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.

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Protect children from toxic house dust

Young children can be affected by toxic house dust.

It’s not only airborne chemicals and gases in the home that pose a risk to children’s health.

Dust, a common occurrence in indoor environments, can also carry exposure risks.

That’s because a lot of pollutants can attach themselves to tiny dust particles, and when the dust is disturbed and becomes airborne, it too becomes a respiratory hazard.

Studies show that house dust can contain chemical pollutants such as flame retardants, metals like lead, mercury and poisons like pesticides. Even bacteria and viruses can attach themselves to dust particles and pose exposure risks.

People can track chemicals and dust in from the outside, but they can also be generated by activities that are going on inside, or from the wear-and-tear of common household products.

Children are most at risk because their bodies are still developing and they eat more, drink more and breathe more in proportion to their body size. Young children are also closer to the floor and tend to crawl, touch, chew and explore things by putting them into their mouths.

For these reasons, house dust should not be allowed to accumulate in a home with children or pets, and some experts say it should be treated as an environmental health risk.

Here are some pointers to minimize exposure:

1. Clean regularly. You don’t have to overdo it, but setting up a regular cleaning schedule and keeping to it will help avoid the accumulation of dust and particles in the home. Adjust the cleaning schedule for the number of people living under the roof, pets, weather conditions and other factors.
2. Clean with moisture. The best way to avoid disturbing existing dust is to vacuum with a HEPA vacuum cleaner and use a wet cloth and mop. You don’t need harsh chemicals in the water, a bit of white vinegar or a few drops of soap will be enough.
3. Store toys in closed containers and avoid a lot of knickknacks and clutter in the house.
4. Take your shoes off at the door and clean the door mats frequently – separately from your other laundry.

More information: www.healthyenvironmentforkids.ca

Filter out airborne dust and particles

AllerAir's AirMedic Series: Powerful
particle and dust controllers.

AllerAir has developed portable air purifiers for superior particle control, while also featuring a deep-bed carbon filter for the removal of chemicals, gases and odors.

The AirMedic Series and AirMedic+ Series filter out particles with a 360-degree air intake, the best in HEPA filtration (to remove 99.97% of particles at 0.3 microns) as well as ProDense pre-filters that tackle larger particles and dust.

These air purifiers also feature many pounds of activated carbon to adsorb a wide range of odors, gases, chemicals, VOCs and more.

Use the Air Quality Sizing Guide as well as the Model Selection Guide to figure out the best unit for your home, or contact AllerAir for more information.

Top 5 actions parents can take to reduce child exposure to toxic chemicals at home

Leading Canadian health and environmental experts have issued a list of the top five ways parents can protect their children from toxic substances in and around the home:

Controlling house dust (which also contains chemicals); switching to less-toxic, fragrance-free cleaners; taking extreme care with renovation projects; avoiding certain types and uses of plastics; and choosing fish that are low in mercury are the five priority actions recommended by the Canadian Partnership for Children's Health and Environment (CPCHE) to reduce common sources of toxic exposure associated with child health risks.

"If parents take simple actions in these five areas, they can significantly reduce their children's exposures to toxics – and even save money," says Erica Phipps, CPCHE Partnership Director.

The Top 5 Ways for Parents to Prevent Child Exposure to Toxics at Home

1) Bust that dust
Frequent vacuuming or wet mopping, and dusting with a damp cloth, top the list of recommended measures.
"House dust is a major source of children's exposures to toxic substances including lead which, even at very low levels, is known to be harmful to the developing brain." says Prof. Bruce Lanphear of Simon Fraser University, a world-leading expert on children's environmental health who serves as an advisor to CPCHE.

"The developing brain of a fetus or young child is particularly susceptible to the neurotoxic effects of lead, mercury and other toxic chemicals," Dr. Lanphear adds. "An infant will absorb about 50 per cent of ingested lead, whereas an adult absorbs about 10 per cent. This, combined with children's frequent hand-to-mouth behaviour, places children at much greater risk."

In May, Health Canada researchers released data from the Canadian House Dust Study that showed measurable concentrations of bioaccessible lead (lead that can be absorbed by the body) in all homes tested, with values ranging from 8 to 3916 parts per million (ppm), as measured from analysis of the contents of vacuum cleaner bags.

CPCHE's recommendations, which are being presented to parents in a brochure and on the CPCHE website, focus on simple steps that parents can take now without making major changes. CPCHE will release a short video later this year to reach more parents with the recommendations.

"Expectant and new parents, in particular, need practical advice to help them safeguard their children from health risks — such as learning and behavioural disorders, asthma, cancer and certain birth defects — that researchers have linked to toxic chemicals found in and around the home," says Phipps. "The time of greatest vulnerability is in the womb."

2) Go green when you clean
Parents can reduce their family's exposure to toxic chemicals and save money by switching to simple, non-toxic cleaners.

Baking soda is a good scouring powder for tubs and sinks, and vinegar mixed with water works well for cleaning windows, surfaces and floors, the experts point out. Avoiding the use of air "fresheners" and selecting fragrance-free laundry detergents can reduce children's exposures to the chemicals used to make fragrance or "parfum," some of which have been linked to disruption of normal hormone function.

Echoing the advice of physician groups, including the Canadian Medical Association, the experts also advise against the use of antibacterial soaps.

3) Renovate right
If families are upgrading their homes, CPCHE recommends that pregnant women and children stay away from areas being renovated to avoid exposure to contaminant-laden renovation dust and toxic fumes from products such as paints, caulking and glues. Care must be taken to seal off the area being renovated from the rest of the home using plastic sheeting, and careful dust-busting is essential during and after any renovation or repair project.

4) Get drastic with plastic
Parents can take protective action by being selective in their use of plastic products, especially when it comes to serving and storing food. The experts caution parents not to use plastic containers or wrap in the microwave, even if the label says "microwave safe," as the chemicals in the plastic can migrate into the food or beverage. Eating fresh and frozen foods whenever possible will reduce exposure to Bisphenol-A (BPA), a chemical used in the lining of most food and drink cans. BPA is associated with a wide range of potential health effects, including impacts on the developing brain and disruption of endocrine (hormone) function.
The experts also caution about plastic products made of PVC, commonly known as vinyl, which contains a class of chemical plasticizers knows as phthalates that are associated with diverse health effects. Although phthalates are banned from some children's toys as of June 2011, many other vinyl products are still on the market, such as bibs, shower curtains and children's raincoats. The experts advise parents to discard older toys and teethers that are made of this soft plastic.

5) Dish safer fish
To reduce children's exposure to mercury, a metal that is toxic to the brain, the experts advise choosing varieties of fish that are low in mercury, such as Atlantic mackerel, herring, rainbow trout, wild or canned salmon and tilapia. If serving canned tuna, look for "light" varieties, as these are lower in mercury than albacore or "white" tuna. If you catch fish in local waters, check your province or territory's advisories to see whether it is safe to eat, the experts add.


For more information on reducing chemical exposure and improving indoor air quality connect with the clean air experts:

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