Top Quality Air Purifiers and Healthy Home Solutions that You Can Trust

With Kilauea's recent increase in activity, air quality on the Big Island of Hawaii has seen several major problems over the last few weeks. Two weeks ago, we published an article about the threat of vog, or volcanic smog, which at that time was the biggest air quality concern related to the volcano. Since then, though, a new threat, called laze, has presented itself. Here's what you need to know about volcanic laze if you live on the Big Island.  

  What Is Volcanic Laze?

  Laze, or lava haze, is a phenomenon that occurs when lava from a volcano makes contact with water and cools rapidly. This cooling causes some of the lava to turn into a fine, particulate glass, which is then carried into the air by the steam that also results from the rapid cooling. At the same time, chemicals contained in the lava react with water to form toxic compounds, most notably hydrochloric acid. The result is a potentially dangerous airborne mixture of incredibly tiny glass shards and toxic fumes.  

  What is the Best Way to Protect Yourself?

  To filter out the gases and particles that make up volcanic laze, you'll need a combination HEPA and carbon filter air purifier. Some of our top combination air purifiers that can ship quickly to Hawaii include:  

•   Airpura P600: With a heavy-duty carbon filter and a true HEPA filter, this unit is one of the best for filtering both particles and gases. Filters up to 2,000 square feet.
•   EnviroKlenz: One of the best air purifiers on the market for gases and VOCs, the EnviroKlenz portable air purifier uses proprietary filtering technology to remove airborne chemicals. This unit also features true HEPA filtration and can clean up to 800 square feet, making it excellent for smaller homes and apartments.
•   Airpura C600DLX: A counterpart to the P600, the Airpura C600DLX focuses mainly on gases and odors, but also features a HEPA post-filter, making it a good choice for protecting against both vog and laze.

  For times when you have to be outside, we recommend using EnviroKlenz's face masks. These masks can offer some protection against particles in the air, but unlike most face masks, they also contain a special blend of impregnated minerals that will help to filter out gases and odors.   If you live in Hawaii and have any questions about protecting yourself from laze or vog, please feel free to reach out to us with your questions. Also, if you haven't already, check out our previous blog post for tips on how to run your air purifiers in order to best protect yourself while Kilauea's activity continues.

Many people think of air purifiers only as tools for getting rid of cigarette smoke odors or helping people with asthma, but the truth is that a good air purifier has something to offer everyone. Even if you don't realize it, all homes have impurities in the air that a good air purification system can help remove. Here are three of the top reasons why you need an air purifier in your home.  

  1. Pollen is Virtually Everywhere

  During the spring and autumn seasons, plants produce large quantities of pollen, much of which can end up in the air. This pollen triggers allergic reactions that can range in severity from itchy eyes and mild sneezing to full-blown hay fever. If you want to help reduce your own allergic symptoms, an air purifier with a HEPA filter is a great way to go. Grains of pollen are large enough to be caught by the filter, making them quite easy to remove.  

  2. Combating Dust and Mold

  Even if you make supreme efforts to keep your house clean, there will still be some dust that gets missed. Air purifiers can keep this dust from entering your lungs when it becomes airborne by capturing it, thus keeping your home air clean and healthy. A much larger concern than dust is the mold that is incredibly common in residential homes, though often difficult to spot. Much like dust and pollen, mold spores can be caught in an air purifier's HEPA filter, preventing them from spreading or being breathed into your lungs.  

  3. There May Be More Chemicals in Your Air Than You Think

  When you think of your home air, you probably don't think of chemical fumes. However, chemicals, especially volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are much more common in home air than most people realize. Many construction materials used in modern houses contain formaldehyde, and both benzene and xylene find their ways into many homes. If you want to prevent exposure to these gases, the best way to do it is to use an air purifier that has a carbon filter, which will effectively remove VOCs and odors.   These are just a handful of the many reasons that all homes should have a good air purifier. If you're looking for an air purifier for your home, check out our complete lineup of residential units, or feel free to contact us with any questions you may have about which unit is right for you.    

With the recent activity on Hawaii's Kilauea volcano, several structures have been destroyed and many areas are now close to new volcanic vents. Geologists are even beginning to conclude that an explosive eruption at the volcano's summit may be a possibility in the near future. However, Kilauea's volcanic hazards don't end with lava and the possibility of an explosive eruption. The same fissures from which lava is flowing are also emitting large quantities of volcanic gases, and an eruption at the summit would produce a huge cloud of ash and gases that would have significant implications for air quality on the island of Hawaii. Here's what you need to know about the hazards of the Kilauea volcano that are related to gases and possible ash clouds.  

