America’s homes and garages are full of toxic and hazardous products. Paints, lacquers, paint thinners, pesticides, lye, acids, and solvents are examples of the products that can be hazardous to your family and simultaneously pollute our environment when they are tossed aside. Many of these chemical contaminants are not even needed. I'd like to share with you safer products and alternatives.
Paint is big business. Manufacturers distribute over one billion gallons of paint annually. While most homeowners have one or more cans of paint in their garage, few of them realize the potential health hazards and environmental toxicity if it is not used, stored and disposed of properly.
Water based paints are considered the safest to use. Paints manufactured before 1990 could however, contain mercury, which even at low levels of exposure, can cause neurological damage without giving you noticeable symptoms. There's also a small percentage of alcohol solvents and glycol ethers found in most water based paints.
Although the EPA banned the use of lead in oil-based paint in 1981, oil-based paints still have toxic emissions, which you could easily inhale, ingest or absorb through your skin and into your bloodstream. Some of the chemicals are known carcinogens, others cause nervous system depression, and the majority have not been tested long enough for their long-term health effects.
Definition of PAINT
Paints are made up of resins (film formers), diluents (solvents), pigments (color), and additives. The paint products category also includes coatings such as varnish, shellac, polyurethane, and stains. Paints are generally classified on the basis of the solvent. The two main categories are oil-based and wate- based (latex) paints. Depending on the type of paint you select for painting, you may need additional paint-related products, such as thinners and brush cleaners may also be needed. Latex and other water-based paint products are the safest to use. They don't require any organic solvents, they dry quickly, and flow evenly.
Definition of SOLVENTS
Solvents are liquids that dissolve other substances and act as carriers for pigments. The useful benfits of solvents in paint products is their ability to dry quickly, their ease of application, even flow and their ability to dissolve paint and grease. Oil-based paint solvents pose several immediate and long-term health and environmental concerns.
You may ask yourself..."What are signs of Mold?", or ..."Should I test for Mold?"
I say..Investigate! Don't test!.. The simplest way to find a mold problem is by looking for mold growth and by using your sense of smell to find the source of a suspicious odor. If you see mold or if there is an earthy or musty smell, you should assume you have a mold problem. Signs of excess moisture or the worsening of allergy-like symptoms by family members should be additional clues you have a mold problem.
Look for visible mold growth. They may appear cottony, leathery, velvety, or granular, and have various colors. Mold often appears as discoloration, staining, or fuzzy growth on the surface of building materials or furnishings. When mold is visible, testing is not recommended.
Search areas with noticeable mold odors. Search for signs of excess moisture or water damage. Look for water leaks, standing water, water stains, condensation problems. For example, are there any watermarks or discoloration on walls, ceilings, carpet, woodwork or other building materials?
Look behind and underneath materials, such as carpeting, vinyl flooring, furniture, stored items in bins and boxes, in cabinets or under flooring. Sometimes destructive techniques may be needed, such as making a hole in a wall, to inspect for possible mold breeding places.
Should I test for mold?
Most experts do not recommend testing for mold. Instead, you should simply assume there is a mold problem whenever you see mold or smell mold odors. Testing should never take the place of visual inspection and it should never use up resources that are needed to correct moisture problems and remove all visible growth.
Sometimes, mold growth is hidden and difficult to locate. In such cases, a combination of air (outdoor and indoor air samples) and bulk (material) samples may help determine the scope of mold contamination and where clean-up and removal is needed. However, mold testing is rarely useful for trying to answer questions about health concerns.
If you find the prices of natural cleaners a bit expensive, here are some excellent home recipes.
All Purpose House Cleaner:
1 tsp. liquid soap
1 tsp. t.s.p.
1 tsp. borax
½ tsp. washing soda
2 tbsp. white vinegar
2 cups very hot water
2 or 3 drops essence of lemon oil, eucalyptus, or aromatic herb of choice spray bottle
Combine ingredients in spray bottle and add very hot water. Adjust amount of ingredients for dilution to wash floors or keep concentrated pre-formed mixture available for dilution in a gallon of hot water.
