Are there residential air cleaning and purifying products that are as good as those used in hospitals and health care facilities?

There are several residential models of air purifiers and cleaners that are just as effective as the system wide treatment products used in hospitals and health care settings. Home systems can be used for treatment of individual rooms or the entire home, depending on the location of the system and what is required. In general air purifiers and cleaners with HEPA filters are a good start and combining HEPA filters with UV light in air purifiers and cleaners will provide the same level of control that hospitals and clinical settings use.

For controlling the smaller allergens that may go through a HEPA type of filter, UV light is really the most effective option. These types of allergy treatment programs can remove any organic types of matter from the air and literally destroy it before it causes any allergic reactions.

Can your air conditioning unit actually be causing allergy problems?

Molds, mildew, bacteria, yeast and other potential spore producing fungi can and do live in the air conditioning coils and drains of your air conditioning unit. These contaminants and allergens then are right within the unit, blowing out through your home every time the air conditioner comes on. The conditions around the coils are ideal for growth of these types of microorganisms since it is dark, wet and warm. UV light systems that provide cycles of UV light to the air conditioner coils kill both the spores as well as the adult organisms. Typically this results in a very quick decrease in the amount of allergens in the home or building, often with very dramatic positive health results.

Is Hay Fever the same as an allergy and what is the treatment?

Hay fever is a type of allergic reaction, typically to dust, smoke and pollen. Like any other type of allergy, reducing the contaminants that trigger the hay fever is the best way to avoid any complications as the symptoms of the allergy. Since HEPA filters, UV light treatment or a combination of both will remove dust, pollen and some smoke from the air they are great options. Active carbon and other types of filters can also be added to completely remove smoke, VOC's and other irritants that may be triggering the reaction.

What information proves that air cleaners and purifiers can help with allergy treatment and prevention?

There have been several studies done on the effectiveness of UV light types of air cleaners and purifiers in different buildings, hospitals and facilities. McGill University recently completed a study in November of 2003 that indicated that the use of UV germicidal lights resulted in a 20% decrease workers calling in sick and a 40% overall decrease in respiratory problems reported by those working in the building.

In addition HEPA filters have long been used in air purifiers and cleaners in hospital settings and can effectively remove 99.9% of all contaminants in the air that are 0.3 microns and larger.

What is the most important feature to consider in airborne allergy care in residential or office type settings?

What is the most important feature to consider in airborne allergy care in residential or office type settings?

Keeping the air free from potential allergy causing airborne contaminants is the single most important way to prevent airborne allergy problems. Although there are great ways to disinfect surfaces, keep hands constantly washed and even use holistic and pharmaceutical regimes to help keep bodies healthy, once an allergen is in the body the body is going to react.

Using air purifiers and cleaners to constantly remove allergens from the air in circulation in the building is really the key. Airborne allergy care through air purifiers or cleaners also cuts down on viruses and bacteria in the air, leading to less sick time in buildings and fewer problems with germs being passed back and forth between family members.

How are UV air purifiers and cleaners safe to use when people are in the room or the building?

UV light can be very damaging to any type of living organism, however in air purifiers and cleaners the UV light bulbs are located within the air purifier or cleaner unit, completely shielded from any expose of the individuals in and around the system. These systems are so save they are even used in hospitals, clinics and medical treatment facilities where maintaining contaminant free environments are absolutely essential to the health and recovery of patients.

UV light sources for some types of air purifiers are not shielded, and these systems are only used in vacant rooms. Even these systems have safety features built into place to prevent any accidental exposure. One important safety feature is a infrared motion detector that automatically shuts down the system with any movement in the room. Individuals cannot accidentally walk into a room when the UV cleaner is in the sterilization part of the cycle, ensuring there is no harm when these types of accidents occur.

What other ways can homes use to deal with airborne allergy care?

Carefully controlling the levels of dust, VOC's, molds and other types of environmental contaminants in the home can really cut down on airborne allergy problems. This means routine dusting, vacuuming and disinfecting as well as keeping the home with a humidity level of less than 50%. Higher humidity tends to encourage the growth of molds, fungus and mildews that in turn lead to more allergy symptoms and problems.

Can controlling allergy symptoms help in reducing asthma attacks?

Since allergies cause irritation in the sinuses and airways, chronic or even occasional allergic reactions to airborne contaminants can lead to chronic irritation of the airways. Since asthma is a similar condition that results in the airways actually closing, any previous irritation from allergy symptoms will just increase the chance of an asthma attack. Airborne allergy care really can help cut down on asthma problems for those already diagnosed, and it may also help decrease the likelihood of someone developing asthma in the future.

