Air Purifiers and the Oil Spill: HEPA filters can't remove oil spill chemicals, gases and odors!

Buyers beware! HEPA filters can't remove oil spill chemicals, gases and odors!

Our staff has found a lot of misinformation about air purifiers for the oil spill region. Read more on what to look for in our oil spill air quality blog.

AllerAir Noted as a Great Air Purifier for Smokers

We came across another great online post about AllerAir Air Purfiiers, this one about air purifiers for tobacco smoke:

"In your search for air purifiers, especially those that help to eliminate the air particles associated with smoking, it is likely that you will come across AllerAir purifiers. AllerAir has developed a line of air purifiers, especially for those who live inside a smoking household. These models are known as the AllerAir 4000 DS and the AllerAir 5000 DS. These air purifiers have the special smoking filter, which was mentioned above. This filter is effective at trapping and destroying smoke particles, as well as other dangerous or harmful air particles."

Just a note - we don't have a 4000 DS, but offer a 5000 DS, a 6000 DS, and for even more carbon a 5000 DXS, 6000 DXS.

Have questions about air purifiers for tobacco or cigar smoke? Call us today 1-888-852-8207 or click on the live support button of our website to chat live with an Air Quality Expert.

Oil Spill News: Watch PBS' Full Interview with BP Exec Bob Dudley

On July 1st, PBS conducted a live interview with BP Exec Bob Dudley. The interview was aired live on the PBS website and on YouTube. Questions were submitted by hundreds of regular Americans - we've posted the full interview below:

Visit our oil spill air quality blog http://oilspillairquality.blogspot.com/

Watch a PBS Live Interview with BP At 3:30 PM ET on YouTube

Google, YouTube and the PBS NewsHour are teaming up to bring you into BP headquarters in Houston, Texas for an exclusive interview with Bob Dudley, Chief Executive for BP’s Response. 

Dudley will respond directly to your questions and concerns in a live session moderated by the PBS NewsHour’s Ray Suarez. Starting. Submit your questions and vote the best ones to the top.  Then join us for the live interview tomorrow,  July 1, at 3:30 pm ET where you can watch the interview LIVE on NewsHour.PBS.org and YouTube.

Visit our Oil Spill Air Quality Blog: http://oilspillairquality.blogspot.com/

Air Purifier Reviews! AllerAir on Flickr

We love finding AllerAir air purifier reviews from our customers. This client liked our unit so much they uploaded a picture of their AllerAir unit on Flickr!

"I got this AllerAir purifier for my bedroom after spending a few years in an moldy apartment (complete with hoarse, sore throat for two years). It works beautifully!"

AllerAir Cited Among the "Ten Top Air Purifiers That Deliver"

AllerAir is proud to be recognized among the top air purifiers that deliver on HEPA performance! This informative blog post discusses the  problems that arise with cheap HEAP filters.

AllerAir HEPA filters are warm-rolled to prevent cracks in the filter which could reduce performance and filtration efficiency.

Add our superior deep-bed carbon filters to the mix and you have the perfect air cleaner!

EPA to release data from oil spill dispersant testing

Paul Anastas, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s assistant administrator for Research and Development, will hold a press conference call today, June 30 at 2:30 p.m. to discuss the data from EPA’s first round of independent dispersant testing.


On May 22, EPA directed BP to analyze potential alternative dispersants for toxicity and effectiveness. BP reported to EPA that they were unable to find a dispersant that is less toxic than Corexit 9500, the product currently in use. Following that, EPA began its own scientific research into eight dispersant products on the National Contingency Plan Product Schedule (NCP-PS).

Anastas will discuss data from the first round of that research on the call.

Due to limited lines, this call is for credentialed members of the media only.

---------------------------------------------------

Visit our Oil Spill Air Quality Blog: http://oilspillairquality.blogspot.com/

Are more oil disasters in our future?

I just read some shocking information at the end of an oil spill article in the Washington Post:

"During World War II, 452 oil tankers were sunk in the North Atlantic, as were an unknown number of the 1080 wrecks lying on the bottom of the Pacific. Little is known about the total amount of oil that spilled directly in to the ocean, but it's likely much went to the bottom in ships that remained virtually intact. It is known that two oil tankers sunk in 1942 lie only a few hundred miles from Australia's Great Barrier Reef and are estimated to contain as much oil as the Exxon Valdez. It's only a matter of time before rotting hulks pose enormous potential to foul fragile environments."

---------------------------------------------------


Visit our Oil Spill Air Quality Blog: http://oilspillairquality.blogspot.com/

Oil Spill Air Quality Blog

In response to the serious concerns over air quality in the Gulf oil spill region, AllerAir staff is compiling information, news and video in a special blog:

http://oilspillairquality.blogspot.com/

Concerned residents can chat with an Air Quality Expert directly via the blog live support link, Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm ET or can call
1-888-853-8247.

