Process Of Elimination

Whenever I have a problem with a mechanical device I try to use the “process of elimination” approach to resolve the problem. This is usually done by determining what the problem “isn’t” and then solve for what it could be. This process allows me to better isolate the real problem, since once you know what the problem is…the solution should not be far behind.

It is funny how many people have a pre-determined idea of what the problem is that they are facing based upon a one time incident that took place years ago. They automatically assume it is the same issue without even attempting to see if it could be something else. This is especially true with people who suffer from allergies and airborne contaminants. Many individuals will develop allergy  symptoms that they believe can only be caused by one allergen because their symptoms mimic the ones they suffered in prior experiences.

As an example: a woman who has suffered from contact with certain grasses or tree pollen has the same reaction when she is exposed to certain molds. She believes the problem to be grasses or tree pollen even though it is late fall when there is no pollen present in the air. This precludes her from looking at other possible allergens so she decides that the solution is just to stay indoors as much as possible. In reality, the mold in her HVAC duct system or mold that is growing behind walls that got wet during the summer rains due to the small hole in the roof is the real culprit….so the woman continues to suffer through the fall and into the winter.

Pure Air Systems has been manufacturing HEPA and Carbon based air filtration systems since 1985 and has supplied thousands of allergy sufferers with air filtration systems that have significantly reduced or eliminated their symptoms. Dealing with airborne particles that are invisible to the naked eye can only be accomplished with HEPA filters as all other mechanical or electronic devices are simply not effective in removing the small, respirable sized particles that cause most of the allergic reactions. And, because of the amount of experience Pure Air Systems has in dealing with allergy sufferers, we can offer some constructive comments on what we believe the real problems to be. We understand how to use the process of elimination to determine the real problems. This allows us to better select the best HEPA system for your specific issue.

Pure Air Systems has a significant amount of information on their website that will educate you on the types of allergens present in the air and the HEPA systems available from PAS that will assist you in removing or reducing these airborne contaminants. For more information please go to: www.pureairsystems.com.

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Ashes To Ashes, Dust To Dust

In 1662 the “Book of Common Prayer” was written an one of the prayers in the book was dedicated to burial services.  The prayer is four lines long but part of it reads “….we therefore commit his body to the ground, earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust. It’s interesting that this part of the burial service prayer is the most often used in TV, movies and books when showing a burial scene or describing one in print. It’s also interesting to note that all things that die and have died and that have decomposed above ground and turned into dust are still with us.

All this dust keeps getting pushed around by the winds. It continues to get smaller as it comes in contact with a solid object or another particle when it is picked up by the wind. These particles are so small that they can’t be seen with the naked eye ( usually less than 20 microns in size, your hair is 100 microns in diameter ) but they are there none the less. Many of these particles are in the sub-micron range, meaning they are less than 1 micron in diameter. These small particles are easily inhaled and a large percentage of them can be trapped in the mucus membranes and lungs. And, these particles can create havoc with your respiratory system.

People that suffer from allergies due to exposure to ragweed, pollen, grasses and other airborne allergens are much more susceptible to reacting to other airborne particulate that may not necessarily be one of their known allergens. This may be why allergy sufferers who get shots or take anti-histamines may still have their allergic symptoms. For these individuals being outside, especially during the warmer weather, can be a problem. Even being indoors doesn’t always help as these fine particles are brought in on their clothing and through any communications between the outdoors and inside.

To remove these fine particles from the air in your home you will need to use air filtration systems or filters that can trap and contain these finer, smaller particles. While there are a number filtration and air purifying systems available on the market today, only HEPA based filtration systems can really remove the smaller, sub-micron particulate.

Pure Air Systems has been making commercial grade, certified, HEPA and Carbon based air filtration systems since 1985. They have thousands of systems installed in commercial, residential, industrial, institutional and medical facilities around the world. Their wide range of HEPA filtration platforms allows you to select the filtration system that fits your specific needs. Whether you want to install the systems as part of your HVAC unit or use it as a stand-alone filtration device PAS units will meet your requirements.

