Alleviate Springtime Allergies the Natural Way

Springtime is quickly approaching, and this means itchy eyes, runny noses, and sneezing a lot of people. While many allergy sufferers often turn to medication, relief doesn’t necessarily have to involve dosing up on energy-draining drugs. Instead, the road to relief may best be paved by Mother Nature, as a variety of all-natural treatments can help alleviate symptoms without many of the troubling side effects ascribed to traditional care.

In terms of holistic supplements, a recent study published in the British Medical Journal found that just one tablet of butterbur administered four times day was as effective as a popular antihistamine when it came to controlling hay fever symptoms (and without the traditional side effect of drowsiness). Also, in a second study presented by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, a group of British researchers also corroborated the original findings when it came to butterbur’s effectiveness in quelling grass allergy symptoms.

However, perhaps another more-effective method of controlling seasonal allergies is through controlling the source of contamination itself. With that said, air filtration systems in the form of furnace filters or air purifiers are excellent for this purpose, as they have the ability to remove irritating allergy-causing dust and pollens from your personal space.

Allergy Furnace Filters
Allergy furnace filters such as those designed by AllergyZone are filters that are composed of highly-specialized, synthetic filtration media that provide a combination of electrostatic and mechanical filtration to remove airborne particulates from the air. The gradient layer of the filter’s media captures particulates while minimizing resistance, and many are over 90% efficient at eliminating allergens up to 0.3 microns in size.

Exclusively designed and recommended by leading allergy and asthma medications, AllergyZone furnace filters can actually remove up to 95% of harmful allergy-causing particulates from the air and are proven to be up to 500% more effective than traditional fiberglass filters.

Allergy Air Purifiers
When it comes to air purifiers, not all models are suitable for allergy-sufferers. Air purifiers utilizing ozone or constructed from plastic can off-gas and actually be detrimental to those with allergies. Instead, the most effective allergy air purifiers have HEPA filters which boast 99.97% efficiency when it comes to particle abatement. In fact, one specific air purifier, the Austin Air AllergyMachine, is specially designed for allergies, and filters the air through the use of True Medical-Grade HEPA, as well as a special layer of military carbon cloth for optimal filtration. In addition, the AllergyMachine is the only air purifier on the market to make use of HEGA (High Efficiency Gas Absorption) to eliminate chemicals and gases.

Are Multi-Functional Home Appliances a Growing Trend?

Multi-tasking is now a way of life for many Americans, and having appliances and furniture that serve more than one function is becoming increasingly popular. Kathryn Robyn, co-author of The Emotional House: How Redesigning Your Home Can Change Your Life states, “We need to be more efficient in order to live these busy lives.”

Moreover, in urban areas, many younger Americans are turning to condo living, as they can own for almost the same cost of renting. As a result, these living quarters are smaller and provide less storage space than single family homes, thus prompting the need for home products to be more compact and multi-functional. Thankfully, many home appliance manufacturers have taken this into consideration and have come out with an array of products that can perform more than one function at a time. Here are just a few ingenious, double-duty home products that are now available to meet the needs of consumers:

NewAir ACP-1000H Air Conditioner, Heater, and Air Purifier ($329):

Portable air conditioners are ideal for areas that cannot accommodate traditional or central air conditioning units, and they are compact, fully mobile, and require little to no installation. These units also use indoor air to cool the room and act as natural dehumidifiers because condensated water is either collected into a bucket or exhausted out of a room. A handful of portable air conditioners also include built-in heaters for year-round use, and the NewAir ACP-1000H not includes a heater function, it also offers a built-in ionizer to rid the air of airborne contaminants and impurities.

NewAir AF-320 Evaporative Cooler and Air Purifier ($119.95):

While it may seem a bit too cold at the moment to consider any type of cooling appliance, for those living in hot and arid climates, the stifling heat can be experienced year-round. With that in mind, evaporative coolers are the perfect solution for cost-effectively cooling your home. Evaporative coolers reduce the ambient temperature by up to 20 degrees using simple evaporation of water, and the NewAir AF-320 is a great option. Because it uses a cooling pad that never needs to be replaced, maintenance is a breeze, and ice can even be added for more intense cooling. As well, due to the increased concern over air quality, the AF-320 also includes a built-in ionic air purifier to clean the air you breathe.

