The Air of Home
Copyright 2006 Dr. Eileen Silva
In the chilly days of winter and early spring, we tend to spend more time indoors, shutting doors and windows against the frosty chill. Unfortunately, we don't realize that the air in our homes is constantly under attack, and without the stabilization and freshness of outside ventilation in winter, it becomes, not only stuffy and stale, but downright dangerous. Many unnoticeable factors contribute to this toxic air.
Consider a quiet room with peaceful music playing, soft candlelight, and fragrance soothing the air. Sound inviting? Unfortunately, candles, especially if they are scented, release toxic soot, carcinogens, and even lead (from wire wicks), that flood the air with enough pollution to ruin computers and furnishings, as well as affect breathing.
For people with asthma, lung, or heart disease, the damage is even more pronounced.
Fragrance oil candles and container candles don't burn cleanly and are even more dangerous than open-flame candles. If you must burn candles, choose unscented candles with no petroleum products and wire-free wicks. For aromatherapy, choose diffusers and enjoy cleaner air.
Another unsuspected source of air pollution is the family pet. Pet dander (skin flakes) is a nearly invisible pollution that your pet releases as it grooms, releasing dander and proteins from saliva into the air.
Bath pet frequently, using dander-reducing shampoo and follow up with an anti-dander spray. Dust home surfaces and vacuum frequently. Use a vacuum that does not release dust back into the air. It is wise to wear a dust mask when cleaning. A clean pet and a dust-free home will help both pet and family to be healthier.
Speaking of dust, it contains another invisible pollutant that invades every home .
. . microscopic bugs called dust mites. Feasting on shed human and animal skin cells, these fecal-producing dust mites thrive in warm and humid places like beds, furniture, and carpets. Allergies and asthma testing proves that 80% of patients test positive to dust mites.
To make your home safer from these unwelcome guests, vacuum and dust thoroughly, weekly, with a vacuum that filters dust and does not allow it back into the air. Using hot-water washing and high-heat drying, launder all bedding weekly. Don't forget to launder stuffed toys as well, and avoid non-washable stuffed toys. Use anti-allergen covers on bedding, even box springs, and place High-Efficiency, Low-Pressure air filters on heating units and air conditioners. Dehumidify the air, including closets and cabinets, to between 30-50%.
Another benefit to dehumidifying the home is that lower humidity helps control yet another elusive air pollutant .
. . mold. Flourishing in humid spots like damp basements, refrigerator drip pans, air conditioners, garbage pails, shower stalls, and closets, mold is a common allergic trigger. At least once a quarter, clean drip pans to prevent refrigerator fan from blowing mold spores into the air.
Eradicate visible mold with non-toxic cleaning products, and use HEPA filters in air and heat systems. Use exhaust fans in kitchen and bathroom and open windows on low humidity days to refresh household air.
Besides the kitchen drip pan, other home furnishings contribute to unsafe air. Dust and clean heating units and oil burners, checking for foreign objects in heating elements. Avoid kerosene space heaters. Keep chimneys clean and steam clean carpets.
Even new carpets and upholstered furniture pose a danger from out-gassing (gases released from heat), as does painting, solvents, sealants, etc. Be sure to obtain good ventilation when using these products. Be aware that ventilation brings its own set of problems, one of which is pollen. Install filter screens over windows to avoid as much pollen as possible from entering home.
In addition to cleaning, ventilating, and filtering, there is another, much more pleasant, way to clean the air in your home . .
. houseplants. Not only to they contribute to the humidity balance and oxygen level of the home, but they clean pollutants, gasses, and toxins out of the air. A plant for every 10 square yards of floor space will both cleanse and beautify your home. Plants should be away from drafts and placed in appropriate lighting for their requirements.
Ten of the most effective at ridding the air of off-gassed chemicals and contributing to humidity levels are: Areca palm, Reed palm, Dwarf date palm, Boston fern, Janet Craig dracaena, English ivy, Australian sword fern, Peace Lily, Rubber plant, and Weeping fig. Some of these can even survive in dark corners, as they originated in shady tropical forests.
Taking these safety precautions and adding houseplants to assist you in the ongoing battle against toxic air in your home will help you protect your family and add to their comfort. As you and your family snuggle in on these chilly days, you can have the satisfaction of knowing that you will be breathing safer, fresher air.
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and lecturer. Dr. Silva is also an individual, group, and corporate weight management consultant. Contact Dr. Silva at http://www.dreileensilva.com
A Guide to Industrial Vacuum Cleaners
Industrial vacuum cleaners are designed with two basic functions in mind ? the removal of debris of all types from the floor and the removal of debris of all types from the air in the working environment. The first application was tricky, to say the least, but the specific needs were dealt with until systems and units were produced that could handle almost any type of debris from the floor of a manufacturing company.
At first, the size of the debris was a question to be dealt with. Then there were wet and dry items that needed to be dealt with simultaneously. Extremely hot or corrosive elements were added to the mix and then radioactive debris had to be taken into account.
All of this debris, a bi-product of some sort of manufacturing or large-scale commercial operation, had to be dealt with by vacuum cleaner manufacturers. Often, the special requirements of a company were dealt with on a case-by-case basis at the same time as the new plant was being constructed....
A Guide to Industrial Vacuum Cleaners
Vacuum cleaners > A Guide to Industrial Vacuum Cleaners
A Guide to Vacuum Cleaner Repair
In most areas, there is a person nearby who can fix your broken vacuum cleaner.
Whether they specialize in vacuum cleaner repairs only or if they do repairs on a wide variety of motor driven home appliances, they should be able to easily fix your broken machine.