For more information on the complete line of HEPA and Carbon based air filtration systems please to our website at: www.pureairsystems.com. Or call us at: 800-869-8025.

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The Life Of Riley

William Bendix was first introduced as the bumbling husband who was a riveter for an Aircraft company in California. It is somewhat of an oxymoron that the show was called the Life of Riley, which really refers to someone with money and who has few cares in the world. Riley’s life was just the opposite. Money was always an issue and he had challenges with all of his friends and especially his wife Babs. Riley’s famous line was, ” What a revoltin development this is!” You have to hand it to him, he was honest to a fault.

We all like our lives to be simple, with minimal challenges and drama and yet sometimes the simplest thing will interrupt our perfect world. Like going outside in the Spring time to enjoy the beautiful weather after a nasty winter only to find that the pollen and ragweed levels have gone through the roof. Or all that rain you had to help your drought stricken lawn after a hot dry summer has found its way into a small hole in the roof and now water is in the walls of your house and so is the mold.

Changes that affect our health seem to be more challenging than most other problems we incur. The people at Pure Air Systems understand these issues. With over 25 years of experience in dealing with hundreds of different airborne pollutant problems and installing  thousands of air filtration systems installed around the world, PAS has the answer to your allergy or air pollution problem.

Beginning in 1985, Pure Air Systems started manufacturing commercial grade, certified HEPA based air filtration systems for the residential, commercial and institutional markets. Today, PAS is considered one of the leaders in high performance HEPA and Carbon based, fan powered air filtration systems. Their system range in air volume from 50 CFM to 2000 CFM. The new, smaller portable unit can produce over 400 CFM from a unit only 13″ high and 21″ long. The larger systems can either be attached to an existing HVAC system or used as stand-alone units.

The combination of employing  HEPA filters, Carbon media and polyester ring-panel prefilters makes these systems some of the most effective in the world in removing and reducing high levels of sub-micron particulate, odors and gases. In addition, the motors used in the PAS systems are rated 120/240 volt, 50/60 Hz so they can be used in commercial applications and are completely adaptable to all the electrical systems used around the world.

For more information about the complete line of HEPA and Carbon based air filtration systems please go to our website at: https://www.pureairsystems.com

 

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Rock, Paper, Scissors!

Remember when games were so simple all you needed was your hands to play. Rock, Paper, Scissors was one of those games and is still played today in various forms. The rules were simple, you could play with anyone at anytime and you didn’t need to buy anything. And most importantly, the game was the same no matter where in the world you played it.

Our world has become more complex with the ability to get information on anything at anytime and get at least 50 different versions of the same truth? Nothing is what it seems, and everyone who can write a Blog or story on-line is now an expert ( yours truly included). As a result, finding a TRUE expert is very difficult. This is especially true in areas where people are looking for relief from certain health issues. The amount of resources and alternatives in “health technology” is enough to drive you nuts.

For example, people who suffer from certain allergies or asthma are presented with hundreds of potential medical remedies along with hundreds of alternative or “holistic” remedies, each spouting their overall capabilities and references showing that they do work.  Even the most intelligent and resource knowledgeable individual can get confused with all this data.

The best way to separate the “wheat from the chaff” as they say, is to do some hard research, find who is using the medical treatment or device and then  evaluate the potential based upon the results from those individuals who share  the same problems. It is time consuming but with the advent of “Facebook” and “Twitter” you can now connect to thousands of people in days who can provide you some immediate insight.

There are many websites out there that can assist you in finding information that is specific to your needs and medical issues. Conversely, there are also thousands of websites that will provide misleading or inaccurate data and again you will need to validate the information. Then there are websites like the one available from Pure Air Systems, that provides both technical data, valid references and a generous amount of objective data on medical conditions and alternative methods for dealing with allergies and asthma related conditions.

