Living Air

For more than a decade, Americans have been becoming increasingly aware that the air that they breathe in their homes is generally not of good quality. Between cooking and pet odors, mold, mildew, the widespread use of plastic materials, and carcinogenic cleaning products, many feel that their inside air has been compromised. What do consumers do? Purchase an air purifier. In 1998 I was given the gift of an Alpine Living Air Classic machine. It has been touted as an ideal solution for problem air. Let’s see if the product lives up to its billing.

As far as air purifiers go, the Alpine Living Air Classic [now sold by EcoQuest International] is neither cheap nor does it look cheap. Weighing 19 pounds, the “Classic” is housed in a wooden cabinet available to consumers in four colors: dark walnut, light oak, putty, and black. It is a solid unit with a thick six foot electrical cord. Claiming coverage of up to 3,000 square feet most homes could operate with just one unit although a second one might be needed if your house is large, indoor air pollution is high, or you have high humidity. Prices currently start at $549 so it is no cheap investment.

How does it work? The unit produces ozone which coupled with an active fan it reproduces and spreads the clean, fresh scent of a thunderstorm throughout your home. Okay, I am parroting some of the marketing material...I had to because it isn’t that easy to describe.

So, does it work? As far as producing the ‘thunderstorm scent’ it certainly does. As far as getting rid of pollutants, odors, and the like I cannot tell you for sure that it does. Indeed there has been plenty of controversy and government rulings against the reported claims of air purifiers over the years by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency {EPA}, Consumer’s Union [they produce Consumer’s Report magazine], and the American Lung Association.

The EPA has this to say, “whether in its pure form or mixed with other chemicals, ozone can be harmful to health. When inhaled, ozone can damage the lungs. Relatively low amounts of ozone can cause chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath and, throat irritation. It may also worsen chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma as well as compromise the ability of the body to fight respiratory infections." They go on to say, “some studies show that ozone concentrations produced by ozone generators can exceed health standards even when one follows manufacturer’s instructions. Many factors affect ozone concentrations including the amount of ozone produced by the machine(s), the size of the indoor space, the amount of material in the room with which ozone reacts, the outdoor ozone concentration, and the amount of ventilation. These factors make it difficult to control the ozone concentration in all circumstances."

In conclusion, the EPA states: “Available scientific evidence shows that, at concentrations that do not exceed public health standards, ozone is generally ineffective in controlling indoor air pollution.” The concentration of ozone would have to greatly exceed health standards to be effective in removing most indoor air contaminants. In the process of reacting with chemicals indoors, ozone can produce other chemicals that themselves can be irritating and corrosive.

As you can imagine, I no longer use my Alpine Living Air Classic. It sits in my office, unplugged, and working well in its new role as a coffee cup holder while I work on my computer. Frankly, the claims made against this unit made by the federal government and others are certainly frightening.

So, how do I achieve clean air today? Again, by visiting the EPA’s site I have learned that there are 3 common approaches to reducing indoor air pollution:

Source Control: Eliminate or control the sources of pollution;

Ventilation: Dilute and exhaust pollutants through outdoor air ventilation, and

Air Cleaning: Remove pollutants through proven air cleaning methods.

Of the three, the first approach -- source control -- is the most effective. This involves minimizing the use of products and materials that cause indoor pollution, employing good hygiene practices to minimize biological contaminants (including the control of humidity and moisture, and occasional cleaning and disinfection of wet or moist surfaces), and using good housekeeping practices to control particles.

The second approach -- outdoor air ventilation -- is also effective and commonly employed. Ventilation methods include installing an exhaust fan close to the source of contaminants, increasing outdoor air flows in mechanical ventilation systems, and opening windows, especially when pollutant sources are in use.

The third approach -- air cleaning -- is not generally regarded as sufficient in itself, but is sometimes used to supplement source control and ventilation. Air filters, electronic particle air cleaners and ionizers are often used to remove airborne particles, and gas adsorbing material is sometimes used to remove gaseous contaminants when source control and ventilation are inadequate.

If you are intent on purchasing any air purifier, I recommend that you first do plenty of independent research apart from what the marketers tell you. By following the 3 methods stressed by the EPA you should be able to achieve acceptable indoor cleanliness without resorting to purchasing expensive – even dangerous – air sanitization equipment.

For more information please read:

The EPA’s Position:

http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/ozonegen.html

Some Air Purifiers May Produce Dangerous Levels of Ozone:

http://www.ewire.com/display.cfm/Wire_ID/2456

What is Ozone Air Pollution?

[http://www.alaw.org/air_quality/indoor_air_quality/ozone_generatiors.html]

Matt is The Article Writer, writing on issues such as: aviation, business, consumer trends, employment, marketing, and product review. Please visit http://www.thearticlewriter.com for more information.

