Water & Air – Filter Systems News

May is asthma and allergy awareness month. Did you know that asthma and allergy rates are higher than ever? This is the time of year where many allergy and asthma problems begin to flare up for many people. Did you also know that the IQAir HealthPro Plus is the number one air purifier for asthma and allergies?

The IQ Air Plus will filter about 100X more than your ordinary HEPA filter with its HyperHEPA filtration.  This will remove and reduce dust, pet dander, pollen, mold spores, smoke, dust mites, fabric fibers, gases, odors, indoor air pollution and other common allergens. The IQAir HealthPro Plus Air Purifier comes equipped with three high quality HEPA filters – the IQAir HealthPro HEPA Pre-Filter, the IQAir HealthPro HyperHEPA Air Filter, and the IQAir HealthPro V5-Cell Air Filter. All three filters provide maximum filtration of the air in your home and are ideal for indoor allergy sufferers. The IQAir HealthPro Plus has received more official number one reviews than any other home air purifier and is IQAir’s best selling air purifier unit.

Now, you can get an even better deal with the purchase of this unique system. From May 24, 2012 to June 30, 2012, any customer that purchases a HealthPro Plus from an authorized IQAir dealer will be eligible to win a 5 year supply of HealthPro Plus replacement filters. The prize will include 2 HyperHEPA Filters, 3 V5-Cell Filters and 5 PreMax Pre-Filters. That is an estimated value of $750!  The winner will be randomly selected in a drawing that will be conducted after the sweepstakes concludes. Find out more details about this exciting event, click the link below to take advantage of this opportunity! Beat your asthma and allergies once and for all!

IQAir Filter Giveaway Sweepstakes

It’s that time of year when the temperature is warmer, the kids are getting out of school, and we’re out doing yard work or maybe even preparing for a vacation. But what if you have allergies like millions of other Americans? It can be a real drag. It affects your outdoor activities and can seemingly affect your entire life as well.  Oftentimes, you can feel like this time of year is no fun at all for you. But let me let you in on a secret, it doesn’t have to be that way. There are ways you can protect yourself from allergies and fight them off. But first, what exactly are allergies?

An allergy is characterized by the overreaction of the human immune system to a foreign protein substance (or allergen) that is either eaten, breathed into lungs, injected or touched. This overreaction often results in coughing, sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose and a scratchy throat. In more severe cases however, it can also result in rashes, lower blood pressure, difficulty breathing, asthma attacks and even death. While there is no cure for allergies, you can still protect yourself from it.

For those with severe allergies, the search for a product that works well for you can often be difficult. For many allergy sufferers, finding the right allergy treatment is an absolute necessity. Fortunately, allergy machines are ideal for severe allergy and asthma sufferers. With allergy machines such as the Austin Air Allergy Machine, you can get better sleep, experience less coughing and sneezing through the reduction of airborne allergens.

Allergies are offset a lot by air quality. The poorer the air quality, the worse your allergies are likely to get. This is where air quality test kits such as the Bio Scan Indoor Air Quality Test Kit comes into play.  It screens for common contaminants such as pollen and mold by pin-pointing what problems you are having with your Indoor Air Quality (IAQ).

Electrostatic filters are very effective in trapping particles that would help to reduce or eliminate allergy and asthma symptoms. The Electrostatic Throw Away Filter is a cut-to-fit HEPA air filter that is designed to eliminate airborne pollutants and allergens.

Don’t you think you deserve to enjoy this time of year? You don’t have to suffer with allergies. You can fight them off with the tools you have available. Whether you purchase furnace filters, allergy machines or anything else, be sure to fight off your allergies this year and live happier this allergy season. Click on the image below to see more on how you can protect yourself against asthma and allergies.

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.

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.

Halloween isn’t the only thing to celebrate this month. October is National Indoor Air Quality Month, and several states, including North Dakota, Michigan and Montana are celebrating by spreading the word about the dangers of harmful indoor (and outdoor) air contaminants.

