Study finds brain damage typical of aging and memory loss after short-term exposure to vehicle pollution
A new study reveals that after short-term exposure to vehicle pollution, mice showed significant brain damage — including signs associated with memory loss and Alzheimer's disease.
The mind-numbing pollution is not an exhaust gas, but a mix of tiny particles from burning of fossil fuel and weathering of car parts and pavement, according to the study to be published today in the leading journal Environmental Health Perspectives.
The authors found a way to recreate air laden with freeway particulate matter inside the laboratory. Whether in a test tube or in live mice, brain cells showed similar responses:
Neurons involved in learning and memory showed significant damage,
The brain showed signs of inflammation associated with premature aging and Alzheimer's disease,
Neurons from developing mice did not grow as well.
Exposure lasted a total of 150 hours, spread over 10 weeks, in three sessions per week lasting five hours each.
AllerAir recommends to anyone living in close proximity to highways to consider using an air purifier like an Air Medic, with a medical-grade HEPA filter for fine particles and a deep-bed activated carbon filter for chemicals and odors.
For more information on AllerAir air cleaners, connect with us: www.allerair.com
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An interesting report was released this week about Canadians' attitudes on air quality, green products and sustainability. It revealed that while an overwhelming majority of homeowners (98%) view indoor air quality as important, only half are aware of products to improve their indoor air quality.
So in light of those surprising results, we wanted to discuss how a quality air cleaner can improve your indoor air quality:
1. Remove airborne chemicals
Environmental chemicals are among the most hotly debated air pollutants. Some studies have linked chemicals in air pollution to asthma, allergies, heart problems and even cancer. A top quality air purifier with deep-bed activated carbon, like the AllerAir 5000 removes a wide range of chemicals - far more pollutants than an air cleaner with only a HEPA filter. For tobacco chemicals and odors try the AllerAir 5000 DS for tobacco smoke.
2. Remove airborne dust, dander, pollen and larger airborne viruses
For those concerned about particles, AllerAir air purifiers are also equipped with medical-grade HEPA or micro-HEPA particle filters that remove at least 99.97% of airborne particles 0.3 microns in size.
3. Remove odors
Many consumers are surprised to learn that most air purifiers can't remove odors. That's because most air cleaners only focus on airborne particles. AllerAir incorporates deep-bed activated carbon filters into their air cleaners. Activated carbon is a well-established and widely used filtration media renowned for its ability to attract and "soak-up" (adsorb) some of the world's toughest chemicals and odors. AllerAir provides homeowners with more activated carbon than other room air cleaners for effective chemical and odor removal. An ideal choice for indoor air quality problems relating to pet odors, smoking, smells from industrial pollution and neighboring dwellings.
Answer: Many people who suffer from respiratory ailments are keenly aware of triggers like pollen, dust, mold and pet dander - but what about airborne chemicals?
Prominent organizations like the American Lung Association now recognize that exposure to airborne chemicals can contribute to chronic respiratory problems and allergic reactions. In fact, some scientists believe that chemical exposure may be a contributing factor in the development of asthma.
With chemicals and fragrances so much a part of daily lives, we believe that both a HEPA filter for particles and a deep-bed activated carbon filter for airborne chemicals and odors provides the cleanest possible air for allergy and asthma sufferers.
My son, who is an allergic-asthmatic (asthma triggered primarily by allergies), has an AllerAir AirMedic in his room. It features an 18 lb. carbon filter for chemicals and odors, (which is more than some industrial machines) and a medical-grade HEPA filter for fine airborne particles. Besides removing a wide range of airborne triggers, we also found the AirMedic really effective on strong smells and fumes like cleaning products and paint.
For more information on which AllerAir air purifier is right for you. Contact us via twitter, livechat or by phone 1-888-852-8247.
The information presented in this blog is basic and general in nature. It should never replace the advice of a medical professional. Always consult your medical practitioner for advice concerning your particular health concern.
We've received an increasing number of questions lately
about chemtrails and our activated carbon/HEPA air purifiers:
“I’m concerned about chemtrails in my area, but because I don’t know the exact chemical composition, I’m wondering - will your air cleaner s be
effective on a lot of different chemicals?”
Yes, AllerAir units are an ideal choice for removing a wide
range of airborne chemicals. We use activated
carbon filters (a filtration method used widely by the military and heavy
industry) to adsorb airborne chemicals and offer the deepest carbon bed filters
available in a home air cleaner. In fact, many of our home units have as much
activated carbon as some industrial/military air cleaners.
