Are HEPA Purifiers Enough for Allergies – 3 HEPA Myths Debunked

Have you officially had it with your uncontrollable allergy flare-ups? Sneezing, watery eyes, sinus pressure, and all the usual allergy symptoms that afflict your health commence. Many allergy sufferers are equipped to handle the bouts of symptoms that strike when they step outside but what do you do when your allergy symptoms follow you inside your home? The brutal reality is your home is only as clean as the air within it, and according to the EPA, your indoor air quality can oftentimes be even more polluted than the air present outside. Dust, smoke, VOCs, and other allergens accumulate and create the source of contamination that will eventually lead to potential allergy symptoms within your home. In combating these indoor allergens in your home’s air, many will turn to an allergy recommended HEPA air purifier to remedy their allergy problems.

Contents

• Will an Air Purifier Defeat Allergens?
• Selecting an Air Purifier for Allergies
• HEPA Filtration (High-Efficiency Particulate Air)
• Benefits of a HEPA Air Purifier
• 3 HEPA Filter Myths Exposed
  • A HEPA Filter Will Eradicate All Breathing Issues
  • If an Air Purifier Has a HEPA Filter in it, then it Must Work
  • Air Purifiers with HEPA Filters Remove Odors

Will an Air Purifier Defeat Allergens?

Allergies are one of the major causes of illness in the United States, and with as many as 50 million people suffering from this condition in the United States the need for alleviating practices to remove allergens, specifically from your indoor air, has become an essential component to allergy relief. Allergens such as pollen, dust, pet dander, dust mites, mold, and even cockroaches will incite the build-up of allergens in your confined indoor air and will lead to a noticeable spike in allergy-like symptoms. Allergens are composed of substances that are foreign to the body that will cause an allergic reaction when certain individuals are exposed to it. Once these foreign substances make contact and enter your passageways it can begin the allergic flare-up that is dreaded by all. Reducing the exposure to allergens and contaminants in your indoor air is critical and the key in defeating these allergens is through the use of an effective air purification device – better known as a HEPA air purifier- that has the ability to filter and eliminate small allergens trapped within the air.

Selecting an Air Purifier for Allergies

Allergens can vary in size and are usually measured in microns. Microns are small particulate matter, usually equal to one-millionth of a meter, that can easily become airborne and present difficulty when trying to completely remove from the environment – and most importantly from the air. Dust mites, household dust, and mold spore allergens – many of the culprits of allergies – are small microns ranging from 0.5 microns to 200 microns in size that will create the potentially unstable indoor environment for allergy sufferers.

What can you do to counteract this instability in your home? Air filtration and purification are pivotal in the mitigation of these micron-sized allergens circulating in the air. Air purifiers are devices that aid in the removal of air pollutants from the airspace, which can be especially beneficial to those who suffer from allergies. Depending on the air purifier, different technologies are used to target specific pollutants in the air – such as mold spores, bacteria, viruses, particulates, chemicals, and odors. During the selection process of buying an air purifier, especially for allergen removal, it is critical to ensure that the air purification device has the capability to remove fine particulate matter larger than 0.3 microns in size to guarantee the capturing of allergens within the system. Testing on different air purification technologies has shown that particulate matter as small as 0.3 microns in size need an efficient HEPA filtration to trap and prohibit small particles – like allergens – in the filtration system.

HEPA Filtration (High-Efficiency Particulate Air)

HEPA, or High-Efficiency Particulate Air, refers to a type of filter that removes 99.97 percent of particles above a certain size – usually, 0.3 microns are larger. Many allergists recommend a HEPA purifier to those with substantial allergies whose symptoms plague them almost constantly – as a HEPA filter will sift out airborne allergens such as dust, pet dander, pollen, and mold spores by capturing them in the filter reducing the levels in the air drastically. HEPA filters are one of the most reliable and effective allergy reduction applications you can utilize in your home. The origin of this filter began in the 1940s as the U.S. Army Chemical Corps and U.S. Atomic Energy Commission developed the first HEPA filters to assist in the protection against radioactive chemical warfare agents. However, following World War II, HEPA filtration was implemented into commercial and residential environments expanding its protection to all environments. Now, HEPA filtration is primarily used in hospitals, pharmaceutical labs, and even in homes and businesses as a means to reduce any harmful airborne particulates that can potentially impact the environment and health of those exposed.

Benefits of a HEPA Air Purifier

A HEPA air purifier works to intake airborne particles and filter them out of the air supply. HEPA filters trap air contaminants in a complex web of fibers to give it the capability to capture harmful dust, particulate, allergens, pet dander, microorganisms, and more. This filtration is even so effective that the CDC recommends a HEPA air purifier for air filtration for infectious patient isolation. Furthermore, HEPA air purifiers have certain benefits that other air purification systems cannot provide, the benefits of a HEPA filtration include the following:

✓ High-working efficiency

✓ Effective at taking micro-particles out of the air

✓ Ability to reduce allergies and asthma triggers

✓ Particulate removal up to 0.3 microns in size (this consists of allergens such as dust, dander, mold spores, etc.)

✓ Releases no harmful substances or ozone into the environment

3 HEPA Filter Myths Exposed

Even though HEPA filters and purifiers have been called the gold standard in air purification, it is not a cure-all for every allergy, asthma, or respiratory health issue you may be presented with. For many, the assumption that HEPA filtration can eradicate all breathing issues, be completely efficient air purification, and that a HEPA will remove any and all odors are some myths that are about to become exposed.

Myth: A HEPA Filter Will Eradicate All Breathing Issues

An air purifier is only a component to allergy relief, not a complete remedy. Some allergens are heavy, such as pollen, which will bring them down to the surfaces quicker than an air purifier can collect them. Over time an air purifier will take in these allergens, but for those who are suffering from allergies you want and need relief to be sooner rather than later. However, depending on the CFM rating of the air purifier these allergens could be collected faster. Nonetheless, you still will want to incorporate other allergy remedy practices in your home such as using chemical-free cleaning products, washing bedding in hot water, or even utilizing a dehumidifier within your personal environment.

