HEPA FILTERS - There are many different air purifier technologies out there. Some air purifiers use technologies in conjunction with each other while others employ only one technology. A HEPA filter is a High Efficiency Particulate Air filter. What sets HEPA filters apart from the rest is their claims are more than just claims. Because in order to be called a true HEPA filter it has to be first be tested and approved, you know exactly what to expect - a HEPA filter must trap 99.97% of particulates 0.3 microns or larger. With HEPA technology, you know exactly what to expect and there’s no guesswork involved. You’ve probably run across the term HEPA used in regard to filtration. You may be wondering what a HEPA filter is, or if you’ve heard of it, you may be wondering how it works. HEPA filtration is an important and popular form of air purification technology that must be understood in order to make an informed air purifier buying decision. HEPA is an acronym that stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air, so a HEPA filter is a High Efficiency Particulate Air filter. Filters, whether for an air purifier or other implementation, come with many benefits and claims. What sets HEPA filters apart from the rest is their claims are more than just claims. Because in order to be called a true HEPA filter it has to be first be tested and approved, you know exactly what to expect - a HEPA filter must trap 99.97% of particulates 0.3 microns or larger.

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HEPA Filters

What They Are & How They Work

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There are many different air purifier technologies out there. Some air purifiers use technologies in conjunction with each other while others employ only one technology. A HEPA filter is a High Efficiency Particulate Air filter. What sets HEPA filters apart from the rest is their claims are more than just claims. Because in order to be called a true HEPA filter it has to be first be tested and approved, you know exactly what to expect - a HEPA filter must trap 99.97% of particulates 0.3 microns or larger. With HEPA technology, you know exactly what to expect and there’s no guesswork involved.

Sarah

 

If you’re shopping for an air purifier, you’ve probably run across the term HEPA used in regard to filtration.

You may be wondering what a HEPA filter is, or if you’ve heard of it, you may be wondering how it works.

HEPA filtration is an important and popular form of air purification technology that must be understood in order to make an informed air purifier buying decision.

What is a HEPA filter?

HEPA is an acronym that stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air, so a HEPA filter is a High Efficiency Particulate Air filter. Filters, whether for an air purifier or other implementation, come with many benefits and claims.

What sets HEPA filters apart from the rest is their claims are more than just claims.

Because in order to be called a true HEPA filter it has to be first be tested and approved, you know exactly what to expect.

The Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technology dictates that a HEPA filter must trap 99.97% of particulates 0.3 microns or larger.

This does not mean that the filter cannot trap particles smaller than 0.3 microns, because many HEPA filters can; it is simply the threshold that must be reached in order to carry the HEPA name.

What is a micron?

Particles range from ultra-microscopic to entirely detectable to the human eye.

Microns, which are one-millionth of a meter, are how particles are measured.

To give you a better idea of the size of a micron, or less than a micron, consider that we cannot visually see anything less than 10 microns.

Bacteria can be anywhere from 0.3 to 60 microns, and 1 inch equals 25,400 microns.

Micron Comparison Chart:

o    Spores: 3 – 40 microns

o    Mold: 3 – 12 microns

o    Bacteria: 0.3 – 60 microns

o    Car emissions: 1 – 150 microns

o    Pure oxygen: 0.0005 microns

How do HEPA filters work?

To put it simply, HEPA filters trap air contaminants in a complex web of fibers.

Depending on the size of the particle, this can happen in four different ways: Inertial Impaction, Diffusion, Interception, or Sieving.

Larger contaminants are trapped via inertial impaction and sieving. The particles either collide with the fibers and become trapped or are trapped while attempting to travel through the fibers.

Medium sized particles, as they move through the filter, are grabbed by the fibers via interception.

Smaller particles are dissipated as they travel through the filter and eventually collide with a fiber and are trapped.

Are all HEPA filters the same?

Contrary to popular belief, not all HEPA filters are the same.

There are significant differences in composition and utilization. For example, Blueair uses what they call HEPASilent™ particle filtration technology.

The air first passes through an ionizer, which charges incoming particles with a negative electrostatic charge.

The air then reaches the HEPA filter, which uses gradient composition of synthetic fibers to capture the charged particles.

RabbitAir uses what they call a BioGS HEPA Filter.

