More Ways To Improve Indoor Air Quality In Your Home

All over the world, cases of asthma have increased by 60% in the past two decades. Some of the increase is due to poor indoor air quality. Those most likely to be affected are the elderly, the young, and those whose health is impaired, especially those with a respiratory condition.

Here are some ways to improve indoor air quality:

Increase ventilation- Everyday tasks like cooking can produce smoke, odors, water vapors and other irritants. Exhaust fans in the bathroom and the kitchen are a great help as they remove moisture and indoor air pollutants. It is good to ventilate houses as much as possible. An air purifier like the 5000 Exec by Oxynet Solutions removes odors and gases contributing to poor air quality.

Keep the house dust-free- Many irritants can be trapped in dust. Use a damp cloth to wipe all surfaces. A high efficiency HEPA air filter can also be used as it removes dust particles floating in the air.

Reduce exposure to dust mites- by sealing mattresses and pillows in allergen-impermeable covers, wash bedding weekly in hot water. If possible, remove carpeting from bedrooms.

Avoid smoke- Passive smoking is a major asthma trigger. Smoke outside and not in the house. Fuel burning appliances like water heaters, stoves and space heaters should be maintained as they release combustion by-products that pollute indoor air. The Allerair 5000 DXS (air filter) by Oxynet Solutions features a special filter that traps harmful air borne tar particles.

Keeping the house cool and dry- helps reduce mold, dust mites, and cockroaches. Repair water leaks. If you have mold problems use a dehumidifier to keep the level of moisture in the house to a relative humidity of 35 - 50%.

Using harsh cleaners- Activities like painting, sanding, or cleaning the house with harsh cleaners can also create high levels of pollutants.

What Does A HEPA Air Purifier Actually Do?

The letters in the word HEPA stand for High Efficiency Particulate Air/Arrestor. The HEPA air filter was developed during World War II. It was designed to remove and capture radioactive particles from the air which could turn out to be a health hazard to researchers. For a filter to be called a true HEPA it must retain and filter all particles from the air that are as small as 0.3 microns in size, at an efficiency of 99.97%.

A HEPA air purifier works by drawing impure air through an inlet grill with the help of a fan. The air then passes through a filter that traps allergens such as pollen, animal dander, mold spores, and dust. Sometimes HEPA filters also have a carbon filter included for odor control. Large filters are always better as they obstruct more particles, leaving fewer clogs.

HEPA filters are made of thin paper for maximum effectiveness. You might have noticed that only some air purifier companies protect the HEPA filter well. This is because, though it is the last layer of the purifying system, it is the most important part.

Air purifiers from Oxynet Solutions use 100% secure technology and are true HEPA. These machines purify the impure air through several highly effective filtering stages. Click here for more information.

How bad is the air we breathe?

What is in the air we breathe? The outdoor air is a mixture of gases including ozone, nitrogen, oxygen, water, argon, carbon dioxide and trace gases. The air outdoors is bad enough.

But according to the Environmental Protection Agency the air in some office buildings is 100 times more polluted than the air outside. Indoor air pollution problems are generally caused due to poor ventilation systems. The air indoors contains different kinds of pollutants, bacteria and other allergens. Breathing such adulterated air results in decrease in overall body functioning and increase in health problems.

To top it all, each day we inhale around 14,000 liters of air as we take about 26,000 breaths (that is equivalent to about 150 full bathtubs).

While many pollutants may seem harmless to some, people who suffer from respiratory problems face maximum difficulty. There are a number of things in the environment like smoke, dust, pollen, pet dander, etc. that lead to breathing difficulties in people.

One of the best ways to deal with respiratory problems is through air purifiers, as they would be able to eliminate the contaminants causing the symptoms. While we cannot remove all the particles in the air, we should remember that an air purifier can make our lives at least a little bit easier.

Dubai Starting To Face Air Pollution

Dubai may not rank as one of the most polluted cities. But research recently carried out by Gulf News has revealed that Deira, Garhoud and International City have the highest levels of sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Karama, Media City and the Marina also rank highly with some results higher than international standards' annual averages.