Myth: If an Air Purifier Has a HEPA Filter, then it Must Work

For air purification, two key measurements include efficiency and effectiveness – but both can be measured differently depending on the filter type. HEPA filters are known for both their effectiveness and efficiency in air filtration and particulate removal, but to think that your HEPA filter is effective against every and all air pollutants is simply a myth. HEPA filters, although extremely effective against fine particulate matter, they have an inability to effectively remove many indoor air pollutants including mold, viruses, bacteria, gases and VOCs (Volatile Organic Chemicals) that are released into the air. When you are looking for an effective HEPA air purifier – especially one with a HEPA filter that also effectively removes mold, viruses, bacteria, gases, and VOCs – looking at the different stages of filtration that the system provides is important to ensure that your home is getting protection against a wide variety of indoor air pollutants.

Myth: Air Purifiers with HEPA Filters Remove Odors

HEPA filters contain a vast amount of capabilities, however, not included in this long list is the ability to neutralize odors in the air. Many air purifiers claim to remove odors from the air, but odor neutralization can only be accomplished through an additional filtration system in your air purifier. Air purifiers like the EnviroKlenz Mobile System, incorporate both HEPA filtration as well as chemicals and odor neutralization through a proprietary technology that utilizes earth minerals – with no carbon used at all. Selecting an air purifier with both stages of filtration will aid in the removal of both particulates and odors in your personal indoor air and help to improve and/or eliminate allergens from the environment to aid allergy sufferers.

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Can You Clean a HEPA Filter?

Pollutants will freely float throughout the air, easily flowing from one area to the next slowly tainting the indoor air quality within the space of your home or other personal indoor environment. These pollutants can come from an array of different sources, depending on the specific area and the items that are heavily used within this confined space. Home’s, for example, are exposed to an alarmingly high number of pollution sources, and many of these sources will come as a complete shock to the homeowner who unsuspectingly uses a certain product in their home without understanding the impact it can have on their indoor air quality. From air fresheners, to flooring, candles, and even laundry care products can all be different sources of pollution inside of a home, and when these items are frequently used it will only lead to an overabundance of airborne pollution in the air that will need to be properly mitigated.

When it comes to removing airborne pollutants from the air of your home, often times the conditions in this environment will do little to help flush out these pollutants. Improper ventilation in a home can be a major cause of elevated levels of pollutants in the air, and thus if you live in a home where this is the case it may be best to invest in a quality air filter that will work to remove airborne pollutants, like a HEPA filter. A HEPA filter is one of the most well-known, and highly effective air filters for fine particulate matter removal from the air space of an indoor environment.

In this article we are going to learn more about how a HEPA filter works to filter pollutants from the indoor air, how durable these filters are, and if you should start to use a HEPA filter in your home.

What is a HEPA Filter

High-efficiency particulate air, also known by many as a HEPA filter is a type of filtration that is used in both air handling systems and/or stand-alone air purifiers inside of an indoor environment. These filters are usually used within a home or other indoor space to provide an effective filtration of fine particulate matter from the air, even the smallest of particulates (as small as 0.3 microns in size). Pollutants are measured in microns and this is the form of measurement that is used to explain the capability of HEPA filters in capturing pollutants within the fiber media of this filter. To illustrate the size of a pollutant in microns, a human hair will vary between 17 to 181 microns in size, whereas viruses can range between 0.005 to 0.3 microns.

A HEPA filter will work by effectively capturing airborne pollutants by pulling them into the fiber media of the HEPA filter material, which entangles the pollutants in a sturdy, tight web. The HEPA filter contains two layers, an outer layer and an inner layer that will both work effectively in the filtration process of the filter. The outer layer works as the basic filter by straining the air of pollutants and allowing these particulate matters to get stuck in the filter media. The inner layer consists of a folded material of fine glass threads of HEPA which compresses to form a filter media for pollutant removal.

What are HEPA Filters Made Of

A question that people often tend to have prior to purchasing a specific type of air filter is understanding what kind of material is used to make this filter and how it works to capture pollutants in your indoor air. Although most people know what a HEPA filter is and it’s effective capabilities of removing fine particulate matter from the air, they will likely not understand what material is used to construct this filter media of a HEPA. According to Made How, a HEPA filter is usually made using glass fibers that are created by passing molten glass or plastic through very fine pores in a spinning nozzle. This spinning nozzle will create the web material that allows for the HEPA filter to capture pollutants within the media of the filter and depending on the speed of the nozzle it will create a certain thickness of the HEPA filter media.

When it comes to HEPA filters compared to other air filters, the HEPA filters are made of thin fibers of glass, and these fibers of the filter are formed into a thick paper-like material that is pleated. Some HEPA filters can have as much as 40 square feet of folded filter material in the HEPA filter to capture a large quantity of particulate matter in the air.

HEPA Filter Material & Particle Size

As we discussed previously, HEPA filters are usually composed of fiberglass which tends to have the highest filter efficiency, along with the highest pressure drop. However, in addition to the use of fiberglass material in HEPA filters, some HEPA’s will also use non-woven fabric material in its construction. This non-woven fabric material usually is composed of a polypropylene throughout the filter material. Polypropylene is a fiber material that has been known for its toxic nature and risks to public health that will contribute to an array of health effects from endocrine disruptors to irritation the mucous membranes, according to EcoWatch. There are other materials that can also be used in HEPA filters that will be less hazardous such as fiberglass, which is the prominently used material in HEPA filters today, but it’s important to look into this before purchasing a HEPA filter.

HEPA filters are known for their keen ability to remove fine particulate matter from the air, including very fine matter that will be found floating in your indoor air. This type of filter will work efficiently to remove the fine particulate matter from the air, that other filters will be inept to remove using their filter media. The pleated material of the HEPA filter, along with the thickness of the filter media will allow this type of filter to remove at least 99.97% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns. Microns are the form of measurement that is used to demonstrate the ability of air filters when it comes to the removal of pollutants from the air. To illustrate the range of sizes of an airborne pollutant when using micron measurements, a human hair will fall between 50 to 70 microns in diameter. Whereas dust, pollen, mold, and combustion particles will fall under 3 microns in size and in some instances even smaller than that in size.