Air Quality in The Aftermath of The Oil Spill Disaster

The rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico that occurred in April has caused a catastrophic oil spill that continues to gush. This is possibly America’s largest environmental disaster yet, given the impact it has and will continue to have on both water and air quality. Although the spill appears to have hit Louisiana the hardest, the effects will be felt across the Gulf States (including Florida, Alabama and Mississippi). While some action is being taken to address aquatic issues, little is being said with regards to the air quality disaster that has clearly developed, and that continues to worsen.


The evaporation of crude oil releases noxious air contaminants, particularly volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) like: toluene, benzene and xylene. The EPA “says” that it is currently monitoring air quality with Trace Atmospheric Gas Analyzers (TAGA); they expect the thick sheets of oil will impact air quality in the Gulf region and higher concentrations of dipropylene glycol mono butyl ether and butoxyethanol (dispersants) are to be expected. The question now is how it is possible that, thus far, their findings indicate that everything is normal in this region?

Kindra Arnesen revealed the answer to this burning question on CNN.  Arnesen’ s husband, Dave, and his fellow shrimpers have all fallen ill since the oil spill disaster; symptoms include: headache, nausea, a hacking cough and other respiratory problems. Although BP has suggested these symptoms are due to food poisoning, Arnesen believes otherwise.  Fishermen are scared to lose the only income they have right now, but it’s costing them their health. The air quality in the immediate and surrounding areas of the oil spill are toxic.

Air quality is compromised fairly quickly when an oil spill occurs. History has shown that VOCs tend to disperse quickly once oil reaches water surfaces. Long-term exposure to VOCs can cause a number of respiratory diseases, and in many cases, cancer. SVOCs are released from weathered oil and take longer to reach shore; they evaporate slowly. Normally, exposure to these air pollutants is a result of vehicular exhaust, which is known for its toxicity and carcinogenic chemicals.

Toxicologists warn of the harmful short and long-term effects of dispersants on human health; moreover, Corexit (the dispersant that is currently in use) comes with a label that warns users that as a result of “repeat or excessive use” red blood cell, kidney and liver damage may occur. Albeit BP’s “good intentions”, the 700,000 gallons of dispersants used in the Gulf are composed of chemicals that can cause serious harm to humans and other living species. A review of previous oil spill cases shows that the use of dispersants may cause an increase in the toxicity of hydrocarbons.

Fishermen in Louisiana assisting with clean-up efforts have reported symptoms, such as: nausea, crippling headaches, coughing and respiratory problems. In one report, a fisherman revealed that after experiencing malaise and coughing, he visited a doctor and an x-ray of his lungs resembled that of a lifetime smoker—he’d never smoked a day in his life. On CNN, Arnesen said “Anything that ever starts, starts with one.” I sure hope she’s right in this case.

Air Filtration: AllerAir / Electrocorp Provides Odor and Chemical Control for BP Oil Spill Region

AllerAir and our industrial division Electrocorp have already sent numerous heavy-duty carbon air filtration units for chemical and odor control to the Gulf coast region.  

Contact us today for more information
1-888-852-8247.

Chat live with an Air Quality Expert. Click the live support link to ask your question. Our experts are available Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm.

LiveZilla Live Help

Lung Association Seeks Action to Protect Oil Spill Cleanup Workers

The American Lung Association is very concerned about the respiratory impact on the workers on and near the Gulf from the emissions from the BP oil spill and the cleanup response. The Environmental Protection Agency has been diligent in monitoring and sharing information on the onshore levels of pollution from the spill and cleanup. However, we are concerned that the cleanup workers are not getting appropriate protection, nor are air pollution levels for workers being appropriately monitored and publicly disclosed.

In response, the American Lung Association has sent a letter to Secretary of Labor, Hilda Solis. The letter urges swift action to monitor air pollution levels and to assure that all workers near and at the spill site are properly trained, equipped with appropriate respirators and protected from dangerous air pollutants and toxics they may inhale.

The American Lung Association will be monitoring this situation closely and will be actively engaged with federal and state officials to ensure that the lung health of those affected by the Gulf oil spill is protected.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) states that if workers are "unsure or think your work is unsafe, STOP and ASK your supervisor" or contact OSHA at 1-800-321-OSHA (6742)."

If you feel you may have been exposed to harmful emissions from the spill, contact your healthcare provider to address any symptoms you may have. To keep up to date about the air quality in your region visit www.epa.gov.

---------------------------------
AllerAir  and our industrial division Electrocorp has already sent numerous heavy-duty carbon air filtration units for chemical and odor control to response workers in the Gulf. Contact us us for more information 1-888-852-8247.