We have two air quality experts who are knowledgeable about
chemtrails and can help recommend a unit:
WASHINGTON – Several
federal agencies have unveiled a new high-speed robot screening system that
will test 10,000 different chemicals for potential toxicity. The system marks
the beginning of a new phase of an ongoing collaboration, referred to as Tox21,
that is working to protect people’s health by improving how chemicals are
tested in this country.
The robot system, which is located at the National Institutes of Health
Chemical Genomics Center (NCGC), was purchased as part of the Tox21
collaboration established in 2008 between the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA), the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences National
Toxicology Program, and NCGC, with the addition of the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) in 2010. Tox21 merges existing resources – research,
funding and testing tools – to develop ways to more effectively predict how
chemicals will affect human health and the environment.
“Understanding the molecular basis of hazard is fundamental to the protection
of people’s health and the environment,” said Dr. Paul Anastas, assistant
administrator of EPA’s Office of Research and Development, “Tox21 allows us to
obtain deeper understanding and more powerful insights, faster than ever
before.”
The 10,000 chemicals the robot system will screen include chemicals found in industrial and consumer products, food additives and
drugs. Testing results will provide information useful for evaluating if these
chemicals have the potential to disrupt human body processes enough to lead to
adverse health effects.
“Tox21 has used robots to screen chemicals since 2008, but this new robot
system is dedicated to screening a much larger compound library,” said NHGRI
Director Eric Green, M.D., Ph.D. The director of the NCGC at NHGRI, Christopher
Austin, M.D., added “The Tox21 collaboration will transform our understanding
of toxicology with the ability to test in a day what would take one year for a
person to do by hand.” “The addition of this new robot system will allow the National
Toxicology Program to advance its mission of testing chemicals smarter, better,
and faster,” said Linda Birnbaum, Ph.D., NIEHS and NTP director. “We will be
able to more quickly provide information about potentially dangerous substances
to health and regulatory decision makers, and others, so they can make informed
decisions to protect public health.”
Tox21 has already screened more than 2,500 chemicals for potential toxicity
using robots and other innovative chemical screening technologies. The Tox21
chemical screening technologies were used to screen the different types of oil
spill dispersants for potential endocrine activity during the BP oil spill in
the Gulf of Mexico last year. “This partnership builds upon FDA’s commitment
to developing new methods to evaluate the toxicity of the substances we
regulate,” said Dr. Janet Woodcock, director of FDA’s Center for Drug
Evaluation and Research.
EPA contributes to Tox21 through the ToxCast program and by providing chemicals
and additional fast, automated tests. ToxCast currently includes 500 chemical
screening tests that are assessing more than 1,000 chemicals.
A University of Washington study analyzed more than two dozen commonly used scented household items - all of them emitted chemicals that are classified as toxic or hazardous under federal laws.
Watch this CBS news report - it follows a short commercial for colon cancer screening...
Will an air cleaner remove these airborne chemicals? Don't be fooled by misleading advertising! A HEPA filter cannot remove airborne odors, fragrances and chemcials. Only an air purifier with a deep-bed activated carbon filter (like what you'd find in a military gas mask) can remove airborne chemicals, gases and odors.
Doctors in Atlanta are saying that pollen levels are off-the-charts for this time of year.
The cause? Mild temperatures that essentially "wake-up" pollen producing trees. With temperatures expected to stay mild for the next 10 days the pollen level - and the allergic misery that comes with it will increase.
Don't suffer this allergy season! Consider a high quality air cleaner with a HEPA filter and activated carbon like the AllerAir AirMedic for allergies. The HEPA filter will trap pollen, dust and pet dander while the carbon filter removes air pollution, chemicals and odors.
The Kilauea volcano continued to erupt at two locations today and the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reports that sulfur
dioxide emission rates from the summit and east rift zone vents remain
elevated.
VOG is made up of dangerous chemicals, gases, odors and particles that penetrate deep into the lungs and mucus membranes of the eyes, nose and throat.
A HEPA air cleaner can only remove particles, leaving behind all other pollutants to linger in your air.
The AllerAir 5000 VOG and AirMedic VOG feature both a medical-grade HEPA filter and a customized activated carbon filter, designed specifically to adsorb the dangerous properties of VOG pollution.
Activated carbon is a proven, highly adsorbent material used by the military and industry to deal with the world’s most dangerous airborne toxins.