What is a HEPA Filter Used for

There is a versatile use for HEPA filters and filtration inside indoor environments, from homes to hospitals, laboratories, aircrafts, and even cars. These indoor spaces are important to filter due to their heavy use, recycled air within these areas, and even the potential hazardous pollutants that can be produced in this space. Originally, HEPA filters were designed to be place in nuclear facilities and hospitals, to help protect workers and in hospitals patients as well from potential threats in the air. Nuclear facilities produce radiated airborne particles that can be dangerous if inhaled into the human body, which made this environment the ideal place to implement this superior type of air filtration. Similarly, a hospital is also an environment where there are many airborne pollutants that can be dangerous if inhaled into the body such as viruses, bacteria, and other diseases that can be spread through airborne pollutants. Thus, making a HEPA filter an excellent resource inside of a number of industries and commercial environments.

In recent years, however, HEPA filters have begun to get integrated into indoor personal environments like homes, where allergy sufferers are looking for relief from their symptoms. Those individuals who deal with allergies and asthma will be majorly affected by dust, pollen, and dander that can be present in the indoor air of a home. The HEPA filter will be efficiently capable of removing all of these allergens from the air and make a more tolerable and cleaner indoor air space for these individuals with allergies and/or asthma.

Can You Wash a HEPA Filter

The life of a HEPA filter is often a major question when it comes to using this type of a filter in an indoor environment like a home. HEPA filters will generally last for quite a while in the air of an enclosed space, depending on the conditions within this indoor environment – like how many occupants are in the home, the number of pets, levels of pollution in the air, and the ventilation within the environment. Typically, you can bank on a HEPA filter lasting for about 2 to 3 years, based on the manufacturer’s recommendation. However, is it possible to increase the life of your HEPA filter in your home’s air by washing the HEPA filter and removing dust and dirt buildup on the filter media?

Washing a HEPA filter may sound like a great idea, but in reality, it can really be creating more damage to your HEPA filter than helping it to increase its longevity in your air purifier. A study that was conducted by Smart Air found that washing a HEPA filter will decrease its effectiveness by an average of 32%. This inefficiency happens due to the damaging of the fibers of the HEPA while washing the filter, which will limit its ability to capture the particulate matter in the air.

Benefits of HEPA Filter

The list of benefits that a HEPA filter provides to the indoor air space of a home or other personal indoor environment is vast, and thus the popularity of these highly efficient air filters in many air purifiers. HEPA filters, as we discussed prior, are particulate removing machines that will work to capture and remove even the smallest of particulate matter from the air, as small as 0.3 microns in size. Particulate matter that is considered to be fine particles smaller than PM_2.5 are known to provoke a variety of health effects when ingested or inhaled into the human body, as these pollutants can travel inside the human body and reach the deepest recesses of the lungs in some cases.

In addition, HEPA filters will also help to protect the indoor air quality within a home which will contribute to a healthier environment. When there is less pollution in the air of your home’s air it will lead to less exposure to pollutants, especially since the EPA has estimated that most Americans spend close to 90 percent of their time in indoor environments like a home.

HEPA vs True HEPA

Have you ever heard of a True HEPA when talking about HEPA filtration for your home’s indoor air? Some people may think that a HEPA filter is also known as a True HEPA, however, there are some distinctive differences between these two HEPA filters that distinguish one from another when talking about filtration capabilities. When it comes to determining the difference between True HEPA’s and HEPA filters, the major difference will be its efficiency in the air. A HEPA filter is often limited to 85 to 90 percent efficiency in removing airborne pollutants from the air. Whereas it is said that a True HEPA has the ability to capture pollutants at a 99.97 percent efficiency, which demonstrates its superior ability to capture most particulate matters in the air.

It is important to look for a HEPA filter in an air purifier that is able to effectively capture at least 99.97 percent of airborne pollutants in its filter media. Air purifiers will use a variety of filters within their specific air purifier, some use carbon filters, ozone generators, ionization, and HEPA filters to remove pollutants from the air. However, the EnviroKlenz Mobile Air System is a unique air purifier that contains a patented air filter technology, along with the use of a hospital-grade HEPA filter that will filter out 99.99 percent of particulates from the air. The EnviroKlenz technology is a patented earth mineral technology that is able to capture, contain, and neutralize a wide array of noxious and toxic chemicals and odors from the air, all through the use of a safe, nontoxic technology. In addition, the hospital-grade HEPA filter inside of this air purifier is a top-quality filtration that allows for 99.99 percent of pollutants to be removed from the air that are larger than 0.3 microns in size. Thus, this air purifier will provide your indoor air quality with noxious and toxic chemical and odor elimination, as well as fine particulate matter removal.

Article Sources:

1. MadeHow: Air Purifier (link)
2. EcoWatch: 7 Types of Plastic Wreaking Havoc on Our Health (link)
3. Smart Air: Can You Clean or Wash HEPA Filters? (link)
4. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Indoor Air Quality (link)

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✓ Will not release any chemicals back into your environment

✓ Safer and faster at removing VOC’s than traditional carbon filters and PECO air purifiers

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Black Mold vs Toxic Black Mold

There can be many scary things that are harbored within the inside of a home, and some of these scary things may come as a surprise to homeowners – especially when they learn that many of these risks can be found in their indoor air. It is becoming a more frequent discussion about the potential dangers that may lurk within the indoor air quality of a home, especially as reports and testing have been conducted that have deemed indoor air quality in many cases more toxic than that of outdoor air – a surprising conclusion to many people! According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Americans spend on average approximately 90 percent of their time indoors, whether that be in their home’s, at work, etc. In these indoor spaces, however, the concentrations of pollutants were found to be often times 2 to even 5 times higher than typical outdoor pollutant concentrations. What could be the cause to this significant spike in indoor air environments, and could there be a more significant underlying cause to these rapid pollutant concentrations, like mold growth?