Mildew Remover
1 tsp. borax
2 tbsp. white vinegar
1 tsp. vegetable based liquid soap
2 cups hot water
spray bottle Mix and spray on areas needing attention. Rinse.
Oven Cleaner
1 tsp. Salt
1 cup baking soda
¼ cup washing soda or t.s.p.
3 squirts liquid soap (e.g. heavenly horsetail)
Sprinkle water over bottom of oven. Cover with oven cleaning mixture. Sprinkle more water on top. Scrub with fine wire wool. Rinse well to remove baking soda.
Microwave Cleaner and Deodorizer
3 or 4 tbsp. baking soda and water to form a paste. Use a sponge and wash interior and around doors. Rinse thoroughly.
Soft Scrubber
¼ cup baking soda plus enough vegetable oil based liquid soap to make a paste. Use sponge and wash and rinse surface thoroughly.
Scouring Powder
1 cup baking soda
¼ cup borax Mix and sprinkle and use in the same way as a commercial product. Rinse clean.
Disinfectant
2 tsp. Australian tea tree oil
2 cups water
spray bottle
Window & Glass Cleaner
½ tsp. liquid vegetable soap
3 tbsp. vinegar
2 cups water
2 or 3 drops essence of lemon oil
spray bottle If windows are very dirty, add more liquid soap.
Wood Furniture Polish (Not for French-polished furniture or antiques)
1/8 cup walnut oil
1/8 cup lemon juice
2 or 3 drops essence of lemon oil, eucalyptus or other aromatic herb
Keep in glass jar and shake well. Use soft cloth to apply.
Lead from paint chips, which you can see, and lead dust, which you can't always see, can be serious hazards.
Peeling, chipping, chalking, or cracking lead-based paint is a hazard and needs immediate attention.
Lead-based paint may also be a hazard when found on surfaces that children can chew or that get a lot of wear-and-tear. These areas include:
1) Windows and window sills.
2) Doors and door frames.
3) Stairs, railings, and banisters.
4) Porches and fences.
Note: Lead-based paint that is in good condition is usually not a hazard.
Lead dust can form when lead-based paint is dry scraped, dry sanded, or heated. Dust also forms when painted surfaces bump or rub together. Lead chips and dust can get on surfaces and objects that people touch. Settled lead dust can re-enter the air when people vacuum, sweep or walk through it.
Lead in soil can be a hazard when children play in bare soil or when people bring soil into the house on their shoes. Contact the National Lead Information Center (NLIC) to find out about testing soil for lead.
Source: EPA
There are 2 critical things to consider when measuring how effective an air purifier is. The first performance test is how much air it can clean each hour. The second test is what percentage of the pollutants the air purifier removes from the air that is circulating through it. This second test is called the efficiency.
For example, if the particle count per cubic foot of air going into the air purifier is 1,000,000 particles and the particle count of the air coming out after it has passed through the filters is 300, than the efficiency of the air purifier would be 99.97%. Such, you can see how the efficiency of the air purifier is important, since an air purifier with only a 60% efficiency would allow 400,000 particles to go back into the room. The efficiency rating is important, because there are many air purifiers on the market that have a Hepa filter, but their relative efficiency is undocumented. This only means that the filter has been tested to remove 99.97% of all of the particulates that are 0.3 of a micron in size or larger. However, this is when all of the particles in the air contact the Hepa filter and none of the air is able to bypass the filter itself. Once you take the Hepa filter and install it in the air purifier, other variables are involved. As air is pulled into the air purifier, a portion of the air can bypass the filter media, depending on the way the filter is situated within the air purifier. As much as 35 to 50 percent of the air can by-pass the filter media in some Hepa filter-based air purifiers, resulting in inadequate performance.
I recommend the IQAir series and the Clarifier series as the most efficient Air Purifiers.
Molds such as fungus mold and slime mold are found most of the time in areas that have high humidity levels such as bathrooms, kitchens, damp basements and laundry rooms. It is most beneficial and preventive maintenance, to try and keep mold from growing in these potential mold-breeding areas. If it's too late, you can try mold remediation and mold removal.