The 5000 VOG and AirMedic VOG feature the deepest carbon filter available in a home air cleaner to provide more effective air cleaning of VOG pollutants.
For more information on our VOG air cleaners contact an Indoor Air Quality Expert at 1-888-852-8247, start a live chat or post a question on Twitter.
"The EPA says that the only available study of the use of plants to control indoor air pollutants couldn't determine any benefit in the use of plants. Furthermore, the EPA warns that plants in certain situations can make air more polluted, as the damp soil required to grow them is a breeding ground for unhealthy micro-organisms."
An international team of lung experts has new evidence from a study in shantytowns near Lima, Peru, that teens living immediately next to a busy roadway have increased risk of allergies and asthma. The odds can go up by 30 percent for developing allergies to dust mites, pet hairs and mold, and can double for having actual asthma symptoms, such as wheezing and using medications to help them breathe.
The study, published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, is believed to be the first to link heightened rates of allergic disease and exposure to traffic-related pollution as a possible reason for increased rates of asthma along major transit routes. Previous studies in Europe and North America relied on self reports of asthma symptoms or produced conflicting results on possible tie-ins with high levels of airborne pollution. Until now, experts say no study has looked at how busy roadways affect the allergic origins of asthma, a respiratory disease that afflicts some 17 million Americans, including some 5 million children.
Experts at Johns Hopkins who participated in the study also found that the risk of allergic disease, or atopy, and of having asthma among 725 teenagers, ages 13 through 15, was worst for those living immediately next to the busy road, where a steady stream of traffic across multiple lanes flowed unimpeded all day long. Atopy rates went up by 7 percent for every city block (approximately 300 feet) closer they lived to the road. For those who lived next to the road, the odds of having asthma were twice that of those who lived a quarter-mile (about four city blocks) away.
“Our study clearly shows why we need to protect respiratory health and plan future major roadways here or abroad away from residential areas and schools,” says senior study investigator and pulmonologist William Checkley, M.D., Ph.D. “We can also now try preventive strategies aimed at reducing allergic exposure near roadways to see if this lowers rates of asthma,” adds Checkley, an assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the University’s Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Checkley and lead study investigator Lauren Baumann, M.H.S., chose a poor district of Lima, called Pampas de San Juan de Miraflores, for their study because Peru has the highest rates of asthma symptoms among children in Latin America, at 26 percent. In addition, large numbers of shantytowns like San Juan de Miraflores have sprung up around the nation’s largest city within the last few decades, many with a single, congested and slow-moving main thoroughfare.
Baumann, a former Johns Hopkins graduate student in public health, says only the most-at-risk children were included in the study, pointing out that people who do not outgrow their asthma by their early teens are twice as likely to remain asthmatic through adulthood. The year-long study, begun in 2008, included home visits to measure lung function and environmental air pollutants.
“Family physicians and public health workers now know they need to more closely monitor children who live near major roadways for allergies and for the earliest signs of asthma,” says Checkley, who notes that his team next plans further studies on the underlying genetic profile of those at greater risk of atopy and asthma. “Our ultimate goal is to identify other key environmental stimuli or traffic-related pollutants that help trigger allergic disease, and then use our knowledge of how they work biologically to stop them before asthma sets in,” he says.
SC Johnson is being challenged on two fronts about its self-imposed labeling of products as being environmentally-friendly.
A two-year-old civil suit accused the household products giant of being deceptive in implying that its Windex glass cleaner and Shout stain remover were tested by a neutral party. Also, the federal government is considering new regulations on the subject. Both products carry the “Green-list” seal of approval. But a customer has to look on the inside label to see that Johnson actually holds the patent to “Green-list.” The legal cases are still pending in Wisconsin and California. Under the proposed federal regulations, it would be considered deceptive for a company to imply that a product has been certified by an outside party when it’s really not.
SC Johnson spokesman Christopher Beard denies that its “Green-list” label is misleading. He says the company’s program has eliminated 48-million pounds of volatile organic chemicals from its cleaning products in the past five years.
There could be an upside to all that sneezing and wheezing: Allergies may protect against brain cancer, new research suggests.
The more allergies a person has, the lower his or her risk of developing a glioma, the most common type of brain tumor, according to a study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. Gliomas account for more than half of the 22,000 new cases of brain and nervous system cancers diagnosed in the United States each year.
