10 Steps to Making Your Home Asthma-Friendly

Clearing the Air of Asthma Triggers: 

10 Steps to Making Your Home Asthma-Friendly

United States Environmental Protection Agency  EPA 402-F-04-017 

1. Take it outside. One of the most common asthma triggers in the home is secondhand smoke. Until you can quit, smoke outside, not in your home or car.
2. Good night, little mite! Dust mites are also triggers for asthma. For mite population control, cover mattresses and pillows with dust-proof (allergen impermeable) zippered covers. Wash sheets and blankets once a week in hot water.
3. Play it Safe. Ozone and particle pollution can cause asthma attacks. Watch for the Air Quality Index (AQI) during your local weather report. When AQI reports unhealthy levels, limit outdoor activities.
4. A little goes a long way. Reduce everyday dust build-up, by regularly dusting with a damp cloth and vacuuming carpet and fabric-covered furniture.
5. Stake your claim. Household pets can trigger asthma with skin flakes, urine, and saliva. Keep pets outdoors, if possible.
6. Uninvite unwelcome guests. Cockroaches can trigger asthma. Don't invite them into your home by leaving food or garbage out. Always clean up messes and spills and store food in airtight containers.
7. Think before you spray. Instead of pesticide sprays, control pests by using baits or traps. If sprays are necessary, always circulate fresh air into the room being treated and keep asthma sufferers out of that room for several hours after any spraying.
8. Break the mold. Mold is another asthma trigger. The key to controlling mold is controlling moisture. Wash and dry hard surfaces to prevent and remove mold. Replace moldy ceiling tiles and carpet.
9. Air it out. Reducing the moisture will control asthma triggers like mold, cockroaches, and dust mites. Use exhaust fans or open windows when cooking and showering. Fix leaky plumbing or other unwanted sources of water.
10. Plan before the attack. Work with your doctor or healthcare provider to develop a written asthma management plan for your child that includes information on your child’s triggers and how to manage them.

Post a note. Post this plan on your refrigerator to help control asthma triggers and reduce asthma attacks in your home. Share it with those who spend time with your child like teachers, babysitters, and coaches.

pdf version of this list: EPA 402-F-04-017 

RainSoft Air and Water Conditioning Products

RainSoft air purification systems treat the entire home, not just one room. Our systems mount directly into the ductwork of your home, providing cleaner, fresher air throughout the entire house. With advanced UV light and ozone lamp technology, the AirMaster Ultra system eliminates airborne contaminants in your home. 

RainSoft of Dayton

115 Westpark Rd
Centerville, OH 45459

(937) 435-9060

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Indoor Air Pollution Can Increase in Efficiency Homes

 Indoor Air Quality: Protect Your Home From the Unseen

from inlandvalleynews.com

(StatePoint) With so many people now optimizing their living spaces for energy efficiency, the risk for indoor air pollution in homes can actually increase, say experts, as pollutants can get trapped indoors as a result.

Clean air inside your home is vital. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), exposure to air pollutants can cause health problems, including respiratory disease, heart disease and cancer.

Here are steps you can take to protect your family from these risks:

Prevent

Many sources of air pollution are preventable. Start by ensuring no one smokes inside, as secondhand smoke contains nicotine, toxic chemicals and carcinogenic agents.

Take care of water leaks immediately to prevent mold and mildew from forming around your home. Also, take steps to reduce indoor humidity. The EPA and the Department of Energy are offering tips on how to do so at www.EnergyStar.gov.

If your home was built between 1930 and 1950, it was likely insulated with asbestos. Make sure these materials are in good condition, as damaged asbestos could release harmful fibers into your home. Hire a professional to seal, cover or remove damaged material.

Emissions from gas stoves can worsen asthma. If anyone in your household suffers from asthma, consider replacing your gas stove with an electric one.

Choose safe household cleaners that don’t contain harsh chemicals. Organic and non-toxic products can do the same job as traditional products, without irritating your eyes, nose and throat.

Ventilate

No matter how many steps you take to prevent indoor air pollution, your home is subject to inevitable sources of pollutants. Proper mechanical ventilation is your best defense.

“Continuous ventilation at a low speed not only takes minimal wattage to run, but it also significantly improves the indoor air quality of your entire home by exhausting hidden pollution, such as allergens, mildew, mold and more,” says Anita So, Marketing Manager at Panasonic Eco Solutions North America.