Mold is a versatile, fast growing fungi that can easily and seamlessly develop within the walls of a home – no matter if it’s during the cold and damp winter months or even during the hot and humid months of summer. Moisture, humidity, darkness, oxygen, and a food source are all mold needs to develop and aggressively spread throughout the indoor space of a home. The many different variations and types of mold species and among these species there are several types of mold that are prone to growing and thriving within an indoor environment – with some of them classified as less hazardous than others. When we think about toxic molds, the first thing that will come to people’s mind’s is toxic black mold, a known dangerous species of mold that is classified by its hazardous effects in an environment. However, is all black mold ‘toxic’, or is there a difference between black mold vs toxic black mold?

In this article we are going to learn more about black mold including what is black mold, the difference between black mold vs toxic black mold, and how can you eradicate black mold from the air of your home! 

What is Black Mold

The topic of mold is usually associated with the well-known species of mold that is referred to as “black mold”. Black mold is a mold species that has a dark green or black appearance, hints the name associated with this mold, however, the most common species of this mold is actually known as Stachybotrys Chartarum. This mold is identified as a toxigenic mold, which means that the mold as it develops and grows in the environment will begin to release toxins into the air of the environment that will ultimately act as irritants that can harm those individuals that are exposed to it that have preexisting health conditions prior to exposure. Mycotoxins are the toxins that emit from black mold, and this occurs when the mold spores eat, grow, and form colonies with other spores, and lead to compromised air quality, human health, and overall environment.

Although black mold is one of the only species of mold that is claimed to produce mycotoxins into the environment in which the mold is growing, this has been debunked as there are many other species of mold that can produce these same toxins into the air. According to Medical News Today, most people are under the assumption that black mold is dangerous because of its production of mycotoxins into the air, however, the fact is that all molds are capable of producing mycotoxins from their mold spores, and just because mold is present in the environment it does not necessarily mean that they are producing these toxins.

Black Mold vs Toxic Black Mold

If you have ever had mold growing inside your home that has a noticeable discoloration present on the surfaces of your home, like a wall or ceiling, you may think that you can identify the mold based on its color, especially whether or not its black mold or not. The truth is that just because the mold present in your home has a black appearance, that does not mean that you are dealing with black mold. There are over 100,000 species of mold, and all of these will come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors – with many of them taking on a dark appearance like black that may be misidentified as black mold.

There are many different species of black mold, some of which are identified as harmless black mold while the others will be labeled as “toxic black mold”. The species of black mold that people are most familiar with include Cladosporium and Alternaria – both of which are not considered toxic but can aggravate and produce adverse effects to asthma and/or allergy symptoms from exposure to these molds in an indoor environment. Whereas the Stachybotrys Chartarum black mold is the toxic black mold that has been found to be toxic when found in high levels in a confined space of a home, especially as it rapidly grows and develops in the environment

How Long Does It Take for Black Mold to Grow

The development and growth of black mold within a home can happen seemingly overnight, as homeowners will usually not have the first inclination of this mold’s growth until they see either physical mold growth on the surfaces of their home or if they begin to experience adverse health symptoms that are isolated only when present inside their home environment. Black mold, like any other species of mold, thrives in warm conditions and will feed off of materials that are in high in cellulose and low in nitrogen – which leaves many building materials in a home a great food source for this mold. Typically, black mold will grow in a space in your environment that is out of sight, and hard to detect which will allow the mold to thrive and aggressively spread throughout the environment. Although most molds have the keen ability to grow quickly with a home, black mold is somewhat different, as the mold need a suitable material to be very wet for at least a week before it can begin its growth phase.

According to Moldpedia, while most mold takes only about one or two days to colonize and grow in the environment, toxic black mold will usually need between eight to twelve days to begin its colonizing in the indoor space of a home.

Is All Black Mold Dangerous?

As we discussed previously, there are many different types and variations of black mold, and these different species of mold are highly prevalent in indoor environments like residential homes and commercial buildings. When it comes to the two most common types of black mold, Stachybotrys Chartarum and Aspergillus Niger, each of these molds will produce varying toxins into the environment that can range from acute to severe in many cases.

Stachybotrys Chartarum is a mold that grows and thrives on cellulose-rich building materials in damp environments. This mold will produce several health effects when black mold exposure occurs in an indoor environment, such as skin inflammation, coughing, runny nose, nose bleeds, burning of the mouth or nasal passages, cold and flu-like symptoms, headaches, and general fatigue. Thus, this type of black mold is considered to be a more toxic form of black mold, which makes it more dangerous to human exposure.

Whereas Aspergillus Niger is a species of black mold that can grow in a home and produce less acute health effects compared to Stachybotrys Chartarum. The health effects associated with this type of black mold species can include aggravation to allergies and asthma, and potential infections of the respiratory system.

Can Black Mold Make You Sick

If black mold is found growing and thriving inside of your home, will this mold likely make you sick upon exposure? The overall concerns that surround mold and exposure to different species of mold in a home, has led to increasing concern about the effects that the mold can contribute to human health. Many healthcare professionals, particularly allergists and immunologists are seeing an increase in patients that have mold-related sicknesses. When mold develops inside of a home, including black mold, it will become toxic to your health as the mold begins to emit mold spores and toxins into the air, such as mycotoxins, that can become ingested into the human body and into the lungs.

Contact time between an individual and mold spores and toxins produced from black mold can lead to a person becoming sick, especially after continual contact time in the environment. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stated that mold (including black mold) will ultimately produce allergens and irritants into the air, and when exposure to these airborne pollutants occurs either through inhalation or through touching them on surfaces it can cause an allergic reaction that will provoke allergy-like symptoms. Thus, we can answer the question, “can mold make you sick?” with an affirmative yes.

Is Black Mold Airborne?

