Latest News From Consumer Reports

Before you buy, click here to read the May edition of Consumer Reports on Air Cleaners.  It says what we've been saying all along!  And by the way friends, we sell and support only products that we would use in our homes.  Don't believe the others' hype and expensive marketing to get you to buy!

Ionizing Air Cleaners get Zapped (From USA Today)

Know the facts before you buy.  This article will help you understand what to look for and what to stay away from.  Again, we sell and support only products that perform and provide value-added benefits.

General Facts

• Americans spend 90% of their times indoors in homes, offices or schools, significantly increasing their exposure to allergens and irritants.
• 87% of Americans are not aware that air pollution is worse inside the house than outside.
• 48% of Americans are concerned about air pollution, according to a recent Gallup Poll.
• Most susceptible to poor indoor air quality are the young, the elderly and those with chronic illnesses, allergies, asthma, and especially respiratory and cardiovascular disease.
• Poor indoor air quality decreases motivation, productivity and performance among school children and office workers.
• Short-term exposure to indoor air pollutants can cause immediate effects such as headache, dizziness, and allergies.

American Lung Association

• The average American breathes 3,400 gallons of air each day.
• 361,000 Americans die each year because of lung disease; it is responsible for one out of seven deaths.
• More than 25,000,000 Americans are now living with chronic lung disease
• Carbon Monoxide can be poisonous at higher levels, which are only found indoors and even healthy people may be affected. Carbon Monoxide exposure may also cause visual impairment, reduced work capacity, reduced manual dexterity, poor learning ability and difficulty in performing complex tasks.

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology

• Total cost associated with hay fever in the United States is $3.4 billion.
• Increased absenteeism and reduced productivity due to allergies cost companies more than $250,000,000 each year.
• People suffering from sinusitis miss an average of four days of work each year.

Environmental Protection Agency

• Studies show that indoor air quality is 2 to 5 times and occasionally 100 times higher than outdoor air.
• Indoor air pollution is among the top 5 environmental risks to public health
• Three most important methods of improving indoor air quality are source removal, air cleaning, and increased ventilation.
• Construction of more tightly sealed structures, reduced air exchange rates in ventilation systems to save energy, use of synthetic building materials and furnishings and the use of chemically formulated household and commercial cleaners, personal care products and pesticides has dramatically increased our exposure to indoor air pollutants.
• Everyone is at risk due to poor indoor air quality

National Institutes of Health

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health found that 54% of people tested positive to at least one of 10 allergens. The highest response was to dust mites, 27.5%. The lowest was to peanuts, 8.6%. The findings appear in the August issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.
 

What is Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) and how does it help me?

The CADR indicates the volume of filtered air delivered by an air purifier. The higher the tobacco smoke, pollen and dust numbers, the faster the unit filters the air.  The AHAM (Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers) seal (usually found on the back of an air purifier's box) will list three CADR numbers - one for tobacco smoke, one for pollen and one for dust.  Use this industry measurement as a benchmark when selecting your air purifier.

Follow our 2/3 Rule:
At minimum, you'll always want a unit with a tobacco smoke CADR at least 2/3 your room's area. For example, a 10' x 12' room -120 square feet - would require an air cleaner with a tobacco smoke CADR of at least 80. If your room size is smaller, the unit will simply clean the air more often or faster. If you have ceilings higher than 8', you'll want an air cleaner rated for a larger room.

We sell Blueair air purifiers which, for the second consecutive year, are the highest rated in their category.  Of the 159 air purifiers listed from various manufacturers, Blueair Models 501 and 601 air purifiers received the top two CADR levels for their room size categories.  If you want to learn more, visit www.cadr.org and you can see the results for yourself.

What contributes to poor indoor air quality?
Today's homes are built energy efficient to "hold" air inside - avoiding heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer. Of course, what's better for your energy bills isn't necessarily better for indoor air quality. This type of construction doesn't allow the home to breathe. Opening a window isn't always the answer - that's when an air cleaner can help, especially if someone in your home suffers from allergies.

Sources of air pollution

Tobacco smoke:
Tobacco smoke is one of the smallest allergens, and for years the EPA has reported the link between second-hand smoke and health effects.

