been proven to be very efficient and reliable air purifiers for the home and office.

In especially smoky areas, AllerAir recommends an air purifier for (tobacco) smoke for best results.

Contact AllerAir for more information and options.

Smog, air pollution, wildfire smoke – how to protect yourself

Smog and air pollution can be harmful to human health.

Smog warnings and a thick haze lying over cities in the morning have become a familiar sight for many commuters.

But even though the smog “disappears” as the day warms up, the air pollutants stay behind.

Smog air pollution contains a wide range of contaminants that can affect human health, including sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds and particulates.

Vehicle emissions reacting with sunlight generate ozone, which has been linked with eye irritation, decreased lung function and poor visibility.

Health consequences linked to air pollution can vary significantly, from discomfort to premature death.

Health effects also depend on an individual’s age, sensitivities, state of health, exposure, weather and daily habits.

What you can do

• Keep children and sensitive people indoors during high smog episodes
• Keep windows and doors closed during pollution events to avoid harmful build-up of pollutants indoors, but open them for increased ventilation and fresh air as soon as it’s safe.
• Invest in a charcoal air filter for the air conditioning system or a portable activated carbon room air purifier (with carbon, HEPA and possibly UV filters)

Source: Jamaica Gleaner

Room air purifiers help reduce indoor air pollution

Air pollution outdoors becomes even more dangerous when it gets inside.

AllerAir's AirMedic Series:
Powerful room air purifiers.

Today’s airtight buildings and poor ventilation systems often lead to a buildup of harmful toxins inside, where they can be breathed in by some of the most susceptible groups of the population – infants, young children and the elderly.

A room air purifier with the right type of filters can help remove contaminants such as chemicals, gases, fumes, odors, particles, dust, bacteria, viruses and molds and help keep the air clean.

AllerAir’s air purifiers for the home and office can remove the widest range of indoor air pollutants with their deep-bed activated carbon filters, HEPA and optional UV germicidal filtration.

Contact AllerAir for more information and options.
  

Fireplaces cause harmful wood smoke: report

Wood stoves and heaters can emit harmful particles,
experts say.

Winter is traditionally the time for sitting in front of a cozy fire or wood heater and enjoying the crackling warmth.

However, the wood smoke generated by these fires may add billions to health bills, according to an Australian report.

In Sydney, the smoke from wood fires is the biggest source of air pollution in winter, and the haze will add $8 billion to the health budget by 2030, the report says.

Those are preventable costs, the researchers say, but some measures may be needed to curb the use of wood as a heating fuel.

Wood heaters release a range of tiny particles into the ambient air. Sometimes, these particles can be seen as a smoky haze, but even if they are not visible, these particles can lead to medical problems.

The polluted air especially affects people with

• Heart disease
• Lung disease
• Inflammation of the lungs
• Bronchitis
• Asthma

Some studies have linked wood smoke pollutants to cancer, birth defects and nervous system disorders.
According to the report, rural areas have more wood heaters and may expose people living there to the haze.

Officials are debating how to control the wood smoke pollution. One idea brought forward was a tax on wood fuel.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald

Take care of your indoor air

When it’s starting to get hazy and cold outside, people need to make sure the air they are breathing indoors is healthy.

Unfortunately, most indoor environments are polluted by contaminants such as chemicals, gases, particles, allergens, mold, bacteria, viruses and more.

That is why many people turn to portable air purifiers to help keep the air clean. With the right air filters, an air purifier can help remove those pollutants and will move the air around while cleaning it.

AllerAir’s powerful air purifiers contain a complete air purification system with activated carbon, HEPA and (optional) UV filters, which provide the most protection from airborne pollutants.

Check out AllerAir’s general purpose air purifiers, air cleaners for tobacco (and wood) smoke as well as other specialized IAQ concerns.

Contact AllerAir for more information.
 

New Orleans swamp fires may fester for months

Swamp fire smoke makes its way into
nearby homes and affects residents.

Residents downwind of an underground marsh fire in eastern New Orleans have been feeling the effects of smoke exposure, as clouds of smoke periodically waft their way.

They reported wheezing and bouts of nausea due to the exposure, and said that the smell of smoke was everywhere in their homes.

The fires were at their height at the end of August 2011, when much of New Orleans was blanketed with heavy smoke.

Even with the National Guard and natural rainfalls dumping water on the area, the swamp fire continued to smolder and spread.

Now, five months later, smaller amounts of smoke still find their way into residents’ homes.

Wildfire smoke has been identified as a serious health risk as 80 to 90% of wildfire smoke is within the fine particle range.

