The home checklist for mold

Homeowners should take steps to prevent or remove
mold from their homes to avoid health problems.

Mold spores are a natural part of the environment, but when mold is allowed to grow in the home, the inhalation of high levels of mold spores can lead to respiratory problems and other health effects.

Mold exposure has been linked to aggravated asthma, allergies, respiratory infections, skin rashes and more.
The home itself can also suffer from mold infestations, leading to wood rot and structural damage.

Here are some tips to keep in mind when it comes to mold:

Identify common areas of mold problems in the home.
Since mold needs water or high humidity to grow asses the home and make a list if the most probable areas where mold can be found:

• Crawl spaces
• Basement
• Attic

A musty odor can be a sign for mold growth.

Fix water infiltration problems immediately. 
The window for mold growth is 24-48 hours, so acting quickly, taking care of the problem and drying or replacing all affected materials can prevent a mold infestation in the first place.

Test for mold if needed. 
Mold testing can be very expensive, but if you suspect mold and want to know before you take any action, call a reputable company.

Remove the mold safely and effectively. 
Small patches of mold can be removed by the homeowner (follow established guidelines by health authorities) – larger mold growth areas should be treated by mold remediation professionals.  It’s more important to spend the money on professional cleanup than on testing, experts say.

Prevent mold in the first place
Help prevent mold by ventilating the home properly, monitoring humidity, keeping clutter and storage spaces under control, fixing foundation cracks and small leaks right away and regularly cleaning the HVAC system.

Source: Angie’s List on ABC News

Controlling mold with air purifiers

A high quality air purifier with the right air filters can help with many aspects of mold:

• A HEPA filter can trap mold spores (and other particles)
• A UV lamp can neutralize mold spores
• An activated carbon filter can remove musty odors and mycotoxins associated with some molds

The AirMedic+ Series features
360-degree air intake for
quick and efficient air cleaning.

AllerAir has developed portable and powerful air purifiers for mold that contain these filtration technologies and along with the above-mentioned tips can help provide a cleaner and healthier indoor environment.

AllerAir’s AirMedic+ Exec is one of the most efficient air purifiers when it comes to particles and mold spores, featuring an 18 pound carbon filter (or more), a medical-grade HEPA filter to remove 99.97% of particles at 0.3 microns, other pre-filters and the option of UV germicidal filtration.

For more information, contact AllerAir to speak to an IAQ expert.

Commuting to work? Diesel emissions increase cancer risk

This is a guest post from Electrocorp.

Diesel exhaust emissions can affect your
health and well-being, experts say.

Exposure to diesel fumes could be causing cancer at a greater rate than previously known, researchers say.

A new long-term study by the National Cancer Institute and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health found that miners exposed to diesel engine exhaust are three times more likely to contract fatal lung cancer, and that commuters on busy highways in smoggy, urban areas might face a similar risk.

The study was published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

While diesel exhaust is currently classified as a “probable carcinogen”, health authorities will review this classification in the months to come.

A change in classifications could mean tighter regulations as well.

The study looked at 20 years of data on miners exposed to diesel exhaust and showed significant increases in the risk of lung cancer deaths with higher level of exposures, especially in miners working more than 5 years.

The study authors warn of the risks to Americans living in urban areas as well, although the risk is lower for lower doses of diesel exhaust.

Drivers getting stuck on long highway commutes may be exposed more than people standing on the sidewalk because of wind tunnel effect, experts say.

Commuters can help protect themselves by

• Leaving car windows closed on busy highways and streets
• Setting the air on “recirculate” to keep pollutants out
• Having a HEPA filter installed in the car

Newer diesel cars are much cleaner than older models, experts say, but many older models are still being used on the streets.

Source: The Sun

Want to know more about indoor air pollution and portable air purifiers that can remove the widest range of indoor air contaminants? Contact AllerAir for more information and personalized suggestions.

Black mold may lead to poor health symptoms

WWE Smackdown host and recording artist Lilian Garcia fights the effects of black mold

Lilian Garcia still suffers from the
effects of black mold exposure.

She may be famous in certain circles, but that doesn’t mean she is immune to the effects of black mold exposure.

Lilian Garcia began feeling sick and dizzy when she lived in a lake house in South Carolina for two and a half years.

The home had black mold, and Garcia reacted badly to it. Still, it took years before she was diagnosed with mold allergies brought on by that exposure.

Even after she moved away, she was still suffering after-effects of black mold, including infections and other ailments.

Garcia has launched a campaign to raise awareness about mold allergies and help sufferers.

