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

Over the spring and summer months, the COVID-19 pandemic has gradually grown less threatening than it was at its outset. In part, this is likely due to the fact that people spend more time outdoor in the warmer months. As we head into fall, though, many people are wondering about the possibility of a COVID-19 second spike. Here's what you need to know about the possibility that virus cases will spike as the weather cools and why you should buy an air purifier before winter arrives.  

Is a Second Spike of COVID-19 Likely?

  Because the SARS-CoV-2 virus is so new, experts are still unsure what effects seasonal variation could have on it. Some research has suggested that COVID-19 spread could be affected by temperature and humidity conditions, though this is far from proven. This winter will be the first in which large-scale spread of COVID-19 can be adequately studied.   What is certain, though, is that people will be spending more time indoors as the weather cools. This will increase the risk of transmission, as fewer events will take place in well-ventilated outdoor spaces. Holiday gatherings will also bring people from different households together, potentially increasing the risk of COVID-19 exposure.   Another cause for concern is the fact that a COVID-19 spike could coincide with flu season. Because seasonal flu puts a strain on medical resources to begin with, hospitals may have a harder time dealing with an influx of COVID-19 cases. The onset of flu season may also make it difficult to distinguish between COVID-19 and seasonal flu, causing more people to seek testing and treatment.  

Why You Should Buy an Air Purifier Before Winter

  Although there's no guarantee COVID-19 will spike again this winter, it's at least a distinct possibility. As a result, it's best to take precautions now. One step you can take to keep the air in your home safe is to buy a HEPA air purifier. HEPA filters can capture virus-sized particles, allowing them to reduce the level of coronavirus in the air.   Buying an air purifier is especially important if you intend to host seasonal family get togethers this winter. While getting the family together at the holidays is an important tradition, this year requires extra safety precautions. By using a HEPA air purifier, you can help to remove viruses from the air in your home, potentially reducing the risks for yourself and your guests. Of course, it's also important to take other precautions, including practicing social distancing and wearing facial coverings.   Have more questions about how an air purifier can help to keep the air in your home safer as the winter months approach? We're here to help! Feel free to send us your questions, and we'll be happy to provide you with answers and personalized product recommendations based on your needs.

As many of our readers here know, we're always reading new research to learn about the effects of various kinds of air pollution. One area of study that has caught our eyes recently is the growing body of research on airborne microplastics and their health effects. Here's what you need to know about airborne microplastics and why they may represent the next front in the battle against air pollution.  

What Exactly Are Microplastics?

  Microplastics are tiny particles of plastic that can be widely distributed as man-made plastic objects break down. At their smallest, microplastics can be as thin as 1/10th the width of a human hair, making them all but invisible. Owing to their small size, these plastics can be carried far away from their original sources.   Most of the attention to microplastics has been directed at their presence in the world's oceans. Recent findings have shown that tiny plastic particles are present in the Mariana Trench and other extremely deep parts of the ocean. These findings show that microplastics can spread even where human activity is rare.   In addition to water, though, it also appears that microplastics can spread through the air. Findings in remote areas of the French Pyrenees showed considerable levels of plastic pollution, even though no local sources of plastic could account for their presence. Scientists eventually determined that airborne microplastics were the culprit, as tiny particles were being blown in from more populous regions.  

How Widespread Are Airborne Microplastics?

  At the moment, research into the airborne spread of microscopic plastics is at a very early stage. However, the findings in the Pyrenees were not entirely unique. Another study found similar microplastics in high-elevation areas of US National Parks. Together, these pieces of research suggest that plastics are traveling fairly far on wind currents and entering into areas that are largely uninhabited. In more populated areas where exposure to plastics is far more common, we can only assume that the problem is substantially worse.  

Do Microplastics Pose a Risk to Human Health?

  Because research is limited, it's hard to say what health effects humans could face as a result of exposure to airborne microplastics. Preliminary evidence, though, suggests that exposure could result in lung lesions and respiratory swelling. As more research is conducted, it's likely that we'll learn more about how tiny plastics affect the human respiratory system and how they act in conjunction with other forms of air pollution.  

Why Are These Plastics Such a Threat?

  The biggest problem with microplastics is that they could stay in the environment for extremely long periods of time. While measures to reduce other forms of air pollution have gradually improved conditions, the plastics we produce today could stay around even after steps are taken to prevent new plastics from finding their way into the air and water.   Overall, airborne microplastics represent just one more component of air pollution that we've learned about in recent years. Because of their size and distribution, though, they may be one of the harder pollutants to deal with on a global level. Fortunately, particulates in the size range of microplastics can be removed by HEPA air purifiers, meaning that tools are readily available to keep homes and offices safe from this form of pollution.    