Air Pollution and the BP Oil Spill: Gulf spill workers complaining of flulike symptoms

By NOAKI SCHWARTZ and MATTHEW BROWN (AP)

NEW ORLEANS — For days now, Dr. Damon Dietrich and other physicians have seen patients come through their emergency room at West Jefferson Medical Center with similar symptoms: respiratory problems, headaches and nausea.

In the past week, 11 workers who have been out on the water cleaning up oil from BP's blown-out well have been treated for what Dietrich calls "a pattern of symptoms" that could have been caused by the burning of crude oil, noxious fumes from the oil or the dispersants dumped in the Gulf to break it up. All workers were treated and released.

"One person comes in, it could be multiple things," he said. "Eleven people come in with these symptoms, it makes it incredibly suspicious."

Few studies have examined long-term health effects of oil exposure. But some of the workers trolling Gulf Coast beaches and heading out into the marshes and waters have complained about flu-like symptoms — a similar complaint among crews deployed for the 1989 Exxon Valdez spill in Alaska.

BP and U.S. Coast Guard officials have said dehydration, heat, food poisoning or other unrelated factors may have caused the workers' symptoms. The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals is investigating.

Brief contact with small amounts of light crude oil and dispersants are not harmful. Swallowing small amounts of oil can cause upset stomach, vomiting and diarrhea. Long-term exposure to dispersants, however, can cause central nervous system problems, or do damage to blood, kidneys or livers, according to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.

In the six weeks since the Deepwater Horizon rig exploded, killing 11 workers, an estimated 21 million to 45 million gallons of crude has poured into the Gulf of Mexico. Hundreds of BP contractors have fanned out along the Gulf, deploying boom, spraying chemicals to break up the oil, picking up oil-soaked debris and trying to keep the creeping slick out of the sensitive marshes and away from the tourist-Mecca beaches.

Commercial fisherman John Wunstell Jr. spent a night on a vessel near the source of the spill and left complaining of a severe headache, upset stomach and nose bleed. He was treated at the hospital, and sued — becoming part of a class-action lawsuit filed last month in U.S. District Court in New Orleans against BP, Transocean and their insurers.

Wunstell, who was part of a crew burning oil, believes planes were spraying dispersant in the middle of the night — something BP disputes.

"I began to ache all over ..." he said in the affidavit. "I was completely unable to function at this point and feared that I was seriously ill."

Dozens of complaints, most from spill workers, have been made related to oil exposure with the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, said spokeswoman Olivia Watkins, as well as with the Louisiana Poison Center, clinics and hospitals. Workers are being told to follow federal guidelines that recommend anyone involved in oil spill cleanup wear protective equipment such as gloves, safety glasses and clothing.

Michael J. Schneider, an attorney who decided against filing a class-action lawsuit in the 1990s involving the Valdez workers, said proving a link between oil exposure and health problems is very difficult.

"As a human being you listen to enough and you've got to believe they're true," he said. "The problem is the science may not be there to support them ... Many of the signs and symptoms these people complained of are explainable for a dozen different reasons — it's certainly coincidental they all shared a reason in common."

Similar to the Valdez cleanup, there have been concerns in the Gulf that workers aren't being supplied with enough protective gear. Workers have been spotted in white jumpsuits, gloves and booties but no goggles or respirators.

"If they're out there getting lightheaded and dizzy every day then obviously they ought to come in, and there should be respirators and other equipment provided," said LuAnn White, director of the Tulane Center for Applied Environmental Public Health. She added that most of the volatile components that could sicken people generally evaporate before the oil reaches shore.

BP PLC's Chief Operating Officer Doug Suttles said reports of workers getting sick are being investigated but noted that no one has pinpointed the cause. Suttles said workers were being given "any safety equipment" needed to do their jobs safely.

Unlike with Exxon Valdez, in the Gulf, the oil has been lighter, the temperatures warm and humid, and there have been hundreds of thousands of gallons of chemicals used to break up the oil.

Court records showed more than 6,700 workers involved in the Exxon Valdez clean up suffered respiratory problems which the company attributed to a viral illness, not chemical poisoning.

Dennis Mestas represented the only known worker to successfully settle with Exxon over health issues. According to the terms of that confidential settlement, Exxon did not admit fault.

His client, Gary Stubblefield, spent four months lifting workers in a crane for 18 hours a day as they sprayed the oil-slicked beaches with hot water, which created an oily mist. Even though he had to wipe clean his windshield twice a day, Stubblefield said it never occurred to him that the mixture might be harming his lungs.
Within weeks, he and others, who wore little to no protective gear, were coughing and experiencing other symptoms that were eventually nicknamed Valdez crud. Now 60, Stubblefield cannot get through a short conversation without coughing and gasping for breath like a drowning man. He sometimes needs the help of a breathing machine and inhalers, and has to be careful not to choke when he drinks and eats.
Watching the Gulf situation unfold, he says, makes him sick.

