Asthma Prevention Tips

Asthma is a condition which can be controlled by utilizing some of the same techniques used to manage common allergy symptoms. Here are some asthma prevention tips for the home environment.

Much has been written about preventing asthma attacks by maintaining control over potential airborne triggers (allergens). However, here are some little known tips which are proven to control these potential asthma allergens in the home environment. A recent 2008 poll of asthma sufferers indicated some confusion regarding the proper methods of reducing asthma allergens in the home. And to compound the situation, health practitioners do not have a good understanding of the technologies available to help their patients while in their home environment.

Technology to the Rescue

Utilizing the proper technology combined with the knowledge of how to use that technology will make the greatest reduction of asthma-causing allergens in the home environment. Many asthma allergens fall into the broad category of airborne particles which must be removed from the environment on an ongoing basis. High Efficient Particle Air (HEPA) filter technology can drastically reduce asthma symptoms within days from it’s initial use. However, HEPA filtration devices must be used regularly to keep the asthma-causing allergens at bay.

The Amazing HEPA Vacuum

The HEPA vacuum is the most important cleaning device available for controlling asthma-causing allergens in the indoor environment. The HEPA vacuum is a portable yet very accurate cleaning device. Every square inch of a surface that is HEPA vacuumed removes hundreds of the potential allergen particles from the home environment forever. The more you use a HEPA vacuum, the better, since it is the most effective method to remove particle allergens from furniture and flooring.

The Equally Amazing HEPA/ Chemical Media Air Purifier

HEPA air purifiers are another method to remove asthma causing allergens from the indoor environment. However, it should be known that they remove the airborne particles only. Once a potential asthma allergen settles on a furniture or flooring surface, it must then be removed with the HEPA vacuum.

Since some asthma-causing allergens are a gas or vapor, it is important to utilize a HEPA air purifier which also contains chemical-reduction media filters. Chemical-reducing media within an air purifier will also remove gases or vapors from the indoor environment. This option is available with certain higher-end models and can be purchased with changeable chemical reduction media packs.

Using a HEPA vacuum along with HEPA air purifiers in commonly used rooms and rooms of asthma sufferers can make a drastic reduction in asthma attacks while at home.

To learn more about indoor pollutants and how to make your home a haven, please sign up for our Free Email Mini-Course Newsletter in the upper right-hand corner of this page or click here to read more.

Mold Pictures

Color pictures of mold (a.k.a. fungi) which can be found indoors. Some pictures are presented as cultured in petri dishes while others show mold colonizations in the indoor environment.

Aspergillus and penicillium molds seen below are common mold species found indoors which can lead to acute or chronic allergies and asthma.

Carbon Monoxide Safety Tips

Carbon monoxide (CO) is known as the “Silent Killer” and for good reason. Hundreds of people die every year from the unintentional exposure to this deadly and invisible gas. Over 15,000 emergency crew visits are reported to occur in the United States alone from suspected carbon monoxide gas in the home. Carbon monoxide poisoning is believed to cause over 10,000 injuries yearly worldwide. The most shocking statistic is that approximately 65% of non-fatal carbon monoxide exposures occur in the home environment and these non-fatal exposures can have long-term health effects such as Parkinson’s Disease, Agnosia (inability to recognize people and objects) or Apraxia (involuntary movement). Limited exposures to carbon monoxide can have other long-term nerve damage effects in humans causing mental deterioration, urinary incontinence and visual impairment.

It is important to evaluate your home or building environment on a regular basis to determine possible carbon monoxide exposures. Educate all other household members regarding the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning and the serious nature of preventing exposure to this undetectable gas..

