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 The wildfires in Southen California may be retreating, but they've left behind high levels of airborne particulate matter and a strong odor of smoke.
"It's vital that people who live in the affected areas equip themselves with tools that offer serious protection against airborne particulate matter and offer some relief from smoke odor," says Sam Teitelbaum, President of AllerAir Industries, manufacturers of advanced HEPA-carbon air purifiers. "High levels of smoke carry large particles that settle in the upper respiratory track and very fine particles which penetrate deep into the lungs."
Anyone, including healthy people, may be affected by smoke particulate; however, older adults, people with pre-existing respiratory conditions and children are more likely to suffer from serious health complications. Smoke travels easily and can affect communities hundreds of miles away from the primary burn zone.
"We'd also like to remind those investigating personal protective equipment and odor controllers, that standard paper dust masks you can buy at the hardware store cannot protect you from fine airborne particle matter," cautions Teitelbaum. "And if you're considering the purchase of an air cleaner or air purifier, keep in mind that a HEPA-only unit cannot remove smoke odor. Look for a product that contains pounds of activated carbon."
The AllerAir 5000 DS Exec air purifier is specifically engineered for smoke odor and chemical by-products. It features a tar-trapping pre-filter, a 24 lb. deep-bed carbon filter, and a micro-particles filter rated 95% efficient at 0.5 microns. It’s suggested for users most concerned about smoke odor and airborne chemicals.
The Austin Air Healthmate air purifier, with 15 pounds of activated carbon, also works well in removing the toxic chemicals and tiny particles produced by a wildfire. The Austin Air Healthmate Jr. air purifier has seven pounds of activated carbon.
As for masks, the following masks contain carbon: Respro Techno Mask, Respro Aero Mask, Respro Bandit Scarf, and Honeycomb Mask.
Posted by Scott on Tuesday, October 30, 2007
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 Two-thirds of adults report that their disease is under control, according to WebMD. However, more than half experience asthma symptoms at least once a week.
Even more telling, one in three adults say they use a rescue inhaler at least once a day. Guidelines warn against using an inhaler more than twice a week.
"Using a rescue medication regularly is a sign that asthma is not properly controlled and you may be ailing from the disease unnecessarily," says William E. Berger, MD, of the University of California, Irvine. "Patients should talk to their doctor to evaluate their treatment regimen and find out if maintenance therapies are right for them."
Mike Tringale of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) points out, "There is a large disconnect between what asthma patients are saying and how they are actually affected by their asthma every day, which calls for better education on how to properly control the disease."
Learn more about asthma with the Asthma Solution Guide.
Posted by Scott on Tuesday, October 30, 2007
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 Halloween can be an scary time of year - especially for children with food allergies and their parents.
According to HealthNewsDigest.com, the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI) offers the following advice:
- When classroom parties are planned, parents can help by packing treats from home that their food-allergic child can eat. Create a "candy swap" with siblings or friends so that allergen-containing candies can be traded for other treats such as stickers or toys.
- Take the focus off of trick-or-treating by hosting a costume party that emphasizes fun instead of candy. Halloween stickers, pencils, spider rings and stamps are great alternatives for goody bags.
- Provide neighbors with allergy-safe candies for your child or ask neighbors to hand out only candy with individualized labels-so kids with allergies can determine whether the treat is safe to eat or not. (I plan to give stuffed dust mite toys to the trick-or-treaters in my neighborhood!)
- Teach children to politely refuse offers of cookies and other homemade treats.
- Remember that candy ingredients can vary for different sizes of the same product such as full-size candy bars and their miniature versions, which are not always individually labeled.
- Always carry emergency epinephrine! Clip on an Ana-Tote for convenient carrying of your epi-pen or ana-kit.
- If your child has ever had an allergic reaction to a food, or has a history of food allergies, seek the care of an allergist/immunologist for a follow-up evaluation and to discuss treatment and environmental control options. For more information, visit AAAAI.
See Food Allergy Products
Posted by Scott on Thursday, October 25, 2007
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 Fox News reports that a new study links spray cleaners and air fresheners to one in seven cases of asthma in adults.
Researchers say that just spraying a cleaner once a week can trigger an asthma attack, but more frequent use increases the risk of asthma.
