Women + Poor Air Quality = Risk
It’s not enough that today’s women are so busy they barely have time for themselves, but now women have to worry about air pollution. A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine stated that air pollution, particularly in the urban environment, is directly linked to fatal and non-fatal heart disease and stroke in older women. Can the same be said for men? Nope! Women have smaller blood vessels than men and are more susceptible to particles getting deep into the lungs, causing inflammation and ultimately leading to heart disease and strokes.
But there is a solution. The EPA recommends using HEPA air purifiers in the home and office, as this can greatly reduce the amount of indoor airborne pollutants, creating a breathing environment that is actually healthier than outdoor urban air. So by having your indoor air cleaned of at least 90% of airborne pollutants, you are providing a healthy lifestyle and actually reducing your risk of contributing to lung inflammation, heart disease and stroke due to high concentrations of airborne pollutants.
Thankfully, HEPA air purifiers come in many sizes and are very affordable. At GreenCulture, we carry only the top quality brands of HEPA air purifiers, such as the Alen Paralda Air Purifier, and sell them at prices that fit any budget. We know a woman’s life can be hectic, so maybe our making air purifier shopping simple can contribute a little to making a woman’s life just a tad easier.
Does your bed feel crowded?
Does your bed feel crowded with your partner and pets? Well, it’s more crowded than you may think. Did you know that there are thousands of dust mites in your bed as well. Yep, you read that right – THOUSANDS! But fear not, for microscopic dust mites, though creepy looking, are utterly harmless to humans and your pets. However, it is their droppings and shed skin casts that can cause allergic reactions in humans, including bringing on asthma attacks.
An average dust mite leaves behind their feces 20 times per day. It is the protein in these dropping and their skin casts that cause the allergic reactions, so that is why it is so important to regularly wash your sheets and pillow cases. But keep in mind that the bed is not the only place our sloppy little freeloaders dwell – carpets, couches and anyplace we plant ourselves are prime places for dust mites to call home. So make sure to regularly wipe down your furniture and vacuum you carpets.
And since their droppings and skin casts are so small, a lot of it becomes airborne, too. That’s why it’s recommended that you use a HEPA air purifier in your favorite living areas. HEPA air purifiers catch particles that are 0.3 microns in size and larger, thus cleaning your indoor air of more than 90% of airborne particles. You may not be able to entirely rid your home of dust mites, but at least you can clean up after them and allow yourself to breathe easier.
HEPA vs. Ozone
Trends and hype can be exciting, but they don’t always have our best interests in mind. Consider the buzz around ozone-generating devices being marketed as a health boosting solution to indoor air quality problems. Upper atmosphere ozone is a layer of gasses that protects us from skin damaging ultraviolet sun rays, but ground level ozone is really SMOG! Who wants to buy something creates that smog in your home?
The US Federal and State Clean Air Legislation lists what breathing in excessive ozone can do to a person:
• Eye, nose, throat, and lung irritation.
• Significant temporary decreases in lung capacity in healthy, exercising adults.
• Asthmatic individuals are especially susceptible to ozone toxicity, which includes constricting airways.
• Can cause increased sensitivity to airborne allergens and other irritants, and it can impair the body’s immune system.
• Summertime ozone episodes in the northeastern U.S. lead to 10-20% increases in hospital admissions and emergency room visits.
• Human population studies of long-term exposures to low-level ozone indicate that it may lead to permanent reduction in lung capacity; animal studies have shown chronic high-level exposures can cause lasting structural damage in the lungs.
• Children, especially asthmatics, are most at risk from exposure to ozone.
A high efficiency particle air filter (HEPA) air cleaner is a better and proven way to clean indoor air. Check out the evaluations of household air cleaners that have been published by the Consumers Report, the American Lung Association and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The former two reports give explicit warnings against ozone-generating devices. As the Consumer Reports’ authors conclude, after performing tests, they “wouldn’t recommend an ozone generator even as a last resort.”
UV light vs. bacteria
Ever wonder why you never got sick during those hot, summer days at the beach or pool? (Getting sunburn doesn’t count) The sun casts a special wavelength of ultraviolet light called UV-C which neutralizes flu viruses and other pathogens. In fact, UV-C also neutralizes bacteria, fungi and molds. That’s why hospitals and laboratories use UV-C on their work surfaces, indoor air and equipment to reduce the risk of infection. Also, pharmaceutical manufacturing and food processing facilities use UV-C to sterilize water.
The way UV-C neutralizes viruses and other pathogens is that the UV-C damages the RNA and DNA, removing the virus’ capacity to reproduce. It’s the virus’ capacity to reproduce that causes sickness and infection.
Just keep these advantages in mind when using UV light in, say, an air purifier to clean your indoor air:
• Ultraviolet light is a non-chemical approach to disinfection.
• Because ultraviolet light works by physically damaging the DNA, viruses and other germs cannot develop resistance or immunity to it. Microorganisms will remain susceptible to UV-C light.
• It makes your environment healthier in general, providing the benefit of disabling all kinds of viruses, bacteria, fungi, and molds.
Ever wanted to have your very own 
By celebrating Earth Day in a simple way, you might find that the effort can lead to something you can see yourself doing every day, or at least consistently, if you haven’t already. As a starter, here are seven simple things you can do to contribute to the cause:
…greenhouse gas emissions get worse! According to this 
Ladies (and gentleman in certain cases)! No need to pop-a-squat anymore over seemingly harmless patches of grass while camping. The fear of being bitten by uninhibited reptilians and insects on certain unmentionables will no longer flood your mind as you water the shrubs, for the eco-friendly Portable Toilets are here to relieve any lingering concerns.
