Video: Indoor air concerns in baby rooms and nurseries

The arrival of a new baby prompts periods of extreme happiness - and stress. Keeping babies safe and healthy is paramount, but the advice new parents get is often conflicting.

One thing is for sure: Newborns and babies are among the most vulnerable when it comes to polluted air and exposure to airborne contaminants.

Watch this video courtesy of Cochrane & Associates for more information:



Concerned about the air quality in your home?

AllerAir offers a wide range of air purifiers with activated carbon and HEPA air filters that can help remove airborne chemicals, gases, odors, particles, allergens, mold, bacteria and viruses.

Contact AllerAir for a free consultation by calling 1-888-852-8247 or write to sales@allerair.com.

Build a cleaner fire this winter season

Woodsmoke contains fine particles
that may affect your health.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Source: EPA

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

Smokers' homes may be as polluted as worst cities: Study

Polluted air due to smoking has been
linked to heart disease, strokes and cancer.

Living with a smoker can be like breathing the air in the world’s most polluted cities, according to a new study from Scotland.

“The message is pretty simple really - smoking in your home leads to really poor air quality and results in concentrations of fine particles, that you can’t see, that would cause real concern to us if they were found outside,” said lead author Sean Semple, of the Scottish Center for Indoor Air at the University of Aberdeen.

Tiny particles 2.5 microns in diameter or smaller, known as PM2.5, can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the blood. They’ve been linked to heart disease, strokes and cancer.

“Making your home smoke-free is key to reducing your exposure to PM2.5; for non-smokers who live with a smoker the impact of implementing smoke-free house rules would reduce their daily intake of PM2.5 by 70 percent or more,” Semple told Reuters Health in an email.

Such tiny particles typically result from combustion. Outdoors, the primary sources are vehicle exhaust, power plants and wildfires. Indoors, wood-burning or coal-burning stoves, gas cooking and heating fires and tobacco smoke are the most common sources of PM2.5 in the air.

For outdoor air, the World Health Organization says the safe exposure limit for PM2.5 particles is an average of 25 micrograms, or 25 millionths of a gram, per cubic meter of air over a 24-hour period, or average annual levels of 10 micrograms per cubic meter.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency sets the 24-hour limit at an average of 12 micrograms.

Semple and his colleagues wanted to bring together two scientific communities: those involved in tobacco control work and those interested in outdoor air pollution and health.

“We think there is a lot that each can learn from the other,” he said.

Many studies have examined outdoor air pollution or indoor air quality in workplaces. But home is where most people spend the majority of their time, particularly small children and homebound elderly people, the researchers write.

By comparing indoor air pollution in the homes of smokers and non-smokers, then comparing that to the most polluted cities, they hoped to illustrate the perils of indoor tobacco smoke over a lifetime.

The study team looked at data from four separate studies that measured PM2.5 levels in 93 Scottish homes where people smoked and 17 homes that were smoke free.

On average, PM2.5 levels in smokers' homes were around 31 micrograms per cubic meter – 10 times greater than the average of 3 micrograms in non-smoking homes.

There was a wide range of smoke concentrations in the smokers’ homes, however, and in one quarter of them, the 24-hour averages were 111 micrograms.

Semple pointed out, “A considerable proportion of smokers’ homes had air pollution levels that were the same or higher than the annual average PM2.5 concentration measured in Beijing,” a heavily polluted city.

The study team estimates that over a lifetime, a non-smoker living with a smoker will inhale about 6 grams more particulate matter than a non-smoker living in a smoke-free home.

Semple said that isn’t much, but this amount is likely to "have a substantial effect on the risk of developing diseases of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.”

Semple said smokers often express the view that outdoor traffic pollution is a bigger problem than second-hand smoke pollution in the home.

“What this work shows is that, for most people living outside of major heavily polluted mega-cities like Beijing or Delhi, outdoor air pollution is much, much lower than what is measured inside homes where someone smokes,” he said.

“We have a lot of data and it’s an established fact how bad secondhand smoke is,” said Lucy Popova, from the Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education at the University of California, San Francisco. “There’s no safe level of exposure to it.”

“Smoke-free rules help not only by reducing the particulate matters for non-smokers but it actually helps smokers to quit too,” said Popova, who was not involved in the Scottish study.

AllerAir's air purifiers with carbon +
HEPA can help remove dangerous
airborne contaminants.