"I just watch this stuff everyday and know these people are on the very first rung on the ladder and are going to go through a lot of misery," said Stubblefield, who now lives in Prescott, Ariz.

Associated Press writers John Flesher from Michigan, Brian Skoloff and Kelli Kennedy from Miami contributed to this report.


Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

____________________________________________

AllerAir Provides Odor and Chemcial Control
AllerAir and our industrial division Electrocorp has already sent numerous heavy-duty carbon air filtration units for chemical and odor control to response workers in the Gulf as well as coastal residents. Contact us us for more information 1-888-852-8247.

---------------------------------------------------
Visit our Oil Spill Air Quality Blog: http://oilspillairquality.blogspot.com/

Air Quality and Toxic Releases State by State: Benezene, Dioxins, Lead, Mercury, TCE

I discovered a great map on CNN's Toxic Ameria site that shows the airborne emissions of the most widespread and toxic chemicals that we're currently breathing on a daily basis basis including: Benzene, Dioxins, Lead and Lead Compounds, Mercury and Mercury Compounds as well as TCE (trichloroethylene).

All of these compounds have been associated with serious health effects including cancer and birth defects.


Many people aren't aware that a serious home air cleaner with a deep-bed activated carbon filter can remove these types of very serious airborne pollutants. In fact, our units are so reliable for airborne chemicals we've sold them to the U.S. Military, NASA and universities like M.I.T - as well as thousands of American families! See our filtration video.

Supporting Loved Ones with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome and Reducing Chemical Exposures

Seeking refuge from the many chemicals and toxins that threaten their health and well-being often forces people with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome into isolation. A positive, supportive attitude can have a big impact on a friend or family member suffering with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome. Living with Environmental sensitivities can mean enduring rejection and life in quarantine. People suffering from Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome experience severe symptoms that interfere with their day-to-day activities, and so their goal is to reduce their chemical exposures.

For those suffering with Environmental sensitivities, finding a home that doesn’t make them sick can be overwhelming. Newer homes are built with materials that emit chemicals like formaldehyde and benzene, while air fresheners, plug-ins and a variety of toxic cleaning chemicals leave behind a toxic trail of over 400 airborne pollutants.

Older homes present other air quality problems like mold, lead, asbestos and radon. They also tend to have poor ventilation systems, so just imagine the chemical exposures. If finding a safe home presents such a unique set of challenges, how difficult must it be to venture into a world that is clueless about Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome and the dangers of chemical exposures?

In a world that glorifies the signature scent and equates cleanliness with the smell of pine, is it really necessary to question why an MCS sufferer finds his/her self in isolation? Central nervous system depressants and carcinogens are present in everyday products affecting indoor air quality in homes, schools and offices around the world.

People are becoming increasingly aware of the dangers of chemicals and of how real chemical allergies really are. Once referred to as a “spurious disease,” the growing numbers of people suffering from Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome worldwide is sparking interest and support.

There are choices that we can make everyday to reduce chemical exposures and indoor air pollution. Firstly, we must begin by redefining the meaning of a clean home.

Help your loved one stay involved and active by following these simple rules.

1. Put yourself in their shoes
2. Find out which products your loved one can tolerate
3. Try using dye and perfume free laundry detergent
4. Try crystal stick deodorants
5. Use an air purifier in your home

Avoid:

1. Clothes washed with regular laundry detergent
2. Wearing dry cleaned clothes
3. Wearing clothes that have spent time next to items with any type of fragrance
4. Wearing nail polish
5. Wearing leather, suede, or any other material that requires protective sprays
6. Anything that is scented (shampoo, hairspray, creams, perfumes, body sprays, etc.)
7. Chewing gum, breath mints, etc.
8. Cosmetics

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome is real. Chemical exposures can have a real impact on your health, eventually leading to environmental sensitivities and a life of discomfort. Showing compassion for a loved one with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome can even improve your quality of life, because it means reducing your chemical exposures. Seems worth it to me.

Chemical Exposure During Pregnancy: How Exposure to Toxic Chemicals Affects Your Baby

Chemical exposure during pregnancy can have a serious impact on a child’s life. Studies reveal that exposure to toxic chemicals begins in the womb, and may result in behavioral and cognitive problems, chronic disorders, environmental injury, or cancer.

Pregnant women must protect their infants from toxic injury in the womb. A study conducted by the Endocrine Society revealed that chemical exposures during pregnancy, specifically BPA, lead to cancer in 33% of cases. In most instances, the cancers began at puberty or in young adulthood.

Similarly, an Environmental Working Group (EWG) study found 232 chemicals in the umbilical cords of ten babies. Avoiding exposure to toxic chemicals is now vital to a healthy pregnancy. The EWG insists that better measures are necessary in order to protect against chemical exposures during pregnancy.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) contends that prenatal exposure to air pollutants contributes to low birth weight and early delivery, which in turn contributes to high infant mortality rates as well as a lifetime of disabilities.