Many species of mold are known for their abilities to produce pollutants into the airspace of the environment in which it is growing in, leading to the tainting of the indoor air quality and even effects to the health of those individuals exposed to the environment. Mold spore and toxins like mycotoxins are the two forms of pollutants that are released from mold and that become airborne into the airspace of a home where the mold is growing, each of these pollutants will have varying impacts on the conditions in the space. Black mold is known to produce both of these pollutants into the air, but when these mold spores and toxins are produced into the air it will depend on a number of factors in the environment.

Black mold has a wet coating colony that will typically help to prevent the spores of this mold from becoming airborne into the air space. However, once this moisture source depletes the toxic black mold colony will dry out and promote the releasing of these mold spores into the air. In addition, alterations to the humidity of a home can also trigger the emission of black mold spores into the air of the environment. Lastly, when black mold is disturbed – usually through the process of trying to remove the mold from the environment, it can cause an outbreak of mold spores and toxins that will be released into the air and lead to a toxic indoor air space within the home. Therefore, if you have black mold in your home be sure to contact a mold remediation specialist to properly mitigate and remove the mold source safely from the environment.

Black Mold Air Purifier

Have you started to experience health symptoms only when inside the indoor space of your home? Anything from sneezing, coughing, irritated eyes, nose, and throat, and even general fatigue that all stay with you from the moment you enter the home until you leave it. If this starts to occur then mold exposure could be the culprit behind your growing health issues, and ultimately will mean that the indoor air quality in your home has become compromised by the growing mold, its mold spores, and potential toxins that it may be producing into the air. The best way to help mitigate the potential airborne black mold spores and toxins is through the use and integration of a high-quality air purifier. An air purifier is designed to filter the indoor air of an environment by taking in the air and running it through a filtration technology to pull out and remove certain airborne pollutants from the air. However, not all air purifiers provide the capability to remove small mold spore and toxins from the air, and thus it is important to do your research prior to buying and using an air purifier for black mold removal.

The EnviroKlenz UV Air Purifier is a revolutionary air purification device that specifically works to filter out mold spores and other microorganisms from the air and provides these airborne pollutants with a high efficiency of kill. The EnviroKlenz® technology is a patented earth mineral non-toxic material that works safely to capture, contain, and neutralize a broad spectrum of noxious and toxic chemicals and odors from the indoor space of an environment. This technology will act as the first stage of filtration in the EnviroKlenz UV Air Purifier, along with a second stage filtration that consists of a hospital-grade HEPA filter for fine particulate matter removal larger than 0.3 microns in size at a 99.99 percent efficiency.

What makes the EnviroKlenz UV Air Purifier work solidly against mold spores and microorganisms is its utilization of UV-C light bulbs within the air purifier, and these lights are strategically located in between the two stage of filtration in the air purifier – shining right above the HEPA filter. The HEPA filter will be the filtration process that captures these mold spores and toxins that are collected in the air purifier, and thus the UV-C lights will shine on the collection site of this HEPA filter to effectively destroy the mold spores held within this filter.

Article Sources:

1. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Indoor Air Quality (link)
2. Medical News Today: How Dangerous is Black Mold to Health? (link)
3. Moldpedia: Toxic Black Mold (Stachybotrys) (link)
4. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Mold and Health (link)

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✓ No chemicals or masking agents

✓ Will not release any chemicals back into your environment

✓ UVC lamps are continuously shining on the collected organisms with high effeciency of kill and destruction

EnviroKlenz® Medical Disclaimer:

“Any information that is provided on this website is not for the use by any commercial or personal entity without expressed written consent of the blog author. The material and statements illustrated within this blog are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases or medical conditions. Nor does the author in any way guarantee or validate the validity, totality, or efficacy of any claims and will therefore not be held responsible for the content of any claims. Always consult your medical physician for any specific medical advice or recommendations.”

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Is Olefin Safe Flooring for Your Home?

When it comes to the flooring inside of your home, often times not much is considered during the purchase and installation of this flooring other than the aesthetic look of the floors in the home, the cost of the flooring, and how durable the material is to last longer in their indoor space. However, although it is important to have a nice looking, cost-effective, and durable flooring in your home, it is also important to consider the potential effects the flooring may have on the indoor space’s air quality and even the health of the occupants that are heavily exposed to this environment. Some flooring materials that are prevalently used in homes may contain toxic materials and components that can act as a significant source of pollution inside of a home. Among the different kinds of flooring materials that are known to be dangerous to an indoor environment is that of Olefin (also known as Polypropylene).

In this article we are going to learn more about what olefin flooring material is, the uses of this material throughout a home, and the various problems that are created in an indoor space due to the toxic nature of olefin material.

What is Olefin

The fabric material olefin is a man-made fiber that was created from plastic pellets that are melted down, and then forced through a spinneret to create the fiber. This synthetic fiber is made from a polyolefin – such as polypropylene or polyethylene. The fibers of this material are thick giving it great bulk and coverage, which makes it the ideal textile to use for carpet flooring. The strength of this material is one of its most important characteristics, and this is because of its ability to keep its strength and durability no matter the conditions that it is exposed to in the environment. Another benefit to this fabric material Is its low absorption capabilities when it comes to moisture intrusions, as the olefin material will wick moisture and self-dry quickly.

This industrial, high-durability olefin fabric will also hold up well against abrasions, stains, sunlight, fire, and chemical exposure. The capability of olefin material to withstand so many damaging sources makes it a top option for those homeowners who are looking for a tough, long-lasting flooring material in their home. Although this may seem like the best option for your home, it may be time you learned about what olefin fibers are made of and how these chemical ingredients can influence the quality of the indoor environment of your home.

What is Olefin Fiber Made Of

Have you ever considered how flooring is made and the process that different types of flooring materials go through before being installed into your home? Some of these types of flooring will be constructed through the use of different glues, adhesives, or chemical finishes that provide the material with a certain look, finish, or durability – all of which may contain toxic chemicals that can be spread onto the flooring material and emitted into your home after the flooring has been installed in the space. Olefin fibers are no different from other traditional types of floors, this material will contain a chemical concoction that will lead to the tainting of the indoor air in the environment that the olefin flooring was just introduced into.