“Research shows when you have smoke-free rules in your home, that motivates smokers to make more cessation attempts and decrease the number of cigarettes that they smoke.”

Source: Fox News

Are you concerned about the air quality in your home or office? AllerAir's air purifiers for smoke feature a deep bed of activated carbon, HEPA and special pre-filters to remove airborne chemicals, particles and odors caused by tobacco smoke (as well as other airborne contaminants that are present). Contact AllerAir for more information: 1-888-852-8247.

AllerAir shipping air purifiers to worldwide destinations

AllerAir offers a wide range of air purifiers with
activated carbon and HEPA air filtration systems.

When poor indoor air quality becomes a concern, people turn to trusted air purifiers with activated carbon and HEPA or Super-HEPA to provide cleaner air.

AllerAir air purifiers have become a go-to product for homeowners, residents, small business owners and office workers in North America and beyond.

The customizable air cleaners from AllerAir remove not only fine particles, dust and allergens, but also irritating airborne chemicals, fumes, odors and gases that can be found in almost any indoor environment.

Now AllerAir offers shipping to international destinations such as Australia, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

For more information, contact AllerAir by writing to info@allerair.com or by calling 1-888-852-8247. For international calls: 514-335-4277.

Harvard researchers say better air quality means improved U.S. life expectancy

A study led by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) has found an association between reductions in fine particulate matter and improved life expectancy in 545 counties in the U.S. from 2000 to 2007. It is the largest study to date to find beneficial effects to public health of continuing to reduce air pollution levels in the U.S.

“Despite the fact that the U.S. population as a whole is exposed to much lower levels of air pollution than 30 years ago—because of great strides made to reduce people’s exposure—it appears that further reductions in air pollution levels would continue to benefit public health,” said lead author Andrew Correia, a PhD candidate in the Department of Biostatistics at HSPH.

The study looked at the effects on health of fine particulate matter, small particles of 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter—referred to as PM2.5. Numerous studies have shown associations between acute and chronic exposure to fine particle air pollution and cardiopulmonary disease and mortality. Studies have also shown that reductions in air pollution are associated with reductions in adverse health effects and improved life expectancy. Air pollution has been declining steadily in the U.S. since 1980, but the rate has slowed in the years since 2000. The HSPH researchers wanted to know whether the relatively smaller decreases in PM2.5 levels since 2000 are still improving life expectancy.

Controlling for socioeconomic status, smoking prevalence, and demographic characteristics, the results showed that a decrease of 10 micrograms per cubic meter (10 ?g/m3) in the concentration of PM2.5 during the period 2000 to 2007 was associated with an average increase in life expectancy of 0.35 years in 545 U.S. counties.

The research expanded on a 2009 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine by some of the same authors (Pope, Ezzati, and Dockery) that found that reduced air pollution was associated with increased life expectancy in 211 urban counties. This new study looked at more recent data, more than two-and-a-half times as many counties, and included both rural and urban areas. The findings showed that there’s a stronger association between declining air pollution and increased life expectancy in more urban, densely populated areas than in rural areas. The results also suggested that reduced levels of air pollution may be more beneficial to women than to men.

As to why there was a stronger association between reductions in fine particulate matter and improvements in life expectancy in urban areas, the researchers speculated that the composition of the particulates there may be different from that in rural areas.

“Since the 1970s, enactment of increasingly stringent air quality controls has led to improvements in ambient air quality in the United States at costs that the U.S. Environ­mental Protection Agency has estimated as high as $25 billion per year. However, the extent to which more recent regulatory actions have benefited public health remains in question. This study provides strong and compelling evidence that continuing to reduce ambient levels of PM2.5 prolongs life,” said senior author Francesca Dominici, professor of biostatistics at HSPH.

Photo: freedigitalphotos.net

Santa needs an air purifier: North Pole pollution levels remain among the highest in the country

Live Capture Photo of the North Pole  from
From FNSB Air Quality Near-Real-Time

Particulate pollution in the North Pole has been higher than most of the 300+ cities in the continental U.S. over the last few days according to a report in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.

Last night the particulate level peaked at 245 micrograms. The highest levels in the Lower 48 states today is 69 at Olympia, Washington. 

The forecast for today for North Pole remains "very unhealthy," with a warming that states: "People with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly and children should avoid any outdoor activity; everyone else should avoid prolonged exertion."

Fine particle pollution is considered particularity unhealthy to breathe as it has the potential to lodge deep into the lungs. Once inhaled, these particles can affect the heart and lungs and cause serious health effects. 

