6 ways to combat indoor air pollution

Vacuum, dust, and other ways to clear the air
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2014/09/6-ways-to-combat-indoor-air-pollution/index.htm | Published: September 26, 2014 08:00 AM

The air inside your house could be five times more polluted than what’s outside, especially during the winter. Cold weather keeps windows and doors shut tight, preventing the exchange of fresh air. Roaring fireplaces are a potential source of noxious soot and smoke. Even scented candles, whether peppermint or pine, can release harsh chemicals.

Those pollutants can trigger a number of ailments, including allergies, asthma, and chronic headaches. Even if you’re symptom-free, it pays to clear the air at home when you're expecting guests because people react differently to contaminants. Here are some effective strategies from the experts at Consumer Reports—and many of them don’t cost a thing. You’ll also find our latest test results for air purifiers, which can provide an added weapon in your effort to breathe easier.

Control the moisture
Water is the cause of so many house problems, including those related to bad indoor air. Too much moisture raises humidity levels above 50 percent, the point at which mold, mildew, and other allergens thrive. That’s why it’s critical to keep out rainwater by maintaining your gutters, leaders, and downspouts. Also make sure that the soil around your house slopes away from the foundation.

Capture the dust
All of those particles you see dancing through the daylight come from pollen, pet dander, and other pollutants. Regular vacuuming prevents dust buildup on carpets, furniture, and other surfaces. Once a week should suffice, although if you have pets that shed a lot, you’ll probably need to clean more often. To find the best vacuum for carpet, bare floors and pet hair, check our full vacuum Ratings and recommendations.

It’s a good idea to dust furniture, blinds, and windowsills before you vacuum. Using an electrostatically charged duster or a damp rag will help minimize airborne particulates. Of course, the less dirt that enters your house, the better. Place doormats at entrances and consider imposing a shoes-off policy.

Switch on your exhaust fans
Routinely replacing the air in your house with a fresh outdoor supply will cut down on contaminants. Exhaust fans are a good source of ventilation, especially during the winter months when windows tend to be closed. Run the bathroom fan after you shower to control mold and mildew. As for the kitchen, our tests have found that vented range hoods remove smoke and odors far better than a fan on an over-the-range microwave.

Contain any chemicals
Remember that many cleaning products are a potential source of contaminants. Always read the labels and follow instructions carefully. In the case of certain cleaners, chemicals are emitted quickly, so use them only in well-ventilated areas. Other products, including paint, release chemicals over time, so look for those that are low in VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and for items that are formaldehyde-free. After using them in a room, keep the windows open with a fan running for several days.

Stamp out smoke and fumes
We all know that smoking cigarettes kills. But what’s less known is that about 3,000 nonsmokers die each year from lung cancer caused by secondhand smoke. So ban smoking in your house.

Wood-burning stoves and fireplaces can also release harmful smoke and soot if they’re not maintained properly. Along with scented candles, incense can send particles into the air that can cause asthma attacks and allergic reactions.

Then there’s carbon monoxide, a more threatening pollutant that claims hundreds of lives each year. Referred to as the silent killer, the odorless, colorless gas can kill without warning if it leaks from a faulty furnace, clothes dryer, or other fuel-fired appliance. Install a CO alarm on every level of your house, including the basement.

Consider an air purifier
Those devices can help clear the air in your house. We wouldn’t have spent almost $10,000 on dozens of test models if that weren’t true. But first you should take the preventative steps outlined above. “Without source control and proper ventilation, using an air cleaner to reduce pollutants in your home is like bailing water out of a leaky boat,” says Elliott Horner, Ph.D., lead scientist for UL Environment (Underwriters Laboratories). Certain environmental conditions may also create the need for supplemental air cleaning. For example, if you rarely open your windows because you live next to a highway or near an industrial site, an air purifier might be helpful.

Top air purifiers from our tests
Consumer Reports tests both room and whole-house air purifiers, which replace the standard filter in a forced-air heating or cooling system. Here are the top three of each type.

Don’t Waste Your Money: Best & Worst Air Purifiers

http://wtkr.com/2014/10/15/dont-waste-your-money-best-worst-air-purifiers/

Air cleaners make claims like “capture 99 percent of allergens and irritants,” “remove allergens like dust, pet dander and pollen,” healthier, fresher air.” Consumer Reports tested 26 portable air cleaners to see how well they work.
Testers pump contaminants into a controlled chamber, dust, as well as smoke. Some of the models tested were slow and to removed the contaminants and not terribly effective. The three poorest performers: Hamilton Beach TrueAir 0483, Hoover model WH10600 and Holmes HAP1200-U.

Consumer Reports says also stay away from electrostatic purifiers because they can emit ozone, which can aggravate allergies and asthma.