Chronic symptoms related to mold allergies include

• Sinus pain
• Respiratory illness
• Wheezing
• Headaches
• Lethargy
• Memory loss
• And more

Garcia also champions a new way of eating, as in her experience certain foods can aggravate the symptoms of mold allergies. These foods include cheeses, dairy, pickled foods, dried fruits and more.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Use air filters to reduce exposure to mold

While it is important to take care of the living environment and to prevent and mitigate mold from growing, mold spores are still a natural part of the environment and cannot be eliminated.

However, using powerful air purifiers with the right filters in the home can help keep the air clean and easier to breathe.

AllerAir’s air purifiers for the Home and Office feature many pounds of activated carbon to remove irritating chemicals, gases, odors and mold mycotoxins, HEPA filter to trap tiny particles and pathogens, pre-filters and optional UV germicidal filtration to neutralize biological contaminants such as mold, bacteria and viruses.

Read more about AllerAir’s air purifiers for mold, or speak to someone by contacting AllerAir today.

Half of US homes suffer from mold: Doctor (Video)

Mold and other indoor air quality issues are very common, doctor says, and may contribute to the rising asthma rates across the country.


 
Source: WTKR-TV

Concerned about the indoor air quality in your home?

A safe and effective air purifier with a proven multistage filtration system containing activated carbon, HEPA and UV filters can help reduce indoor air pollution, including mold spores. 

Contact AllerAir for more information.

Radon and smoking – two factors for lung cancer

Smoking is bad enough, but if you also breathe in high levels
of radon at home, your risk of lung cancer increases even more.

If you are smoking, you know the risk. But often people don’t know that they have high radon levels in their home, which increases their risk of developing lung cancer (and some forms of skin cancer, as a new study shows).

Radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that occurs naturally in the environment and that can accumulate in a home after entering it through cracks and fissures in the foundation. Even new homes can have elevated radon levels.

Experts say people can test their homes for radon quite easily and reduce levels of radon with a few relatively inexpensive renovations.

A heavy smoker has a one-in-10 chance of developing lung cancer. Long-term exposure to high levels of radon results in a one-in-20 chance of developing lung cancer.

Both exposures increase the odds substantially to a one-in-three chance, Health Canada says.

The experts shared the following tips:

• Test your home for radon. The winter months are a good time to place the small detector in the basement, if you spend around 4 hours per day there, or on the ground floor. Send it to the lab after three months.
• Seal cracks in the foundation
• Put a cap on the sump pump
• In a home with very high levels of radon, you can install a special pipe and venting system that pumps air outside (active soil depressurization)

You can also use an air purifier with activated carbon and HEPA to help keep the air clean.

Source: The Daily Gleaner

Complete air purifiers for homes and offices

AllerAir develops complete air purifiers for the home and office with a multistage filtration system that contains many pounds of activated carbon, HEPA and UV.

Together, these air filters can remove the widest range of indoor air pollutants, including

1. chemicals, gases, VOCs, fumes 
   
2. particles, dust, allergens 
   
3. bacteria, viruses and mold.

Contact AllerAir for more information.

Non-smokers’ risk of lung cancer tied to air pollution

Smoking is still the highest risk factor
for lung cancer, but air pollution may
be a factor.

If you never smoked, your risk of lung cancer should be much lower, right?

Well, it is, but another factor could be living in a highly polluted area, according to a new study by Harvard School of Public Health.

If you are exposed to air pollution, you have a 20% higher risk of dying from lung cancer, the study shows.

Smoking still remains the primary cause of lung cancer, but there are still 1 in 10 people who never smoked that develop lung cancer – and air pollution may have something to do with it.

Polluted air and smog expose people to fine particles, which can penetrate deep into the lungs, cause irritation and inflammation and may be a risk factor for lung cancer.

The study followed more than 180,000 non-smokers for 26 years in the United States and Puerto Rico. About 1,100 participants died from lung cancer during that time.

The researchers used their zip codes to determine the levels of pollution.

Air pollution is often seen in the form
of smog.

Overall air pollution levels dropped over the time of the study period, but it remained a major factor in a person’s risk of developing lung cancer.

While the study didn’t prove a direct causation, evidence is there that exposure to fine particles raises cardiopulmonary mortality, the researchers told Reuters.

Other studies have also linked exposure to wood smoke indoors and vehicle exhaust outside to increased risk of lung cancer.

Source: Reuters

Protect yourself from chemicals and gases indoors

Outdoor air pollution is bad for you – but indoor air can be five times as polluted, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

You can improve your indoor air quality by avoiding common source of pollution:

• Don’t smoke indoors
• Use natural cleaning agents
• Avoid scented products and “air fresheners”
• Use a portable air purifier in the room(s) you spend most time in

AllerAir has designed highly efficient air purifiers that do more than just remove dust, pollen and biological contaminants from the air.

That’s because their comprehensive filtration system not only contains HEPA for particles and pathogens, it also contains a deep-bed activated carbon filter for the removal of chemicals, odors and gases and the option of UV germicidal filtration to neutralize bacteria, viruses and molds.