Sprite ARA5-CT Showerhead and Filter ($49.99):

Studies have repeatedly shown that municipal water is often laden with contaminants such as chlorine, lead, pesticides, and iron oxide, and showering with this polluted water can lead to skin irritations, dull hair, and even reduced efficiency of bathroom appliances. Thankfully, shower filters can remove contaminated and mineralized water at the source and rejuvenate your skin and restore your hair’s luster. The Sprite ARA5-CT has the ability to eliminate chlorine, iron oxide, sediment, and traces of heavy metals from your shower water, and also doubles a deluxe five-way massaging showerhead which provides an invigorating shower to get the day off to a smart start.

NewAir AI-400SB Icemaker and Water Dispenser ($329.95)

We’ve all heard about the many health benefits associated with drinking sufficient amounts of water. Water forms a major part of our body constitution and is absolutely necessary for our survival and for ensuring the smooth functioning of our body systems. With that in mind, water dispensers are a great way to make sure you’re drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day. The AI400SB by NewAir dispenses both cold and room temperature water, and even has a hot water function for cups of tea or instant coffee. As an added bonus, this water dispenser also includes a built-in icemaker that produces ice in a matter of minutes – perfect for icy cold beverages in the summer!

New European Study Finds that HEPA Filters May Improve the Heart Health of the Elderly

Indoor air pollution sources that release particulates or gases into the air are the primary causes of indoor air quality problems in homes, and inadequate ventilation can also increase indoor pollutant levels by not bringing in enough outdoor air to dilute indoor particulate emissions. In addition, high humidity and temperature levels can actually increase concentrations of some pollutants.

The American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine has also noted that long-term ambient concentrations of inhalable particles less than 10 microns in size, as well as other pollutants such as ozone and sulfates, were responsible for thousands of deaths of non-smokers over the course of 15 years.

As such, a recent study was conducted by researchers at the Institute of Public Health in Copenhagen that showed how HEPA filters were able to improve the blood vessel function of elderly test subjects in a short period of time. These researchers used tests to asses microvascular function and inflammation in elderly couples aged 60 to 75 years after breathing in non-filtered air and after breathing in HEPA-filtered air for 48 hours.

Microvascular function involves the tiny blood vessels linking the arteries and veins and their ability to relax and dilate in response to the demands of blood and oxygen. Dr. Steffan Loft, the above study's lead author, explained that the study was an important one because a sign of both coronary heart disease and artherosclerosis is impaired microvascular function. On average, the study found that microvascular function of the elderly test subjects improved by over 8 percent after they had spent two days breathing filtered air, and the research team concluded the following: "It may ... be speculated that further improvement may occur after prolonged intervention by 6 months to 1 year, and that this could result in further reduction in cardiovascular risk in this healthy, elderly age group."

With this in mind, using a HEPA air purifier in your home is one of the easiest ways to purify particulates in the air. HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air, and it must be capable of removing at least 99.97 percent of airborne particulates 0.3 microns or larger. Because particles of this size are the most difficult to filter, they are considered the most penetrating particle size.

Because of its ability to remove some of the smallest airborne pollutants, HEPA is one of the most common air purification methods used in air purifiers today, and there are many HEPA air systems on the market to suit every budget. Also, since the numbers of asthma and allergy sufferers are steadily increasing, HEPA air purifiers are becoming quite prevalent and are worthwhile investments. Here are some general tips on how to find a high-quality and efficient HEPA air purifier:

- Buy Only Air Purifiers With "True" HEPA Filters. Be wary of air purifiers with "HEPA-like" filters. True HEPA filters must pass stringent tests to be considered HEPA worthy, and these will bear serial numbers if they are able to trap at least 99.97 percent of particulates as small as 0.3 microns.

- Warm-Rolling Increases Efficiency. Look for air purifiers with warm-rolled HEPA filters. If a HEPA filter is not warm-rolled and pleated prior to installation, it can crack and lose its effectiveness. One recommended model is the Airpura H600 air purifier.

- The More HEPA, the Better. The size of the HEPA filter in an air purifier is important, as the larger the amount of HEPA, the more capable it is of trapping airborne contaminants. Also, find HEPA filters with spacers which maximize the filter’s surface area.