 

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Improve your indoor air quality with a high efficiency  air purifier with a medical-grade HEPA filter for particle pollution and a deep-bed carbon filter for airborne chemicals, gases and odors. Contact an AllerAir Indoor Air Quality Expert for a personalized product recommendation or connect with us:

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

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!

Bill Gates to rescue the world from global warming

Bill Gates is convinced we
can't wait on governments for global change
Image: FreeDigitalPhotos

Everyone knows Bill Gates is the founder of the Microsoft empire, but since he has firmly entrenched himself in philanthropy, his actions have become even grander.

Mr. Gates wants to save the planet and he is funding a research project to do it.

Within one year, Gates and his team of scientists plan to release millions of tons of sulfur dioxide 80,000 feet above New Mexico.  The job of these particles is to reflect sunlight and subsequently cool down the earth.

Well, this is what the team is relying on.

Others are not so convinced.

Many scientists and environmental groups believe that by releasing these toxic particles in the air, Gates will actually cause more harm than good. 

Sulfur dioxide is considered a noxious air pollutant. Inhaling it will have widespread consequences on all living things The respiratory system will be affected and people may also have neurological impairments, eyesight and hearing problems and even damage to the heart and immune system.

Acid rain is another side effect of sulfate particles. This would impact living things both on land and in the sea. Scientists also believe that altered rain patterns will impact food supplies in tropical and subtropical zones, causing drought and famine.

But Gates is moving forward. He is convinced that if we wait on governments to make the necessary changes to carbon taxes, it will be too late.

What do you think about how Bill Gates plans to counteract global warming? Do you agree? Let us know your thoughts.

Source: Natural News

How to protect yourself from sulfur dioxide

AllerAir's selection of air purifiers

Though there is no sure-fire way to protect yourself from these particles being released into the air, whether it is by Bill Gates or other means, there are ways to mitigate it within your home. 

Particles, chemicals and fumes are always in the air and a good course of action is to invest in an air purifier.

AllerAir’s air purifiers work to eliminate harmful toxins from your home. We can also provide a special carbon blend customized specifically for sulfur dioxide. 

For more information on our air purifiers contact one of our sales representatives.

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

Make your home a toxic-free zone

A home's indoor air may be polluted with chemicals,
particles and biological contaminants such as mold.

Our home is a place that should feel safe – not only from outside dangers, but also from less obvious hazards such as harmful indoor air pollutants.

The air in many homes is full of chemicals, gases, particles, dust, carcinogens, allergens, pathogens – the more we learn about the air we breathe, the scarier it gets.

Thankfully, there are many actions homeowners can take to make sure that they live in the least toxic environment possible. Here are a few tips:

No more plastics
Plastic is a very common household substance, but it can be dangerous for our health and the environment. BPA in plastic containers, bottles, shower curtains and other products acts as an endocrine disruptor (affecting the hormone system). Better products to use: Glass containers, stainless steel water bottles, natural fabrics.

Ban the air fresheners and scented candles
Typical brand name air fresheners contain a wide range of toxic chemicals – and they don’t really clean the air, they usually cover up smells. Natural ventilation with the help of open windows, for example, help keep the air fresh. Scented candles are also a big no-no because they can spread toxic fumes. For a pleasant scent, some people boil cinnamon, bake or make their own, non-toxic air fresheners. Natural essential oils can also add some fragrance to the room. Instead of scented candles, use pure beeswax candles.

Better cleaning agents
Too many commercial cleaning products are loaded with harsh chemicals that promise to kill bacteria and germs. These toxins can also be highly irritating to the eyes, respiratory system and skin, and many of the substances have been linked to cancer. Better products include more natural cleaning agents or homemade varieties (for example, vinegar, baking soda and lemon juice).

Other tips for a cleaner and healthier home include using stainless steel and cast iron cookware instead of non-stick ones, disconnecting electronics when they are not in use to reduce electromagnetic radiation, and taking off shoes at the door to prevent outside dirt, pesticides and environmental pollutants from entering the home.

Source: Living Green Magazine

Cleaner indoor air all year round

AllerAir air purifiers contain
carbon, HEPA and UV filters.

Getting rid of common sources of indoor air pollution will go a long way toward a cleaner and healthier home, but during many months of the year, opening windows may not be a good idea due to extreme temperatures, outdoor air pollution or other considerations.

