Seasonal Allergies Making Your Life Miserable? Blame Your SUV.

If you’re among the millions who suffer from allergies and allergic asthma, you know that this allergy season has been particularly bad and we all may be to blame.

According to a new report, our warming planet is creating the perfect conditions for a significant increase in pollen levels and bumper fall crops of ragweed in the years to come.

The National Wildlife Federation and the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America reports that the changes will affect more than just your Kleenex consumption, but will cost the American economy more than $32 billion dollars in lost productivity, missed workdays and medical costs stemming directly from allergies.

Amanda Staudt, a climate scientist at the Wildlife Federation says that spring conditions are already arriving two weeks earlier than 20 years ago. She says that these longer growing seasons will produce even more allergy-provoking pollen and may allow highly allergenic trees like oaks and hickories to start replacing pines, spruces and firs that generally don't trigger allergies.

To cap off the bad news, the worst allergy-inducing plant, ragweed, will actually thrive over a longer, warmer growing season. In fact, there’s evidence that ragweed actually grows faster as carbon dioxide levels increase in our atmosphere.

Harvard University researchers reported similar results in 2002 study .
Hum…maybe we shouldn't be driving military vehicles to the grocery store after all.


Allergy Tip:
Speak to your HR manager or supervisor at work about installing air purifiers in your office.

Most companies are on the look-out for ways to cut absenteeism and implement “green” initiatives. Clean air has been proven to have a direct impact on productivity and employee satisfaction. A room air cleaner with a medical-grade HEPA filter will remove 99.97% of airborne pollen and other allergens. Check out AllerAir’s AirMedic that also remove airborne chemicals, gases and odors.

Air Purifier Reviews - AllerAir

We take the responsibility of providing clean air and air purifiers for the home  very seriously at AllerAir. So it's especially gratifying for the staff when we hear about all of the home-owners who love our units. These are a few of the air purifier reviews I found today:

"Research carefully and you will discover that AllerAir is and has been always at the top of best models. It is one this writer recommends for optimal health. Whatever you decide upon, your family needs clean air and this is something not to be ignored."

http://www.gogreenwitheverything.com/air-purifier-for-the-home.html

"This Air Purifier made a big difference. We had a paint-type chemical smell in our house from some toxic sealant used on our floors and other outgassing. It definitely reduced the smell and was easy to move around on the wheels."

http://www.amazon.com/AllerAir-VoCarb-Purifier-Model-5000/product-reviews/B000METOV0/ref=dp_db_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

"The allerair 5000 is a fantastic air purifier. Within 15 minutes of turning it on the entire house is essentially beautifully filtered clean air. No paint or other types of chemicals, dust, or allergens. I have conditional mcs and the filtration allows me a very much needed normal homelife. On the low setting the product is barely audible. It becomes quit loud though on the two higher settings."

http://www.amazon.com/AllerAir-VoCarb-Purifier-Model-5000/product-reviews/B000METOV0/ref=dp_db_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

Editor's note: Yes the higher speeds are louder; however we recommend that the two higher settings are used for a quick room clean-out only. Air purifiers with deep-bed activated carbon filters actually work better on the lowest setting because the air "dwells" longer in the carbon filter, allowing more chemicals, gases and odors to be trapped. Our units are actually designed to be used 24/7 on low and only use about as much energy as a 40 watt light bulb!

Thanks for the great reviews!
Stephanie

Air Pollution Affecting Historical Artifacts Worldwide, Even Indoors

The Taj Mahal is turning yellow.

Greece’s Parthenon and Egypt’s pyramids are showing signs of serious decay.

500 year old statues in Florence, Italy which were restored only nine years ago are now pockmarked and covered in black scum.

These vital links to our past and our humanity are not being damaged by vandals, earthquakes or even acid rain, but by air pollution.

For many countries the problem has become so insurmountable that where possible, important monuments have been moved indoors.

Unfortunately, conservationists have found that the decay doesn’t end there. Museum curators and archivists are also struggling with preserving art and other historical documents from indoor air pollution.

In 1985 the Getty Conservation Institute began researching the risks of atmospheric pollutants on museum collections as well as possible remedies and solutions.

Among their findings, they determined that ozone concentrations within museums fitted with activated carbon air filtration units were generally quite low (ozone causes fading and discoloration).

Activated carbon is also effective on numerous other pollutants which can affect artifacts, including formaldehyde, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, formic acid and acetic acid.

Cultural facilities property should address these contaminants in order to preserve their collections, before pollutants will cause irreparable damage.

Contact AllerAir or its industrial division Electrocorp for suitable air filtration solutions.
  

Air Pollution Linked to Heart Disease; The Number One Killer of Canadian and American Women

I, like thousands other women watched Canadian figure skater Joannie Rochette perform last night with tears in my eyes. This young Olympian, on the brink of the most exciting week of her life, lost her mother to a massive heart attack on Sunday morning. Therese Rochette was only 55 years old – tragic and all too common in North America.

Mistakenly thought of as a male health issue, heart disease is actually the number one killer of women over the age of 55 in both Canada and the United States. In fact, almost twice as many women die from heart related aliments than from all forms of cancer.

Researchers are beginning to see that this staggering health problem stems not only from lifestyle issues, but environmental factors as well. Only last week researchers at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California , announced that their studies show that exposure to air pollution accelerates the thickening of artery walls that leads to heart disease. The problem was especially serious for those who lived next to a heavy pollution source which caused the thickening to progress twice as fast as for those who lived farther away.

Chemical exposure may also play a role in heart disease. In January, researchers reported that elevated exposure to bisphenol A seemed associated with a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular disease. It’s the second time researchers have made a connection between the controversial plastic compound and heart problems.

While these environmental factors definitely warrant more study, there are also numerous established risk factors that women can also address:


Tobacco Smoke:
While it’s no surprise that smokers have a higher risk of having a heart attack, many women don’t realize that regular exposure to second-hand smoke also puts them at greater risk.

Inactivity:
Physically inactive women double their risk of developing heart problems. As little as 30-minutes of exercise four times a week could lower the risk.

High Blood Pressure:
Also called hypertension, this condition forces the heart muscle to work harder and causes damage to blood vessels, making them more likely to clog.

Body Weight:
Weight has a direct effect on a woman’s risk of developing heart disease. Experts say that even losing a small amount of weight can make a difference.

Top 10 Myths About Air Purifiers

1. The “Clean Air Delivery Rate” is a clear way to compare all air cleaners.
Many air cleaners are marketed with a “CADR” rating. This rating is based on a test used by a trade organization; The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. Their test measures an air cleaner’s ability to reduce airborne solid particulate matter and does not test a unit’s ability to reduce gases, odors or microbiological components, which the AHAM says is “outside the scope” of their test. Therefore, if you’re shopping for an air cleaner to reduce airborne chemicals, gases and odors, the CADR rating is not applicable. The only clear way to compare these air cleaners is by filtration media. For example a unit with many pounds of activated carbon will be able to adsorb vastly more pollutants than a thin filter with a sprayed-on layer of carbon. Depth is also an important consideration. The more carbon the pollutants are forced to travel through, the better chance they have of getting caught. So if a carbon filter is three inches deep, it will perform more efficiently that a filter that’s one inch deep.