Since mold and mildew release mold spores in the air that can float throughout the house, severe allergic reactions such as watery eyes, runny nose and sneezing, nasal congestion and fatigue, can occur. When mold begins to reproduce inside a home, it can eat away at the structure, cause thousands of dollars in damage, and possibly make someone in your family ill from mold exposure. There are several mold cleaning, prevention, and mold removal methods to deal with this persistent problem. I suggest using a combination of these products below, to reduce mold to safe levels throughout your home.
Step 1: You should start with a dehumidifier, since basements must be dried out, and humidity levels should be maintained at about 50% relative humidity or lower to prevent mold and mildew growth.
Step 2: An Air Purifier with a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Absolute) filter will help filter your indoor air. HEPA air cleaners help eliminate airborne mold spores.
Step 3: The use of a HEPA Vacuum Cleaners, because vacuuming with HEPA filter vacuums can reduce mold spore concentrations in damp areas and carpets. A HEPA vacuum properly traps mold spores that can remain or be spread into the air.
Step 4: If you have a steam cleaner that would also help. A Vapor Steam Cleaner will clean, disinfect, deodorize, and kill dust mites and mold. They are the perfect tool for allergy sufferers and those with multiple chemical sensitivities- especially mold allergies.
Step 5: Buy cleaning supplies that inhibit the growth of mold and mildew without the use of harsh chemicals or toxins. There are many healthy and free of harsh chemicals cleaning products out there to help attack and prevent mold build-up in your home. I recommend products like Vital Oxide Mold Remover or Allersearch Aller Mold to attack mold areas. Some of these cleaners control mold and bacteria by oxidizing it instead of bleaching it.
Step 6: Mold test kits will help you identify a number of molds which contribute to asthma, allergic reactions and respiratory health problems so you'll know where your problem areas are.
Step 7: Another beneficial mold killer is a UV Sanitizer, to eliminate more than 99% of all household mold, germs, bacteria, viruses and other allergens.
Step 8: Mold can start to grow within 24-48 hours in mildew-prone areas of your home. The use of a Steam Mop would quickly clean up dirt, stains and grease and kill mold, spores and bacteria.
If you're into a healthy lifestyle, you've probably heard the term "volatile organic compounds", or VOCs for short. Most likely you know then it's not a good term, but most people don't really know anything else about these contaminants.
VOCs are chemical contaminants that are emitted from solids and liquids. All solids and liquids that include VOCs also include a carbon chain. Any substance containing carbon is called an "organic". While some carbon-containing products are relatively stable, or "inert", as it is printed on the can or jar's label, others are highly volatile, meaning they can break down into different substances and chemicals pretty easily. VOCs also build up in indoor places, therefore concentration levels in indoor air quality can be 2 to 5 times as concentrated as compared to outdoors.
There are over 900 of VOCs, and they're present in products like
1) paints, solvents and aerosol sprays
2) air fresheners
3) household cleaners and disinfectants
4) pesticides
5) nail polish
6) vinyl shower curtains
7) moth repellants
8) fuels and auto products
9) building materials
10) glues and adhesives
11) drycleaning chemicals, and
12) furniture and carpets.
The EPA estimates that the concentrations of indoor VOCs resulting from paint stripping can reach as high as 1,000 times the concentration of the outdoor levels. And that is just one product!
While many VOCs have short-term health effects, others can do serious long-term damage. Some VOCs, such as benzene are well-known carcinogens, while others are "suspected" carcinogens.
In the short-term, common health issues include eye, nose and throat irritation, headache, nausea and temporary loss of coordination. The long-term health effects are somewhat scary. VOCs can damage your liver, kidneys and central nervous system.
Common reported symptoms of VOC exposure also include an allergic skin reaction, shortness of breath, vomiting, nosebleeds and fatigue.
In just minutes per day, you can improve the air quality in your home. According to NASA studies, the following houseplants have been established to remove harmful chemicals from the atmosphere. They thrive in low-light conditions, are easy to grow, and require little care. Visit your local nursery and let's get started clearing harmful chemicals from the air, because small varieties of each plant are often available for just a dollar each! For a home under 2000 square feet, NASA recommends 15 houseplants (one of each).
