News and Notes in Allergies, Asthma, & MCS

Last week, we took a little time off from posting. As you may have noticed, Miele is completely renaming their entire line of HEPA vacuum cleaners, and it’s been created a lot of new work for us. But it’s Tuesday,…

Fun Times with Ozone and Scorching Heat!

It is definitely that time of year again. You know, the time of year when getting into your car feels like you've just stepped into a blast furnace; the time of year when, you know it's at least 105% relative…

Vogmask – New Allergy Masks

Since 2012, Vogmasks have offered a more stylish, comfortable way to block allergens, dust and air pollution. The original mask, the Classic Microfiber Vogmask, is lightweight, offers three layer filtration and comes in a variety of colors. After just a…

World Health Organization (WHO) Labels Air Pollution Carcinogen

A recent announcement by the World Health Organization (WHO) has classified ‘air pollution’ as a carcinogen. The agency within the WHO that specializes in cancer research, the IARC, released these findings yesterday. For many who follow and keep up with…

As Temps Climb, So Does Ozone

Starting in spring each year, you might notice a mention of the ‘air quality index’ on the local news. Typically during the spring months, this index is influenced by the level of pollen in the air, but as spring dials…

London’s Air: As Bad as Beijing?

Though I know the Olympics are coming up very quickly, thoughts about it have largely been tucked away in the back of my mind. From an allergy/asthma perspective, there are certainly athletes competing who are dealing with asthma, like US…

Reducing Exposure to Vehicle Emissions

While the political debate over whether emissions regulations are too onerous on manufacturers, evidence linking increased exposure to emissions and asthma and lung damage continues to pile up. From decreased lung development to increased rates of asthma, studies published in…

Some Like It Hot!

So maybe the title is a bit deceptive since there will be no mention of the famous movie by the same title that starred Marilyn Monroe and Tony Curtis, except for this one. What I am referring to, however, is…

Outdoors, Ozone and Plants

If you happened to see a snippet from the evening news, you may have come across a piece about a thick cloud of yellowish smog in the Chinese city of Wuhan. While the cause of the dense cloud is up…

Memorial Weekend and Air Quality

What are your Memorial Day plans? Watch a parade? Go see an air show? Cook out with friends and family? Go canoeing down a local river?

Warmer Temps Jumpstart Summer Ozone

With near record breaking temperatures in many parts of the country, poor air quality warnings are getting an early start to the season. As the mercury rises during the summer months, the combination of the heat and air pollution leads…

Air Quality May Be Worse Than Thought

In a study recently released in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers complicate our current understanding of air pollution and how air pollution is oxidized in the environment. The initial finds are cause for some concern. The…

Defining the Link Between Environment & Health

Over a year ago, we implemented a FAQ function on our site, and since then, we’ve answered thousands of questions. Some of these questions you’ll see posted on product pages, and others you won’t see due to the personal nature…

China’s Elite Enjoy Pure Air While Under-Reporting Pollution

In Toxic Indoor Air in Nail Salon: Part One and Two, we touched on the politics that can be involved in the accessibility of healthy indoor air. A recent NY Times article, The Privileges of China's Elite Include Purified Air,…

Yellow Tipped Flames and Your Health

My husband and I have been talking to our custom home builders, and it seems we will soon have to make a decision about whether we prefer a gas range or an electric range in our new home. An almost…

Dealing with Unexpected Indoor Air Pollution

The more you know about the dangers of the toxic chemicals that are all around us, the more you do your best to avoid them. Simple lifestyle changes like swapping Windex for a homemade vinegar solution to clean glass and…

Dry Cleaning Chemical Labelled Toxic and Carcinogenic by EPA

Indoor air quality affects everyone's health, but the repercussions of poor indoor air quality can be especially pronounced in individuals with asthma and allergies. While we may think of our homes as a haven from outdoor pollution like that from…

Cyclists Face Air Pollution Dangers, Including Cardiac Trouble

Scientific America’s article, Air Pollution Triggers Heart Risk for Cyclists, discusses the health concerns faced by cyclists who ride in heavy traffic areas. _The article highlights the effect of pollution from delivery trucks in New York City’s Garment District. One…