And be aware, even the best air cleaner isn’t going to be enough if you’re not very proactive about removing contaminants like vacuuming, dusting, making sure the rooms are adequately ventilated. Those things are actually much more important than just using an air cleaner.

If you still want an air purifier, Consumer Reports says opt for one that uses filters to clean the air. Consumer Reports recommends the Honeywell HPA300for $250. It’s relatively quiet and excels at removing dust, pollen and smoke.

Consumer Reports also tested whole-house filters for homes heated and cooled with forced-air. They replace the standard filter in a forced air system. The 3M Filtrete 1550 for about $30 is very good at removing dust and smoke and is one of the least expensive tested. Like many whole-house filters it will need to be installed by a professional.

識揀淨化機吸一口清新空氣

http://the-sun.on.cc/cnt/lifestyle/20141011/00481_001.html?pubdate=20141011

空氣污染，健康遭殃！尤其是鼻敏感、哮喘等患者，每逢轉季都要活受罪。二氧化碳、可吸入懸浮粒子、甲醛等都是常見的室內空氣污染物，每天我們有不少時間留在室內，想紓緩問題，空氣清新機或許大派用場，專家建議按家居面積及個人需要選購產品，識得揀以後就能呼吸清新空氣！

根據環境保護署轄下的室內空氣質素資訊中心指出，空調樓宇內最常見的室內空氣污染物，包括二氧化碳、可吸入懸浮粒子、甲醛、總揮發性有機化合物及空氣中的細菌。如果樓宇附近有停車場或室內裝設有燃燒爐具（如供應燒烤食品的食肆），一氧化碳及二氧化氮這類燃燒產物的水平，亦可能偏高。除了控制污染源頭、保持空氣流通、注意家居衞生等，還可購買空氣清新機，多管齊下，讓大家呼吸到健康清新的空氣。

按面積選擇

至於空氣清新機的操作原理，一般是由風扇抽入空氣，把當中的懸浮粒子、雜質等，以過濾器隔開，達致淨化效果。香港高等科技教育學院科技學院院長蔡宏教授提醒：「現時並無一件產品能對付所有空氣問題，有的針對空氣中的異味，有的針對懸浮粒子、甲醛等，所以大家應按需要而選購。」

蔡教授補充說：「室內面積是另一個重要的指標，可利用『地板面積』乘『樓底』來計算『有效空間』，然後根據數據選擇產品。若置身在較大空間，我們可採用『機跟人走』的原則，即多放一部空氣清新機，發揮更佳的淨化效果。」
此外，大家亦不要忽視機內濾芯。蔡教授說：「過往曾就這類產品進行研究，新的濾芯當然能發揮最佳效果，但幾個星期後，效果便漸弱。而有些濾芯塗上二氧化鈦，甚至採用納米技術，可令表面的物質不易掉落。因此，大家應參考說明書，注意濾芯有效期限。」

看不見的「空氣雨傘」 用空氣擋雨

您是否覺得一般雨傘的金屬桿加防水布結構不夠拉風呢？目前有一款正在研發中的「空氣雨傘」（Air umbrella），是利用看不見的空氣來擋雨，或能在不久的將來讓您與眾不同！

「空氣雨傘」看起來像一支大型麥克風，主要有3個部分：控制開關位於底部，中間是鋰電池，最上面是燈泡狀的風扇結構。其特色是沒有遮雨的傘面，而是靠鋰電池驅動風扇，以產生氣流阻擋雨滴落下。
風扇產生氣流的速度可視情況調整。目前氣流足夠遮擋一、兩個人，雨小的話，可以擠下更多人。 這種雨傘有3種規格，主要差異是長度和電池使用的時間。第1種專為女性打造，長30公分、重500克、電池可使用15分鐘；第2種是基本型，長50公分、重800克、電池可使用30分鐘；第3種是可伸縮的，可從50公分拉到80公分，重850克、電池可使用30分鐘。其電池可充電並重複使用，壽命為3年。

此雨傘產生的噪音比雨聲還小，但不確定其在有風的情況下能否正常運作。 「空氣雨傘」由來自中國大陸的研發團隊所設計，他們正在眾籌網站Kickstarter募集資金，成品預計在2015年12月上市。

- http://www.epochtimes.com/b5/14/10/15/n4272692.htm看不見的「空氣雨傘」-用空氣擋雨.html

87％居家空氣不合格 呼吸都是在「吸毒」

http://www.uho.com.tw/hotnews.asp?aid=34380

空氣不乾淨　呼吸都是在「吸毒」
俗語說：「病從口入」，所以大家都很注意「吃下肚的東西」必須乾淨。但最新統計數據顯示，「肺癌」已躍居「台灣10大死因」的第一名，無疑證實了「病從鼻入」的可怕！也因此，我們不難理解，如果每天「吸進肺裡的空氣」都很髒，那麼，儼然就跟「吸毒」一樣，時間久了當然會生病！