2. You should buy an air purifier to match the square footage of your room.
Many consumers don’t realize that most recommendations based on square footage only take into account an empty room. Air doesn’t flow as efficiently in rooms with lots of furniture so it’s advisable to ask for a product recommendation based on your most prominent air quality concerns and lifestyle needs.

3. HEPA air purifiers are the most effective.
The poor air quality affecting most homes and businesses today is directly influenced by the numerous everyday products that off-gas chemicals and odors. While an air cleaner with a HEPA (high efficiency particle air) filter is the gold standard in particle filtration; it can’t remove airborne chemicals. Therefore, HEPA alone can not be considered the most effective filtration method.

4. All air purifiers can remove smoke, fumes and odors.
In fact most air purifiers on the market today can not remove any type of airborne chemical, gas or odor. Many online buying guides actually warn consumers to be wary of units which make these claims. That’s because so few air purifiers contain the type of filtration required to extract anything other than dust and other particles. It’s the same principle as equipping a solider with a gas mask that can only remove dust. It wouldn’t offer any protection against airborne toxins because the technology isn’t designed to remove chemicals. AllerAir units were designed primarily to treat the dangerous air borne toxins that other units leave behind. We use the deep bed activated carbon filters as well as a HEPA filters effectively remove smoke, chemicals, gases odors and particles.

5. The most important characteristic of an air purifier is how much dust it can remove.
Dust isn’t the most serious threat to our health when it comes to indoor air pollution, so why buy an air cleaner that only removes dust and other particles? An air purifier should remove all the components of air pollution including chemicals, gases and odors.

6. An air purifier is a luxury item.
Of the thousands of chemicals used in consumer products only a handful have been tested for their effects on humans, even fewer for their effects on children. Chemical lobbyists often tout that their products contain “below legal limits” of a particular toxin, however science is only beginning to study the cumulative effect of life-long exposure to a barrage of chemicals. It will likely be decades or longer before government regulators move to ban harmful chemicals. For more and more average consumers, an air purifier is no longer being seen as a luxury item, but a powerful tool in preventing exposure to common airborne chemicals.

7. Air purifiers can’t contribute to air pollution.
Sounds illogical that a device which claims to clean your air may actually be contributing to your poor indoor air quality, but units that use ozone to clean the air or are made with mostly plastic, styrofoam and other synthetic materials may actually be off-gassing chemicals.

8. Only those who have asthma, allergies or some other illness need an air purifier.
Actually anyone can benefit from cleaner air. According to the World Heath Organization 2.4 million people worldwide die each year from causes directly related to air pollution. That’s three times the number of people who die in car accidents. The simple truth is that if you don’t have an air purifier your lungs are the only thing filtering the air you breathe. Unfortunately, lungs can’t be replaced as easily as a dirty air filter.

9. An air purifier is the “magic bullet” for indoor air quality problems.
While an air purifier can be a key tool in fighting indoor air pollution it can’t solve all air quality problems instantly. It is always advisable to try and address the source of any major factors contributing to poor air quality. Prime examples are mold and radon which must be property remediated. A room affected by long-term smoking meanwhile, may take days, weeks or longer to show a major improvement as the odors and chemicals have likely permeated walls, upholstered furniture and draperies.

10. All air purifiers are basically the same.
Air purifiers vary greatly in design, filtration methods, level of efficiency and price, however very few actually target the wide-range of contaminants present in indoor air. That’s why we believe that carbon filters are a necessity. Why spend the money on an air purifier if your lungs are left to filter airborne chemicals?

VOG (volcanic smog): Higher incidence of thyroid cancer in volcanic area

People living in volcanic areas may be at a higher risk for thyroid cancer, according to a new study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

The increasing incidence of thyroid cancer has been attributed to more sensitive screening, but recent evidence indicates that this may not be the only cause. Various environmental factors, such as those associated with volcanoes, have not been excluded as risk factors.

Gabriella Pellegriti, M.D., Ph.D., of the endocrinology division, University of Catania Medical School, Garibaldi-Nesima Hospital in Italy, and colleagues collected incidence [newly diagnosed cases] of thyroid cancers in Sicily from January 1, 2002 through December 31, 2004 to compare the cancer rates of residents living in the volcanic area of Mt. Etna of Catania with those in the rest of Sicily.

The researchers found that residents of the Catania province had a more than two times higher incidence of papillary thyroid cancer, but not follicular or medullary thyroid cancers, than elsewhere on the island. Also, papillary tumors from patients in Catania more frequently carried the BRAF V600E gene mutation, which has been associated with more aggressive thyroid cancer.

The authors point out that a volcanic environment—which can produce toxic compounds that are suspended particulate matter and gases and elements that may pollute the water—may increase the incidence of thyroid cancer; however, the mechanism by which it affects risk is unknown.

"The striking increase in papillary thyroid cancer incidence that was associated with the Etna volcanic environment leads us to suggest that residents of other volcanic areas…could be at increased risk for thyroid cancer and, possibly, of other cancers," the authors write. "Although specific risk factors for thyroid cancer in this volcanic environment are still unknown, identification of these factors could help to better understand the cause(s) of the increasing thyroid cancer incidence in Europe and North America and perhaps to develop prevention measures."

AllerAir has customized air purifiers which are currently being used by clients in Hawaii for VOG and sulfur dioxide. These units feature a special carbon blend which targets the gaseous components specific to volcanic by-products, as well as medical-grade HEPA filtration for fine airborne particles. Call today for a customized recommendation 1-888-852-8247. We have over 40 blends of carbon to target numerous air quality issues. Trusted by home-owners and professionals world-wide!

AllerAir Battling Toxic Chinese Drywall

AllerAir Industries develops filters to combat gases that can threaten house occupants

By MIKE KING, The Gazette

A Montreal air purification firm has joined forces with Spiderman to battle what has become known as toxic Chinese drywall, which is ailing North American homeowners and damaging their residences.

AllerAir Industries Inc. is working with Spiderman Mulholland, a leading U.S. forensic expert on the effects of water intrusion on buildings and toxic mould, to find a solution to the harmful gases emitted from the construction product imported from China between 2001 and 2006.

"We developed a carbon filter unit specifically to reduce the hydrogen sulfide (that has been found to leach from the drywall)," AllerAir president Sam Teitelbaum said from the company's manufacturing plant in St. Laurent. "In a 24-hour test, there was an 85-per-cent reduction."

AllerAir was contacted a few months ago by Mulholland, whose Florida-based U.S. Building Consultants Inc. has a government-accredited testing facility that can determine toxic-drywall problems.

It was there a pair of AllerAir systems - a modified model of its industrial RSU carbon filter machine for large surfaces and the RAP-H2S for smaller residential areas- were successfully tested.

As a result of those findings, Mulholland has ordered 25 more units to test on affected homes in the Sunshine State.

His laboratory analysis of the drywall found 11 sulphur compounds and contaminants to which prolonged exposure may cause serious problems to the nervous system.