Carbon monoxide safety and prevention tips:

• Keep all gas appliances properly adjusted by a professional (gas stove, furnace, water heater, etc.).
• Consider purchasing a vented gas-operated space heater when replacing an unvented gas model.
• Never use a kerosene space heater indoors in a home or building environment. Only use fuel as indicated in directions in kerosene space heaters.
• Never use a propane heater indoors in a home or building environment.
• Never operate a charcoal-burning cooking or heating device in an attached garage or indoors.
• Install or use a ventahood unit over gas stoves which are vented to outdoors s.
• Open flues when fireplaces or wood-burning stoves are in use. Ensure that fireplace flue is clear of branches, leaves, bird nests and other obstructions which could cause smoke-laden Carbon Monoxide (CO) gases to back up into the indoor environment. Fireplace flues should be cleaned yearly.
• Choose properly sized wood stoves that are certified to meet EPA emission standards. Make certain that doors on all wood stoves fit tightly.
• Have a trained professional inspect a central heating furnace before every heating season. Repair any leaks in flues promptly. Furnaces found to have leaks in the heat exchanger should be replaced immediately.
• Have a trained professional inspect gas water heaters and gas stoves on a annual basis. Repair any leaks in flues promptly.
• Never idle a motor vehicle (car, truck, ATV or motorcycle) inside an attached garage.
• Always start lawnmowers and other lawn-care devices outdoors away from an attached garage.
• Install a CO detector adjacent to bedrooms in any house, apartment or building which has gas-burning appliances of any kind. CO detectors should be placed over 15 feet from a gas furnace. Replace batteries yearly.
• Operate generators at least 10 feet away from a house or building and never use in an attached garage for any period of time.
• Never use a gas stove for heating even during power outages.
• Never ignore a gas-burning safety device when it automatically shuts off the appliance.

Early warning CO poisoning symptoms:

• Dizziness
• Weakness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fast pulse
• Visual changes
• Headache

Possible signs of severe CO related symptoms:

• Fainting
• Confusion
• Irregular heartbeat
• Difficulty breathing
• Seizures
• Heart attack

Signs of improper gas-burning appliance function:

If any of the following conditions occur in a house, apartment or building, evacuate the indoor occupants immediately and call a professional who can evaluate the situation.

• Unfamilar or burning odor
• Decreasing hot water flow at faucets
• Yellow or orange flame during gas-burning period
• Soot accumulation, especially on appliances
• Gas-burning furnace running constantly or unable to heat house

Proactive attention to these carbon monoxide safety tips may save your life and the lives of your loved ones.

To learn more about indoor pollutants and how to make your home a haven,  please sign up for our Free Email Mini-Course Newsletter in the upper right hand corner of this page or click here to read more.

What Causes Allergies in the Home

There has been much confusion over what causes allergies in the home for many years. Health-care practitioners may tell their patients that it is the outdoor pollutants which really cause their allergies whereas in-home air purifier manufacturers may claim just the opposite.

The fact of the matter is both outdoor and indoor pollutants can cause allergy symptoms. However, indoor pollutants have been shown to actually present a greater problem to long-term allergy sufferers. To start with, people spend more time indoors than out and the indoor pollutants are actually smaller than their outdoor counterparts. Indoor pollutants can actually split up and become smaller particles which are more likely to be breathed deeply into the lung and nasal cavities. In effect, the smaller the particle, the greater likelihood of that particle causing an allergic reaction.

Leading Causes of Toddler Allergies

Small sub-micron particles ranging from household dust to dust-mite feces are a leading cause of toddler allergies. Small particles of mold, pollen and cat dander can also aggravate allergy symptoms in children. Even chemicals found in the following common household products have all shown to cause upper respiratory illness symptoms in children which have chronic allergies:

• Adhesives
• Air fresheners
• Carpeting
• Cigarette smoke
• Cosmetics
• Drapes
• Dyes
• Floor finishes
• Furniture polishes
• Household cleaners
• Paint

Mold Allergy Symptoms and Causes

Many people believe that mold growth which is visual to the human eye is the only mold which can cause allergy symptoms. However, small mold particles are responsible for over 90% of mold allergy symptoms. Mold particles are everywhere in the outdoor and indoor environment. It is the combination of mold particle size to the quantity found in a cubic foot of indoor air which most aggravates allergies. Each cubic foot of indoor air in a home or building can contain millions of particles. These indoor particles are commonly measured in microns, a metric unit of measure. There are 25,400 microns in one inch. Approximately 98-99% of all particles by count of indoor air are in the sub-micron size range of 10 microns or less in size. These sub-micron particles are known as “respirable” and are invisible to the naked eye. The average adult may breathe in as much as 16,000 quarts of air whereas children under the age of 12 can breathe in as much as 10,000 quarts. Each quart of air breathed in contains some 70,000 visible and invisible particles. That’s potentially a billion particles per day taken in by our respiratory system.