Like the game Rock, Paper, Scissors, the Pure Air Systems website makes it easy and simple to find the information you need and that is appropriate for your particular situation.  “Play On”.  Please go to our website at: www.pureairsystems.com

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Is It Snowing Or Is That Pollen?

Depending upon where you live in the US this past week you have seen pollen exploding  from the trees, shrubs and plants. Usually the levels of pollen during the Spring range from 90 to 200 parts per million. In some places of the country, especially the southeast, the levels are approaching 4500 ppm! You can actually see the pollen in the air, on cars, outside tables, anywhere there is a flat surface. This greenish, yellowish material is wrecking havoc on both allergy sufferers and non-allergy sufferers alike.

For those who suffer annually from the spring time pollen and ragweed this year is one for the record books. Interestingly many people who have never suffered from pollen are experiencing some respiratory and sinus discomfort. This only proves that the human body can only safely filter out so much airborne particulate before the immune system is affected.

With these levels of pollen you should wear a mask when outside and when inside your home you want to make sure you close all the windows and run your air conditioning whenever possible. This will minimize the entry of the pollen and assuming you have adequate filtration on your HVAC unit you will remove a significant amount of the pollen that is in the house.

With the ever increasing levels of airborne particulates and contaminants in the outside air and coming into homes and buildings, the type and quality of the air filters or air filtration systems you use is more important than ever.

Most home owners use some type of media filter that is placed in the air handler at the entrance of the return air from the home. This removes much of the larger particles and some of the small ones. The more efficient the air filter (higher MERV ratings) the more effective the filter is at removing a larger percentage of the smaller, respirable sized particulate.

One of the best sources of information on filter efficiencies and particulate removal is the web site of Pure Air Systems. PAS has been making HEPA and Carbon based filtration systems since 1985 and has a line of polyester ring panel dual layer commercial grade filters that are very effective when used in your HVAC unit. In addition, the HEPA based units are designed to work with you heating/cooling systems and offer the highest removal efficiency of airborne particulate for residential use on the market today.

The web site has a great resource section that discusses how filters work, what pressure drop means, what MERV ratings really mean and how to apply the correct filter technology for your application. For more information on the complete product line of PAS and to educate yourself on filter technology please go to:  www.pureairsystems.com

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iWant and iPad So i Can Get iDeas

An Apple a day keeps the Doctor away! Or perhaps ” An new Apple product a day makes the stock market play”! In any case it seems that anytime Apple comes out with an new “i” product a segment of the population drools until they can get their hands on the new Apple “i”ssue.

The iPad, like the iPhone and some other internet portable devices, do offer some significant benefits other than just having the newest technology on the  block. Getting information on just about anything is as simple these days as touching a screen and reading the data.

It wasn’t that long ago that acquiring any type of current information required either a trip to the library or requesting printed material from a selected source, be it a company or the government. And hopefully you received the information within a week or two of requesting it. The only current instant information sources were your friends, associates and professional groups. If you really needed an answer quickly you had to rely on one or two sources ( if available) at best and then make a decision.

Today you can get information on any topic instantly from any source from anywhere in the world…right at your finger tips. The more information you have the more objective you can be in making the right decision or choice. While people complain there is too much information, if you learn how to select data from the right sources, you can usually get enough good data to make better than reasonable decision.

One major area of data search is in the area of health care. You can now get information on any disease, condition, malady, physical or emotional with supportive text, illustrations and recommended procedures and cures. And, you can ask for data that is current within the last hour!  This information has some real value but the most important aspect of this transfer of health information comes in the form of preventative health care.

If people have a specific health issue, say severe allergies, they can search for information that not only tells them what to do once the allergic reaction takes place but also how to avoid the problem altogether. Information on other environmental (both outdoor and indoor) issues can also be accessed. And, if you are interested in knowing more about the entire area of allergies, pollution and indoor air quality, you can point your iPad toward the website of Pure Air Systems.