You'll find the reduced toxins and improved air quality will help your health and well-being very soon.
NASA recommends that you grow these houseplants in at least six-inch containers. They can even be placed in dark corners.
To remove trichloroethylene, which is released by paints, varnishes, adhesives, and inks, try planting:
Gerbera daisy
Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea sefritzii)
Peace lily (Spathiphyllum `Mauna Loa')
To get rid of formaldehyde, which is released by building materials including particle board and foam insulations, cosmetics, fragrances, cleaning solutions, and many, other common household items, try planting:
Red-edged Dracena (dracaena marginata)
Mother-in-law's tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata)
Dracaena warneckei (Dracaena deremensis `Warneckii')
Peace lily (Spathiphyllum `Mauna Loa')
Golden pothos (Epipiremnum aureum)
Green spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea sefritzii)
To remove benzene, which is released by oils, solvents and paints, try planting one of each of the following plants:
Gerbera daisies
Chrysanthemums
peace lily (Spathiphyllum `Mauna Loa')
English ivy (Hedera helix)
Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea sefritzii)
Mother-in-law's Tongue or Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
Some suggestions....
Take your houseplants outside occasionally to "sun". Peace lilies need sun to bloom.
Some of your friends or neighbors may have extra plants and pots to give you. Spider plants in particular produce lots of "babies".
Keep your furry pet away from some of these varieties as they may prove toxic.
Limit your use of non-natural fertilizers and pesticides.
Pour out excess water. It will attract fungus gnats and mosquitoes. Don't over-water plants...excess moisture will breed mold.
Types of Air Purifier "Systems"
HEPA-Filter Air Purifiers
HEPA filters use a cloth-type filter which will trap 99.9% of particles 0.3 microns or larger in size, and a fan to move air through the machine. HEPA filters can be very effective in clearing out almost any harmful particles from the air in a room. These air purifiers usually have a replaceable filter that can last several years depending on how filthy the air gets in your home. Although people don’t like the noise level of a HEPA purifier, this type of air purifier can usually remove more pollutants than an ionic air purifier.
Advantages: Allergens are captured...and trapped for good.
Disadvantages: Does not eliminate chemical fumes, gases, cigarette smoke, or odors.
Ozone Air Purifiers
Ozone is a highly reactive oxidant that destroys certain bacteria, chemicals, bacteria and chemicals. Although ozone is very effective against strong odors, there is some warning you should keep in mind.
When ozone reacts with substances in the air, the substances are broken down into other materials that are also pollutants. This is where the controversy lies with ozone machines. You can run ozone machines on low, if adjustable, which manufacturers often advise. Nevertheless, if you are clearing a room from smoke or odors, you can run it on high, while keeping people out of the environment altogether. After the cleaning process, turn the machine off and open windows to clear out the ozone.
Advantages: Extremely effective against odors.
Disadvantages: Not effective on allergens and most chemicals.
Carbon Air Purifiers
Activated carbon air filters consist of a system of pores that are tiny in size. These pores are highly "adsorbent", chemically reacting to particles that pass through them and the particles and odors actually bond with the carbon.
This is the most "absorbent" filter on the market today. Therefore, it is extremely effective in capturing certain types of particles. Note that most carbon-activated air purifiers also include HEPA technology, and so, combine the advantages of both types of technology.
Advantages: Highly effective with chemicals, gases, smoke, and odors.
Disadvantages: Not effective with allergens and micro-organisms.
Ionic Air Purifiers
Ionic air purifiers do not have a cloth filter like the HEPA machines. They work by "ionizing" the air, causing particulates to gain a positive or negative charge. Why charge the particles?
The charge is necessary for two reasons. The air ionizer contains collection plates that have an opposite charge from the particles in the air, so the particles are drawn to the collection plates (these are referred to as “capture” ionic purifiers). Plus, the particulates can be attracted to other particles that have an opposite charge. When this happens the two particles with opposite charges wind up sticking together and falling out of the air (these machines simply release ions into the air without capturing them on plates). FYI... many people like ionizers, because they are very quiet compared to most HEPA air purifiers.
