Water & Air – Filter Systems News

It is vital to think about the quality of the air we breathe and to think of ways we can protect ourselves from the harmful airborne pollutants that surround us every day. So in honor of Clean Air Month, let’s do just that. Below are six ways to clean the air in your homes in addition to ways of protecting yourselves from the many airborne pollutants.

1.)  Pay attention to the outdoor air quality. Outdoor air pollution is obviously a big concern and while we can’t always control the amount of air pollution outdoors, we can be wiser about when and how often we plan outdoor activities. A simple picnic outdoors when the air quality is deemed “very unhealthy” can have serious and detrimental effects. Plan wisely and attempt to plan your activities on days where the air quality is deemed “good”. Suggestion: Air quality is lowest when the heat is highest. Plan outdoor activity or physical activity in the morning or evening.

2.) Change your car filters. In many cities around the world, your car is the greatest polluter. We all are familiar with the smells of exhaust fumes and other nasty odors while driving down the road or highway. Not pleasant at all huh? Fortunately, your car’s cabin air filter is designed to remove the harmful outside air pollutants before they reach the inside of your car. Purolator also offers a list of other car filters that will help to filter the air you breathe and keep you safe. Suggestion: The Purolator C35533 Cabin Air Filter Replacement is easy to install and will provide a clean flow of air free of airborne contaminants.

3.)  Listen to your body. Dizziness and fatigue are all symptoms of Sick Building Syndrome and should not be ignored. Listen to what your body is trying to tell you. If you feel as if you need to change your air filters or may need to invest in an air purifier, then do so. If these symptoms persist, contact your doctor.

4.)  Use an air purifier. Whether you find yourself at home or at your office, an air purifier will do just what its name suggests—purifies your air. And honestly, who doesn’t want purified air to breathe in? Suggestion: A Holmes True HEPA Air Purifier will allow you to save space and purify your air by removing 99.97% of airborne particles.

5.) Change your filters regularly. Do not neglect to change your filters as not changing them will not only put you at increased risks of certain sicknesses but will also hamper your HVACs efficiency. Upgrading from your standard 1 inch filter may be useful if you find that you are still experiencing air quality issues. The standard 1 inch filter cannot protect you from all of the contaminants in your home. Suggestion: Filters Fast MERV 13 Return Air Grille  filters will help rid of all contaminants in the air by removing dust, bacteria and all other airborne pollutants.

6.) Eat right.  No that is not a typo and yes there is a correlation between the food you eat and air pollution. How? The answer is in antioxidants. They are the “good guys” in your body that help strengthen the immune system, slow down the aging process (who couldn’t use that). Most importantly, they fight off free radicals who are the “bad guys” in your body by helping the harmful airborne pollutants damage your body. Suggestion: Eat foods that are high in antioxidants like cherries, kale, tomatoes and strawberries.

Now that you know how to protect yourself, it is time to take action. Don’t fall victim to sickness caused by air pollution. Protect yourself, your body and your family from the harmful pollutants.

IMAGE CREDITS:

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When it comes to healthy living, many of us feel we have everything checked. From the food we eat, to the water we drink, many of us are more concerned about a healthy lifestyle than ever before. There is something that many of us miss however. According to a recent article by Market Watch, there are hidden health hazards right underneath your feet. They are in your carpets and rugs and could be negatively impacting your overall health. If you were to tell someone that their carpet contains more bacteria per square inch than their toilet, they probably wouldn’t believe you. Unfortunately however, it is true. Within many carpets you may find dirt, dust mites, molds and other potentially harmful pollutants.

Many of us vacuum our carpets regularly to clean them up and to prevent dirt from accumulating. But how often do we think about changing the filter within our vacuum cleaner? How often do we pay attention to the vacuum bags and accessories that we are using? Choosing the right accessories can make a huge difference in your overall health. Below are a few products to help ensure that your carpet and rugs are healthy and won’t pose any hidden dangers:

The Genuine Hoover Type Y Vacuum Bags Allergen 3-Pack are replacement vacuum cleaner bags for all Hoover WindTunnel vacuum cleaner models. These replacement bags feature allergen filtration for a clean home environment and are especially useful for those who suffer from allergies and asthma. With these Hoover replacement bags you will be able to trap 100% of dust mites and their eggs, as well as airborne particles such as pet dander, spores and other allergens.

