Environmental Illness
During the late 70’s and early 80’s people that experienced symptoms that resembled allergies, asthma and disorientation were classified as Environmentally Ill or EI for short. These symptoms were often associated with chemical sensitivities due to various types of building materials, carpet sizing, paints, varnishes and house hold cleaning chemicals. In most cases these materials would off-gas into the living space and the exposure to these chemicals over time would be deemed the cause of Environmental Illness.
One of the challenges with EI was the fact that the medical industry did not recognize this as a real illness. Most general practitioners would discount this illness as nothing more than an over reaction to what patients called strong odors and funny tastes in their mouths. The symptoms were so much like a typical allergic reaction or a cold or the flu that the normal treatment was antibiotics or antihistamines.
The Allergists, on the other hand, did recognize that there were significant symptoms and would treat this problem more aggressively usually by doing skin testing to attempt to isolate the allergen or contaminant to which the patient would react. Over time the Allergists began to identify the causes to in fact be from the living environments of their patients.
Fast forward to today. The building industry, both commercial and residential, have significantly changed the types of chemicals and additives used in the fabrication of most building materials. The green approach has been the mantra from the builders now for the past 10 years. There are better ventilation systems and a better understanding of how to make an office, room or home under positive pressure so that any off-gassing of any chemicals will be pushed out of the living environment while introducing small amounts of fresh, outside filtered air.
Founded in 1985, Pure Air Systems introduced one of the first commercial grade, certified HEPA and Carbon based fan powered air filtration systems for the removal of airborne allergens and pathogens in the residential and commercial markets. Many of the residential customers who purchased the PAS HEPA systems were categorized as environmentally ill. As far as they were concerned their homes were slowly killing them. Since the PAS systems were of all metal construction using only hospital grade components, the units did not contribute any chemicals or off-gassing materials to their environment. In addition to removing airborne particulate and gaseous pollutants, the units were able to introduce small amounts of outside, filtered fresh air to assist in diluting any gases trapped in the living environment.
Working with the EI group was the catalyst for PAS to develop larger and more effective HEPA and Carbon based systems as well as having a much better understanding of how to use the units for both introduction of fresh air and the use of positive pressure. For more information on the complete line of HEPA and Carbon based systems please go to our website at: www.pureairsystems.com or follow us on Twitter @pureairsystems. You can also like us on our Facebook page or call us anytime on our toll-free number: 800-869-8025.