Editor: Mercia Tapping, President,
Allergy Buyers Club
PLEASE NOTE that references to prices or specials within this archive reflect prices
and market conditions at the time of newsletter publication.
Prices may have changed since publication.
Dear Everyone
It
may surprise some of you to know that when I founded my company
it had little to do with selling products, but had everything
to do with educating people on how to create a healthy home
and allergen-free environment for both themselves and their
families. My own personal experiences taught me that paying
attention to my home environment and the products I used made
all the difference to my health. AllergyBuyersClub.com sells
products in order for us to make a living, but we never lose
sight of the fact that these are products which we believe
will have a positive impact on your health.
My husband has always said to me that if you
have your health, you have the most important thing in your
life. This year, there have been some sharp reminders in my
life, as I have come to the age where major illnesses, death
and dying is starting to occur around me. Just remember that
together with love in your life, there is nothing more important
than good health.
This newsletter has become so popular over the
past 4 years that we have created its own web site AllergyConsumerReview.com
where we have posted the past 55 issues in searchable format.
We are still putting the final touches to this site but feel
free to browse through it for helpful information.
It is the beginning of the season for humidifiers.
Do not miss the new sale prices on humidifiers.
They are very competitively priced and there is a tendency
for manufacturers to run out later in the season, so my advice
is to buy one now especially if your sinuses are beginning
to hurt.
Finally, for our California readers who are
experiencing the horrendous wildfires spreading through the
western region of the country, we are providing some useful
information on smoke inhalation and a discount
on IQAir air purifiers.
Important:
California Wildfires - IQAir Press Release Highlights
Here
is some useful advice from a recent IQAir press release on
how to create a “clean zone” in your home during
heavy outdoor smoke from wgildfires.
In addition, AllergyBuyersClub.com is offering
California residents a $30
savings on IQAir air purifiers if they order
from us and pick up the units at the IQAir warehouse in Santa
Fe Springs or their distribution center in Ontario. Customers
will also save on the 8.5% CA sales tax.
Call us toll free at 1-888-236-7231 or order
online and put in the comments section “I will pick
up unit myself in CA to get discount”. We will
adjust the price after the sale and then contact you to give
you the pick-up details.
Press Release from IQAir:
Health Tips for Residents that Suffer
from Poor Air Quality during Wildfires
How to Protect Yourself from Poor Air
Quality During Wildfires
Wildfires produce millions of tiny pollution
particles, in the form of smoke. Concentrations of fine particulates
in much of Los Angeles and Orange County are reaching levels
which are up to 100 times higher than those on even the smoggiest
days. To combat this serious health threat, health officials
are advising the population to stay inside and keep doors
and windows closed. While this helps to keep some of smoke
out, the small particles from the smoke will eventually still
make their way indoors, through cracks and gaps in the building.
The following tips will help you to create a "clean zone"
in your home during heavy outdoor smoke from wildfires.
* After closing doors and windows, use duct
tape and plastic sheeting to seal cracks around the doors
and outside vents.
* Replace your furnace
filter with a high-efficiency filter upgrade. These are
available from most hardware and home improvement stores and
cost $10-20.
* Run your air conditioning system. You can
run the fan only, if you are comfortable with the temperature.
Constantly cycling the air through you air conditioning system
with upgraded
air filters, will remove some of the air pollutants.
* Don't run your bathroom exhaust fans, since
this will cause more polluted outside air to be drawn into
the home.
* Create a safe-room
within your house with the help of a room air cleaner
with a HEPA filter. This will be the room where particularly
sensitive members of your family, those with emphysema, allergies
or asthma can retreat to. Room air cleaners with HEPA filters
are available through specialty retailers and can be purchased
over the internet. Expect to pay about $600 for a good HEPA
room air cleaner.
* If you do have to go outside, you may want
to wear a fine dust mask, as is available though home improvement
stores. These masks will typically sell for $5-$40. If you
do not have access to mask you may use a wet cloth to breathe
through. Do not use the simple surgical masks, as used by
doctors, they are ineffective against small smoke particles.
Frank Hammes, President of IQAir North
America, Inc., is an expert on air quality and air quality
control measures. He lectures and trains indoor air quality
professionals on ways to help residents create healthier indoor
environments during natural disasters such as wildfires.
Hong
Kong Hospitals Get New Tool For The Fight Against S.A.R.S.