That is why so many homeowners turn to portable air purifiers for some relief.

A room or whole home air purifier from AllerAir can remove the widest range of indoor air contaminants from the home, including airborne chemicals, VOCs, gases, odors, fumes, particles, dust, bacteria, viruses, mold, pollen and more.

The air purifiers feature an efficient activated carbon and HEPA filtration system, plus optional UV germicidal filtration and pre-filters.

For general purpose air cleaning, AllerAir recommends its 5000 Exec air purifier or other units in the 5000 series as well as the AirMedic air purifiers.

For more information, please contact AllerAir.

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Children’s asthma connected to fine particles inside homes

Children's asthma was more common in homes with
higher levels of fine particulate matter, study shows.

A new study found that homes in neighborhoods where more kids have asthma usually also have elevated levels of black carbon indoors.

The homes may be located close to major truck routes, or the buildings may be using low-quality fuel oil, the researchers found.

Black carbon is a major contributor to air pollution known as fine particulate matter. It is formed when fossil fuels and wood are being burned.

Fine particulate matter is a health concern because the small particles can penetrate deeply into the lungs and affect the heart and respiratory system.

Outdoor air affects indoor air quality

If there is a lot of air pollution outside, the indoor air quality in nearby homes often suffers as well, the researchers say, and this study adds to the bulk of research warning about the respiratory effects of air pollution on children.

The study involved 240 children from middle-income families in New York City, who lived in neighborhoods that were either classified as low asthma prevalence or high asthma prevalence.

The researchers also measured other types of indoor air contaminants that may trigger asthma, including dust mite allergens and evidence of dogs, cats, mice or cockroaches in the home.

The study appeared in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology.

Source: Environmental Health News

Air purifiers for cleaner indoor air

Indoor air pollution plays a major role in the development and control of asthma symptoms in children (and adults).

The AirMedic air purifiers clean the air with
activated carbon and HEPA filters as well as
a 360-degree air intake.

Fewer airborne triggers help avoid asthma attacks, studies have shown. For the cleanest indoor air possible, homeowners need to limit products and activities that may lead to poor indoor air quality, ensure that there is good ventilation and make the best use of an air purifier.

AllerAir’s air purifiers for asthma and allergies combine the most effective and longest lasting air filters to provide relief from indoor air pollutants such as fine particles and dust, allergens, chemicals, fumes, odors, bacteria, viruses and mold spores.

The air filtration system contains a deep-bed activated carbon filter for chemicals and VOCs, a medical-grade HEPA filter for the particles and optional UV germicidal filtration for biological contaminants.

AllerAir’s most popular air purifiers for asthma include the AirMedic Exec and other units from the AirMedic or AirMedic+ Series.

Contact AllerAir for more information.
  

Wildfire smoke: How to minimize risks

Chemicals and gases as well as
particles released by wildfires can
affect your health and well-being.

Raging wildfires present a public health concern because they can affect the air quality in regions near and far away.

Wildfires release gases and fine particles into the air, which can travel long distances and affect people’s health and well-being.

Those exposed to wildfire smoke have complained of irritated eyes and lungs as well as aggravated chronic diseases such as asthma.

ERs and clinics see an influx of people when there is a wildfire nearby or in range, studies show.

And the problems may only get worse over time, with experts predicting a rise in wildfires due to climate change.

A common recommendation is to stay indoors in order to avoid exposure, but this is when the indoor air quality starts to play a very important role.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has put together a few tips for people residing near wildfire zones:

1. Regularly check the local air quality reports to time your outdoor activities and gauge possible levels of exposure.
2. Protect your indoor air quality as much as possible by keeping windows and doors closed.
3. Don’t add pollutants to your indoor air by burning candles, smoking or using fireplaces or gas stoves. Other possible sources of indoor air contaminants include harsh cleaning products and personal care products.
4. Consult a doctor or healthcare professional to get advice and information about breathing problems (and how to avoid them).
5. Get the right information and protective materials. Paper masks that are commonly sold at hardware stores are made for bigger particles and dust and won’t offer much protection from the fine particles and chemicals contained in wildfire smoke.

Source: US News Health

Air purifiers for wildfire smoke

The gases and fine particles in wildfire smoke can easily invade private homes and offices and affect the indoor air quality.

Most air purifiers are ill-equipped to handle wildfire-related pollutants because they often only feature a HEPA filter. The HEPA will be able to remove the fine particulate matter, but it cannot filter out the gases and chemicals released by the smoke.