Spruce Up Your Home with a Stylish Small Appliance

Many home appliance manufacturers are creating their products with design considerations in mind. Color is everywhere, and metal finishes, brushed aluminum, and warm copper are especially popular, as many consumers are now looking for both form and function in a home appliance. The influence of sophisticated and contemporary European design can be found in many modern home appliances, particularly in kitchen appliances such as portable icemakers, refrigerators, and espresso machines. Here are some examples of appliances which can compliment any décor:

Home Icemakers
An icemaker is essential in industries such as grocery, lodging, and food service, but these appliances also make great additions for anyone who enjoys entertaining or filling a cooler on the go. Portable icemakers can typically produce several pounds of ice in a short period of time and will allow you to enjoy icy, refreshing drinks any time.

In terms of looks, the NewAir AI-200SS ($199.95) portable ice maker has been completely redesigned and is now constructed of commercial-grade stainless steel. By producing three types of ice cubes in as little as six minutes, and with the capability of delivering up to 35 pounds of ice per day, this sleek icemaker is a welcome addition to any kitchen.

Compact Refrigerators
Small studio apartments, dorm rooms, or offices may not be large enough to accommodate standard refrigerators, and in those situations, a compact refrigerator is an ideal solution. While compact refrigerators used to be simple and generic, most have come a long way, with many modern units being constructed of stainless steel and including large, separate freezers.

For those who want a sleek and stylish compact refrigerator, the Sunpentown RF-320S ($213.95) comes to mind. Featuring separate fridge and freezer compartments with double doors, an adjustable thermostat, and fresh food section, the RF-320S costs only $29 a year to run. As well, the unit is housed in a stylish black case with stainless steel doors to compliment most interiors.

Espresso Machines
Espresso consumption in the United States has grown tremendously in the last decade, and in many large metropolitan cities, it’s impossible to walk more than a couple of blocks without seeing some kind of café or espresso cart, as they’re often located in bookstores, grocery stores, and even gas stations. Although commercial espresso machines can cost thousands of dollars, experts say that a quality home machine can be had in the $300 to $600 range.

The DeLonghi EC701 ($329.95) espresso machine was designed and engineer in Italy, and the European design influence is quite apparent, as the unit is constructed of high-grade stainless steel. This unit also features two separate thermostats for controlling water and steam pressure, pod holder, frother, and patented “Sempre Crema” filter holder to produce a perfect crema with every cup.

Air Purifiers
We roughly inhale 10,000 quarts of air every day, and this brings not only oxygen into our lungs, but also harmful pollutants. In addition, because we spend up to 90 percent indoors, we are highly susceptible to indoor particulates such as dust, dirt, dander, gases, chemicals, and even biological contaminants. With an air purifier, however, you can filter out these contaminants, become healthier, and alleviate respiratory problems.

However, the only problem with many air purifiers is that they are often large, clunky, and somewhat of an eyesore, but with Blueair’s Airpod ($99.95), you can breathe in crystal-clear air wherever you go. In addition to its compact size and state-of-the-art HEPA filter, the Airpod is available in multiple patterns to allow the unit to fit into any décor.

Space Heaters
In instances where central heating is inadequate or too costly to install and operate, a portable space heater can provide warm comfort during the cooler months. In many cases, space heaters can be much less expensive to run if heating only one room or as a supplemental heating source. They can also effectively boost the temperature of rooms used by individuals sensitive to cold without overheating your entire home.

Electric fireplaces are the ideal solution when you need heat but wish to add to the décor of your surroundings. Models such as the NewAir AH-500 ($179.99) bring quiet, instant heat in a classic design that is sure to complement any room of your home. This electric fireplace provides the warm, fire-like glow of a real fireplace without any smoke or fumes, and costs just pennies to run a day.

Are You Being Exposed to Too Much Ozone?

Those of us living in urban or suburban areas may have seen the occasional summer news report about ozone alerts, but many of us may not be aware of what this really means.

Naturally found in small concentrations in the Earth’s upper and lower atmosphere, ozone is a molecule consisting of three oxygen atoms bound together, and is often used as a deodorizing agent, sterilization agent for air and drinking water, and even as a bleach. In fact, some air purifier manufacturers have also touted the use of ozone as a miracle “air cleaner” and they specifically design air purifiers which utilize ozone as a means to sterilize the air. While ozone molecules may be able to destroy some airborne pollutants, even low concentrations of ozone gas can be considered toxic, as it is ozone’s ability to alter the chemical composition of other substances that can also cause adverse health reactions.