Living On Air $5.45 Buy and sell [Living On Air] at great prices.

Open Air Living $41.95 Buy and sell [Open Air Living] at great prices.

Open Air Living $57.95 Buy and sell [Open Air Living] at great prices.

Seasons Elements Air Wall Stickers $49 Each kit includes 8 birds8 larger assorted fluffy clouds4 hot air balloons in different sizes and 2 butterflies.

notNeutral Seasons Elements Air Wall Stickers $49 Each kit includes 8 birds8 larger assorted fluffy clouds4 hot air balloons in different sizes and 2 butterflies.

notNeutral Seasons Elements Air Wall Stickers $49 These brand new Season Elements wall stickers from notNeutral will lift you high above your everyday troubleswith their spaciousfree-floating feelingDrift pleasantly in your hot air balloon a

Babys Breath HealthMate Series Air Filter $339 Your baby deserves the best start in life. &nbspThe Babys Breath&tradeoffers the highest level of protection from a variety of airborne contaminantsensuring your baby receives the cleane360&degProgressive Filtering System The Babys Breath&tradeaddresses the complete spectrum of air cleaningremoving sub-micron particlesnoxious gases and chemicalsE

Hot Air Balloon 12x12 Canvas $59 This collection is full of animal friendsThey are friendlyplayful and invitingTake them home and make a zoosafari or farm on your wallBe inspired by their simplicity and happy naDesigns are printed on canvas and hand-stretched on 1 1/2 inch deep stretcher barsDesigns come ready to hangWe also have 18x18 and 28x28 availableCall us at 888.670.9740 for more

Living on Air $4.98 Praise for Anna Shapiro: "[Shapiro] writes with a comic flair and a specificity that leave you a little turned on and smiling in recognition-but what gives you a chill is that she writes the same way about tragedy."-The New Yorker "Shapiro's writing is fast, funny, and fluent."-The Village Voice In 1966 Long Island, 14-year-old Maude Pugh is not the typical Levittown girl. Artistic and intellectual, she's always felt like an outsider in her town. Even worse, her father, an abstract artist, has painted the inside of their house black to better showcase his paintings. Maude feels like she's living in an abstract painting, with no space for human figures. When she secures a scholarship to the prestigious Bay Farm School, she hopes that there she'll find the place where she feels truly at home. She soon befriends Weesie Herrick, a girl who lives on a nearby estate. Maude longs to inhabit Weesie's world, while Weesie envies the Pughs' bohemian lifestyle. Meanwhile, Maude is falling in love with Bay Farm. But just as she comes to feel fully at home there, family tensions and secrets threaten her foothold on happiness. Shapiro perfectly captures the emotional world of adolescence in this beautifully-written novel about a young girl's struggle to find her own path to happiness, with little support from her increasingly self-absorbed parents. Along the way she provides a vivid peek into Manhattan's avant-garde art circles and the world of the old elite amid the cultural changes of the 1960s.

Living Creatures Of Water Land And Air $17.16 Buy and sell [Living Creatures Of Water Land And Air] at great prices.

Open Air Living (Us Edition) $5.3 Buy and sell [Open Air Living (Us Edition)] at great prices.

Open Air Living Address Book $8.82 Buy and sell [Open Air Living Address Book] at great prices.

Better Living Through Air Guitar $11.04 Buy and sell [Better Living Through Air Guitar] at great prices.

avalisa Hot Air Balloons Modern Wall Art $59 This collection is fun and creates movement in the space where it is hung..it also creates movement in the mind that isviewing the designs.Designs are printed on canvas and hand-stretched on 1 1/2 inch deep stretcher barsDesigns come ready to hang.

Air $13.69 Why do we need air to live? Find out in this informative title that explains the importance of air to all living things.

Living on Air $10.98 "Finely attuned to the self-consciousness and vulnerability of adolescence, and the slippery elision of money and sophistication."-The New Yorker "Dazzling. . . . A piercing joy."-Newsday In 1966, longing to escape Levittown and her self-absorbed artist father, fourteen-year-old Maude secures a scholarship to a prestigious prep school. As family tensions surface, she struggles to find a morally acceptable place in the worlds of high art and social privilege. Anna Shapiro is the author of two previous novels, The Right Bitch and Life and Love, Such as They Are, and a collection of essays, A Feast of Words.

Living on Air $9 This book is in New - Excellent condition

Living on Air $16.5 This book is in New - Excellent condition

Living on Air $9.36 No Synopsis Available

Sesame Street XL Wall Mural 6 x 10.5 $149 On my way to where the air is sw

Better Living Through Air Guitar $13.48 Better Living Through Air Guitar by George Mole, and Steven Appleby Published in 2007 by Citadel

Airwise Air Purifier $399 Now you can have relief from allergens, dander & mold!