Chemicals, gases and odors are best removed by a deep-bed activated carbon filter.

AllerAir air purifiers consistently feature the most relevant filtration of activated carbon and HEPA at the best price (ask about our guarantee) and the air purifiers for tobacco smoke and wildfire smoke are equipped with other special features to ensure cleaner and healthier indoor air.

Contact AllerAir for more information.
  

Wildfire smoke – air quality and health concerns

Smoke from wildfires or tobacco can damage the
lungs and aggravate respiratory conditions.

Officials are worried that the Colorado wildfire will burn all summer, and the airborne particles and chemicals from the wildfire smoke may affect people in regions far away.

Those with respiratory conditions such as asthma need to be careful about the amount of time they spend outside, especially exercising.

But even healthy individuals’ lungs can suffer from the irritants and toxins that can be found in wildfire smoke, doctors warn.

Exposure raises the risk of irritation and lung infections such as bronchitis.

Facts about fires

Wildfire smoke contains carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and carbon, all known irritants to the respiratory tract.

If you can breathe the smoke in the air, it is already affecting you.

Older adults and young children are most vulnerable.

What you can do to protect yourself

Other than limiting time spent outside, there are many ways to minimize the risks of wildfires to human health.

• Have medications refilled and know how to use them properly
• Keep windows and doors closed
• For air conditioning systems, keep the fresh-air intake closed and keep the filter clean
• Avoid burning things indoors (candles, fireplaces, gas stoves)
• Limit vacuuming to avoid stirring up particles in the home
• Do not smoke
• Use an air purifier with activated carbon and HEPA to remove irritants, chemicals, odors, particles and other pollutants

Source: The Laramie Boomerang

Air purifiers for wildfire smoke

AllerAir's 5000 DXS

Keeping doors and windows closed is a great way to keep wildfire smoke out – but it also means indoor air pollution is allowed to stay or build up in the home.

AllerAir’s air purifiers for smoke feature a proven carbon + HEPA filtration system to remove the widest range of indoor air contaminants from the home or office.

For tobacco smoke as well as wildfire smoke, AllerAir’s 5000 DS provides the best protection and air filters.

Contact AllerAir for more information.

Wildfires sweeping across southwestern United States, parts of Canada

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

The blazes affect air quality in nearby cities and regions

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Source: The Guardian

Air purifiers for smoke, smog and other types of pollution

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

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

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

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

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

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

Contact AllerAir for more information and options.

It’s time we do something about traffic air pollution

Vehicle exhaust is deadlier than
road accidents, scientists claim.

If your daily grind to get to work involves a lot of traffic, you could put your health at a much higher risk than previously thought.

The risk doesn’t come from road rage or collisions – it’s the fumes that are twice as deadly accidents, British experts say.

According to new research from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, more than 5,000 people die prematurely from conditions such as lung cancer and heart disease due to emissions.

Airplane exhaust fumes cause another 2,000 annual deaths, while industrial emissions causing polluted air can be blamed for about 19,000 deaths per year in Britain.

Road accidents, on the other hand, claimed the lives of “only” 1,850 people in 2010.

Of course, road deaths are usually immediate, while air pollution deaths may occur much later in life.

Another study from the Harvard School of Public Health says that long-term exposure to air pollution increases the risk of various health problems in our later years, including diabetes (see yesterday’s blog post as well), pneumonia, heart disease or stroke.

The concerns from traffic emissions and air pollution include fine particulate matter (2.5M) and fumes.

Source: The Telegraph

Keep indoor air clean with air purifiers

Keeping windows closed in busy traffic and changing the filters in the car regularly will go a long way to reduce exposure.

But the problem with traffic fumes and outdoor air pollution is that it can make its way into our homes and build up to dangerous levels.

That’s why AllerAir has developed serious air purifiers with activated carbon and HEPA air filters to reduce those dangerous pollutants in the ambient air.

They work efficiently around the clock, removing airborne chemicals, gases, odors, fumes, particles, dust, bacteria, viruses and even mold.

AllerAir's 5000 Series:
Serious air purifiers

Recommended units:

5000 Exec: AllerAir’s most popular base model provides all-around protection with an 18 lb. carbon filter for gaseous pollutants and a medical-grade HEPA for the removal of 99.97% of particles at 0.3 microns.