What can you do to avoid chemical exposures during pregnancy to protect yourself and your unborn child?

Here are a few tips to help limit Your Exposure to Toxic Chemicals

1. Do not smoke.  Stay away from Second hand smoke. There are over 4,000 chemicals in second hand smoke and over 250 of these chemicals are considered carcinogenic. Ask people to smoke outside, not in your home or vehicle. Remember, even after the baby arrives, these chemicals can cause asthma among other chronic diseases.

2. Watch out for toxic cleaning chemicals

Many cleaning products contain hazardous chemicals, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and carcinogens.  Even commonly used aerosols inject over 80 distinct chemicals into your ambient air (EWG).  The use of green cleaning products, at home and at work, is just one way to limit your exposure to toxic chemicals.

A recent study conducted by EWG discovered over 457 chemical emissions from disinfectant powders, bleaches, aerosols, glass cleaners and more. Employ the use of natural cleaning agents such as baking soda and all-purpose enzyme cleaners.

At work and at home, having an air purifier with activated carbon will help keep gaseous and particle pollutants at bay, significantly reducing exposure to toxic chemicals. Look for an air purifier with at least 15 pounds of activated carbon that is ozone-free.

3. Limit your exposure to paint.

You’re expecting a new baby and it’s exciting, but remember that most paints contains VOCs. A freshly painted room is no place for an expecting mother. Once the room is painted, make sure it is well ventilated. Open the windows and if you have an air purifier, use it.

4. Watch out for ozone

Exposure to ozone can occur in two instances: through smog exposure or from ozone generators. Smog is a cocktail of air pollutants largely composed of ground level ozone, while ozone generators refer to personal air purifiers that emit ozone gas. Smog going outdoors when there are smog warnings in effect; however, smog (like other outdoor air pollutants) can find its way inside your home.

5. Steer clear of the dry cleaners

In your attempt to avoid Chemical exposure during pregnancy, opt to hand wash your delicates. The dry cleaning process involves the use of organic solvents like tetrachloride that are recognized as hazardous, causing liver, kidney and nervous system damage.

6. Go scent free

Many perfumes are concocted with a number of chemicals that cause cancer, birth defects and organ damage. A study conducted by the EPA revealed that most department store perfumes contain toluene---a proven carcinogen---while a number of other cosmetic products contain petrochemicals and pesticides. Studies reveal that perfume use can cause undue chemical exposure during pregnancy, and may lead to infertility in male babies.

7. Invest in an air purifier

An air purifier will remove chemicals and odors from the ambient air in your home. This is the best way to reduce exposure to toxic chemicals. An air purifier with at least 15 pounds of granular activated carbon and a medical-grade HEPA filter will trap 99.97% of particle pollutants. Avoid air purifiers that use a thin layer of spray-on carbon; they are useless.

8. Pesticides are toxic

Do not use pesticides in your home. Also, when entering your home, remove your shoes and ask others to do the same. Wash all produce before consumption, and whenever possible, opt for organic fruits and vegetables.

Remember, chemical exposure during pregnancy can affect your child for the rest of their lives, so isn’t worth it to be careful? This time it’s easy to make smart choices. Avoiding exposure to toxic chemicals can only help.

An Air Quality Expert at Your Fingertips

AllerAir air quality experts are now available to chat with you via our live online support link on AllerAir.com. Ask an air quality question or request a recommendation for a unit that would best suit your air quality needs. Our specialists are available from 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday.

Allergy Prevention May Be Able to Begin at Birth

Australian researchers say that a simple blood test for newborns can now predict their risk of developing allergies later in life.

The test looks for a protein marker, kinase C-zeta, which seems to be much lower in children prone to allergic reactions.

Professor Tony Ferrante, an immunologist from the Children's Research Centre at the University of Adelaide, says the new marker may be the most significant breakthrough in allergy testing for some decades.

The researchers are also looking at whether fish oil supplements given to both pregnant women and those who have just given birth can reduce the risks of the children developing allergies.

"There is evidence that the levels of this important protein increase with fish oil supplementation to protect against allergy development," Professor Ferrante says.

Australia, like North America has one of the highest allergy rates in the world, with 40% of children now suffering from allergic diseases, including food allergies, eczema, asthma and hay fever. These conditions frequently persist into adulthood, placing a heavy burden on the healthcare system.

“This is a fascinating breakthrough,” adds Jacqueline Corlett a residential Air Quality Specialist with AllerAir Industries. “Knowing right from the start that their child may be prone to allergies will give parents the opportunity to allergy-proof their homes early on. Small steps can greatly reduce the prevalence of airborne particles and chemicals that may trigger a reaction.”