Researchers analyzed surveys from more than 10,000 people with and without gliomas; all were asked whether they had doctor-diagnosed allergies and if they took antihistamines. The approximately 400 participants with brain tumors were likeliest to report being allergy-free. The researchers did not, however, specify how much more likely someone without allergies was to develop brain cancer than someone with allergies, CNN reports. Though the reason for the association is unclear, the study authors speculate that an overactive immune system, which causes allergies, increases the chances of warding off cancer.
(NaturalNews) Mothers exposed to high levels of pesticides bear children with lower intelligence levels than children born to mothers not exposed, says a new study published online in the journal Pediatrics. Piperonyl butoxide (PBO), a common chemical used in thousands of household insecticides to boost the effectiveness of another chemical known as pyrethroid, delays childhood development and causes brain damage.
Megan Horton, a postdoctoral research fellow from Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health, and her team tracked 348 mothers from around New York City for their study. They took both air and blood samples of the women to track their exposure to PBO, and compared the intelligence levels of children from each exposure grouping. Based on this assessment, the team observed a significant connection between high levels of PBO exposure and delayed development in children.
"Kids who were in the highest quartile range of exposure to PBO were three times as likely to be in the delayed category, compared to kids with lower exposure," said Horton, noting that the research took into account other factors that may affect development, including exposure to tobacco.
Pyrethroid insecticides have largely taken the place of organophosphorus (OP) insecticides, which were used more widely in the past but are now known to cause serious nerve damage and other problems in birds and mammals. But based on the evidence, pyrethroids are not much better as they cause significant harm to both children and adults.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), pyrethroids are used in over 3,500 registered insecticide products. Known side effects caused by exposure include breathing problems, chest pains, rashes, blisters, endocrine disruption, reproductive problems, learning disorders, chromosome damage, blood abnormalities, and thyroid problems.
Like most air cleaners in the $500-$1200 price range AllerAir uses a high quality HEPA filter to remove airborne particles. But cleaning the air is more than just removing dust – what about chemicals and odors?
When comparing top brands, AllerAir units feature more activated carbon than the top competitors. In fact most competing brands actually consider chemical and odor filters as an option or require you to buy their premium, specialty units. AllAllerAir models offer chemical and odor control as a standard feature.
AllerAir also has 40 blends of activated carbon to better address specific chemical and odor concerns. This is significant because some types of activated carbon are more effective for organic compounds (VOCs), such as benzene, toluene and styrene and less effective on other less volatile pollutants.
Maintenance
HEPA filters generally last much longer than activated carbon filters. That’s why units that integrate these two filters are generally more costly to maintain as they force the user to change both filters even if only one is used up. AllerAir units have a separate pre-filter, HEPA filter and carbon filter. Each can be changed independently only when required.
Value for the Money
Air purifiers can vary widely from brand to brand, so it’s helpful to consider overall value. AllerAir units consistently provide more filtration, more features and more options than comparable models - giving you more for your filtration dollar.
Overall Review: AllerAir Advantages
Medical-grade HEPA filtration
More chemical, gas and odor filtration media
Special carbon blends; more effective on specific chemical/odor problems
Separate filters; only change those that need to be change
Great value for the money; more filtration, options and features
In research described as "a stark warning" to those tempted to start smoking, scientists are reporting that cigarette smoke begins to cause genetic damage within minutes — not years — after inhalation into the lungs.
Their report, the first human study to detail the way certain substances in tobacco cause DNA damage linked to cancer, appears in Chemical Research in Toxicology, one of 38 peer-reviewed scientific journals published by the American Chemical Society.
Stephen S. Hecht, Ph.D., and colleagues point out in the report that lung cancer claims a global toll of 3,000 lives each day, largely as a result of cigarette smoking. Smoking also is linked to at least 18 other types of cancer. Evidence indicates that harmful substances in tobacco smoke termed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs, are one of the culprits in causing lung cancer. Until now, however, scientists had not detailed the specific way in which the PAHs in cigarette smoke cause DNA damage in humans.
The scientists added a labeled PAH, phenanthrene, to cigarettes and tracked its fate in 12 volunteers who smoked the cigarettes. They found that phenanthrene quickly forms a toxic substance in the blood known to trash DNA, causing mutations that can cause cancer. The smokers developed maximum levels of the substance in a time frame that surprised even the researchers: Just 15-30 minutes after the volunteers finished smoking. Researchers said the effect is so fast that it's equivalent to injecting the substance directly into the bloodstream.