When ozone is inhaled, it travels through your respiratory tract and its corrosive nature damages the alveoli and bronchioles in your lungs. After repeated exposure, ozone can inflame lung tissue and cause other respiratory illnesses and even infection. Ozone can also aggravate or exacerbate existing conditions such as asthma and allergies, and it is for this reason that the California Air Resources Board has agreed to ban the sale of ozone air purifiers by 2009.

Nevertheless, even if you don’t employ the use of ozone air purifiers in your home, you can still be susceptible to high levels of ozone if you live in non-urban areas. Prevailing winds or car emissions traveling through rural areas often carry ozone pollution, and significant levels of pollution can be detected in rural areas as far as 250 miles downwind from urban industrial areas.

To protect yourself from ozone exposure, pay close attention to the Air Quality Index (AQI) in your area on a daily basis, and you can usually find this information in the newspaper, on a morning weather forecast, or on the internet. Generally speaking, AQI measures the concentrations of five specific air pollutants: ozone, sulfur dioxide, particulates, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen dioxide, and these concentrations are compared to a standard set out by federal law. Also follow these steps to decrease ozone exposure:

1. Eliminate or control sources of ozone: Perhaps the most effective method of decreasing ozone, you can eliminate or control ozone by minimizing the use of products and materials that cause indoor pollution; employ good hygiene practices to minimize biological contaminants; and using good housekeeping practices to control particles.
2. Increase ventilation: This includes installing an exhaust fan close to the source of contaminants, increasing outdoor air flow in a mechanical ventilation system; and opening windows.
3. Remove pollutants through proven air cleaning methods: This can include using air purifiers that employ the use of mechanical filtration, such as HEPA or Activated Carbon air purifiers. One air purifier manufacturer – Airfree – has also designed a line of air purifiers scientifically proven to actually decrease ozone levels in a given environment.

Lastly, if you’d like to test the ozone levels in your own backyard or around your school, you can make ozone detector strips from simple ingredients including corn starch, coffee filters (cut in strips), and potassium iodide. Make a paste from water, cornstarch, and the potassium iodide and paint this paste on the filter. After exposing the strips to the air for eight hours, airborne ozone will react with the potassium iodide and change the color of the strip. Here is the color scale with the corresponding ozone concentrations:

Schoenbein Color Scale for Ground Level Ozone Testing

0-3: Little or no change
4-6: Lavender
7-10: Blue or purple

Protect Your Baby's Health by Creating a Natural Nursery

A child’s arrival can be one of life’s most joyous occasions, and if you're expecting a baby, you may be focused on planning the baby shower or decorating the nursery. While finding interesting color schemes and baby furniture can be exciting, you may be unaware that many of the products commonly found in nurseries such as paint, furniture, and carpeting can emit harmful pollutants such as particulates and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into your baby’s air.

Paying close attention to your child’s indoor air quality is extremely important, as prolonged exposure to airborne pollutants can result in adverse health effects such as asthma, allergies, hay fever, and breathing difficulties. In fact, studies conducted by the EPA have shown that asthma afflicts approximately 6.3 million children, with the biggest growth in asthma cases occurring in children under five. Asthma also tends to be interrelated to allergies, with a large number of asthmatic children also suffering from severe allergies. Therefore, with this in mind, creating a natural baby nursery should take precedence over many other baby-planning activities, as clean air and a baby’s immune system are inextricably linked.

As mentioned, VOCs often plague baby nurseries, and they can be found in products such as gasoline, nail polish, and paint thinners. In addition to being hazardous to your baby’s health, VOCs harms the environment by contributing to ground-level ozone. Look to these tips to make your nursery as safe as possible.

Paint
VOCs are found in many paints and are released in the air as the paint dries. Before painting your nursery, be sure to look for paints that are low in both VOCs and odor. After the nursery is painted, keep the room well-ventilated by keeping windows open and fans on until there is no remaining odor. Children and pregnant women should also avoid going inside newly painted rooms for at least 72 hours, and if you must paint after the baby comes home, keep the child in another bedroom for a few weeks or until there is no odor.