5000 D Exec: Recommended for areas with high levels of pollution, this air purifier features even more carbon in a 24 lb. carbon filter and a micro-HEPA wrap rated at 99% efficient for particles at 0.1 microns.

AirMedic Exec: AllerAir’s most efficient unit when it comes to particles, this air purifier contains an 18 lb. carbon filter and a medical-grade HEPA as well as a 360-degree air intake for maximum air cleaning power.
For more information, contact AllerAir.
 

Opt for masks to reduce personal exposure to air pollution

Masks can filter out fine particles,
but not gases or chemicals.

According to a new study published in Environmental Health Perspectives, face masks can help protect people with coronary heart disease (CHD) from the risks of air pollution.

The study was conducted in Beijing, China, and found that heart disease symptoms and blood pressure were reduced when older men and women with CHD wore masks while walking around the city.

The masks help protect people by filtering out harmful fine and ultra-fine particles coming from urban traffic pollution.

The findings show that individual actions, such as wearing a face mask, can lessen some of the symptoms of those susceptible to urban air pollution.

Urban traffic, industry and other sources release both gases and particles into the air.

This mix of outdoor air pollutants has been linked to cardiovascular disease and a higher risk of death, and continued exposure can also raise people’s blood pressure.

The study involved almost 100 participants who were monitored over two 24-hour periods. On one of the days they wore a face mask.

Source: Environmental Health News

Breathe better air at home with air purifiers

While wearing a mask outside may help alleviate some of the risks associated with air pollution, harmful gases and particles as well as other contaminants may still affect people in their own homes.

In fact, these pollutants can build up to dangerously high levels indoors that cannot be mitigated with general ventilation systems.

AllerAir has developed highly effective air purifiers for the home and office that can remove the widest range of indoor air pollutants, including airborne chemicals and gases, odors, fine particles, dust, bacteria, viruses and mold.

The AllerAir air purifiers feature a deep-bed activated carbon filter for gaseous pollutants, a HEPA filter for particles and optional UV germicidal filtration for biological contaminants.

From the most popular basic models, the 5000 Exec and the 6000 Exec, to more specialized units for chemical and odor control, allergies and asthma, MCS and more, AllerAir’s comprehensive product lineup is sure to have the right model for anyone.

Contact AllerAir for more information.
 

Experts warn of higher risk of wildfires this spring

Wildfires can quickly get out of hand.

Forest regions all across North America may be at a higher risk of fires as the climate warms, experts say.

Early spring is a particularly dangerous time in many areas, even in those that typically have a pretty low risk (including Vermont and nearby forest regions), since the snow and ice have melted, but new greenery has not yet come in to provide a dampening effect on the ground.

The exposed dried grasses and other vegetation can easily ignite and get out of hand, especially if the conditions have been atypically dry and if there are winds.

Some farmers are used to controlled burns to prepare fields etc, but these can also quickly spread. April used to be the worst month for wildfires, but with rising temperatures March has become the new time to be extra vigilant.

In our age of connectivity, at least many wildfires are reported early, so they cannot spread without anyone noticing.

Experts are asking people in these areas to follow these tips for reducing the risks:

• Don’t burn trash
• Never start fires without a burn permit (if applicable)
• For burning of yard trimmings, brush and organic material, surround burn pile with dirt or gravel and do not place them near structures, vehicles, power lines or heavy equipment.
• Keep water nearby
• Stay with the fire until it is out
• Keep grass around houses and buildings mowed to help reduce risk of brush fires

Source: Burlington Free Press

Protect your indoor air from wildfire pollution

Whether it’s in your area or somewhere else, wildfire season can become an indoor air hazard for many homes, since fire particles and other toxins tend to travel long distances.

Outdoor pollutants often find a way indoors, where they can build up over time and affect people’s health and well-being.

A high-quality air purifier with the right air filters can help reduce those particles and toxins and keep the air clean and healthy.

AllerAir has designed air purifiers for smoke, which contain a deep-bed activated carbon filter for smoke odors and chemicals, a HEPA filter for particles and dust and a tar-trapping pre-filter to prolong the other filters’ lifespan.

Recommended air purifiers:

• AllerAir’s AirMedic Exec with an 18 lb. carbon filter and a medical-grade HEPA as well as superior particle protection with a 360-degree air intake
    
• AllerAir’s 5000 DS, one of the most proficient air purifiers with a 24 lb. carbon filter and a medical-grade HEPA as well as a tar-trapping pre-filter

Contact AllerAir for more information and options.

