Growing concerns over flame retardants

Upholstered furniture often contains
potentially harmful flame retardants.

Flame retardants are chemicals that can be found in a wide variety of consumer products, supposedly as a protective feature to make them less likely to catch fire.

However, growing levels in the environment and in humans, especially in North America, have led to a number of studies and warnings about the use of these chemicals, since some experts say they may hinder a child's growth and permanently damage their endocrine system.

It's not easy to avoid exposure in our everyday lives. Flame retardants such as polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDEs) or brominated flame retardants have been found in child car seats, in household plastics, electrical and electronic equipment, upholstered furniture, non-clothing textiles and foam products.

Chemicals released slowly over a long time

In most cases, these flame retardants are added to the products rather than chemically bound to them, and they can be slowly and continuously released while they are manufactured, when they are used, or after they have been thrown away (Health Canada).

Many countries – notably in Europe - have moved towards banning flame retardants, but the levels remain relatively high in North America.

In one study involving children from California, the PBDE levels in 2- to 5-year-old California children was 10 to 1,000 fold higher than European children, 5 times higher than other U.S. children and 2 to 10 times higher than U.S. adults.

Organizations aim to raise awareness about toxic chemicals

In a bid to raise public awareness of harmful chemicals, several Los Angeles-area nonprofits organized the Toxies Awards event, where certain chemicals are named as standouts in the bad-for-you chemical category.

Incidentally, a flame retardant known as Halogenated Flame Retardant (HFR) won the People's Choice Award as Worst Chemical of the Year and also beat out other contenders in the Super Hot Mess category.

Used in furniture, electronics and building insulation, HFR can be found in nearly the entire U.S. population and is linked to a lower IQ, cancer and infertility.

Remove harmful chemicals with AllerAir air purifiers

The air purifiers from AllerAir feature an extra deep bed of activated carbon, the most trusted and efficient filtration method to adsorb harmful chemicals, gases and odors.

Because these chemicals attach themselves to the large internal surface area of the granular activated carbon, they are effectively removed from the ambient air.

AllerAir's air purifiers remove
indoor air pollutants like chemicals.

The powerful and portable air cleaners also feature HEPA and UV germicidal filtration to offer a complete air purifying solution that encompasses particles, mold spores, mold mycotoxins, bacteria and viruses.

AllerAir prides itself in giving people the most relevant filtration media at the best price, the most options and the most customizable features as well as the most inert materials. Find out more about AllerAir.

Contact one of AllerAir air quality experts for more information and great deals on serious air purifiers.
 

Update: An Aug. 10 public release says a University of California - San Francisco (UCSF)-led pilot study has found the highest levels ever reported among pregnant women worldwide of banned chemicals used in flame retardants, a likely result, they believe, of California's strict flammability regulations.

Tests indicate that these chemicals may cause liver, thyroid, and neurodevelopmental toxicity, according to the EPA.

Read the full release here.

Is the smell in your home driving away visitors and potential buyers?

A smelly house will be difficult to sell
and indicates an IAQ problem.

There is a reason why the air “freshener” market has been soaring in recent years – no one wants a smelly house full of irritating odors.

However, commercial air freshening products can add to the indoor air pollution because they often contain harmful chemicals that simply mask odors and won’t eliminate them. Better solutions exist (see below).

Whether you want to invite guests over or sell your house at a high price, the odors inside a home will play a big role in making people comfortable or suspicious of underlying problems.

Strong pet odors irritate many people, stale tobacco smoke is difficult to eradicate, and a musty odor can point to a mold problem.

Of course, poor indoor air quality can also affect you and the other inhabitants. If you have frequent headaches or breathing problems, the odor could be the cause. Pervasive odors, especially from mold, can quickly morph from merely bothersome to dangerous.

Here are a few tips to prevent your home from being the smelly house on the block:

Investigate and find the source of the odors

Often when we live in a space, we can get used to the smells surrounding us. To check things out, if you're away from home more than six hours, take a good long sniff when you walk in.

If you detect an unpleasant smell, don't excuse it away because the house "has been closed up." Odor is a sign that something is wrong. If you don't trust your own nose, ask your most candid friend. If your house is for sale, ask your realtor to give an honest opinion.

Common sources of odor include cooking, water, pets and smoking. Pet odors spark concern that once a smell is present, it can never be eradicated. Keeping litter boxes scrupulously clean is a good first step.

Concrete or wood floors that have been saturated with pet urine may require professional treatment, including removing soiled carpet and padding.

Check for water damage

Musty smells often come from water. Check sink and bath drains for odors at the drain traps. Leaking sewer or water pipes may also be a source. A plumber can help correct the problem.

Air conditioning condensation can leak, generating smelly mold. There could be a roof or siding leak, where water is infiltrating, triggering mold growth. Air ducts can trap dust and mold, making the air smelly. If you need help isolating an odor, call a home inspector.

Eliminate the odors the right way

Never try to spray a smell away. If your home has a smell, it has a problem, and fixing the problem is better than perfuming it.

Overuse of home scents can be as off-putting as pet odor – and it can be dangerous to your health and well-being. Work to create a fresh-smelling home vs. one that's heavy and overly perfumed.

Good maintenance and fixing any problems around the house is a must. Good ventilation, regular filter checks in the HVAC systems, thorough cleaning with natural cleaning products, opening windows regularly and using an indoor air purifier with activated carbon and HEPA filtration will also keep the indoor air at its best.

When it comes to indoor air cleaners, don't waste your money. Only a serious air cleaner with activated carbon will remove irritating odors, chemicals and mold mycotoxins, while the HEPA will trap particles and pathogens.