Top Tips to Allergy Proof Your Home:

• Remove carpeting which traps dust and particles

• Reduce the use of chemicals in the home

• Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter

• Choose a high quality air cleaner that removes both airborne particles and chemicals

• Take your shoes off at the door to avoid tracking in pollen and other particles

• Keep pets out of sleeping areas

• Regularly vacuum upholstery

• Once a month place soft toys in the freezer overnight to kill the dust mites and then wash to remove the remaining allergen

• Regularly wash bedding in hot water

The Challenges Faced by SME's: A conversation between our MP, The Honourable Stéphane Dion and AllerAir Industries

We really enjoyed meeting our MP today, the Honourable Stéphane Dion and talking to him about the air purification industry and some of the challenges faced by SME's (small to medium sized businesses).

Many Canadians don't realize:

• Small and medium-sized enterprises comprise the majority of Canadian firms that sell goods and services abroad. Their exports are directly linked to increased productivity, job creation and economic growth.

• In Quebec, small and medium-sized enterprises account for 96 % of all businesses and have led larger firms in productivity and growth over the last 10 years.

• According to Statistics Canada's Survey of Employment, Payrolls and Hours (SEPH), on average in 2007, just over 5.1 million employees on payroll, or 48 percent of the total private sector labour force, worked for small enterprises (those with fewer than 100 employees).

• Manufacturing accounts for nearly 1.8 million Canadian jobs (2007)

• Manufacturing jobs are being lost at a rate of 150 a day

We believe that access to financing is critical if SMEs are to develop and expand.
 
We look forward to more conversations with you Mr. Dion!

MP Visits AllerAir

We're pleased to welcome our local federal member of parliament, the Honourable Stéphane Dion who will be visiting our manufacturing plant this afternoon.

AllerAir is proud to be a company who has kept their manufacturing in North America. We also source our parts and materials from local suppliers.

We're looking forward to hearing his thoughts on the health of the local manufacturing sector and the importance of air quality and the environment as a top political issues.

Welcome Mr. Dion!

Toxic Cleaning Chemicals: Reducing Chemical Exposures at School

The use of toxic cleaning chemicals in your child’s school can have a big impact on his/her health. Many chemical exposures occur at school; the Environmental Working Group (EWG) recently tested 21 cleaning products (many of which are regularly used in schools) and discovered that they release over 457 air contaminants, including chloroform and formaldehyde. These gaseous pollutants are linked to asthma and cancer, while many others are considered hazardous, with health risks that will only unfold in the future.

Over the past decade, the number of children with asthma has doubled, while childhood cancers have risen by 28 percent over the past two decades. Toxic cleaning chemicals in schools is affecting the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), as well as the frequency of chemical exposures in children. Multiple Chemical Sensitivities are becoming increasingly common worldwide, while the number of children with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome is expected to rise.

With these alarming statistics, it becomes obvious that children are left vulnerable to chemical exposures that may have both acute and long-term effects on their developing immune systems. Chemical exposures in children are far too common, and toxic cleaning chemicals are playing a leading role in this assault.

The use of toxic cleaning chemicals needs to stop. It is time to take stock of our habits and encourage schools to implement the use of green products into their housekeeping routines.   Children are more at risk of chemical exposures because their metabolic rate is higher. Also, children take more breaths than adults, and so their bodies are more susceptible to toxins.

At School, you child is faces exposure to airborne pollutants like:
· Pesticides (for pest control)
· Formaldehyde (Portable classrooms, furniture, carpets, flooring)
· Mold (leaky pipes, washrooms, etc.)
· Carbon monoxide (school buses, cars, etc.)
· Cleaning products (various hazardous variations)
· Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
· Animal dander and pollen

Schools built prior to 1980 may have lead, asbestos and even radon in their walls, while newer buildings and school furnishings may have formaldehyde, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and other gaseous and particle pollutants. Toxic cleaning products add roughly 65 more recognized toxins and carcinogens to the ambient air your child inhales for most of their day. To limit chemical exposures at school, it seems a military gas mask should be added to the school supplies list.

Children spend 90 percent of their time indoors. For a child suffering from multiple chemical sensitivities this can mean hours of torture. MCS America recommends simple tips for schools and teachers:

1)Use green cleaning products- eliminate the use of toxic cleaning
chemicals all together

2)Fix leaky pipes and remove any materials that have been damaged by water

3)Clean the air ducts regularly, and employ the use of an air filtration
system equipped with inert materials and many pounds of activated carbon

4)Implement a fragrance and smoke free policy

5)Make sure that school buses are not located in an area where air is
vented into the school.

6)If a classroom was remodeled within the last 3 years, keep your MCS
student out of there

7)In the event of a reaction, remove the student from the source and them
to fresh air immediately

8)Find out what happened for avoidance purposes

9)Be patient with your student


Avoid Portable Classrooms at All Costs

Student populations are growing in the U.S.A and as a result, the number of portable classrooms is growing. These portable classrooms have caused quite the stir among teacher’s unions and parent committees because of Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) concerns.