The Olefin fiber material is made by polymerizing two compounds, polypropylene or polyethylene in the presence of certain catalysts. When these polymers are melted to convert them into a liquid, this liquid is then made to pass through a ‘spinneret’ that allows the material to go through a series of fine holes to form long-length fibers. The polymers that are used to form olefin will produce another chemical known as ethylene into the material, this is a chemical that is an industrial petrochemical that can be used in the manufacturing of many items such as antifreeze, solvents, surfactants, etc.

Olefins Uses in a Home

You may find it surprising to learn about the many different materials that are used throughout your home to form furniture, upholstery, flooring, and even soft materials like blankets and bedding. Within the average American household, you may be exposed to a variety of fibers and fabrics, some in more plentiful sizes than others like cotton, polyester, etc. Olefin material is a type of fiber fabric that is not as heavily used as cotton or polyester, but it can be used in a mix of different products such as apparel, home furnishings, and even in automobiles.

• Clothing Apparel: Olefin fabric has been used in a number of different clothing apparel items that have been manufactured over the years. From sports and active wear to give the material its needed durability, to socks and hoodies that will undergo extreme climate changes throughout the day.
• Home Furnishings: One of the most popular uses of the olefin material is through the use in home furnishings like indoor and outdoor carpeting, carpet tiles, and even carpet backing. Also, this material can be used in upholstery, draperies, wall coverings, slipcovers, and floor coverings.
• Automotive: Another place where olefin material can be used is inside of an automobile. This material has been used before for the interior fabric, sun visors, arm rests, doors and side panels of a car.

Olefin Carpet Problems

As we have learned, there are many advantageous qualities to the olefin carpet material starting at its moisture wicking and durable features. This material can be used as the main carpet material or even for the backing of the carpeting when it is installed onto the flooring of a home. Although olefin is a popularly used carpet in homes for both indoors and outdoors, there are certain problems that olefin carpet can experience or produce into an environment. Olefin fibers are not very resilient and when the material gets crushed it will be hard for the material to regain its original shape. The material also is very sensitive to heat, and if it is exposed to temperatures too high it can damage the fibers of the olefin.

Another problem that homeowners may experience from significant exposure to olefin carpeting could be the chemical array that is emitted into the environment from this “toxic carpet”. As we discussed prior, olefin carpet material is constructed using numerous chemical mixtures to provide the fabric with its ability to be placed as a durable carpeting in a home – including polypropylene and ethylene which can be potentially dangerous compounds that will interact adversely in an indoor environment. These chemical compounds will produce toxic byproducts into the air which when they become inhaled into the human body can cause certain health problems like headaches, allergies, dizziness, or even nausea in some cases, according to Home Quicks.

Olefin vs Polypropylene

It is common that when talking about the fiber olefin you may hear the term polypropylene thrown in the mix as well, which can be confusing for most consumers. The reason behind this interchangeable name for olefin is because of the polypropylene rug material that is in fact used to construct the olefin material fibers. Polypropylene is the second most widely used plastic in the world that is used in olefin materials that are used in home carpeting. Overall, though the differences between these materials is just that olefin is the generic name for the plastic chemical polypropylene – nothing more and nothing less.

Polypropylene (Olefin) Carpet Safety

Polypropylene (olefin) carpeting can contain a variety of risks after it has been installed inside of a home, especially in large quantities. The fabric contains a blend of chemical compounds within its construction that will include VOCs, ethylene, polypropylene, etc. all of which when combined will produce potentially toxic chemical fumes into the air space of the environment as the chemicals begin to turn into gaseous compounds (usually from a liquid or solid state to start). The process of polypropylene carpeting releasing chemicals into the air as a gas is what is known as off gassing.

When it comes to maintaining the safety of the environment and the health of the occupants in the space from olefin carpet off gassing there are many solutions that can be integrated to help mitigate these airborne hazards. Filtering the indoor air is one of the most effective ways to mitigate olefin carpet fumes from the air, as well as opening windows and doors to let fresh air intake into the space while the carpeting begins its off gassing period. Generally, however, limiting exposure to this tainted environment is the way to go – and thus that is why it may be recommended that you do not stay in the environment for a few days following the installation of the olefin flooring.

Does Olefin Off Gas?

New materials that are placed into a home have the potential to go through a process that is known as off gassing, where the chemicals that are used in the construction of these products turn from a solid or liquid into a gas at room temperature. The chemical fumes that are released into the air will usually last for an ambiguous amount of time, which is dependent on multiple factors such as the amount of chemicals used, the conditions in the environment, and how much material was placed into the space. If you have just laid down new olefin carpeting inside of your home, it would be assumed that the off gassing of the olefin chemical compounds will be significant in the home and take some time to completely off gas in the space.

Olefin carpeting is a synthetic material that like any other synthetic material will go through the off-gassing process after its installation inside of your indoor environment. These types of flooring materials, like we discussed previously, include a chemical concoction of ingredients like VOCs that can taint the indoor space of a home during its off-gassing process in the environment.

How to Remove Toxic Carpet Chemicals

When it comes to the different carpet materials that you select for your home, there is a list of these carpet materials that are known to be “toxic carpets”. These toxic carpets can emit chemicals into the airspace that will adversely impact the indoor air quality and the health of the occupants that spend large amounts of time in this environment. Some homeowners will unknowingly install “toxic carpeting” into their home without doing previous research into the quality of the material and the potential chemicals that it harbors within the fibers of this carpet.

If you install toxic carpeting in your home, like olefin carpeting, without knowing the risks that it presents to your indoor air quality than you may be in some major trouble after the initial installation of the flooring. The carpet will produce a chemical odor into the confined space of a home and eventually will flood the air with elevated levels of contaminants in the air that will put the health of humans exposed to this environment at risk. What is the best solution for how to remove toxic carpet chemicals from your home’s air? The use of an air purifier for carpet fumes will likely be your best resource to use that will quickly and effectively mitigate chemical compounds from the air of a home that are produced from tainted carpet material.

