Researchers discover how polluted air leads to disease

It’s no secret that air pollution is bad for the body, but a research group lead by Ohio State University scientists may have discovered how pollution actually triggers disease in the body.

They found that chronic inhalation of polluted air in mice appears to activate a protein that triggers the release of white blood cells, setting off events that lead to widespread inflammation.

This finding narrows the gap in researchers’ understanding of how prolonged exposure to pollution can increase the risk for cardiovascular problems and other diseases.

The cellular activity they observed resembles an immune response that has spiraled out of control. A normal immune response to a pathogen or other foreign body requires some inflammation, but when inflammation is excessive and has no protective or healing role, the condition can lead to an increased risk for cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and obesity, as well as other disorders.

AirMedic for particle and chemical control

Though many questions about the beginning of this process remain unanswered, the scientists predict that the damage may originate in fluid that lines the lung. Tiny molecules in this fluid change structure after being exposed to polluted air, and that change appears to set off this cascade of damaging white blood cell behavior by activating a receptor called “toll-like receptor 4.”

“Our main hypothesis is that particulate matter stimulates inflammation in the lung, and products of that inflammation spill over into the body’s circulation, traveling to fat tissue to promote inflammation and causing vascular dysfunction,” said Sanjay Rajagopalan, professor of cardiovascular medicine at Ohio State and senior author of the study. “We haven’t identified the entire mechanism, but we have evidence now that activation of TLR4 influences this response.”

The research is published in a recent issue of the journal Circulation Research.

Editor’s note: This story was adapted from PR materials produced by Emily Caldwell and Ohio State University

VIDEO: What a toxicologist says about formaldehyde in your kitchen

I found this interesting video clip today from Toxicologist Gary Ginsberg who discusses formaldehyde in your kitchen! Unfortunately, this industrial chemical is also found throughout the home in flooring products, furniture and shelving.

To remove airborne chemicals in the home including formaldehyde we recommend an AllerAir 5000 Vocarb. This is a great multi-purpose air cleaner with an exclusive deep-bed activated carbon chemical filter and a medical grade HEPA filter for dust and other particles. 

(Editor's note: Video plays after a short 15 second commercial which was embedded with the clip)

If you'd like to learn more about removing airborne chemicals, connect with an air quality expert:
1-888-852-8247
Twitter: @allerair
Live chat:

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.  

Freeway air bad for the brain

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.

Many studies have drawn a link between vehicle pollution and health problems. This is the first to explore the physical effect of freeway pollution on brain cells.

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
1-888-852-8247
Twitter 

Improving Indoor Air Quality in your Home: How an Air Purifier Can Help

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.

For more great reasons why you need an air purifier visit our website!

Ask Us: Air Purifiers for Allergies and Asthma

Question: How would someone with allergies and asthma benefit from an air purifier with both a carbon and HEPA filter?

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.

Ask us: Chemtrails and Home Air Purifiers

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:

Gershon: gershon@allerair.com

Michael  michaelg@electrocorp.net

New Robot System to Test 10,000 Chemicals for Toxicity

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. 

___________________________________________________________________

At AllerAir our mission is to effectively remove airborne chemicals, gases, particles and odors. Our air cleaners have the deepest activated carbon beds available. If your air cleaner only has a HEPA filter it can't remove chemicals and odors.  

Housedold products emiting chemicals classified as toxic or hazardous under federal laws

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.

Already? Atlanta hit with "off-the-charts" pollen levels

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.

Kilauea VOG: Sulfur Dioxide Emission Rates Elevated

Photos: USGS HAWAIIAN VOLCANO OBSERVATORY

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.

If you’re looking for an air filter to remove dangerous VOG pollutants – you need more than a simple HEPA particle filter.

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.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Read more of our posts on VOG:

VOG (volcanic smog): Higher incidence of thyroid cancer in volcanic area

Hawaii’s Big Island and VOG Study: Respiratory illnesses rise when volcanic gases (VOG) increase

 

Plants may make indoor air more polluted?

Internet quote of the day:

"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."

Source: http://willamettelive.com/story/Will_an_indoor_jungle_get_rid_of_your_indoor_pollution123.html


 
So much for plants as indoor air purifiers? Our air purifiers don't need damp, micro-organism filled soil....

Living Near Busy Roadways Ups Chances of Allergic Asthma

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.


For additional information:

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/pulmonary/
http://faculty.jhsph.edu/default.cfm?faculty_id=1109
http://www.jacionline.org/
http://www.allerair.com/index.html

What's lingering in the air after you clean? SC Johnson challenged in court over "green" list

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.

(Source: http://www.piercecountyherald.com/event/article/id/32983/)

__________________________________________
Green may never been green enough for optimal indoor air qualiy. Consider an air cleaner to remove airborne chemicals, osoe and particles.

Allergies May Protect Against Brain Cancer

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.


(Source: http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/allergy-and-asthma/articles/2011/02/09/health-buzz-allergies-may-protect-against-brain-cancer)

-----------------------------------------------------------
Check out the best air purifier for allergies.

Pesticides inhibit proper childhood development

(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.

Compare Air Purifiers: AllerAir

AllerAir AirMedic

AllerAir Air Purifiers are renowned for their ability to effectively clean airborne chemicals, odors and particles but how do they compare to the competition?

Filtration Media

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. All AllerAir 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

For more information on AllerAir air purifiers visit http://www.allerair.com/ or cal 1-888-852-8247

'A stark warning:' Smoking causes genetic damage within minutes after inhaling

Image: africa / FreeDigitalPhotos.net 

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.

'Thirdhand smoke' may be bigger health hazard than previously believed

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.

Air Purifier Reviews: Why Choose an Air Purifier with an Activated Carbon Filter?

As air purification technologies have developed, more manufacturers are incorporating an activated carbon filter in addition to the standard HEPA filter.

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.

Air Purifier Review: AllerAir 5000 Exec

5000 Exec

"We Love This Machine"
★★★★★
"We noticed a difference in the air within an hour. Fresh, clean smell...it does not get any better than that!"

BOTTOM LINE: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

- Evert Fine Art
Los Angeles

Originally posted March 2010 on http://www.mercantila.com/

Why do my clean clothes and closet smell stale and musty?

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!

Pretty in Pink: Air Purifiers for the Nursery, Baby's Room, or Child's Bedroom

Who says clean air can't coordinate!

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!

The pink Air Tube Exec air purifier is only available for a limited time and is also available in blue.

For more information chat live with an Air Quality Expert (link below) or call 1-888-852-8247 for a dealer near you.