Water & Air – Filter Systems News

According to the Mayo Clinic website, “The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that parents avoid using cough and cold medicines to treat children younger than age 2.” Potential drawbacks to using these medicines include possible side effects such as rapid heart rate and convulsions, and the fact that cold medicines mask present symptoms. Also, cold medicines don’t treat the underlying symptoms, so giving them to your child won’t make their cold go away any sooner.

All this begs the question: what can you do for a child’s cold? The old standbys seem to work the best: plenty of rest and fluids, cough drops to soothe a sore throat, and moistening nasal passages. One method for moistening these passages is running a cool mist humidifier. Filters Fast offers a wide variety of cool mist humidifiers to help comfort your child when they’re sick.

Here are some tips for operating cool mist humidifiers from Crane:

• Use clean, cool water
• Place your humidifier on waterproof surface approximately 3 feet off the ground
• Keep your humidifier out of corners and away from walls
• Adjust your humidifier so that it sprays up into the air, not down to the ground
• Use a few capfuls of white vinegar and a half tub of warm water to clean

Your cool mist humidifier can be run year round to keep your family healthy and happy. Optimum humidity level in the home is 40-50% relative humidity.

Crane also states on their website that you could be eligible for a tax deduction if you doctor recommends using a cool mist humidifier primarily for medical reasons.

It’s difficult to see children suffer when they have a cold, but using these “comfort” measures, including the use of a cool mist humidifier, can make them more comfortable while they’re on the mend.

Cleaning mold - from epa.gov

Did you know that the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) declared September as Mold Awareness Month? While the month draws to a close, mold is still a problem that many Americans face and awareness is quite important.

The EPA teaches us that “Molds live in the soil, on plants, and on dead or decaying matter…[they] produce tiny spores to reproduce, just as some plants produce seeds.   These mold spores can be found in both indoor and outdoor air, and settled on indoor and outdoor surfaces. When mold spores land on a damp spot, they may begin growing and digesting whatever they are growing on in order to survive…molds gradually destroy the things they grow on, you can prevent damage to building materials and furnishings and save money by eliminating mold growth.”

The spread of mold can be a serious health risk, causing symptoms such as allergic reactions, asthma, and various respiratory problems. The major source of mold spread is moisture and humidity. Whether it’s excessive rainfall or the recent influx of storms, mold is a threat with higher humidity.

While removing mold from your home can sometimes be a difficult task, there are several steps you can take to combat the threat:

• Reduce humidity in your home by 30-60%. Your options include “venting bathrooms, dryers, and other moisture-generating sources to the outside; using air conditioners and de-humidifiers; increasing ventilation; and using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing, and cleaning.”
• Clean up any sources of mold and moisture. Plug any sources of water leaks.
• Immediately clean up or dry any damp or wet areas in your home.
• Add insulation in order to reduce or prevent condensation.

Don’t wait for mold to infect your home. Be proactive and buy ED Lab Indoor Air Home Mold Test Kit to screen your indoor for mold and fungus. Or replace your current air filters with the Filters Fast Air & Furnace Filters – MERV 11, which reduce mold spores and improve your indoor air quality.

Plant Powered Air Purification

For years we are often reminded that houseplants work as a natural purification system for our indoor air. They purify the air by filtering out carbon dioxide, pollutants and other airborne toxins, then replace these contaminants with oxygen. Research conducted by NASA revealed that some houseplants are more effective in filtering out toxins than others.

Andrea Naturally Purified Air Filter is an ecological plant-based air purification system that is the first award-winning air filter capable of absorbing toxic gases, such as formaldehyde from home and office environments through the natural absorptive and metabolic properties of living plants. French designer Mathieu Lehanneur and Harvard professor David Edward, invented this air purification system that transforms any type of household plant into an effective air filtration agent. The Best foliages to use would be Peace Lily, Spider Plant, Aloe Vera, Spath or Red-edged Dragon Tree.

Some of the functions of this plant Andrea filtration system includes:

Ozone-free operation

Low power consumption

There are no filters to replace

Cleans air locally and rapidly so that the system can be turned on or off throughout the day.