"This study is unique," writes Hecht, an internationally recognized expert on cancer-causing substances found in cigarette smoke and smokeless tobacco. "It is the first to investigate human metabolism of a PAH specifically delivered by inhalation in cigarette smoke, without interference by other sources of exposure such as air pollution or diet. The results reported here should serve as a stark warning to those who are considering starting to smoke cigarettes," the article notes.
AllerAir has one of the only air purifiers for cigarette smoke that removes airborne particles, chemicals and odors. Visit our website for more information.
Scientists are
reporting that so-called "thirdhand smoke" — the invisible remains of
cigarette smoke that deposits on carpeting, clothing, furniture and other
surfaces — may be even more of a health hazard than previously believed. The
study, published in ACS' journal, Environmental Science & Technology,
extends the known health risks of tobacco among people who do not smoke but
encounter the smoke exhaled by smokers or released by smoldering cigarette
butts.
Yael Dubowski
and colleagues note that thirdhand smoke is a newly recognized contributor to
the health risks of tobacco and indoor air pollution. Studies show that that
nicotine in thirdhand smoke can react with the ozone in indoor air and surfaces
like clothing and furniture, to form other pollutants. Exposure to them can
occur to babies crawling on the carpet, people napping on the sofa, or people
eating food tainted by thirdhand smoke.
In an effort to
learn more about thirdhand smoke, the scientists studied interactions between
nicotine and indoor air on a variety of different materials, including
cellulose (a component of wood furniture), cotton, and paper to simulate
typical indoor surfaces. They found that nicotine interacts with ozone, in
indoor air, to form potentially toxic pollutants on these surfaces. "Given
the toxicity of some of the identified products and that small particles may
contribute to adverse health effects, the present study indicates that exposure
to [thirdhand smoke] may pose additional health risks," the article notes.
This extra level of filtration is proving to be a vital component for maintaining good air quality.
According to an extensive study of the air in nearly 50,000 American homes, 70% were found to have high levels of airborne chemical pollutants.
Exposure to chemical pollutants has been associated with a range of symptoms and health issues including:
Asthma
Allergies
Nose and throat irritation
Shortness of breath
Coughing and sneezing
Headaches
Nausea
Dizziness
Fatigue
Poor concentration
Rashes
Digestive problems
Chemical sensitivity
Sick building syndrome
Some indoor air pollutants, particularly formaldehyde, benzene and radon (a naturally occurring radioactive gas), are known to cause cancer.
An activated carbon filter is one of the only safe and proven filtration methods for removing airborne chemicals, gases and odors. Carbon that is “activated’ undergoes a process which opens up millions of pores and fissures that attract and trap airborne pollutants.
A deep-bed activated carbon filter has an incredibly large surface area which gives it amazing adsorption capabilities. One pound of activated carbon can adsorb about 20% to 50% of its own weight in pollutants. As a result, carbon filters are widely used by the military, hospitals and industry to maintain good air quality.
AllerAir's Activated Carbon Filter
To be effective, an activated carbon filter should be several inches thick and use granular activated carbon.
The AllerAir 5000 Exec for general air filtration features 18 lbs. of granular activated carbon in a 2.5” filter, in addition to medical-grade HEPA filter for particles.
Be wary of any air cleaner that uses a mesh-style activated carbon filter. This type of activated carbon filter is generally impregnated with carbon dust and does not have the adsorption capacity required to efficiently remove airborne chemicals and odors.
A deep-bed activated carbon filter, like those used by AllerAir, can remove airborne pollutants for up to five years in an average home environment.
How can clean clothes hanging in a closet have a smell? The answer
may surprise you – the problem is dirty air. Just imagine what would happen if
you forgot to dust your bedside table for several weeks? It would quickly
develop a coating of dust, microscopic bacteria and even mold spores. Clothes
hanging in your closet are no different. In fact, fabric is an easy target for airborne particles, chemicals, and household odors.
So what’s the solution?
Unlike dusting furniture, cleaning your entire closet of
clothes every few days is just not practical. The use of sprays and air fresheners is also not recommended. These products tend to contain chemical scents that
only mask the stale smell temporarily and have been shown to trigger allergic
reactions, aggravate asthma and potentially cause long term health issues. Here are some safe and proven tips to help remove that stale closet smell:
Increase air circulation and bring in more fresh air. Open the windows often or use a high quality air purifier with an odor controlling carbon filter like the AllerAir AirTube. This type of air cleaner removes 99.97% of airborne dust, hair, bacteria and other particles like mold spores. The carbon filter uses the same material found in military gas mask to remove odors and chemicals. Your entire room will smell fresher and so will your clothes. A great products for allergy suffers!