Rather than just trapping contaminants and having them build up over time, RabbitAir asserts that their filters also reduce contaminants.

This, in turn, works to prevent allergen buildup and the further growth of bacteria and viruses on the filter, improving the overall efficiency.

IQAir’s HyperHEPA filtration uses what they call nanofibers to stop particles as small as 0.003 microns.

There are many different air purifier technologies out there – activated carbon, ionizing, ozone, UV technology, and HEPA just to name a few.

Some air purifiers use technologies in conjunction with each other while others employ only one technology. Whichever you decide to go with, knowing what to expect is important.

With HEPA technology, you know exactly what to expect and there’s no guesswork involved.

Whether it’s an enhanced HEPA filter or one without any bells and whistles, you can be sure that contaminants will be removed on a microscopic level, so go ahead, take a deep breath.

Sarah is a savvy urbanite with small town roots. As a foodie, wine lover & adventurer, she loves the bustling city and the great outdoors equally. Her motto is that you don’t have to sacrifice comfort, convenience, or fresh air for small-scale urban living.

https://learn.allergyandair.com/hepa-filters/

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The belief that airplane air has lots of germs

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Ozone Air 

Purifiers 

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Bad Home Air Quality

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BAD HOME AIR QUALITY - It can trigger asthmatic events, and it can lead to the development of longer-term breathing issues if your family is constantly exposed to irritants and other unhealthy elements in the air. What many people don’t realize about keeping the air in their homes clean is that it is not just a matter of washing or vacuuming. The detergents and products you use can actually contribute to your poor air quality, and so can many of your home appliances. Installing a new furnace filter every six months is a recommended step in almost every home furnace maintenance schedule. Upgrading your air filter to one that is carbon-activated, HEPA rated, or is specially designed to be hypoallergenic will allow you to trap more and finer particles, making your overall home air quality much better without a lot of effort. Furnaces and air conditioning units are not the only places where you will find air filters working to keep the air in your home fresh and clean. Dehumidifiers, home air purifiers, vacuum cleaners, stove hoods, and clothes dryers all circulate air, and they all have filters that need to be regularly cleaned, as well as ducting and fans that can leak dirty air if they are not properly maintained. Most vacuum cleaners have basic HEPA-rated air filters, but you definitely get what you pay for. Inspecting under sinks and in bathrooms for black mold and cleaning any deposits you find right away is a key way to protect your family’s overall health.

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Bad Home Air Quality.

8 Reasons You Have Bad Home Air Quality

Allergy & Air 

Home air quality is a large part of what makes a house feel inviting and comfortable.

Sometimes, it can even make clean, well-maintained homes feel oppressive or dirty.

It can also trigger asthmatic events, and it can lead to the development of longer-term breathing issues if your family is constantly exposed to irritants and other unhealthy elements in the air.

What many people don’t realize about keeping the air in their homes clean is that it is not just a matter of washing or vacuuming.

The detergents and products you use can actually contribute to your poor air quality, and so can many of your home appliances.

Here are a few areas where you can do quality control on the air in your home.

1. Your Furnace or Central Air Unit

It’s very easy to let furnace check-ups go when you don’t see major problems with your home heating system.

The same is true for air conditioners, both central air units and the portable kind.

Keeping up with the regular maintenance on these units, including inspections and tune-ups that require you to call in a specialist, means that your home air circulation will be more efficient, making it easier for your furnace filter to do its job effectively.

2. Your Furnace Filter

Installing a new furnace filter every six months is a recommended step in almost every home furnace maintenance schedule.

Since air filters are replaced so frequently, it can be tempting to go budget and get lower-end filters with very basic features.

Upgrading your air filter to one that is carbon-activated, HEPA rated, or is specially designed to be hypoallergenic will allow you to trap more and finer particles, making your overall home air quality much better without a lot of effort.

3. Home Appliances

Furnaces and air conditioning units are not the only places where you will find air filters working to keep the air in your home fresh and clean. 

Dehumidifiers, home air purifiers, vacuum cleaners, stove hoods, and clothes dryers all circulate air, and they all have filters that need to be regularly cleaned, as well as ducting and fans that can leak dirty air if they are not properly maintained.

Inspecting and fixing any issues in these appliances, or even just cleaning their air filters regularly, will help a lot with your home’s air.