Contact AllerAir for more information and additional features and options.

Still got the sniffles? Blame the wet summer and longer allergy seasons

Warm weather, lots of rain and a longer
season: Optimal allergy conditions.

An extremely wet summer, extreme weather events such as Hurricane Irene, and a longer-than-usual allergy season could mean that you need to keep your tissues handy for a while.

Allergy sufferers have had a tough time after pollen counts reached record-breaking highs in the summer months and mold counts shot up due to floods and humidity, leading to continual itching, sneezing, coughing and sniffling.

The first frost usually brings some relief, but this year it is expected to arrive much later than usual.

Experts have been saying for years now that warmer temperatures due to climate change create the perfect conditions for plants to produce more pollen.

Some tips for allergy sufferers:

• Keep windows and doors closed to shut out allergens
• Wear a mask and goggles when gardening or cleaning indoors
• Talk to your healthcare provider about allergy shots, over-the-counter-medications and other tips
• Use an air purifier with carbon + HEPA to breathe clean air

Remove common allergens with an air purifier

AirMedic air purifier with
carbon and HEPA filters

A room air cleaner with a medical-grade HEPA filter will remove 99.97% of airborne pollen, particles and other allergens.

AllerAir’s air purifiers for allergies and asthma feature a multistage filtration system to remove the widest range of indoor air pollutants and provide cleaner, more breathable air.

Check out AllerAir’s AirMedic that also removes airborne chemicals, gases and odors. The AirMedic+ Series can also accommodate UV germicidal filtration to provide enhanced protection from mold spores and mold mycotoxins, bacteria and viruses.

Contact AllerAir for more information.

Tips to remove common household odors

Get rid of bad smells and odors in your home.

Having a strange smell and not know why or where it’s coming from can drive homeowners crazy.

In fact, in their search to find the cause and eliminate household odors, they can spend a lot of money.

But while sometimes an IAQ specialist’s or a plumber’s help is needed, there are many things homeowners can do to prevent stinky odors.

Air out and maintain little-used rooms
Open the windows or doors to little-used guest rooms and other areas and run the water in little-used bathrooms once a week or more. If they are not used for a long time, the water in the pipes leading to the sewer evaporates and methane-sulfur gases may build up and enter through the drain into the room.

Inspect your rooftop vents
A steady breeze or wind can create positive pressure in rooftop vents, which are supposed to release sewer gas into the air, and force the gas back into the house. The solution is to make the vent pipe long enough to avoid these drafts and let the foul smells escape.

Clean the sink pipe
If you notice a sour smell coming from one drain, it may be due to an obstructed sink pipe (also called P-trap). It may be caused by hair, toothpaste, gel, dirt and other substances. You can either take off the P-trap and clean it out or treat the drain with an enzyme-based cleaner.

Check your water heater
If the water smells bad, it may because of a deteriorating anode rod. They should be replaced every six months to six years.

Ban indoor smoking and get rid of stale smoke odors
Smoke odors tend to cling to carpets, air ducts, walls, furniture etc, so a thorough cleaning may be needed, or you can simply use an air purifier for smoke from AllerAir.

Air out your washing machine
Front-load washers can start to smell musty if you keep the door locked all the time. That’s because water can’t evaporate and mold can grow. The easy solution is to leave the door open when the washer is not in use.

Remove irritating pet odors
Pet urine stains on carpets or floors may release odors if the house gets humid or if the carpet is cleaned. A professional cleaner may use an enzyme cleaner to actually remove the stains.

Source: rosieonthehouse.com

Air purifiers from AllerAir to
remove odors and chemicals.

Enjoy breathing cleaner, healthier air with AllerAir air purifiers for the home and office, air scrubbers for smoke, air cleaners for allergies and asthma, air purifiers for mold, and more.

Contact AllerAir for available options and a personalized recommendation based on your indoor air concern, your budget and your preferences.

Dealing with allergies after Hurricane Irene

Allergic reactions are common after
hurricanes and floods.

Residents in the northeastern United Stated, who got pounded with strong winds, heavy rainfalls and widespread flooding when Hurricane Irene hurled through are still feeling the effects.

Many areas in New York state and other regions are still heavily flooded and the water and humid air provide perfect conditions for mold and other pollutants to flourish.

This, coupled with the seasonal ragweed allergies may lead to much stronger allergic reactions to those sensitive to mold, dust mites, ragweed and other allergens.

According to health experts, similar strong allergic reactions were observed after Hurricane Katrina.

The experts recommend taking various steps to mitigate and prevent mold growth, warning that just because you don’t see or smell anything, any surface area that has been wet for more than two days is prone to get moldy.