Thursday October
16, 9:44 am ET Specialized Air Cleaners to Be Used
to Take (S.A.R.S.) Virus Out of the Air
Santa
Fe Springs, Calif., Oct. 16 2003 -- IQAir North America announced
today that the Hong Kong Hospital Authority (HKHA) has selected
IQAir's advanced air filtration systems as a new tool for
combating the SARS virus. According to the World Health Organization
(WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) the most effective
strategy in preventing another major SARS outbreak will be
finding ways to limit transmission of the disease. The HKHA's
selection of IQAir marks the first time specialized room air
cleaners will be used as a control measure against SARS.
Much like the common flu, SARS is spread by
close contact. When a person with SARS coughs or sneezes,
or even during normal breathing, they contaminate the surrounding
air with tiny droplets of infected matter. Breathing the contaminated
air can then infect someone in close proximity of the infected
person. According to the CDC, "It is possible that SARS
can also spread more broadly through the air." Since
there is no specific antiviral treatment for SARS, the most
effective strategy is containment. While it is the WHO's first
objective to prevent the international spread of this deadly
disease, local health care institutions have begun looking
for infection control measures that will help prevent further
infections inside the hospitals themselves.
The HKHA currently manages 43 public hospitals,
47 specialist outpatient clinics and 13 general outpatient
clinics in Hong Kong. The region was one of the worst affected
areas in last winter's SARS epidemic with 1755 reported SARS
cases (376 of which concerned healthcare workers), resulting
in a total of 300 deaths.
"Nearly one fourth of all SARS infections
in last winter's epidemic involved healthcare workers,"
said Robert Wiltbank, Vice President of Medical Air Solutions,
a company that advises hospitals on infection control measures.
"The risk of the disease being transmitted to other patients
or healthcare workers is a major worldwide concern."
The HKHA focused on special engineering controls
as part of their strategy in the fight against SARS. In order
to find the most effective and reliable solution the Electrical
and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) of the Hong Kong
Government performed rigorous tests on induct HVAC systems
and room air cleaners. With the help of sophisticated laser
particle counters that record the number of particles in the
air, even those down below the size of a virus, the EMSD tested
the actual filtration efficiency of numerous air filtration
systems. After weeks of testing and the installation of several
trial systems the HKHA finally chose IQAir as the only room
air cleaner for SARS patients' rooms.
In the event that SARS is suspected in a patient,
the HKHA will place a self contained mobile air cleaning system
next to the patient's bed in Hong Kong hospitals. A flexible
suction arm attached to the machine will be positioned near
the patient's face to capture airborne droplets that are expelled
by coughing and sneezing. The contaminated air is then drawn
into the system and filtered in a 4-stage filtration process.
At the final filtration stage the air cleaning system will
remove even the tiniest airborne particulates, including the
SARS virus, from the air. As a result the risk of infection
within the patient's room can be greatly reduced, thus providing
a safer working environment for healthcare personnel and reducing
the possibility of spreading of the disease.
"This is true prevention," says Frank
Hammes, President of IQAir North America. "Hong Kong
is breaking new ground in infection control."
IQAir North America, Inc. is a member of the
Swiss-based IQAir Group that develops, manufactures and markets
innovative air quality products for indoor environments. Hospitals
and other critical environments use IQAir products worldwide.
They also manufacture home air cleaning units for allergy
and asthma sufferers and individuals with chemical sensitivities.
IQAir is a registered trademark of the IQAir
Group.
Envirosept
Furnace Filters What is
the difference between Envirosept furnace filters and the normal
hardware furnace filters?
By
Bob Cobe, AllergyBuyersClub.com staff
Envirosept
electronic air filters are a replacement for the normal
disposable 1" thick filter that is usually found in heating
and air conditioning ducting. This is the best replacement
air filter for the furnace that we sell and is why we give
it a 5-star rating. It has a 5 year warranty (2 years total;
but in the last 3 years the customer pays freight in both
directions).
This filter opens like a 3-page book with the
center being a metal grid and a filter pad on each side of
the grid. The filter frame plugs into a regular 110 volt socket
and has a built in transformer to bring the internal grid
voltage down to 24 volts. The cord length is 6 feet and an
extension cord can be used. The filter comes with 12 disposable
filter pads.
Additional filters pads can be bought in a package
of 12. They are ordered according to the size of the filter
unit, but, of course, will actually measure less than the
unit so that they can fit inside the frame and allow the frame
to close. The unit holds 2 filters, 1 on each side of the
electronic grid. The customer needs to determine when the
filters need to be changed by visual monthly inspection. When
one of them looks quite dirty, it is time to change them (usually
every month or so).
