Extreme weather caused by air pollution: Study

Weather extremes like drought and flooding can affect your indoor air quality, health and well-being

Cloud formation can be influenced by aerosols in the air,
researchers say, and lead to extreme weather conditions.

A new study shows that increases in air pollution and other particulate matter in the atmosphere can influence the way clouds are formed and therefore reduce rainfalls in dry regions and seasons.

At the same time, the phenomenon may lead to more rain, snowfalls and severe storms in wet regions or seasons, the researchers found.

The study was published in the journal Nature Geoscience and provides evidence how aerosols (soot, dust and other particulates) can affect weather and climate.

"Using a 10-year data set of atmospheric measurements, we have uncovered the long-term, net impact of aerosols on cloud height and thickness and the resulting changes in precipitation frequency and intensity," says Zhanqing Li, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Maryland and lead author of a paper reporting the results.

The scientific community is trying to understand aerosols’ effects on cloud and precipitation development, human activities’ effects on climate change and other issues related to air pollution, disaster relief and water resource management, for example.

Aerosols are tiny solid particles or liquid particles suspended in air and can include soot, dust and sulfate particles (as in smog).

The researchers found that aerosols can impact the heating and phase changes (like condensing and freezing) of clouds, which can either inhibit or intensify clouds and precipitation.

Fires contribute to aerosol
levels in the air.

Aerosols come from the combustion of fossil fuels, industrial processes, agricultural activities and field and forest fires.

Source: National Science Foundation

Air pollution and extreme weather can lead to poor indoor air quality

Whether it’s air pollution from outside seeping in, airborne dust particles turning up everywhere or flooding in the home – extreme weather conditions can wreak havoc on the air quality inside and your personal health and well-being.

When it comes to extreme weather, it’s often best to leave windows closed, reduce chemical use indoors, change the filters for the HVAC system and continuously run an air purifier with a multistage filtration system.

AllerAir specializes in air purifiers designed to remove odors, chemicals, dust, particles, bacteria, viruses, mold as well as many other pollutants.

Among the specialized units are air purifiers for mold (which often becomes an issue after floods), air purifiers for allergies and asthma (superior particle control and odor removal) and general purpose air purifiers.

To find out which one is best for your home or office, consult our model selection and sizing guides or contact us directly.

Air Quality Worsens as South California Wildfires Continue to Burn

As the air quality in and around the Los Angeles area continues to worsen due to uncontained wildfires, more and more South California residents carry on searching for a solution to remove the soot and ash that have been emitted into the air in dangerous quantities.

According to the South Coast Air Quality Management District, the San Fernando Valley, the Santa Clarita Valley and portions of the San Gabriel Mountains will be directly affected by the smoke.

The California chapter of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America reported that high winds can spread pollen and other allergens, increasing the risk of asthma attacks.

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) experts at AllerAir Industries suggest that people who live in or around the area equip their homes with an air purifier designed to remove the dangerous toxins emitted through wildfire smoke.

People living in affected wildfire areas are invited to visit www.allerair.com or contact one of AllerAir’s IAQ Experts at 1-888-852-8247 for more information on air purifiers or the dangers of wildfire smoke.

Diesel Exhaust and California Air Pollution; Air Purifiers a Must for Polluted State

One of the worst states to live in, in terms of pollution, is California. Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Experts agree: if any state should be worried about its air quality, it is indeed this one—- and if any residents should use air purifiers, Californians should.

A new report released this week by the South Coast Air Quality Management District found diesel exhaust was the key driver for air toxics risk, accounting for more than 80 percent of the total air toxics risk in the overall Southern California area sampled. In areas where there is more truck traffic, the air quality is significantly worse.

A separate report issued by Cal State Northridge researchers states that particulate concentrations are on the rise in the east end of the San Fernando Valley.

California also has the worst rate of soot pollution in the United States, according to a 2006 report released by an environmental group.

The air quality reports and alerts that focus on California are abundant. Karen Hand, B. Chem. Eng and IAQ Expert with AllerAir says, “People who live in California must take measures to ensure that the air they breathe when they are indoors is at least safer than the air outdoors—- and that’s not necessarily the case if you don’t have an air purifier in your home.”

Hand recommends air purifier units like AllerAir’s Air Medic+ Exec, that combines a HEPA filter to remove 99.97% of particles, with a deep-bed carbon filter for additional protection against dangerous airborne chemicals.

For more information on air purifiers, you can contact any of AllerAir’s IAQ Experts at 888.852.8247.

Cook, DuPage and 12 Other Illinois Counties Below EPA Air Quality Standard

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 14 Illinois counties, including Cook and DuPage, do not meet air quality standards for fine particles, more commonly referred to as soot.

Exposure to soot can be associated with heart or lung disease and premature death, according to the EPA. The particles can also lead to bronchitis, asthma attacks, heart attacks and other ailments.

The Indoor Air Quality Experts (IAQ) at AllerAir agree that fine particles are extremely dangerous, and are recommending that the Illinois counties that are below EPA air quality standards incorporate air purifiers into their homes and businesses.

Air purifiers are becoming the standard in relatively healthy homes across North America, but they are an absolute must in states like Illinois where the air in many of the counties is simply unfit to breathe. This is going to be especially important for children, the elderly and people with respiratory difficulties.

To speak with an Indoor Air Quality Expert about the dangers of fine particles, common indoor air pollutants or the benefits of an air purifier, call AllerAir toll free at 888.852.8247.