AllerAir specializes in portable, versatile air purifiers with carbon + HEPA + UV (optional) that remove the widest range of pollutants and provide the most value in the business.

Featured air cleaners from AllerAir Industries:

• AirMedic+ Exec
• 5000 Exec

Contact AllerAir today to find the right air cleaner for your indoor air concern.

Suddenly feeling allergic to your cat or dog? It may be sticky spores not dander...

If you suddenly seem to be sneezing and wheezing whenever your beloved pet comes around there's still reason to hope. The cause may not be cat or dog dander, but the tree and flower spores they're carrying into your home. 

In many parts of the U.S. this year pollen levels have been consistently high, triggering allergic responses even in people who have never before experienced seasonal allergies.

  

Allergist Dr. Joseph Leija of the Gottlieb Memorial Hospital in Melrose Park, IL suggests you wipe fur and paws with a towel you store in a resealable bag between uses to minimize contamination.

Experts also suggest:

• Washing hands frequently, especially after handling your pet
• Changing your clothes and showering when you come in from outdoors
• Leaving shoes at the front door to avoid tracking in pollen  
• Using an air purifier for allergies to reduce airborne contaminants indoors
• Using your dryer instead of line-drying clothes 
• Keeping windows closed 

For more information on our air purifiers for allergies or air purifiers for pet odors connect with us: 

Visit our website: http://www.allerair.com/

Start a live chat session with an indoor air quality expert
Follow us on twitter
E-mail or phone 1-888-852-8247

VIDEO: Gulf Coast Stories: Oil, Chemicals, and Illness

A report on people suffering from chemical exposure in the Gulf.




Interested in learning more about removing airborne chemicals? AllerAir is the industry leader in home air cleaners for airborne chemicals, gases and odors and multiple chemical sensitivities. We use industrial grade, deep-bed activated carbon filters to adsorb a wide range of pollutants. Connect with us to learn more:

Visit our website: http://www.allerair.com/
Start a live chat session with an indoor air quality expert
Follow us on twitter
E-mail or phone 1-888-852-8247

Mold exposure in infancy increases asthma risk; Expect parents should reduce airborne mold burden

Infants who live in moldy homes are three times more likely to develop asthma by age 7—an age that children can be accurately diagnosed with the condition.

Study results are published in the August issue of Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, the scientific journal of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI).

“Early life exposure to mold seems to play a critical role in childhood asthma development,” says Tiina Reponen, PhD, lead study author and University of Cincinnati (UC) professor of environmental health.

“Genetic factors are also important to consider in asthma risk, since infants whose parents have an allergy or asthma are at the greatest risk of developing asthma.”

UC and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center researchers analyzed seven years of comprehensive data for 176 children to evaluate the effects of mold exposure in early life.

The children were part of the Cincinnati Childhood Allergy and Air Pollution Study (CCAAPS), a long-term population-based study that included more than 700 children from the Greater Cincinnati area. CCAAPS looked at the effects of environmental particles on childhood respiratory health and allergy development.

Participants were identified during infancy as at high risk to develop allergies based on family medical history.

Mold exposure levels were measured using a DNA-based analysis tool developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency—the environmental relative moldiness index (ERMI). The tool combines results of the analysis of 36 different types of mold into one index, which describes the mold burden in the homes. This index was used to determine the impact of mold exposure on the respiratory health of study participants.
Eighteen percent of children enrolled in CCAAPS were found to be asthmatic at age 7.

It is estimated that about 9 percent of school-age children in the United States will develop asthma; however, studies have shown that rates are often higher in children from poor, urban families. The disease cannot be accurately diagnosed until age 7 and the causes are not completely known.

”The symptoms of pediatric asthma range from a nagging cough that lingers for days or weeks to sudden episodes of shortness of breath and wheezing that require emergency treatment,” says allergist David Bernstein, MD, study co-author, UC professor of internal medicine and ACAAI fellow. “If a young child’s symptoms persist and keep coming back, that’s a clue that it could be asthma.”

According to the ACAAI, common symptoms of asthma include:

• Coughing, especially at night
• Wheezing or whistling sound, especially when breathing out
• Trouble breathing or fast breathing that causes the skin around the ribs or neck to pull in tightly
• Frequent colds that settle in the chest

“This study should motivate expectant parents—especially if they have a family history of allergy or asthma—to correct water damage and reduce the mold burden in their homes to protect the respiratory health of their children,” adds Reponen.

To learn more about air cleaners and air purifiers for mold connect with us:

Visit our website: http://www.allerair.com/
Start a live chat session with an indoor air quality expert
Follow us on twitter
E-mail or phone 1-888-852-8247

Johns Hopkins says Indoor Air Purifiers Ease Asthma Symptoms in Children Living with Smokers

AllerAir Air Cleaners for Tobacco  Smoke

Average of 33 more symptom-free days per year 

 
Indoor air purifiers can greatly reduce household air pollution and lower the rates of daytime asthma symptoms say researchers at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center.

Parents should still be counseled to implement a total ban on indoor smoking and use air cleaners only as a temporary tool on the way to achieving a smoke-free household, the Hopkins team concludes in the Aug. 1 issue of the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.