One of the filters will be much dirtier than
the other because the air goes through that filter first and
deposits most of the dirt. That filter gets thrown out, and
the cleaner filter (if the customer feels is not too dirty)
should be taken outside and shaken gently to remove some of
the larger particles. It then gets put in the first location
and a new one placed in the second location.
During pollen season (fall and spring), it might
be better if both filters were replaced at the same time.
And if there are smokers in the house, both filters should
be changed together.
Airfree
Air Sterilizer Review
Update Of This Air Purifier
We
take another look at this innovative air purifier. Find out
when it is best to use it and when other approaches to allergen
removal could be better.
By Bob Cobe
Allergy BuyersClub.com Staff
General Comments
An AirFree purifier incinerates particles
using heat up to 400 degrees F
The top of the Airfree gets hot. However,
only the top gets warm, not the sides
It is hot enough so that you might
pull your hand away, but not hot enough to
burn (you can use it as a hand warmer in cold weather)
The AirFree purifier only adds heat
to the room equivalent to extra adult present.
It has no filters to change or replace
Each Airfree purifier has a recommended
coverage area of 250 sq ft (assuming an 8 ft ceiling). This
is a small area.
The AirFree purifier has no fan and
uses air currents in the room to bring the particles to
it (adding a fan does not work well)
The AirFree purifier takes up to 3
weeks to “purify” a room assuming a low recontamination
rate.
An Airfree purifier stays on constantly
and uses about the same as a 40 watt light bulb [46 watts]
It is best used on the floor since
particles have weight and will tend to drift
lower to floor level.
An AirFree purifier can be used with
doors open, but would be better if they were closed to reduce
recontamination and space restrictions.
It can be used in air conditioned environments,
but it is best to keep it away from intakes or exhausts
The AirFree purifier can be used in
a closet if space is greater than 7’x7’x 8’
Effectiveness level of Different Allergens
Mold:
Excellent
Bacteria and viruses:
Excellent
Dust Mites
and their feces:
Excellent
Pollen:
Fair, because pollen is heavy and will probably land
on the floor or furniture first
Pet Dander:
Poor if pets are still around because the dander is
so light weight it will float for long periods of time
and live animals will move from room to room. Good if
pets are no longer present. Will take many weeks before
the room will be dander free.
Dust:
Fair to Poor, because dust has weight, large particles
won’t fit in the machine, and it depends on what
makes up this dust.
Organic odors:
Fair to Poor (marginal, depends on odor… just OK
for cigarette smoke)
Summary:
This is a very good air purifier for mold, dust
mites, bacteria, and viruses. It does not do so well on dust,
pollen, or on going pet dander. Best used in rooms up to 250
ft sq (more units can be added, if room is larger) with little
activity and air motion (basement, library, bedroom). It has
no filters to change.
It is limited, however, in area coverage and
in the removal of dust and pollen.
After
buying the Austin Air Hega Jr. air purifier for our travel
trailer to prevent/eliminate outside campfire smoke from our
RV we recently read our new issue of Consumer's Reports that
appears to give your unit a low rating! What gives? No spin
please--please respond in detail.
Jim R
Reply By David Barnaby [editor’s note- We call David ‘the professor’]
Hi Jim,
The poor scores on the Austin Air Healthmate
air purifier are not completely warranted and did not refer
to the HEGA model.
As you know we give it a three star rating,
which is good but not perfect.
The three [as opposed to five star] is because
the Austin is economically priced, easy to maintain, inexpensive
regarding filter changes, and does provide a satisfactory
cleaning of the air.
I am familiar with the CADR test performed by
Consumer Reports and it does have some shortcomings based
on the fact it does not mimic real life. The test by Consumer
Reports introduces a pollutant into a chamber intermittently,
and then turning on the air cleaner and measuring how many
particulates are removed from the air.
The problem with conducting the test in this
way is the introduction of the pollutants is not continuous,
which is not representative of a real life environment.
Also, there will be some reduction in the air
born particulates without even turning an air cleaner on because
some of the particulates will settle out of the air.
This test does not measure the performance at
removing gases and odors, which in your Austin Air HEGA is
one of its best features.
The values achieved in the test by Consumer
Reports are more indicative of the performance you can expect
during the first 72 hours. However, most air cleaning systems
are used for 5000 hours before the filters are replaced. The
performance during this span will be drastically lower and
will depend more on the construction of the air cleaner and
the air cleaning technology.
A more conclusive test for measuring the effectiveness
of an air cleaner is to perform a particle count efficiency
test by using a laser diode particle counter.
