Iowa Courthouse

Johnson County's facilities manager said he thinks an air quality concern at the courthouse has been solved, but some think a problem still exists.
"We do not have the smell down there any longer," county facilities manager David Kempf said. "We've slowly but surely incrementally eliminated any of the items that could be causing the problem. I think we've done everything we can to fix the problem. If it does come back, we will continue to work to solve it."
Kempf said he would present results from an air quality study to the Johnson County Board of Supervisors during its meeting Thursday. Last month, the University of Iowa Hygienic Laboratory tested for mold and fungi on the first and second floors at the more than 100-year-old courthouse.
Kempf declined to release the study until he presents it to the supervisors. However, he said it showed air inside the courthouse contained substantially fewer airborne molds and fungi than what is found outside. It is at least the second air quality test at the courthouse in two years that yielded no dangerous elements.
"That's not to take away from the fact that there might be individuals who are hypersensitive to the types of molds in the air," Kempf said.
For at least three years, several judges, court reporters and courthouse staffers have reported symptoms including headaches, runny eyes, sinus problems and respiratory congestion. In addition, a musty, basement smell reportedly looms in courtroom 1A.
The smell has prompted about half of the district's judges and several court reporters to refuse to work in the courtroom.
Since last winter, Kempf said some measures have been taken to address the problem including rerouting fresh air intakes, reworking air conditioning condensate lines and installing air purifiers throughout the courthouse.
To date, Kempf estimates the county has spent $3,000 to $4,000 to address the matter.
"I don't believe it will come back," Kempf said about the smell. "I really think we've probably come as close as we're going to get to eliminating the problem."
However, 6th Judicial District Court Administrator Carroll Edmondson said he still thought there were air quality issues at the courthouse and said the air needed to be tested for other possible contaminants.
"(The study) may be right. It's not a fungi problem, but there's still a problem here causing people health issues, and it's not one or two people, it's a number of people," Edmondson said. "We're going to pursue the problem because we think a problem exists."
Johnson County Attorney J. Patrick White, whose offices are located near courtroom 1A, said he was not surprised by the air quality test results.
"We've had people in there for hours at a time without any difficulty," White said. "I don't think it's been a big problem at all."
However, Judge Douglas Russell and court reporter Wilma Porter said they have experienced problems in that courtroom and no longer work there. Russell said he had respiratory problems, nasal congestion and a runny nose that seemed to stem from working in the basement.
Porter said she would get headaches followed by flu-like symptoms -- problems she didn't experience at the district's five other courthouses.
"When half the court reporters are getting sick and half the judges are getting sick, you know it's not in our heads," Porter said.

New Air Purifier

The EPA estimates that indoor air pollutant levels may be two to five times higher than pollutant levels outside. "Home air purifiers are designed to make your living space more comfortable by reducing air pollutants like dust and pollen," says Andy Gamm, brand manager at Quixtar Inc.
The ATMOSPHERE Air Purifier uses the Clarus(TM) Filtration system which combines a pre-filter for larger particles, a HEPA filter for the smaller particles, and a carbon filter to remove odor," says Gamm. "Together these filters effectively remove greater than 99.9% of all airborne pollutants that pass through the filter including airborne bacteria, mold, viruses, fungi, dust mite allergens, asbestos, radon decay products, pet odors, cooking odors, dioxins, formaldehyde and other impurities as small as .007 microns."
"To get maximum performance from your air purifier, make sure you place it near any identifiable source of pollutants and away from walls or furniture that may obstruct the air intake and output areas," says Gamm.

Air Purifiers in Europe

Affordable UV Air Purifiers now available for Commercial and Industrial environments throughout Ireland UK and Europe.Air Care Technologies, a provider of high quality Ultraviolet Air Purification systems, is pleased to announce they we have commenced operations throughout Ireland. Air Care Technologies specializes in UV Air Purification devices for Residential and Commercial marketplace such as: Surgeries, Clinics, Laboratories, Hospitals, Nursing Homes, Offices, Hospitality trade, Food service and Food manufacturing trades and also for Industrial environments.Our range of Ultraviolet air purifiers are so powerful, that they decontaminate and sanitize the air and surfaces by destroying biological contaminants like bacteria, viruses, mould, mildew, fungi, and their spores, harmful fumes, smoke and chemical gases, removing harmful particulates and neutralizing all unpleasant and offensive odours.Our air purifiers for Refrigerated environments and Food Services applications are engineered for the harsh conditions of cold with high levels of humidity and are ideal for use in food processing and storage areas. These food service air purification units will improve hygienic conditions by significantly reducing the level of biological contaminants including bacteria, viruses and mould and are effective in neutralizing unpleasant odours and eliminating odour transference between products.Our air purification units improve the shelf life of food and other products by destroying spoilage organisms and other biological contaminants and pathogens. This increase in shelf life of food has also been demonstrated in meats, poultry, eggs, fish and fresh produce products, such as oranges. Today's business environment can contain micro bacterial contaminants and organisms such as germs, viruses, bacteria, mould, fungi and other pollutants. Our goal is to provide the highest quality products and services at affordable prices. Our air purifier units are virtually silent, portable, cost just a few cents to run and are maintenance free.Business owners will find dramatic improvement in indoor air quality using our products for cleaning the air of biological contaminants like bacteria, viruses, and mould, destroying hazardous fumes, removing harmful particulates and neutralising unpleasant odours.When combining Purifying Plasma with ultraviolet light, the air and surfaces can be cleaned 2000 times quicker than ozone alone and 180 times faster than just ultraviolet light alone. Our air purifiers are the most effective purifiers on the market, utilizing the most scientifically advanced technology in the industry. The ‘Ultra-Pure’ air is circulated back into the room carrying with it the full power of our purifying Plasma that will continually seek out and destroy contaminants and unpleasant odours regardless of were they hide.