Many of us do not pay close attention the filter that is in your vacuum cleaner. It is vital to the way your vacuum performs and can eliminate several contaminants found inside many carpets. This is why the Hoover WindTunnel HEPA Vacuum Filter is essential. It uses a Hoover HEPA filter to capture 99.97% of dust, pollen and other common household allergens.

The Hoover WindTunnel T-Series Vacuum Belt is a genuine Hoover vacuum cleaner belt for your WindTunnel T-Series Vacuum Cleaner. This Hoover WindTunnel Vacuum Belt contains 2 vacuum belts and it fits your WindTunnel Upright Cleaner. Your vacuum belt should be replaced every 6 months to ensure optimum performance.Other great accessories can be found here.

With this being allergy season, many never think that the source of their allergies could very well be their own carpet. However, take comfort in the fact that there is something we can do about it. Having your carpet cleaned and regularly vacuuming your carpet can prevent many of these contaminants from showing up.

IMAGE CREDIT: http://soyouwanttobeabanquetmanager.blogspot.com

IMAGE CREDIT: http://happyfamiliesblog.blogspot.com

Over the years, water has shown to have its health benefits. In fact, drinking water regularly is one the healthiest things you can do. But did you know that water is also a way to help reduce the severity of Psoriasis? Psoriasis is a chronic, autoimmune disease that appears on the skin. It occurs when the immune system sends out incorrect signals that speed up the growth of skin cells. Oftentimes, you will have too many skin cells in one location, causing swelling, flaking and dryness. It can also be itchy, red, sore and very tender.

While there is no cure for Psoriasis, numerous studies suggest that drinking water is crucial in reducing the severity of it. Flushing toxins, healthier and hydrated skin are just a few of the reasons why drinking water is often recommended. Drinking at least 2 liters of water a day may dramatically reduce your Psoriasis. Other ways to help reduce it also include an improved diet consisting of green leafy vegetables.

One method that has worked in the past to reduce the severity of Psoriasis is through the use of Water Softeners. Water softeners are designed to remove calcium and magnesium, which can be very harmful, from your water supply. Hard water often results from a large presence of calcium and magnesium, and oftentimes is not ideal to use when dealing with Psoriasis. Below are great products that will remove the “hard water” from your home:

The Aries 10” Water Softening Filter Cartridge is manufactured to remove calcium and magnesium from your water. This water softening filter cartridge will help keep limescale and other harmful bacteria out of the water that you and your family use daily.

The Pentek Water Softening Resin Filter Cartridge provides a convenient and cost effective way to soften the water in your home at the exact point of need using FDA grade softener resin. The Pentek WS-20-BB uses cation exchange to reduce hardness and scale deposits in your water.

The Pentek 20” Water Filter Housing &WS20 Filter reduces the bad taste and odor in hard water by removing sediment, dirt, rust and other impurities from your drinking water.

The use of humidifiers to keep the skin moist is also suggested to lessen the severity of Psoriasis as well. With World Health Day approaching on April 7, the health benefits of water will certainly be mentioned. But remember, the health benefits of water will do no good to you if the water you consume is not fresh and pure. Make sure that your water is filtered to enjoy the health benefits of this natural resource.

Today we are celebrating World Water Day. World Water Day is an internationally recognized day that is held annually on March 22 as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. Recommended at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), the first World Water Day was designated on March 22, 1993. Each year this day highlights a specific aspect of freshwater.

In recognition of World Water Day, FiltersFast.com, Filters Fast Local Service and the W3 Project is teaming with Indian Trail Elementary School in Indian Trail, North Carolina for a month-long celebration of walking for water. Beginning today and ending on April 22, 2012 which is Earth Day, the 800 member student body at Indian Trail Elementary School is challenged to walk as many miles as they can in this 1-month time-frame and donate the miles they run or walk to the W3 Project. The W3 Project is a partnership that includes FiltersFast.com, TrekDesk and Wine To Water. Together, the W3 partners are building a community of people who walk in pursuit of health and wellness for everyone. By raising awareness about health and the global water crisis, W3 is giving everyone the ability to either “Donate” or “Sponsor” miles in which 100% of all proceeds go to Wine To Water.