If that is the case, wet carpet and humid drywall should be thrown out and the area dried thoroughly to prevent any mold from spreading or growing further.

Other tips include

• Drying out the air with an air conditioner or dehumidifier
• Checking the home’s humidity with a hygrometer
• Using a particle mask to avoid exposure to allergens
• Running a HEPA air filter to reduce the allergen count in the indoor space

AllerAir offers air purifiers for mold that contain a HEPA filter for particles and mold spores, a deep bed of activated carbon  for the removal of musty smells, mold mycotoxins and other harmful chemicals and gases in the air as well as a UV lamp (optional), which neutralizes biological contaminants such as bacteria, viruses, mold spores and mold mycotoxins.

The units are portable and can easily be moved from one area (such as the basement) to the room that is frequented the most (such as the bedroom).

AllerAir recommended air purifiers for mold include:

• 5000 Exec with UV 
• AirMedic+ Exec

Contact AllerAir for more information!

Moldy homes linked to children's asthma

"Lab studies suggest that being exposed to mold and airborne mold spores can cause airway inflammation."

(PressTV)  Children who live in water-damaged homes with visible mold problems are at a greater risk of developing asthma, wheezing problems or nasal allergies.

A review of 61 international studies showed that children living in homes with visible mold are 49 percent more likely to have asthma compared with their peers that are not exposed to such environments, Reuters reported.

Moreover, these children are 39 times more prone to developing nasal allergies, said the study published in the European Respiratory Journal.

Lab studies suggest that being exposed to mold and airborne mold spores can cause airway inflammation. The findings, however, do not prove that mold is the culprit, said researchers.

Exposure to mold components in house dust, on the other hand, was linked to a lower risk of respiratory disorders, according to researchers at the German Research Center for Environmental Health in Neuherberg.

"Visible mold patches at the walls, or a moldy odor, is indicating that the normal microbial composition is out of kilter, which is most often due to dampness, excessive moisture or building damages," said Christina Tischer, the lead author.

One theory called the "hygiene hypothesis" suggests that the immune system of children, who live in an environment containing normal mix of microbes, are less likely to show allergic reactions.

Removing visible mold "might be a first important step in order to create a healthy environment at home," said Tischer.

Repairing leaky plumbing or other sources of water damage and lowering humidity in the home with better ventilation are among other strategies that can prevent the growth of mold at home, she added.

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Selling Your Home and Odor Control

One of the top turn-offs for home buyers is smoke odor and pet odor. Unfortunately, those are often the most difficult odors to remove. From AllerAir, the odor control experts, here’s an action plan to tackle odors for your open house:

1. Forget the air fresheners.

Surprised? Cat, dog and smoke odors can’t be effectively masked with air freshening plug-ins, gels and oils. The only thing you’ll do is draw attention to the fact that you’re desperately trying to cover-up an odor problem. These fragrances are also laced with chemicals which are unhealthy to breathe and may trigger allergies in your prospective home-buyers.

2. Bring in a friend for a sniff test

Ask a friend to come in and smell your home – and don’t be offended by their feedback. It’s a neat trick of biology that we quickly become accustom to strong odors in our own environment – so chances are you can’t even smell the full extent of your odor problem.

3. Tackle the odor issue head on

If you smoke – stop smoking in your home and make sure you’ve emptied and removed your ashtrays. If you have pets, change cage linings and litter boxes frequently and consider isolating pets to one room in the house. It’s easier to tackle one stinky room than an entire stinky home.  

3. Increasing air circulation is only a start

Leaving windows open for a few hours prior to your showing can remove that stale lived-in smell, but is not enough to remove pet odors and long-term smoke-smell. Start by doing a top to bottom clean – wash down walls, bedding, curtains, pet toys and blankets and consider hiring a cleaning service that specializes in cleaning carpets and upholstery. In the case of smoke, you may also want to consider re-painting as the smoke will have penetrated deep into your dry-wall.

4. Buy an air purifier (or several) with the deepest-bed activated carbon filter you can afford

Most air purifiers only have a HEPA filter for particles or a tiny carbon filter which is completely ineffective on tough pet odors and smoke odors. A deep-bed activated carbon filter will actually absorb odors and smoke. It’s important to keep these units running 24/7 as it may take time to remove odors that are embedded in furniture, draperies, carpeting, clothing and anything else soft and porous in your home that can hold on to odor. Try a 5000 D or a smoke unit like the 5000 DS with an extra tar-trapping filter. 

5. Bake

Once you’ve taken steps to properly control your odor problem – concentrate on creating an inviting atmosphere. It may sound crazy, but people respond to the smell of freshly baked cookies or bread. If you don’t have time to bake, boil some orange peel, cinnamon, vanilla and cloves on the stove top. Real estate agents swear by it.  

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.

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