Indoor plants make great air purifiers

Planters were contracted by the Sheraton to execute the interior landscaping in the recent major refurbishment project of the Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel & Towers, one of the oldest five star hotels in Dubai. The aim of the project was to update the property, in keeping with current trends in the hotel industry, by turning the interior of the hotel into an exotic, contemporary and stylish environment.Planters brief was to enhance the overall ambience and aesthetic sense of tranquility of the hotel with interior landscaping. The project consisted of removing the existing planting in the lobby and replacing it with more interesting and colourful plants. According to Jonathan Pardoe, General Manager of Planters, “In order to accomplish this we imported several types of bromeliad and codiaeum plants from top quality nurseries in Holland, as well as high quality replica plants from Europe, to replace the displays currently in place”. “Careful planning went into the selection of the plants due to the challenge of the restricted lighting in the lobby, which is always a major consideration when choosing the appropriate plants” said Mr. Pardoe. “Low level planting was also required together with brightly coloured plants to bring the displays to life. The planting arrangement now acts as a focal point that considerably lifts the atmosphere in the lobby and creates a positive impression for visitors” Mr. Pardoe went on to add.Interior landscaping has become an important feature for creating an environment that looks aesthetically pleasing. Mr. Pardoe stated “A well designed interior space is enhanced considerably with the addition of plants, plants keep you in touch with nature, reflecting beauty and the changing seasons. In addition, indoor plants are great air purifiers, creating a healthier and cleaner environment.” The refurbishment also included the introduction of a new electronic card system, parquet floors, room upholstery from curtains, bed linen through to sofas and in-room redecoration.

Air conditioners can be air purifiers

Air conditioning can be an expensive venture but you should always think of it as an investment, says Kyle Lumsden, president of Clearview Plumbing and Heating. “The resale value of your home not only increases, but you have to put your comfort first. With central air conditioning, there will be no more sleepless nights,” he says.
Few people realize air conditioners also act as air purifiers.
“They allow you to condition and filter the air which is really important to your health and comfort.”
It is really important to take your time picking a company that guarantees quality.
“You should always have a professional come to measure your home so that you have the appropriate system. If you have a system that is too big for your home, you are wasting your money. Your utility bills will be higher and the system just won’t be efficient. If you choose a system that is too small, you won’t condition your home effectively — you will waste money as well.”
As the heat rises, many companies come out of the woodwork claiming to install air conditioners but it is important to choose one wisely, says Lumsden.
“Check out the Better Business Bureau. Make sure that they are licensed and that they have good references. It’s very important to choose a company that knows what they are doing.”
More money doesn’t always mean a better central air system. “It is not all about the brand when it comes to air conditioners. It is about choosing the correct size for your home and having it properly installed.”
So just how much should you spend on a central air system?
“It really depends on the size of your home. The larger your home, the more it will cost you. It also depends on how many rooms you want to control. Some people may only want to air condition a few rooms rather than the whole home,” says John Senycz, service manager at Arpi’s Industries Canada Ltd.
The average costs of central air conditioning systems vary, but you should expect higher costs in a very large home.
On the low end, a central air system will cost you about $2,200 for a smaller home. A larger home could cost you about $6,000. These figures might seem steep but you have to remember it is all about comfort.
“Central air systems are an investment,” says Senycz.

Natural Air

Designing the very best purification products possible – that has been the mission of Natural Air Systems' team of scientists, engineers and air quality specialists since the company's inception. Now after nearly three decades of research and development, we are excited to introduce Natural Air™ -- the world's first dynamic air regenerator, with the ability to purify the air of an entire home up to 3,000 square feet.