Use a HEPA vacuum. Using a vacuum with a HEPA filter actually traps dust as you clean. Old style vacuums will send dust right back into the air and onto your clothes.
If it stinks, don’t put it in your closet.You’ve just worn your favorite dress out for dinner and its "dry clean only". Avoid the temptation to hang it back in your closet! It has likely absorbed food smells and perhaps even cigarette smoke. If you’re determined not to clean it, try hanging it in outside overnight or leave it closed up in your bathroom with the window open. This will help dissipate some of the odors.
Never hang damp clothes in your closet.You’ve done your laundry and you hang your damp top on the back of your closet door for tomorrow. You may feel like the pillar of efficiency, but that damp top is a magnet for mold and mildew. Make sure clothes are 100% dry before putting them away.
By taking these few simple steps you will not only help keep your clothes smelling clean and fresh, but you'll be improving the overall air quality in your home....clean air is your best accessory!
This is a picture of AllerAir's pink Air Tube Exec air purifier in my daughter's room. It matches perfectly with our Pottery Barn bedding (Penelope) and provides exceptionally clean air with both a medical-grade HEPA filter for dust and a 7 lb. carbon filter for chemicals and odors!
It also provides a source of soothing white noise to improve baby's sleep! We learned that the hard way when I borrowed the air cleaner for my bedroom during the fall allergy surge. My daughter immediately began waking several times during the night. Once we replaced the air purifier she was back to her old self!
"I recently got married and along with that came two very large dogs. With the two larges came an allergy that I did not know that I had, to say nothing about the odor in the bedroom from the dogs. With this new air filter system, the odor is gone and so are the sniffles. What a pleasure."
This story was posted by Sue from Killingly,CT
"We have 4 dogs living in our home with us and keep our purifier in the living room...our multi-level house is approx. 2200 sq. feet and we have NO dog odor at all. People have commented to that fact...we love it!"
"We have a small 1000 square foot house, with two dogs (Shar-pei) nicknames Stinky and Binky (real names Lucas & Loxie) I never knew how they could smell until I moved into a smaller house. Then we now have a baby going on 11 months old and diapers are another problem of course.
We bought a special Rubbermaid trashcan the Kind at the hospital to contain the smell, works as long as you don't open it. ($200) and my wife loves to cook seafood, besides my 90 gallon aquarium in the living room didn't help either. So I bought ORECK Air Purifier to help with the smell, yea right ($600+) gone! Then I bought a [...] Special, right special alright $100 gone and an Eden Pure $400 OK, for the bedroom with no traffic. Sharper Image Smalls ones x 3 for $750 Ebay, died or faded was not reliable.
I talked my wife into one more try, using charcoal AllerAir 6000 was the way to go. We found out the hard way. As you can see I was very skeptical at first. Surprised I had to do some assembling wasn't bad, just didn't want to break it. Sturdy, solid and heavy but the wheels make it no problem. The first week I notice a little change in the odor suppressed. But by the second week I did notice a difference, I did have to leave it on setting medium at night. I've placed it right by the dog bed and the trash can in the kitchen and it works. As for the noise level I really don't notice it on with the dogs barking, baby crying, TV on, stereo on, aquarium pumps LOL! I forget it was on. I'm not one to advertise stuff, but I'm returning the favor of the previous comment left by someone with two dogs and it helped me make a decision to buy one. God Bless, Kris"
Answer:
Yes, an air cleaner with a HEPA air filter will remove dog hair. Larger particles such as hair will often be trapped by the pre-filter before it even reaches the HEPA filter. Therefore, having a convenient quick-change pre-filter is important for pet owners so that the filter can be vacuumed or changed as required (usually every three-months at minimum with dog hair). All AllerAir numerical series units (4000, 5000, 6000) have a quick-change pre-filter ---you simply reach under the unit and pull it out, no tools required!
It's important to note that air cleaners are designed to remove particles that are airborne. If you run your air cleaner 24/7 you will notice a difference in the level of dog hair and dander in your home, however it's wise to include a HEPA vacuum in your cleaning routine to remove hair that lands on carpets and furniture.
This air purifier review was posted by Jason Richie:
"The allerair 5000 is a fantastic air purifier. Within 15 minutes of turning it on the entire house is essentially beautifully filtered clean air. No paint or other types of chemicals, dust, or allergens. I have conditional mcs and the filtration allows me a very much needed normal homelife. On the low setting the product is barely audible. It becomes quit loud though on the two higher settings."