As we discussed in last week's blog post, wildfires in California, Oregon and Washington have made this one of the worst years on record for air quality in the Western United States. While changes in wind and rain conditions have alleviated problems in some areas farther north, California continues to experience extremely poor air conditions. Here's what you need to know about wildfire air quality in California as smoke continues to create hazardous conditions for people living in affected areas.  

Where Do the California Wildfires Currently Stand?

  For a brief period of time, wildfire activity in California appeared to be slowly decreasing. As in other parts of the West Coast, more favorable weather had given firefighters an opportunity to begin controlling the blazes more effectively. Now, the several large fires burning throughout the state are beginning to pick up steam again, as reported by the San Fransisco Chronicle. This has led to a similar increase in smoke, causing air quality to worsen once again.  

How Bad Is California's Air Quality?

  Far from having minimal effects, the amount of smoke in the air in many parts of California at this point is actively hazardous to human health. The amount of smoke Californians have been exposed to this fire season is nearly unprecedented, reflecting the very real dangers that these fires can pose to large populations. Across the state, people have suffered from symptoms ranging from sore throats to chest pain, most of which can be directly tied to smoke inhalation.   In many parts of the state, air quality ratings have reached levels considered to be unhealthy for the general population. While lower smoke levels can be unhealthy for people suffering from underlying respiratory of cardiac conditions, the current air quality in much of California is dangerous even to otherwise healthy individuals. Unfortunately, it's difficult to predict the long-term health consequences of this level of wildfire smoke exposure across large populations.  

What Californians Need to Expect Next

  Although the current round of fires will eventually be brought under control, they represent an increasingly dramatic cycle of seasonal wildfires fueled by climate change. As a result, residents of California and other Western states need to consider the possibility that such poor air quality could become a yearly occurrence.   Needless to say, long-term fire management and climate solutions are required to head off this growing problem. However, individuals also need to take what steps they can to protect themselves from what could become an increasingly large annual health risk. While this is especially important for people with existing health conditions, the last few wildfire seasons have also made it clear that even the healthiest individuals need to protect themselves from the effects of wildfire smoke.   One of the ways in which you can prepare for future periods of low air quality is to buy an air purifier for wildfires. These air purifiers offer filtration that can remove both the gases and fine particles that make up wildfire smoke. While an air purifier obviously can't clean up the outside air, it can keep the air inside your home clean and safe to breathe. You may also want to consider buying an air purifier to use at work, since smoke-filled air may also get into your office.   Have questions about how you can use air purifiers to help protect yourself from the effects of wildfire smoke? We're here to help! Feel free to send us your questions, and we'll be happy to provide you with answers and personalized product recommendations based on your needs.

The ongoing series of wildfires raging in the Western United States has continued to drive down air quality in the Pacific Northwest. The smoke and ash created by the fires has reached as far as Arizona, but is at its worst in the areas immediately nearby the burning forests. Here's what you need to know about current Pacific Northwest air quality and how you can protect yourself from wildfire smoke if you live in the region.  

How Bad is Air Quality in the Pacific Northwest Currently?

  Although wildfires are never beneficial for air quality, few have produced the extreme drops seen in recent days. In Portland, Oregon, this week, the air became so saturated with smoke that road travel was actively discouraged due to visibility issues. Along with other parts of Oregon, Portland saw air quality ratings considered to be hazardous to human health as a result of the ongoing fires.   The problems haven't been confined to Oregon, though. Earlier this week, Seattle rated as having the third lowest air quality in the world. The smoke in the Seattle area has been so thick that it has resulted in cooler daytime temperatures by blocking out sunlight.   All of this is to say that overall air quality in the Pacific Northwest is near record lows. Residents are forced to contend with smoke and ash that could result in serious health effects. Worst of all, low air quality has been associated with higher risks of COVID-19, meaning that the wildfires could also result in a worsening of the pandemic in affected areas.    

How Harmful Can Wildfire Smoke Be?

  At first glance, one might not think that wildfire smoke would be especially harmful to human health. However, the health effects of low air quality and fine particulate matter have been well demonstrated. People suffering from existing respiratory diseases can be much more prone to attacks during periods when air quality is low. In the long term, inhalation of fine particulate matter can also contribute to the development of new respiratory illnesses, as well as increased risk of cardiac conditions and certain cancers.  