Air Quality in NYC

On Wednesday, the Lower Manhattan Construction Command Center (LMCCC) announced that it will operate a new air quality monitoring program during the Lower Manhattan rebuilding process. Residents and workers are concerned about the lingering toxins in Sept. 11-damaged buildings that are slated for demolition.
The LMCCC was created by New York Governor George Pataki and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg to coordinate the Lower Manhattan rebuilding process. The air quality monitoring program will be operated in coordination with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the New York Department of Environmental Conservation, and the New York City Department of Environmental Protection.
“The Construction Command Center will consistently monitor the air quality in Lower Manhattan neighborhoods to ensure that construction projects are not adversely affecting the health of Lower Manhattan residents and businesses,” said LMCCC Executive Director Charles Maikish in a news release.
“Among the major goals of the Command Center is to mitigate the impact of construction on the Lower Manhattan community, including monitoring air quality, and to assure that project sponsors carry out their environmental performance commitments during construction.”
Residents are reacting positively to the plan and hope that the commitment to the community remains strong.
“We have been assured that the (LMCCC) is seeking a partnership with the community to come up with the best possible program,” said Kimberly Flynn of 9/11 Environmental Action, a community group in Lower Manhattan.
“We hope that the (LMCCC) will work with the community to make sure that the program is effective in capturing the kind of up-to-the-minute, accurate and comprehensive air quality information we need, and in disseminating it to the public in real time.”
The Lower Manhattan Development Corporation (LMDC) is already running an air quality monitoring program in the area as well, in coordination with their plans to demolish the 130 Liberty Street skyscraper – the former Deutsche Bank building that was heavily damaged on Sept. 11.
LMDC officials noted Wednesday that they will continue their air quality program for the duration of the demolition process and keep it separate from the LMCCC program.
In late May, the Transport Workers Union raised concerns over air quality issues near 4 Albany Street – another Sept. 11-affected building slated for demolition. A fan for a subway station is located near the building and the union workers requested an investigation by the New York City Transit Office of System Safety into worker and public safety during the asbestos abatement process for the building.
According to the Office of System Safety, their office’s investigation process found levels of asbestos, nickel, and lead in excess of EPA-safe levels on dates in January and March. In a letter to the union, the Office of System Safety said engineers replaced certain fans, air filters, and air purifiers in April and no excess levels were detected during the remainder of the asbestos abatement.
According to the letter, “the same procedure will be followed for the abatement and deconstruction of the building located at 130 Liberty Street to evaluate any impacts to the Albany Street fan plant.”
Also related to building contamination, two other buildings slated for demolition had their demolition permits revoked. In an apparent oversight among the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB), the city’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), and the EPA, adequate plans had not yet been made to handle the toxins remaining within the buildings enveloped by dust when the Twin Towers fell.
Residents saw scaffolding going up and contacted Congressman Jerrold Nadler’s office for help, and a staff member alerted the involved agencies to the mistake. The building’s owners are now meeting with environmental officials to plan the demolition accordingly.
That error left community activists worried that they are doing the jobs of the city and federal agencies.
“The key thing is, without the constant vigilance of nearby residents, a regular demolition would have commenced of two heavily contaminated buildings – with the likely result that highly toxic – and also highly respirable – dust would have been released into the surrounding area,” said Flynn of 9/11 Environmental Action.
Flynn and other residents blame the city’s DOB and DEP for not paying attention, and the EPA for not taking on more of a roll in the demolition process.
“It should not be possible to get permits to do work in impacted buildings without EPA scrutiny and guidance,” Flynn noted. “(The) EPA is tasked under the National Strategy for Homeland Security with decontaminating buildings and neighborhoods contaminated as the result of a terrorist attack. They still have some serious unfinished business in Lower Manhattan. (The) EPA should take charge of these dangerous demolitions instead of, once again, shifting the burden of dealing with hazardous dust onto area residents.”
The EPA has stated numerous times that they are taking “a leading role” in the various demolitions throughout Manhattan, but residents say that is not enough.
Residents continue to push the EPA’s Sept. 11 Expert Technical Review Panel to take more of an interest in the demolitions, yet the EPA’s Michael Brown said the panel is not responsible for that issue.
“It is not in the purview of the panel to consider the deconstruction of buildings,” said Brown, an EPA staff to the panel and associate assistant administrator for the EPA’s Office of Research and Development. He added that the only reason that the demolition process continues to get time during the panel meetings is because of public interest.
The EPA’s website for the Expert Technical Review Panel states that the panel was created to “characterize any remaining exposures and risks, identify unmet public health needs, and recommend any steps to further minimize the risks associated with the aftermath of the World Trade Center attacks.”
At the last meeting of the panel, the revised draft sampling proposal was released. The sampling proposal aims at retesting buildings in Manhattan and Brooklyn to determine whether lingering WTC dust remains. The proposal’s final move is hinged upon whether a WTC dust “signature” will be found.
EPA researchers at the May 24 panel meeting revealed that their original quest for two dust signatures is now down to only one. The scientists had originally hoped to find a signature for both the building collapse and for the Ground Zero fires – which continued for months after Sept. 11. After months of tests, they came to the conclusion that the fire signature could not be distinguished from other building fires.
Brown said this is not all that surprising. “The things that burned in the World Trade Center towers are not unlike the very things that burn in other building fires – things like carpet, furniture, wallboard, computers, and more,” he explained. “In that respect, the World Trade Center towers weren’t appreciably different from other office fires.”
Yet this news came as a surprise to residents and employees of the areas enveloped by the dust from the initial collapse and the smoke from the subsequent fires. Flynn said she knows of many people in areas that were only affected by the smoke who are now dealing with serious respiratory problems.
She said her organization and its partners agree that the EPA’s choice of sampling for only one possible component of a fire signature was not enough because the smoke was a “toxic soup of pollutants."
9/11 Environmental Action is also united with the World Trade Center Community Labor Coalition against many aspects of the draft sampling proposal. The groups take issue with the plan’s aim to only test “accessible” areas of apartments, and not places where dust can settle, such as in ventilation units and behind appliances.
Another major problem for these organizations and many public officials such as Congressman Jerrold Nadler and New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton – whose request helped bring the EPA panel into existence – is that the sampling plan does not require buildings slated for sampling to be tested. Building owners and landlords are allowed to refuse the testing.
“Unfortunately, it appears at first glance that the EPA's long-awaited plan has been designed in a way that is fundamentally inadequate to determine the true extent of WTC dust contamination,” said Nadler. “It is imperative that the EPA now act to incorporate more of the ideas and concerns of the residents, workers and environmental advocates into a revised, scientifically rigorous sampling plan.”
Members of the panel even disagree with the plan. "While we are pleased that (the) EPA agreed to test workplaces as well as residences, that is a hollow promise if employers can bar access for testing," said David Newman, industrial hygienist for the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (NYCOSH) and member of the Expert Technical Review Panel.
"If workers are disenfranchised under this plan, the plan will fail. (The) EPA must gain access to test buildings near Ground Zero."
Yet the EPA and some panel members remain committed to the revised sampling plan, citing that they have listened to the public’s concerns and taken them into account. “This has been an open process since the first meeting in April 2004,” said Brown. “We’ve moved significantly closer to a plan that reflects their desire, but at the same time, the plan must be scientifically credible and do-able.”
Brown anticipates the sampling plan starting later this summer, once the final dust signature is attained.