Studies show that these classrooms have high concentrations of air pollutants like mold, formaldehyde and VOCs. Not only can a student with Multiple chemical sensitivities not step foot into these classrooms, regular students can develop multiple chemical sensitivities and other chronic diseases through repeated exposures to these hazardous airborne pollutants.

Consequently, the EPA has developed the IAQ Tools For Schools Award Program that encourages educational facilities to improve their IAQ, which can mean eliminating toxic cleaning chemicals, implementing the use of an air purifier in classrooms, and limiting their use of pesticides.

Multiple Chemical Sensitivities threaten the health and happiness of children across the globe. As parents, it’s time to take this threat very seriously. Say no to toxic cleaning chemicals, your children deserve better.

AllerAir Deals for May: $50 off the purchase of any unit

In recognition of MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivity) awareness month we’re offering $50 off the purchase of any unit. For your coupon code visit http://www.allerair.com/. Click on the MCS button, then “Gift Certificate Code”. The coupon code is valid until June 15, 2010 and is only applicable towards the purchase of a unit (not valid for filters, test kits or accessories). Offer limited to one coupon per purchase.

AllerAir is Spreading MCS Awareness (Multiple Chemical Sensitivity)

This May, AllerAir is supporting Multiple Chemical Sensitivities and Chemical Injury Associations worldwide in their effort to spread Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome awareness.


AllerAir will make chemical awareness tips and a $50.00 gift certificate available via their website at http://www.allerair.com/. The gift certificate is valid until June 15, 2010 and can be used towards the purchase of any unit. Additionally, their blogs and articles will be dedicated to Multiple Chemical Sensitivities and chemical awareness topics for the month of May.

Multiple Chemical Sensitivities affect over 48 million Americans. The onset of this debilitating medical condition can cause an allergy-like reaction to even low levels of chemical exposure. Often referred to as Toxic Injury or Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome, the onset of Multiple Chemical Sensitivities depends on either a single highly toxic chemical encounter, or repeated low-level chemical exposures.

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome hits close to home for AllerAir president, Sam Teitelbaum. He discovered the reality of chemical injury when a close relative was diagnosed with Multiple Chemical Sensitivities in 1990. Since then, Sam has made it his mission to provide the chemically sensitive with the most inert air purifiers available.

According to Sam, "There are millions of people suffering today because of chemical injury and poor Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). At AllerAir, we are committed to air quality education and chemical injury prevention and relief. Millions of people have been affected by multiple chemical sensitivities, but the proliferation of airborne chemicals means that millions more will suffer unless we take stock of our indoor air quality."

A Cornell study in 2007 revealed that over 3 million tons of toxins and hazardous chemicals are released into the air annually. This does not include the pesticides used indoors, nor the hundreds of carcinogens found in cleaning products, fragrances and cosmetics. This May, learn more about Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome, and how to protect your family.


AllerAir Since 1996

AllerAir's smart design solutions provide the most effective balance of performance, safety, quality and price. AllerAir air purifiers are equipped with many pounds of activated carbon, which is proven to be the most efficient way to treat toxic chemicals and gases. AllerAir's Multiple Chemical Sensitivity air purifiers are built with the most inert products, and clients are able to test and select their own carbon with the carbon test kit. Chemical exposure is linked to organ and central immune system damage, respiratory disorders and cancer.

Avoiding The Dangers of Pesticides & Eating Healthier for Symptom Relief

The dangers of pesticides are present every time you take a bite of your favorite fruit. Eating a healthy diet for chemical allergy relief means being aware of the dangers of pesticides.

Firstly, it's important to remember that no two people are alike; therefore, there is no single diet that will work for everyone. Selecting a diet that is right for you is very personal, but here are a few things to consider.

Making Smart Choices

The dangers of pesticides are universal. After conducting 96,000 tests, the EWG contends that it is wise to not only wash fruits and vegetables, but to eat the right kinds of produce to reduce chemical exposure. Eat as much organically grown food as possible; limiting the consumption of fruits and vegetables with high levels of pesticide residues will help reduce the dangers of pesticides by reducing exposure by almost 80%.

The EWG recommends:
Vegetables

• Asparagus
• Cabbage
• Eggplant
• Sweet Potatoes
• Onions

Fruits

• Pineapples
• Mangos
• Kiwis
• Cantaloupe
• Watermelon

Purchase organic when venturing into the produce aisle for:
Vegetables

• Celery
• Bell Peppers
• Spinach
• Kale
• Potatoes

Fruits

• Strawberries
• Peaches
• Apples
• Nectarines
• Blueberries

Eat healthy; diets rich in minerals like magnesium help improve your immune system. Whenever possible, try to get your nutrients from food sources, and make sure to avoid foods with preservatives. Phenolic compounds present in preservatives and pesticides are capable of triggering the release of arachidonic acid. The release of this acid can lead to inflammation.