With so many sites under construction and ever increasing traffic, UAE is likely to face trouble in the future. This may be the reason why around 15% of UAE residents (mostly children) are suffering from asthma (the most common allergy in the county). The surrounding desert landscape is also adding to the problem; which is why Dubai residents are continuously suffering from particulate matter (PM 10) circulating in the air. Many have contently settled at accepting that the air pollution because of PM 10 in Dubai is a result of its geographical location. But research has placed other possibilities, like the formation of PM 10 directly in the atmosphere.

It so happens that 90% of the people in Dubai spend less time outdoors. But this doesn’t solve the problem. According to the EPA, indoor air is supposed to be more polluted than outdoor air. Prolonged exposure to pollutants like tobacco smoke, pollen, mold, dust, and animal dander can cause asthma and allergies. Only an air purifier can improve indoor air quality.

Oxynet Solutions recommend HEPA air purifiers to improve indoor air quality. It is important that your air cleaner provides both, a deep bed activated carbon filter and a medical grade HEPA filter. Oxynet Solutions can provide an air purifier for any indoor air cleaning requirement you might have.

Using HEPA Air Purifiers in Hospitals

When you enter a hospital, the first thing you come across is the smell of medicine. It almost makes you sick. Hospitals are supposed to stay one level above any other place when it comes to cleanliness. The smell in a hospital is a sign that the building requires an air purifier more than an air conditioner.

So what kind of an air purifier should a hospital opt for?

Sensitive procedures are often performed in a hospital. While operations are being performed, diseases like Hepatitis E and others can get transferred from the patient already been infected, to the next one in line to be operated. Of course, the hospital staff tries its best to clean up after every operation, but many contaminants like CAC’s (micro-organisms), VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) etc. still remain behind.

Only an air purifier with a HEPA filter can kill contaminants that can cause intensive damage during an operation. This is the reason why medical grade HEPA filters with advanced protection from VOC’s are widely utilized in hospital operating rooms and laboratories.

HEPA air purifiers can be expensive. But the less expensive air purifiers that are ‘HEPA-type’ make no difference if pure indoor air is what you really want.

HEPA filters are regarded as the most effective brand of filters available in the market. The AirMedic Exec from Oxynet Solutions uses medical-grade HEPA technology and a carbon filter that is uniquely engineered to provide advanced filtration. Oxynet Solutions sells, installs and services some of the finest air cleaning machines in UAE.

Worried About Passive Smoking?

Even if your sense of smell is not very good, you might have noticed the stench of smoke when walking through a bar in Dubai or even a mall. Apart from causing lung disease, heart disease, cancers and breathing problems, this cigarette smoke is disgusting especially for the non-smoker. Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of secondhand/passive smoking because they are still developing physically and have higher breathing rates than adults. Thus they are highly vulnerable to asthma, pneumonia and bronchitis.

Year round in the Gulf, residents and visitors too experience several air conditioning-related coughs and sneezes. In most cases this is wholly preventable. The key element of the problem is poor indoor air filters. It is quite common for even the finest buildings, with the most sophisticated engineering, to develop basic tobacco smoke problems due to the enclosed, air conditioned environment.

When it comes to air purification, there are a number of units to choose from.
But we at www.oxynetsolutions.com understand that passive smoking is dangerous. Our tobacco smoke air purification system, the 5000 DXS has a special deep bed carbon filter and a unique tar trapping filter for caging harmful tar particles and odors from smoke that other air purifiers cannot do very well.

For answers to queries on air purification, visit our website: www.oxynetsolutions.com

Fighting Mold

Molds seem to be ubiquitous in nature, and mold spores are a common component of household and workplace dust. However, when mold spores are present in large quantities, they can present a health hazard to humans, potentially causing allergic reactions and respiratory problems. Exposure to high levels of toxic molds, can lead to neurological problems and in some cases death.

The attack of the spores usually starts so subtly you almost don't notice. Molds are usually spotted on wood, fiber or paper that has remained wet for more than a few days. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the tiny mold spores waft through the air and land on inviting damp spots. These spores then get blown up into ventilation systems and are distributed around the house.