"Frequent use of household cleaning sprays may be an important risk factor for adult asthma," says Jan-Paul Zock, of the Municipal Institute of Medical Research in Barcelona, Spain. "The relative risk rates of developing adult asthma in relation to exposure to cleaning products could account for as much as 15 percent, or one in seven, of adult asthma cases."
Furniture sprays, glass cleaners, and air freshener sprays are associated with the highest risk of asthma. It comes as no surprise that people who clean for a living have an increased incidence of asthma.
Instead of harsh chemicals, clean your home with a safe alternative: M-1 House Wash All Purpose Cleaner. or, if you must use spray cleaners, always wear a mask.
If you want to freshen your air, don't poison it with chemicals! Air out your house by opening doors and windows, or clean your air with a HEPA air purifier.
Posted by Scott on Thursday, October 25, 2007
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According to accessatlanta.com, Marie Osmond blames her allergies and the poor air quality in Los Angeles for her fainting spell during a performance on the ABC TV show Dancing with the Stars.
"Right at the beginning . . . I started getting lightheaded. The only thing I can think of, I have allergies . . . The air quality (in Los Angeles) is terrible. And I think I just couldn't get my breath," Osmond told Entertainment Tonight.
Get yourself a quality air purifier to make sure you stay on your feet when it's your turn to dance.
(AP Photo/ABC, Carol Kaelson)
Posted by Scott on Tuesday, October 23, 2007
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 Dr. Daniel More of about.com explains, "Dark circles under the eyes, when related to nasal allergies, are called 'allergic shiners.' Allergic shiners are related to nasal congestion, which can occur for other reasons besides allergies, such as with the common cold or with sinus infections.
"When the nasal passages are congested, there is an increased amount of pressure in the nose. This pressure prevents the blood that supplies the superficial part of the face from draining back to the heart. This blood pools in the veins and capillaries underneath the eyes, causing a dark appearance, like a black eye. Some of the fluid from inside the veins can slowly seep into the tissue under the eyes, leading to puffiness of the tissue as well.
"Any number of allergy medications that treat nasal congestion would be expected to help these symptoms."
Environmental control products would be expected to help, too.
Posted by Scott on Tuesday, October 23, 2007
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Fox News reports that allergies may play a role in Britney Spears' aversion to wearing panties.
A source in the wardrobe industry claims that Britney has suffered from allergic reactions to underwear in the past:
"Britney has sensitive skin all over. We tried lots of different materials, but sometimes she would get a bit of a reaction, which naturally is very uncomfortable, especially when she would be on stage under the hot lights performing. All that sweating makes things worse."
At this point, the pantyless escapades of Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton have not been attributed to underwear allergies.
If you have sensitive skin, don't throw away your underwear! Learn how to treat eczema flare-ups with the Eczema FAQ.
Vanicream Skin Cream, recommended by dermatologists, is very popular among people with sensitive skin.
Posted by Scott on Friday, October 19, 2007
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 Earlier this month, in the article Allergy & Cancer: Is There A Connection?, I wrote: Maybe one day scientists will crack the code of the intricate immune system, and diseases like cancer and allergies will be things of the past.
A few days after I wrote the above sentence, AndhraNews.net reported that a team of mathematicians in the United Kingdom is trying to do just that.
The goal of the Immunology Imaging and Modeling Project, funded by the UK's Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), is to create a theoretical and computational model of the body's immune system.
"A multi and cross-disciplinary, cohesive, and active approach is urgently required. The ability to track parasites and cells in real time using novel imaging techniques is allowing exciting new insights and will help us measure the interactions between the different parts of the immune system. This will provide a theoretical and computational model of the immune system, giving a complete picture that researchers from across all disciplines can refer to and draw upon," says Dr. Carmen Molina-Paris, researcher at the University of Leeds. "Mathematical immunology is maturing into a discipline where modeling helps everyone to interpret data and resolve controversies. Most importantly, it suggests novel experiments allowing for better and more quantitative interpretations."
Posted by Scott on Friday, October 19, 2007
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Recently, thanks to increased awareness about the dangers of construction dust, many builders have started hosing down sites with water to prevent heavy build-up of dust. The La Porte County Herald-Argus points out five facts about construction dust:
- Construction dust poses health risks because it often contains harmful substances like asbestos, man-made mineral fibers, cement residue, and wood dust.