Floors
Because infants and young children spend the majority of their time on the floor, look for safe floor coverings such as cotton hand-loomed rugs, natural carpet, or even carpet tiles. Also look for area rugs made of natural fibers such as sea grass, sisal, coir, hemp, or jute, as these are stylish, extremely durable, often cost less than wool. If you choose to use conventional carpet or rug, air it out in a ventilated area for a week before installation, or ask the carpet retailer to have it aired out and unrolled a week prior to installation and/or delivery.

Furniture
Beware of cribs, changing tables, dressers, and shelves made of laminated wood, pressed wood, fiberboard, or particle board, as these can eliminate formaldehyde due to the glue in the products. Instead, opt for solid wood cribs and furniture and use natural or chemical-free bedding.

To further protect your baby from pollutants, consider purchasing a high quality air purifier with HEPA and Activated Carbon. In fact, Austin Air has even created a product just for this purpose: the Baby’s Breath Air Purifier ($299.99). Not only does this air purifier offer a high level of protection from a variety of airborne contaminants, it also creates a gentle hush that resembles the familiar sound your baby has enjoyed for nine months in the womb.

HEPA Vs. HEGA Filters - What's the Difference?

Many of us retreat to our homes for security and relaxation, only to find that our senses are constantly being attacked by a variety of asthma and allergy-related culprits.

The EPA has repeatedly warned the public of the dangers of poor indoor air quality, and unfortunately, even the most immaculate home can be teeming with pollutants. Virtually every home is affected by indoor particulates, and this is especially true if your home was built in the last 20 years or so, as energy-conservation efforts enacted in the 1970s required homes to be built especially air-tight. Common sources of indoor air pollutants can include dust, carpet, furnishings, household cleaning products, pets, and cigarette smoke. Unfortunately, exposure to these contaminants can result in a range of health problems such as asthma, allergies, respiratory disorders, and even cancer.

One way to combat these airborne irritants is to use a high-quality air purifier to clear the air. Air purifiers can also help remove vapors from carpets and textiles, cleaning products, and other pollution particulates that can jeopardize your health.

Studies have shown that clean air helps you sleep better and breathe easier, and looking for an air purifier may seem confusing at first. One of the most effective ways at controlling particulates is through the use of a high-efficient particulate filter, but finding the right kind of filter can even be difficult. Two popular types of air filters are HEPA and HEGA, and while these two terms may seem interchangeable, they are also quite different, as they are used to filter out different types of pollutants.

HEPA technology has been around since the 1930s and is essentially a type of filter media that allows air to pass through. This type of filter is highly efficient at particle abatement, and is 99.97% effective in capturing particles 0.3 microns or larger (including common pollutants such as dust, hair, dander, and pollen). HEPA technology was originally developed by the Atomic Energy Commission to create clean and safe environments for troops, researchers, and scientists.

Because of a HEPA filter’s ability to remove particles from the air, it is the most common method of air purification. When purchasing an air purifier with HEPA filtration, look for True HEPA filters, as these must pass independent tests and perform at a certain standard to receive the distinction of a True HEPA filter. Also, when deciding on a HEPA air purifier, pay close attention to the filter’s construction. Warm-rolled HEPA filters are best, as these are not prone to cracking. Air purifiers such as the Airpura H600 utilize HEPA filters that are warm-rolled and pleated to increase filtration efficiency.

On the other hand, HEGA filters serve a different purpose. HEGA stands for High Efficiency Gas Absorption, and this type of filter was developed about a decade ago by the British Army as a defense against chemical warfare. HEGA filters are composed of a carbon cloth and are considered to be many times more efficient than granulated activated carbon at adsorption of gaseous pollutants, chemicals, and odors. Because of their efficiency, light weight, and easy workability, air purifiers with HEGA filters are now becoming more popular, especially in air purifiers geared towards allergy, chemical, gas, and odor control. In fact, some air purifiers such as the Austin Air AllergyMachine use HEGA filters in combination with HEPA filters to provide complete air purification.

Do You Have a Household Odor Problem?

Nothing is worse than odors in the home. Whether they come from yours pets, cooking, cigarette smoke, or mold, offensive odors are both annoying and at times, even embarrassing. In a lot of cases, opening windows and using air fresheners may temporarily mask some odors, but they don’t really completely remove them. By following these simple steps, you can easily take control of household odors and make your home fresh and clean again.

