Video: Arizona dust storms and poor air quality

On August 6, 2012, we wrote about the incredible dust storms sweeping southwestern United States.

Below is a video of one of the most recent dust storms in Phoenix, Arizona by Blaine Coury.

With that type of dust activity happening more and more regularly, owning an air purifier is becoming a necessity, as it is important to keep your indoor air free of excess particles, chemicals and bacteria.

Contact AllerAir for more details. Our IAQ experts will be happy to help you find the right air purifier.

Show your support for a greener and healthier lifestyle: become a member of this blog today!

Dust is more than just a nuisance

Farming contributes to dust-related illnesses
Image: FreeDigitalPhotos

In arid regions of the United States, such as Arizona and Texas, dust storms (also known as haboobs) and dust devils are not a rare occurrence. In fact, this year’s dust activity is being compared to the infamous Dust Bowl era.

Haboobs are the flash flood version of a dust storm and Arizona has experienced several of them this year. The extreme weather has proven so taxing recently that drivers were involved in a 17-vehicle pileup killing one person.

But immediate danger is not the only concern. An Arizona researcher has been working on the possible connections between dust storms and Valley Fever. 

Valley Fever, or coccidioidomycosis, is a fungal infection often found in southwestern United States, such as Arizona, California, New Mexico and Utah. The fungus lives in soil and is projected into the air through natural processes, such as with wind storms, or through man-made means, as with construction or farming. 

This fungus is usually inhaled and stays in the lungs, where some, but not all, people show flu-like symptoms as well as chest pains, rashes, headaches, joint stiffness and swelling and pain in the legs. 

Recent studies suggest that coccidioidomycosis may be spreading to other parts of the body, such as the bones, which can then affect peoples’ mental states and cause sensitivity to light as well as weight loss.  

 
Apart from Valley Fever, dust storms are also carrying heavy metals, chemicals and other bacteria, which can have varying adverse effects on residents. These pollutants can lead to other illnesses, including ocular and cardiovascular diseases. 

Have you noticed any of these symptoms while living in this part of the country? How bad do the dust storms get? Tell us your story.

Source: azfamily.com, ABC News

What you can do

AllerAir's AirMedic+ series
can be customized for your individual  needs

Though it is difficult to avoid exposure to these dust storms when on the road, there are ways to minimize your risks within the home. 

AllerAir’s varied air purifiers can help improve your indoor air quality by removing harmful particles, chemicals and bacteria from your home. 

The AirMedic+ series is specially designed for dealing with particulates and its deep-bed carbon filters adsorb chemicals and gases. There is also an option to add a UV filter which will help eradicate mold spores and bacteria.

Contact AllerAir today for more information on how you can protect your home from these dangerous dust storms.

Show your support for a greener and healthier lifestyle by becoming a follower of this blog.

More dust storms expected in Texas – keep your air filters in mind

Wildfires are a common side effect of
droughts and dust storms.

Texas may have gotten some rain lately, but the drought is far from over, and more dust storms could roll in any time, experts warn.

With more than 90 percent of the state in the extreme drought stage and a lack of vegetation on farmland, there is nothing that will prevent loose particles from flying up into the air, they say.

Effects of dust storms include:

• Loss of productive farmland
• Impaired visibility and dangerous driving conditions
• Higher risk of wildfires
• Respiratory conditions in vulnerable individuals

Recommendations on handling dust storms include being prepared for a dust storm, slowing down and stopping on the side of the road if a dust cloud rolls in and changing air filters in cars and homes regularly.

AllerAir has designed portable, powerful air purifiers for the home and office with activated carbon and HEPA that can remove the widest range of indoor air pollutants from the ambient air, including particles, dust, gases, chemicals, fumes and odors.

Worried about wildfires and the effect on the air quality? Check out AllerAir’s air purifiers for smoke.

Call us for more information.

Source: My West Texas

Dust storm hits Phoenix area, again

Dust storms can be taxing on your home's
and car's air filters.