Advantages: Can remove extremely fine particles anywhere in a room; even several feet away from the machine.
Disadvantages: Not effective on odors; doesn't kill germs but removes them from household air.
Ultraviolet Light Air Purifiers
Ultraviolet (UV) lamps are known to sterilize micro-organisms that pass through it, including germs, viruses, bacteria, and mold, therefore, microorganisms, after treated with this light, don't reproduce and grow, especially when UV light is used in an ample dosage and a sufficiently long period of time to do its job.
When used in an air purifier, does the UV light have enough time to perform and sterilize correctly while air is moving through it, possibly at a brisk rate of speed? There is an innovative approach that uses UV lamp combined with a HEPA filter, so particles trapped in the filter can be treated with UV light for an effective amount of time.
Advantages: Helps destroy microorganisms that cause disease.
Disadvantages: Not effective on allergens, smoke, odors, or chemicals.
Hydroxyl Air Purifiers
Hydroxyl radicals are powerful cleansing agents that occur naturally in the Earth’s atmosphere. They are created when oxygen atoms pull a hydrogen atom from water vapor, which then form the radical. Hydroxyl radicals are 1,000,000 times faster at destroying pollutants in the air than ozone. They are the most powerful method of neutralizing mold, bacteria, and viruses.
New proprietary technology has combined hydroxyl radical technology with ultra-violet light and negative ions, resulting in an air purifying system that neutralizes every category of pollutant in your home, including odors, without the need for filters!
Advantages: Removes every category of pollutants when combined with negative ions and UV light technologies. No filter needed; inexpensive.
Disadvantages: Only available from one manufacturer.
There are some very good air cleaners by Honeywell, Austin, Airgle, Alen, Hunter, IQAir, Blueair, Electrolux, 3M, and WhirlPool, but you must understand the technical differences among these purifiers and take an inventory of your home's indoor air quality before you can find one that's right for you.
Ozone emission, which can be toxic in great amounts, is not desirable, regardless of whether you have allergies, asthma, or a multitude of chemical sensitivities. However, the effects are usually worse for people afflicted with these conditions. To start off, ozone is an irritant to the respiratory system. It becomes progressively irritating as concentration levels increase. Unfortunately, most manufacturers do not monitor the ozone levels.
"Out-gassing", which can occur from the silicone used for the gaskets and glues used to attach the filter media to the housing, can out-gas and cause a reaction, especially for people with multiple chemical sensitivities. If you belong in this class, you should look for an air purifier where the pre-filter and Hepa filter come before the gas filter in the housing, so any out-gassing that could otherwise occur, will be removed by the activated carbon. Remember also that it is best that there be some type of filter after the carbon gas filter, to remove any carbon particles that may fall off as the air passes through it.
A good air cleaner for those with multiple chemical sensitivities is the IQ Air HealthPro series or the Allerair series.
1. Do I really need an air purifier in my home?
It depends on several factors, including your own level of comfort and your home's indoor air quality. There are several factors to take into consideration.
First of all, realize that indoor air quality is often worse than outdoor air quality. In fact, for many people, indoor allergens and irritants, such as dust, smoke and pet dander, may be two to five times as bad in their homes as outdoors.
Second, several indicators will help you decide, if you will benefit from an air purifier in your home. Top reasons to get an air purifier include:
* Allergy symptoms such as itchy, watery eyes and runny nose
* Mold or mildew in your home
* Itchy, dry skin or frequent skin rashes
* Being or living with a smoker
* Asthma or other breathing problems
* Owning indoor pets
2. Do all Air Cleaners Remove the Same Kinds of Contaminants from the Air?
No. Even though every type of air purifier cleans certain particulates from the air, there are differences in what and how they clean. Some purifiers remove dust and particulates, such as pet dander and smoke very effectively, while others will actually eliminate bacteria, viruses and molds and mildew. But very few will do all of these things. In my opinion, the IQ Air HealthPro Series of air purifiers come closest to meeting all these requests from an air purifier.