This video was especially produced to educate and increase the awareness about the global water crisis for elementary and middle schools, which is used as a template for other schools who want to implement the same type of event at their school. 3M Filtrete, a leader in home filtration systems is sponsoring up to 3,000 miles of the total miles that the students walk at Indian Trail Elementary for their month long initiative. Thank you 3M Filtrete for becoming an important sponsor for Indian Trail Elementary School that will certainly help the school, community and deliver the message about the importance of filtration while helping others in the United States and abroad obtain access to clean drinking water.

We’ve all been there.  You go into a place where the smell of smoke permeates the room. That fresh air you breathe has been replaced by the smell of tobacco/cigarette smoke. It’s suffocating.  It seems that no matter where you go you just can’t get away from that smell. Many people hate the smell of smoke while others just cannot tolerate it. For those with asthma or any other kind respiratory problems, the smell of smoke is damaging. Today is No Smoking Day, a day in which people from around the world try to kick the habit of smoking to lead healthier lives. Here at Filters Fast, we want to help you kick the smell of smoke with these products:

The Blueair 500/600 Series SmokeStop Filters are primarily designed to filter tobacco smoke, acid gases, ammonia and other gaseous contaminants.  It will also filter dust, pet dander, bacteria and other airborne allergens as well. The Blueair 500/600 Series SmokeStop filters utilize a high concentration of granular carbon for increased efficiency. This means that these filters deliver a higher airflow in cubic feet per minute than previously released SmokeStop carbon filters.

The Whirlpool Air Purifier Whispure 250 is a home air purifier which filters dust, smoke, allergens and other contaminants in your air. This air purifier is made to filter and clean the air in small to medium-sized rooms up to 320 sq. ft., making it ideal for offices, bedrooms, nurseries, etc. The Whirlpool Air Purifier Whispure has a built-in handle that allows easy mobility.

The IQAir HealthPro V5-Cell Air Filter Replacement removes odors, gases and smoke from your air. It also traps dirt, dust and other contaminants. The V-shaped carbon media chambers allow for a higher airflow than standard flat carbon filters. This is a replacement for the IQAir HealthPro Air Purifier and the IQAir HealthPro Plus Air Purifier.

Let’s all lead healthier, happier lives by replacing the smell of smoke with fresh air.

(Image Credit: www.freesignprinter.com)

Did you know that heart disease is the number one killer of American women? In order to raise awareness for heart disease and prevention, today has been deemed National Wear Red Day. Along with the American Heart Association, companies and individuals across the United States will be showing off their red. Here at Filters Fast, many of us came into work ready to paint the town red in our coordinated outfits.

Meet some of the members of the Filters Fast Marketing, Accounting, Purchasing and HR departments:

 Some of our awesome customer service team also participated:

Finally, Jennifer represented the Filters Fast Local Service team:

 So get out there and don your favorite red sweater, shirt, or dress today and raise awareness about heart disease!

(Image Credit: National Heart Lung and Blood Institute)

According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, approximately 1.2 million people in the United States have heart attacks. About 42% of heart attacks result in death among men and women in the United States. More people could survive or recover from heart attacks if they received help and treatment faster.

Friday February 3, 2012 is National Wear Red Day®. The employees at Filters Fast will be celebrating this day by wearing red to show our support for women’s heart disease awareness. We invite you to join us in solidarity by wearing “red” on this day for the women in your life (family and friends) who either survived or succumbed to heart disease. Although we recognize this day as a movement for women’s heart disease awareness, since February is observed as American Heart Month, you can still honor a male family member or friend as well.

Because heart disease literally tugs at our heartstrings, we want to further show our support by inviting you to post a photo of you or a group photo of your schoolmates, sports team, book club, Bridge Club, golf partners or co-workers on our Facebook or Google+ page wearing red on Friday February 3^rd in support of National Wear Red Day®. Encourage your family and friends to do the same.

Other names associated with “heart attack” includes: Myocardial Infarction (MI), Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI), Acute Coronary Syndrome, Coronary Thrombosis and Coronary Occlusion. Confront heart disease before it attacks you! We look forward to you sharing your National Wear Red Day® celebrations and memories with us!

