by Stevan Brown, CAFS What is a desiccant. What are the effects of introducing a desiccant, especially a zeolite, into an air stream of an HVAC system? Will it produce a long term, sustainable benefit in the form of lower humidity in the controlled airspace and can it lower the usage of electricity? What are … More
Allergy Proofing Your Home
Controlling allergens in your home and particularly bedrooms is the most important step in preventing allergic reactions. Checklist for an Allergy Clean Environment Use the Checklist below as a guideline to minimize allergens in your home. It is not necessary to do everything on this list. Even doing a few things will help to improve … More
Understanding MERV or the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value
How the ASHRAE 52.2 Helps You Select an Air Filter For 30 years tests for air filters were done according to ASHRAE 52.1. This test provided an efficiency rating such as a 30%, 65%, 90%, etc. This system is relatively easy to understand. However, it has some major deficiencies in that it does not provide … More
About Common Allergens
Airborne Allergens Hayfever symptoms are often triggered by airborne particles that are inhaled, such as pollen, outdoor and indoor mold, and animal dander. Symptoms include sneezing, post-nasal drip, sinus congestion, sore throat, headache, fatigue, and itchy, watery eyes. Left untreated, hayfever symptoms can lead to medical complications, such as sinus and ear infections. Allergy sufferers … More
Allergen Avoidance Checklist
Items Allergen Remedy Carpet Dust mite by-products Remove if possible. Nilfisk ULPA vacuum cleaner, electrostatic vacuum cleaner bags, Ecology Works® Dust Mite Control dust mite eliminator, Allersearch® tannic acid spray, Capture® Carpet cleaning compound. Carpet pads Horse hair Remove if possible. HEPA air cleaner, dust and allergy electrostatic furnace filter Bare floors Dust mite by-products … More
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I wash my encasings? Current research indicates that mattress encasements should remain in place. Wipe down with damp cloth twice a year. Pillow encasings twice a year or as needed. Do not bleach. How often should I wash my bedding? All bedding above mattress encasing (i.e., sheets, pillow cases, blankets and bed … More
Controlling Irritants
Where To Take Measures Use pillow encasings Use mattress and box spring encasings Use HEPA air cleaners Use air conditioners Use a ULPA or HEPA vacuum cleaner Wear a face mask when housecleaning Browse Our Products Along with the many products now available, there are also many actions you can take to help eliminate irritants … More
Should Women Consume Peanuts During Pregnancy to Reduce Child’s Risk of Allergy?
You may have seen the headlines after the article was published in JAMA Pediatrics on pregnant mothers and peanut and tree nut consumption: “Eating Peanuts While Pregnant Cuts Child’s Risk of Allergy” “Eating Peanuts While Pregnant Lowers Allergy Risk” With the significant rise in peanut and other food allergies in the United States there is … More
Study Suggests U. S. Children Born Outside the United States Have Lower Risk for Allergic Disease – or Does It?
A recent article in JAMA Pediatrics has some interesting conclusions regarding allergies and asthma prevalence in U. S. children that were born outside the United States. The team led by Dr. Jonathan Silverberg of St. Luke’s – Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York found that these children had significantly lower odds of any atopic disorders than … More
Is There a Connection Between Increased Use of Central Air Conditioning and Asthma?
Has the rise in central air conditioning led to an increase in asthma in the United States or is this just a coincidence? A recent article claims that the increased use of central air conditioning systems in homes over the past 30 years has led to an increase in asthma. But is this really the … More