室內空氣有多毒？竟有87％居家空氣檢驗都不合格！

問題是，很多人根本不知道自己所置身的室內環境「空氣有多髒」！就以每天我們所待時間最長的「居家空間」為例，你知道你家的房子究竟夠「健康」嗎？……根據新光醫院江守山醫師檢測新竹以北66間私人住宅的結果發現，台灣住家的室內空氣不合格率高達87％！其中，有6成的臥房都裝潢過度，導致甲醛嚴重超標；客廳和主臥室所含的揮發性有機物比例則最高；通風不良的浴室也有問題；至於媽媽們最常待的廚房，懸浮微粒污染則最嚴重──這也印證了家庭主婦、職業廚師之所以較常罹患肺病的現象。

注意，空氣污染的3大元兇就是灰塵、二氧化碳、有機氣體！

想要「淨化空氣」，就必須先了解「導致空氣品質不良」的原因何在──簡單來說，造成室內空氣污染的物質大概可以分為三大類，就是：「灰塵」、「二氧化碳」，以及「揮發性有機化合物」（VOCs）。只要能對於它們的成因及來源有初步的認知，就比較能夠防範於未然，避免對於身體造成危害！

• 灰塵（懸浮微粒）→引起呼吸道、心臟血管疾病！

灰塵依顆粒直徑大小分類，通常對身體影響最大的是「小於或等於10um（微米）的懸浮微粒」，因為它可以隨著呼吸作用進入人體的呼吸系統，繼而引發呼吸道相關疾病、心臟血管疾病。而室內空間的主要灰塵來源則包括：吸菸的煙塵、烹煮所產生的黑碳懸浮微粒、建材中的石棉、人造礦物纖維或家中寵物的細毛等。

• 二氧化碳→造成頭昏、嗜睡、注意力無法集中！

室內二氧化碳濃度過高，主要是因為辦公室或其它公共場所有比較多的人聚集、呼吸、吸菸、及其他燃燒行為所致。當室內人口密度過高或是通風效率不佳時，就容易造成二氧化碳濃度累積，同時，其他污染物的濃度也會相對提高，也因此，「二氧化碳濃度」被視為室內空氣品質良窳的最重要指標。一旦室內二氧化碳濃度過高，除了會刺激呼吸中樞、造成呼吸不順，還會導致頭痛、嗜睡、反射力變差、倦怠等症狀。

• 揮發性有機化合物→已被證實會致癌、影響生育！

科技發達，卻也導致有毒的「揮發性有機化合物」充斥。在家中，包括油漆、清潔劑、殺蟲劑、化妝品和香水等，幾乎無所不在。而在辦公環境中，除了裝修建材及家具外，像是經常使用的文具、影印機、印表機等，也都含有大量的揮發性有機物質。其中，又以「甲醛」最常見，也最廣為人知，因為大概有超過三千種的建材中皆有它的存在！而這些有毒物質不僅會對皮膚、呼吸道、中樞神經系統等產生刺激，更已被證實會致癌，甚至導致不孕！

生食讓你擺脫氣喘與過敏

http://cht.naturalnews.com/chtbuzz_buzz002838.html

珍妮青少年的時候在一間工廠工作，由於工作環境的塵土飛揚、空氣環境糟糕，她被醫生診斷出罹患了氣喘；為了過更健康的生活，她辭去了工作並開始慢跑運動，但她的症狀不只沒有消失，反而更嚴重了。

醫生為她做了身體檢查，告知她罹患的是運動誘發型氣喘 (Exercise-induced asthma)。珍妮對於出入醫院檢查、必須使用吸入器和經常性的胸悶感到十分挫折，於是她尋求了一名按摩師的建議，該按摩師主張透過適當的營養來治療，他建議珍妮採取生食並堅持無麩質與牛奶的生活方式。

珍妮照做了之後結果令人驚喜，在很短的時間之內她的氣喘與過敏症狀就無影無蹤了。從那時起，珍妮就保持了這樣的生活方式，現在她已經將近 40 歲，很少感冒、不再有胸悶和呼吸的問題；2012年時她陸續採用過 80-10-10 法則的飲食 (每日 80% 碳水化合物、10% 蛋白質和10% 的脂肪) 和一日30根香蕉的飲食法，成效都很不錯。

除了擺脫氣喘與過敏之外，珍妮表示生食飲食也幫助她消除了其他健康問題，像是關節炎和便秘。珍妮現在以 Raw Jenni 的名字開設了自己的 Youtube 頻道與臉書粉絲團繼續推廣生食的好處。