"This Air Purifier made a big difference. We had a paint-type chemical smell in our house from some toxic sealant used on our floors and other outgassing. It definitely reduced the smell and was easy to move around on the wheels."
Researchers in Denmark have found that long-term exposure to low-level air pollution may increase the risk of developing severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
While several days of exposure to high level air pollution was known to be a risk factor for exacerbating an existing case of COPD, this is the first study to actually link long-term air pollution exposure to the development or progression of the condition.
Many COPD sufferers, and the public in general, are unaware that chronic exposure to low levels of air pollution is most likely to occur in their own homes. The EPA reports that indoor air pollution levels, especially from airborne chemicals, can be 2 to 5 times higher than levels recorded outdoors.
The lead researcher for the new study, Zorana Andersen, Ph.D., says the results are significant on a number of levels.
“Patients, primary care physicians, pulmonologists and public health officials should all take note of our findings,” commented Dr. Anderson.
“We found significant positive associations between levels of all air pollution proxies and COPD incidence. When we adjusted for smoking status and other confounding factors, the association remained significant; indicating that long-term pollution exposure likely is a true risk factor for developing COPD.”
These associations between air pollution exposure and COPD were slightly stronger for men, obese patients and those eating less than 240 grams of fruit each day (approximately eight ounces, or just more than a single serving). But notably, the effect of air pollution on COPD was strongest in people with pre-existing diabetes and asthma.
“These results are in agreement with those of other cross-sectional studies on COPD and air pollution, and longitudinal studies of air pollution and lung function, and strengthen the conclusion that air pollution is a causal agent in development of COPD,” said Dr. Andersen.
The enhanced association between increased risk of COPD and air pollution in asthmatics and diabetics suggests the possibility of an underlying link.
“It is plausible that airflow obstruction and hyper-responsiveness in people with asthma, or systemic inflammation in people with diabetes, can lead to increased susceptibility of the lung to air pollution, resulting in airway inflammation and progression of COPD, but more research is needed in this area.” said Dr. Andersen.
“In any case, sufficient data, including the results of this study, provide evidence that traffic-related urban air pollution contributes to the burden of COPD and that reductions in traffic emissions would be beneficial to public health.”
The Danish research study was published online and ahead of the print edition of the American Thoracic Society’s American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
AllerAir Industries is a respected manufacturer of high efficiency air purifiers.
Unlike other air cleaners, AllerAir units are known for their unique filtration systems that not only incorporate medical-grade HEPA filters for fine particles, but deep-bed carbon filters for airborne chemicals, gases and odors.
For more information on improving your indoor air quality, contact one of our Air Quality Experts today.
New research has shown a quantifiable link between upper respiratory problems and an increase in VOG, with children most affected by VOG polluted air on the Big Island.
Bernadette Longo, assistant professor at the University of Nevada Orvis School of Nursing, compared local health clinic records for the 14 weeks prior to the March 2008 eruption on the summit, to the health clinic records March through June 2008, when the volcano’s SO2 emissions tripled.
She found that there was a 56 percent increase in cough, and a six-fold increase in the odds of having acute airway problems. The clinic also saw three times as many headaches and twice as many severe sore throats after the increase in volcanic emissions.
“The results suggest that children and adolescents are likely to be the most sensitive to SO2 exposure, which is especially concerning,” Longo said. “Children tend to be mouth-breathers. When we breathe through our noses, our noses act as filters, removing about 85 percent of the harmful substances before they can reach our respiratory system and lungs,” she explained. “But, when children breathe mostly through their mouths, they don’t get the benefit of the nose’s filtering system.”
Longo said that in addition to children, the elderly, smokers and those with existing conditions such as asthma and emphysema are also especially at risk. She has been conducting research on vog for eight years and has identified those exposed to Kilauea’s vog are at greater risk of developing acute bronchitis than those not exposed to vog.
Longo also conducted studies published earlier this year in a Family and Community Health article, showing that a large percentage of the VOG SO2 was penetrating indoors, into the Ka’u schools and hospital, especially when air conditioning wasn’t installed or in use and windows were left open. As a result, the area’s schools have installed air conditioners and the hospital’s ventilation system has been improved, with more improvements planned as funding becomes available.
This past summer, Longo worked with local health-care agencies and emergency-room doctors to help provide education to the community about using air conditioners if they have them, closing windows and avoiding outdoor activity during the times of heaviest exposure, 7 p.m. to 10 a.m., each day.
