Healthy
 
Environment
 
   
The healthy way to treat allergies

Do you want to know if you are allergic or have an allergy related disease?
Just answer the questions below:

   

1) Have you noticed in the past 6 months any symptom such as: sneezing, nasal obstruction, or runny nose as if you had a cold?
2) During those 6 months, have those nasal symptoms come followed by itchy and watery eyes?
3) For the past 12 months, have you had nasal secretion followed by jawbone and frontal headache?
4) Have you ever had trouble breathing for the past 12 months without having a cold?
5) Have you ever gotten breathless associated with whistling noise when you breathe (wheezing)?

In the event you have answered “yes” to questions 1 and 2, you have respiratory symptoms1 possibly associated to allergic rhinitis2;
In case you have answered “yes” to question 3, you might be a sinusitis carrier;
In case you have answered “yes” to questions 4 and 5, you might be an asthma carrier. This questionnaire is just indicative and under no circumstance substitutes medical consultation.

   
Have I got an allergy or flu?
   
Some symptoms such as obstructed nose, sneezing, itchy eyes, nose and throat, are not just originated from allergies, as they can also be a sign of flu. The flu is caused by viruses and the symptoms usually disappear after a few days, different from the allergies. It is very usual to see allergic patients that before finding out about their disease, used to believe that they had a "constant flu". The allergic reactions start to act while the person is exposed to certain proteins, for example, the airborne allergens – airborne substances responsible for the appearance of inflammatory reactions susceptible individuals. Other substances can be so irritating that they can aggravate the inflammatory process, like strong odors, toxic Ozone, and sometimes just cold air. Toxic Ozone is not only present in the atmospheric layer protecting Earth from the UV rays but also in the environment that we live. In this case, toxic Ozone can cause irreversible damage to the lungs, besides causing asthmatic crisis.
   
Main airborne allergens
   
Dust Mite allergens. The house dust mites are usually found in mattresses and couches. Their main food sources are fungus and human skin flakes. The dust mite allergens are found in their skeletons and especially in their fecal matter. Because they are so light weighted, those allergens are thrown in the air after any movement in the environment.
   
Mold. Mold is a kind of fungus that throws spores in the air which are their reproductive structures, invisible to the naked eye that when inhaled, may be responsible to trigger allergic reactions and in some cases, even infections.
   
Pet Dander. The allergy causing substances and mostly found in pet’s oil glands, skin and saliva. They are small sized proteins that might stay airborne for hours or even days. Besides, they are easily transported between environments, this way they can be found in places where there are no animals3. Many researches relate asthmatic crisis to the presence of pet dander in homes3,4.
   
Pollen Allergens. Pollen may cause seasonal rhinitis which occurs in a determined period of the year. Usually it may appear in Spring time, when the flowers bloom. The pollen is extremely light weighted and disperses itself through the air. When inhaled it may deposit itself on the nasal mucous the existing proteins of the grains may trigger allergic reactions5
   
In other words, the allergic rhinitis is characterized by nasal inflammation after exposure to the allergens2. On the other hand, asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease that leads to the obstruction of the respiratory airways6. Studies demonstrate that the allergic rhinitis usually precedes asthma and that about 38% of the people who have rhinitis also suffer from asthma7. In the case of sinusitis, it may be said that it is a disease characterized by the inflammation of the nasal mucus, which leads to obstruction, pain and a pressure feeling on the cheeks. It may also be caused due to infections caused by viruses, bacteria infections, or allergic reactions8.
   
Knowledge
   

Did you know that some dust mite and fungus are intimately related?

Laboratory tests suggest that some dust mites species can not survive in the absence of fungus10.

Fungus other than being a food source for dust mites they are also responsible for the pre digesting of human skin flakes11.

   
   
How to improve the quality of life of one allergic person
   

Allergies and its inconvenient symptoms are responsible for the reduction the quality of life and even loss of productivity at school and work2.The main way to avoid allergies is to prevent allergens to be inhaled by people. For that to occur, two measures need to be taken: to treat the air (contamination means) and to fight contamination sources.

These are some important tips:

1- When washing bed sheets try to do it using hot water (131F) every 7 days, in order to eliminate the dust mites;

2- If possible, use anti-dust mite covers on attresses and pillows and avoid feather pillows and comforters;

3- In there is presence of mildew, use a 1 part of chlorine for each 4 parts of water solution for cleaning. Do not mix chlorine based products with ammonia based products. The mixture liberates toxic gases;

4- Clean up all mildew stains that you find. If the material is too porous and cannot be totally cleaned, throw it away;

5- Wait until the surfaces are completely dry before
placing objects over it;

6- Use exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms. This measure will decrease humidity levels and reduces the installation of germs;

7- Ventilate closed spaces like attics. In fact, the relative humidity of any environment should always be kept below 50%, because over that fungus, bacteria and dust mites will proliferate quicker.