Transforms any household plant into an effective air cleaner for your office, dorm or home.

Absorbs and metabolizes toxic chemicals

Biochemically transforms waste

Courtesy of Andrea Air Filters

Household plants are sold separately. The Andrea Air Purification System employs active plant filtration and water, along with soil to provide a multistage system that cleanses your indoor air from harmful contaminants that can irritate and damage your lungs.

This plant filtration system is particularly effective  where air can become stagnate and harmful gases accumulate in high-use areas such as home offices, kitchens, bedrooms, dining rooms, living rooms, dorm rooms and family rooms. Its natural purification process draws air with a whisper-quiet fan and propels it through the leaves and root system of the plant. It then passes through water and soil filtration, then back into your room environment.

Sniffle, sniffle. If you couldn’t tell from my virtual stuffy nose, Friday is the first day of fall, meaning the beginning of a tough allergy season. As we’ve mentioned before, this season promises to be one of the worst allergy seasons yet . If you happen to live in a city with a high pollen count, or are very susceptible to allergens, be sure to have the correct protection you need for this upcoming fall season.

Humidifier systems will help significantly as they moisturize the dry air in your home. Dry air can cause sinus infections, colds, scratchy throats and even nose bleeds.  Humidified air will prevent cold viruses from thriving, as they prefer dry conditions. However, a humidifiers humid, wet air can also add bacteria and mold to your home if not maintained properly. Here are some of the most common humidifier filters, pads and wicks that will keep your humidifier running smoothly, and keep you out of the doctor and out playing in the cool fall air!

Humidifier Filters: Humidifier filters will keep your humidifier running at its best, and keep it free from mold and bacterial residue. Each humidifier, regardless of size, uses a filter to keep particles and contaminants inside of the humidifier and out of the air that you breathe. For example, the Universal Bemis West Bend 6” Humidifier Filter works with a 6” drum type humidifier.

The Holmes HWF75 is a humidifier filter that features the use of Arm and Hammer baking soda to naturally deodorize the air. This filter works with your Holmes and White Westinghouse model humidifier.

Humidifier Wick Filters:  Two pack humidifier wick filters will help you keep your humidifier running correctly. Many of these filters, such as the Vornado MD1-0002 come treated with an antimicrobial treatment that will prevent the growth of mold, fungus and bacteria.

Humidifier Cleaner:  Humidifier cleaner will help prevent the build-up of calcium and lime scale in your humidifiers tank. Humidiclean Humidifier Cleaner and Descaler will increase the life of your humidifier and can be used on both humidifiers and vaporizers.  The Holmes Bacteriostat Cleaner is made for your Cool Mist Humidifier and uses chlorides to clean your humidifier.

Carbon Pre-Filters:  Carbon pre-filters work with those air purifiers that use a three step filtration system within the cleaner. These filters will protect your HEPA filter from exposure to large air particles that will clog up the filter and humidifier.

These products will help your humidifier run at its best, keeping you and your house healthy. If you want to find the correct humidifier accessory for you, simply go to www.filtersfast.com and type in the filter or humidifier you use into the search bar!

Allergens

When you hear about allergies, you probably think about pollen and dust. But do cockroaches ever come to mind? They might, considering they can trigger asthma and allergies for some people. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America reports that “cockroach allergy was first reported in 1943, when skin rashes appeared immediately after the insects crawled over patients’ skin. Skin tests first confirmed patients had cockroach allergy in 1959.”

Scientists discovered in the 1970s that cockroach allergens can trigger scratchy throat, itchy eyes, and asthma attacks in those allergic to them. These acute attacks could last up to several hours. Research has shown that “the frequent hospital admissions of inner-city children with asthma often is directly related to their contact with cockroach allergens—the substances that cause allergies. From 23 percent to 60 percent of urban residents with asthma are sensitive to the cockroach allergen.”

Scientists have theorized that cockroach allergens are affecting children so much nowadays because they spend more time indoors, where the allergens are typically found. In addition, socioeconomic factors play a large role because residents of low-income housing are affected the most.