Air Purifier for Carpet Fumes

An air purifier is a device that is used to clean the indoor air of an environment by pulling in air through the system and filtering out the contaminant matter that is polluting the air quality of the home. There are a variety of air purifiers that are available to consumers that will contain varying technologies that will give the air purifier its capability to filter out certain pollutants from the air, whether that be particulate matter, chemical compounds, or noxious odors. When it comes to looking for an air purifier that can accomplish all three of these pollutant removals from the air, it may be a difficult task to fulfill – especially when you are specifically looking for an air purifier for carpet fumes removal in the air space.

The EnviroKlenz Air Purifier is a revolutionary air purifier that works through a patented earth mineral technology that effectively captures, contains, and neutralizes noxious and toxic chemicals and odors from the air through a safe, non-toxic process. The technology is a one-of-a-kind air filtration technology that will work to actually remove pollutants from the air, rather than storing them on the filter media of an air filter. The EnviroKlenz technology will be effectively capable of neutralizing VOCs and other chemicals from the air that may be produced from olefin carpeting. In addition, the EnviroKlenz Air Purifier also contains a hospital-grade HEPA filter for fine particulate matter removal larger than 0.3 microns in size at a 99.99 percent efficiency.

Article Sources:

1. Wikipedia: Olefin Fiber (link)
2. Home Quicks: Pros and Cons of Using Polypropylene Rugs That You Shouldn’t Ignore (link)

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How Long Do Polyurethane Fumes Last in a Home

The installation of new wood finishing’s in your home can be something exciting for many homeowners who thrive in the new updated look of their personal indoor environment. Whether that be the installation of new wood flooring throughout the main living areas, shiny new wood cabinets hung in the kitchen, or even the delivery of new wood furniture to bestow the living space of your home – new wood building materials can be found in abundance throughout many homes. However, the introduction of new wood building materials and items in your indoor environment will also allow for the scary entrance of a variety of chemical compounds to begin its reign of terror on your home’s indoor air space.

New wood building materials that are used in flooring, cabinets, and furniture are typically composed of an amalgam of chemical compounds that are used in the construction of the material. The different chemicals found in these wood items can include adhesives and glues that contain chemical VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that will be emitted into the indoor space of a home after installation. Additionally, there are other finishes that can be applied to the new wood after it is installed inside your indoor environment, such as polyurethane finishes that is used to coat the wood surface to protect it from scratches and water damage. This chemical finishing, however, is known for producing toxic chemical fumes into the air of an indoor air space, which can be both hazardous to the indoor air quality and to the health of those occupants residing in this environment.

In this article we are going to learn more about the effects of polyurethane chemical finishing on wood and discuss the best methods to use to get rid of polyurethane fumes smell throughout the tainted air space of a home.

What Does Polyurethane Do

Polyurethane wood finish is a product used on wood building materials found throughout a home that is used to coat the surfaces of this wood, which helps to protect the material from scratches while also resisting water damage if exposure to water occurs. In addition to the polyurethanes ability to protect the wood from potential damage, it also has been used to provide the wood items with a glossy, smooth finish that gives a more polished appearance in the home – which can be used on wood flooring, cabinets, and furniture. This wood finishing product can be found in most hardware stores and is classified as both a paint and/or a varnish finish – and is often labeled as a wood finish.

Polyurethane is generally applied directly to the wood surface with the use of a bristle brush that helps to reduce the appearance of streaks by giving the wood an even application of the polyurethane varnish. When you are applying the polyurethane coating to the wood materials it is recommended to avoid the sunlight or direct heat during this application process. According to Do It Yourself, the ultraviolet (U.V.) rays from the sun and/or excessive heat will aid in the breaking down of the polyurethane, which will weaken the polyurethane’s ability to protect the wood – making it susceptible to scratching and water damage.

Polyurethane Uses

The use and application of polyurethane can be quite broad, going further than the tradition method of using this chemical product just for a wood surface finishing. Polyurethane can be surprisingly used in other items such as apparel, appliances, automobiles, building and construction, and even packaging. When polyurethane is used in each of these marketing sectors it is used in a specific manner that differs across each product and/or item. Thus, it is important to see how exactly polyurethane is used and understand the impact it has when applied in each of these particular products.

Below we are going to discuss more in-depth these different uses of polyurethane and why this chemical finishing product is used.

• Apparel: Polyurethane has been used in clothing apparel ever since it was discovered that the polyurethane could be made into fine threads by scientist. When polyurethane is used in conjunction with nylon fabric is provides a fabric that is more lightweight and stretchable. In addition to nylon, polyurethane has also been integrated into spandex fibers.
• Appliances: Did you know that polyurethane is used in most major appliances as rigid foams and thermal installation? Is polyurethane foam dangerous? This polyurethane foam helps these appliances by making them more cost-effective and aiding these appliances in acquiring a higher energy rating, which consumers look at during their buying process.
• Automobiles: The comfort inside of your car may just be thanks to the use of polyurethane inside the vehicle. Polyurethane foam is used to make car seats comfortable, as well as even aid in the outside structure of the car by making bumpers, spoilers, doors, windows, etc.
• Building and Construction: One of the most notable uses of polyurethane is in building and construction work, specifically to coat wood surfaces as a finishing. In addition to its use on wood building materials, it is also used as foam to conserve natural resources and energy consumption in a home.

What is Polyurethane Made of

The construction of polyurethane is fairly simple, according to the American Chemistry Council this chemical is formed by reacting a polyol with a diisocyanate or a polymeric isocyanate in the presence of suitable catalysts and additives. This physical construction of polyurethane makes is attractive for use as flexible foam, rigid foams, chemical-resistant coatings, and adhesives and sealants.

The polyurethane chemical is available in both water- and oil-based options.

Water-based polyurethane is a popular option for many people due to its low odor and low toxicity characteristics. This polyurethane is applied on wood or other surfaces as clear and does not add a slight color like oil-based polyurethane does when used. In addition, the water-based polyurethane will dry much faster, however, it will not hold up well in heat or when exposed to other chemicals in the environment.