8- Clean up the air conditioning system and dehumidifiers on a regular basis, because those devices accumulate humidity and dirt inside, helping fungus and bacteria growth.

9- When water damages occur like during floods, the contaminated materials should be cleaned and dried within 24 hours;

10- Remove any allergic person from the room whenever vacuum cleaning or changing bed sheets, because the quantity of dust mites, fungus and bacteria in the air increase during the cleaning process;

11- Allergic people should avoid carpets because the
vacuum cleaners cannot remove all dust mites and fungus out of its woof;

12- Use Airfree air purifier to maintain a good air quality level in the environment.

   
   
Why Airfree  

Airfree quietly, constantly, and efficiently purifies the air which is the transmitting mean between the contamination sources and the allergic person.

Airfree is the high efficiency air purifier that reduces up to 99% of airborne micro-organisms and allergens, besides educing in 26% the amount of Ozone, duly confirmed by many independent test reports performed by Universities, Laboratories, and Institutions in several countries. For further information regarding Airfree, and to see copies of full test reports please access www.airfree.com.

   
Airfree P80  

Efficient:   Airfree is tested in real working environments with people in them by credible ISO 17025 independent laboratories and universities in several countries.Airfree destroys any microorganism such as mold spores, bacteria, viruses, and dust mite allergens when passing through its patented high efficiency thermo dynamic sterilizing ceramic core known as ThermoDyn regardless of how hazardous and small they might be.

Silent: No sound emission.

Exclusive: Airfree uses just heat ThermoDyn technology to destroy and incinerate airborne microorganisms. No fiber glass filters, triclosan coated paper or any kind of material that can be harmful to those operating or  wasting it.

Ozone Reduction: Airfree exclusive ThermoDyn technology is the only one reducing  ozone while destroying microorganisms.

Economic: Airfree model electric consumption is lower that a 50W light bulb.  No replacement parts required like filters that may cost hundreds of dollars a year.

Easy Installation: Just place Airfree on the floor and plug it into the nearest electric outlet. No need for maintenance or special cleaning.

   
Bibliographical References:  
1- Graudenz GS, Oliveira CH, Tribess A, Mendes Jr C, Latorre MRDO, Kalil J. Association of air-conditioning with respiratory symptoms in office workers in tropical climate. Indoor Air 2005; 15: 62–66.
2- Walls RS, Heddle RJ, Tang ML, Basger BJ, Solley GO, Yeo GT. Optimising the management of allergic rhinitis: an Australian perspective. Med J Aust. 2005 Jan 3;182(1):28-33.
3- Peter B. Boggs. Indoor Allergen Control Measures: A Practical Summary. Lesson 17, Volume 16. http://www.chestnet.org/education/online/abim/chart/vol16/lesson17/print.php.
4- Custovic A, Simpson A, Chapman MD, Woodcock A. Allergen avoidance in the treatment of asthma and atopic disorders. Thorax 1998;53:63–72.
5- Esteves, PC, Rosário Filho NA, Tripia SG, Caleffe LG. Prevalence of perenial and seasonal allergic rhinits with atopic sensitization to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Lolium multiflorum in schoolchildren and adults in Curitiba. Revista Brasileira de Alergia e Imunopatologia. 2000; 23(6):249-259.
6- Capítulo I - definição, epidemiologia, patologia e patogenia. J. Pneumologia, jun. 2002,
vol.28 supl.1, p.4-5.
7- Corren J. Allergic rhinitis and asthma: how important is the link? J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1997 Feb;99(2):S781-6.
8- Evans KL. Diagnosis and management of sinusitis. BMJ. 1994 Nov 6;309(6966):1415-22.
9- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.zone.http://www.epa.gov/epahome/ozone.htm
10- Hay DB, Hart BJ, Douglas AE. Effects of the fungus Aspergillus penicillioides on the house dust mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus: an experimental re-evaluation. Med Vet Entomol. 1993 Jul;7(3):271-4
11- .BAGGIO, D. CROCE, J.,ÁCAROS CONTAMINANTES DE AMBIENTES E CAUSADORES DE DOENÇAS ALÉRGICAS NO HOMEM