The way it works is the room particle count
is measured, which is indicative of the condition of the air
going into the air cleaner. The particle count is then taken
at the outlet of the machine after the air has passed through
the filters. This will tell you how much of the particulates
are really being removed by the unit.
Next, if you know the amount of air that flows
out of the air cleaner you can determine the CADR (Clean Air
Delivery Rate ) by multiplying the efficiency by the airflow.
This is a much better way of measuring the performance of
the air cleaner because this tells you accurately how much
clean air the machine will deliver each minute. This information
along with the number of air changes achieved in an hour will
enable you to determine the correct size unit for your room.
For example, let's say the air going into your
air cleaner is 1,000,000 particles per CFM (cubic feet per
minute) of air. Next, we measure the particles coming out
to be 300 particles. Our efficiency is then 1 minus 300 divided
by 1,000,000 times 100 which will give you 99.97. This means
the unit will remove 99.97% of all particulates 0.3 of a micron
and larger. Now, lets say the unit outflows 200 CFM of air.
Your CADR will be 200 times 99.97% giving you 199.9 cubic
feet of clean air every minute.
Your Austin
air cleaner is an example of mechanical filtration while
the Friedrich
is an electrostatic precipitator. With the Friedrich you will
start out with a high efficiency of filtration but over time
as the metal collection plates become covered with particulates
its ability to attract the oppositely charged particles will
begin to decrease, resulting in a reduction of its efficiency.
Therefore, it is imperative you clean the metal collection
plates regularly depending on how dirty your air is. The problem
is the unit does not tell you when they are dirty so you need
to periodically open the unit and inspect them. Also, the
level of your pollutants will vary depending on how much activity
is occurring in your home and the air quality outside, which
is constantly changing.
With the Austin, you start out at certain efficiency
and you will maintain this efficiency over the life of the
filter. In fact, your efficiency will actually increase as
the Hepa filter surface area collects the particulates. The
reason you need to change the Hepa filter is because the filter
is so fine it creates a great deal of resistance for the air
to flow through it. If you do not change it after it is completely
clogged with particulates, the pressure drop would become
so great the airflow will be reduced along with the clean
air delivered by the unit.
We have conducted informal efficiency tests
on the Austin Health mate and the Friedrich air cleaners.
However, keep in mind we did not go back and test the Friedrich
after running the unit for some time. On the other hand, we
tested the Austin before and after changing the filters.
The results were the following:
The Friedrich
had a particle removal efficiency of 95.6% on low, 85.7%
on medium, and 68.3% on high. Its average efficiency, therefore,
was 82.6%. Keep in mind, these results were with completely
clean collection plates.
The Austin's
results with new filters were 86.6% on low, 79.7% on medium,
and 63.3% on high. Its average efficiency, therefore, was
76.5%.
When we measured the Austin before changing
to the new filters, the results with the old filters were
as expected higher. They were 87.5% on low fan speed , 82.0%
on medium, and 66.4% on high. So, as you can see the Austin's
efficiency did not decrease over time as the filters became
dirty but in actuality increased slightly.
Finally, the Consumer Reports does not measure
the gas and odor performance, and this much of the time is
the main reason a customer purchases an air cleaner. In your
case, you purchased the Austin
Air Plus Super Blend, which has carbon and zeolite to
physically remove the heavier molecular weight gas molecules
like VOCs and potassium iodide to chemically remove the lower
molecular weight gas molecules such as formaldehyde. Your
gas filter contains 15 pounds of this blend so it is able
to address a large amount of gases and odors.
The Friedrich has a similar filter but as the
final post filter. Again, it has no gas and odor removal to
speak of.
In conclusion, although the Austin
did not fare well in Consumer Reports, you can see there are
many other variables to address and one person's method of
testing may not always be entirely conclusive.
If you have anymore questions regarding this
please feel free to reply in email or call.
Austin Health Mate Customer
Query As To Whether Her Air Purifier Is Working
Answers by David Barnaby, AllergyBuyersClub.com
staff
Customer Email Subject: Austin Healthmate
Plus Recent Purchase
I
purchased and received approx. 3 months ago the Austin Healthmate
Plus air purifier. As you know, there is no direct way of
knowing the effectiveness of this particular brand because
of the way they report their measurements. (I don't remember
the details now, but there are standard units for determining
effectiveness yet Austin does not provide their product information
in these units).
Within the last 3 days I have become concerned
that the Austin Healthmate Plus may not be doing the job that
it promises. This is what happened: I was cooking something
and fell asleep and was awakened by the smoke detectors. My
small apt. (700 sq. ft) was filled with smoke. I opened all
windows, ran the air cleaner etc.