Fracking. This controversial topic has made it to the headlines of many news centers across the country. Whether you are for or against it, the debate surrounding this hot topic issue is sure to be important now, and for generations to come. For those of you who are new to the issue, fracking is the process of pumping water and sand underground in hopes of freeing natural gas from underneath the rocks where it is trapped.   Small fractures occur naturally underground, allowing some of this natural gas to be extracted; however, fracking accelerates this process. Opponents of fracking argue that it will contaminate groundwater as well public drinking water systems.

Most recently, the fracking debate has heated up in New York.  Surprisingly, executive chefs, bakers, and restaurant owners are jumping into the frontlines of the debate. Many are making it their mission to raise awareness about the negative effects fracking can have on New York’s cuisine (Farley, thirteen.org). The organization, called Chefs for the Marcellus, has drawn the attention of some big name chefs, including the Food Network’s, Mario Battali. Battali’s four star restaurant, Del Posto gets much of its produce and meats from the farms in upstate New York, where the Marcellus Shale lies, and where Governor Cuomo would like to introduce hydrofracking.

Hoping to appeal to peoples stomachs, Battali and his chef comrades are insisting that fracking will impact the quality of their food. Executive Chef Brooks Headly of Del Posto is also extremely concerned about the effect fracking can have on New York’s eateries,insisting, “NYC is the greatest city of pizza, and a lot of people say that’s because of the water. If we destroy the water supply, we destroy New York pizza” (Farley,thirteen.org).

So, what do you think of the fracking debate? Do you oppose it because you believe it will contaminant groundwater and isn’t environmentally friendly? Are you for it because you believe it will decrease the price of gas and create jobs? Or, like Mario Battali, do you oppose it because you believe it will negatively affect the world-class cuisine found in New York City? Here at Filters Fast, we want to know what you think, so post your thoughts to our comment section or Facebook Page!

We worry about many different types of contaminants in our water supply: chlorine, arsenic, lead, and iron to name just a few, but, according to Fox News,  researchers at Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto, Onatario have discovered a new possible addition to the list: estrogen.

Dr. David Margel, a study researcher, states that “several studies now have found an association between estrogen exposure and prostate cancer. We think this is environmental. [Estrogen] goes into the water [and] into our food chain.” Margel notes that this is still a theory and that more research needs to be done. He also advises women not to stop taking birth control medication until results are conclusive.

According to Margel’s study:

“Birth control pills often contain a type of estrogen called ethinyloestradiol, which women taking the pills excrete in their urine. The hormone ends up in the water supply, or is taken up by plants or animals that use the water, and then passed up the food chain. Although the amount [of estrogen] one woman would secrete is minimal, when millions of women take it for a long period of time, it may have an environmental effect.”

Margel concedes that his findings are only the preliminary stages and that much more research must be conducted in order to discern the full impact of birth control medication on the water supply. In addition, research must also be conducted in different countries in order to truly gage how ubiquitous these cases are.

November is National Flu Awareness Month. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (CDC) each year at least 200,000 people are hospitalized for complications due to the flu, and 36,000 people die from the flu each year.  Also, anywhere from 10 to 20% of the US population is infected with the flu virus each year. As the cold and flu season gears up again this year, it is important to protect yourself and your family from the flu. Here are some tips that can help you avoid catching the flu:

• Avoid contact with those infected with the flu

The flu is a virus, and as such it is spread from one person to another. Sneezing, coughing, and shaking hands are all ways that the flu can be transmitted. By limiting exposure to people who have been infected with the flu, you reduce your chances of catching the flu.

• Wash your hands thoroughly

Keeping your hands clean will limit your exposure to the flu virus.

• Get a flu shot

The CDC recommends all persons over the age of 6 months should be vaccinated against the flu annually. This is perhaps your best defense against the flu.

Filters Fast offers many products that can help you through cold and flu season, including the Crane EE-8064 Digital Germ Defense Humidifier,  the Honeywell UV Surface Treatment System UV100A1059, the Filtrete Ultra Allergen Air Filter, the Filtrete Advanced Allergen Air Filters, the Honeywell UV Air Treatment System UV100E1043, and our line of Crane Cool Mist and Warm Mist Humidifiers.

Protecting yourself and your family against the flu keeps everyone healthy and happy. Join us in raising the awareness of the dangers of the flu, and how to prevent it.