The AAFA suggests that “cockroach [allergies] should be suspected, though, when allergy symptoms—stuffy nose, inflamed eyes or ears, skin rash or bronchial asthma—persist year round.” If cockroach allergens are discovered in your home, the best option is to call pest control experts or to use non-chemical traps to rid your home of roaches. Also, quickly remove trash and garbage, and use antihistamines, decongestants, and anti-inflammatory medications to control nasal and sinus symptoms.

Should you invest in a humidifier? Have you thought about purchasing a humidifier, but you maybe unsure about which one to buy? Before making an investment, there are a couple of things you need to consider. First, you should think about the size of the room your humidifier will go in and secondly, search for the type of humidifier that will address your specific need. Many types of humidifiers vary in gallon output, size and technique. Here is a guide to the different types of humidifiers available for your home or office:

Cool Mist Evaporative Humidifiers:

In Cool Mist Evaporative Humidifiers normally a wick filter sits at the base of the humidifier and absorbs water. The Bionaire Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier is suitable for small rooms, offices, dorm rooms and other small personal spaces. It uses an ultrasonic transducer to produce humidity and the mist output can be regulated with the dual-speed control knob located on the top of the humidifier. This is also a top fill humidifier.

Warm Mist Humidifiers:

Warm mist humidifiers use a heating element to boil the water in the humidifier and release it in the form of warm steam. The Holmes HM5082 Humidifier has a dishwasher safe base and is embedded with Antimicrobial Product Protection treated to key plastic parts. It features a 2-speed setting and digital humidistat that allows the humidifier to run up to 24 hours per filling. This humidifier is perfect for small rooms and your child’s nursery.

Ultrasonic Humidifiers:

An Ultrasonic humidifier is the quietest humidifier manufactured. It uses the power of high frequency sound waves that pulsates a metal diaphragm to help break the water down into an ultra-fine vapor mist. The Crane Ultrasonic Cool Mist Frog and Cool Mist Hello Kitty Humidifiers supply indoor moisture for easier breathing and relieves nasal congestion, dry cough, sinus irritation and other similar issues. The mist output can be regulated with the control knob located at the front of the humidifier.

Warm Mist Vaporizers:

Warm Mist Vaporizers use a heating element to boil the water in your humidifier and releases it into your indoor air as a warm steam mist. If you live in a really cold climate, systems like the Sunbeam Warm Mist Vaporizer features a safety key-lock to prevent shock hazards, an automatic shut-off system when the tank is empty and a mist guard. This warm mist vaporizer also has an integrated medicine cup that will allow you to use your vaporizing inhalants.

Cool Mist Impeller Humidifiers:

In this type of humidifier, like the Sunbeam Cool Mist Impeller Humidifier, a high speed rotating disk spins water towards a diffuser, which breaks the water down into tiny drops and is released into the air as a fine mist. The Sunbeam Cool Mist Impeller Humidifier produces a refreshing cool mist that is beneficial for combating cough and cold symptoms. The patented impeller disk prevents any mist from spilling out from the unit and onto your floor.

UV Germ Free Humidifiers:

Some humidifiers feature UV Germ-Free technology that uses ultraviolet light to kill germs, bacteria and viruses present inside the water of your humidifier. This type of humidifier may be ideal for babies, small children or anyone concerned about preventing the spread of germs, viruses and bacteria.

Top Fill Humidifiers:

This easy pour-in humidifier is perfect for individuals having difficulty lifting or carrying heavy water bottles, or suffering from arthritis. Top fill humidifiers will give you the ability to pour water directly into the humidifier using your own water container.

Humidity that is too low or too high could cause serious and aggravating problems. For very large areas, console humidifiers may be suitable. For small, medium or large rooms in your home, dorm or office, consider purchasing a smaller room humidifier. For optimum performance of your humidifier, regularly maintain your unit and be sure to change your replacement filters as recommended.