Take note of your indoor air quality and dust levels, experts say

Arizona’s Phoenix has been hit with the third major dust storm last week, turning the skies brown and coating anything left outside.

A 1,000-foot-high wall of dust traveled at least 50 miles into metro Phoenix and neighboring Pinal County last week on Thursday evening before dissipating, according to an article in the Detroit Free Press.

It reduced visibility, created dangerous driving conditions and caused flight delays.

The dust storms were caused by thunderstorms moving through southern Arizona, which brought winds of up to 60 mph that stirred up fine dust in the agricultural fields, a meteorologist said.

This season's most powerful dust storm came July 5, when a mile-high wall of dust halted flights and knocked out power to 10,000 people. Another dust storm hit July 18, reaching heights of 3,000-4,000 feet, delaying flights and cutting power to more than 2,000 people.

Weather experts said such massive dust storms -- known by the Arabic word "haboob" -- happen only in Arizona, Africa's Sahara desert and parts of the Middle East. They cause pollution levels to skyrocket and can create health issues.

Dust storms and health effects

Dennis Dickerson, a compliance manager at the Maricopa County Air Quality Department, said the normal level of dust in the air is 20-70 micrograms per cubic meter.

During the last dust storm, the 24-hour average for Phoenix reached nearly 160 -- slightly above what federal standards deem healthy.

Dr. Art Mollen of Scottsdale, Ariz., said there were twice as many patients as usual in his waiting room the day after the storm.

People came in with asthma flare-ups, sinus inflammation, ophthalmological migraines and other problems.

Source: Detroit Free Press

Remove airborne particles and allergens for better IAQ

In areas where sudden increases in dust and particle levels affect the air quality, homeowners and residents need to be extra vigilant when it comes to the air they breathe:

• Check your home and car filters ASAP – they may need to be changed earlier than usual due to the larger load
• Consider using a portable air purifier – when you can’t open the windows without layers of dust covering everything in sight, indoor air pollutant levels may be on the rise. 

Air purifiers such as the AirMedic+ Exec from AllerAir effectively remove particles, chemicals and other pollutants around the clock with a multistage filtration system.

Contact AllerAir for more information and assistance: 1-888-852-8247.
 

Phoenix, Arizona Dust Storm: Check all your home and vehicle air filters ASAP



AllerAir HEPA filter

 Now that the dust has settled in Arizona, it's very important to verify and potentially replace all of your home and vehicle air filters.

Air Purifiers

If you're lucky enough to have a high efficiency HEPA air purifier in your home, it may have trapped the dust the potentially dangerous soil spores that could lead to "valley fever".  The condition is caused by inhaling spores of a fungus which grows in the soil in the Southwest. The spores become airborne when stirred by wind and can cause a wide range of symptoms like fatigue, fever, coughs and muscle and joint aches. At AllerAir, we recommend that customers replace all pre-filters and HEPA filers in their units. Some dust may become airborne when removing heavily soiled filters, so we advise using a face mask. E-mail us to order your AllerAir replacement filters or contact your dealer. You may also order filters from the parts and accessories tab located with your specific model.

Air Conditioners and HVAC systems
Replacing these filters is not only essential, it will save you money. Even a slightly dirty filter may increase your AC bill by 5 to 10%. If you have a forced air system with ducting, you may also want to consider having your air ducts professionally cleaned.

Car Filters
The air filter in your car cleans the air before it comes into your engine. A filthy air filter will actually affect your vehicle's performance.

Vacuum HEPA filters
If you don't have a HEPA vacuum, now may be the time to buy one. A HEPA vacuum actually traps the dust you pick up, while other vacuums may leak dust particles back into the air. If you've already given your home a good vacuuming following the storm, replace your filter.

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Want to be ready for the next dust storm? Connect with us for more on our high efficiency home air purifiers ideal for dust and other airborne pollutants.

Visit our website: http://www.allerair.com/
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