Bel Air Linear Suspension by Maxim Lighting $187.2 The Maxim Lighting Bel Air Linear Suspension is an alluring fixture that perks up your walls while lending a serene and enigmatic feel to your interiors. The Bel Air Linear Suspension features Soft Vanilla glass shades and metal body. Maxim Lighting, headquartered in California, offers high-quality lighting fixtures in a variety of designs, finishes, and glass styles that complement contemporary and transitional interiors. The Maxim Lighting Bel Air Linear Suspension is available with the following: Included Features:Three Soft Vanilla glass shades.Metal body.One ceiling canopy.One 6 in. and two 12 in. stems.UL Listed.Options:Finish: Oil Rubbed Bronze (shown), or Satin Nickel.Lighting: Three 100 Watt 120 Volt Medium Base Incandescent lamps (not included). Shipping: This item usually ships within five business days. Dimensions: Fixture: Length 44 In., Width 13 In., Height 44 In. Overall Suspension: Adjustable from 6 In. to 30 In.

Air Shadow Mechanical Ceiling Fan by Fanimation $649 The Fanimation Air Shadow Mechanical Ceiling Fan produces satisfying air circulation in a funky, urban industrial design. The Air Shadow Mechanical Fan features unique blades that retract for storage above the housing. Fanimation, an acknowledged ceiling fan industry leader, creates and produces refreshingly innovative ceiling fans for a wide variety of venues. Fanimation's founder, Tom Frampton, who began Fanimation in his Indiana garage, travels the world for inspiration. The Fanimation Air Shadow Mechanical Ceiling Fan is available with the following: Included Features:One ceiling canopy suitable for installation on flat ceilings and sloped ceilings up to 30 degrees.Four wood blades, 43 in. overall diameter.15 degree blade pitch.Fan and light remote control with 3 speeds, reverse, and infinite light levels. Demo Mode feature allows continuous cycle of 2.5 minutes on low fan speed and 30 seconds off. One 6 in. downrod.Fan Speed RPMs: Low-135, Medium-190, High-240. UL Listed.Options:Chrome with Maple Finish Wood Blades (shown), or Pewter with Cherry Finish Wood BladesSold Separately:Additional downrod lengths.Compatible wall-mount control (C21).Sloped-ceiling adaptor for ceilings with slopes between 30 and 52 degrees. Shipping: This product usually ships in 24 hours. This item is available only in the US. Dimensions: Blade: Diameter 43 in. Blade Pitch: 15 deg. Downrod Length: 6 in. Overall Length: With 6 in. Downrod 11.5 in. Dimensions: Blade: Diameter 43 In. Blade Pitch: 15 Degree Downrod: Length 6 In. With 6 in. Downrod: Overall Length 11.5 In.

Air Shadow Traditional Ceiling Fan with Lights by Fanimation $899 The Fanimation Air Shadow Traditional Ceiling Fan with Lights creates refreshing air circulation while providing inviting illumination. The Air Shadow Traditional Fan features unique blades that retract for storage above the housing. Fanimation, an acknowledged ceiling fan industry leader, creates and produces refreshingly innovative ceiling fans for a wide variety of venues. Fanimation's founder, Tom Frampton, who began Fanimation in his Indiana garage, travels the world for inspiration. The Fanimation Air Shadow Traditional Ceiling Fan is available with the following: Included Features: One ceiling canopy suitable for installation on flat ceilings and sloped ceilings up to 30 degrees. Four wood blades, 43 in. overall diameter. 15 degree blade pitch. Fan and light remote control with 3 speeds, reverse, and infinite light levels. Demo Mode feature allows continuous cycle of 2.5 minutes on low fan speed and 30 seconds off. One 6 in. downrod. Five glass shades. Fan Speed RPMs: Low-135, Medium-190, High-240. UL Listed. Lighting: Five 60 Watt 120 Volt Medium Base lamps (not included). Options: Finish/Blade: Oil-rubbed Bronze/Cherry with Aged Bronze Amber glass. Sold Separately Below: Additional downrod lengths. Compatible wall-mount control (C21). Sloped-ceiling adaptor for ceilings with slopes between 30 and 52 degrees. Shipping: This product usually ships in 24 hours. This item is available only in the US. Dimensions: Blade: Diameter 43 in. Blade Pitch: 15 deg. Downrod Length: 6 in. Glass Shades: Diameter 2.25 in. Overall Length: With 6 in. Downrod 21 in. Motor Housing: Diameter 18 in.