Some of the serious health conditions and illnesses attributed to those sulphide gases include shortness of breath, dizziness, headaches, fatigue, insomnia, eye irritations and respiratory difficulties.

Often, occupants are forced to leave their homes.

"As of now, we have the only machines allowing people (experiencing problems from the Chinese drywall) to continue living in their homes," noted Henri Chero, sales, marketing and design consultant at AllerAir.

The systems are priced from $1,000 to $8,000, depending on the size of the unit.

While initial estimates are that more than 100,000 homes had Chinese drywall installed across the U.S. during the building boom that followed after hurricanes Wilma and Katrina depleted domestic drywall supplies, Chero said that number could easily triple.

The crisis some are calling the worst case of sick houses in U.S. history has hit 41 states and is starting to be felt in Canada.

Cases have been reported in the Lower Mainland of B.C., Calgary and Toronto.

In cases where there is high humidity, sulfuric acid is created, which can result in failure to home heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems as well as electrical appliances, copper coils turning black, corroded electrical wiring, tarnished silver jewellery or utensils and light bulbs burning out at a faster rate.

To date, several lawsuits have been filed against German drywall manufacturer Knauf KG, its Chinese plasterboard units and U.S. home builders.

On the Web: www.allerair.com or www.chinesedrywallsolution.info

Spring Cleaning for Allergy Sufferers A Real Must: Dust Mites, Pet Dander & Household Mold Beware!

Like clockwork, every year, my husband turns into a real grump. He sniffles, he sneezes and he glares at me for a few key reasons: I keep a huge flower garden (in the front yard and back yard), I have two cats (one of which has extremely long hair, and lots of it) and perhaps most importantly, because I don’t suffer from allergies.

And so the yearly spring-cleaning routine begins. Our target is to get the major allergy culprits like dust mites, pet dander and household mold, while giving any rugs, drapes and upholstery a deep cleaning.

Another allergy trigger that people often overlook is the actual cleaning product that they’re using in the spring-cleaning. Chemical household cleaners can contribute to headaches and allergies, as well as being especially toxic to anybody with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) or someone with even minor reactions to chemicals.

We don’t promote our 100% all-natural cleaning products very often, simply because our main focus is on our air purifiers, but I’m going to slip a worthwhile plug here, because I have to say, these products are really superb. As someone who always thought that you couldn’t get the same level of clean with a green cleaning product, I have officially changed my mind.

And since many allergy sufferers are actually allergic to mold, AllerAir’s Mold Away is a great choice because it contains no fragrances, is 100% all natural and uses the power of billions of natural enzymes to clean away dirt, germs and mold.

With more than 20 percent of Americans suffering from allergies, and symptoms ranging from itchy, watery eyes, persistent cough, sneezing and runny nose, the demand for relief is now reaching unprecedented numbers. While there is no real cure for allergies, it is possible to relieve symptoms by reducing or eliminating exposure to allergens.

I think it’s safe to say, that most people are aware of pollen, dust, pet dander and other airborne particles as major contributors to allergies. But airborne chemicals and mold spores can also contribute to allergy symptoms, albeit to a smaller percentage of people.

Since some people are allergic to particles, others to chemicals and still others to mold particles, our air purification recommendation includes a three-step approach.

1. Medical-HEPA filtration for particles
2. Deep-bed carbon filter for chemicals
3. UV light for mold

Allergy Air Purification System Recommendations

5000 Exec with UV Option



6000 Exec with UV Option



AirMedic+



Call us at 888.852.8247 to ask us about our 100% all-natural cleaning products—great for moldy bathrooms and kitchens, and for allergy sufferers too! For more information on our full line of air purifiers, ideal for removing airborne chemicals, particles and mold spores, please visit www.allerair.com.

HELP—My Apartment Has Mold!

A call we receive a lot is from apartment renters who have problems with mold. They’ve told their superintendent that a mold problem exists, they’ve tried to remediate the mold themselves and they’ve even tried to break their lease. But often, apartment dwellers are stuck between superintendents who just don’t care and the fear that their health is at stake.

Many apartment dwellers complain of increased sinus infections, upper respiratory infections—even bronchitis, pneumonia and far worse. But still their pleas go unanswered. Their illnesses checked off as a figment of their imagination, or not the responsibility of the apartment owner. And the mold remains. And the situation worsens.

Can Air Purifiers REALLY Help?
Air purifiers are certainly a viable, affordable option for renters with mold problems, especially since many of them are looking for a temporary solution until they can have the problem resolved permanently, or find a new place to live. Either of which is advisable.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again—air purifiers cannot remove mold.

What air purifiers can do is filter the dangerous mold spores and mycotoxins that are produced as a byproduct of mold, and which can also make you sick. Very sick.

A Common Mistake
A common mistake that people make when purchasing an air purifier for mold is stopping at a HEPA-only air purifier. Indeed, HEPA filters play an integral role in the filtering of mold particles and spores, but as we will explore in the Recommendations below, they fall short of providing a complete solution.

Beware of Ozone Air Purifiers
Now before we get to the solution, I want to add (just in case some of you don’t make it to the end of this blog) a word about air purifiers that emit ozone to clean indoor air of pollutants, such as mold. According to the EPA, “whether in its pure form or mixed with other chemicals, ozone can be harmful to health.” Moreover, “if used at concentrations that do not exceed public health standards, ozone applied to indoor air does not effectively remove viruses, bacteria, mold, or other biological pollutants.”

In a nutshell, ozone air purifiers can be dangerous, AND even if they weren’t, they don’t work anyway.

Recommendations
AllerAir recommends air purifiers that combine a HEPA filtration system, a deep bed of activated carbon and UV light technology.

1. HEPA
No question, HEPA is a key ingredient in the war against mold. The HEPA filter serves to trap 99.97% of the mold particles. However, something to keep in mind when dealing with mold. When choosing a HEPA filter, make sure that the lid (that holds the web of fibers together) is not made of cardboard, as this is an ideal food source for mold. A better choice would be a lid made of metal or polyurethane.

2. A Deep Bed of Activated Carbon
The activated carbon works to adsorb that musty smell that is associated with mold and adsorbs its harmful mycotoxin gases. The deeper the carbon filter, the better the adsorption capacity. An acceptable filter depth might be around 2”, but a better filter depth would measure closer to 3” or 3.5”.

Your carbon filter is important because it dictates the dwell time that a pollutant remains in the air purifier. The deeper the filter, the longer the dwell time. The longer the dwell time, the better the adsorption of the air pollutant.

3. UV Light
The UV light’s role is to sterilize any mold spores that are not trapped by the HEPA filter. This may seem irrelevant considering the HEPA traps 99.97% of the spores, but when it comes to mold, even the .03% that escape the HEPA filter can be enough to propagate a new mold problem. Plus, UV light technology also sterilizes bacteria and viruses, so if you’ve invested in a good air purification system, it just makes good sense to cover all your bases.