3. What Size Air Purifier do I Need for My Home?
Most air purifiers are designed for individual room use rather than for the whole home. Unless you have an air purifier or air filtration system that has been installed on your heating or air conditioning unit, you should get separate units for each room or living space.
You need separate units for each room is because effectiveness is affected by air flow, and walls mean no air circulation. Each room will need its own unit.
To determine what size you need, look for the CADR number. This number indicates the Clean Air Delivery Rate, which should always equal at least 2/3 the total square footage of the room you will be using the air purifier in. For example, a 10' X 12' room has 120' square feet, and needs a purifier with a CADR number of at least 80.
4. What Ozone level is Safe for Indoors?
Ozone is a tasteless, colorless gas, found in the upper atmosphere and is naturally produced by thunderstorms during electric discharge.
It is perfectly safe indoors, if kept at acceptable levels (between .02 and .05 parts per million). This is just like many other type of naturally occurring gasses that aren't harmful to us at certain levels. Ozone air purifiers have been developed to produce the correct amount of ozone to purify the air without reaching harmful levels.
5. How frequently do I need to Change or Clean the Filter in my Air Purifier?
Depending on the area of the room and what type and size of air purifier you have, that will tell you how often cleaning and replacement is needed. Some will need to be changed or cleaned monthly, others more often.
It is very important to check your filter regularly and follow the recommended schedule the manufacturer suggests, since the efficiency of the air purifier relies on proper maintenance.
6. What is a Micron?
A micron is a measurement of the size of a particulate in the air. One micron is 1/25,400 inch (roughly 100 times smaller than a single strand of hair). Obviously, a micron is far too small to be seen. For the purpose of choosing an air purifier, most types are considered very efficient if they can filter airborne pollutants to .3 microns.
7. How Much should I Expect to Pay for an Air Purifier?
This is difficult to determine. Price doesn't always guarantee quality. I'm sure you'll be willing to spend enough to get a high-quality product, however, protect your investment, by making sure your air purifier comes with a warranty. When buying an air purifier, also take into account the cost of any replacement filters and the electricity to run the unit.
8. How Much Noise Will the Air Purifier Make?
An air purifier with a fan in it will have some noise. HEPA filters, for instance, have fans to pull the air through the filter itself, although improved casings and quieter fans have been developed for noise abatement.
Ionic and ozone air purifiers don't usually have a fan, because they use an electrostatic charge or ozone, so they are completely silent. If they combine their technology with a filtration system or a fan to boost air circulation over the plates, there will be some noise, but this will be minimal, and these fans may be shut off when you wish. In general, the noise level of even an air purifier with a fan is low enough that it isn't intrusive. You'll be surprised in the fact that you will get used to the "noise", just as I did.
9. Where do I Place the Air Purifier?
The rooms you use the most, or any area where pollutants linger, are the most important rooms for air purifier use. Your living area, such as a family room or den, should have an air cleaner, especially if you have allergies or pets that are in the room daily, or if you have smokers in your family.
Bedrooms are also a good idea, since allergies and irritants can disturb your sleep. Clean, fresh air has been proven to produce more restful sleep and reduce night breathing problems.
Also, consider getting an air purifier in the bathroom, where odors, mold and mildew are prone to linger. An air cleaner in the bathroom can make it fresher and more pleasant, and also reduce the amount of mold and mildew in the air, so that your bathroom will be less of a breeding ground for germs.
10. Where Do I Position the Air Purifier?
It is most important to position it near the most traffic flow or activity in order to get plenty of air circulation around the air filter. This will increase the air exchange rate and make the air cleaning more efficient.
With a HEPA filter, it is best to position it near an open area, to ensure air movement all around. For an ozone air purifier, try to position the air purifier higher, rather than lower, since ozone molecules are heavier than oxygen and will tend to drift downward. The same planning goes for ionic air purifiers, which release charged particles into the air.