Individuals who are hypersensitive or have a predisposed reaction to these sub-micron particles may have an acute allergic reaction. These allergy-causing airborne particles which remain in the home environment for extended periods of time are the primary cause of chronic allergy symptoms in children and adults.

Allergy Induced Asthma

Allergy induced asthma is the term used primarily by health care practitioners to describe persons which are at a higher risk of developing asthma because of their chronic allergic disposition. This is because the inflammatory and sensitization responses of allergy and asthma sufferers are quite similar. Family history usually plays a role in diagnosing allergy induced asthma.

The good news is that the indoor home environment can be made a haven for all allergy and asthma sufferers by implementing the proper technology combined with proper knowledge. In today’s world of technological advances, there is no reason for a child or adult to suffer with allergies while at home.

To learn more about indoor pollutants and how to make your home a haven, please sign up for our Free Email Mini-Course Newsletter in the upper right hand corner of this page or click here to read more.

Pure Air Purifier: Six Considerations for Rating an Air-Purifying Unit

A pure air purifier is believed by many to help with allergies in the home environment. However, indoor air purifiers for the home are not created equal. There have been many manufacturers which have entered this lucrative market in the past few years and it has become of paramount importance to understand what these air purifiers will and will not do to clean pollutants from the indoor air.

Air Purifier Ratings

Air purifiers should be rated according the following six prioritized considerations:

1. Filter type. Does the air purifier utilize HEPA technology? Many air purifiers on the market cleverly use statements as “HEPA Type” in their packaging. However, only “True HEPA” filters are efficient enough to remove some of the air pollutants which are known to cause serious allergies or asthma. Insist on “True HEPA” filtration, especially if there are household members who have any kind of upper respiratory illness.
2. Filter replacement frequency. Before purchasing an air purifier unit, consider the average replacement frequency suggested by the manufacturer. Find out the average cost of the filters ahead of time. Does the unit require one or more filters to be changed out periodically? Calculate how much it may cost per year to operate the unit regularly.
3. Manufacturer credibility. As I stated earlier, there have been many manufacturers which have jumped on the air purifier bandwagon. As a result, the quality of some air purifier units is questionable. Since the average household will leave these units running for extended periods of time they should be built with quality components that will last. Purchase from a manufacturer which you believe will still provide replacement filters and parts years from now.
4. Noise levels. Before considering purchasing an air purifier unit, check if the manufacturer publishes the noise decibel rating of their models. Many low-cost units can exceed the safe noise levels when operated in the high speed mode. This is especially important in small a room without wall-to-wall carpeting which can absorb some of the sound. For example, it is generally believed that safe levels to sound over an eight-hour time during sleep should be at or below 90 dB.
5. Chemical removal capability. Many people purchase air purifiers for the sole purpose of removing dust particle from the indoor air. However, there are other people consider units which have the additional benefit of removing chemicals or odors. Some manufacturers will promise odor or chemical removal on their packaging without addressing the amount it is proven to remove. Consider purchasing purifiers which have chemical and odor removing granules or block media as an optional replacement filter unit. Granules such as activated carbon or potassium permanganate are very effective at removing specific chemicals from the indoor air. This type of option is usually only found in the higher priced models and cannot be found at the neighborhood super store.
6. Ozone producing purifiers. There have been many claims in recent years as to the benefit of some air purifiers which produce ozone. Contrary to some manufacturer claims, ozone producing air purifiers will not remove airborne pollutants from the indoor air. In fact, the California Air Resources Board has banned the sale of in-home ozone air purifiers as of 2009. While there are some models in the marketplace which do not exceed the recommended exposure rates for indoor ozone levels, manufacturers of these units do not always address their ozone ratings in their sales literature or packaging. Ozone machines in the indoor environment can be useful as odor eliminators but should be used when the occupants of the home are not present. It should be known that air purifier units which use the words “Ion” or “Ionic” will produce some levels of ozone. However, any level of ozone in the indoor environment can cause health issues in certain people. Ozone can be a strong oxidizer and may be detrimental to nasal and lung tissue if breathed in during extended periods of time. Ozone-producing units of any type or amount should never be used when there is an occupant in the indoor environment which has asthma.