Why Invest in an Air Purifier if I’m Going to Eventually Leave My Mold-infested Apartment Anyway?
If today you rent a mold-infested apartment, then you need protection. The great thing about air purifiers, really, is that they serve many purposes. This means, when you move into your next home, you can use this same air purifier for general improved indoor air quality, or to remove Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOC’s) that are generated through new home furnishings and renovations. In fact, you can use your air purifier for a myriad of indoor air quality solutions—mold just happens to be one of the many great applications.

Ideal AllerAir Air Purifiers for Mold

AirMedic+ with UV Technology



5000 Exec with UV Technology



6000 Exec with UV Technology



For more information on air purification solutions for mold, please visit www.allerair.com, or call one of AllerAir’s Indoor Air Quality Experts at 888.852.8247. You can also send an email to us at info@allerair.com.

Got industrial-sized indoor air quality problems? We’ve got industrial-sized solutions!

Report: Third-hand Smoke Dangerous for Children

It’s a fairly new buzzword, and it’s making waves in and outside the indoor air quality (IAQ) industry. It’s called ‘third-hand smoke’. The term refers to the lingering toxic particles that remain on clothing, hair, furniture and various other surfaces long after a cigarette has been stubbed out. New research shows that these particles can be especially dangerous to babies and children, who can inhale these lingering poisons.

Most smokers and non-smokers alike have heard of the dangers of first- and second-hand smoke. The indoor air quality industry answers a large demand from both smokers (who don’t want to bother non-smokers) and non-smokers (who are bothered by smokers).

Certainly AllerAir doesn’t put itself in the position of condemning or condoning smoking, whether indoors or outdoors, but we will be the first to express the negative effects smoking has on Indoor Air Quality (IAQ).

According to Health Canada, Environmental Tobacco Smoke (ETS) is a combination of exhaled smoke and the smoke produced by an idling cigarette, cigar or pipe. It consists of solid particles, liquids and gases.

Over 4,000 different chemical compounds have been identified in ETS, including nicotine, carbon monoxide, ammonia, formaldehyde, arsenic, dioxins and furans. More than 50 of these substances are known carcinogens. Others are known or suspected mutagens, capable of changing the genetic structure of cells.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently declared ETS to be a class-A-carcinogen, since many of its components are also found in industrial effluents where they are treated as hazardous waste.

According to the EPA, children's exposure to secondhand smoke is responsible for:

1. Increases in the number of asthma attacks and severity of symptoms in 200,000 to 1,000,000 children with asthma
2. Between 150,000 and 300,000 lower respiratory tract infections (for children under 18 months of age)
3. Respiratory tract infections resulting in 7,500 to 15,000 hospitalizations each year

We feel the best way to avoid the dangers associated with first, second and third-hand smoke is to stop smoking altogether. For those who do smoke, or who are surrounded by smokers, AllerAir has a full line of air purifiers designed specifically to tackle the dangerous properties of smoke.

Available in our 5000 and 6000 series, our smokers’ units are equipped with:
· Deep (“DS”) or extra-deep (“DX S”) carbon beds to adsorb the dangerous particles, chemicals and odors associated with cigarettes, cigars and other alternative smoking products
· Unique tar-trapping filters to collect the sticky tar droplets associated with cigarettes, which clog conventional air cleaners
· Between 24 lbs. and 36 lbs. pounds of activated carbon

For more information on air purification systems for smoking applications, contact 888.852.8247 to speak to one of AllerAir's Indoor Air Quality Experts, or visit www.allerair.com and click on Tobacco Smoke.

Study Reveals Dangers of Third-Hand Smoke

A recent study published in the journal Pediatrics reveals interesting research that gives smokers one more reason to keep their New Year’s resolution to quit smoking.

According to the research, lead by Dr. Jonathan Winickoff, even if a smoker goes outside for a puff, the lingering smell of smoke, dubbed ‘third-hand smoke’, can be harmful to others, especially children.

Most smokers are well aware of the dangers of smoking and second-hand smoke, but this research reveals that the brew of gases and particles associated with cigarettes adheres to clothing, furniture, hair, carpeting and a host of other things that smokers come in contact with, and can affect the health of others long after the cigarette has been stubbed out.

So even if you smoke when nobody’s home, third-hand smoke still lurks; the toxins are just as harmful, but invisible.

AllerAir has designed a full line of air purifiers to adsorb the dangerous toxins associated with cigarettes, cigars and other smoking alternatives. Our Smoking Series of air cleaners are equipped with a deep carbon bed, a HEPA filtration system, as well as a unique tar-trapping pre-filter to provide the most advanced adsorption of harmful smoking chemicals.

For more information, contact one of our Indoor Air Quality Experts at 888.852.8247 or visit www.allerair.com.

MOLD: An Indoor Air Quality Nightmare

Respiratory difficulty. Allergies. Sick Building Syndrome. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS). Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Fibromyalgia. Cancer. Death.

Toxic mold can be responsible for serious conditions, illnesses and even death. In the 1930’s Stachybotrys Chartarum, or green mold, was responsible for the deaths of farm animals in Russia after it was found growing on wet grain used for feeding the animals.

In 2005, mold toxin made its way into pet food supply, which consequently led to the death of dozens of dogs.

Earlier that same year, after 2-year old Neveah Lair died, her mother along with 68 other apartment tenants filed a lawsuit, blaming the building for not addressing its mold problem.

There have been thousands upon thousands of other similar stories about the health consequences of mold.

Mold illness has become a controversial issue. Just as asbestos was the health nightmare of the 1980’s and 1990’s, buildings contaminated by mold biotoxins have become the scourge of the 21st century.

Mold spores may be found lying dormant on almost every surface. Unless large numbers of spores become airborne, there is usually little problem. However, when mold spores are on a surface with appropriate moisture content, nutrients, and temperature, the spores will germinate and mold will grow. Ideal breeding grounds for mold are kitchens, bathrooms, windows and basements, but virtually any place will do. In just 48 hours, a moist environment combined with room-temperature conditions and an organic food source can lead to mold growth.

Not all molds are dangerous for your health; indeed, one of the most well-know types of molds is penicillin, which has saved millions of lives. Black mold, however, also known as Stachybotrys Chartarum, is a toxic greenish-black fungi found worldwide that colonizes particularly well in high-cellulose material such as straw, hay, wet leaves, dry wall, carpet, wall paper, fiber-board, ceiling tiles, thermal insulation, etc. The fungus, before drying, is wet and slightly slimy to touch.

3 Signs of a Potential Mold Problem

1. High Humidity
If you live in a high-humidity area, then you should always be wary of mold. A relative humidity (RH) level of greater than 55% promotes the growth of mold and other fungi. Monitor the rooms of your home, and use a dehumidifier if need be.

2. Water Damage/Flooding
The more moisture mold is exposed to, the more it thrives. When water damage or flooding occurs, the damp environment is conducive to aggressive mold growth. If water damage remains hidden, or if it takes several days to dry out flooding damage, mold has ample opportunity to grow.

3. Musty/Mildew Smell
Mold often grows in areas that are unseen, like behind walls, in crawl spaces or beneath a carpet or flooring. If you smell a musty/mildew odor, it may be a sign you have a mold problem. Further investigation is recommended.