Materials Needed:
-Gloves
-Furnace or air conditioner filters
-Lemons
-Baking Soda
-Vinegar
-Tri-sodium phosphate
-One gallon of household bleach

1. Begin by opening the windows in your home and place a large fan where it can blow fresh air into your home and a second fan to exhaust offensive odors out.
2. Address air circulation problems and change all of the furnace filters in your home every few days until no odors can be detected. If odors still persist, you may have odor-causing particles in your ducting which will require a professional cleaning.
3. Thoroughly wash or dry clean drapes, clothing, bedding (make sure you follow manufacturer’s cleaning instructions). To remove set in odors from clothing, you may have to perform several washings. For odors such as cigarette smoke, use gloves and mix a solution consisting of 4-6 tablespoons of Tri-Sodium Phosphate; 1 gallon of warm water; and 1 cup of bleach. Soak color fast clothing in this formula for ten minutes and then wash them in a complete cycle. The above homemade cleaning solution also works well for ceilings, walls, and floors - just be sure to rinse or wipe afterwards.
4. Make another solution with 1 cup of vinegar, lemon juice (approximately three lemons’ worth), and one gallon of warm water. Unplug appliances such as your stove and refrigerator and clean surfaces with this solution.
5. To clean carpets, rent a commercial steam extractor and use it on carpets, rugs, and furniture. If odors are stemming from mattresses and foam pillows, these may need to be replaced, as odors are usually permanently absorbed into these types of surfaces.
6. After everything has been washed, rinsed, and dried, try placing small dishes filled with a few drops of vanilla or baking soda throughout the house to capture odors, and use an air purifier with Activated Carbon in heavily polluted areas such as the kitchen or near pets.

Holiday Health Tips - Prevent Allergy Symptoms

Cooler temperatures and hectic winter schedules can pose health challenges that are unique to the holiday season. In order to both survive and enjoy the holidays, take a few precautions to keep yourself healthy:

Indoor Air Quality
Everyone spends more time indoors during the cooler months, and it is imperative to be aware of your indoor air quality. Clean your chimney before that first holiday fire, and be sure to check fireplace vents and keep fireplace doors closed to prevent smoke.

Christmas decorations and ornaments stored in attics or garages can become accumulated with dust and mold. Thoroughly clean and dry all of these holiday items, seal them in plastic bags, and store them in airtight, plastic containers. If you are extremely sensitive to dust and mold, consider purchasing a high-quality air purifier with HEPA filtration. HEPA filters are one of the most efficient methods at eliminating up to 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns. Also, because heating vents can blow accumulated dust and debris throughout your home, change or replace your furnace filters before turning on your home heating system, and purchase an allergy furnace filter to help turn your home into a "whole house filter."

Mold Problems
Activities such as raking wet leaves and choosing logs for the fireplace can trigger outdoor mold allergies during the winter season. To prevent allergy exacerbations, remove wet dirt and leaves from around the foundation and gutters of your home to prevent outdoor mold from accumulating around the windows and doors. Store all firewood outside, and only bring new logs inside when you are going to use them. For mold allergy sufferers, dress appropriately and wear protective gloves and face masks, and keep allergy medication readily available.

Indoor mold can also flourish due to high humidity levels stemming from weather changes, leaking roofs, condensing water pipes, and unvented combustion appliances. To address moisture and mold problems, keep your humidity levels below 50% by installing exhaust fans in rooms with high humidity and by using a dehumidifier.

Colder Weather and Asthma
Winter weather can also affect asthma sufferers. Wear a scarf or muffler when venturing outside to warm and humidify winter winds before they enter your lungs, or look to purchasing a warming mask for even more protection against the elements.

Beware of Christmas Trees
A perfect Christmas tree can be one of the highlights of the holiday season, but did you know that Christmas greenery can cause many allergy sufferers to hack and sneeze? According to Paul Stillwagon, a leading allergy physician, mold hidden under the crevices of a tree bark can be more of an allergy trigger than pine needles. While it is possible that some may be allergic to pine tree pollen, Stillwagon argues that it is impossible to have symptoms during the Christmas season because pine trees only pollinate in the spring. Because tree decorating involves rustling branches and bringing out those dusty ornaments from the basement, the dust may be triggering allergies as well.

Also, because commercially-sold trees are often sprayed with chemicals to help them stay green, these chemicals may cause respiratory symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and watery eyes. Prevent these symptoms by hosing down a live tree before bringing it in.

Need Help Finding an Air Purifier?