Now 3 days later the odor of smoke is less apparent,
but the air stream exiting the air purifier smells of smoke.
I'm quite concerned that the unit somehow retained the smoke
inside or the smoke particular got trapped in the filter.
I'm rather concerned -- after the considerable
expense -- that the unit has been rendered useless or even
dangerous to breathing.
I would appreciate a response at your earliest
convenience.
Best regards,
Barbara H
AllergyBuyersClub.com Answer
Dear Barbara,
Evidently, what has happened to your air cleaner
is the gas filter has adsorbed all of the smoke particles
plus any of the gases and odors in the smoke resulting in
it becoming saturated prematurely.
Keep in mind, Austin Air says the warranty on
the carbon filters for the Healthmate and Healthmate plus
is voided if the customer uses them for removing smoke.
In these two models the air first passes through
the pre-filter, which is not as efficient as say the IQAir's
pre-filter, so none of the smoke particles are removed
by this filter. Next, the air passes through the carbon and
zeolite filter where the millions of smoke particles, which
are anywhere from 1 micron in size to as small as 0.01 of
a micron, pass into the many micro pores of the activated
carbon. What happens then are these pores become basically
used up pre-maturely not able to remove any more gases and
odors. Therefore, if this filter is not replaced, it will
begin to outgas what it has adsorbed. This is what you smell.
The Austin
HEGA is more suitably designed for smoke principally due
to the fact the HEPA and Gas filters are reversed. After the
air passes through the pre-filter, it passes through the HEPA
filter where the microscopic smoke particulates can be removed.
From there the gases, chemicals, and odors remaining in the
air can be removed by the micro pores of the activated carbon,
which in this instance have not been filled by the smoke particles.
These pores are able to do what they were designed to do which
is remove the gases from the air. This is the unit that Austin
will stand behind regarding the warranty on the filter life
if used in a smoke environment.
[email continues with economic solution
for customer]
How
The Abuse Of Antibiotics Affects You, Your Children And Their
Children Sinusitis Sufferers
Take Note By
Murray Grossan MD
We
all know about the problem of 2nd hand cigarette smoke. Now
there’s a new problem I call 2nd hand infection resistance.
Increasingly I see patients who have just
finished a complete course of the “best” antibiotic.
However, they come to me because they are still sick or worse.
Why bugs are getting resistant.
This is because of how popular it has been to
instantly prescribe antibiotics for Everything. Easy for the
doctor, easy for the patient, great for the drug companies.
Drug resistant bacteria are on the rise. Infections like tonsillitis,
sinusitis, ear infections – no longer clear with a shot
of penicillin.
Everyday, we learn about drugs with few side
effects that worked yesterday, no longer work for an infection.
This affects you personally! It is your friend who pops a
few pills with every sniffle that is causing the growth of
drug resistant bacteria that can land your child in intensive
care.
Why drug resistance is increasing.
Antibiotics are wonderful. But if you don’t
take a full dose, the bacteria develop a resistance to that
drug and drugs of the same class. If you stop your antibiotic
halfway through, as the antibiotic drops below the killing
dose, then the bacteria that survive can develop resistance.
The worst is taking one or two pills and stopping . Then ALL
the remaining bacteria can become resistant.
Overuse of a drug is a major factor. When a
patient is seen, it only takes 5 minutes to write a prescription.
But it may take 1/2 hour or longer for the doctor to try to
convince the patient not to take an antibiotic and even then
he may fail. Many doctors give up and write the prescription,
even though it’s not going to help.
Drug vs. placebo
Worse, articles in the Archives of Internal
Medicine and Lancet show that the patients have the same sinus
result after the antibiotic as with the placebo! Except they
don’t get stomach upset or vaginal thrush with the placebo!
These problems affect you personally.
The drug resistance is different from one city
to the next even in the same state. A drug that is effective
in Detroit may be ineffective against the same bug in Chicago.
This is why doctors must take cultures to see which drug –
if any – work.
The doctors are worried.
Every week I get a report from my hospital that
my favorite drug no longer works. This is truly frightening.
In practice, I belong to the drug of the month club –
I use what the hospital reports works – this month.
What can you do to help stop this menace?
Antibodies not Antibiotics!
The very latest medical research is showing
that for common infections like sore throat sinus, etc., and
common sense things like rest, nasal irrigation, adequate
liquids, chicken soup and tea, may be more effective than
an antibiotic. Encourage your friends to accept a doctor’s
recommendation for non -antibiotic treatment. Discourage them
from insisting on antibiotics for each sniffle. Learn about
the serious side effects of antibiotics and tell your friends.