“Air cleaners appear to be a an excellent partial solution to improving air quality in homes of children living with a smoker but should not be viewed as a substitute for a smoke-free environment,” says lead investigator Arlene Butz, Sc.D., M.S.N., C.P.N.P., an asthma specialist at Johns Hopkins Children’s and professor of pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

For the study, researchers followed for six months 115 children, ages 6 to 12 years, who lived in homes where one or more caregivers smoked. Each one of 41 households received two free-standing air cleaners plugged into the bedroom and living room. Another one-third of the homes got air cleaners plus at-home health education by a nurse on the dangers of second-hand smoke, and the other third got neither but were given air cleaners at the end of the study. The researchers measured air nicotine levels and air particulate matter — microscopic bits of smoke, soil, pollen, dust and spores usually floating around in the air — before air cleaner installation and six months later. They also compared asthma symptoms and cotinine (the biological marker of nicotine found in the urine) between children living in homes with and without air cleaners.

The overall air quality in homes with air cleaners showed a nearly 50-percent drop in the levels of particulate matter, although the air never reached the quality of smoke-free homes, the researchers note. Homes that received both air cleaners and visits by health coaches did not achieve better air quality than homes that got air cleaners alone. The levels of air nicotine and urine cotinine remained similar in all children, regardless of air cleaner use in the home.

The study also found that children living in homes with air cleaners had considerably more days without coughing, wheezing or difficulty breathing compared with children living in homes without air cleaners. Based on the rate of symptom reduction observed in this study, the researchers estimate that a child with asthma living in a home with indoor air filtration would, on average, have 33 more symptom-free days per year compared with a child living in a smoking household without indoor filtration. The number of symptom-free days made possible by the air cleaners was nearly the same as the number achieved with the use of a type of anti-inflammatory asthma drug in another study, the investigators note.

“Our findings show a clear link between improved asthma symptoms and the use of air cleaners, providing further evidence that air cleaners could play an important role in the treatment of children with asthma," said co-investigator Patrick Breysse, Ph.D., professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Childhood Asthma in the Urban Environment.

Because smoking is a main driver of indoor air pollution, the researchers recommend the use of air cleaners even in smoke-free homes if they are part of multi-family dwellings in which second-hand smoke can easily seep in from surrounding units.

Asthma is the most common pediatric chronic illness, affecting 6.5 million children in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 30 percent of children in the United States share a home with a smoker, and up to two-thirds of children in urban neighborhoods live with a least one smoker, the researchers say.

To learn more about AllerAir air purifiers and air cleaners connect with us. We manufacturer air cleaners specifically designed for tobacco smoke , asthma and general home air filtration.  

Visit our website: http://www.allerair.com/
Start a live chat session with an indoor air quality expert

Follow us on twitter

E-mail or phone 1-888-852-8247

Mold count remains high in the U.S. Midwest; Warning issued for those with asthma, lung & heart disease

Spore counts remain high today, one day after officials in Illinois issued an official air alert warning of dangerous levels of airborne mold.

“The daily count was 59,000 (spores per cubic meter), and the threshold for dangerous levels is at 50,000,” said Allergist Dr. Joseph Leija, who performs a daily allergen count for the National Allergy Bureau. (Follow the daily allergen counts for the Midwest on his hospital's twitter feed @GottliebAllergy)

“Chicagoans will experience stuffy noses, post-nasal drip, scratchy throats, headaches and fatigue due to the high mold count in the air,” said Dr. Leija. “The mold count is dangerously high for those with chronic conditions such as lung or heart disease as well as asthma and breathing conditions.”

And the high mold count on record is just for the outdoors.

“The Midwest has suffered from repeated flooding and many homes may have toxic levels of mold due to the damp,” said Dr. Leija. “In addition to stagnant water, many sewer systems backed up and overflowed adding additional health risks.”

The Midwest suffered historic snowfalls this winter and the summer is proving to be a record-breaker as well with days of rainfall as well as continuous blazing heat.

Here some some suggestions as to how to reduce the impact of airborne mold:

• Stay indoors and avoid outdoor activity.
• Run air conditioning to lighten air by removing humidity.
• Run an air cleaner for mold with a HEPA, carbon and UV filters to remove airborne mold spores and mold mycotoxins.
• Rinse inner nostrils with saline solution to rinse trapped debris and moisten membranes.
• Avoid strenuous activity and rest.
• Talk to your allergist about adjusting prescribed medication.

To learn more about air purifiers and air cleaners for mold connect with us:

Visit our website: http://www.allerair.com/
Start a live chat session with an indoor air quality expert
Follow us on twitter
E-mail or phone 1-888-852-8247

Commercial air freshening products pollute indoor air

Scented candles may release
harmful chemicals.

Air fresheners come in many varieties, including aerosols, gels and scented candles.

While global sales of air fresheners are rising steadily, experts warn that many air-care products cause a false sense of freshness.

Instead of purifying the air, many air fresheners simply mask the odors with synthetic fragrances. Others may affect your ability to smell by coating your nasal passages with an oil film or by releasing a nerve-deadening agent, according to an article by the Healthy Child organization.

Certain air fresheners contain toxic chemicals that can affect human health and cause symptoms such as headaches, coughing, sneezing, rashes, dizziness and asthma attacks.

Some of the substances that can cause a reaction are camphor, phenol, ethanol and formaldehyde.
Some chemicals found in air fresheners have been linked to cancer or hormone disruption.

Many aerosol air fresheners contain toxic phthalates, which have been linked to birth defects and reproductive harm.

Reduce your exposure to toxins by following these recommendations:

1. Read labels and avoid air fresheners that contain “fragrance” since they can include phthalates.
2. Test before you buy. Often, a reaction may be immediate.
3. Try natural ways to provide your indoor environment with fresh air. Open your windows, grow a few indoor plants such as Peace Lily, Boston Fern, Gerbera Daisy and Bamboo Palm, which have been shown to absorb small amounts of airborne pollutants, opt for non-toxic products such as baking soda, white vinegar and essential oils
4. Remove many airborne chemicals, gases, odors and particles with an air purifier that features granular activated carbon and HEPA filters.