We inhale roughly 10,000 quarts of air every day, and this can bring not only oxygen into our lungs, but also harmful pollutants such as mold, pollen, dust, VOCs, smoke, and chemicals. The EPA has even noted that indoor air can be many times worse than the air outside, but yet, every winter, to save on energy bills, most Americans still insist on bundling up and sealing themselves indoors, therefore decreasing ventilation and perhaps causing even further damage to the respiratory system.

Fortunately, studies have shown that the use of a high-quality air purifier with filter media such as HEPA or Activated Carbon can significantly reduce indoor pollution levels and leave you with clean, fresh air. Here is a quick overview on how to find the best air purifier and how to use it properly:

Choose Your Purification Method Wisely
While companies like Sharper Image often tout the benefits of their negative ion air purifiers, these types of air purifiers do little when it comes to actually filtering out particles. For complete and thorough control of particulates such as dust, dander, and pollen, air purifiers with HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Arresting) filters are still the most effective. With 99.97% efficiency at removing particulates as small as 0.3 microns (one micron is 1/100 width of a human hair), HEPA air cleaners are also used in hospitals and government buildings.

For odor control, look for air purifiers with Activated Carbon filters which absorb noxious smells, gases, and chemicals, and if microbiological contaminants such as mold or bacteria are concerns, an air purifier offering UV sterilization can do the job. In fact, many high-end air purifiers on the market often use a combination of the above purification methods to achieve complete results. Two independently-tested models utilizing multiple technologies, including HEPA filtration, include the Airgle BY750 and the Blueair 601.

Pay Attention to Room Size
Air purifiers are usually rated based on area sizes. To ensure proper filtration of your area, look for an air cleaner that can handle your room's square footage. If you are trying to purify the air in your living room but use an air purifier designed for personal spaces up to 150 square feet, it won’t work as well.

Change Filters Regularly
Replace the filters in your air purifier according to manufacturer’s instructions. For example, if not replaced every four to six months, activated carbon filters can start releasing pollutants back into the air.

Winter is Here - Tips to Stay Healthy During the Cooler Months

While winter is a joyous season filled with holiday parties, family gatherings, and gift-giving, it can also be one of the deadliest times of the year. Weather-related injuries and illnesses afflict millions during the cooler months, as people may fail to take adequate health and safety precautions. The likelihood of injury or illness often depends on factors such as the temperature both indoors and out, humidity levels, air quality, and one’s age and state of health. To ensure a safe holiday season in the face of imminent winter hazards, following these tips:

Keep Warm
While this may seem obvious, hypothermia is one of the biggest causes of death among the elderly and children, as their bodies cannot adjust well to cold weather. When venturing outdoors, be sure to dress appropriately. In order to adjust to changing weather conditions, dress in layers, and avoid overdressing or overexertion, as this can lead to heat illness.

For indoor warmth, be sure to adjust your thermostat and make use of your central heating system. To spot heat areas or add supplemental heat, consider purchasing an inexpensive space heater to cost-effectively boost the temperature of your home.

Ensure Proper Humidity Levels
Colder weather means drier air, and improper humidity levels can damage furniture, increase heating costs, and even worse, impact your health. Studies have shown that incorrect humidity levels can cause ailments such as scratchy dry throat, increased allergy symptoms, frequent colds/infections, increased chemical sensitivity, and dry skin and throat. To help humidify the air, consider using a humidifier to increase moisture and to help keep comfortable.

Breathe Clean Air
Because most people keep their windows and doors closed during the winter, this can decrease the ventilation in the home. This in turn also decreases the overall air quality, and can cause increased allergy and asthma symptoms, colds, hay fever, and other respiratory disorders. Also, carbon monoxide poisoning due to poorly maintained furnaces and fireplaces kill roughly 500 Americans each year. To keep the air clean, use an air purifier and consider using an electric fireplace instead of your standard wood-burning or gas fireplace.

Prepare for Long Winter Nights
While seemingly harmless, short days and long nights can influence the well-being of millions of Americans. According to the January 2007 issue of the Harvard Health Letter, time changes and the length of days can throw heart-related hormones off and cause heart problems. Seasonal Affective Disorder, a type of clinical depression, can also affect people during the winter. In order to reduce or prevent SAD symptoms, you may want to try increasing the lighting in your home and exercise more, as this can increase both your dopamine and energy levels.