What Kind of Air Purifiers Best Combat Mold?
There are definite ways to combat mold. The best way is to control the amount of moisture in your home or business, thus avoiding a mold problem before it begins. That said, air purifiers offer an additional level of protection.

The ideal air purifier to combat mold will combine 3 essential technologies: HEPA, UV and a deep bed of carbon, with the most important focus being on the UV technology.

· The HEPA filters work to remove 99.97% of airborne mold particles
· The UV light then sterilizes any mold spores that are not trapped by the HEPA filter
· The deep carbon bed creates increased dwell time in the air purifier, which is key to adsorbing the strong odors and gases associated with mold

Best Unit Recommendations

The 5000 Exec with UV
· 18 lbs. of carbon, 2.5” carbon bed
· Medical-grade HEPA
· UV light

AirMedic+ with UV
· 18 lbs. of carbon, 2” carbon bed
· Medical-grade HEPA
· UV light
· The AirMedic series features 360-degree air intake which provides enhanced surface area contact, thus improving mold spore filtration

Source Removal
If a mold problem is present in a home or office, the source of the mold growth must be removed. An air purifier can work to remove the harmful effects of mold, but source removal is essential if the problem is to be resolved permanently.

Study: Clean Air = Longer Life

A recent study by Brigham Young University and Harvard School of Public Health reveals that breathing cleaner air can add about five months to your life.

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, we ask, what better gift for your loved one than cleaner air, and a longer life together?

AllerAir manufactures a full line of air purifiers for home and businesses across the globe. For more information, contact one of our Indoor Air Quality Experts at 888.852.8247 or visit www.allerair.com.

Airborne Chemicals to Blame for Travolta Death?

It’s always a shame when it takes a tragedy to shed light on an otherwise much-ignored topic. Shortly into the New Year, on Friday January 2, 16-year old Jett Travolta, son of acclaimed actor John Travolta, was found dead at his family’s vacation home in the Bahamas.

The cause of the young boy’s death will not be known until the results of the autopsy can be analyzed and released to the public. It is known that Jett had a seizure, and hit his head on a bathtub when he collapsed.

The family, however, has long upheld that Jett suffered from Kawasaki disease, a condition that is largely misunderstood, and under-researched. It is also difficult to diagnose since there are no known tests that can confirm or deny its presence.

According to a Children's Hospital Boston / Harvard Medical school information page on the disease, “Some studies have found associations between the occurrence of Kawasaki disease and recent exposure to carpet cleaning or residence near a body of stagnant water; however, cause and effect have not been established.”

Kelly Preston, John’s wife and Jett’s mother, had worked tirelessly to purify her home of all airborne chemicals, such as those found in carpet cleaners.

I imagine over the next few days and weeks, many will argue over the legitimacy of Kawasaki disease. There will be, I suspect, the same who argue that chemical sensitivities, like those that plague people with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) are merely... figments of their imagination. Exaggerations. Lies.

Not only do we not agree with this, but we’ve also based much of what we stand for at AllerAir on the sole purpose of raising awareness about the dangers associated with poor indoor air quality (IAQ), and developing air purifiers that offer alternatives to breathing dangerous airborne chemicals and gases.

For more information on harmful airborne toxins and chemicals, visit www.allerair.com. To speak to one of our Indoor Air Quality Experts, call 1.888.852.8247.

Report: Toxic Air and American Schools

USA Today’s recently released report, Toxic Air and American Schools, has really hit a nerve with school administrators and parents alike.

It’s understandable; nobody wants to be told that the air quality in the school they are running may be a risk to the health of the kids who are attending. And certainly no parent wants to imagine that their child is breathing carcinogens, while learning.

So many schools are lashing back, claiming that no actual air quality tests were made, that the information in the report was merely based on statistics. Meanwhile, many parents are outraged, demanding action and improved air quality for their children.

The way the USA report works is it ranks each school on a percentile scale comparing it to the other schools in the nation. There are two separate rankings, one for exposure to cancer causing air toxins and one for exposure to non-cancer causing air toxins. USA derived these rankings by using an EPA model to identify the path of pollutants emanating from industrial sources near schools.

The report concludes, “The potential problems that emerged were widespread, insidious, and largely unaddressed.”

Yikes.

We’ve never a published a report like the one released by USA Today, and we don’t necessarily agree with everything that’s in the report, but one thing’s for sure, it’s about time air quality becomes a hot topic.

The mere fact that people are talking about air quality is an important step in the right direction.

If nothing else this report has opened many people’s eyes to the possibility that air quality could be affecting their health—- or the health of their children. There’s lots of information available for those seeking it, and even effective solutions for those that choose them.

For more information on indoor air quality, please visit www.allerair.com, or to speak to an AllerAir IAQ Expert about including air purifiers in your home or local school, call 888.852.8247.

Air Quality at Schools Gets Poor Grade: Reaction is One of Anger

A recent study by USA Today that claims many American children are being exposed to harmful levels of toxic chemicals at their school has garnered much controversy.

The report, called “The Smokestack Effect”, states that our schools are plagued with toxicity that is “widespread, insidious and largely unaddressed.”

Being in the air quality business, as well as a mother about to send my son to school next year, my immediate reaction is one of anger.

Let’s get this out in the open right off the bat: air quality is generally poor, especially indoors—- and whether it’s a school, an office building or a home, there are harmful levels of toxic chemicals.

We’re beyond the point now where we can deny this fact. There are reports like the one by USA Today, that are also backed by countless others. The EPA website is jam-packed with information on Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), and the media is always publishing reports that unequivocally state that poor IAQ is detrimental to our health.

And this is especially true for KIDS! And where do you find kids? AT SCHOOLS! This is not rocket science. School administrators bat their eyelashes, claiming, ‘I had no idea the air quality was this bad!’

Well wake up and smell the air pollution, because this is beyond ridiculous—- it’s downright dangerous for our kids.

It’s time the government takes a stance.

It’s time schools start being more responsible.

It’s time parents demand better air quality.

Homes and business across the globe are incorporating air purification systems to ensure their own health, and the health of others in their building.

Schools should be no exception. Indeed, they should be a priority.

For more information on air purification systems for homes, businesses and schools visit www.allerair.com or call 888.852.8247 to speak to an AllerAir Indoor Air Quality Expert.

Renovations Contribute to Poorer Air Quality in Winter

Ever since I started working at AllerAir, renovations at our place just haven’t been the same. And as the team here begins to research topics and content for our December newsletter, we discover that indeed, winter is prime time for renovations… while meanwhile, at home, we are knee-deep in paint, jip rock and… is that mold?

We are renovating a bedroom for our 4-year-old son, and there is a lot of work to be done. As my husband rips out a great chunk of waterlogged jip rock, I hover above him, inspecting the wood behind it, asking… Is that mold? What’s that? Is that normal?

Once assured that we are mold-free, we jip rock, plaster and sand, and there are dust particles everywhere. The next day the paint comes out, and while we have invested in some low VOC paint for the walls, we use remnants of some regular white paint to do the trim and the ceiling.