Holmes Airpurifier

The Holmes HAP242 Air Purifier does a decent job of improving the air quality in my small office. My office is slightly larger than the 10' x 11' space the Holmes HAP242 Air Purifier is recommended for. The are without a doubt much more effective air purifiers available.
However, I do like the small space requirements of the Holmes HAP242 Air Purifier. I also like the fact that on medium setting of the three available fan speeds, that the Holmes HAP242 Air Purifier is almost completely silent. In my smaller office setting a noisy HEPA filter would not work well as I spend a great deal of time on the phone and the noise of a larger air purifier would cause problems.
In a home setting I would recommend going for a more efficient true HEPA filtration air purifier. Though is price is a concern the Holmes HAP242 Air Purifier is very cheap at typically under $50, and it does help air quality a bit.
The Holmes HAP242 Air Purifier is equipped with an ionizer as well to help remove particles from the air, as well as a carbon odor reducing filter. I noticed no difference in the level of odor in the office when the Holmes HAP242 Air Purifier was in use however.

Candles, Fragrances and Purifiers

DUBLIN, Ireland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 16, 2005--Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c19333) has announced the addition of Home Fragrance & Candle Market 2005 - Understanding and Predicting Consumers' Passion for Candles and Home Fragrances to their offering
The market for candles and home fragrances reached $8.4 billion in 2004, on growth of 14.1 percent over previous year. Driven by consumers' desire for their homes to smell good, some 80 percent of all adult Americans bought some kind of home fragrance product in the past year, including candles and candle accessories, sprays, plugs-ins, room fresheners, potpourris, air fresheners, air purifiers and more.
As consumer demand for fragrance for their home grows, more marketers are exploring the bright opportunities in home fragrancing alternatives. While candles remain consumers top pick for home fragrance, the market for other home fragrance products is growing faster than that for candles. Delivering home fragrances has been a source of new product innovation, with the Fabreeze ScentStories discs that play rotating fragrance 'stories' being on the leading edge of innovation.
People are burning candles in new places, like the garden where ordinary candles get lost; selecting new fuels, such as soy and oils; and shopping for candles and lighting accessories in new places, like the local Wal-Mart or grocery store where whole aisles are devoted to the category.
Marketers and retailers need to address these and other trends in the changing ways consumers are using and shopping for candles, home fragrances, lighting accessories and air filtration products. Marketing success will come to companies that identify the shifts and turns in the consumer market before everybody else. And that is what this research study is all about. It will giving companies that need to know the future of the candle, home fragrances and lighting accessories market a view 'over the horizon.'
Consumer Insights on Candles, Home Fragrances, Lighting Accessories and Air Filtration
With the focus on the consumer, their needs, desires and preferences, this new home fragrance and candle study will focuses on buying behavior and consumer motivation for purchases of candles, home fragrances, candle and lighting accessories and air filtration products.
Topics investigated in the new study include:
- Why do consumers buy candles, home fragrances, candle and lighting accessories and air filtration products? What kinds do they buy? Where do they shop for these goods? How much do they spend and how often do they shop?
- Why they buy these goods? What motivates and excites them in these purchases?
- What criteria do they use when selecting these products? What criterion drives them in choosing a store to shop for these goods?
- What brands are important in this market and how much do they spend when they shop?
- What home fragrances do consumers prefer when they shop?
- How important is price, style, material, brand and store in the buying equation?
- What drives the shopper into the store to shop for these goods?
- What new opportunities are on the horizon for candles, home fragrances, candle and lighting accessories and air filtration goods marketers and retailers?
- How can marketers and retailers take advantage of consumers' passion for these goods? What is next on the horizon in the home fragrance arena?
- How do men and women differ in their buying patterns, as well as the different motivations that drive consumers in their quest for these goods. What are the generational aspects of this market? What are the differences between younger and older consumers in their product preferences and buying and shopping behavior for candles and home fragrance products?
- Special Feature: Psychographic Segmentation Provides Insights into Purchase Motivation
In addition to purchase behavior, attitudes and motivations in home fragrances and candle purchases are also explored, including a psychographic analysis of the different types of personalities that participate in the market and why they buy.
This new research study is an investment in the future of candle and home fragrance marketers' and retailers' businesses so that they can stay out in front of their rapidly changing customers.
Top 10 Brands Included in this report
- Bath and Body Works
- Glade by S.C. Johnson and Son
- Airwick by Reckitt Benckiser
- Yankee Candle
- Avon
- Fabreze ScentStories by Procter & Gamble
- Renuzit by Dial .
- Pier 1 Imports
- Martha Stewart
- Blyth

Plasmacluster Ion Technology

Sharp Corporation has demonstrated that Plasmacluster Ions, a technology behind its Plasmacluster™ Air Purifier line-up, "reduces activity of the highly fatal and highly pathogenic airborne H5N1 avian influenza ("bird flu") virus by 99%."
If you consider going for Plasmacluster Ions technology solely based on your fear of avian flu, then think again. The remaining one percent of viral particles can still kill you. What we are interested in here is the technology itself:
A built-in Plasmacluster Ion generator produces positive and negative ions from the water molecules (H2O) and oxygen molecules (O2) in the air. These ions, which have strong germ-killing qualities, are released back into the air.
By themselves, these positive and negative Plasmacluster Ions are inherently unstable, but they become stable when they cling to "something." When they encounter airborne germs (like mold spore) or toxic substances (like tobacco smoke), they form clusters surrounding the offending entity.
By surrounding airborne microbes (for example, mold fungus) the ion clusters destroy them, and also quickly eliminate and decompose the sources of annoying odors...
The Plasmacluster Ions form into groups of positive and negative ions. They knock out airborne mold fungus and decompose sources of annoying odors. Experiments conducted by a testing organization recognized by Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare demonstrated that this technology has the power to reduce mold fungus by 90% in one hour. Air purification technology based on Plasmacluster Ions represents a revolutionary new system for cleaning the air totally unlike any existing techniques.