4. Your Vacuum

Most vacuum cleaners have basic HEPA-rated air filters, but you definitely get what you pay for.

Going for a premium vacuum cleaner with a top-notch air filtration system and the ability to trap the finest particles in your air and carpet can help a lot.

You do need to make sure to clean it regularly and to keep it from over-filling during use to realize the full benefits of this upgrade, but when you clean your home with a top of the line vacuum that is in peak condition, you will notice the difference right away.

5. Bathroom Mold and Other Moisture Issues

Inspecting under sinks and in bathrooms for black mold and cleaning any deposits you find right away is a key way to protect your family’s overall health.

Mold is not just bad for your respiratory system; it can be toxic in other ways as well.

If you find any deposits, clean them with a borax or borax-and-citrus mixture for quick, effective results.

Then, assess the area for any repairs or other maintenance concerns you may need to fix, and dry it out before attempting any repairs.

For bathroom mold, remember to run ventilation fans for about a half hour after baths and showers to help prevent new buildup.

6. Artificial Cleaning Products

You hear a lot about toxins and other health problems, and it seems sometimes like those warnings might be a bit over-the-top.

When it comes to cleaning agents, detergents, and other household chemicals, though, there really are a lot of harsh chemicals with fumes that linger, causing distress for people with sensitive respiratory systems, including children.

You can easily reduce chemical fumes around the house and make it easier to breathe without compromising on cleanliness, though.

Common, natural citrus can be used to make a variety of home cleaning agents that keep your air fresh while they scrub every surface clean.

Other options using tea tree oil, vinegar, or combinations of natural solutions are also available.

7. Smelly, Artificially Scented Air Fresheners

Relying on artificial air fresheners and other scent options, such as candles or incense, means putting adulterants back into the air.

While they do cover the signs of poor air quality very well, they also contribute to the problems that come from having too many fine particles in the air, irritating lungs and throats and leading to problems for people with asthma and other allergies.

Candles and incense are especially an issue, because smoke and other carbon particulates get into the air alongside the artificial scents.

If you need some kind of fresh scent to pick you up around the house, consider dry alternatives that can be made from natural ingredients, such as orange peels.

They will help freshen the house and improve your air quality without adding to existing issues with your air.

8. Going Without an Air Purifier

Last but not least, if you don’t already have a home air purifier, it really is worthwhile to get one. Air purifiers help draw dust and other suspended particles out of the air, making it so your furnace filter doesn’t need to work as hard.

Many are also capable of trapping fine particles that would normally come to rest on the carpet, where your vacuum would have to deal with it.

This is an essential step toward air purity that also happens to have the extra bonus effect of being able to reduce the amount of work involved in applying your other strategies.

Keeping the air quality in your home fresh and clean is an ongoing process, but it does not have to be a battle.

Investing in the right cleaning strategies and the equipment to stay on top of them is a matter of adjusting to a new process, but once you have made that adjustment the day-to-day maintenance becomes easy, and you will be able to enjoy the benefits for years to come.

AllergyandAir.com offers some of the best-rated, most technologically advanced air purifiers on the market to help keep your house or office free of allergens, odors & chemicals that may be harmful to you and your family.

https://learn.allergyandair.com/reasons-for-bad-home-air-quality/

CIGARETTE SMOKE INDOORS - Secondhand smoke is the combined effect of the smoke that comes off the actual end of a cigarette and the smoke that a smoker exhales. While people who smoke don’t necessarily intend to harm those around them, this is what they are doing when they smoke. Secondhand smoke can contribute to lung cancer, emphysema, and a variety of other illnesses. This is because secondhand smoke contains nearly 4,000 chemical compounds, many of which are known to cause these diseases, clog a person’s airways, and even trigger asthma attacks. It is essential that you are diligent about controlling the amount of smoke in your home. One of the easiest ways to control secondhand smoke in your home is to open up your windows and let in some fresh air. While this cannot get rid of all the smoke in your home completely, it will certainly help. It’s a great start to clearing the smoke from the air. If you smoke or someone that you live with is a smoker, it would be wise to get an air purifier designed to mitigate the smell and effects of secondhand smoke in your home. Secondhand smoke can stick to the walls of your home, the carpets and your curtains.