These fine particles, which are generally less than 2.5 microns in diameter and can penetrate deep into the lungs. 

An increase in this type of airborne particulate matter has been linked to numerous health problems including headaches, nausea, dizziness, respiratory problems, strokes and heart attacks.

Source: Nola

Keep smoke out from your home

While wildfires and underground swamp fires are not easy to control, homeowners can help protect their health and well-being by making sure their indoor air quality is as high as possible.

Since smoke particles and chemicals can make their way indoors through open windows, doors, cracks and other entry points, it’s important to ensure good ventilation and to use a powerful air cleaner that canhandle smoke toxins.

AllerAir has designed some of the most efficient air purifiers for smoke, with many pounds of activated carbon and HEPA to remove chemicals, particles, gases, odors and other irritants from the ambient air.

The AirMedic Series combines
powerful particle with chemical
filtration.

Here are some recommended air purifiers for smoke:

Air Medic + Vocarb
Our most efficient medical-grade HEPA unit for particles ( traps 99.97% of fine particles at 0.3 microns) coupled with a deep-bed, activated carbon filter for the treatment of  chemicals, gases and odors. Ideal for those living within close range of a wildfire zone.

5000 DS
AllerAir's "DS" models are air purifiers tailored specifically for smoke and odor relief. These exceptional air purifiers remove lingering smoke odors and harmful chemicals. They feature a deep-bed carbon filter, tar-trapping pre-filters and micro-HEPA filter for particles.

Contact AllerAir for more information.

January is National Radon Action Month – Get your home tested

The invisible, odorless killer: Radon contributes to 20,000 lung cancer deaths each year

Any home can have readings of high radon levels, officials say.

Health officials everywhere want to get the message out - radon can kill you, so make sure you test your home and take action if necessary.

Radon is a naturally occurring gas that is produced by the decay of uranium in soil and water, and it can enter houses through cracks and fissures in the home’s foundation or exterior.

It often gets trapped indoors and can build up to potentially dangerous levels.

Exposure to high levels of radon is especially harmful for people who smoke because it increases their already high risk of developing lung cancer.

The only way to know whether a home is safe is to test, experts say.

The test is not expensive and requires a small detector being placed in the basement or the ground floor of a home for about three months. It will give you an accurate idea of the level of radon in the home (a period of three months is suggested because the levels can go up and down).

• Radon levels outdoors: About 0.4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L)
• Average U.S. home: 1.3 pCi/L of radon
• Unsafe radon levels according to EPA: readings above 4 pCi/L

Homeowners can install pipes in the basement to vent air outside, or do other types of repairs to prevent radon from entering the home.

Some areas may have a higher chance of radon, but the readings can vary from home to home and from region to region.

Source: Delaware Online

Improve indoor air quality with air purifiers

More manufacturers are incorporating an activated carbon filter in addition to the standard HEPA filter.

This extra level of filtration is proving to be a vital component for maintaining good air quality.

According to an extensive study of the air in nearly 50,000 American homes, 70% were found to have high levels of airborne chemical pollutants and gases.

An activated carbon filter is one of the only safe and proven filtration methods for removing airborne chemicals, gases and odors.

To be effective, an activated carbon filter should be several inches thick and use granular activated carbon.

The AllerAir 5000 Exec for general air filtration features 18 lbs. of granular activated carbon in a 2.5” filter, in addition to medical-grade HEPA filter for particles.

For more information, contact AllerAir.

Wildfires may increase in Canada: Ecologists

Canada may see more and larger wildfires
in the future, researchers say.

Canada is blessed with large forest regions, but ecologists say these regions are about to experience rapid change.

They use models to show there are threshold values for wildfires just like there are for epidemics.

Because of climate change, many forest areas in Canada are fast approaching the threshold, meaning there may be wider swaths of forest areas being burnt and larger wildfires in general.

The researchers of the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) and the University of Michigan say that the strategies for wildfire management should be reconsidered.

In 2009, 11,000 people had to be evacuated and around 1,000 hectares of forest and scrubland went up in flames in British Columbia, a province in Canada.

This happened after several weeks of drought, and ecologists are debating whether climate change is to blame and poses a threat to forests across North America.

The researchers analysed data from the Canadian Forest Service on fires exceeding 200 hectares and found that three ecozones in Canada could be affected by larger wildfires: the Hudson Plains south of the Hudson Bay, the Boreale Plains in the mid-West and the Boreale Shield, which is the largest ecozone in Canada (it stretches from the mid-West to the East coast).