The only way to get rid of the mold permanently is to get rid of the moisture by fixing leaks, using exhaust fans in bathrooms, paying special attention to floor carpets or by using mold air purifiers. Air conditioners may just circulate the same contaminated air over and over.

But mold air purification systems by www.oxynetsolutions.com filter the contaminated air removing at least 99.97% of airborne mold particles. The deep bed carbon filter absorbs toxic molds and musty odors. To further enhance the cleaning process the air goes through a sterilizing ultraviolet light, letting you breathe clean air, for a healthy life.

5 Signs That You Need An Air Purifier In Your Home

A home air purifier is a boon, especially if you have little kids living in your domicile. This is also true in case you have elderly and sick relatives with you; and if you are sharing spaces with your favorite pet(s.) Most people think that investing in a home air purifier is a waste of time and money. After all, most homes now have HVAC (heating-ventilation-air conditioning) systems installed. But having an HVAC is different from having a purifier. The ventilation and the air conditioning units can do no more than circulate the air, which means air that is infested with microscopic debris is only being regurgitated by the system. This is only filtered by human lungs when people breathe the contaminated air in. Needless to say, this is not a particularly healthy way of living. If you are not impressed with the functions of a home air purifier, here are the 5 most active signs that you need one as soon as possible.

5. The air outside seems so much better than inside. Do you notice that you and some members of your household always throw open the windows so that “fresh air” can come in? This is an obvious sign that the quality of your indoor air is poor. Unfortunately, according to the EPA or Environment Protection Agency, outdoor air is 2 times more toxic than indoor air. That means: the “fresh air” you are actually getting is more contaminated than the one you already have. A purifier can improve your indoor air by as much as 99%.

4. You can see dust specks and larger airborne materials floating in the air during the day. Even if you are the most ardent house cleaner, and that you have near obsessive-compulsive tendencies when it comes to cleaning your house, there are moments when you can plainly see airborne materials floating merrily about. You can not eliminate these without an air purifier. And the more you let these airborne materials hang in the air, the more they will multiply in the end. This causes the stuffy and dry atmosphere within your home.

3. Cooking smells take the longest time to dissolve and these linger on clothes and furniture. There are days when you will notice that your clothes and your hair smell like the meal you just prepared. Or even worse, the bacon aroma during breakfast was still there when you got home way past the dinner hour. Smells should be immediately removed because these carry traces of oil and protein materials which other airborne organisms feed on. A good, working air purifier should be able to remove food smells in less than 5 minutes.

2. The development of mold and mildew is another active sign that you need to do something with your air problem. Mold and mildew appear when there is too much moisture in the air. These will settle on almost anything remotely edible like old bread, leather coats and even rubber shoes. Unfortunately, mold and mildew spores are released into the air and can be easily inhaled by anyone within the room.

1. Respiratory illnesses are common. Coughing, sniffles, chest pains, and sneezing are all indications that there are bacterial, fungal and viral contagions in the air, which are actively being circulated by your HVAC. Unfortunately, the heating system in the HVAC promotes their growth in numbers. So by the time the air circulates, you and the rest of you household are probably inhaling a huge volume of contagions already.

5 Things That May Be Causing Bad Odor In Your Home Or Office

If you are thinking about getting a HEPA air purifier (also known as High Efficiency Particulate Air unit,) to get rid of almost all the airborne bacterial, fungal and viral contagion in the air, then you are probably making the right choice. The HEPA air purifier has always be doctor approved because of its 99.97% effectivity rate. However, a unit like this can also help eliminate the bad odors emanating from your home. Some of the most common bad odors you may really want to get rid off are:

1. Mold and mildew. Ever notice that “wet” like scent hanging in the air, especially in your kitchen, basement, or even in your closet? If you do, then you have mold and mildew problems. The smells you are getting are not from the actual fungi. Rather, these come from their microscopic spores that are already floating in the air. These fungal growths are usually attracted to places where there are small traces of moisture. Although air dehumidifiers eliminate the moisture problems, a mold air purifier stops the mold and mildew from multiplying by eliminating as many airborne spores as possible.