Children, asthma and indoor air pollution

A growing number of children suffer from asthma.

They don’t call it an asthma epidemic for nothing – a growing number of children suffer from the chronic diseases characterized by inflammation of the airways and breathing problems.

Asthma accounts for one-third of all hospital stays and more than a half-million ER visits a year for kids younger than 15.

Children may be severely affected by asthma: Coughing may keep them up at night and they may be less active because they fear coughing fits from running.

According to health experts, African-American children and children of Puerto Rican descent are much more likely to develop asthma than white children.

Often, asthma can get worse or aggravated if the indoor air in the children’s homes is polluted.

Improving the indoor air quality is a major step in helping everyone breathe easier and in lowering the risk for asthma attacks in children.

According to Gary Emmett, M.D., there are easy and often surprising ways people can improve their indoor air quality:

• Never allow smoking in the home. Tobacco smoke is one of the worst offenders when it comes to indoor air pollution and it is one of the main substances that aggravate asthma in children.
• Reduce exposure to thirdhand smoke. This means that smokers should change clothes before they come indoors, as the smoke particles tend to cling to textiles, hair and even the skin of a smoker, which can make asthma worse.
• Use plastic covers on the mattress and pillow in the child’s bedroom.
• Clean the child’s bedroom daily with a wet cloth or wipes to control particles in the room.
• Avoid clutter in the child’s room. Clear surfaces are easier to keep clean. Objects that cannot be washed frequently should be stored in the closet (including stuffed animals and throw pillows).
• Ban pets from the child’s bedroom, including dogs, cats, guinea pigs, ferrets and mice. Pet dander has been shown to be a potent asthma trigger.
• Avoid using perfumes and other scented products, including fragrant personal care products and harsh cleaning agents, since they can also aggravate asthma symptoms.

Source: Philadelphia Media Network

Reduce airborne contaminants with air purifiers

AllerAir's AirMedic air
purifiers are great for particle
and chemical control.

In addition to keeping things clean and banning certain products in the home, an air purifier with activated carbon and HEPA can help keep the air clean and easy to breathe.

AllerAir has developed air purifiers for allergies and asthma, including the AirMedic Series, the AirMedic+ Series and the 5000 Series general purpose air purifiers.

The units feature the most relevant filtration media to remove a wide range of airborne pollutants, including particles and dust, strong odors, chemicals and biological contaminants.

Air purifiers for asthma and allergies need a medical-grade HEPA to remove 99.97% of particles at 0.3 microns in size as well as a deep-bed activated carbon filter with at least 15 pounds of carbon (the more, the better) to remove odors, chemicals, gases and VOCs.

For more information, contact AllerAir today.

Smog increases risk for women’s strokes – how to protect yourself

Smog and fine particle air pollution can be
a risk to people's health and well-being.

Two recent studies have found that living in areas with high air pollution levels increases the risk of suffering a stroke for older women.

One California Department of Public Health study examined more than 100,000 women over a period of six years and found that older women residing in areas with higher levels of fine particle pollution were at a significantly higher risk of first-time strokes.

A Brown University study came to the same conclusion and calculated the risk increase at 34 percent.

A stroke can be deadly, since it happens when a blood vessel in the brain is either blocked or ruptured, which can deprive the brain of oxygen. A stroke can also leave people paralyzed or unable to speak/understand.

Health experts have some tips for women of a certain age how they may protect themselves – but these bits of advice also apply to all other generations and sexes:

• Don’t smoke
• Stay active
• Eat a healthy diet
• Control blood pressure and cholesterol
• Exercise or stay indoors when smog warnings are in place
• Get politically involved to promote urban development that encourages walking and biking

Some regions have implemented programs tailored to reducing the risks of strokes and heart attacks for women ages 40-64.

To get a similar program or other types of help, people are urged to write to their elected officials and get involved in community organizations.

Source: The Press-Enterprise

Keep outdoor pollution out with air purifiers

Living in a polluted area can expose people to fine particles and chemicals even inside their own home, since outdoor air pollutants often find a way to enter a building through windows and doors, cracks and openings.

AllerAir's air purifiers with activated
carbon and HEPA air filters.

Once inside, air pollutants can build up to dangerous levels.

AllerAir’s Air Purifiers for the Home and Office can help keep indoor air clean and healthy.

