Articles

Air cleaners and air filters alone have not been shown to be clinically effective at reducing allergy symptoms. Last Friday (March 31) I was very fortunate to be able to participate in a round table discussion on indoor air research. This meeting was conducted by university indoor air scientists and engineers and was attended by … More

Some new air cleaning devices are using free radicals or Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) to “oxidize” indoor air. Free radicals have been shown to be damaging to human health. Testing is lacking on the by-products of the reactions between free radicals and the components of indoor air. Here is a quote from a brochure on … More

Be wary of excessive marketing claims for products to take care of indoor air. For hundreds of years wizards and alchemists sought a way to be able to create gold from lead and/or other metals. From time to time one or more of them claimed that they found the way. In many cases this involved … More

Only Filter Certification now open to all individuals interested in air filters and indoor air quality. The National Air Filtration Association has announced the expansion of its Certified Air Filter Specialist (CAFS) program. This certification is the only one of its kind, designed to ensure that the holder has a sound knowledge of the the … More

Proper filtration can help to minimize the risk of spreading the flu virus. An outbreak of influenza A (H5N1) also known as “avian flu” or “bird flu” has been reported in countries throughout Asia. Confirmed human cases of avian flu have been found in Thailand, Vietnam and China. There have been approximately 150 human cases … More

Study does not confirm “toxic mold syndrome” in patients Mold and dampness can cause coughing and wheezing. However, is there evidence to support the existence of what has been called “toxic mold syndrome” or illnesses caused specifically by exposure to mold? According to a report by researchers at the Oregon Health Sciences University published in … More

Inner City Asthma Study shows effectiveness of comprehensive environmental controls including air purifiers to control asthma. In the last week a number of articles have appeared in newspapers, magazines and TV with the headline: “Air Cleaners: Even the most effective Could be a Questionable Investment.” These articles are based on the Consumer Reports study of … More

Gaps between filters can cause significant decreases in filter efficiency. Proper filter installation is a key ingredient in ensuring filter effectiveness. Gaps between filters can create pathways for entry of major quantities of particles. Dr. Jeffrey Siegel of the University of Texas at Austin has found that a 10-millimeter gap between filters can substantially drop … More