“It is fairly safe for schoolchildren and residents to exercise, go fishing or play outside in the afternoons, when the trade winds keep the vog out of the area,” Longo said. “If people take the necessary precautions, they can lower the health risks posed by the vog, and ultimately, that is the purpose of our research,” she said.
The Kilauea Volcano on Hawaii’s big island has been erupting on its east rift since 1983. But, in March 2008, an additional eruption vent opened at the volcano’s summit, resulting in about triple the amount of sulfur dioxide gas (SO2) emissions drifting to the local community of Ka’u, raising health concerns over the risks associated with exposure to “vog,” as the islanders refer to this volcanic air pollution.
Most commonly associated with cats and dogs, pet allergies can actually be triggered by a wide variety of pets including birds, gerbils, hamsters and even horses!
Pet allergies occur when your immune system reacts to proteins in pets' dander (skin flakes), saliva or urine. Inhaling these allergens triggers inflammation in the lining of your nasal passages, causing sneezing, a runny nose and other signs and symptoms usually associated allergies.
For some people, pet allergies actually lead to an asthma attack triggering contraction of airways of the lungs resulting in wheezing and shortness of breath.
As a pet owner, it's often frustrating when people suggest you "get rid" of your pet to combat your allergies. True, eliminating the source of the allergens seems like the most logical course of action, but for most pet owners this isn't a desirable or practical solution (although in the case of asthma it may something to seriously consider).
If you have pet allergies, but want to keep your pet, here are a few coping strategies:
No Pets in the Bedroom!
You spend more time in your bedroom than any other room in your home. That means the air in your bedroom should be as clean as possible and free from animal allergens.
Run a HEPA air filter 24/7
With pet allergies a high quality air cleaner is a must. Your home has constant supply of airborne allergens, therefore your air purifier should be providing constant air cleaning. AllerAir’s Air Medic series is designed for 24/7 operation and comes with a 10 year warranty on the motor! It features a medical-grade HEPA that removes 99.97% of even the smallest airborne particles, like pet dander and hair and has a large carbon filter for odors and chemicals.
Buy a HEPA vacuum and use it often
A good HEPA vacuum traps the allergens you vacuum up, preventing them from being blown back into the air. With pet allergies it’s really important to vacuum at least twice a week to help reduce the allergen level.
Bathe your pet and its toys once a week
Studies show that weekly baths can reduce the level of allergens on an animal by up to 85%. I speak from experience when I say wear gloves if bathing a cat --- I also did it in an enclosed shower stall which prevented wild escapes which could hurt both you and the animal.
This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. No advice on the internet should ever replace that of a qualitfied physician.
Android phone users can now help further the study of air pollution with only the click of a button. Created by computer scientists at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering, "Visibility" allows users to contribute their own real-time snapshot of the air around them. Simply download the app, take a unobstructed photo of the sky and send it in. Each picture is then tagged with location, orientation, and time data and transferred to a backend server.
The USC team has devised an algorithm that uses the phone's location and the
direction it was pointing to determine how bright the sun should be in your
image. It then looks at your photo to see how much that theoretical sunlight has
been obscured, and from that calculates how much gunk is in the air (it doesn't
work yet on highly cloudy days).
For those Apple users (like me!) who feel left out of the loop - the researchers say an iPhone app is in the works.
If you're interested in learning more about how to combat all that air pollution in your homechat live with one of our AllerAir air quality experts or call us at 1-888-852-8247 for a dealer near you.
Are facial tissues becoming a hot commodity
in your home? Seasonal allergies are taking sufferers by storm in 2010, with millions of American seeking some sort of allergy relief. Probably
most surprising is the number of first-time allergy sufferers. According to
experts, the pollen count has been hit record highs in some regions. In some
parts of the country 6,000 pollen particles per cubic meter of air have been
recorded – you only need 10 particles per cubic meter to trigger a reaction in
some people.
Best Air Purifiers for Allergies and Allergy Relief
You can’t control the pollen count
outdoors, but you can control your indoor environment. Using a room air cleaner
with the right filtration can help clean the air of airborne pollen, mold, chemicals,
dust and other triggers which aggravate the respiratory system. Look for a room
air cleaner with a medical-grade HEPA filter which can remove over 99% of airborne
particles and an activated carbon filter which removes chemicals, gases and
odors. Among our top sellers for allergy relief is the AllerAir Air Medic which
is designed to be used 24/7 for continuously clean air. Other units which are best for allergies:
