Water & Air – Filter Systems News

The primary cause of home indoor air quality problems, according to the EPA’s Indoor Air Quality website,  are indoor pollution sources that release harmful gases or particles into the air. Other factors that can contribute to poor indoor air quality are inadequate ventilation, and high temperature and humidity. Sources of indoor air pollution include combustion sources, building materials and furnishings, cabinetry or furniture made of pressed wood products, household cleaning and maintenance products, as well as personal care products, and central heating and cooling systems and humidification devices. Outdoor air pollution sources including radon and pesticides can also contribute to poor indoor air quality.

When there is too little outdoor air entering a home, health and comfort problems can arise from pollutants accumulating. Many houses are designed to prevent air from entering the house, which can cause pollutant levels to rise. This can cause immediate effects such as eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. Other immediate effects include symptoms of diseases such as asthma, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, and humidifier fever. There are also long term health effects that may occur years after exposure or after long or repeated periods of exposure.  These include respiratory disease, heart disease, and cancer.

One solution to this problem is to install mechanical ventilation devices, such as outdoor-vented fans and also air handling systems. Air handling systems use fans and duct work to remove indoor air and bring in filtered and conditioned outdoor air into the house.  Filters Fast offers an extensive line of air filters to keep the air in your house clean and pure. We also carry many quality air purifiers that circulate and purify indoor air.

Clean air filters will prevent dirt and debris from building up in your engine.

Are you one of the many drivers who neglects to change their car’s air filter on a regular basis? With the purchase of a new car, your sales person will normally include a maintenance schedule of things to have completed such as oil changes, tire rotations, battery checks and other standard items while your car is under warranty.

Amid respiratory concerns about outdoor air pollution, a vehicle’s air filter functions similarly to your lungs. A clogged air filter comes from gradual buildup of dirt and debris. It is recommended that you change your air filter every 12,000 to 15,000 miles. If you live in a rural area where you frequently travel down dirt or sandy roads, you will more than likely have to change your car’s air filter more regularly. The car air filter for your engine is called an internal combustion filter. This is different from the cabin air filters that is used in your car’s air conditioning system.

There are 3 types of internal combustion filters:

1. Paper air filters are made from specially treated, industrial grade paper that is pleated like an accordion. These standard filters are relatively inexpensive and easy to replace if you want to do-it-yourself.
2. Foam air filters are made from polyurethane foam soaked in oil. These filters are highly absorbent of dust and are great for vehicles that frequently drive on dirt roads or in off-road motor sports.
3. Cotton air filters are made of oil-wetted cotton gauze and are better known for high-performance automotive applications such as racing cars.

The auto air filter is usually enclosed in a black plastic casing and is probably the largest non-metal assembly that you see under your hood. Sometimes it is located near the center top of your engine or it could be found to the side in some models. You can easily do a basic air filter change. It only takes a few minutes and will save you money in labor costs.

A clogged air filter could easily cause poor performance, poor fuel mileage and reduced engine life. In addition, it is one of those quick fix tasks that will create a headache of costly engine-related repairs if it is ignored and not replaced regularly. Get in the habit of checking and replacing your car’s air filter with every oil change if you do not want to replace it yourself. If the technician doesn’t automatically check it with your oil change, then ask them to do so.

Carpet Filtration Soiling

What is filtration soiling and what does an air filter have to do with it? Filtration soiling is soot-like discoloration that appears primarily along the edge of your carpet. Some carpet professionals also refer to this type of staining as aromatherapy candle soot, draught marking, fogging or dust marks. It is more noticeable on lighter colored carpeting than darker shades, but the quality of your carpet has nothing to do with it.

Filtration soiling can occur more commonly under closed interior doors, baseboards, along the edge of carpeted stairs or near ventilation, central heating or HVAC systems. These areas are typical of airflow that is concentrated and directed through or over the carpet’s pile. Airflow is caused by wind blowing through frequently opened windows, seeping under walls, through ventilation ducts and between rooms. Check for drafts or gaps that will force air flowing under doors or over carpeting to prevent filtration soil from accumulating in another unsuspecting area. Some of the indoor airborne pollutants contributing to this noticeable dirtiness on your floor covering include burning candles, cigarette smoke, fireplace smoke, cooking or cleaning chemical emissions.

Besides vacuuming your carpet frequently, regularly change your air filters and clean air ducts to help reduce this problem. The level of accumulated filtration soil depends on the interior airflow volume, as well as your air quality. Installing and replacing high efficiency particulate air filters (HEPA) will significantly reduce these airborne microscopic particles.

Removing filtration soil is very labor intensive. Some people feel that having scotch-guard applied over their carpet is the prescription needed to keep filtration soil from occurring, however it is only a temporary deterrent. First, you want to eliminate the cause of your indoor airborne pollutants. Next, it will be wise to have your carpet professionally cleaned, then change your air filters on a regular basis to improve indoor air quality and help reduce airborne contaminants that collect on your carpet like a magnet. Regular cleaning coupled with frequent vacuuming will also help to alleviate this unsightly discoloration.

Studies show that scented candles can cause air pollution. We recommend one or more of these alternatives.

Indoor air quality experts at the Oregon Environmental Council say that the chemicals used in scented candles can cause indoor air pollution, potentially causing a wide range of respiratory health effects, including asthma. Companies are not required to disclose the specific chemicals used in scented candles on the labels, and many labels simply list “fragrance” as an ingredient, without revealing any specifics. Some contain “pthalates”, which are used in the production of plastic, and have also been found in bottled water. According to an EPA report on pthalates, these chemicals may cause birth defects and reproductive problems.

Many people will use scented candles or fragrance sprays to mask odors that linger indoors. But there are other alternatives  to these chemical-laden, pollution causing solutions. Spring is in the air, and opening the windows of your home for even just a few minutes a day can improve air circulation, while letting in the natural scent of fresh flowers. Running the fan in your bathroom and turning on the fan inside the hood vent above your stove, during and after cooking will also help. It is important to clean and change your microwave and hood range filters on a regular basis, as these prevent the spread of odor-causing smoke and food particles. We also recommend changing your HVAC furnace filters regularly, and investing in a HEPA air purifier if you suffer from allergies or asthma. Most air purifiers remove odor-carrying particles naturally, without adding chemical-laden fragrance to your home.

If you’re not sensitive to fragrances, and you absolutely can’t do away with your craving for cinnamon or french vanilla, or if it’s too cold to open the window, supplement your air filter with a Fresh Scents Air Filter Freshener in “Fresh Flowers” and other scents. This fragrance gel pad attaches easily to any air filter, providing subtly scented air throughout your home, without the smoke given off by candlewicks.

This #charitytuesday, we are taking a break from Water Charities to pay tribute to our first ever featured “air charity.” The American Lung Association held their first Fight for Air Climb in Cleveland, this past Saturday, March 5, 2011. Climbers, walkers, runners, firefighters and supporters of the ALA challenged themselves by climbing the 42 flights of stairs in Terminal Tower (804 steps total), in an effort to raise money to support the fight against lung disease. The goal was to raise $80,000 to support lung health, research and advocacy in Northern Ohio. Together they raised over $40,000, and the option to donate is still available on the Cleveland Fight for Air Climb event website.

Fight for Air Climbs are unique events for the ALA, taking place in large towers in cities across the US. Lung cancer is the number one cancer killer in America, and the ALA is dedicated to helping people know what is needed to manage and take control of asthma and other chronic respiratory ailments. We at Filters Fast are dedicated to this cause as well, and know that indoor air quality can be a key factor in the development of chronic lung illness. Take care of yourself by making sure your environment is free from harmful air pollutants. Clean regularly and change your air filters on a consistent basis. You and your family may also want to consider investing in one or several room air purifiers for your home, especially if you suffer from allergies or asthma.

Show your support publicly, by signing up for a Fight for Air Climb in a city near you.

The groundhog said it would be an early spring this year, and many of us have already begun to see the sun through the clouds these last few days. That means it’s time for spring cleaning to commence, and cleaning up your indoor air should definitely be a part of your spring cleaning routine. The pollen is on it’s way, but you can help prevent allergies before they start with a good air purifier.

So we’ve chosen several Filtrete room purifiers as this week’s featured products.

The 3M Filtrete Ultra Clean air purifier comes in two sizes to accommodate large or small rooms, and filters 99.9 percent of particles, including mold spores, dust mite debris, household dust, pet dander, odor carrying particles, virus carrying particles, smoke, smog, and, of course – pollen. This air purifier also features a filter change indicator light, reminding you when it’s time to change the filter. Its sleek contemporary design and quiet operation is likely to compliment any room in your house, without disturbing the peace.

The 3M Filtrete Ultra Quiet (FAP00-RS) air purifier is not only ultra quiet, as the name implies; it’s also 96 percent effective at capturing airborne particles smaller than 0.2 microns. Try the Filtrete FAP01-RS model for even more advanced purification. These air purifiers bear the government-backed Energy Star symbol; they are 44 percent more efficient than standard air cleaners and will reduce your energy bill, along with greenhouse gas emissions.

For a limited time, you can save $10 on any one of these indoor air purifiers with a Filtrete mail-in rebate.

But it doesn’t stop there. Filtrete is also offering a $6 mail in rebate on all of its filters that have an MPR rating of 1000 or higher. (This rating, similar to MERV, determines how efficient the filter will be at capturing small particles.) This includes the Filtrete Micro Allergen (Filtrete Red) Air Filter, the Filtrete Ultimate Allergen (Filtrete Deep Blue) Filter, the Filtrete Ultra Allergen (Filtrete Purple) Filter and the Filtrete Elite Allergen (Filtrete Black) Filter.

We just published our first Buyer’s Guide on air filtration and wanted to share it with our site visitors.

If you’ve ever been to our website before, you’ve probably noticed that there’s a seemingly endless list of product categories – air filters, water filters, humidifiers, air purifiers, water bottles, etc. We know it can be overwhelming to search through all of this, so we’ve implemented a few new features:

One is our new-and-improved search box at the top of the page. When you search for a particular filter or type of filter, the search box offers a drop-down list of suggestions based on what you type in, making it easier for you to find the product you need:

The second feature is our list of buyer’s guides on air and water filters. We have already published several water filter buyer’s guides, and today we have uploaded our first buyer’s guide on air filtration.

If you’ve been wondering the difference between an electrostatic air filter, a HEPA filter, or an air purifier, look no further. Our Simple Guide to Home Air Filtration breaks it down for you. And if you’ve been asking yourself who this MERV character is that we keep referring to in our furnace filter product descriptions – MERV and his rating system are described in more detail in our guide.

Be on the lookout for more in-depth Buyer’s Guides on particular types of air filters and purifiers in the near future. In the meantime, if you have any questions, our filter experts are available to chat with you, M-F from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.

New ice resurfacers are powered electrically and do not pose a threat.

The EPA provides strict indoor air quality guidelines for recreational arenas, including ice skating rinks, but unfortunately, not everyone follows them. One writer recently noted that carbon monoxide poisoning is a potential threat for people who visit ice skating rinks that use fuel-fired ice resurfacers and edgers. New machines are electrically powered and do not pose a threat, but there are some indoor ice rinks that use machines fueled with diesel, propane or gasoline.

In addition to carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter also pose health risks. Parents should be aware of the signs of poisoning from air pollution if their children frequent these arenas, namely shortness of breath, mild headaches and nausea. These symptoms often mimic flu symptoms, and may be mistaken as such.

Good health starts with indoor air quality. If your children don’t frequent these arenas, it is still important to make sure the air in your own home is clean and safe to breathe. Check out our series, “Filters for Kids,” to learn more about ways to ensure your kids stay healthy with quality furnace filters and air purifiers. And since your children likely spend most of their time at school, it’s important to know what their school is doing to create a healthy environment as well.

Fortunately, we are in the winter season. If you live in a cold climate, you may want to take advantage of an outdoor ice skating arena in your area, while there is still time.

Cleaner air means a healthier heart...

Past research studies have indicated that air pollution causes inflammation in the lungs and blood vessels and may also cause endothelial cells to function poorly, both of which lead to decreased cardiovascular health. Past studies have also indicated that HEPA air filters can reduce air pollution from vehicle emissions in urban areas, but few have addressed the impact of HEPA filter technology on wood smoke used as a heat source. Exposure to wood smoke and its particulates has been linked to a number of health problems; in fact, we did a post a few months back on the link between soot and diabetes. Perhaps it comes as no surprise, then, that this type of air pollution has also been linked to cardiovascular disease. The good news is, Canadian scientists have discovered that HEPA air filters can help curb the risk of heart disease.

HEPA stands for high efficiency particulate air. Filters Fast carries many different types of air filters,  to remove dirt, dust, pollen, bacteria, mold, and smoke from your indoor air, including furnace filters that use an electrostatic charge to capture the small particulates. HEPA replacement filters for many top-of-the-line air purifiers, including IQAir, BlueAir, Holmes and Honeywell can be found, simply by typing “HEPA” into our search box at the top of the page. Don’t forget to change your vacuum cleaner filter as well. 3M Filtrete makes a variety of vacuum filters, bags and belts, which are available at a competitive price from FiltersFast.com. Since air pollution is linked to obesity, a high efficiency air purifier may also help you lose weight!

A recent study by Ohio State researchers has concluded that air pollution may be one of the causes of obesity. A few months ago, we wrote about the link between soot and diabetes; Since obesity often leads to diabetes, this finding comes as no surprise.

The study found that young mice exposed to air pollution had higher blood sugar levels, larger fat cells, and more fat cells in their abdominal area than a control group of young mice on the same diet, who were not exposed to air pollution. Inflammation and changes in fat cells both increase the risk for Type 2 diabetes.

Even more frightening is the finding that air pollution may also increase the risk of autism…

At first glance, the results of this study seem to discount personal responsibility as a factor. After all, we can try to eat healthy and exercise, but if air pollution turns out to be the main culprit, then in the end, there’s not much we can do, right?

Wrong.

The majority of Americans spend most of their time indoors. Protecting the air you breathe starts in the home and office environments. You can help fight obesity by eating healthy, exercising, and changing your AC filters regularly. Make sure you use high-efficiency furnace filters to capture those really small particles circulating through your HVAC system. The best place to buy air filters? Why, Filters Fast, of course.