The air purifiers can remove the widest range of indoor air contaminants with a multi-stage filtration system that contains a deep-bed activated carbon filter for chemicals, gases and odors, a HEPA filter for particles and dust, easy-clean pre-filters for larger particles and optional UV germicidal filtration for biological contaminants such as bacteria, viruses and mold.

Energy-efficient and long-lasting, AllerAir’s air purifiers provide the most comprehensive protection from airborne pollutants, and they can be adjusted to tackle changing IAQ needs.

Check out AllerAir’s most popular models – the 5000 Exec, the 5000 Vocarb and the AirMedic series - or contact AllerAir for more information!
 

Tiny particles in air pollution more dangerous than thought: Scientists

Air pollution models may underestimate the amount
of tiny aerosol particles, scientists warn.

For more than 20 years, scientists have warned that tiny particles (smaller than one thirtieth of  the diameter of a human hair) are most dangerous to human health.

The particles have been linked to heart and lung disease and contribute to the death of 50,000 Americans each year.

But scientists have recently learned that there is more to tiny particles than they previously thought.

Recent studies have shown that secondary organic aerosols (a subset of these particles) have a greater total mass and could therefore be much more harmful than previously thought.

Researchers in California have realized that older scientific models may downplay the dangers of these particles, which are much more persistent, and that measures to control pollution only addressed part of the problem.

Secondary organic aerosol particles are formed when pollutants and natural chemical compounds interact.
Scientists previously thought that these gaseous byproducts would incorporate into tiny airborne drops, which would soon evaporate.

However, the new study shows that instead they attach themselves to airborne organic particles and create tiny tar balls that persist much longer than previously thought.

That is why the scientists warn that older scientific models could seriously underestimate the amount of fine particles in the air.

Source: New York Times

Do something against air pollution from outside coming in

Air purifiers for the home and office from
AllerAir

Polluted outdoor air and smog is a reality in many urban communities, and the pollutants may enter homes through windows and doors, cracks and other openings.

Luckily, homeowners can help keep indoor air pollution to a minimum by running a high-quality air purifier with activated carbon, HEPA and other filters.

AllerAir has designed powerful air purifiers for the home and office that remove the widest range of indoor air contaminants – including chemicals, gases, odors, particles, dust, bacteria, viruses and mold.

With an extensive product line and numerous options, AllerAir can provide the right air filtration solution for virtually any indoor air quality problem.

Contact AllerAir for more information and personalized suggestions.

Deadly wildfires responsible for 339,000 deaths per year

Wildfires spew tons of tiny particles into the air.

Landscape fires -- including wildfires, peat fires and controlled burns on farming lands -- are much more dangerous than previously thought.

According to a Vancouver study, 339,000 people die each year because these fires.

Sub-Saharan Africa bears most of those deaths at 157,000, while in Southeast Asia the death toll is 110,000.

Researchers say they are surprised by the numbers because wildfires are a seasonal phenomenon, meaning exposure to wildfire smoke is intermittent at best.

In order to determine a death toll linked to wildfires, the researchers looked at all deaths in areas that were covered with heavy smoke and landscape fire between 1997 and 2006.

They were particularly interested in the health effects of small particulate matter, which is a main byproduct of wildfire smoke.

Wildfire smoke does not represent as great a danger as indoor air pollution (2 million deaths per year worldwide) and urban air pollution (800,000 people per year), but it could be considered an additional risk factor for global mortality.

Researchers are warning that wildfires will get more severe in the future as the globe gets warmer.

Wildfires are difficult to manage and contain, and it’s expensive to fight them, they say.

The study was published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives.

Source: AFP

Breathe better indoor air with air purifiers

Indoor air pollution, urban air pollution and wildfire smoke pose serious hazards to human health.

AirMedic Series:
Room air purifiers

Outdoor pollutants will find a way into the home, where they can build up – which why indoor air quality is such an important topic.

An air purifier with the right filters can help remove pollutants and provide healthier air.

AllerAir’s air purifiers for the home and office contain a deep-bed activated carbon filter for airborne chemicals, gases, odors and fumes, a HEPA filter for tiny particles and dust, pre-filters and optional UV germicidal filtration to help neutralize viruses, bacteria and mold.

For wildfire smoke and other indoor air pollutants, AllerAir recommends its 5000 DS or 6000 DS models, the AirMedic Series and general purpose air purifiers.

For more information and personalized suggestions, please contact AllerAir.