To learn more about indoor pollutants and how to make your home a haven, please sign up for our Free Email Mini-Course Newsletter in the upper right hand corner of this page or click here to read more.

Lead Poisoning Facts and Prevention Tips

Lead contamination in the home environment is still considered to be a serious in-home problem even though lead containing paint was phased out of the marketplace in 1978. While government agency literature states that lead is most harmful to children six years and younger, little is discussed by these agencies about lead-laden dust which can be found throughout many houses, apartments and buildings to this day that can affect people of all ages.

Even though United States federal law requires that individuals receive certain information regarding lead before renting, buying or renovating of pre-1978 housing, common sense should be employed to protect the health and well being of all household members. Under the law a landlord or seller may only be required to state if the structure contains lead paint but does not require disclosure about when lead paint was covered with non-lead paint. All housing structures or buildings built before 1978 should be considered to be contaminated with lead-laden dust unless proof has been presented to the contrary.

Here are some important prevention tips to reduce exposure to lead:

• Keep the areas your children play in as dust free and clean as possible.
• Ensure that your children have a nutritious diet strong in iron and calcium. This will reduce the amount of lead their bodies may absorb if exposed.
• Keep children from chewing on window sills or other painted surfaces.
• Wash children’s hands often throughout the day, especially before meals and bedtime.
• Wash bottles, pacifiers and other hard-surface toys with a slightly acidic vinegar solution (vinegar is a 5% solution of acetic acid).
• Clean up paint chips immediately and wipe down the area with a slightly acidic vinegar solution.
• If renting, notify your landlord of peeling or chipping paint and leave the premises until it has been repainted and remediated.
• Clean or remove shoes before entering your home to avoid tracking in lead from outdoor soil.
• Bathe pets on a regular basis to reduce the amount of soil they bring in from the outdoors.
• All window sill and door jamb areas should be HEPA (High Efficient Particulate Air) vacuumed prior to wiping down with a slightly acidic vinegar solution.
• Keep children from playing in soil areas adjacent to old houses, apartments and buildings.
• Avoid cheap imported dinnerware which may contain lead.
• Keep current on product recalls, especially for children’s products which may contain lead.
• Allow water to run for over 2 minutes before mixing children’s formulas and always use cold water.
• Never sand prior to repainting unless you are prepared to immediately HEPA vacuum dust. Never sand without using a disposable N95 mask.
• Plant gardens away from old painted housing structures.
• Talk to your local health department about testing paint and household dust for lead.

All houses, apartments or buildings which are known to have or had lead-based paint at any time in their history should be thoroughly cleaned to remove all household dust. All household dust should be considered to be lead-laden unless thorough testing has proven otherwise. This would include HEPA vacuuming and wet wiping of surfaces found under wall-to-wall carpeting. Drapes, blinds and windows should also be thoroughly cleaned to remove any dust. All carpeting and rugs should be deep cleaned using steam or hot water utilizing a slightly acidic cleaning solution.

Cleaning tips to remove potential lead-laden dust:

• Use only a “true HEPA” vacuum because all other vacuums only recycle small dust particles.
• Mix distilled water and 5% household vinegar in a hand-operated spray bottle for cleaning hard surfaces.
• Always wear firmly fitting gloves when performing all cleaning.
• Always wear a disposable N95 or HEPA dual cartridge mask when cleaning or stirring up dust.
• Spray each surface and wipe down with a disposable cloth. Rinse with a bucket of cold water using a disposable sponge. Dispose of water into sanitary sewer drain only. Change water in bucket every five times you rinse the sponge in the bucket.
• All areas should be thoroughly HEPA vacuumed following all other cleaning.