Source: Healthy Child,


 Don't 'freshen' the air - clean it!

AllerAir has designed air purifiers for the home and office that provide a complete air cleaning solution for those concerned about chemicals, particles and odors.  

AllerAir solutions include:

• Air cleaners for general purpose home and office use
• Air purifiers for allergies and asthma
• Air cleaners for mold
• Air purifiers for MCS
• Air filters for smoke
• Air cleaners for VOG/smog

Contact one of AllerAir's IAQ experts to find the right air purifier for your needs.

Animal testing and chemicals

Many household products contain toxic
chemicals that have been tested on animals.

Too many household products contain toxic chemicals – but steps are taken to improve the situation and to protect animals at the same time.

The United Kingdom has made serious advancements toward ending tests of household products on animals, according to a recent article in the International Business Times. 

It is illegal in Britain to test cosmetics or their ingredients on animals, and now the country has made a commitment toward ending household-product tests, where animals are often fed with, injected with or covered with high doses of toxic chemicals to test their reactions.

After meeting with people in the industry, the authorities have drafted a plan that includes the use of more laboratory-grown cultures and computer modeling.

Whether animal testing is banned in your country or not, choosing cruelty-free products and the most natural and chemical-free products available is always a good idea to protect animals as well as your own health and well-being.

With enough demand, maybe toxic chemicals will play a much less important role in cosmetics and household products in the future.

Chemical-free products, chemical-free air

Activated carbon adsorbs a wide
range of common household chemicals.

For additional protection against chemicals that may pollute your indoor air quality, browse AllerAir’s comprehensive product line of home and office air purifiers.

The air cleaners remove a wide range of chemicals, particles, pathogens and other contaminants with large activated carbon filters, HEPA, pre-filters and UV germicidal filtration (optional).

Not sure which one is best for your indoor environment? Contact one of our air quality experts for more information: 1-888-852-8247.

A is for Asthma: Preparing Your Asthmatic Child for Back to School

Photo by Photostock

For parents of an asthmatic child, back to school doesn’t only mean a return to class it also means gearing up for a new season of meds, colds and potential hospital visits.

“Since my son’s first year at preschool we’ve made at least one hospital visit in September or early October,” says Stephanie Bristow, an Air Quality Expert with AllerAir. “At home we have all of our triggers under control and great tools to help us like a HEPA and carbon air purifier, but school brings on a whole new onslaught of viruses and pollutants that we can't control as effectively.”

To help prepare your family for back to school, consider adding these “to-do” items to your back-to-school checklist:

Schedule a doctor’s appointment to update or create an asthma action plan for your child

All students should have a detailed, written action plan. It should contain personal information about the child's asthma symptoms, triggers, medications, any physical activity limitations and provide very specific instructions about what the school (or you) should do if an asthma attack does not improve with prescribed medication. Make sure a copy of this plan is provided to your child’s teacher, school nurse and is added to his/her personal file.

Update your emergency contact list with the front office

Ensure that your child's school knows how to contact you in case of an emergency. Make sure that your home phone, cell phone, email address and the information for your secondary contacts is correct.

Know exactly how the school will handle an asthma emergency

Find out what your school’s policy is on dealing with asthma episodes. Ask how often the school nurse is on site and if staff, after-school coaches and bus drivers know what to do to respond to an asthma emergency.

Check your equipment and medication

Many schools require that younger children leave a set of their equipment and meds (aero chamber, rescue inhaler etc.) at school. Make sure to check expiry dates of these meds and double check to make sure items like aero chambers still property fit your child’s face. Some experts also recommend replacing chambers regularly as a film can actually build up on the inside of the tube and affect proper delivery of the medication.

Talk to your child about what to do

Especially with younger children, make sure they know exactly what to do if they feel like they’re having trouble breathing. Who should they go to first? Is it ok to interrupt their teachers? Can they administer their own meds? Leave class? Call you? Answering these questions in advance will help your child act promptly if they feel an attack coming on.

__________________________________________________________________

If you'd like to learn more about our air purifiers for allergies and asthma connect with us! Our air cleaners remove more airborne triggers than simple HEPA air cleaners. By adding an activated carbon filter - our units also remove chemicals, gases and odors.
 
Visit our website: http://www.allerair.com/
Start a live chat session with an indoor air quality expert
Follow us on twitter
E-mail or phone 1-888-852-8247

VIDEO: One year later worries remain over Michigan oil spill

Concerned about industrial chemical fumes, pollution and allergens in your region? AllerAir makes industrial grade air cleaners for the home that remove chemicals, gases, odors and particles. Connect with us to learn more:


Visit our website: http://www.allerair.com/
Start a live chat session with an indoor air quality expert
Follow us on twitter
E-mail or phone 1-888-852-8247

Asthma Relief: An odd trigger you may not be aware of

Photo: prozac1/freedigitalphotos.net

For the millions of people with asthma, staying attack-free means knowing your triggers. Did you know that thunderstorms can also be added to the long list of triggers that includes airborne chemicals, pollen, dust and dander?

Scientists who tracked years of emergency room visits noted a significant increase in asthma attacks immediately after storms.

They believe that the rain breaks apart pollen grains, releasing allergens, while high winds pick up these irritants and other pollutants, dispersing them over a wide area.

Researchers add that with global climate changes, thunderstorms may actually increase in the coming years. Since we can’t change the weather, what’s a sufferer to do for real asthma relief?