This is one reason I am never the first kid
on the block to try the latest miracle antibiotic. I wait
a while till the side effects become known.
Remember the greatest “antibiotic”
of all is still chicken soup and hot tea with lemon! Also,
drink enough liquids so that your bugs are diluted. If you
are sick and coughing you should drink enough to turn your
urine light.
Set an example.
By your own example of only taking antibiotics
when you need them, by finishing all of the prescription,
by advising your friends to finish their prescription, you
can make a real difference right in your own back yard!
Healthy living.
Of course you get sick when you never exercise,
eat only junk, smoke and feel depressed all day. Set an example
of eating right and living right. Your example can make a
difference.
Drug free advice.
Tell your friends about drug free methods. They
can find lots of recommendations for drug free treatment at
www.ent-consult.com
and www.grossan.com.
You are welcome to copy this material and spread it around.
Then next time your friend has a sniffle she will drink hot
tea and skip the antibiotic.
Don’t forget Tai Chi.
Yoga, Tai Chi, all these forms of exercise can
help you fight illness and avoid antibiotics. I personally
learned about sinus relief through pulsatile irrigation from
the Yoga teacher Indra Devi. She lived to 101 without ever
getting a sinus infection based on this 3,000 year old practice.
My Hydro Pulse nasal / sinus irrigator is essentially this
method brought up to date.
By your effort we can correct the overuse and
abuse of antibiotics, and this could save the life of someone
you love.
Help stop the overuse of antibiotics. You could
save the life of someone you love.
Because of the overuse and abuse of antibiotics,
there are more and more drug resistant bacteria showing up
daily. Each neighbor that takes an antibiotic any time they
have a sniffle helps make these bugs more resistant. This
happens right in your town when your friends abuse antibiotics.
You have learned several drug free methods to
handle common nose and throat conditions. Please copy these
suggestions and tell your friends about them. Have them check
our websites too – http://www.hydromedonline.com/.
Then next time they have a sniffle they will take hot tea
instead of the antibiotic and we will have fewer drug resistant
bacteria in your town.
Once upon a time when your child was sick,
a week of penicillin was all it took. Today it may take weeks
or even hospitalization for the same bug which is now antibiotic
resistant! By setting an example yourself and showing your
friends, maybe we can return to “the old days”
when a shot of penicillin was a cure!
Emotional
Style And Susceptibility To The Common Cold
By Murray Grossan MD
Dr
Sheldon Cohen of the Carnegie Mellon University published
a study in Psychosomatic Medicine that studies the reaction
of persons with positive emotions versus those with negative
emotions when exposed to the common cold virus.
Titled, “Emotional Style and Susceptibility
to the Common Cold”, his article details how otherwise
healthy adults were graded as to cheerfulness, happy, relaxation.
The cold virus was introduced via nasal spray. What he reported
in the July/August issue of Psychosomatic Medicine was a correlation
between resistance to the cold virus and the degree of relaxation,
cheerfulness, and being just plain happy.
It has long been known that depression lowers
one’s immune factor. A physician is much more likely
to order chest x ray and other studies when a patient has
a simple cough if the person is recently bereaved or otherwise
depressed.
In "The Sinus Cure" by Debra
Bruce and Murray Grossan, MD, one of the seven steps to prevent
and cure sinusitis is devoted to the use of stress reduction
methods for sinusitis and allergy.
The authors point out that you can’t wave
a magic wand and make a person cheerful and happy. But the
body can be helped by the easy methods detailed in step 6
of The Sinus Cure.
Exercise, especially Tai Chi, can balance
the body’s stress hormones.
Music that is cheerful such as Sound of
Music or An a Clear Day constantly on in the background
helps.
Guided imagery. Take a mental trip to a
happy time or follow some of the “trips” in
the book. Recall with all five senses when you were happy.
Deep muscle relaxation will often restore
the good balance between healing and stress chemicals.
Using a mirror to learn to keep frown muscles
relaxed is recommended.
Correct breathing is another sure fire way
recommended for 3,000 years.
Social support is most important too.
After reading Dr Cohen’s study, the
conclusion must be that to prevent a common cold –
Smile!
Wood
rot is evident in many home construction materials, the repairs
for which constitute 10 percent of wood production sales.
While many blame termites for such damage, no evidence supports
this. Termites leave visible signs of their presence, deteriorating
wood as they tunnel within and eat it. Sawdust particles are
telltale signs of their encampment. Wood rot, on the contrary,
is caused by undue exposure of untreated wood to moisture.