The ecologists say that even small changes in the climate can have a big impact on the size of fires.

Source: Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres

Air purifiers for wildfire smoke

Wildfire smoke poses a very serious health risk as 80 to 90% of wildfire smoke is within the fine particle range.

These fine particles are generally less than 2.5 microns in diameter and can penetrate deep into the lungs where they can cause serious damage over time. 

An increase in this type of airborne particulate matter has been linked to numerous health problems including headaches, nausea, dizziness, respiratory problems, strokes and heart attacks.

Smoke can also travel far beyond the main burn zone. Studies show that even a small increase in airborne fine particulate matter can affect overall health.

AllerAir's air purifiers for the home and office.

When wildfire smoke enters a home through windows, doors, cracks etc. it can lead to poor indoor air quality for its residents.

Suggested Air Purifiers include: 

Air Medic+ Vocarb – a very efficient air purifier for particles and chemicals; ideal for those living within close range of a wildfire zone.

5000 DS or 6000 DS – specialized units for smoke and harmful chemicals with a deep-bed carbon filter, tar-trapping pre-filter and micro-HEPA filter

Contact AllerAir for more information and options.

Wood-burning fireplaces add to air pollution

Wood-burning stoves and fireplaces can contribute
to the air pollution inside and outside.

It’s the holiday season – time to cuddle up by a warm and cozy fire, with a mug of steaming tea and a good book, right?

Well, the firewood you are burning in your fireplace may contribute significantly to the outdoor and indoor air pollution in your area.

A California-based organization warns against burning firewood, since wood smoke is a trigger for people suffering from lung diseases such as asthma.

Long-term exposure to wood fire smoke has been linked to reduced lung function, chronic bronchitis or even premature death.

The danger in firewood smoke lies in the fine particles the smoke contains, which can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause inflammation.

Experts recommend

• Banning wood fires in your fireplace at home, especially during smog-filled days and nights
• Limiting outdoor activities in the evening when wood smoke levels are highest
• Avoiding exposure to smoke and secondhand smoke, which can compound the effects of air pollution on the lungs

Source: Alameda Sun

Room air purifiers can help improve indoor air quality

When houses are sealed up tight to prevent cold air from seeping in, regular ventilation systems are often unable to filter out common indoor air pollutants coming from building materials and household products.

A powerful portable room air purifier can help move the air around and remove a wide range of indoor air contaminants, including many chemicals, odors, gases, dust, particulates, mold, bacteria and viruses.

In homes where wood smoke or tobacco smoke is a problem, AllerAir recommends choosing the 5000 DS or 5000 DXS air purifiers, which feature a deep-bed activated carbon filter for optimal adsorption of gaseous pollutants, HEPA for particles and special tar-trapping pre-filters to prevent clogging.

For more information and options, contact AllerAir directly.

Q&A: Air Cleaners for Wildfire Smoke; Utah, Florida, Arizona, Colorado, Alaska

Q: Do you have air cleaners specifically designed for smoke, odors and particles, particularly wildfire smoke?

A: With serious wildfires currently burning in Utah, Florida, Arizona, Colorado and Alaska, we've been receiving calls and e-mails about air purifiers for smoke, specifically wildfire smoke.

Wildfire smoke poses a very serious health risk as 80 to 90% of wildfire smoke is within the fine particle range. These fine particles, which are generally less than 2.5 microns in diameter and can penetrate deep into the body.  An increase in this type of airborne particulate matter has been linked to numerous health problems including headaches, nausea, dizziness, respiratory problems, strokes and heart attacks.

Children, pregnant women, those suffering from existing respiratory conditions and older adults are even more susceptible to the effects of wildfire smoke particulate.

Smoke can also travel far beyond the main burn zone. Studies show that even a small increase in airborne fine particulate matter can affect overall health.

Suggested Air Purifiers:

Air Medic + Vocarb

Our most efficient medical-grade HEPA unit for particles ( traps 99.97% of fine particles at 0.3 microns) coupled with a deep-bed, activated carbon filter for the treatment of  chemicals, gases and odors. Ideal for those living within close range of a wildfire zone.

5000 DS or 6000 DS
Air purifiers tailored specifically for smoke and odor relief, these exceptional units remove lingering smoke odors and harmful chemicals. They feature a deep-bed carbon filters, tar-trapping pre-filters and micro-HEPA filters for particles.

For a personalized recommendation, don't hesitate to contact us. We have over 100 models which can be customized to meet your needs and budget.