Air Purifiers fight SARS

AeroMed, Inc. of Amsterdam, NY, is a leading manufacture of HEPA air purification systems for infectious disease control. AeroMed’s products are typically applied in applications involving tuberculosis and SARS control in health care facilities but may also be used in bioterror applications.The federal government has determined that health care facilities may be at additional risk of nosocomial transmission of disease as the result of a bio-terror attack. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has created the Bioterrorism Hospital Preparedness Program. According to HRSA’s web site “the goal of this program is to aid state, territory, and selected entities in improving the capacity of the health care systems, including hospitals, emergency departments, outpatient facilities, EMS systems, and poison control centers, to respond to incidents requiring mass immunization, isolation, decontamination, diagnosis, and treatment, in the aftermath of terrorism or other public health emergencies.” HRSA funds have been made available to health care facilities for the Bioterrorism Hospital Preparedness Program. Facilities awarded a HRSA grant, are required to meet specific benchmarks. One of benchmarks is the creation of negative pressure rooms for isolation surge capacity. HRSA states that “these rooms may be used to isolate suspected cases of a highly infectious disease (e.g., smallpox, pneumonic plague, SARS, influenza and hemorrhagic fevers) or febrile patients with a suspect rash or other symptoms of concern who might be developing a highly communicable disease.”AeroMed manufactures many models of HEPA filter air purifiers that may be used to create negative pressure isolation rooms. These include portable and ducted units as well as wall and ceiling mounted units. The purifiers are used to treat 200 – 800 cubic feet per minute (CFM) of air exhausted from or recirculated within an isolation room. Several of the models are available with optional ultra violet (UV) lights as a supplement to HEPA filtration. AeroMed also provides room pressure monitors in order to comply with AIA (American Institute of Architects) recommendations, quantifying that negative pressure rooms are performing properly.According to company president, Bill Palmer, many hospitals and health departments throughout the United States are already using these products for their isolation rooms. Palmer says that other products manufactured by the company such as their aerosol treatment chamber (sputum induction booth) are also used in health care facilities across the country.

Air Purifier helps struggling boy

LITTLE YORK, Ill. — Tyler Montooth loves to look at pictures and cards. He loves to interact with people and play with his two older brothers. He loves to laugh, infecting everyone around him with delight.
But Tyler doesn't know what grass feels like. He's never been in a pool. He can't even walk yet.
Instead he's had to deal with severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome, a disease often referred to as the bubble boy syndrome that leaves him highly susceptible to infection.
At 20 months old, Tyler has been in the hospital 13 months of his life. At just 13 pounds, he can't walk and only recently learned to crawl.
Unfortunately, his family is running out of money to treat him.
"We are literally dying," Bob Montooth said. "We are living on credit card after credit card."
Tyler, who is in the hospital again with a severe infection, may have to be taken to Washington, D.C., for additional treatment, but the family can't even afford to drive there.
"It's just stressful not knowing what the outcome will be," Montooth said. "We get something cured, then something else happens. It is hard to see your son go through that. And not knowing whether or not he's going to make it is hard.
"It's hard on our other two kids as well," he added. "It's summer and they can't go outside because we're afraid they'll bring something in (that will infect Tyler)."
So far, the family has spent or accumulated bills totaling more than $1 million to fight the disease.
Tyler's older brother, Dylan, also was born with the disease, but after a bone marrow transplant, he was cured. At 8 years old, he has a fully functioning immune system.
On the other hand, Tyler's little body is its own worst enemy. In December 2003, Tyler had a stem cell transplant of healthy T–cells, those that fight infections. His old T–cells and the new ones still are battling to take over the body.
Because of the slow pace of the T–cell takeover (it normally only takes one year; for Tyler, it may take five), Tyler has been diagnosed with chronic graft versus host disease, which requires immune system suppressants, the very thing he is trying to build. The immuno–suppressants also affect his growth.
He's still fighting, but his fight is getting harder.
The insurance coverage has reached its maximum limit, and Tyler has been put on Illinois Medicaid, which doesn't cover everything he needs.
The family often pays $300 for one bottle of drugs to treat Tyler's system. They also have to pay for the materials needed to create a germ–free home.
They spend more than $50 a week on disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer and more than $60 a week on moisturizers and creams for Tyler's skin. Tyler goes through 15 to 20 diapers a day because he needs to be changed as soon as he dirties a diaper.
The Montooths must run air purifiers at all times and give Tyler purified water since tap water has bacteria in it. They have to buy face masks that Tyler can wear whenever he leaves the house. They need a special formula so Tyler can gain weight.
Then there's the cost of gas to drive to Iowa City every week for check–ups. When Tyler is admitted to the hospital, on average for a month at a time, he is kept in the bone marrow ward that costs $1,500 a night.
It's a cost the Montooths didn't expect when they started having children.
"We thought it was a fluke that Dylan had it," Montooth said. "No one could tell us why he had it — if it was because of blood mixtures or a defective gene."
Then 6–year–old Brandon was born with a healthy immune system. It was only after Tyler was born that the couple learned they both had a defective gene, which once mixed together, caused the disease.
Tyler keeps pulling through, though, and the Montooths hope to keep giving him the chance to do that.
"Every little thing helps," Montooth said.

Austin Air Purifiers

All Austin air purifiers / cleaners are designed and built to superior standards to give your family the highest level of protection and reliability. Austin air cleaners are premium products, offering industry-leading filtration, reduced filter replacement costs, and quiet, economical operation. The quality of an Austin Air Cleaner is far superior to mass-produced brand-name units found in large retail stores. Furthermore, because you don't have to buy replacement filters (the most expensive part of the unit) every 8-12 months, Austin air cleaners are considerably cheaper to operate!Originally designed and engineered specifically for allergy and asthma sufferers, all Austin air cleaner models remove both airborne allergens and particles, and more than 250 hazardous/noxious vapors, gases, and fumes. Austin air cleaners feature true medical-grade HEPA filtration technology originally developed by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission. This is the highest standard in HEPA filtration available and is capable of removing more than 99.97% of all particles greater than 0.3 micron in size. In simple terms, the diameter of a single human hair is 300 times too large to penetrate the HEPA filter. Due to the dual HEPA / activated carbon filtration found in Austin air cleaners, they are also excellent for light industrial air filtration applications, including public buildings, labs, offices, and medical clinics.