  What Kind of Gases Do Volcanoes Emit and How Do They Affect Human Health?

  The gases produced by volcanic activity are often collectively known as vog, a combination of the words "volcanic" and "smog." Vog is a result of the reaction of volcanic gases, particularly sulfur dioxide, with the oxygen and water in the atmosphere outside the volcano. This can result in a wide range of different compounds, but one of the most common is airborne sulfuric acid, as well as hydrogen sulfide. Symptoms of exposure to these chemicals can include nausea, headaches, disorientation and severe irritation of the eyes and throat. Although vog is always present on the island of Hawaii, the recent opening of new volcanic vents has brought this combination of noxious gases closer to populated areas. Shifting winds also have the potential to carry the large amounts of vog currently being produced across the island and into population centers.  

  What Harm Can Volcanic Ash Do?

  Another one of Kilauea's volcanic hazards that could have a detrimental effect on air quality is the ash that an explosive eruption would send into the atmosphere. Volcanic ash, made up of fine particles that are easily carried on the wind, can drift into residential areas and cause severe respiratory problems for those who inhale it. This type of particulate matter is especially hard on those who suffer from asthma, COPD and other chronic respiratory conditions.  

  Protecting Yourself from Kilauea's Volcanic Hazards: Can an Air Purifier Help?

  Given the very real existing threat of vog and the possibility of ash clouds in the event of a full-scale eruption, it's obvious that residents of the affected parts of Hawaii need to take steps to protect themselves. A good starting point in keeping yourself safe under these conditions is to stay inside with the windows closed, which can help to protect you from some of the contaminants in the outside air. For better protection, however, an air purifier is a good choice. Following are a few of the home air purification units that we believe are best suited to reducing the risks associated with vog and ash exposure.  

•   Airpura V600: Covers up to 2,000 square feet and focuses on VOCs and specific airborne chemicals. Free 2-day air shipping to Hawaii.
•   Airpura C600DLX: A step up from the V600, the Airpura C600DLX is an excellent option for dealing with vog on account of its focus on sulfur-based chemical compounds. Free 2-day air shipping to Hawaii.
•   EnviroKlenz: Offering both strong protection from airborne gases and HEPA filtration to protect against the possibility of ash emission from the volcano, the EnviroKlenz air purifier rounds out our list of the top three air purifiers for protection from Kilauea's current activity. Ships free to Hawaii, currently $100 off normal price.
•  Airpura P600: With a filter boasting a full 18 pounds of activated carbon, the Airpura P600 is one of the higher-end options for removing dangerous gases from the air. This unit cleanses areas of up to 2,000 square feet and achieves a full two air changes per hour, making it capable of removing more gases. In addition, this purifier features a true HEPA filter with 40 square feet of overall surface area.

  In addition to these larger units, it can also be a good idea to use smaller air purifiers in specific rooms for extra protection. A small unit, such as the Amaircare 2500, should be used in your bedroom to further protect you from gases emitted by the volcano. Using multiple air purifiers in your home for cross-filtration is a good way to optimize the quality of your indoor air, especially when you're dealing with a source of contamination as major as gases from a volcano.   For the best possible protection, we recommend running your air purifier on a high setting for about an hour when you first plug it in, then switching to a medium or low setting and running it 24/7 from then on. The initial high setting will help to quickly clean out gases that have accumulated in your house, after which the unit can be switched to a lower setting for air quality maintenance.   Although these measures can protect you at home, Kilauea's current volcanic hazards don't stop at your front door. Vog in outdoor air is just as dangerous, and unfortunately more difficult to protect yourself from. For your time outdoors until Kilauea's activity decreases, we recommend EnviroKlenz's air purifying masks. These masks do a good job of filtering out gases and limiting your exposure while you're out and about.   By taking these steps, you can help to keep the air you're breathing, despite the gases being emitted by Kilauea. If you have any questions about protecting yourself from Kilauea's volcanic hazards as they relate to air quality, feel free to contact us, and we'll be happy to help you pick out the right air purification systems for your needs.

The garage is among the most overlooked spaces in a house, since most people spend relatively little time in their garages. Though the space may be underused, it is still important as a place to store vehicles and work on automotive and other projects. What few homeowners ever consider, though, is whether their garages are healthy environments. Here's what you need to know about the possible state of the air in your garage and how an air purifier can help.  