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Cigarette Smoke Indoors

How to Remove Cigarette Smoke From Your Indoor Air

Jeff Flowers

At this point, we all know that smoking isn’t good for your health.

You also probably know that breathing in the smoke that comes off of cigarettes, whether or not you’re the one smoking, can be just as dangerous.

If you are concerned about the impact of lingering cigarette smoke in your home, or just tired of your home smelling like an ashtray, there are many things you can do to get rid of the smoke and odor.

Cigarette

Let’s take a look at the dangers of secondhand smoke, as well as a few methods you can follow to remove smoke from your indoor air. It’s time to clear the air and start breathing easier once again.

The Dangers of Secondhand Smoke

Secondhand smoke is the combined effect of the smoke that comes off the actual end of a cigarette and the smoke that a smoker exhales.

While people who smoke don’t necessarily intend to harm those around them, this is what they are doing when they smoke, especially indoors.

Secondhand smoke can contribute to lung cancer, emphysema, and a variety of other illnesses.

This is because secondhand smoke contains nearly 4,000 chemical compounds, many of which are known to cause these diseases, clog a person’s airways, and even trigger asthma attacks.

Because of these effects, it is essential that you are diligent about controlling the amount of smoke in your home.

Open the Windows

One of the easiest ways to control secondhand smoke in your home is to open up your windows and let in some fresh air.

While this cannot get rid of all the smoke in your home completely, it will certainly help. It’s a great start to clearing the smoke from the air, not to mention will immediately remove the noxious odors of cigarette smoke.

If it’s too cold or hot outside to open your windows, then we’d suggest opening a door or window in intervals.

This will allow the smoke to clear out, albiet at a much slower rate, but not make as big of an impact on your energy bills.

It would also be wise to sit by an open window and blow the smoke outside. This will prevent the vast majority of the smoke from accumulating in your home in the first place.

It won’t prevent your home from smelling like smoke, but it will certainly help out.

Use an Air Purifier

Keep in mind that just opening up your doors and windows on a regular basis won’t completely get rid of indoor cigarette smoke.

If you smoke or someone that you live with is a smoker, it would be wise to get an air purifier designed to mitigate the smell and effects of secondhand smoke in your home.

These purification systems work by pulling indoor air into their them, cleaning it, and then circulating it back into the room.

When the air is pulled into the purifier, the harmful particles contained in secondhand smoke are eliminated from the air.

Not only can an air purifier minimize the effects of secondhand smoke in your household, but it can also help control the odors that are often pervasive in the homes of smokers.

This is by far the most effective way to cleanse your indoor air of cigarette smoke, as well as many other airborne toxins.

Getting Rid of the Smell

While an air purifier is the most effective way to improve your indoor air quality, there are still other things you can do to get rid of that smokey smell.

Secondhand smoke can stick to the walls of your home, the carpets and your curtains. It can and will trap the smell inside of your house. Here are four tips to help you rid of these odors in your home:

Remove all of the curtains, sheets, towels and other linens from your home. Wash them thoroughly before putting them back.

You can also use a deodorizing product, such as Febreeze, to help mask the smells.

Steam clean all of your carpets, as well as add a deodorizing product to the cleansing solution.

Sanitize your ceilings, floors, countertops, and other fixtures in your home with a solution of water and bleach.

Consider repainting your walls and doors. A fresh coat of paint will help alleviate the lingering odors.

In addition to these strategies, adopt a daily, weekly, and monthly routine to minimize the strong and unique odor of cigarette smoke.

This should include things like opening up the doors and windows for a few hours, adding a small amount of vinegar to your washing machine whenever you wash your clothes and linens, regularly vacuuming and steam cleaning your carpets, and spraying all of your furniture down with a deodorizing product.

If you are worried about the impact secondhand smoke is having on your household, not just because of the way it smells but because of the harmful health consequences, using an air purifier, opening up the windows and doors and following these guidelines for eliminating the smell can successfully control the impact of secondhand smoke in your home.

Plagued by a chronic case of curiosity, Jeff Flowers is just a dude that annoys everyone around him with his loquacious goofiness. From beer to home living, Jeff is just trying to hack his way through life and write a few notes about it along the way. You can follow his ramblings here, or listen to him complain about Austin traffic on Twitter at @Bukowsky.

https://learn.allergyandair.com/how-to-remove-smoke-from-indoor-air/