Get Rid of Smoke Odors

You could almost call cigarette smoke the houseguest that just won’t leave. A smoke molecule has an extremely fine particulate structure that allows it to be attached to virtually anything. The size of a smoke particle is extremely small - about .01 to 1 micron (a human hair is 75 microns), and they have the ability to penetrate even the tiniest spaces. Therefore, the noxious smell of tobacco smoke often lingers in the air and permeates into porous surfaces such as draperies, furniture, and clothing. Smoke can even cause discoloration and damage to the surfaces of walls and home furnishings.

Besides being annoying, smoke can also worsen symptoms in those with allergies or asthma, and the long-term effects of smoke exposure can lead to cancer and lung problems. However, getting rid of smoke odors can be arduous and costly. There are four principles for removing tough odors such as tobacco: get rid of the source, clean all surfaces, use sealants to cover hard surfaces (if necessary), and neutralize any remaining odors.

For hard surfaces such as walls and fixtures, cleaners that include an alkaline builder such as ammonia and a glycol solvent are excellent at removing smoke odors. For walls and ceilings, washing should be followed by a fresh coat of paint and a stain-blocking sealer/primer. The undercoat prevents nicotine particles from bleeding through.

For porous surfaces such as carpets, steam cleaning or shampooing may be able to work, although this may not be sufficient for heavy, set-in smoke odors. Upholstered furniture should be professionally cleaned and deodorized, as the wrong cleaner could cause damage and even result in color bleeding.

In order to neutralize any persisting odors that remain after cleaning, there are two options: a furnace filter or an air purifier. Furnace filters are an affordable option, and can improve indoor air quality by catching 90% of contaminants and particles as small as one micron. As well, furnace filters can oftentimes prolong the life of your heating and cooling system. However, for greater odor control, an air purifier using Activated Carbon, one of the most adsorbent materials known to man, can filter out smoke molecules. In fact, there are air purifiers on the market that are specifically designed to remove smoke, such as the Airpura T600. This air cleaner has the ability to remove odors and the 4000 chemicals and 60 carcinogens that are found in tobacco smoke.

Nevertheless, to eliminate tobacco smoke odor, the most obvious trick is the most effective - smoke outside.

Breathe Easy - Steps to Ensuring Healthy Lungs

Every day, we breathe roughly thirty pounds of air (3,500 gallons). The respiratory system is an often neglected area of our body, but perhaps one of the most vital, as humans cannot live without air for more than five minutes. The respiratory system is a complex network of tubes such as bronchi which carry air to the lungs, where gas exchange takes place. The oxygen that travels from the lungs to the cells in the body provides fuel for these cells. This entire process is essentially an exchange of gas via an automatic and unconscious system. In addition to gas exchange, the respiratory system also acts as either an air conditioner or furnace, helps moisturize the air for proper humidity, and protects the body from harmful substances by filtering out pollutants, sneezing, or by alerting you through your sense of smell.

In order to keep your respiratory system functioning healthily and effortlessly, proper lung care is absolutely crucial. The lungs need to be protected from injuries and exposure to airborne pollutants such as chemicals and dust. While aging undoubtedly has an effect on your lungs, these simple steps can help you keep this vital organ healthy:

1. Control your breathing environment:
- Provide your lungs with air that is at the right temperature and humidity levels, and clear your air of airborne particles.

2. Be aware of the dangers of modern technology on your lungs:
- Avoid airborne occupational or household contaminants such as dust, dander, asbestos, gravel, carbon monoxide, and radon.
- Be smoke-free by not smoking.
- Use household cleaners and chemicals in well-ventilated areas.
- Have chimneys cleaned regularly to assure safe operation.
- Provide your vehicle with regular tune-ups to keep the air cleaner longer.

3. Ensure the health of your lungs by getting appropriate health care:
- Make sure you and your family members have been tested for tuberculosis.
- Cover coughs and sneezes to prevent the spread of viruses and bacteria.
- Get influenza vaccines on a yearly basis and immunize your children against childhood diseases.
- Properly humidify and ventilate your air through the use of humidifiers and/or air purifiers.

By making a conscious, health-wise effort to keep your lungs healthy, you can help prevent respiratory conditions such as emphysema, bronchitis, and asthma attacks from affecting the way you breathe. With a little effort, you can have a healthy set of lungs for years to come.