  Why Would You Need a Garage Air Purifier?

  Garages occupy a somewhat unique position in terms of home air. If you're like most people, your garage is used to store not only your car, but also tools, equipment and, most importantly, the chemicals and fluids used in vehicular maintenance. It's also not uncommon to see lawnmowers, weed trimmers and other gas-powered equipment in garages, along with gas cans to supply them with fuel. With so many potential sources of airborne chemicals, garages can have rather poor air quality, especially in summer months, when high temperatures can encourage certain chemicals to vaporize at a higher rate than they normally would.   In addition to these concerns, there's also the fact that many people start their cars before opening their garage doors. This can allow dangerous exhaust fumes to build up in the air. In the spring, summer and fall, this isn't too much of a problem. In the winter, though, when people allow their cars to warm up for several minutes before driving them, the volume of exhaust fumes can become a serious concern.   Between exhaust and chemical fumes, garages can be sources of trouble for people with asthma or odor sensitivities. Add to that the dust and other particulates that can build up in a garage, and you have a uniquely negative home air environment. Unfortunately, HVAC systems and air purifiers in other parts of your home may not help much, since most garages are largely cut off from the air circulating in the rest of your house. Luckily, with a garage air purifier, you can improve the air quality inside your garage with relative ease.  

 What Features Do You Need in a Garage Air Purifier?

  Since both chemical fumes and dust are factors in garage air quality, an air purifier that is being used in a garage should have both HEPA and carbon filtration. The focus, though, should be mainly on the carbon filtration, as this is what will catch fumes and odors. Some of the air purifiers that fit this description include the Amaircare 3000 VOC, the Airpura R600 and the EnviroKlenz mobile air purifier. If space is at a premium in your garage, you may also want to consider a top quality wall-mounted air purifier, such as the Rabbit Minus A2.   Though your garage may not be one of the most used rooms in your house, it's still important to keep the air in it clean, especially if you suffer from asthma, COPD or other respiratory complaints. If you need help selecting the best garage air purifier for your home, feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.

Both as a commercial production method and a hobby for home DIY enthusiasts, 3D printing has become immensely popular over the last few years. 3D printers can be used to make objects and tools of all sorts on one relatively easy-to-use device, a fact which makes them very useful. At the same time, however, there are some hidden dangers of 3D printing that not everyone who uses the technology is aware of. Specifically, 3D printers give off fumes that may be harmful to human health if allowed to build up to high concentrations. Here's what you need to know about using air purifiers for 3D printing to keep yourself safe, whether you're a hobbyist or a professional.  

  Why Do 3D Printers Emit Fumes?

  There are many different types of 3D printers, but two of the most common types, FDM and SLS printers, both rely on heating of material to produce prints. FDM, or fused deposition modeling, uses a heated nozzle to deposit layers of plastic filament and build up a 3D object. SLS, or selective laser sintering, makes use of a highly-focused laser to fuse together layers of deposited materials that have been combined with a binder. In both cases, the heating of materials can give off fumes.  

  What Are Some of the Best Air Purifiers for 3D Printing?

  The best way to get rid of the fumes that are given off in the 3D printing process is to use an air purifier to capture them. Because the fumes are gaseous in nature, a carbon-based filtration system is usually the most effective option. If you're using a commercial 3D printer that has a direct vent, one of the best options you'll find is the Amaircare AirWash Eliminator 2X, a commercial air purifier that utilizes both HEPA and carbon filtration to clean contaminated air as thoroughly as possible. This unit is a great solution for 3D printing shops that use SLS printers, as they can usually be vented directly into the unit.   If you're using a home 3D printer, the volume of fumes to which you'll be exposed is significantly lower. Nevertheless, it's still important to keep safety in mind and keep fume exposure to a minimum. You can do this by using a less expensive home air purifier that is good at filtering chemical fumes, such as the IQAir GC Multigas or the EnviroKlenz air purifier.  Another good way to protect yourself if you're a 3D printing hobbyist using an FDM printer is to switch from ABS filament to PLA. ABS is derived from petrochemicals, and as such emits harmful fumes when heated. PLA, by contrast, is a biopolymer made from processed plant fibers. PLA fumes may still have some adverse effects, but there is a broad consensus among 3D printer users that it is considerably safer than ABS.   If you have questions about air purifiers for 3D printing shops or other commercial facilities, please feel free to contact us. We'll be happy to recommend units based on your needs to help keep your workspace as safe and healthy as possible.