Pollen:
Pollen comes from trees, flowers and grass, and even opening a door can allow millions of these particles into a home. Some people are particularly sensitive to the presence of certain pollen particles.

Animal dander:
People who are allergic to cats and dogs are actually allergic to the dander flakes their pets shed. Dander can remain in a home long after the presence of the host animal.

Mold and mildew:
Typically found in the shower, kitchen or basement, these sneaky plant spores also grow any place that's warm and humid.

Source: Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers

Avoid Manufacturers who sell air cleaners that produce Ozone.

How is ozone harmful?
The same chemical properties that allow high concentrations of ozone to react with organic material outside the body give it the ability to react with similar organic material that makes up the body, and potentially cause harmful health consequences. When inhaled, ozone can damage the lungs. Relatively low amounts can cause chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath, and, throat irritation. Ozone may also worsen chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma and compromise the ability of the body to fight respiratory infections. People vary widely in their susceptibility to ozone. Healthy people, as well as those with respiratory difficulty, can experience breathing problems when exposed to ozone.
Ozone generators that are sold as air cleaners intentionally produce the gas ozone. Often the vendors of ozone generators make statements and distribute material that lead the public to believe that these devices are always safe and effective in controlling indoor air pollution. For almost a century, health professionals have refuted these claims (Sawyer, et. al 1913; Salls, 1927; Boeniger, 1995; American Lung Association, 1997; Al-Ahmady, 1997).

Are Ozone Generators Effective in Controlling Indoor Air Pollution?
Some manufacturers or vendors suggest that ozone will render almost every chemical contaminant harmless by producing a chemical reaction whose only by-products are carbon dioxide, oxygen and water. This is misleading.

Indoor Air Can't Truly Be Cleaned unless it's circulated
Many of the popular "stick style" air purifiers claim to reduce allergens, pet dander, mold, dust, etc., but they do a poor job of cleaning your indoor air. Yes, they look good, and they are marketed well, but the value they provide is minimal. That's why a well known consumer products magazine reported that the leading stick style unit was "ineffective".  In fact, take a damp, clean, white cloth and dust off your television set weekly. Your TV captures dust particles, but how effective is your television at purifying your indoor air? Not effective at all!  One more bit of information...now that you know about Clean Air Delivery Rates (CADR), compare our Blueair models vs. the popular "stick style" models and you'll see that Blueair clean air delivery rates are significantly higher.

Take the test. Put a sheet of paper or a balloon near the "stick style" unit. You'll find that there's virtually no movement on the balloon or paper. Our educated opinion... do your research and you'll see for yourself. Remember, air must move through an air purifier for it to effectively purify your indoor air.

Now that you are educated on the Pitfalls to Avoid, you can buy from us with peace of mind and confidence.  We subscribe to only the finest products and services and yes, we too avoid those pitfalls! 

What is Mold and where is it found?
Molds are microscopic organisms, found virtually everywhere, indoors and outdoors. Molds can be found on plants, foods, dry leaves, and other organic material. Also susceptible to mold growth are cellulose materials, such as, cardboard, paper, ceiling tiles, and sheet rock. Mold spores are easily detached and made airborne by vacuuming, walking on a carpet or sitting on a couch. In indoor environments, mold can grow in air conditioning ducts, carpets, pots of houseplants, etc.

How can you be exposed to Mold?
When moldy materials become damaged or disturbed, spores (reproductive bodies similar to seeds) can be released into the air. The following are sources of indoor moisture that may cause mold problems in your home or office: flooding, leaky roofs, humidifiers, damp basements or crawl spaces, constant plumbing leaks, house plants, steam from cooking, shower/bath steam and leaks, wet clothes, and clothes dryers vented indoors. Protection...Testing Is Your First Line Of Defense

To find out if mold is a problem in your home or office, you must conduct a mold test!

The PRO-LAB Mold Test Kit utilizes a patented laboratory analytical method for accuracy and reliability. The easy to use do-it-yourself test allows you to determine whether toxic mold spores are in the air that your breath. Visual sampling may also be conducted. Optional lab analysis is available to indicate the exact count and type of mold present.