The Cost Of Air Purifiers

WATERLOO --- Invisible particles in the air can wreak havoc on allergy and asthma sufferers. The tiny allergens can cause sneezing, wheezing, watery eyes and an itchy, runny nose.While many associate the great outdoors with these offending particles, they can lurk indoors as well.An indoor air purifier can obliterate those scoundrels and others, including odor and smoke.
But choosing an air purifier can be as difficult as choosing a new sofa --- there are many options, but only one will fit your home perfectly.Common internal purifier elements such as High Efficiency Particulate Air filters, electrostatic technology and activated carbon can be used separately or all in one purifier unit to clean up your breathing space.Electrostatic air cleaners ionize passing dust, dander, pollen, tobacco smoke and other allergens with a charge opposite to that of the cleaner's electrically-charged blades. As a result, offending particles cling to the blades like a magnet.The Sharper Image's Ionic Breeze uses electrostatic forces alone to clean a home's air. Because it has no fan or motor, it is whisper-quiet. Some dispute that electrostatic forces alone will do the trick."Without a fan, what's moving the air?" asked CeCe Block, national sales manager for HEPA Corporation.Fans and motors are required to push air through HEPA filters, which are inserted into air purifiers to trap dust, smoke, odor and other contaminants. HEPA filters capture more than 99 percent of air contaminants.Sharper Image spokeswoman Suzy Stephens touts the energy efficiency of the Ionic Breeze. HEPA filters and their required fans and motors add $150 more to utility bills per year than electrostatic-only purifiers."Because there is no fan, the Ionic Breeze uses the same energy as a night light," said Stephens, noting, though, that HEPA and electrostatic technology "both have their benefits."HEPA filters work well for treating allergies and asthma because of their ability to collect dust, pollen and mold spores. Maximum benefit is achieved when HEPA filters are used with other air purifying elements, such as activated carbon and electrostatic forces. HEPA filters do not remove odor, chemicals or gases from the air, according to www.airpurifiers.com.Activated carbon mats are used in purifiers to control allergies and odors. They absorb airborne pet dander, pollen and chemicals.Mark Linda, environmental health manager for Black Hawk County, advises shoppers to research carefully."Carbon filters might take out larger particles and certain types of odors," said Linda. "Know all the things you're allergic to (before shopping)."There is a simple rule of thumb for those sizing up an air purifier: The bigger the room, the larger the purifier. Smaller units work best in bedrooms and bathrooms, and bigger spaces like living rooms and family rooms require larger units.Expect to spend between $300 and $1,000 for a purifier and anywhere from $12 to $260 for HEPA and carbon filter replacements.

Are Air Purifiers Dangerous?

SACRAMENTO - Today, the California Air Resources Board (ARB) heard evidence revealing the unrecognized danger from indoor air purifiers known as ozone generators. Sold as indoor air cleaners, indoor air purifiers, and personal air purifiers, they intentionally emit large amounts of ozone, a criteria air pollutant, purportedly to clean the air. "These machines are insidious. Marketed as a strong defense against indoor air pollution, they emit ozone, the same chemical that the ARB and the USEPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) have been trying to eliminate from our air for decades," said acting ARB Chairperson Barbara Riordan. "More chilling is that some people susceptible to the ill effects of ozone will eagerly bring these Trojan horses home."In a update of health research to Board members, ARB staff reported the results from multiple studies of ozone generating machines. These devices sold as indoor air cleaners, indoor air purifiers, and personal air purifiers, purposely emit ozone, the major component of smog, to clean the air. One study, conducted by the USEPA, ran an ozone generator in a test home at its maximum setting. When the room's air was sampled, ozone levels were found exceeding 0.3 parts per million (ppm), and an adjacent room's levels exceeded 0.2 ppm. This level is equal to a stage one smog alert when local air pollution control districts advise the public to avoid some outdoor activities. These readings far exceed the state's ambient one-hour standard for ozone of 0.09 ppm, and any recently observed outdoor peak levels in California. At the machine's medium setting, even with the home's central fan turned on, ozone levels still exceeded the state standard. These findings force the Board to recommend the public avoid using these devices.ARB scientists expressed concern, since some manufacturers aggressively market these products to individuals with asthma and other respiratory and health problems. Ozone can damage the cells lining nasal passages and lungs making it difficult to breathe and can exacerbate asthma symptoms. At the ozone levels noted above, some people would experience reductions in lung function, particularly if they engage in significant indoor activity (ie., housework, use of exercise equipment, children in active play), as well as symptoms such as pain on deep breath, cough and chest tightness. Elevated ozone levels can also damage household materials, such as carpeting and paint, as well as react indoors to form increased levels of formaldehyde and ultra-fine particulate matter; with their compounding negative health effects. If a family were to leave these machines on constantly, it would be as though the family lived in a 24 hour/seven day a week stage-one smog alert.With public concern about indoor air quality rising, advertising and sales of these devices is increasing. Manufacturers often falsely claim that these devices eliminate bacteria, mold, and chemical contaminants from the air, and that they help persons with asthma and allergies. Independent studies by the USEPA, the Consumers Union, and others have shown that these devices do not effectively destroy microbes, remove odor sources, or reduce indoor pollutants enough to provide any health benefits. Ozone masks the odor of other indoor pollutants by deadening the sense of smell. Although ozone is used effectively in water to destroy microbes, ozone in air must reach extremely hazardous levels (50-100 times the outdoor air quality standards) to effectively kill microbes.

