Do you suffer from any of these common health effects of indoor air pollution?

Sneezing & runny nose - Eye and skin irritations - Shortness of breath - Dry throat and coughing - Dizziness & headaches - Fatigue - Frequent asthma attacks - Allergic reaction - Sinus problems

Air Filters and Air Purification Systems

Q: How severe a health problem is air contamination in the U.S.?

A: Every year some 64,000 people die prematurely from diseases linked to particulate pollution, according to an analysis of the National Resource Defense Council. According to the American Lung Association, more than 92 million people live in areas where air quality does not meet standards.

Q: What contaminants in indoor air in the home cause health problems?

A: There are over 240 chemical contaminants that have been found in homes and offices. Sources of contamination include: out-gassing of chemicals from carpets, furniture and construction materials.

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HEPA Filtration

HEPA is a filtration standard created by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission. HEPA filter media is proven to be 99.97% efficient @ 0.3 microns (a micron is 1/1,000,000 of a meter or 1/25,000th of an inch). Due to their extremely high efficiency, HEPA filters have become widely used in medical, electronic and industrial applications...

The acronym HEPA stands for high efficiency particulate arresting.

It was developed by the military to prevent worker exposure to radioactive plutonium and other extremely hazardous materials routinely used in nuclear weapons labs. It is made of ultra-fine glass fibers pressed into a paper-like material, which is folded in pleats to maximize surface area, thereby improving air flow and increasing the apparent thickness of the filter medium relative to the particle's angle of attack.

The principle means by which HEPA filters stop particles is simply through impact. As a particle tries to penetrate the filter it runs into a fiber and remains there because of the attraction between positively-charged and negatively-charged materials. The prospects for a microscopic particle getting through a HEPA filter have been likened to those of a grain of sand thrown at a haystack.

Other filter media are in common use, ranging from extremely low-efficiency coarse fiber filters often seen in use with forced-air furnaces, to unpleated fabric-like filters with performance approaching HEPA. Some of these latter types can be found, for example, in the Americair XR-100.

Constant use of HEPA filtration conveys benefits above and beyond improved health.

It can lower heating and cooling costs through improved air circulation and distribution, and it can extend the life of furniture and painted surfaces, as well as reducing the need for housekeeping.

Amaircare Models Available: Ameraircare Models: XR100 / Roomaid / 2500 / 3000 / 4000

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All About Ozone

Ozone is created electrically during active thunderstorms. The electrical discharge creates that sweet smell that we recognize as clean air and that we recall as the fresh smell of laundry hung outside to dry. Ozone is the most natural element available for ridding a home, office or any indoor environment of unwanted mold, mildew, bacteria and odors ...

OZONE, or trivalent oxygen, is perhaps the most misunderstood element in the air we breathe. On one hand, we're told that it's a harmful, poisonous gas that can do great harm to our lungs. On the other, we're told that it has the potential to be the greatest natural purification element we have. The truth is, ozone is nature's purifier! Ozone is the most natural element available for ridding a home, office or any indoor environment of unwanted mold, mildew, bacteria and odors.

The Creation of Ozone
Ozone is created electrically during active thunderstorms. The electrical discharge creates that sweet smell that we recognize as clean air and that we recall as the fresh smell of laundry hung outside to dry. Ozone is also created by the action of nitrogen oxides and ultraviolet light from the sun. Anywhere in nature that hydrocarbons exist with strong sunlight and moisture, ozone will occur in some quantity. Areas that are considered the most healthy vacation spots in the country also have some of the highest levels of naturally occurring ozone.

How Ozone Works
Ozone, the strongest oxidizing agent occurring naturally in our clean outdoor environment, has the capacity to break down most of the organic chemicals that foul our outdoor environment.

Ozone (O3) contains one more atom than pure oxygen (O2) This third atom is unstable, which means that the element readily decomposes or changes into another compound. In this case, the third atom detaches itself from the molecule and attaches itself to odors, bacteria, mold, mildew and fungus--allergens that can cause respiratory infections in birds and humans.

Purification occurs when the third, unstable atom attaches itself to a pollutant, causing permanent oxidation the breakdown of polluted molecules such as hydrocarbons, into harmless compounds such as water vapor and carbon dioxide. Oxidized organic matter has a variety of uses, such as bactericide and algaecide. Low-level ozone is an excellent method of eliminating unpleasant odors in the air, destroying pollen and dust particles and even killing bacteria that may be floating in the air. The remaining atoms form pure oxygen. Because of this reactivity, ozone must be replenished continually. If no pollutant is present, oxidation takes place within the ozone molecule itself--the third atom makes the molecule unstable, causing the ozone to revert to pure oxygen within a period of 20 to 50 minutes.