Visit our website: http://www.allerair.com/
Start a live chat session with an indoor air quality expert
E-mail or phone 1-888-852-8247

 
Other Resources:

Current U.S. Wildfire Information

National Air Quality Summary

Today’s Air Quality Forecast (MAP)



Note: Always follow public advisories and evacuation orders. An air purifier is designed to treat airborne pollutants, but can’t save you or your home from a serious or encroaching wild fire.

Air Quality Worsens as South California Wildfires Continue to Burn

As the air quality in and around the Los Angeles area continues to worsen due to uncontained wildfires, more and more South California residents carry on searching for a solution to remove the soot and ash that have been emitted into the air in dangerous quantities.

According to the South Coast Air Quality Management District, the San Fernando Valley, the Santa Clarita Valley and portions of the San Gabriel Mountains will be directly affected by the smoke.

The California chapter of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America reported that high winds can spread pollen and other allergens, increasing the risk of asthma attacks.

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) experts at AllerAir Industries suggest that people who live in or around the area equip their homes with an air purifier designed to remove the dangerous toxins emitted through wildfire smoke.

People living in affected wildfire areas are invited to visit www.allerair.com or contact one of AllerAir’s IAQ Experts at 1-888-852-8247 for more information on air purifiers or the dangers of wildfire smoke.

Wildfires Blaze in Southern California: L.A., San Fernando and San Diego County Affected

Two people are dead, dozens of Southern California homes have been destroyed and thousands have fled after powerful winds fueled three wildfires in the Los Angeles, San Fernando and northern San Diego County area.

The health hazards are extreme, Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Experts warn, even for residents living miles away from affected areas.

“Smoke from wildfires includes small particles of ash, water vapor, gases and carbon monoxide that are very dangerous when inhaled,” said Karen Hand, chemical engineer and IAQ Expert at AllerAir Industries. “The air inside homes and businesses is going to be as polluted, if not more polluted, than the air outdoors. It’s more important than ever before that Californians take appropriate measures like including an air purifier to remove dangerous airborne gases, chemicals, odors and particles.”

Hand says an effective air purifier for wildfire smoke has to incorporate a medical-grade HEPA filter that traps 99.97% of fine particles measuring 0.3 microns or larger, as well as deep bed carbon filters to adsorb gases, chemicals and tough smoke odor.

She recommends AllerAir’s AirMedic D Exec, 5000 DS Exec, 5000 Exec, 6000 DS Exec and the 6000 Exec. For more information on these units, visit www.allerair.com, or call 1.888.852.8247 for more information on air purifiers and the dangers of wildfire smoke.

Air Quality Report Details Dangers of Ship Smoke to Coastal Cities

Scientists from the University of California at San Diego (UCSD) have released a report showing that residents of coastal cities, such as New York, San Francisco, Montreal, Los Angeles and Houston, are at risk to the dangers of the dirty smoke emitted from ships cruising at sea and generating electricity in port.

The report finds that on some days, the dirty smoke from ships accounts for nearly half of the fine, sulfur-rich particulate matter in the air known to be hazardous to human health.

Until this report was recently released, air quality experts have been unable to quantify the contribution of ship smoke to coastal city air pollution.

Ships that burn a cheaper, sulfur-rich fuel called “bunker oil” produce primary sulfate, or SO4, which is especially dangerous to people because of its fine microscopic particles that measure less than 1.5 microns or a millionth of a meter in size. These particles can travel extremely long distances because they stay in the atmosphere for longer periods and, unlike bigger dust grains and particles that are removed by the body when breathed, remain in the lungs.

Mark Thiemens, dean of the division of physical sciences and a professor of chemistry and biochemistry at UCSD, told the Houston Business Journal, that ships remain unregulated when it comes to air pollution standards, and with global shipping expected to increase, this report should influence policy makers on making more informed decisions about improving the quality of air for coastal citizens.

While international rules may one day require ships to burn clean-burning fuels, and some states like California will quickly be requiring ships to switch to safer, more expensive fuels when nearing its coastal cities, many other cities remain unprotected by regulations

Citizens, in the meantime, should be aware that there are definite dangers to the sulfur-rich particulate matter that this report now shows to be found in increased quantities in coastal air. Chemicals and fine particles released by this matter go deep into the lungs and can cause irreparable damage.

There are air purifiers that are designed specifically to combat microscopic particles. Such a unit would need to combine a deep carbon filter, along with a HEPA filter that removes 99.97 percent of airborne dust and particles measuring 0.3 microns.

AllerAir is one of the industry leaders in providing air quality solutions. For more information on how to safeguard yourself and your family from the effects of dirty smoke from ships, please visit www.allerair.com.