RainSoft - Tips for Clean Indoor Air During Storms and Outages

Rainsoft of Lamar

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607 W 12th Street, Lamar, MO 64759

RainSoft air purification systems treat the entire home, not just one room. Our systems mount directly into the ductwork of your home, providing cleaner, fresher air throughout the entire house. With advanced UV light and ozone lamp technology, the AirMaster Ultra system eliminates airborne contaminants in your home.

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What to do and not to do to keep indoor air healthy during big storms

October 29, 2012

By Taunya English | newsworks

Don't use the oven or an outside grill to heat the house.

Never set up a generator inside, not even in a garage or partially enclosed space, said Emily Knearl, spokeswoman with the Delaware Division of Public Health.

"If you feel weak, sick or dizzy using a generator, get to fresh air right away," Knearl said. "Carbon monoxide [sometimes created by] generators can kill within minutes."

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia emergency medicine physician Fred Henretig is the senior toxicologist for the Poison Control Center in Philadelphia.

Center officials often notice a spike in calls when power outages become widespread and more people begin running portable generators.

“People sometimes forget those are internal combustion engines, just like an automobile engine is. They are producing carbon monoxide as a by product,” Henretig said. “That’s why we want to get the word out now.”

The number for poison control is the same across the United States, 800-222-1222.

“Mild symptoms often begin with headache and nausea, feeling a little listy, sometimes a fainting spell,” Henretig said.

“If someone has collapsed call 911,” Henretig said. “I think, if it’s a more subtle situation and someone is just feeling ill and they are not sure what’s going on, then calling the poison control center is certainly reasonable.

In Delaware, the Storm Recovery Call Center--866-408-1899--opens at noon Tuesday. Health division staffers can answer a long list of basic questions.

"How do you find out if your food is safe after a power outage or flood? How do you disinfect your water?" Knearl said. "How do you prevent mold? What's the safest way to clean a flooded basement? Even how to re-open a restaurant or food establishment after flooding."

If water seeps inside, it may take as long as 48 hours to rid a home of excess moisture to prevent mold. Close windows and doors if you are using a dehumidifier, open them wide if you don't have one.

"It's important to not only to dry out your property, but it's important to disinfect it," Knearl said. "They need to use bleach, mildew removers and disinfectant. You may need to remove parts of walls, and ceiling and floors to completely dry out the house."

Energy Efficiency in Your Home Can Hurt Indoor Air Quality

 Indoor Air Quality: Protect Your Home From the Unseen

from inlandvalleynews.com

(StatePoint) With so many people now optimizing their living spaces for energy efficiency, the risk for indoor air pollution in homes can actually increase, say experts, as pollutants can get trapped indoors as a result.

Clean air inside your home is vital. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), exposure to air pollutants can cause health problems, including respiratory disease, heart disease and cancer.

Here are steps you can take to protect your family from these risks:

Prevent

Many sources of air pollution are preventable. Start by ensuring no one smokes inside, as secondhand smoke contains nicotine, toxic chemicals and carcinogenic agents.

Take care of water leaks immediately to prevent mold and mildew from forming around your home. Also, take steps to reduce indoor humidity. The EPA and the Department of Energy are offering tips on how to do so at www.EnergyStar.gov.

If your home was built between 1930 and 1950, it was likely insulated with asbestos. Make sure these materials are in good condition, as damaged asbestos could release harmful fibers into your home. Hire a professional to seal, cover or remove damaged material.

Emissions from gas stoves can worsen asthma. If anyone in your household suffers from asthma, consider replacing your gas stove with an electric one.

Choose safe household cleaners that don’t contain harsh chemicals. Organic and non-toxic products can do the same job as traditional products, without irritating your eyes, nose and throat.

Ventilate

No matter how many steps you take to prevent indoor air pollution, your home is subject to inevitable sources of pollutants. Proper mechanical ventilation is your best defense.

“Continuous ventilation at a low speed not only takes minimal wattage to run, but it also significantly improves the indoor air quality of your entire home by exhausting hidden pollution, such as allergens, mildew, mold and more,” says Anita So, Marketing Manager at Panasonic Eco Solutions North America.

Although most consumers are aware of the need for ventilation in areas prone to high-humidity like bathrooms, an entire air-tight home can benefit from eliminating mold, mildew, moisture, volatile organic compounds and other invisible vapors.

First, check to see if your ventilation fans are working properly. If the bathroom mirror steams up after a hot shower or bath, it is time to replace or install a ventilation fan.

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RainSoft Has Indoor Air Quality Solutions  

RainSoft air purification systems treat the entire home, not just one room. Our systems mount directly into the ductwork of your home, providing cleaner, fresher air throughout the entire house. With advanced UV light and ozone lamp technology, the AirMaster Ultra system eliminates airborne contaminants in your home.

RainSoft of Lamar, Missouri

607 W 12th Street
Lamar, MO 64759

Phone: (417) 682-8700

www.rainsoftoflamar.com

Or locate a RainSoft Dealer near you.

Hazy days of summer can boost air pollution

Hazy days of summer can boost air pollution, health risks for many

Ground-level ozone and forest fire smoke are common in summer

OLYMPIA - In Washington, we welcome warm sunny weather, ready to spend more time outdoors in the garden and on hiking trails. Summer is also wildfire season and a time when ozone levels rise, making it more difficult to breathe for people with heart and lung diseases.

“It’s important for people who have conditions like asthma, bronchitis, and heart disease to pay attention to air quality reports,” said State Health Officer Dr. Maxine Hayes. “Air pollution makes it hard for everybody to breathe. And poor air quality affects people with heart and lung diseases earlier than others. If you live in an area that has forest fires, make sure to protect yourself from smoky conditions.”

Older adults are vulnerable because they often don’t know they have these diseases. New research suggests that breathing air that has high “particulate” matter, or fine particles, can also be risky for people who are obese or have diabetes. Children are vulnerable to polluted air because their lungs are still growing and they spend more time outdoors.

Different things cause summer air pollution. Several consecutive days of sunny, hot weather will increase ozone. Wildfires like the ones that have broken out in central Washington recently produce smoky air that contains fine particles and toxic chemicals. Cars and trucks generate exhaust. On calm days when the air is still, air pollutants build up. Ongoing climate changes are projected to cause additional bad air quality by increasing wildfires and ozone pollution.

Everyone can lower their exposure to air pollution by checking air quality conditions before taking part in outdoor activities, especially people in high risk groups. When air pollution is high, people should limit outdoor activity and choose less strenuous things to do — such as going for a walk instead of a run. Pollution levels are often highest at midday or in the afternoon, so exercising earlier or later may be wise. Indoor exercise is another option.
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