Air Purifiers, Ozone Emissions... and Outgassing

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.

What is Mold...and Where does it Grow?

What is mold?

Molds are microscopic fungi, related to mushrooms, yeast, and mildew—and they can be found everywhere. Fungi use enzymes to digest food and reproductive cells called spores to reproduce. Molds play a vital part in the decomposition of leaves, wood, and other dead plant matter. Mold is used in the making of bleu cheese, and mold is the start-up source of penicillin, one of the earliest and most widely used naturally-occurring antibiotics. Unfortunately, mold is also one of the most common allergens on earth.

Where does mold grow?

Mold spores need moisture to grow. Molds can grow on wood, ceilings, wallpaper, paint, carpet, sheet rock, and insulation, and these fungi use their powerful enzymes to dissolve home materials just like they dissolve decaying plant matter. An area with high humidity sets the onset for extreme mold growth and thereby poses a risk to your health. Kitchens, bathrooms, garages, basements, and crawlspaces are notorious for mold growth. If any part of your home has experienced water damage, then you'll certainly will find mold there. The EPA estimates that one-third to one-half of all U.S. buildings have environments damp enough for the growing of mold. Although indoor humidity is normally lower in the winter time, indoor mold allergy may be more dominant during the winter in some homes due to tight, energy-efficient seals. Molds grow everywhere outdoors as well, and depending on their location, many people suffer from seasonal mold allergies.