To learn more about indoor pollutants and how to make your home a haven, please sign up for our Free Email Mini-Course Newsletter in the upper right hand corner of this page or click here to read more.

Children and Asthma: Make Their Home A Haven!

Much has been written about children and asthma but I assure you the following is not your typical asthma information. It is possible to drastically improve asthma symptoms in one’s home by learning the proper means available to control indoor air pollutants. Even though attacks seem to be on the decline in recent years there are still millions of children and their parents who suffer with the symptoms of this terrible disease. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) reports that almost 8.9 million children had asthma in the year 2005 in the United States while the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports 6.7 million during 2007.

Do you have an Asthma Kid ?

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by difficulty of breathing and can be very distressing for the child and the parent. Most all parents of an asthmatic child take every precaution they can to prevent a future asthma attack by their child. Medications work well to control the asthma once a trigger or allergen sets off an attack but prevention is always a better approach.

Much has been said and written regarding the prevention of asthma attacks by controlling potential triggers. However, there are some little known methods available to parents to better control potential triggers and airborne pollutants in the home environment. While some asthma literature does discuss airborne pollutants and control technologies, there seems to be a void of information regarding the proper methods of utilizing this technology. Doctors do not have the time to fully research such technologies so they may advise their patients to limit airborne pollutants in their home.

HEPA Vacuums Cure Sick House Symptoms

In addition, there is confusion as to the way to clean an environmentally sick house to minimize the presence of asthma triggers. Using the proper cleaning techniques will make the greatest improvement in the indoor air quality of the home environment. First and foremost asthma triggers fall into the broad category of airborne particles which must be removed from the environment on a regular basis. The most effective way to do that is to utilize High Efficient Particle Air (HEPA) technology. The HEPA vacuum is the most important cleaning device available for controlling asthma-causing allergens in the indoor environment. The HEPA vacuum should be thought of as a portable yet very accurate cleaning device. Every square foot of surface you HEPA vacuum could in effect remove hundreds of potential allergen particles from the home environment forever. Any other cleaning method utilized only circulates these allergy and asthma particles.

Sick Houses Need A Proven System

I have worked with many parents of asthmatic children to help them understand how to minimize their child’s asthma attacks while at home. My Total Environmental Approach Methodology (T.E.A.M.) system is a comprehensive formula for drastically reducing and controlling indoor air pollution. This system is the scientific application of the right knowledge combined with current technology. The T.E.A.M system has received many accolades over the years from happy parents including letters and phone calls thanking me for showing them how to make their home a haven with this system. These parents all realized the importance of having an indoor air pollution reduction plan which benefits not only their asthmatic child but all other home occupants as well. Allergies, asthma and many other upper respiratory symptoms are drastically reduced in a short time period.

Even though medications, humidity or household chemicals may affect asthma and allergy symptoms, you can have direct control over the airborne pollutants. Once the proper cleaning methods have been employed you will see a recognizable reduction in airborne pollutants in the first seven days and a drastic reduction in the next two to three weeks. It is paramount to clean the indoor environment weekly using HEPA technology products to give asthmatic children long-lasting relief from their symptoms.

Asthma Kid Bill of Rights

For those of you who have asthmatic children or know parents who do, I have included this Bill of Rights for Children with Allergies and Asthma supplied by the Allergy and Asthma Network – Mothers of Asthmatics, Inc. (AAN-MA).

A child with asthma and allergies and his/her family have the right to:
• Be presented with the proven scientific facts of asthma and allergies in a manner that raises appropriate concerns and avoids needless anxiety.
• Be cared for by a supportive physician who provides preventive management of asthma and allergies as well as treatment for acute episodes.
• Live in a smoke-free environment where reasonable attempts at eliminating relevant allergens are made.
• Have full and personal access to appropriate medications and devices so that potential scholastic, athletic, and social achievements are not limited by otherwise uncontrolled asthma or allergies.
• Learn self-management skills to minimize dependence on medical personnel, emergency clinics, and hospitalizations.
• Expect teachers, school nurses, coaches, camp counselors, and other adults entrusted with their care to understand the enlightened handling of children with asthma and allergies.