Politicians and lay people alike both talk and argue about the effects of the environment on Americans. Clean air and clean living have become trendy issues in the past decade. Green homes, recycling, and hybrid cars are just a few of the ways that people can help make our air a little bit cleaner. With harsh effects of polluted air such asthma and other respiratory problems, it is now more important than ever to protect yourself against the dangerous effects of polluted air. One organization, the Clean Air Task Force, is doing just that.

The Clean Air Task Force is based out of Boston and was formed in 1996. Their primary goal is outlined as such: “To enact federal policy to reduce the pollutants from America’s coal-fired power plants that cause respiratory death and disease, smog, acid rain, and haze.” This group of researchers, advocates, and private sector contributors are working towards getting the American people to truly understand the negative health effects that coal and diesel emissions have.

For example, diesel trucks can pose a serious health risk to pedestrians as it is emitted at ground level. As the CATF explained, “Diesel exhaust is comprised of microscopic carbon soot particles that act to absorb metals and other toxic substances in the exhaust. When inhaled by humans, these tiny, toxic-laden particles cross the blood barrier from lungs into the bloodstream, delivering the toxics to internal organs and leading to inflammation and cardiovascular and respiratory diseases…”

Diesel exhaust leads to approximately 400,000 asthma attacks a year. To get an idea of how much diesel exhaust is released by a local school bus, check out these videos. The first shows an ordinary school bus, while the second is fitted with a diesel filter.

The diesel filter makes a huge difference in the amount of emissions released into the air. The same goes for your indoor air quality. As the CATF has shown us, air pollution is a serious problem and has significant health effects on Americans today. If you are concerned about pollutants and allergens in your home, it is important to equip your home with the proper filters. It is paramount that you change your HVAC filter regularly, and a higher MERV rating, the better. These filters will help to remove particles and mold spores, keeping them out of the air you breathe.

Another way to protect the air you breathe inside your home is to use an air purifier. These will assist in the removal of bacteria and germs that are found in your home, protecting you and your family from sickness. While solving the world’s pollution problems may be very far off, cleaning the air in your home is an inexpensive way for you and your family to stay healthy. While the CATF does their part, it is important that we do ours!

Sick building syndrome or SBS refers to situations where “building occupants experience acute health and comfort effects that appear to be linked to time spent in a building, but no specific illness or cause can be identified,” according to the EPA’s Indoor Air Quality website. This can occur either in a specific room or area, or throughout the building.

Symptoms can include:

• headache
• eye, nose, or throat  irritation
• dry cough
• dry or itchy skin
• dizziness and nausea
• difficulty in concentrating
• fatigue
• sensitivity to odors

Although the cause of the symptoms is usually not known, sufferers usually report feeling better soon after they leave the building. Poor ventilation, as well as heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) not effectively distributing air throughout the building, seems to be a major contributing factor in SBS.

Indoor and outdoor pollution sources can also contribute to SBS. Indoor air pollution sources include:

• adhesives
• carpeting
• upholstery
• manufactured wood products
• copy machines
• pesticides
• cleaning agents

These sources can emit Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde.  Tobacco smoke emits high levels of VOCs, as well as other toxic compounds, and breathable particulate matter. The products of combustion, such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and breathable particles come from burning sources like unvented kerosene and gas space heaters, woodstoves, fireplaces and gas stoves.

Outdoor pollution sources such as motor vehicle exhausts, plumbing vents, and bathroom and kitchen exhausts can contribute to indoor air pollution. Also, biological contaminants including bacteria, molds, pollens, and viruses may breed in standing or stagnant water in various locations throughout a building.

Removing or modifying the pollutant source when it is known and controllable is perhaps the best way to resolve an Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) problem. Also increasing ventilation and air distribution can help the problem.  Another method is to use air cleaners. Finally, using furnace or air filters, especially high performance filters that capture smaller, breathable particles is a great way to alleviate SBS.

Cooling Towers Enhance Green Building Technology

The economic benefits of improving indoor air quality may help to reduce the amount of outside air that is used in an air conditioning system. As more businesses incorporate the principles of green building technology, there will be a substantial benefit of increased productivity from temperature control, better ventilation and lighting control, as well as reduced indoor air pollution. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a globally recognized green building certification system that represents and incorporates emerging green building technologies. In a 2003 report on green building returns on investment, a review of sixty LEED certified buildings revealed an average of 25% to 30% increased energy efficiency.