2. Chemical fumes. Chemical fumes come from all manner of concoctions. From the old leaky paint can you have out in the garage; to the insect repellant your kid is playing with, to the rug cleaning agent you have under the sink. Although many will argue that these chemicals are not extensively used, the fumes that they create linger longest and can cause a lot of respiratory problems down the line. An air purifier should make short work of these deadly fumes, albeit invisible and almost undetectable fumes.

3. Cooking and baking smells. It is quite all right to have the smell of good food wafting up to you, wherever you may be in the house. But it is an altogether different topic when cooking and baking smells attach themselves to your hair, your clothes, the furniture, the walls and even on your pets’ furs. Oil or baking grease is the primary reason why these smells linger for a long time. Unless you like having your entire house smell like onion soup for the whole day, you might want to buy an air purifier in a hurry.

4. Pet odor. Taking care of small hairs, spittle, urine and fecal matter are all part of pet care. Unfortunately, pets tend to run around and go about their business, and they don’t really care if you have already cleared the litter, or you forgot to vacuum the hairs off the furniture again. Pets, furred or otherwise do have their distinctive smells. But you can help keep their odor down by making sure that you clean them up properly; you clean their enclosures regularly; you get rid of uneaten portions of food; and you keep the air purifier at its highest setting.

5. Human odors. Yes, there are embarrassing human odors that you may want to get rid off as well, from sweat, to B.O., to stinky feet, and bad breath, etc. If you think that is bad enough already, there are also traces of human stench in soiled clothes, unwashed bed sheets, and even stale spittle on baby toys. It would be easy enough to clear these smells by being more hygienic, and dumping every soiled item in the wash. In the meantime, you can clear the air by airing everything out.

Why Are Air Purifiers Essential?

Believe it or not, even with the hustle and bustle of modern day living, most people still spend most of their days inside their homes - or at least, indoors. Even those people who consider themselves the outdoor-type still spend a lot more of their time looking at the four corners of a room than a green horizon under an expansive sky. This is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, a lot of health care providers are advocating that people (especially very young children, the elderly and the infirm) spend a bit more time indoor, preferably inside architectural structures with working air purifiers.

This is a bit of a tradeoff from earlier beliefs that in order to gain better health, you need to spend more time outdoors. This shift in public opinion is due to the rising amount of pollutants in the air. Most congested cities are living under a blanket of smog, which contributes a lot to the increasing number of respiratory problems and life threatening air-borne diseases. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, particulate matter in the outdoor air we normally breathe contains allergens, chemicals (both toxic and non-toxic), gases, lung irritants, and volatile organic compounds (VOC). It is estimated that we literally breathe in 2 tablespoons of hazardous materials each day; and more so, if we spend more time outdoors breathing in unfiltered air. Even in areas where the nature thrives abundantly, like forests and nature parks, carbon dioxide hovers increasingly closer to the ground. Carbon dioxide in itself is a veritable poison to the human lungs.

Having an air purifier indoors therefore has several advantages. For starters, the intake of irritants and pollutants to the lungs are greatly reduced. It is said that 9 out of 10 breaths that a normal person takes comes from indoor air. That means a working air purifier should be able to strain out the most toxic particulate matter around. Additionally, purifiers limit the possibility of acquiring any kind of airborne diseases. For very young children whose lungs are still developing, or for the elderly and the infirm who may already have one or more types of respiratory related illness, purifiers make breathing easier to do.

Another advantage of having air purifiers indoors is that some of these machines have dehumidifier options. These options help keep mold and mildew at bay. Although the appearance of mold and mildew are usually treated by the application of chemical products, these may become respiratory hazards as well. Mold and mildew multiply by releasing microscopic spores into the air, and these can easily be inhaled or ingested. Likewise, the chemical fumes of harsh chemical products (although invisible to the naked eye and not usually detected by scent) also become part of the air that we breathe indoors. Purifiers with humidifier options thereby help eliminate these toxic materials from the air.