Seasonal changes often result in higher incidences of allergy problems and illnesses. Pollen is prevalent in the spring and fall opens the door to ragweed. Asthma, often caused by air pollution, is a growing epidemic among children and adults, resulting in missed school and work days, along with emergency room visits, and in extreme cases, even death. Indoor air pollution deserves way more attention than it currently receives. Though many people are aware of air contaminants such as mold, tobacco smoke and carbon monoxide, they may not be fully aware of just how dangerous these allergens can be. It is important to raise awareness and educate others on how they can avoid the problems caused by air pollution.

Here are some tips to help you improve the indoor air quality in your home:

1. Take our Indoor Air Quality Quiz to find out how dangerous your home environment is.

2. Quit smoking and avoid secondhand tobacco smoke.

3. Regularly change the A/C filters and microwave and hood range filters in your home.  Air filters with a higher MERV rating are more efficient at removing microscopic particles. You may also want to purchase an air purifier.

4. Use a HEPA vacuum cleaner and change the HEPA filter regularly.

5. Clean furniture regularly (more if you have pets in your home). Use non-toxic household cleaning products. Use hypoallergenic bedding.

Like any other national holiday, the  month of October is a time for recognition and remembrance – specifically the recognition of the importance of clean air. Join the observance and celebrate by spreading the word and sharing this post.

A new carpet from DESSO – an international carpet manufacturer – is appropriately named “AirMaster” for its ability to clean indoor air. This is especially beneficial to chronic allergy and asthma sufferers. With most people these days spending the majority of their time indoors, good indoor air quality is essential to good health.

In general, carpets can act as air filters by trapping particles that, when breathed, can enter the lungs and eventually get into the bloodstream causing a host of health problems.  AirMaster carpet reduces the amount of particulates in the air and is eight times more effective than hard flooring and four times better than standard carpeting. It releases 80 percent of particulates when vacuumed, making it better able to restore its dust-trapping capability than standard carpets or hard floors. This carpet will primarily be aimed at public buildings, such as offices, hospitals and schools, where there is a lot of human traffic, as feet stir up dust from the floor.

The wait is over.  Part two of the Filters for Kids series is here, so you can breathe easy. Well, almost. We suggest that you first make sure the air around you is safe…

Filters for Kids, Part Two: The Stuff We Breathe In

In the last post, I addressed the issue of contaminated water sources in schools and the health risks they pose to children. But water contamination is not just an issue in schools. Parents should take measures to ensure clean water for their kids at home as well. And not just clean drinking water. Clean bath water is also essential to good health.

Many water treatment facilities use chlorine as a disinfectant for public water sources. Bathing in chlorinated water can cause dry skin and damaged hair as the water is absorbed through the skin.  Inhaling the vapors in the air during a shower can also lead to respiratory problems, including asthma, after long-term exposure. This is especially dangerous for young children whose immune systems aren’t as strong as adults’. Perhaps you already have chlorine shower filters installed in your bathrooms. But if your child is too young to shower on his own, does that mean he has to suffer?

Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater just yet.  The hand held Sprite shower filter for babies removes 99 percent of free chlorine, leaving skin soft and lungs healthy. It has an adapter that enables it to attach to the kitchen sink for newborn babies and infants, and as your child grows older, the Baby Shower easily connects to any shower arm with the enclosed bracket. Does your child prefer baths over showers? We’ve got that covered too. The Rainshow’r Crystal Ball Bath Dechlorinator removes up to 100 percent of free chlorine from bath water and is completely safe for infants.

Chlorinated water is not the only thing that increases the risk of respiratory problems. Asthma is common in young children who are exposed to air pollution on a regular basis. Dust, pollen, mold spores, smoke, pet dander and other irritants easily get trapped in homes, causing allergies and other problems after long-term exposure. Parents can ensure their children have access to clean air in the home with an air purifier. Both the Whirlpool Whispure and 3M Filtrete Ultra Quiet air purifier models are ideal for a baby’s nursery or a child’s bedroom.