Typical Applications of Ozone include

• Purification of drinking water
• Hospital labs and operating rooms
• Morgues
• Cafeterias
• HVAC systems
• Deodorization of air in inhabited places
• Food and plant preservation
• Treatment of industrial liquid waste

Why ozone is mistakenly given a bad name
Ozone can only be harmful only when occurring at extremely high concentrations. However, at lower levels it serves as a powerful purification element with no harmful side effects.

Why ozone is associated with smog.
The reason ozone concentrations hit high levels in polluted areas is due to the fact that it is a byproduct of the sun's rays coming in contact with hydrocarbons. This is the sun's way of trying to neutralize the pollutants. In which case, where the hydrocarbon level is very high, the ozone concentration also becomes higher.

However, it is much easier to measure ozone concentrations than it is hydrocarbon concentrations, so ozone gets the bad name, even though it is the hydrocarbons that are the real problem. Most ozone air purification systems, including the NaturalAir and RoomPure models, are designed to produce ozone in levels of less than 0.04 parts per million (OSHA recommends less than 0.1 ppm, while the FDA recommends .05 ppm).

But as is the case with just about every other chemical element, ozone has its range of effects, from no effect, to useful effect, to hazardous effects. Another good example of this is table salt, which provides essential fortification for nerve cells and the kidneys, and prevents heat stress disorders at lower concentrations. At higher levels though, salt can result in hypertension and cardiac failure.

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What is Ultraviolet Light?

Associated Press News Article - This article deals with UV lights added to Air Vents, however we know that any Air Sanitizer / Air Filtration system with UV added to its system increases its healthier air effectiveness. We do offer these Air Vent systems as part of our Today's Healthy Home healthier living products.
Click here to view this new AP article

It is well know that ultraviolet germicidal lamps can destroy any microorganism that comes in contact with its powerful UV-C rays. This method is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control for its germicidal effects. The destruction of germs and bacteria by germicidal ultraviolet light is accomplished quickly and effectively ...

When sunlight passes through a prism, it separates into the colors we see in a rainbow. Each separate color has its own wavelength. Everyone and every living thing enjoys the benefits of sunlight. Without it, the earth would be a cold, lifeless planet. Ultraviolet light, although it is invisible to people, also separates into different wavelengths. There are certain, specific wavelengths that can be used indoors for a number of purposes.

There are four principal wavelengths in the ultraviolet spectrum that lend themselves to specific applications. Photochemical UV-A, Erythemal UV-B, Germicidal UV-C, and extreme shortwave UV Energy, which generates ozone.

UV-A is responsible for the familiar suntan. It is a normal component of sunlight, that, by virtue of its relatively longer wavelength, can penetrate the atmosphere. Applications have included inspection of fluorescent surfaces, tanning beds, and treatment of skin diseases.

UV-B is found in the middle wavelength region of the ultraviolet spectrum. Principle uses have been medically for the treatment of skin diseases, and for testing purposes in the aging/degradation cycles of products.

UV-C is shortwave ultraviolet radiation. Primary uses have been for the destruction of bacteria and other microorganisms in air, liquids, or on surfaces.

Shortwave UV Energy or Ozone can be generated by specially designed UV lamps. It is primarily used as an effective sterilant in applications requiring cleanliness with no residual contamination.

UV-C is the wavelength used in germicidal applications. It is well know that ultraviolet germicidal lamps can destroy any microorganism that comes in contact with its powerful UV-C rays. This method is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control for its germicidal effects.

Ultraviolet Germicidal Energy is produced by low level mercury lamps. The lamps are made of special glass which allows the passage of light rays emanating at 253.7 nanometers. This particular energy has the capability to kill all micro- organisms it comes in contact with.

The destruction of germs and bacteria by germicidal ultraviolet light is accomplished quickly and effectively. The UV-C rays strike the various microorganisms whether they are bacteria, virus, yeast, mold or algae, and they break through the outer membrane. The radiation reaches the heart of the organisms (commonly known as the DNA) where it causes abrupt modifications. The modified DNA transmits incorrect codes or messages, and this impairment actually brings about destruction of the microorganisms.

In health care institutions where occupants are constantly exposed to the pathogens that cause infectious diseases, special ultraviolet units are used to kill the microorganisms as rapidly as possible.

On an average day a family of four will introduce countless numbers of germs into the home. School, work, even a trip to the store provides a means for influenza, streptococcal, and other germs to penetrate into living spaces. Cleansers and detergents are well suited for kitchens, bathrooms, even the clothes we wear, but what about the air we breathe?

Filters trap particulate, and only when germs are attached to particulate, can the germs be trapped. Unfortunately, germs, bacteria, mold spores travel through the home or workplace at an alarming rate due to inadequate air filtration systems. The use of a UVC and filtering combination provides a synergistic disinfection effect. Together, this combination provides dynamic air interchange opportunity for the air.

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