New Technology Alert

NEOAIR INDUSTRIES LLC, known worldwide for their advanced air purifier systems, released today a new set of independent performance tests for their Enviro 68108 model. According to Applied Consumer Services, a leading laboratory with expertise in several fields of chemistry and microbiology, the Neoair Enviro air purifier has been capable to cut down mold colonies by up to 96% within six hours during their experiment in a normal working environment. The Neoair Enviro employs proprietary Organic Fiber Sterilization technology (O.F.S.) to drastically reduce and kill airborne biological contaminants including certain bacteria, mold spores and fungus.

Air Purifier coming out of China

Ningbo City Haichuang Electronic Co. Ltd has released an air purifier suitable for homes and commercial establishments.
The low-noise model doubles as an ionizer. The air purifier comes with a HEPA filter. It has a TiO2 component that deodorizes and removes harmful microorganisms from the air. The product also decomposes toxic gas such as from formaldehyde and ammonia.
The air purifier has casters at the base.
One unit is packed in a carton.

Sanuvox Ultraviolet Air Purifiers

I found this company on the web the other day. Here is what they have to say for themselves:
Sanuvox Ultraviolet Air Purifiers will destroy biological & chemical contaminants such as mold, bacteria, viruses, allergens, cigarette smoke, cooking & pet odors, diesel fumes and thousands of other airborne contaminants. Sanuvox Technologies spent years developing the Ultraviolet Technology, which would make it possible to effectively and efficiently treat moving air with UV Energy. Within these pages you will learn all about Sanuvox and how experience and understanding has lead to a line of multi-patented residential & commercial purifiers that cannot be matched in quality and performance.Established in 1995, Sanuvox Technologies mission was to design a line of residential and commercial UV Air Purifiers that would address Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and Sick Buildings. Over the past decade, innovation has produced a line of residential and commercial products that are unsurpassed in the industry

Different Air Purifiers for different people

There are too many choices for the selection of an air purifier that meets your needs. The key factor is which allergens are you most allergic to and which air purifier is designed to remove that particular allergen? If your primary objective is to clear the air of allergens, you should select an air purifier which can remove the large particles such as dust and pollen with a pre-filter, as well as smaller allergens, which would be particle sizes from 0.3 to 5 microns in size. These smaller allergens include mold, bacteria, animal dander, and house dust mites. A HEPA filter is essential in trapping these type of particles and removing them from the air in your room. However, it is important to note that more than 90% of all particulates are 0.3 of a micron and smaller in size. These smaller particles may include viruses, some bacteria and germs, smoke and smog. For the majority of the people, a HEPA type air purifier capable of removing 90% of the particle size range is the best approach.

University of Alaska at Fairbanks Research

This article below is a bit dated but it is some of the original research that was conducted on air purifiers. The article was written back in 1981 right at the advent of acceptance for air purifiers in popular culture. The article was provided as a public service by the Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska Fairbanks, in cooperation with the UAF research community. T. Neil Davis is a seismologist with the Institute.

Article:

Evidence seems to be mounting that ion concentrations in the air do affect how people feel. Further, there is evidence that the new trend toward using computerized equipment in offices may be creating a special problem.
Outdoor air contains about a thousand positive and negative charges (ions) within each cubic centimeter. Cosmic rays coming into the earth from the sun and elsewhere break apart air molecules and thereby create much of the ionization that exists in the air. Since more cosmic rays come in at the high latitudes, the high-latitude air normally has a higher proportion of ionized air molecules or molecular clusters. However, in cities and in confined spaces such as offices, processes take place to reduce the number of ions. One important process is attachment of charge-carrying molecular clusters to pollution particles in the air. When that happens both the ions and the pollution particles tend to be swept out of the air by the electric field that exists naturally near the earth's surface.
The loss of ion concentration is thought to be harmful because it does seem that high ion concentrations do make people feel better--just why, doesn't seem to be clearly understood. High ion concentrations also apparently inhibit bacterial growth and perhaps foster plant growth. The good effects seem to be attributed to high concentrations of negative ions rather than positive ones; generally, the concentration of both types go together, except in small volumes of air perhaps only a few feet across.
Now, a new problem arises according to an article in the August 1981 issue of Mini-Micro Systems, a publication for computer buffs. The problem has to do with CRTs, the cathode ray tubes contained in video terminals and the newfangled typing stations that seem to be sprouting on desktops all over the country. In the Geophysical Institute alone I counted 70 CRTs, not including cathode ray tubes in test equipment.
The electric field caused by the positive static charge that appears on a CRT in normal operation sweeps the nearby air of negative charges, thereby depleting the negative-ion concentration in the immediate vicinity. Apparently when the ion concentration is lowered by this or any other means--air conditioning does it too--workers complain of headaches, lethargy, dizziness and nausea.
One experiment performed in England on 54 individuals at a computer site seems rather convincing. Negative-ion generators were installed, but, unknown to the persons being tested, the generators were not turned on for four weeks. During that period the negative-ion concentration was about 550 per cubic cm. A secret switching on the generators during the next eight weeks of the test raised the ion concentration to 3,500 per cubic cm, several times that found in normal outside air. After the experimenters turned on the ion generators, they found that the tested persons had fewer headaches and other complaints than before. Only five percent then said they had headaches, whereas 20 percent of the workers complained of headaches before the ion generators were turned on. The number reporting dizziness and nausea dropped by more than half, down to less than one percent.
Other English tests indicate that the more complex the task a person tries, the more the individual is affected by negative-ion levels. Also females are more responsive than males to negative-ion depletion or enrichment.
Fraudulent or questionable claims made some years ago about the benefits of ion generators muddy the issue of how important ion concentrations are in air around workers. Consequently, there now probably will have to be overwhelming evidence that ion levels do affect people before widespread attempts are made to ensure that proper levels are maintained. But if that comes to pass, we may see regulations requiring installation of ion generators in rooms where air conditioning and CRTs are used.