Consequently, prevention constitutes both avoiding such exposure
and employing a prevention and treatment program where rot
already exists. Wood with 20 percent moisture content and
green lumber remain at risk.
Two types of rot trouble homeowners. The first
is white and yellow with a stringy and spongy look. The other
is brown and crumbly in appearance, and a tendency to break
into cubes has earned it the nickname "brown cubical
rot." These visible manifestations of wood rot are called
"fruiting bodies." About 3 inches in diameter, these
crusts or brackets are evidence that the particular decay
fungi is present within the wood. Serpula lacrimans, Poria
incrassata and Gleophyllum trabeum each have singular fruiting-body
appearances. Fruiting bodies produce spores, which spread
the decay fungus throughout the wood.
Decay fungi are living organisms that send hyphae
through damp wood, taking food from the wood to grow, and
thereby decomposing it. Even dry wood may become infected
when placed near moisture. Water is transferred to decay by
way of strands (rhizomorphs) of decay fungi. These strands
are sometimes up to 30 feet in length. Serpula lacrimans has
been known to transport water up three stories to the site
of decay; however, most fungi need direct water at the decay
site. Consequently, "dry rot" is a misleading and
erroneous term.
To prevent wood rot, use treated wood or the
heartwood of a decay-resistant species. Pacific yew, juniper,
redwood, bald cypress, western red cedar or hardwoods like
osage orange, black locust, red mulberry, catalpa or black
walnut are all good choices. Build on a well-drained site
and allow for cross-ventilation under buildings. Often, poorly
vented crawlspaces develop wood rot as moisture from the soil
penetrates the floor joists. Additionally, a vapor barrier
on the soil assures that any moisture escaping the soil will
be reabsorbed by the soil rather than the wood. Asphalt roofing
paper or polyethylene sheets provide adequate protection.
To repair damaged wood, first find and remove
the source of moisture. Wood will dry and decay will stop.
Remodel and improve ventilation and drainage issues before
replacing wood. Then cut one foot beyond the rotten wood,
never placing new lumber on decay. Treat replacement lumber
with chemical products. In lieu of replacing wood, remedially
treat wood by permeating affected areas with chemical solutions.
Diligent treatment of affected wood will protect the structural
integrity of the home and prevent further damage. For more
info, see http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/3000/3300.html
Reprinted with permission from an abstract
from Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet, that was
printed in the Aug/Sept. 2003 issue of the American Indoor
Air Quality Council Newsletter.
Water
intrusions and moisture in buildings can cause a variety of
problems ranging from simple but unsightly wall discoloration
to more serious problems such as microbial growth. There are
a wide range of sources that can cause moisture problems in
a building and the type of problem determines the sort of
repair work necessary. Therefore, it is important to understand
the root cause of the moisture problem before costly repairs
are undertaken.
Excess moisture can occur for a variety
of reasons. Two possible causes are rising and penetrating
moisture. Rising moisture occurs when water from the ground
seeps into the foundation of a building and rises vertically
up through porous building material such as brick or stone.
This usually happens due to lack of a waterproofed foundation
or damage to the building’s moisture-course. A moisture-course
is an impermeable, waterproof material laid on the foundation
just above ground to prevent moisture from traveling up the
walls of a building.
As rising moisture describes the vertical movement
of moisture, penetrating moisture describes the lateral movement
of moisture and dampness. Penetrating moisture can occur both
underground and above ground. Underground penetration occurs
when moisture from the ground infiltrates the walls of an
underground room. This type of moisture usually occurs in
basements or cellars. Above ground penetrating moisture is
usually caused by structural defects or poor building maintenance.
This type of moisture often occurs in wall and ceiling cavities
and can be caused by maintenance and building issues such
as a leaky roof or dripping pipes. All of these different
sources of moisture intrusion can lead to issues with Indoor
Air Quality.
Some indications of building moisture problems
include decorative damage, such as peeling paint, bubbling
wall paper, and general discoloration, however, these simple
and unattractive signs can indicate much more serious and
unseen problems. With any type of excess moisture there is
an increased risk of structural damage, dry rot, and especially
microbial contamination such as mold. Whenever there has been
dampness or excess moisture in a building for more than 24
hours, there is an increased risk of microbial contamination.
Hidden mold contamination in walls and building foundations
can cause not only costly damage but have possible health
effects as well.