Air Shadow Ceiling Fan with Fabric Shade by Fanimation $999 The Fanimation Air Shadow Ceiling Fan with Fabric Shade is an adaptable fixture that can present a completely different look depending on use. For those days when a fan is not needed, the retractable blades tuck in tight and let the light fixture receive the attention. When air circulation is needed, the Air Shadow Fan can open its curvey blades for yet another unique look. Fanimation, an acknowledged ceiling fan industry leader, creates and produces refreshingly innovative ceiling fans for a wide variety of venues. Fanimation's founder, Tom Frampton, who began Fanimation in his Indiana garage, travels the world for inspiration. The Fanimation Air Shadow Ceiling Fan with Fabric Shade is available with the following: Included Features: Oil-rubbed Bronze body finish with Cherry blade finish. One ceiling canopy suitable for installation on flat ceilings and sloped ceilings up to 30 degrees. Four wood blades, 43 in. overall diameter. 15 degree blade pitch. Fan and light control (C28) with 3 fan speeds, reverse, and infinite light levels. Demo Mode feature allows continuous cycle of 2.5 minutes on low fan speed and 30 seconds off. One 6 in. downrod (one-inch diameter). Fabric shade light kit. Fan Speed RPMs: Low-135, Medium-190, High-240. UL Listed.Lighting: Five 60 Watt 120 Volt Candelabra lamps (not included). Sold Separately: Additional 1 in. diameter downrod lengths. Sloped-ceiling adaptor for ceilings with slopes between 30 and 52 degrees.Shipping: This product usually ships in 24 hours. This item is available only in the US. Dimensions: Blade: Diameter 43 in. Blade Pitch: 15 deg. Downrod Length: 6 in. Shade: Diameter 21 in. Overall Length to Bottom of Shade: With 6 in. Downrod, 24.25 in. Dimensions: Blade Pitch: 15 deg. Downrod Length: 6 in. Shade: Diameter 21 in. Overall Length to Bottom of Shade: With 6 in. Downrod, 24.25 in.

Nielsen Trading Balloon Mobile $45 Upup and away with this hot air balloon mobileFive balloons with different colors will brighten your little ones room as the mobile gently floats in circles just like real hot air balloonsThi

Nielsen Trading Balloon Mobile $45 Upup and away with this hot air balloon mobileFive balloons with different colors will brighten your little ones room as the mobile gently floats in circles just like real hot air balloonsThi

Bunny Rabbits Mobile $39.99 Nothing says baby like bunniesThese little guys are hoppingrollingand playing in the air above your babyBunnieswith a cleansimplemodern twist.materialcardstock

Bunny Rabbits Mobile $34.99 Nothing says baby like bunniesThese little guys are hoppingrollingand playing in the air above your babyBunnieswith a cleansimplemodern twist.

Bunny Rabbits Mobile $30 Nothing says baby like bunniesThese little guys are hoppingrollingand playing in the air above your babyBunnieswith a cleansimplemodern twist.

Open Air Living $3.48 Enrica Stabile invites you to view the great outdoors from a fresh perspective. She explores open air spaces for relaxing, for eating, for working, and for bathing, all in her own distinctive style. Enrica also presents the components required to define your space, choosing furniture, fabrics, and lighting to suit the mood or occasion.

BloomBaby Coco Mat Alma Crib Mattress $159.99 Mattress for the BloomBaby Alma Folding Crib!Features:100natural materials inherently breathable allowing constant air circulation and ventilation /naturally non-allerge

Doodles at Lunch $10.99 ?12-1/2 x 9 inDoodles at Lunch -Liven up lunchtime with these placematswhich teach kids how to turn an A into an Alligatora Z into a Zebraand a number 9 into a hot air balloonThe

Elephants Mobile $34.99 Fabulous Trio of elephants will keep little ones company while lying in their cribs and beds They sway ever so slightly in the air with (what seems likeno breeze at allvery cool Dimensions14 x 25 inchesMaterialDie Cut Plastic

Happy Giddy Bug House $9.99 Children will enjoy observing bugs and insects in this eye-popping bug houseIt has an easy-access bug-faced doora sturdy handle and lots of air holes.3yrs+Dimensions7.7 x 4.

Bella Butterfly Bug House $9.99 Bella Butterfly swings open on the easy-access door of this whimsical bug houseA sturdy handlea beautifully striped floor and lots of air holes provide the perfect place to house and observe in

Happy Giddy Bug House $9.99 Children will enjoy observing bugs and insects in this eye-popping bug houseIt has an easy-access bug-faced doora sturdy handle and lots of air holes.From plush to play foodpuzzles t

Bella Butterfly Bug House $9.99 Bella Butterfly swings open on the easy-access door of this whimsical bug houseA sturdy handlea beautifully striped floor and lots of air holes provide the perfect place to house and observe in

Doodles at Lunch or the car, or the plane... $10.99  12-1/2 x 9 inDoodles at Lunch -Liven up lunchtime with these placematswhich teach kids how to turn an A into an Alligatora Z into a Zebraand a number 9 into a hot air balloon