Although most consumers are aware of the need for ventilation in areas prone to high-humidity like bathrooms, an entire air-tight home can benefit from eliminating mold, mildew, moisture, volatile organic compounds and other invisible vapors.

First, check to see if your ventilation fans are working properly. If the bathroom mirror steams up after a hot shower or bath, it is time to replace or install a ventilation fan.

Click to read the original article.

RainSoft Has Indoor Air Quality Solutions  

RainSoft air purification systems treat the entire home, not just one room. Our systems mount directly into the ductwork of your home, providing cleaner, fresher air throughout the entire house. With advanced UV light and ozone lamp technology, the AirMaster Ultra system eliminates airborne contaminants in your home.

RainSoft of Dayton

115 Westpark Rd
Centerville, OH 45459

(937) 435-9060

www.rainsoftofdayton.com

Or locate a RainSoft Dealer near you.

Summer Increases Air Pollution and Health Risks

Hazy days of summer can boost air pollution, health risks for many

Ground-level ozone and forest fire smoke are common in summer

OLYMPIA - In Washington, we welcome warm sunny weather, ready to spend more time outdoors in the garden and on hiking trails. Summer is also wildfire season and a time when ozone levels rise, making it more difficult to breathe for people with heart and lung diseases.

“It’s important for people who have conditions like asthma, bronchitis, and heart disease to pay attention to air quality reports,” said State Health Officer Dr. Maxine Hayes. “Air pollution makes it hard for everybody to breathe. And poor air quality affects people with heart and lung diseases earlier than others. If you live in an area that has forest fires, make sure to protect yourself from smoky conditions.”

Older adults are vulnerable because they often don’t know they have these diseases. New research suggests that breathing air that has high “particulate” matter, or fine particles, can also be risky for people who are obese or have diabetes. Children are vulnerable to polluted air because their lungs are still growing and they spend more time outdoors.

Different things cause summer air pollution. Several consecutive days of sunny, hot weather will increase ozone. Wildfires like the ones that have broken out in central Washington recently produce smoky air that contains fine particles and toxic chemicals. Cars and trucks generate exhaust. On calm days when the air is still, air pollutants build up. Ongoing climate changes are projected to cause additional bad air quality by increasing wildfires and ozone pollution.

Everyone can lower their exposure to air pollution by checking air quality conditions before taking part in outdoor activities, especially people in high risk groups. When air pollution is high, people should limit outdoor activity and choose less strenuous things to do — such as going for a walk instead of a run. Pollution levels are often highest at midday or in the afternoon, so exercising earlier or later may be wise. Indoor exercise is another option.
Read more...

Visit our website for information about air filters for your home.
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Could there be a link between Air pollution and Obesity?

Exposure to Air Pollution in Pregnancy May Boost Chances of Obesity in Kids | TIME.com

read more...
http://healthland.time.com/2012/04/17/exposure-to-air-pollution-in-pregnancy-may-boost-chances-of-obese-kids/

Have Your Home Inspected to Make Sure Air Doesn't Cause Headaches

(NewsUSA) - Homeowners often assume that their homes are healthy -- but indoor spaces can be more heavily polluted than the air outside.

Poor indoor air quality can seriously impact health. Many chemicals, including formaldehyde and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are often found in homes and offices, can contaminate indoor air, leading to allergic reactions or chronic illness in certain individuals.

Click here to read more.

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Miami Valley Water has been family owned and operated since it was founded by John Schneemann in May, 2005. Located in Centerville, OH, our 25 employees are proud to offer clean, quality RainSoft water and products, as well as award-winning service, to customers throughout the Dayton, Springfield and Cincinnati areas.

Miami Valley Water can tell you how clean your water really is with a no-cost water quality test, right in your own home. One of our trained technicians can test your bottled, tap and filtered water, and provide you with on-the-spot test results. With help from Miami Valley Water, you can learn interesting and helpful information about water quality issues, and find out how you can save money and enjoy the many benefits of quality water and air.

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We have been a member of the Better Business Bureau for more than 30 years and are an A+ Rated Accredited Business, as well as a past nominee for the Better Business Bureau Eclipse Integrity Award. Miami Valley Water also is a member of the Water Quality Association, Chamber of Commerce and Christian Marketplace Network.

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