If your air purifier unit is easily portable and you have a heavy smoker in the room, move the air purifier a bit closer to him, if possible and acceptable. Occasionally, you may also want to move the air purifier to a specific room, when a particular odor needs to be banished as soon as possible.
Most people do not really understand what is in the air they are breathing. They don't realize that air they breathe, has particles that contain mold, mildew, pet dander, microscopic plastic particles and many more pollutants. Combine all those air contaminants and you can see that all of these particles can be harmful to your health. But, how do you reduce or get rid of them...safely?
By using an air purifier filter in your air purifier, you can capture as much as 99% of the particles in the air that are related to health issues. This is the main cause, airborne pollutants, that are causing you or a family member, a host of health problems. Most people do not realize how simple it is to remove these contaminants. By using good ventilation methods and by purchasing an air purifier that uses a high quality air purifier filter, you can breathe easier in your home.
In the world of air purifier filters, the HEPA filter is tops. The HEPA purifier filter removes the most pollutants, up to 99.97%. This means that your air is much cleaner than ever before, simply by using a good quality air purifier filter. HEPA air purifier filters are also capable of removing cigarette smoke, which helps remove the odors that many non-smokers dislike.
Some air purifier filters are more expensive, depending upon the quality of the filter. For example, HEPA filters are always more expensive. Nevertheless, these air purifier filters are of a much higher quality than other standard air purifier filters, which makes them worth the additional cost. When it comes to your family's health, it is a good idea to find the best filters possible for your air purifier.
When looking for the perfect air purifier for your home, look online for your selected machine. Change them as scheduled by the manufacturer or as needed in order to ensure your air purifier works at full capacity. When working properly, the air purifier will help ensure the air quality for your family is the best possible. Never compromise when trying to ensure the health of your family.
Choosing the right air purification system can be challenging. Here are a few suggestions to start you off:
Since they are more affordable and just as effective as larger units, "portable" home air filtration systems...a.k.a. air purifiers, are the most widely sold variety. This type of home filtration system is generally of equal or better quality than a "built-in unit", since it "concentrates" on one area at a time. However, it cannot filter air throughout an entire home, such as a built-in unit. If you plan to use a portable air purification system, you may need more than one unit – such as for one, or a couple of rooms, placing them especially where you may have the most severe indoor air pollutant sources. Portable units are light enough, to move from one place to another, as you move about your home.
Ion air purifiers, when used in conjunction with filters, are also a popular home air filtration system choice. These filters emit negative ions into the air, which neutralize pollutants and allergens. Ion air purifiers may be more costly than traditional filter varieties, although they are generally more effective at destroying microorganisms than other types of air purifiers.
If someone in your family suffers from asthma or another chronic lung condition, you must be aware of how much, if any, ozone your air sterilization system emits. When inhaled, ozone can aggravate the lungs and cause chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath and throat irritation. Ozone may also worsen chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma and compromise the body’s ability to fight respiratory infections. If you need the power of an ion generator, be sure to select one with additional filters when making your purchase.
In order to rid all of the toxic pollutants from your home quickly and safely, you should set the machine you have to work at full power, while you are away from your home. If it has an extra feature, such as a timer, set it for a couple of hours with an automatic shut off. This will allow the air sterilization system to work without interference. Even removing the smallest portion of the toxic organisms and bacteria from your home can benefit your health. Odors will start to dissipate quickly and you will be able to breathe easier. Sterilization is a good way to stay healthy by avoiding illnesses.
Where Should You Place the Air Purifiers?
Every area of your home has different contaminants. Your kitchen, for example, has lingering odors that are not harmful. Meanwhile, in a bathroom, you have aerosols and various offensive odors. You've got a lot of chemical impurities in the garage, while damp basements can harbor mold growth. Carpet is the one contaminant source related with many allergies and other problems,since it harbors irritants.
Notice how open your house is. Obviously, air needs to move throughout your home and exchanged with fresher outdoor air. But remember, opening windows and doors will also bring in outdoor pollutants. Generally, one unit will do the job in a one-level home. However, if you live with a smoker or in a multilevel home, you may need two or three units.