Pure Air Systems has been making HEPA based air filtration system since 1985 and has been dealing with all the airborne contaminant issues that affect individuals since that time. Today, PAS is considered one of the leaders in air filtration for the residential, commercial, institutional and industrial markets and has systems installed all over the world.

For more information on the complete line of HEPA and Carbon based air filtration systems from Pure Air Systems please go to our website at: www.pureairsystems.com

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Chemical Sensitivities and Your Environment

For many of us dealing with the the typical spring and fall allergy seasons is a given. We know that mother nature can be both beautiful and nasty in the spring when the flowers are blooming and the grass is growing. There are many new medications that help in minimizing the allergic reactions and even allow us to venture outdoors on days when the pollen and ragweed levels are high.

However, for people who are chemically sensitive, the physical affects are not that easily relieved. Chemical sensitivities is somewhat of a grey area. Many chemically sensitive people don’t have a challenge with pollen or ragweed but can react to common household chemicals like bleach or even scented candles. And unlike the common symptoms of pollen and ragweed sufferers, the chemically sensitive individuals may have more severe reactions that include inability to breathe, skin rashes, metal tastes in their mouth, headaches, muscle aches, blurred vision and spatial disorientation.

For people who have these chemical sensitivities their lives are literally dictated by how well they can control the environment in which they live, work and play. The elimination or reduction of items in the home is relatively easy for the chemically sensitive individual.  Trial and error is the best guide. But, once they venture outside their chemically controlled environment they are at the mercy of the outside world of chemical soup.

To the chemically sensitive individual, the term fresh outside air is a misnomer. Their outside consists of automobile and truck exhaust fumes, chemical odors from manufacturing and processing operations and the spraying of fertilizers and pesticides in residential, farming and commercial areas.

When they go to work, they are subjected to a wide variety of chemical odors and gases. Their co-workers after shave or cologne. The chemical odor from clothes that are dry cleaned. The gases given off by copiers, printers and office supplies. The list goes on and on.

Being inside any gym, or work out facility presents similar challenges as does attending indoor sporting events where even the odors and gases coming from the concession stands can be significant issues. To the chemically sensitive individual home is usually their only safe haven.

Unlike the pollen or ragweed sufferer who can take one of the many over the counter medications that minimize or eliminate the “hay fever” type symptoms, the chemically sensitive individual has no such magic bullet. They simply need to totally eliminate from their environment those chemicals to which they are sensitive.

Since 1985 Pure Air Systems has been making HEPA and Carbon based air filtration systems for the residential, commercial, institutional and industrial markets. PAS was one of the first companies to offer Carbon adsorption systems for people with chemical sensitivities. Some of these carbon products were specially treated to remove specific gaseous compounds and most we designed to be benign to the customer.

For more information on the complete line of HEPA and Carbon systems and detailed information on the removal or reduction of various airborne chemical gases please go to our website at: www.pureairsystems.com

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I Love My Pets But They Don’t Love Me!

Americans have a very strong love affair with their pets. We spend over 4 Billion dollars a year feeding, grooming and keeping them healthy and happy and for many of us they have become our best friends. And the types of animals we keep as pets has broadened to include snakes, turtles, iguanas and birds of all types, sizes and varieties.

We take our pets everywhere we go; on planes, trains, in the car, on our bikes, to outdoor restaurants, to parks and in some cases sporting events. We take them everywhere and they love it. Aside from the unconditional love we get from our pets they also give us animal dander and other allergens that can be significantly challenging to us humans.

It is interesting to note, that of all the allergies that people suffer from, allergies caused by animals (dogs, cats, birds, etc) are second only to ragweed and pollen. Cats, for example, produce cat dander, tiny flakes of skin that have a protein that can cause itchy eyes, skin rashes, runny nose, congestion, wheezing and sneezing. Dog dander is not as strong an allergen but some people do have similar reactions to dog dander as they do to cat dander.