And it stinks. Does it stink more than the million other times we’ve painted rooms, or is just me? Karen Hand, one of our Indoor Air Quality Experts here at AllerAir, recommends we do not turn on our air purifier during the actual renovations because the amount of toxins being released are overwhelming, even for the most sophisticated technology and activated carbon. Instead, she says, open the windows, and wait between 2-5 days before turning on your air purifier. So we open our windows and the cold Montreal December air blows in, and away we paint with our mittens, hats and coats.

I am now frightfully aware of what these renovations do to my indoor air quality in my home. Research shows that air quality is worse in the winter, and that one definite contributor is renovations. People also stay indoors more often in the winter with windows sealed tight, and fresh air kept to a minimum. And with nowhere to go, air pollutants quickly gain presence, slowly but surely diminishing your air quality.

We recommend air purifiers in every home, all season long, but winter is an especially good time to invest in cleaner air, especially if you know you’re going to be doing renovations, refurnishing or working with toxic chemicals.

General Purpose Home and Office AllerAir Air Purifiers:

5000 Exec: General Purpose
6000 DX Vocarb: Odors & Chemicals
5000 DS: Ideal for homes effected by cigarette smoke, and wood burning & fireplace smoke

In addition to your air purifier, here are 5 other tips that will help you keep your indoor air quality as high as possible, especially during the winter:

1. Air Out your Home when Weather Allows
Depending where you are, it can get pretty cold in wintertime. Air out your homes on warmer days, especially in mid-afternoon when the sun is hot! This allows fresh air in, and gives the opportunity for accumulated chemicals and particles to escape.

2. Control DampnessControl dampness to minimize the growth of mould and fungi. House dust mites, the source of one of the most powerful biological allergens, thrive in damp, warm environments.

3. Plants Love Chemicals!
Though chemicals such as formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide are toxic to human health, plants thrive on them, while also removing them from the air. Ideal plants include the peace lily, bamboo palm, English ivy, mums, and gerbera daisies, all of which are easy to find and easy to care for, so even if you don’t have a green thumb, you can still have a green home or office.

4. Choose Products with Low Pollutant Emissions
Whether you’re buying household cleaners, paints for renovations, or anything else, make sure to choose products with little or no particle emissions. Choose all-natural cleaners instead of ones with chemicals, rugs instead of carpets and plant or mineral based paints that are low in VOC’s.

5. Choose Friendly Furniture!
Avoid furniture that is marketed as stain-resistant, and do not apply stain-resistant treatments onto fabrics. Avoid products that contain PVC, such as inflatable furniture, artificial leather, PVC-coated fabrics, and vinyl furniture covers. Choose products that do not contain toxic flame retardants (PBDEs), which are often used in furniture upholstery and foam.

For more information on air purifiers, visit www.allerair.com or call 888.852.8247 to speak to one of AllerAir's Indoor Air Quality Experts.

Wishing you and yours a wonderful winter!

Enough is Enough, for Bubble Woman

Okay, that’s it. I’ve been following the story about Elizabeth Feudale-Bowes, the woman who set up a structure in her backyard, now being referred to as the “bubble”, because she has Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) and is extremely sensitive to the chemicals found in our environment.

The woman lives in a bubble. In her backyard. In a bubble.

And her neighbors want her beloved bubble torn down. Oh, it’s ugly, she didn’t get a permit, it’s not hooked up to the utility line, yada, yada.

Let’s rewind to the part where this woman lives in a bubble. Do ya think we could cut her a break? I mean, why do these people care so much? My neighbor’s yard looks terrible. There are toys everywhere, garbage strewn and he only cuts his grass about twice a year. It looks horrendous.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth Feudale-Bowes has a clean yard that is well kept. Her loving husband made her the bubble so she could enjoy some quality of life… again, in her bubble.

Paul Carpenter wrote a great article about the subject the other day, saying that if this story were about some cute puppy that couldn’t live outside his special bubble without being in agonizing pain, there would be uproar at the idea of tearing down his shelter. All the activists would gather, there would be placards… the media would be all over this story.

But it’s just so much fun to keep torturing this bubble woman, isn’t it? I mean, really, she lives in a bubble. It’s just too easy.

Enough already. Elizabeth Feudale-Bowes has enough troubles on her plate. She’s not a witch. Let’s not burn her at the stake.

Janice Scrim is an Indoor Air Quality Expert with AllerAir Industries. Many AllerAir customers are people just like Elizabeth Feudale-Bowes, who have serious conditions like MCS that require serious indoor air quality solutions.

Indoor Air Quality: What’s That?

One thing about working in the air purifying business is that you start to learn a lot about indoor air quality-- perhaps even too much. It’s scary because you quickly realize exactly what you’re breathing, what your children are breathing, and you become conscious that these air pollutants, these chemicals, are not just outside, but right in your very own home.

The strange thing is the air purifying business is still fairly low on the totem poll. Look at a comparable industry, like the water purifying business, and it’s booming. People often turn their noses up when it comes to tap water, knowing far too well the benefits of drinking clean water.

So is clean water more important than clean air? Both water and air are essential to life. Both water and air affect our health and well being. So why does clean water take so much precedence over clean air?

If a waiter brings you a glass of water and you see something floating in it, chances are that you’re going to ask for another glass of clean water. Now what if we could see airborne contaminants? Keeping the same example of the restaurant, what would you do if you saw all the contaminants floating in the air? Now what if you saw these very same contaminants in your living room, your bedroom—your nursery, your playroom, and your schools?

The truth is, airborne chemicals and particles are miniscule, and are basically invisible to the naked eye. We don’t demand cleaner air because it’s easy to forget that the air we breathe is so dirty, so polluted… so bad for our health. And so many people think that choosing to drink clean water is just easier—you can pick up a bottle of purified water for a dollar or so at almost any corner store.

The truth is breathing clean air is no less important than drinking clean water. Don’t take my word for it, check out Health Canada or the EPA website. Look at the Canadian Medical Association’s recent report that stated poor air quality will cause the death of approximately 700,000 Canadians over the next two decades. 21,000 Canadians will die this year alone. Even if you’re young. Even if you’re healthy.

So it’s part of our mandate at AllerAir. We talk about air quality because it’s our business, but we also talk about it because it’s time people know. The air you breathe is laden with chemicals, not just pesky particles. They are in your home because chemicals are found in everyday items like, carpets, furniture, household cleaners, toys, floor coverings, computers, shower gels and detergents, textiles and mattresses. We are lying on, walking on, touching and wearing chemicals every day. And breathing them too.

But if these chemicals are found in our everyday items, they must be safe—right? They must be tested, approved… there must be a governing body that states that these chemicals are not harmful to us, otherwise they just wouldn’t be used. Right?
Wrong.

There are definite steps to be taken to work towards providing our homes and workspaces with cleaner air. Greenpeace suggests substituting hazardous chemicals wherever there are available alternatives. It is imperative that we take this responsible step, at least until the government demands that manufacturers provide consumers with safe products.

When we recommend air purifiers, we are not suggesting that other pro-active steps, such as the ones recommended by Greenpeace be disregarded. Making environmentally-friendly purchasing decisions in combination with air purifiers is what we believe provides the cleanest air available.