“Besides sticking to your doctor’s asthma treatment plan, one of the most proactive things you can do for asthma relief is to address airborne irritants,” says Stephanie Bristow, an AllerAir Air Quality Expert. “A good quality air purifier with both a HEPA and carbon filter will reduce airborne dust, pollen, pollution and chemical fumes.”

For more information on AllerAir air purifiers for help with asthma relief connect with us:

Visit our website: http://www.allerair.com/
Start a live chat session with an indoor air quality expert
Follow us on twitter
E-mail or phone 1-888-852-8247

VIDEO: Lung Association aims to thwart Congressional attempts to weaken Clean Air Act

Every day, millions of Americans suffer from the effects of toxic air in the form of asthma attacks, heart attacks, strokes and even premature death. In an effort to thwart Congressional attempts to weaken the Clean Air Act the American Lung Association has issued a new video to draw attention to the devastating effects of air pollution on children.

"Right now, some in Congress and special interests are trying to stop the cleanup of toxic mercury air pollution; they are encouraging the EPA to ignore scientific evidence that smog harms health and can even cause premature death and they are erroneously claiming that it’s too costly for big polluters to install modern pollution controls," said a press statement issued by the group. “Members of Congress must know that any vote against clean air policies and ignoring the health of our children is unacceptable.”




For more information on reducing airborne pollutants connect with us: Visit our website: http://www.allerair.com/
Start a live chat session with an indoor air quality expert
Follow us on twitter
E-mail or phone 1-888-852-8247

Too much BPA in our environment? EPA considers new action

The chemical BPA even shows up on
money around the world.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency asked for public input earlier this week to determine whether it needed to take more action with regards to the widespread occurrence of BPA.

The commercial chemical bisphenol A is an ingredient in many plastics and food-contact resins and has become a concern because people are more exposed to it than previously believed.

“A number of concerns have been raised about the potential human health and environmental effects of BPA,” a Science New article quoted Steve Owens, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention. 

Data from the proposed new tests, he said, “would help EPA better understand and address the potential environmental impacts of BPA.”

It may require new toxicity testing and environmental sampling because of a concern that it “is a reproductive, developmental, and systemic toxicant in animal studies and is weakly estrogenic, there are questions about its potential impact, particularly on children’s health and the environment,” EPA notes on the BPA Action Plan website.

Recent animal studies have shown that even low level exposure to BPA can have worrying health effects.

Recent findings include:

• Studies involving mice showed that early exposures — in the womb and up through a period equivalent to puberty — could affect gender-linked behaviors in adults: Males became subtly feminized, and in one instance females appeared somewhat masculinized.
  
• One human study linked higher BPA exposures in the womb to subtly altered gender-specific behavior in toddlers: Girls became somewhat more aggressive than normal; boys more anxious and withdrawn.
•  Low-dose exposures in one study, where mice had been exposed to BPA during fetal development, resulted in later prediabetes when the rodents reached early middle age.
• A 2009 study in mice showed that the uterus of female mice exposed in the womb to BPA became supersensitized to the effects of estrogen in adulthood; a change that the authors said might jeopardize reproduction. (A test-tube study reported by others at the same time — at the Endocrine Society meeting — showed BPA altered the contractile rate of heart-muscle cells, especially in the presence of estrogen).
• Genetic studies using roundworms showed it affected the genes responsible for successful reproduction and could cause sterility.

Source:Science News 

Reduce chemical exposure with portable air purifiers

AllerAir is a leading provider of stand-alone, ultra-efficient air purification systems for the home and office that can help users reduce their exposure to common indoor air pollutants.

Activated carbon or charcoal is the best
medium to adsorb chemicals and odors.

The air cleaners remove a wide range of contaminants by drawing the polluted air through a multi-stage filtration system of ProDense pre-filters, a deep-bed activated carbon filter, a HEPA or Super-HEPA and UV germicidal filtration (optional).

This filter combination removes chemicals, gases, vapors, odors, particles and live contaminants such as bacteria, viruses and molds.

Contact AllerAir today to find the right air cleaner for your needs.

California’s toxics law celebrates a quarter century of successful regulation

California toxics law turns 25

California is often seen as one of the frontrunners when it comes to passing and implementing environmental or consumer protection laws.

One of the reasons is the well-known Proposition 65, which was introduced 25 years ago and required businesses and buildings to offer warning labels about the potential for cancer or birth defects related to the use of their products or spaces.

Since its introduction a quarter century ago, the law has prompted companies worldwide to change their formulas or products in order to comply with the regulations and to avoid negative publicity and consumer wariness.

According to an article in the San Diego News, the list of altered items runs from correction fluid and nail polish to jewelry and vitamins. 

Thousands of consumer products changed

By one count, more than 12,000 kinds of consumer products have been reformulated directly because of Prop. 65 warnings — and an unknown number of others have been changed before they entered the legal process.

Even as some companies and individuals continue to complain about higher costs and more difficult production, fact is, the law put California at the forefront of an international movement to limit human exposure to dangerous chemicals and compounds.

The list now includes more than 840 substances “known to the state of California” to cause cancer or reproductive harm, up from 30 in 1987.

International influence of toxics law

Even though the law remains unmatched in other states or countries, many international companies have changed their products or have taken measures to follow the law, experts say,  because no business would want to get caught using one safer product in California and offer a different product anywhere else.

It may not be effective all the time – the law was and remains effective and has made many people aware of the risks of chemicals and other toxic substances.

Source: San Diego News

AirMedic Series: Superior
particle and chemical filtration.

Air cleaners remove harmful indoor air pollutants

One of the best ways to avoid toxins is to reduce chemical exposure – with source control and other measures such as air purification.

