Monday, March 28, 2005

Dust Mite Quiz

Want to lean more about those horrific creepy crawlers that live in your bed? Take the American Lung Association dust mite quiz...

http://lungusa.kintera.org/dustmites

Tuesday, March 15, 2005

Artists Beware!

Pablo Picasso once said that art "washes from the soul the dust of everyday life," but what about the body? Many artists are still unaware of how much they may be suffering for their art. In fact many, if not most, art and craft supplies contain toxic substances which could pose a significant heath risk.

How Exposure Occurs:

Exposure to toxins found in art and craft supplies can occur via the skin, through ingestion and through inhalation.

Skin contact with hazardous toxins not only can result in local irritation, but can also pass into the bloodstream, potentially damaging organs.

Ingestion of toxins can occur by many means. Eating, drinking or even smoking near the work-space can result in the ingestion of toxins. Chemically-laden dust can settle in a coffee cup, food can absorb vapors, and substances inhaled through a cigarette can actually be changed into something even more dangerous by the heat! Artists also have been known to hold brushes and work tools in their mouths.

Meanwhile, gases, aerosols, vapors, powders, clays and dusts are readily inhaled in an artist's workspace. These present significant and frightening health risks, which may result in everything from eczema to lung damage.

Safety Tips and Precautions

Ventilation and Purification
Almost every caustic art supply comes with a warning on the label: Use in a well ventilated area. But is that enough? In many cases, ordinary fans may actually reintroduce toxic chemicals into the immediate workspace. Opening a door or window may create similar problems, as airflow can vary with temperate and wind. The ideal solution, is an air cleaning product that fully adsorbs and holds in the toxic airborne substances. An AllerAir unit equipped with a VOC, deep-bed carbon is a perfect choice. The deeper bed will actually increases dwell-time allowing more of the harmful gases, vapors and chemicals to be adsorbed.

Substitution
Art supply stores are slowly rising to the challenge of providing safer alternatives to caustic materials. Wherever possible, the user should substitute hazardous supplies with safer materials. See if a "Material Safety Data Sheet" is available for the product. Choose to work with products that don't create a mist or significant amounts of dust.

Personal Hygiene and Proper Storage
Keep eating, living and working areas separate. A second purifier should be used in your storage area if your supplies are kept in an enclosed space. Remember to wear work clothes and wash them frequently - keep them separate from everyday clothes. Avoid using turpentine, toluene or other solvents to clean hands - if soap and water doesn't do the trick, try baby oil.

Safeguard your talent ! Protect yourself !

Are you with an art supply store or art co-op ?
Are you interested in learning more ?
Are you interested in carrying AllerAir products ?
Contact Richard, Air Quality Expert and Art Account Executive 1-888-852-8247

Stephanie,
Marketing Dept.

Wednesday, March 09, 2005

The top 5 things I learned in my first few months at AllerAir:

5. My funky new bedside tables were off-gassing chemicals into the space where I sleep.
4. The mold under my leaky sink is probably making me sick…and so is the bleach I’ve been using to clean it.
3. Activated carbon can actually suck up the smell of kitty-litter!!!
2. Our bodies have no natural defense against airborne chemicals, so they go straight into our blood streams…scary.
1. Poor indoor air quality causes an increase in school/work absenteeism, headaches, respiratory problems and a decrease in quality of life and productivity (our staff has no excuse there are two air purifiers in our office).

Stephanie,
Marketing Dept.

Monday, March 07, 2005

Welcome to the indoor air quality super blog!

Good Morning Bloggers!

Welcome to the space where the air is clean -- where your homes and offices are free of nasty airborne chemicals – where dust, pollen and pet dander disintegrate with the swishing of my magic wand ! Ah…wouldn’t that be great? Unfortunately, it's just not possible in today’s world and that’s why we’re here. We’ve created this bog as a way to tap into the expertise and knowledge (and biting wit) of our amazing staff to bring you all sorts of tidbits on indoor air quality.

As one of the latest additions to the AllerAir team, I’m frankly overwhelmed with all I’ve learned about what we’re breathing, every minute, of every day. Trust me – it’s scary. I’m finding it hard to believe that as North Americans we’re not screaming from the roof-tops, demanding that our air quality be a major priority. In the last few months, I’ve found myself reevaluating everything --- from how often I use my fireplace to what products I clean with. In fact, I’ve turned into the Cliff Claven of air facts – I’m a blast at parties…: “Do you know that your new furniture is off-gassing chemicals?” “Do you know that your indoor air is, like, 100 times more polluted that the air outside” “Do you know that poor air quality can be making you sick?” --- ok so it’s all bit depressing. But knowledge is power. Know what you’re up against and you can take steps to change it. That’s why this blog is so important. Read, learn, act…nothing is as important as your health and happiness.

Stay tuned !

Stephanie,
Marketing Department,
AllerAir Industries

Tuesday, March 01, 2005

AllerAir Industries

AllerAir is dedicated to offering you the safest, most effective air cleaning technology available today.

Our Company
AllerAir was established 14 years ago after President Sam Teitelbaum’s wife developed Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS). Finding that no air purifier on the market provided safe and effective relief, he decided to develop his own product, one which would prove to be the most effective and cost efficient air purifier available. Along with partner Wayne Martin, and a committed team of employees and investors, AllerAir has now developed over 100 models to meet any air purification need --- more models, in fact, than any other manufacturer.

A Growing Reputation
With offices in the U.S.A, Canada and Italy, AllerAir air purifiers are becoming the standard by which other products are judged. Today our air purifiers and cleaners are used by prominent leaders in business, industry and public service, like the Mayo Clinic, IBM, and the U.S. Army. AllerAir has also become the trusted name in air purification for countless contractors and many thousands of people who suffer from respiratory distress.

Our Filtration System: True HEPA and MAC-B ™
What makes AllerAir filtration technology so unique and effective is the combination of our true HEPA filter with a MAC-B™ (mass activated carbon bed) filter which features many pounds of activated carbon. Together these filters trap 99.97% of all airborne particles and adsorbs chemicals, gases and odors. Most mass-market air cleaners can only trap particles and have no more than a few token ounces or grams of carbon. AllerAir’s MAC-B™ filters contain pounds of carbon to safely and effectively remove these dangerous substances from the air.

The Safest, Most Recommended Air Cleaning Technology Available
AllerAir equipment is efficient, flexible, practical and cost effective; the safest and best air cleaning technology available.

A Range of Air Purifiers to Deal with any Indoor Air Contamination Problem
Our products range from small portable units to large cabinet models. We serve commercial, industrial, institutional, medical and residential needs. The same expert technology, superior quality and dedication go into every air cleaner we produce.

Consult Our Experts
We care about cleaning the air you breathe. Our air quality experts are always available to offer advice and help customize a purifier to meet your needs. Call us toll free:



1-888-852-8247

Research and Innovation
Our team will continue to lead the way forward with research and innovation
to bring the benefits of clean indoor air to more and more satisfied consumers.





Because we care.