Probiotics have long been a common folk
remedy for various intestinal ailments. Now these microscopic
organisms are under the research microscope to determine if
they actually work and why. Although the exact manner in which
probiotics work is not entirely clear, these helpful bacteria
are believed to help keep naturally occurring intestinal bacteria
in balance. Probiotics are naturally found in dairy foods
such as yogurt, milk, and cheese but are also available in
health food stores as supplements. Probiotics are currently
used to help treat patients suffering from inflammatory bowel
disease. However, probiotics only exist in the intestines
for a short time after consumption, and so supplements must
continually be taken in order to experience any long-term
benefits.
Long before man discovered how to farm,
some ants were already growing and harvesting their food.
Leaf cutting ants lack the digestive system necessary to process
the cellulose structure of leaves, so these industrious ants
build underground fungus gardens where the fungus Escovopsis
digests the leaves for them. The ants, in turn, feed on the
spores of the fungus as their food source. This symbiotic
relationship works ideally for the ants and fungus. The fungus
is guaranteed life without competing fungus since the ants
clear the leaves of any competing fungi or bacteria, and the
ants have a convenient and self-replenishing food source.
Leaf cutting ants are native to Central and South America,
but can also be found in the southern U.S. in Arizona, Texas,
and southern Louisiana.
Barium is a naturally occurring, flammable,
silver, metal powder. Usually found in the environment as
a compound with carbon, oxygen or sulfur, barium compounds
are also manufactured for industrial use. Barium compounds
are used in the production of various materials including
bricks, tiles, glass, rubber, paint, and are used for some
medical procedures. Depending upon the compound and level,
symptoms of barium exposure can range from respiratory difficulties
and eyes, nose, throat, lungs or stomach irritations to brain
swelling, organ damage, paralysis, and even death. OSHA and
NIOSH have set an occupational exposure limit of 0.5 milligrams
of soluble barium compounds per cubic meter of air. Additional
limits may also exist depending upon the specific compound
and matrices.
Benzene is a colorless, highly explosive, liquid
that is regularly used in the production of rubber, plastics,
pesticides, gasoline, and various other products. It can be
found naturally occurring, but most benzene in the environment
is the result of manufacturing contamination. It commonly
enters the environment through a variety of means including
car exhaust, industrial pollution, spills, and forest fires.
Exposure to benzene usually occurs through workplace inhalation
at manufacturing plants. Immediate effects of acute benzene
exposure may include shakiness, vomiting, headaches, and loss
of consciousness. The ACGIH has designated benzene as a carcinogen
and long-term exposure is known to cause leukemia and central
nervous system problems. OSHA and NIOSH have both set exposure
limits for workplace exposure. OSHA has set up a PEL (Permissible
Exposure Limit) of 3.2 mg/m3. NIOSH has a REL (Recommended
Exposure Limit) of 0.32 mg/m3.
See the AllergyBuyersClub.com Mold
Solution Buyers Guide for other ways to help reduce humidity
and prevent mold problems in the home or office.
It
may surprise some of you to know that when I founded my company
it had little to do with selling products, but had everything
to do with educating people on how to create a healthy home
and allergen-free environment for both themselves and their
families. My own personal experiences taught me that paying
attention to my home environment and the products I used made
all the difference to my health. AllergyBuyersClub.com sells
products in order for us to make a living, but we never lose
sight of the fact that these are products which we believe
will have a positive impact on your health.
Envirosept
electronic air filters
We
all know about the problem of 2nd hand cigarette smoke. Now
there’s a new problem I call 2nd hand infection resistance.
Dr
Sheldon Cohen of the Carnegie Mellon University published
a study in Psychosomatic Medicine that studies the reaction
of persons with positive emotions versus those with negative
emotions when exposed to the common cold virus.
Wood
rot is evident in many home construction materials, the repairs
for which constitute 10 percent of wood production sales.
While many blame termites for such damage, no evidence supports
this. Termites leave visible signs of their presence, deteriorating
wood as they tunnel within and eat it. Sawdust particles are
telltale signs of their encampment. Wood rot, on the contrary,
is caused by undue exposure of untreated wood to moisture.
Consequently, prevention constitutes both avoiding such exposure
and employing a prevention and treatment program where rot
already exists. Wood with 20 percent moisture content and
green lumber remain at risk. 
Water
intrusions and moisture in buildings can cause a variety of
problems ranging from simple but unsightly wall discoloration
to more serious problems such as microbial growth. There are
a wide range of sources that can cause moisture problems in
a building and the type of problem determines the sort of
repair work necessary. Therefore, it is important to understand
the root cause of the moisture problem before costly repairs
are undertaken. 
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