AllerAir’s air purifiers for the home and office use a powerful activated carbon and HEPA filter combination to remove the widest range of indoor air pollutants from the air – including chemicals, VOCs, gases, particles and pollen.

Contact AllerAir for more information or browse our product line on the website.
 

Contact allergies may protect you from cancer

A study shows a link between contact
allergies and a lower risk of cancer.

If your skin reacts to common metals and chemicals (contact allergies), then you may have a lower risk of developing cancer.

Scientists in Denmark have studied environmental allergens that cause contact allergies in adults, including nickel and other chemicals, and the study’s lead author Kaare Engkilde of the National Allergy Research Center at Copenhagen University Hospital Gentofte concluded that those who tested positive for such allergies were less likely to develop cancer years later than those who did not have contact allergies.

The study recorded cancer rates over multiple decades and the positive effect of the contact allergies against cancer was strongest for breast and skin cancer that weren't due to melanoma.

Far-fetched connection between allergies and cancer?

According to the researchers, a growing body of evidence suggests that our bodies may have natural defenses against cancer, attacking the first signs of tumors much the way we target invading viruses or bacteria.

Since allergic reactions are essentially heightened immune responses to often benign compounds, such as dust or nickel or other agents, people with allergies might already be primed for any foreign intruders, including tumors.

While the finding is worthy of further study, Engkilde says it's only the first step in better exposing how the immune system might be influencing the cancer process.

Source: Time Healthland.

Worried about chemical exposure?

There are many ways you can reduce exposure to dangerous chemicals, including source control and using an air purifier with many pounds of activated carbon.

AllerAir has designed portable and powerful air cleaners for the home and office, which use a multi-stage filtration system with activated carbon and HEPA or Super-HEPA.

Activated carbon can remove airborne
chemicals, gases and odors.

Activated carbon is the most effective and affordable medium to filter out airborne chemicals, gases, vapors, fumes and irritating odors. It has been shown to be effective in the adsorption of toxins such as ozone, octane, formaldehyde, benzene, acetone, toluene and smog.

AllerAir guarantees that you won’t find an air purifier with more relevant filtration media and more customizable options for a more advantageous price.Don't waste your money. Get a serious air purifier so you can breathe cleaner air. Read testimonials submitted by AllerAir clients.

Contact one of AllerAir’s air quality experts for more information: 1-888-852-8247.

Students make an air pollution detector out of a vacuum cleaner

A robotic vacuum cleaner that can
also detect indoor air pollutants?
(Photo by Christopher)

Students of the Rhode Island School of Design have turned a robotic “Roomba” vacuum cleaner into a machine that can sense air pollution, news reports say.

They installed sensors and light systems on the vacuum cleaner, which can alert users to poor indoor air quality or sources of indoor air pollution in rooms.

“Roomba--the room cleaning vacuum--is programmed to travel all around a room once it is left to roam. Therefore, it is an ideal tool to assess the quality of air through out a room," the students said in an article posted on the Public Laboratory for Open Technology and Science.

The robotic vacuum cleaners can detect an increase in the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the air, which triggers a light change to alert the user.

"In areas where there are more VOCs the light on 'Roomba' changes from green to blue. Looking at this image you can easily spot an area of indoor air-pollution," the students said.

The students said they planned to add a sensor for formaldehyde, a common indoor and harmful indoor air-pollutant.

An article on tech site CNET said the components involved include a sub-$20 air quality sensor, an LED, and a battery.

Source: TJD, GMA News

Remove indoor air pollutants quickly and efficiently

AllerAir's line of portable air cleaners for the home and office incorporate deep-bed activated carbon and HEPA filters to remove the widest range of indoor air contaminants, including airborne chemicals and VOCs, particles, dust, bacteria, viruses and mold (UV lamp is optional).

Recommended units:

AllerAir's 5000 Series air cleaners.

The 5000 Exec is a trusted, powerful and reliable general purpose air purifier with bottom air intake, and it is equipped with ProDense pre-filters, an 18 lb. carbon filter with 2.5” filter depth and a medical-grade HEPA filter or a Super-HEPA.

The AirMedic+ Series is uniquely engineered to provide the exceptional chemical and odor filtration that clients have come to expect of AllerAir as well as superior particle control. It features a 360-degree air intake system and sealed filters to maximize efficiency. The AirMedic+ comes with an 18 lb. carbon filter, 2” filter depth, a medical-grade HEPA filter and easy-clean pre-filters to remove the widest range of indoor air pollutants, including 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns in size, as well as chemicals, odors and gases.

Contact AllerAir for more options and expert solutions for your indoor environment.

Air quality during heat waves

Extreme heat can affect the air quality.

In many parts of North America, a heat wave is affecting the health and well-being of individuals.

Many are wondering why the air is so bad - or does it only feel that way because it is so hot?

Not so, according to experts. Air quality decreases during times of hot temperatures because the heat and sunlight "cook" the air along with all the chemical compounds in it.

This chemical soup combines with the naturally occurring nitrogen oxide in the air, creating a “smog” of ground-level ozone gas.

This makes breathing difficult for those who already have respiratory ailments or heart problems and can also make healthy people more susceptible to respiratory infections.

Many authorities suggest that people stay hydrated and stay indoors if they have air conditioning, or go to air-conditioned buildings such as the mall or the cinema for at least a few hours a day.

Improve indoor air quality with a serious air purifier

Keep a portable, energy-efficient air purifier running on the lowest setting around the clock to benefit from added protection from airborne chemicals, gases and particles with a deep bed of activated carbon and HEPA.

Contact one of AllerAir's air quality experts to find out more.

More info: Why do heat waves make air quality worse?
 

