A: Unfortunately, quite severe. The EPA has ranked indoor air pollution as the nation’s worst environmental health problem, calling it 2 to 10 times worse than outdoor air pollution. (CLICK ON IMAGE FOR ENLARGED VERSION)
Q: Are increased asthma and allergy problems the result of this indoor air quality epidemic?
A: More than anything else, asthma and allergy issues are the result of indoor environmental provocations. As a result of the 1970’s energy crisis, home and commercial building construction resorted to a more “air-tight” method. This effort was made to increase energy efficiency, which it did. Conversely, these newer buildings and homes trap pollutants indoors and keep natural pollutant-killers outdoors, creating extremely unhealthy indoor air. Since about 90% of our time is spent indoors, these indoor pollutants are negatively affecting our health much more than outdoor air pollutants.
Q: Can I substitute an air purifier in place of my asthma or allergy medication?
A: No. While an air purifier may not eliminate the need for medication, it will reduce the amount of medication needed in most cases. Most asthma medication is designed to sooth the tightness in the lung’s bronchiole tubes irritated by indoor pollutants. Air purifiers work to remove these pollutants, thus reducing their negative effects and quite possibly saving you money on medication.
Q: How can I tell if my home/building might have indoor air quality issues?
A: Virtually all homes and buildings can be affected, especially those built in the last 20 years. If you have excessive moisture or chronic plumbing leaks, you may be much more susceptible to mold and dust mites as well.
Q: What are the most common sources of indoor air pollution?
A: Moisture, dust, carpet, plywood, people, pets, insects, and cigarette smoke are among the leading indoor air contaminants.
Q: How do negative ion air purifiers work?
A: These machines release negatively charged ions into the air, which are attracted to positively charged allergens and pollutants. These neutral particles then fall harmlessly to the ground where they can be vacuumed or dusted from furniture.
Q: What is a HEPA filter and how does it work?
A: HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Arresting. These filters were designed in the 1950s by the US Atomic Energy Commission to remove radioactive particulates from the air. These filters consist of tightly bound fibers that work to “catch” particles as air is passed through the filter. HEPA filters use an accordion-like or folded structure to increase surface area, thus allowing them to capture more particles and extend the life of the filter.
Q: What is Activated Carbon and how does it work?
A: While HEPA filters are the most effective and efficient means of particulate removal, they do not remove odors, chemicals or gasses. Activated Carbon Filters are needed for this specialized task. Activated Carbon is carbon that has been heated to drive out impurities, leaving a solid mass with pores and pockets where the impurities had been. This Activated Carbon has excellent absorption characteristics and the open pockets and pores work to absorb and trap smoke, chemicals and harmful gasses.
Q: How do UV Lamps work in air purifiers?
A: Many air purifiers now include a UV stage whereby the air and its contaminants are exposed to ultraviolet light after the HEPA and Carbon filtration process. UV light in the range of 185 nm to 265 nm is extremely effective in killing microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses by disturbing the DNA of the organism at the molecular level. The at-risk elderly and very young are typically the population for which UV air purifiers are purchased.
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