Be informed. Make an educated decision about the quality of air you breathe. And then decide how you want to ensure that the air you breathe, the air your children breathe, is clean.

For more information on the importance of breathing clean air and indoor air quality solutions, visit www.allerair.com or call 888.852.8247.

Indoor Air Pollution Especially Dangerous for People with COPD

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, outdoor and indoor air pollution is especially dangerous to people with lung deficiencies, such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Here are some tips designed to help people with COPD to breathe better:

1. Smoke is one of the most dangerous pollutants that a person with COPD can inhale, and it’s also the major cause of COPD. There are over 4,000 harmful chemicals in smoke, many of which are also known to cause cancer. If you have COPD and you are a smoker, it’s still not too late to quit smoking.

2. Second-hand smoke, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada is also dangerous. People with COPD should avoid second-hand smoke as much as possible.

3. Indoor and outdoor air pollution can cause health problems, especially for people who have lung diseases. Those with COPD have a higher risk of getting sick from air pollution. Be aware of your local Air Quality Index, and stay indoors when outdoor pollution is high.

Keep in mind, indoor air is often worse than outdoor air. The EPA estimates inside air can be 5, 10 and up to 100 times worse than outdoor air. Make sure you’re getting lots of fresh air in your home.

4. Air purifiers are a great way to provide safe, clean air in your home or business. Ideally, your air purifier will combine a HEPA filter as well as pounds of activated carbon to safely eliminate chemicals, gases, odors and particles from your indoor environment.

For more information on the importance of breathing clean air, or how air purifiers can help people with COPD, please visit www.allerair.com or contact one of AllerAir’s Indoor Air Quality Experts at 1.888.852.8247.

November is COPD Awareness Month: Can Air Purifiers Help People with COPD?

I read an article on the web this morning that said people with COPD should be careful when buying an air purifier, and the truth is, I tend to agree with this statement.

The article stated that COPD is a “serious life threatening health problem that can be aggravated with the use of inferior poor performance air filters.”

First, what is COPD?
According to Wikipedia, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a disease of the lungs in which the airways become narrowed. This leads to a limitation of the flow of air to and from the lungs causing shortness of breath. In contrast to asthma, the limitation of airflow is poorly reversible and usually gradually gets worse over time.

So can an air purifier help a person with COPD?
An October 2008 report by the Department of Environmental Health at the Harvard School of Public Health reports that people with COPD “have substantial mortality risks associated with exposure to particles.” According to the study, particles may impair ventilation in COPD patients by causing airway narrowing and increasing the work of breathing.

So while air purifiers are certainly not a cure for COPD, they can provide cleaner air, which according to the Harvard study, is paramount to people with COPD.

A good HEPA filter can remove 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns from indoor air. It’s pretty safe to say that most air purifiers come (or should come) equipped with a HEPA filter— and since there is no such thing as a “better” HEPA filter, then it would be difficult to separate a superior air filter, from a poor performance air filter based simply on its HEPA filter.

While HEPA filters are indeed designed to remove particles, and since any good purifier comes equipped with this filtration method, what then makes one air purifier superior to another?

Not Just Particles—- Chemicals are also Dangerous for People with COPD
Inhaling chemicals such as gas, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, or dry particulate chemicals, such as microscopic particles is dangerous for everyone, but can be especially dangerous for people with COPD. In fact the number one cause for COPD is smoking… and one of the main chemicals in smoke is formaldehyde.

But formaldehyde is also emitted from other everyday things, other than cigarettes, like stain-resistant furniture, flame retardant clothing, wood products such as particleboard, fiberboard, and plywood, and even carpeting, upholstery and baby furniture. In fact, formaldehyde is found in many seemingly harmless things, despite it being considered a human carcinogen. A branch of the California Environmental Protection Agency goes so far as to report that there is no safe level of formaldehyde.

Carbon for Chemicals
Activated carbon is one of the most adsorbent materials known to exist. Activated carbon has been processed to create millions of tiny pores, producing a very large surface area available for adsorption of chemicals and gases. Just one gram of activated carbon has a surface area of approximately 500 m².

Carbon is key when it comes to adsorbing chemicals, just as HEPA is key to filtering particles. The difference is, not all air purifiers have carbon. And many that do, feature mere ounces of carbon, or a type of carbon spray—- both of which are equally ineffective in adsorbing chemicals.

An effective chemical-adsorbing air purifier, and an ideal choice for people with COPD, would be an air purifier that contains both a HEPA filter for particles, and pounds of activated carbon to adsorb dangerous airborne chemicals, like formaldehyde.

Can Air Purifiers Cure COPD?
Absolutely not. Air purifiers are not a cure for COPD, but rather devices that can provide cleaner indoor air, with significantly reduced levels of particles and chemicals. Cleaner air is important for everyone, but perhaps most important for people with reduced lung capacity.

Conclusion
Should people with COPD be cautious when purchasing an air purifier? The answer is yes. A HEPA filter is great for particle filtration, but will do nothing to adsorb the dangerous airborne chemicals. Carbon will adsorb chemicals, but only an air purifier with pounds of activated carbon, not ounces, will be truly effective.

About AllerAir
AllerAir manufactures a full line of combination carbon-HEPA air purifiers, and has specific units designed for people with COPD. For more information on AllerAir, please visit the www.allerair.com website, or call 1.888.852.8247 to speak to one of their Indoor Air Quality Experts.

AllerAir Dedicates November to Raising Awareness about COPD

Barely 12 hours have gone by since we announced that we were dedicating the month of November to raising awareness about Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and already this morning, the phones have started ringing throughout AllerAir.

It feels good to answer the phone first thing in the morning, and have the person on the other end say—- hey, just saw your press release—- just called to say, the team at AllerAir is doing a great job!

The truth is, it’s really not such a stretch for us. AllerAir deals with people of all different ages, stages and health—- and also people with health conditions, such as COPD.

After all, it’s the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. The 4th.

What we offer to people with COPD is a line of air purifiers that are designed to clean the air of toxins. And according to Environment Canada, studies show there are more emergency room visits related to COPD when air quality is poor.

Cleaner air is what we do at AllerAir. We’re always striving to raise awareness about its importance. We figure, clean air is important to everyone—- but perhaps, even more so, to people with COPD.

For more information on COPD, visit our www.allerair website and click on the November is COPD Awareness Month button.

You can also visit the COPD Learn More Breathe Better® website, hosted by The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI).

For information on AllerAir air purifiers designed for people with COPD, visit our www.allerair.com website, or contact one of our Indoor Air Quality Experts at 1.888.852.8247.

AllerAir’s Sam Teitelbaum LIVE on IAQ Radio—TODAY!

Sam Teitelbaum, President of AllerAir Industries, has been invited to be a guest on IAQ Radio, an online radio show dedicated to providing expert information on indoor air quality.

The show is today, Friday, October 31, 2008 (Happy Halloween!) at 12p.m. EST, and can be listened to online by clicking on this link:

http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/talkCastCustomAds.jsp?masterId=1547

You can also telephone the radio station, and listen to the show on your phone. Just call (724) 444-7444 and enter call ID # 1547.