Achlorhydria is fairly common among people suffering with Multiple Chemical Sensitivities. What this means is that their bodies experience difficulty when it comes to vitamin B12 absorption. In this instance, it is important to take the necessary steps to lower the stomach’s pH. Taking vitamin supplements rich in minerals and vitamin B12 are recommended; however, be mindful of supplements that contain additives.

When making food choices, focus on symptom relief and on boosting your immune system. The dangers of pesticides are ever present, so avoidance is the key. From here on, be prepared to carefully select your own produce, cook your own meals, and drink plenty of spring water from glass bottles. Tap water is never an option.

Once you begin implementing your new habits and drinking eight glasses of spring water per day, you’ll feel the difference. If drinking this much water seems a daunting task, try these three easy tips:
1. Always carry water with you.
2. Schedule water breaks
3. Before reaching for soft drinks or juice, drink water.

This information is not meant to replace sound medical advice, but it will help. The dangers of pesticides threaten everything that matters---good health.







.

May is Multiple Chemical Sensitivities Month

May is Multiple Chemical Sensitivities month.  For those living with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome, it is no easy feat.  The onset of this debilitating medical condition can cause an allergy-like reaction to even low levels of chemical exposure. There are over 48 million Americans suffering from Multiple Chemical Sensitivities.


For those suffering with chemical allergies there are little things you can do to maintain your quality of life. Although there is currently no cure for Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome, there are ways to take control of your symptoms. This May, AllerAir is providing small, but significant suggestions.


Step 1: Detoxify Your Home

Living with Multiple Chemical Sensitivities means taking the necessary steps to detoxify your home. The best relief for those suffering with multiple chemical sensitivities is avoidance, which means removing pollutants. Reducing the number of triggers found in your home can deliver some much-needed relief. Take the time to detoxify your home---it’s the best thing you can do for your health.

So, what’s polluting your indoor air? Start by removing pollutants like:

Pesticides, petrochemicals, second hand smoke, mold, formaldehyde and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are found in homes across North America. The dangers of chemicals are present whether it’s asbestos in the walls of an old home, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from home furnishings, or the carcinogenic chemicals found in cleaning products.

A few well-known culprits include:

· Perfumes

· Pesticides

· Cigarette smoke

· Air pollution caused by photocopiers

· Paint fumes, glues, solvents (Volatile Organic Compounds VOCs)

· Formaldehyde (found in furniture, carpet and other types of flooring)

· Petroleum products

· Cleaning products

· Beauty products like hairspray and perfume


How to detoxify your home
Tips:

1) If you’re not a smoker steer clear of second hand smoke.  There are over 4,000 chemicals emitted by just one cigarette. Ask visitors to refrain from smoking prior to visiting you, but keep in mind the smell of cigarettes may still be lingering on their clothing.

2) Avoid the use of bug sprays and other pesticides in your home. Always ask guests to remove their shoes before entering your home; pesticides can be insidious. Talk to your neighbors about the dangers of pesticide use on their lawns.

3) Invest in chemical-free enzyme cleaners, or even a package of baking soda. The Environmental Working Group discovered over 457 hazardous chemicals in 20 household cleaners. Natural enzyme cleansers are capable of removing stains, grease and bacteria, without the harrowing effects of chloroform, benzene and formaldehyde.

4) Avoid aerosols, plug-ins and scented candles; they mask odors and contribute to indoor air pollution. The EWG found 89 air contaminants known to cause organ system toxicity as well as endocrine and neurotoxicity. Opt for compact, portable cases of granular activated carbon, which are brilliant in litter boxes, refrigerators and closets.

5) Fix leaks in your home promptly, and always shower with the fan on to avoid mold. Aside from spawning irritants and allergens, molds release hazardous mycotoxins. Mycotoxin is one of the most hazardous indoor air pollutants, because of its ability to cause neurological damage, especially in children.

6) Buy wood furniture; pressed wood products generally contain formaldehyde. You may also wish to remove carpets and window dressings as they tend to out-gas air contaminants.

7) Stay away from plastic shower curtains. A recent study revealed that over 108 VOCs were released in less than a month. Concentrations of these chemicals are even higher after you shower.

8) Newer homes tend to be airtight, proper ventilation and the use of an air purifier is strongly recommended.

9) An air purifier can help, but not just any air purifier---do your homework. The air purifier you chose will not provide a cure to all of your problems, but it will help. For people suffering with Multiple Chemical Sensitivities, carbon+HEPA technology is mandatory. Only an air purifier manufactured with the most inert parts available will do the trick

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.