Harsh summer allergy season? Blame spring

An air purifier can bring relief to those
suffering from allergies.

If you are suffering from bad allergies this summer, it's probably because of a late, wet spring.

Allergists said grass and weeds can be the culprit for allergies during the summer months.

People allergic to said grass and weeds have said the past few months have been miserable. Many report waking up with runny noses and are constantly sneezing.

“We did have a really wet winter and late spring so it seems when the pollens are playing catchup, we seem to have a stronger season because they are more intense," said allergy specialist Steven Kernerman in a NWCN report in Spokane.

The spring rain grew grass tall, which fuels pollen sources. It also shortened the pollinating season.

That means plants are making up for a shorter time to pollinate and now doing so at a higher concentration - and summer allergies can be more pronounced.

Allergies and better indoor air quality

Poor indoor air quality can aggravate or cause allergy symptoms.

AllerAir has designed air purifiers for those affected by allergies and asthma. The AirMedic and AirMedic+ Series are uniquely engineered to provide exceptional chemical and odor filtration as well as superior particle and pollen control.

The air purifiers feature a 360-degree air intake system and sealed filters to maximize efficiency.

"I've been on allergy medication for years and nothing was working. My doctor recommended AllerAir, so I purchased two for my home and now wake up with a clear nose. My husband says that I don't snore as loudly either. AllerAir has improved our quality of life!"
Debra H.

Create a "safe zone" in the bedroom or in any space you frequent often to get some relief from allergens.  Contact AllerAir today for more information.
   

Do you live in one of the 'Toxic 20' states?

A study identified 20 states with the
worst air pollution levels.

Toxic air pollution was the subject of a recent study aiming to single out the 20 US states with the worst levels of air pollution.

The three "winners" were Ohio, Pennsylvania and Florida.

The study, entitled "Toxic Power: How Power Plants Contaminate Our Air and States" was jointly released by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR).

In a press release, the researchers listed the study’s key findings:

• Nearly half of all the toxic air pollution reported from industrial sources in the United States comes from coal- and oil-fired power plants.
  
• Power plants are the single largest industrial source of toxic air pollution in 28 states and the District of Columbia.

"Power plants are the biggest industrial toxic air polluters in our country, putting children and families at risk by dumping deadly and dangerous poisons into the air we breathe," said Dan Lashof, Climate Center Director at NRDC.

"Tougher standards are long overdue. Members of Congress who consider blocking toxic pollution safeguards should understand that this literally will cost American children and families their health and lives."

The states on the "Toxic 20'' list (from worst to best) are:

1.  Ohio
2.  Pennsylvania
3.  Florida
4.  Kentucky
5.  Maryland
6.  Indiana
7.  Michigan
8.  West Virginia
9.  Georgia
10.  North Carolina
11.  South Carolina
12.  Alabama
13.  Texas
14.  Virginia
15.  Tennessee
16.  Missouri
17.  Illinois
18.  Wisconsin
19.  New Hampshire
20.  Iowa

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that the reductions of toxic pollution required by the pending "Mercury and Air Toxics" standard would save as many as 17,000 lives every year by 2015 and prevent up to 120,000 cases of childhood asthma symptoms.

The safeguards also would avoid more than 12,000 emergency room and hospital visits and prevent 850,000 lost work days every year. These standards are expected to be finalized in November and public comments are still welcomed. Read the full press release here.

Worried about air pollution?

AirMedic+ Series: Particle and chemical
air cleaners for the home and office.

While you may not be able to control the amount of pollutants you are breathing outdoors, there are simple steps you can take to make sure your indoor air quality is the best it can be.

An indoor air purifier is the quickest and most cost-effective way to remove a wide range of chemicals, gases and particles from the air, along with source control.

AllerAir specializes in powerful and portable indoor air cleaners for odor and chemical control with deep activated carbon filters, custom carbon blends and a HEPA or Super-HEPA filter to remove 99.97% of particles 0.3 microns in size.

Contact an AllerAir representative to find the right air purifier for your needs: 1-888-852-8247.
 
Related articles in the AllerAir library:

• Air pollution linked to learning and memory problems, depression
• More evidence that air pollution may trigger heart attacks
• Polluted air leads to disease by promoting widespread inflammation

Check AllerAir's air quality library for more related posts by searching for articles in the category "Air Pollution."

Avoid pollutants - and other tips to breathe easier

Breathing fresh air and other
tips to feel relief

Breathing should be easy, but for a variety of reasons millions of people suffer from respiratory diseases.

WebMD recently published a list of tips for people affected by COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), but many of these tips apply to the general public and promote an overall healthy lifestyle, so here is an abbreviated version:

Stop smoking
Smoking and secondhand smoke has been linked to a myriad of health effects and can be especially dangerous for infants and young children. Ban smoking from your indoor space.

Stay at a healthy weight
Shedding extra pounds can improve breathing if you are already overweight.

Avoid pollutants
Many people are affected by environmental pollutants -- including fumes, strong perfumes, pollen, dust, secondhand smoke, air pollution and construction sites. These can cause or aggravate breathing problems. The experts cited in the article suggest avoiding bad air as much as possible. "Using air filters in the house or air conditioning when allergens are prevalent can be helpful," the article states.

Stay healthy
A healthy lifestyle can help you feel better and breathe easier. Avoid people who are sick and build up your immune system as much as possible.

Sleep well
Better sleep is associated with a wide range of benefits, but many people have problems getting a good night's rest. Ask your healthcare professional about sleep disorders and take steps to improve the indoor air quality in your bedroom. A portable air purifier can remove airborne particles, chemicals and other pollutants and add some soothing white noise to help you through the night.