What Steps Can You Take to Limit Your Exposure?

  If you're in the areas affected by the current wildfires, there are several steps you can take to keep your smoke exposure at a minimum. First and foremost, it's important to limit your time outside. Indoor air can be circulated in your house, preventing smoke and ash from being drawn in from the outside. The more time you can spend indoors until the Pacific Northwest's air quality improves, the better off you will be.   If you do have to go out, consider wearing a facial covering to filter out some of the fine particles that make up the smoke. These days, most of us are used to wearing face masks as a means of controlling COVID-19 spread, but they can also help to keep at least some of the components of smoke out of your lungs. If you have an N-95 mask, this is the best choice. However, even a cloth face covering will help to some extent.   Finally, you can use a high-quality residential air purifier in your home. Even without letting air in from the outside, some smoke is bound to get into your home if you're in a heavily affected area. Using an air purifier can help keep your indoor air cleaner and reduce any smoke that does manage to make it in. We offer a complete selection of air purifiers for wildfires that can be used for extra protection in the home.   Have more questions about how an air purifier can help to protect you from the harmful effects of wildfire smoke? We're here to help! We'll be happy to provide you with answers to your questions, as well as personalized product recommendations based on your needs and the size of your home.    

With COVID-19 still going around, it's as important as ever to do whatever we can to keep transmissions from occurring. While we all all know about the important of wearing masks and washing our hands while we're out in public, most people haven't given enough thought to the chances of transmitting the disease in the home. One of the many ways you can limit the viral load in your home is to use a HEPA air purifier for COVID-19 protection.   While we've been highlighting the use of air purifiers as extra protection against the virus for several months, getting one may be even more critical as the winter months approach. Generally speaking, people spend more time indoors in the winter and are less likely to have their windows open to ensure good home ventilation. This combination of stagnant air and indoor congregating is a perfect condition for the virus to spread. Here's what you need to know about air purifiers for COVID-19 and why you should consider getting one before the winter months set in.  

Can Air Purifiers Offer Protection Against COVID-19 Spread?

  Since the beginning of the pandemic, there's been an ongoing debate about how effective air purifiers are in limiting the spread of the virus. As the months have gone by, though, this debate has narrowed as new evidence has brought two critical facts to light. First, there is now a growing consensus among experts that the virus can be spread as an aerosol. This means that it can linger in the air and spread beyond the limited distance it can travel when an infected person coughs or sneezes.   Secondly, it has become increasingly clear that HEPA air purifiers are capable of filtering out virus-sized particles with reasonable efficiency. In a recent article, we highlighted a study conducted by NASA that found that ordinary HEPA filters could capture virus-sized nanoparticles. This finding is supported by scientists and engineers who have highlighted the ability of these filters to capture even very small particles.   In fact, some experts have even purchased home air purifiers to use for their own personal protection. In a recent interview with NPR, Joseph Allen, an associate professor at Harvard's T.H. Chan School of Public Health, revealed that he had purchased a portable air purifier in the early months of the pandemic.  

Why Get an Air Purifier Going Into Winter?

  As we've already discussed, wintertime conditions make it easier for viruses to spread by bringing people together in small, poorly ventilated spaces. An air purifier can help to reduce the chances of this spread by removing viral particles from the air. It should be clearly noted that using an air purifier isn't a guarantee against the spread of coronavirus in your home. Instead, it should be thought of as one of several layers of protection you can use to reduce the risks.  

Are Air Purifiers Useful for Everyone?

  As clear as it is that air purifiers can add some extra protection against indoor transmission of COVID-19, there are situations in which you may not benefit from using one. Specifically, if you are able to isolate completely and don't have any outside contact, you likely don't need to get an air purifier. For people who live alone and don't have external contact with others, there is no real risk of indoor transmission because there is no one to get the virus from.   With that said, it's important to take winter activities into account. If you are going to have family visit for the holidays or even allow friends to drop by, an air purifier becomes useful. Since most people likely won't maintain total isolation in their homes during the holiday season, there are relatively few people who shouldn't at least consider getting a good home air purifier as the cooler months approach.   Have more questions about using air purifiers to reduce your risks of spreading COVID-19 in your home? We're here to help! Feel free to contact us, and we'll be happy to provide you with answers and product recommendations based on your needs.