- "Dust from all over the building may well cause more varied and severe allergies than dust generated from natural sources, such as animal hair and plant pollen," says Dr. Manjula Jegasothy, a dermatologist at the Miami Skin Institute. "This is because construction dust is often composed of particles from many different sources present at the building site. Coupled together, they irritate the skin and nasal membranes."
- Allergy sufferers may develop itchy hives after coming in contact with construction dust. Dr. Jegasothy says that the rash itself is not medically serious, but it can last for weeks or even months.
- Sometimes hives can develop into anaphylaxis, a serious, multi-system allergic reaction that requires prompt treatment in an emergency room.
- As with any substance that causes allergies, avoidance is the best prevention method. Stay away from construction dust, or invest in a mask.
Posted by Scott on Tuesday, October 16, 2007
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Reuters UK reports that women who have irregular menstrual periods are more likely to have abnormal lung function and asthma.
"Physicians should be aware that women with menstrual irregularity seem to be at greater risk of asthma and impaired lung function," says Dr. Francisco Gomez Real from Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
Earlier research found links between airway abnormalities and sex hormone irregularities. For instance, studies have implied relationships between asthma and abnormal levels of sex hormones; obesity, asthma and lung function; and between lung function and insulin resistance.
"Obesity, low physical activity, and menstrual irregularity are risk factors in airway pathology," Real concludes. "I would say that especially women with menstrual irregularity who do not exercise daily should undergo lung function testing, as those women represent, by far, a greater health concern. In addition, women exercising daily do not seem to be at risk of (irregular) lower lung function."
Posted by Scott on Monday, October 15, 2007
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See how we allergy-proofed our new headquarters, and learn how to allergy-proof your life with clean, green living.
Posted by Scott on Friday, October 12, 2007
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LATimes.com reports that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has banned popular in-home ozone air purifiers because studies show that these air purifiers can worsen respiratory conditions like asthma, which marketers claim they help to prevent.
The ban takes effect in 2009, and it's the first of its kind in the nation. Anyone caught selling the devices after a two-year phase-in period could be subject to fines starting at $1,000 a day.
CARB estimates that more than 500,000 California residents have been exposed to levels of ozone above federally recognized health standards because of air purifiers that emit ozone.
While marketers like Allen Johnston of EcoQuest air purifiers claim, "Ozone is both safe and effective," University of California inhalation toxicologist Michael Kleinman sets the record straight: "Ozone is a toxic contaminant, and does cause significant adverse health impacts."
We've been telling our customers the same thing for years. If you want to clean the air in your home, select a safe, effective HEPA air purifier, especially if you have a respiratory condition like asthma or allergies.
Posted by Scott on Wednesday, October 10, 2007
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 October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Do your part in the fight against this horrible disease!
$5.00 from every Blueair AirPod Pink sale goes to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
The Blueair AirPod air purifier stands at only 13 inches tall. It's the perfect portable air purifier for offices and travels. Its HEPASilent technology captures 99.97% of the tiniest particles down to 0.1 microns.
As a bonus, the AirPod is also easy on the environment: it uses 60% less material, 50% less packaging, and 85% less energy than most air purifiers on the market. No chemicals are used in the AirPod, and all components are 100% recyclable.
The AirPod Pink is just $49.95 for a limited time only! That's a $50 savings off the regular AirPod price. Order your AirPod Pink today.
Posted by Scott on Monday, October 08, 2007
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The 2007 Allergy Relief Holiday Giveaway from achooallergy.com is officially under way!
This year we'll be giving away over $22,000 in prizes, including a Tempur-Pedic® Deluxe Mattress & Foundation, Allergy Armor Ultra complete bedding packages, Miele Aquarius HEPA vacuum cleaner, air purifiers, dehumidifiers, humidifiers, air filters, sinus relief products, and many more great prizes!
15 great prize packages - 15 chances to win!
Enter today, and be sure to Email the Sign-Up Page to all friends and family members!
Posted by Scott on Friday, October 05, 2007
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 Act Now! Offer ends October 31, 2007.
Posted by Scott on Thursday, October 04, 2007
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