Try breathing exercises and relaxation methods
The article suggests pursed-lip breathing and diaphragm breathing to regulate breathing. Keep stress to a minimum and try different relaxation exercises.

Stay active
Getting exercise, even if it is just walking for a few minutes, is important. Don't overdo it, but keep with it. Eventually, the body will get stronger.

Get more information
If you have a breathing disorder, you need to know what you can or cannot do and talk to your healthcare provider. Most of these tips are common sense, but they may not be suitable for everyone. 

Please note: The information contained herein is not meant to diagnose, mitigate, prevent, treat or cure a disease or condition. It may be necessary to consult a physician.

Remove indoor air pollutants with AllerAir air purifiers

AllerAir's numerical series with deep
carbon filters and enhanced particle filters

AllerAir offers powerful and portable room air purifiers for the home and office, and specializes in complete air cleaning solutions with a multi-stage filtration system.

AllerAir units feature a deep-bed activated carbon filter, ProDense pre-filter and a HEPA or Super-HEPA filter as well as optional UV germicidal filtration to remove the widest range of indoor air pollutants - including harmful chemicals, gases, odors, particles and pathogens.

Contact AllerAir today to find an air purifier suited for your specific needs and find out what other people think by reading some testimonials.

Chemical safety at home

Many household chemicals and toxic
substances are stored in the garage or
workbench area.

Chemicals hide in many common household products, and prolonged exposure to these volatile organic compounds and other substances has been linked to short-term and long-term health effects.

In fact, the indoor air quality in many homes is bad enough to become a serious concern. Pollutants include particulate matter (dust, dander, particles), biological contaminants (bacteria, viruses, mold) and chemicals (volatile organic compounds etc).

While all of the pollutants can affect the health and well-being of residents, AllerAir’s industry experts are most concerned about chemicals, since many of the commonly available chemicals have not been tested yet, or have been liked with serious health effects like cancer, among others.

Possible sources of chemicals in the home:

• Building materials
• Paints
• Glues, varnishes
• Cleaning agents
• Air fresheners
• Aerosol sprays, hair styling products
• Perfume and personal care products
• And more

Many household chores involve chemicals that can cause health problems, if they are not handled carefully.

Most toxic household chemicals are likely to be stored in the garage, workshop or shed, making them the most toxic areas around the home and increasing the chance of exposure.

An article about the health of men and the many chemicals they are exposed to traditionally warned about the following sources:

• Lawn fertilizer and pesticides
• Automotive products such as oil, antifreeze, batteries
• Furniture strippers, glues, paint removers
• Drain cleaners
• Pool chemicals
• Metal cleaners

The article also offers guidelines and tips on preventing chemical exposure and to keep the entire family safe.

These tips include reading the label and choosing less toxic products, wearing protective equipment and keeping the number for the poison control center handy.

Air purifiers remove dangerous airborne chemicals (and other pollutants)

AllerAir has designed a wide range of air purifiers for the home and office that are equipped with many pounds of activated carbon for the removal of chemicals and odors as well as a HEPA filter to trap particles. These powerful air cleaners are cost-effective, portable and versatile.

Contact one of AllerAir’s IAQ experts to get the right unit, best options and most helpful features or check out the interactive guide on the AllerAir home page, 5 Steps to find the right air purifier.

Bad news for allergic dog-lovers: Study finds "hypoallergenic" dogs no better for household allergen levels

Image: luigi diamanti / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

"Based on these results it may be better to simply pick a dog you love and actively remove as much of the allergens as possible," says AllerAir Air Quality Expert Stephanie Bristow. 

It's a blow to allergic dog-lovers everywhere...it seems the concept of a so-called "hypoallergenic" dog is a myth.

Researchers at Henry Ford Hospital says their study revealed that  "hypoallergenic"dogs do not have lower household allergen levels than other dogs.

Hypoallergenic dogs are believed to produce less dander and saliva and shed less fur.

"We found no scientific basis to the claim hypoallergenic dogs have less allergen," says Christine Cole Johnson, Ph.D., MPH, chair of Henry Ford's Department of Public Health Sciences and senior author of the study.

"Based on previous allergy studies conducted here at Henry Ford, exposure to a dog early in life provides protection against dog allergy development. But the idea that you can buy a certain breed of dog and think it will cause less allergy problems for a person already dog-allergic is not borne out by our study."

This is believed to be the first time researchers measured environmental allergen associated with hypoallergenic dogs. Previous studies analyzed hair samples from only a handful of dogs in a small number of breeds.

Henry Ford researchers analyzed dust samples collected from 173 homes one month after a newborn was brought home. The dust samples were collected from the carpet or floor in the baby's bedroom and analyzed for the dog allergen Can f 1. Only homes with one dog were involved in the study. Sixty dog breeds were involved in the study, 11 of which are considered hypoallergenic dogs.

While researchers acknowledged limitations in their study – the amount of time the dog spent in the baby's bedroom was not recorded and the size of its sample did not allow looking at specific breeds – they say parents should not rely on dog breeds classified as hypoallergenic.

"Based on these results it may be better to simply pick a dog you love and actively remove as much of the allergens as possible," says AllerAir Air Quality Expert Stephanie Bristow. "An ideal mix of preventive measures would be the use of a high efficiency air purifier for airborne allergens, and a good cleaning regime that involves washing bedding once a week in warm to hot water (whatever the fabric permits) and using a HEPA vacuum."

Interested in learning more about air purifiers for pet allergies and odors? Connect with us:

Visit our website: http://www.allerair.com/
Start a live chat session with an indoor air quality expert
Follow us on twitter
E-mail or phone 1-888-852-8247