Birds are another issue. Like cat and dog dander, bird dander and their feathers are very light and stay airborne for long periods of time. Keeping birds in a small enclosed area will tend to concentrate the bird dander in one area. When you are in that area you will be exposed to the higher concentrations of the dander. Allergies to bird dander are similar to those caused by cats and dogs.

Pure Air Systems has been manufacturing HEPA based air filtration systems since 1985 for the residential, commercial, industrial and institutional markets. Many of the HEPA based systems sold to homeowners are used specifically to assist in removing/reducing the concentrations of animal dander in the air.

It is interesting to note, that many of Pure Air’s customers who have cats and know that they are allergic to cats, will keep the cats knowing that the HEPA filtration system is removing a significant amount of the airborne dander.  This is also true of dog and bird owners. For the most part,  pet owners will do everything they can to keep their pets in spite of the allergy issues. Only if the pet owner is so sensitive to the specific pet that even petting them causes some allergic reaction, then and only then will they make the decision to give up their pet.

It is necessary to consider your own health issues and issues of other family members as is relates to allergies to pet dander especially if the reactions are significant and can cause severe respiratory issues. We know you love your pets, but sometimes you may have to practice some tough love and make a decision that is best for you and your family in the long run.

For more information on the complete line of HEPA and Carbon based filtration systems and allergy issues, please go to our website at: www.pureairsystems.com

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Getting An eBook Reader May Be A Healthy Choice

The new iPad from Apple adds to the growing selection of eBook readers on the market. Kindle, by Amazon, is probably the most used but the new Nook by Barnes and Noble and the eReader by Sony are catching up. The new iPad is not only a tablet computer but an eBook reader as well. While there are opinions on both side of the isle as to whether the new eBook technology will supplant the common paper book, the eBook does offer some significant health benefits.

Paper books have been around forever and have been the most popular method of providing information, stories, education and business information around the world. Libraries are built to house the books and some of these buildings are massive. There -in lies the problem.

Paper is a cellulose based product that will wear when handled and can deteriorate when e to sunlight over long periods of time. When the pages of the book are turned tiny particles of paper come off and become airborne. As the books age, the paper becomes more brittle and more “paper dust” is generated. In addition, if the paper books get wet or are exposed to high concentrations of moisture you can actually have mold growing on the books. The paper is a great food source for mold spores.

In addition all books are assembled using some type of adhesive. This what keeps the pages from falling out of the book. These glues can off gas over time and again are released into the air. Often when a new book is purchased, especially hard bound books, they produce a distinct smell. It is a “new book” smell so to speak. These are the chemicals in the adhesives and treated paper that you are smelling.

Libraries, both public, private and school have had indoor air quality issues for many years. When you have a large collection of books and large number of people reading and leafing through the book pages at one time, you release a lot of paper dust into the air. People who tend to have respiratory issues ( asthmatics, severe allergies, chemical sensitivities) have a real challenge being in an environment with books.

The paper dust issue is such a problem in libraries that many of them use HEPA based air filtration systems to ensure the capture of the fine, small, airborne paper dust particles.

Companies such as Pure Air Systems, offer small, medium and large HEPA fan powered air filtration systems that can be used either as stand alone units to handle specific areas or as part of the main heating/cooling systems. In either case, the ability to move air throughout the area is essential in keeping the paper dust particles airborne and then pulled into the air filtration systems. Pure Air Systems also incorporates carbon in many of its systems which would be used to remove the chemicals being off gassed from the books themselves.

The process of providing reading material continues to move in the digital direction which at some point will start to reduce the number of paper books in circulation. If you have some allergy issues and are an avid book reader and collector, we might suggest you consider getting one of the new eBook reading devices now available. This could be a healthy choice for you.

For more information regarding the complete line of HEPA and Carbon based filtration systems offered by Pure Air Systems please go to their website at: www.pureairsystems.com

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