Air Inside is worse than air ouside

Studies show that the air inside of the home contains more harmful substances than the air outside. High levels of harmful bacteria, mold, pollen, dust, dust mites, tobacco smoke are a reality in the home. Breathing in these contaminants creates health conditions and worsens allergies, asthma, bronchitis, migraine headaches, lung disorders, etc.Cleaning the air you breathe is essential for good health. Using an air purifier in the home and at work can significantly decrease the amount of contaminants in the air. Air purifiers create good health, increase healthy breathing, and they help you to feel good and sleep restfully.It's easier to function during the day, and sleep at night when you can breathe clean air and are not affected with allergies and breathing problems. Allergies are a natural problem for most human beings, but a good air purifier can help to relieve allergy symptoms.Choosing an air purifier can be confusing. Some helpful facts to remember are to avoid ozone producing air purifiers. Although they clean the air well, they emit ozone which is harmful to lung tissue. Side effects of ozone exposure are sore throat, headache, exacerbation of asthma, lung pain and lung deterioration.The healthiest and safest air purification systems use HEPA technology, which includes the traditional HEPA filter and a more precise filter called HEPA Filtrete by 3M. Research an air purifier before you purchase one. A good place to start is www.consumerreports.org. They test products for health, safety, and perfomance. On the left side of this article i have listed a link to air purifiers that are physician recommended with high ratings from consumer reports. I will add to the list of researched air purifiers and other health products periodically. I hope that you will find this information helpful.

Sharp claims air purifier kills bird flu

The Japanese always seem to be ahead of the game when it comes to new technology. I found this article regarding a new Japanese air filter.
“Tests by Japanese electronics maker Sharp have found that an air-purifier using plasma-cluster ion technology is 99 percent effective in killing off the bird flu virus in a controlled environment.
As company spokeswoman Miyuki Nakayama claimed Tuesday, plasma-cluster ions also proved effective against 26 other kinds of harmful airborne substances, including bacteria, mold fungi, viruses and allergens.
``The device is the first in the world to have been proven effective against the avian virus,'' she said.
Plasma-cluster ion technology, developed in 2000, is an air-purification technology that disables airborne micro-organisms by releasing positive and negative ions into the air.
The Osaka-based company began five months of experiments, testing the technology on bird flu in collaboration with British research institute Retroscreen Virology in January before announcing the results.
The virus was sprayed into a one-cubic-meter box, then plasma-cluster ions were turned on. Samples were then taken at 10-minute intervals and injected into cell cultures. The experiment showed that 99 percent of the H5N1 virus was eliminated.
According to a company report, ``four days after injection, the cells injected with the virus that had not been exposed to plasma-cluster ions were deformed and damaged [by the virus].
``In contrast, cells injected with the virus that had been exposed to plasma-cluster ions retained their normal condition with almost no change in evidence.''
The technology can be adapted for use with air-conditioners, dehumidifiers and air-purifiers in home, office and industrial settings.
The H5N1 virus has been identified as a strain of flu that could prove devastating if it genetically mutates and develops the capacity to be transmitted from human to human.
``People's concern about bird flu is still high, especially in Asia,'' Nakayama noted. ``We hope our product can help eliminate the virus.''
Fifty-four people in Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia have died after being infected with H5N1 from birds.AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE “

When did air purifiers become popular??

In the mid-1980's air purifiers started to make their way into the residential market. Ozone air systems were widely used in the commercial restoration business for fire and flood damage to buildings. These applications utilized corona discharge systems (CD) that use a spark or electrically charged plates to simulate lightning. This converted the oxygen (O2) to ozone (O3). The CD method creates very high concentrated ozone. Plus by using air as the oxygen source, you are receiving 20% oxygen and 80% nitrogen. The problem with CD systems is with oxygen conversion you also get a nitrogen conversion, which makes nitric acid and nitric oxide.

AHPCO Technology…..What is this all about??!!

I was surfing the net and found a site that describes a new technology for air purifiers. The new technology is called Advanced Hydrated Photocatalytic Oxidation technology or AHPCO. Basically, it is a broad spectrum high intensity UV light targeted on a quad metallic catalyst in a low-level ozone and moist atmosphere. This creates an advanced oxidation of friendly oxidizers. Unlike ozone, these oxidizers are safe, but yet aggressive at killing mold, bacteria, viruses and more. They also effectively neutralize odors and VOCs. Once they have done their job they revert back to oxygen and hydrogen. Could this be the perfect Air Purifier?? I am not sure….still need to dig.

Black Mold

Living in New Orleans presents an indoor air quality challenge during the summer months. The AC is always blowing in my apartment from June to September. I notice that despite the temperature control in my apartment black mold grows more quickly in my bathroom and kitchen during the summer months. I was looking at one of the surround air purifiers that claims to rid indoor environments of black mold by combining six technologies into one unit. The six technologies are HEPA, Air Ionizer, UV, Carbon filter, Pre-filter and Sanitizer. It’s $299. A bit pricey. I might look for this one on ebay;)

Air Purifiers Do Work...Even Against Smelly Hockey Equipment

I currently have an Air Purifier and I have had it for a few years now. I'm not sure how effective it still is. I bought it off Ebay about three years ago for only $50. The brand name of the air purifier is "NeoTec". After I would play ice hockey I would pull out all my equipment and let it dry out in a room. The smell of the hockey equipment was horrible. I put the air purifier in the same room as the ice hockey equipment and it almost completely killed the smell. I have read that the air purifier should be placed in a high point in the room so the charged anions can spread around the room from the top down. I placed the air purifier close to the ceiling on a shelf in the room with the ice hockey equipment.