To learn more about indoor pollutants and how to make your home a haven, please sign up for our Free Email Mini-Course Newsletter in the upper right hand corner of this page or click here to read more.

Mold Solutions For The Indoor Environment

Just the thought of mold in one’s home is enough to strike fear in the household.  There are however; many mold solutions you may employ to prevent or remediate mold in the home environment.

Mold Prevent Strategies are Paramount

As with any indoor air pollutant, it is always easier to prevent mold from inhabiting your home in the first place. It starts with an awareness of potential problems in the areas of plumbing or roofing, the numbers one and two causes of mold contamination in the home. Mold only needs organic matter with a water source to start growing and every home has organic matter in or on the carpet, walls and other surfaces.

Start with the Roof

Make sure all cracks around vent stacks and attic ventilation devices on the roof where moisture can seep in are properly sealed. Do not consider using regular caulk purchased at the local hardware or home store. Purchase high-quality caulk or sealing products from a roofing supply and apply as directed to a pre-cleaned surface.

Locate Potential Plumbing Problems

Plumbing leaks are the second leading cause of mold contamination in the home. Before investigating potential water-leak sources, locate the main water cut-off valve and instruct all household members on how to shut it off in case of a leak.

Here are the three primary causes of water leaks in the typical home:

• Shut-off valves.  Check all shut-off valves which supply faucets, toilets, dishwasher and washing machine to make sure they work properly. Shut-off valves can leak around the seals after many years and should be replaced immediately if a leak is identified.
• Water heater. If your water heater is located indoors, make sure that there is an overflow pan installed underneath which drains to the outdoors. Check all fittings for signs of leakage.
• Air-conditioning condensate pan.  If your air-conditioning system is located in a closet or attic, keep the condensate drain cleaned before and after every summer season to prevent condensation overflow.

Mold Should be Remediated Regularly

Molds are common in the outdoor environment and, as a result, may be found within most homes anywhere in world. First of all mold, cannot grow on any surface indoors or out unless it is present. Most mold remediation experts would state that mold should be remediated once it is found growing in the home. However, mold can cause allergies, asthma and other upper respiratory illnesses even when you cannot see it. Dry mold particles which have infiltrated the indoor environment can be too small for the human eye to see and should be removed from the environment on a regular basis. This is done by ongoing cleaning with the proper devices used in the proper manner.

The High Efficient Particulate Air (HEPA) vacuum is the most efficient way to remove these unseen mold particles. A true HEPA cleaning device is the only technology certified to remove environmental pollutants such as mold from the indoor environment. Regular vacuuming of all accessible surfaces in a home is shown to drastically remove the presence of mold particles and other airborne pollutants known to cause allergies or asthma.

If visual mold growth has occurred in the home then it is imperative to take immediate action. If the mold growth is found on a hard surface and is smaller than nine square feet (3 feet by 3 feet), then you may consider cleaning it yourself. This can be performed by using a HEPA vacuum to remove the excess spore particles followed by spraying the surface with a household bleach solution (1/3 bleach to 2/3 water). Let the surface dry completely and HEPA vacuum again to remove dead mold spores, The surface may then be re-sprayed with the bleach solution and wiped with a disposable rag until the surface is clean. Notice that mold may stain the surface even though it appears free from mold and a stain-killer sealer may be applied prior to re-painting.  If the surface is a soft surface or the area is larger than nine square feet, it is highly recommended that a mold remediation professional be contracted to remove the mold.

Once a mold contamination has been properly remediated, it is imperative to thoroughly HEPA vacuum all rooms and surfaces of the indoor environment to remove any excess mold particles which may be present. A HEPA air purifier should be used in rooms of allergy or asthma sufferers to remove any mold particles which could further exacerbate their symptoms.

To learn more about indoor pollutants and how to make your home a haven, please sign up for our Free Email Mini-Course Newsletter in the upper right hand corner of this page or click here to read more.

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