The King of Carbon, a.k.a. Sam Teitelbaum, is delighted about the opportunity to share his knowledge on the importance of combination carbon-HEPA air purifiers to remove dangerous airborne chemicals, gases, odors and particles.

AllerAir invites you to listen in!

IAQ Radio has a weekly show on IAQ, which is live every Friday at noon. The shows host are Joe Hughes, President of IAQ Training Institute and Cliff Zlotnik, President of Microban Systems.

Every week they interview experts from the indoor air quality, building sciences and the disaster restoration industries. As instructors for IAQ and disaster restoration training programs and active participants in industry associations, Cliff and Joe have the credibility and contacts necessary to bring top industry experts as guests on the show every week. The show is designed to help promote education and communication for industry professionals and consumers in need of assistance with IAQ, built environment and disaster restoration issues.

For more information about AllerAir and our full line of air purifiers, please contact Janice Scrim at (888) 852-8247 ext. 226.

And don't forget to tune in today at noon!

Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures for Environmental Illness and MCS Sufferers; IAQ Experts Say Talk to a Professional

Air quality is important to everyone. But for one Allentown, Pennsylvania woman who suffers from environmental illness, it has called for desperate measures.

Elizabeth Feudale-Bowes, 52, is extremely sensitive to chemicals, allergens and other everyday substances. As a result she suffers from migraines, joint pain, bladder inflammation, seizures and even temporary paralysis.

So her husband built her a safe-zone structure in their backyard—- what the couple lovingly refers to as their “bubble”.

But yesterday, the county court ordered the couple to dismantle the unsightly shelter that was built without a permit and does not conform to building regulations.

Feudale-Bowes maintains that the chemicals and substances in the air make her so violently ill, that without the bubble, where she spends 10 hours a day, she is unable to function.

The county and the couple’s neighbors want the structure down by the end of the month. The couple is threatening to sue the township under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.

This story is controversial and is making headlines. But the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Experts at AllerAir say they hear stories just like this one on a regular basis.

“We receive phone calls on a weekly basis from people just like Elizabeth Feudale-Bowes, who are desperate, and as a result take some pretty desperate measures,” said Karen Hand, chemical engineer and IAQ Expert at AllerAir. “Their illness is often viewed by society and the medical community as psychological, and support is often lacking.”

Hand says that people suffering with Environmental Illness (EI) and similar chronic conditions such as Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) often turn to air purifiers to help them create a safe-zone, like the one that Feudale-Bowes’ husband made for her in their backyard.

“Being outfitted with the wrong air purifier is often worse than not having one at all,” warns Hand. “Only an air purifier with pounds of activated carbon can help adsorb dangerous airborne chemicals—- but what many air purifier companies don’t know, or don’t say, is that EI and MCS sufferers can be sensitive to the carbon itself.”

Hand says choosing the right blend of carbon is key to finding the right air purifier. She recommends the AirMedic MCS with EcoFlow TM Technology, which comes standard with a test kit. “The client is given the test kit with different blends of carbon and is able to then choose the type of carbon that best suits their chemical sensitivities. This greatly limits a negative reaction to the unit itself.”

Hand also says that EI and MCS sufferers must stay away from air purifiers designed with plastics. These units, she says, have dangerous off gassing that can be detrimental to EI and MCS sufferers.

“Air purifiers aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution,” said Hand. “A HEPA air filter is not designed to remove chemicals, so it’s another perfect example of an air purifier that won’t work for this purpose.”

Hand suggests that people who have serious sensitivities and extreme IAQ problems speak to a air purifier professional, and not just pick up a random unit at the hardware store. “This move can often make a bad situation worse, and lead to circumstances like the one with Elizabeth Feudale-Bowes, where desperate measures are taken in desperate situations.”

To speak to an AllerAir IAQ Expert, call 1.888.852.8247.

Four Employees to be Paid $20,000 for Poor Indoor Air Quality

It’s amazing to us at AllerAir, how some businesses still don’t consider Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) to be worthy of attention. Despite the studies, the news stories and even reports* that claim that the cost of lost work combined with annual health care costs accrued by poor IAQ add up to an astounding $70 billion dollars per year in lost revenues for American businesses, many employers are still turning a blind eye.

But the Benton County Assessor’s Office isn’t—- at least, it isn’t any longer.

Four employees who had claimed the county building they used to work in made them sick have just been given a $20,000 settlement.

One of those employees, Evelyn Campbell, retired two years early because of health problems including swollen legs, a ruptured ankle tendon and other health issues, which she attributes to poor air quality. Campbell says she and the others will be using the money gained in the settlement to pay her medical bills.

A total of five assessor’s office employees had letter from doctors saying they “should not be in this office.”

County staff still maintained that the building didn’t pose a health threat. But while county commissioners did not accept liability, they did agree to move the office to a new location.

Despite not being in the building since May, many of the employees continue to have health issues. Several medical claims are still pending.

And perhaps most interesting to other employers who are turning a blind eye to IAQ, is that while all the employees who were working in the building experienced health problems, only four individuals had hired an attorney to negotiate with the county.

What do you want to bet this isn’t the last settlement that the Benton County will be dishing out for air quality complaints?

For information of providing healthy air in your home or business, visit www.allerair.com or contact one of AllerAir’s IAQ Experts at 1.888.852.8247.

*Source: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

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.

Vog: Air Quality Experts Warn that Wrong Air Purifiers Provide False Sense of Security

Indoor Air Quality Experts are warning Hawaii residents that choosing the wrong air purifier to deal with increasingly dangerous amounts of vog being emitted by the Kilauea Volcano can lead to a false sense of security for people trying to safeguard themselves from the health dangers of volcanic smog.

“We see this time and time again,” said Chemical Engineer and Indoor Air Quality Expert, Karen Hand. “People living through serious natural disasters are provided with air purifiers that are easy-sales, but that are not designed to purify indoor air of chemicals and gases—- the very toxins that are most dangerous to a person’s health.”

“When you’re dealing with vog, the composition is primarily of sulfuric acid and other sulfate compounds, but you’re also dealing with small amounts of toxic metals, including selenium, mercury, arsenic and iridium,” said Hand, from AllerAir Industries. “The fact that people are having serious health reactions to this is not surprising—- it’s a deadly combination.”

Hand says only air purifiers combing a HEPA filter and large amounts (at least 18 pounds) of activated, granular carbon will be effective in adsorbing the the noxious sulfur dioxide and other pollutants emitted from Kilauea Volcano.

Hand works with a team of Indoor Quality Experts at AllerAir Industries, an air purifying company that has been designing air cleaners for close to 15 years. “Crisis management is our forte,” she said. “We’ve delivered solutions to mold victims in New Orleans, wildfire victims in California—even air quality solutions to athletes participating in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Chemical and gas remediation is what we do.”

Vog victims are invited to contact one of AllerAir Indoor Air Quality Experts at 1-888-852-8247 or visit their www.allerair.com website for more information of the dangers of vog, and finding the right air purifying solution.