Oil-based polyurethane is a more durable option over water-based polyurethane because of its ability to hold up to heat exposure. The oil-based construction allows it to provide a slight color tone on wood, which brings out the woods rich color when applied. However, when you are using this type of polyurethane it is best to use safety equipment like a respirator and make sure you are in a well-ventilated area during the application process – because of its long dry and cure time.

Is Polyurethane Safe?

When it comes to using polyurethane finishing coats on the wood surfaces in your home, many people will see the vast amount of benefits it offers, which include protecting the wood for damage and providing a shiny, polished look. Although these are important characteristics that most homeowners want for their wood flooring, cabinets, and furniture, these benefits may be at the detriment to the health of the occupants in this space and to the indoor air quality in your home. Did you know that polyurethane may not be the safest product to use in your home, especially in large quantities? It may be time to do your due diligence before applying polyurethane finishing to your wood surfaces in your home.

Polyurethane, also known as a petrochemical resin, that contain isocyanates, has been labeled as a respiratory toxin that can be dangerous if exposure occurs, particularly in high levels. When uncured polyurethane is used on wood flooring that runs throughout an entire home, this can exacerbate many health issues in those that are exposed to the fumes produced from this polyurethane. According to Home’s Guide, when an individual(s) are exposed to uncured polyurethane they may begin to experience different health symptoms such as asthma exacerbation, headaches, coughing, eye and throat irritation, vomiting, and even shortness of breath.

How Long is Polyurethane Toxic

If you are someone who has recently undergone the application of polyurethane on your wood floors, cabinets, or furniture, then you are aware of the odorous fumes that will infiltrate the airspace of your environment. The length of time that it takes for polyurethane to cure and dry in the environment is typically the same length of time that it is considered toxic in the indoor air space. It has been estimated that depending on the type of polyurethane used, either water-based or oil-based, the length of time that the toxic fumes of polyurethane will linger in the air will range.

As we discussed previously, oil-based polyurethane has a longer dry and cure time than water-based polyurethane, which makes it more hazardous in the environment for a longer period of time. It is generally recommended to avoid walking on wood floors after polyurethane has been applied for at least 24 to 48 hours. In addition, you should also avoid moving back furniture for at least 4 days after the initial application. Overall, it is said that it takes a full 30 days for the floors to properly cure, which means this will likely be the duration of time that you deal with toxic fumes in the air space.

Polyurethane Fumes Safety

There are a range of safety precautions that should be taken before the use and application of polyurethane wood surface finishing’s – and these are safety information that should be known before you begin your application process. Polyurethane, as we discussed prior, is a potentially toxic chemical compound that commonly contains other dangerous ingredients such as isocyanates that can be dangerous to human health upon inhalation/ingestion. Isocyanates are sensitizing agents, and thus when polyurethane is applied or sprayed onto a surface it is critical that those doing the application process wear the proper PPE (personal protection equipment).

When it comes to the recommended PPE that is suggested for someone who is applying polyurethane wood surface finishing’s, the following PPE is;

• Eye protection
• Coveralls that cover the fully body, usually disposable
• Gloves such as nitrile, rubber, or neoprene
• Safety shoes
• And Respirator; be sure it is a tight-fitted fill face-piece air respirator mask

How Long Does It Take for Polyurethane to Stop Smelling

After the installation of polyurethane and other building materials in your home, you will begin to wonder how long it takes for the polyurethane fume odors to stop smelling in your home. The initial curing time of the polyurethane after it has been applied to a large portion of your home’s floor can be up to 5 to 7 days. After this 5-7-day timeframe most of the polyurethane should be dry on the surface, and able to be lived on once again. However, when it comes to the odors produced from the polyurethane finishing in a home this odor can last for months in some cases.

The polyurethane will off-gas for longer than the cure time, due to the chemicals being released from the wood finishing way after its initial application. This off-gassing process takes place because of the conditions present in the environment which make it ideal for the volatile chemicals to turn from a solid/liquid to a gaseous chemical compound in the air. Thus, you may find it necessary to begin integrating air quality control and mitigation methods in your home to help combat this growing polyurethane odorous fume problem.

How to Get Rid of Polyurethane Smell

When polyurethane is applied to the wood flooring, cabinets, and/or furniture in a home it can produce an unmistakable smell in the airspace that is full of an amalgam of chemicals. These polyurethane fumes can travel throughout the whole air space and remain hanging in the air for a significant portion of time, depending on the conditions in the environment such as poor ventilation, air flow, and temperature. When ventilation and air flow is restricted it will trap the polyurethane fumes in the air which will taint the indoor air quality and potentially impact human health. In addition, when the temperature in the room is elevated it will exacerbate the off gassing of chemicals within this polyurethane wood finishing’s.

One of the best methods to use in a home on how to get rid the polyurethane smells and fumes from the air is through the use of an air purification device. There are a variety of different air purification devices that are currently available to consumers to select from and they can each contain a different type of technology for pollutant removal. From carbon, ozone, ionization, and HEPA filtration, each of these will work differently when trying to filter and remove chemical pollutants from the air. The EnviroKlenz Air Purifier, however, is unlike traditional air purification technologies as it works to completely capture, contain, and neutralize a broad spectrum of noxious and toxic chemicals and odors from the air (including polyurethane fumes) through the use of a proprietary earth mineral technology. This technology is used as the first stage filtration in these air purifiers, along with the second-stage filtration of a HEPA filter for fine particulate removal larger than 0.3 microns in size at a 99.99 percent efficiency.

Article Sources:

1. Do It Yourself: How Polyurethane Protects Wood (link)
2. American Chemistry Council: Introduction to Polyurethanes: Polyurethane Applications (link)
3. American Chemistry Council: Introduction to Polyurethanes: How Polyurethane is Made (link)
4. Home Guides: Is Polyurethane Coating on Wood Floors Toxic? (link)

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✓ Patented earth mineral technology works to attack VOCs and break them down on a compound level

✓ No chemicals or masking agents

✓ Will not release any chemicals back into your environment

✓ Safer and faster at removing VOC’s than traditional carbon filters and PECO air purifiers

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via https://enviroklenz.com