Cooling towers are devices used to absorb heat from air conditioning systems and evaporate a portion of it in the air. The water is cooled to the wet bulb temperature of the air. Airborne contaminants should be flushed into the system where they will deposit on heat exchange surfaces.  Treatment includes four specific parameters of control that include biological fouling, scale, corrosion and airborne contaminants. Regular filtration of the water in your sump will help to keep your cooling tower clean. Removal of airborne contaminants and byproducts makes treatment very effective. With UV sterilization and filtration, the water is provided with daily cleaning.

Recirculating and cooling towers use deionizing filters such as the Pentek PCF1-10MB Deionization Water Filter and the Pentek PCF1-20MB Deionization Water Filter for their filtration applications. Deionization produces high purity water that is generally similar to distilled water, which is quick and without scale buildup. The HM PH-200 Waterproof pH Meter is a highly accurate digital pH and temperature meter that is ideal for testing boilers and cooling tower applications.

Cooling towers filter airborne contaminants that enter the system. High volumes of dirty ambient air pass through the tower and most of the airborne pollutants will end up in the basin of the cooling tower. Chemical residue, algae and calcium carbonate scale buildup can result from circulation water. The make-up of the water could also contribute to the buildup of contaminants. Cleanliness is the key to control the problems created from airborne pollutants. The filtration in an open cooling tower is necessary in many cases and highly recommended.

As open water continuously cascades in a cooling tower, it always picks up airborne contaminants. These materials can seep into the sump of the cooling tower, flow downstream into the system, and then clog heat exchangers, condenser tube bundles and other very important equipment. This will decrease operating efficiency, shorten the lifespan of equipment, increase water treatment costs, as well as the potential for downtime with cleaning and repairing.

The green building certification system of LEED provides third party verification that a building or community is designed and built using strategies to improve performance in metrics. Such metrics include energy savings, carbon dioxide emissions reduction, water efficiency, improved indoor environmental quality and stewardship of resources as it relates to the sensitivity of their impacts.

With fall just around the corner, I wanted to focus on a FRESH AIR charity for this Charity Tuesday. There is really nothing better than stepping out onto your front porch to breathe in the cool, clean, crisp air of fall. As the leaves begin to turn into beautiful reds, oranges and yellows, I would like to feature The Fresh Air Fund as Filter’s Fast Charity Tuesday pick. With many charities focused on providing fresh water to people around the world, it is refreshing to see a charity that understands the importance of fresh air. In particular, the Fresh Air Fund in New York City has provided free summer experiences in the country to more than 1 million inner city children since it began in 1877.

The Fresh Air Fund provides two different avenues for inner-city children to experience the country. For many children, this is their first time under America’s starry sky without the interruption of harsh city lights. Fresh Air Fund camps host 3,000 children between the ages of eight to 15 yearly. These camps are split up by age, special needs, and gender, allowing parents to choose the most suitable camp for their child. Many children who have never been outside of the city are able to experience swimming, milking a cow, cabin living and fishing among many other activities. There are also year-round day and weekend camping trips available.

The Fresh Air Fund also provides 5,000 children with the opportunity to spend two or more weeks with a host family in 13 Northeastern states through their Friendly Town Program.  Here, children from disadvantaged New York City communities have the opportunity to live in a small rural/suburban community.  Being a host family for the Fresh Air Family means that you are providing a child with the opportunity to experience life outside of the city and it is rewarding for both you and the child you are hosting!

The Fresh Air Fund is a nonprofit organization that is able to provide these great opportunities due to peoples generous donations. It is easy to make a tax-deductible donation in any amount on their secure website. If you understand the importance of clean fresh air, and outdoor activities for children, then The Fresh Air Fund is the charity for you.

*Speaking of fresh air, the Fall can bring unwanted air contaminants into your home, decreasing your homes indoor air quality. If you are concerned about the air quality inside your home, an air filter or air purifier will help significantly!