Air purifiers and cleaners, disinfectants, routine fresh air exchange in homes and even proper venting and circulation of air in the home can have significant health benefits besides just controlling allergies.

Why are some children chronically sick with cold-like symptoms and what can be done in the home or school?

Children, especially those with asthma, allergies or respiratory problems in their family are often much more sensitive to irritants and allergens in the air than adults. Unfortunately homes, schools and other public places where children tend to gather are often full of these types of allergens and irritants. UV sterilization is one way that parents and school systems can provide improved indoor air quality or IAQ for their children. Ultraviolet sterilization actually destroys or deactivates the molds, viruses, germs and bacteria that may be triggering both asthma and allergic reactions, plus it can also help to cut down on the risk of flu epidemics. Since N1H1, Avian flu and even all the very contagious Influenza A strains are more problematic, treating the air and ridding it of contaminants just makes good sense. Since children are estimated to miss 14 million days of school because of asthma related illnesses, this is a very important consideration.

UV sterilizers can be portable units used in specific rooms or facilities, they can be units installed in air conditioning systems to treat the air moving through the system or they can be room sterilizers that are used as a combination of air filters, purifiers and UV sterilizers.

What health benefits can I expect to see with the use of UV sterilization in the home and how quickly will they occur?

In most cases homes, schools and businesses that install ultraviolet sterilization systems in their air conditioning units or as portable units in the building will notice an immediate improvement in air quality and a decrease in odors and irritants in the air. For those units installed in air condition coils continue cleaning of the air around the drip pan, coils and drains will continue to kill and eliminate the yeast, bacteria and mold colonies, increasing the efficiency of the system and preventing mold spores and other contaminants from entering into the rest of the system. This all begins immediately upon operation of the UV sterilization system. Full effects in very contaminated systems are seen within a few months resulting in decreased air quality complaints and odor problems.

Are there any possible harmful effects of UV sterilization around children or adults?

Correctly maintained and installed UV sterilization systems pose no danger to humans, regardless of their age. The units installed in air conditioning systems are designed to prevent any possible exposure and children and adults will have no contact with the UV light emitted by these types of UV sterilization systems. The room systems that feature UV sterilization either have the bulbs sheltered from any potential exposure to humans, or they are designed to have motion detectors that shut off to prevent any accidental exposure.

Specially designed bulbs used in various types of UV sterilization units also do not prevent ozone, ensuring a very safe and healthy environment even during the sterilization cycle.

Do the UV bulbs in UV air purifiers ever need to be cleaned or dusted, if so how can I do that safely?

In general a UV air purifier system should not need to have the bulbs cleaned on any type of routine basis. This is because in some systems there are filters that the air passes through before reaching the bulbs that actually remove most of the larger dust particles and other microscopic particles that may be present. Even in those UV air purifiers that don't have pre-bulb filters the UV rays from the light will actually degrade the particles over time, literally self-cleaning the surface. In some instances if oil from someone's hands or any other type of adhesive material gets on the bulbs, clean with a soft cloth and a solution of 99% alcohol. Always use a lint free cloth and only clean when necessary.

What does UV actually mean and can UV be seen by the naked eye?

UV air purifiers use a technology known as ultraviolet light. This is a naturally occurring light in the spectrum that is beyond what the human eye can detect. UVC is the type of UV light used in ultraviolet air purifier systems. It is also known as short wave UV and is the most effective at killing germs, molds, viruses, bacteria and other type of naturally occurring and man-made types of contaminants. Another common term for UVC is UVGI which stands for ultraviolet germicidal irradiation. This type of UV, UVC or UVGI is potentially harmful to any living organism, including humans. Exposure to UVC light can have serious health effects as it does destroy organic material including DNA within individual cells. High levels of safety back-ups such as infrared motion detectors and LED displays that show the cycle of room type UV air purifiers make this advanced technology both safe and efficient for a wide range of home and facility applications.

If I already use a filter system in my home or office air conditioner, do I still need to consider a UV air purifier?

Standard filters, including HEPA filters and activated carbon filters are a good way to eliminate odors and some types of allergens and irritants from the air. However, they are not designed nor do they claim to remove the smallest particles, many which are the most problematic. Viruses, bacteria and even mold spores are simply too small to be trapped by these types of filters. UV air purifiers can be used in conjunction with other filtration systems to provide a very comprehensive improvement to indoor air quality. Filters are helpful in making the ultraviolet air purifier even more efficient as they remove the dust particles that the germs may be on. This then allows the UV light to immediately start destroying or deactivating the target microorganism. Some of the newer portable types of UV air purifiers incorporate all three types of air treatments, HEPA filters, activated charcoal and then UV light for fast and efficient cleaning.