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Is Going Outdoors A Risky Proposition?
To many people, the thought of going outdoors in the spring or summer can mean sneezing and wheezing or even worst. Breathing ailments are no joke as breathing is considered essential to staying alive. At least that is what 9 out of 10 doctors say.....
In the spring, summer and even the fall we often open our windows to let the nice breeze enter our homes and refresh the air. That may seem like a good thing but there are many other things that we let in with that breeze. Hence we could be harming ourselves, our loved ones and even our pets without realizing we are.
The first think we may be doing is allowing harmful particulates into our homes. Particulates are usually air pollutants that we can sometimes see with the naked eye. They include exhaust fumes, pollen, dust, smoke or other nasty things. When you stand in a room that has the warm sunlight shinning-in, we can often see things floating in the air. These are the things that we end-up breathing-in because we simply cannot help-iot.
Another little nasty that we may not be aware of are 'Bioburden' material. These are biological materials such as bacteria or viruses that tend to float around in the air until they are breathed-in. Mold spores, viruses and other nasty stuff fit into the category of bioburdens.
V.O.C.s or Volatile Organic Compounds are perhaps the most damaging. They are generally the gases emitted from chemicals such as cleaning products. They can also be present in many other things such as carpets, some paints, or upholstery. An example of V.O.C.s is that new car smell. What produces that great odor is often gases being emitted from the plastics, the carpet fibers and other materials used to manufactur the vehicle. When you re-carpet a room in your house there often is a lovely 'new carpet' smell that accompanies it. These are the V.O.C.s that often smell rather pleasing but may be causing more damage or negatively affecting someone who already suffers from an allergy or other breathing ailment. Other culprits can include some perfumes, adhesives or plastics. Cleaning chemicals can also be high in V.O.C. content.
This is all very interesting, but surely there must be a way to combat all these nasty things?
Well there are ways to reduce overall exposure to Particulates, Bioburdens and V.O.C.s.
The best solution I have discovered is any system that uses true HEPA filtration. What is HEPA. The United States Atomic Energy Commission developed HEPA in the
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Is Going Outdoors A Risky Proposition?
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