If you have one of the less pricey models, you might want to consider buying a new one before having someone repair it for you. The hourly fee for labor and the costs of parts may not warrant the repair price, unless of course you simply have to have the vacuum cleaner that you've grown accustomed to for a long time. An honest repair service will tell you that upon examination, which is usually free unless the problem is not easily diagnosed on the surface.
In most situations, when you find a repair shop and bring in your broken vacuum cleaner, they'll ask you a few simple questions.
Obviously, if you knew what was wrong, you'd fix it yourself. All most people know when they bring...
A Guide to Vacuum Cleaner Repair
Vacuum cleaners > A Guide to Vacuum Cleaner Repair
Nine Chores Your Child Should Do Without Being Paid
Back in the day, getting paid for doing chores was absolutely unheard of. Chores were a way for children to contribute to the family and parents would reward their children financially if and when they wanted to. Nowadays it's the opposite. Kids expect an allowance and many parents are all too ready to pay a child for chores they should be doing anyway. You don't charge your child for cooking his dinner, do you? Then they shouldn't be charging you for clearing off the table!
If you haven't yet integrated mandatory chores as a routine element in your child's personal development, it's time to start.
Here are some age-appropriate chores that most children should be required to do ? and do for free.
Five to Seven Years Old: Clear the Table ? Separate Laundry ? Clean Your Room. I've heard many people say that a five or six-year-old child is too young to have household responsibilities. While it's true that I wouldn't make a five-year-old mop the floor or...
Vacuum cleaners > Nine Chores Your Child Should Do Without Being Paid
Improved Inlet Flow Conditions For Your Pumping System
Riverside, CA
June 1, 2004 -? Since 1976, Blacoh has optimized the discharge side of your pumping systems to remove virtually all hydraulic shock, enhancing all-around performance and reliability of fluid flow.
With the addition of our patented "J" Model inlet Stabilizer, Blacoh can further maximize your entire pumping system. The patented "J' Model Inlet Stabilizer was designed specifically for the inlet side of all pumps and drastically improves inlet flow conditions, insuring adequate flow into the pump and extending the service life of all inlet system components. Furthermore, the "J" Model inlet stabilizer features a unique control unit designed so that either a positive pressure charge or a vacuum can be set in the stabilizer. This innovation effectively compensates for any pump inlet system whether the pump is operating under suction lift or positive inlet conditions.
Patent # 6,089,837.For more information or to speak with a trained Blacoh Customer...
Improved Inlet Flow Conditions For Your Pumping System
Vacuum cleaners > Improved Inlet Flow Conditions For Your Pumping System
How to finance your dream car?
Have you thought about getting a better car? Ever thought of driving your own sports car? Want to purchase the latest car model? Why wait when you can do so now! Most people do not realise that they have capital locked up in their property which could be used for buying that special car of their dreams.Release the capital tied up in your home with a home owner loan. The loan can be used for any purpose, and is available to anyone who owns their home. Home loans can be used for any purpose such...
Vacuum cleaners How to finance your dream car?
Vacuum cleaners > How to finance your dream car?
It’s a Condo, It’s a Hotel, It’s a Las Vegas Condotel
Las Vegas, NV (ContentDesk) November 30, 2005 -- Some of the hottest properties in Las Vegas are the new Condotels. A cross between a condominium and a hotel suite, the condotel is a lavishly appointed and fully-furnished condo with a difference: when the owner is not in residence, an on-site leasing agent rents the condominium out to hotel guests for the local Las Vegas casinos.The attraction for real estate investors and occasional residents is obvious. Rather than having to deal with tenants...
Vacuum cleaners hotels
Vacuum cleaners > It’s a Condo, It’s a Hotel, It’s a Las Vegas Condotel
Caller ID, Number Portability Top List of Features VoIP Buyers Want
Denver, CO (ContentDesk) March 20, 2006 - Caller ID is the number one feature consumers want when searching for Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service, according to VoipReview.org (http://www.VoipReview.org), the first and most complete comparison shopping and information source for broadband phone service. Number portability, voice mail, call waiting, and network unavailability number, round out the top five features consumers desire, according to online search data collected from Dec....
Vacuum cleaners voip Caller ID, Number Portability Top List of Features VoIP Buyers Want The Air of Home
Vacuum cleaners > Caller ID, Number Portability Top List of Features VoIP Buyers Want
Baby Cribs by Pali Are Now Available at Baby Supermall
(ContentDesk) August 22, 2005 -- Baby Supermall (www.babysupermall.com), an internet retailer of baby products, and Pali, a manufacturer of baby cribs and other nursery furniture, have formed a unique alliance to make Pali's line of baby cribs and changing tables available to internet shoppers. Previously sold almost exclusively through selected baby specialty stores, this alliance will give all mothers-to-be easy access to this popular...
Vacuum cleaners patio furniture The Air of Home
Vacuum cleaners > Baby Cribs by Pali Are Now Available at Baby Supermall
Teleflora Mothers Day $3 Off Coupon In Papers This Weekend
Teleflora's $3 off coupon will appear in national newspapers in both Parade and USA Weekend inserts, this weekend. The coupon allows the reader to save an additional $3 off their Mothers Day bouquets. While many online florists charge a wire fee or service fee as high as $9.95, 1-800-I-LOVE-YOU does not so the consumer gets a real savings.To use the coupon you must order online at http://www.800iloveyou.com and then send the printed confirmation...
Vacuum cleaners Teleflora Mothers Day $3 Off Coupon In Papers This Weekend
Vacuum cleaners > Teleflora Mothers Day $3 Off Coupon In Papers This Weekend