Archive for the 'Alergy Releif' Category
If the previous article posted about the potential health issues due to the presence of Mold in our homes shocked you as much as it did me, then you may be wanting to do some sort of a test to find out if your home has any significant mold or mildew present. Preventative maintenance is always the best practice.
A very cheap and effective way to test for molds, mildews and even bacteria is to use a Petri dish. A Petri dish is what the medical profession uses to grow cultures for testing. To perform a test, just follow these steps.
1. Remove the petri dish from the bag and place on a level
surface.
2. Pour the entire contents of Easy-gel bottle into the open
Petri dish.
3. Leave the dish open for one (1) hour.
4. After (1) hour place the cover on the dish and seal with
clear tape. ( DO NOT OPEN UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES )
5. Leave dish to incubate at room temperature in a dark area
for one (1) week. (A kitchen cup board )
You may start to see visuals in 72 to 96 hours.
6. Compare the results to the samples below.
7. Dispose of the used Petri dish responsibly.
Red Spots indicate bacteria.
White or grey, fuzz areas indicate mold frowth which could lead to allergic reactions.
For pictures go to; http://tinyurl.com/ydf7u2e
The Real Solution: for natural allergy relief
- • Active-Pure Technologies for Indoor Environmental
conditioning has the ability to sanitize safely & affordably the
entire air and all surfaces of the indoor living areas 24 / 7.
If you cannot get hold of a Petri dish and the easy-gel bottle, just give me a call or email me and I will send you a dish with the instructions so you can perform a test.
Paul Mattison
EcoQuest Intl.
http://www.tryfreshair.com/pj6
507-752-6102
By Heather Sells
CBN News Reporter
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
Find the CBS Video New Story at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epSoo0wCi3E
Federal guidelines for hazardous substances like radon, asbestos and lead already exist, but for those with mold lurking in their home, there’s little warning.
No standards for the fungal growth have been set, despite a warning from the U.S. Government Accountability Office in 2008 that “indoor mold poses a widespread and, for some people, serious health threat.”
That health threat turned into a real-life catastrophe for the Fabry family.
A Life-Changing Discovery
Until last year, Chris Fabry, his wife and nine kids lived in a beautiful 5,500-square-foot home in Colorado. Fabry hosted a daily Christian radio show for Moody Radio in his home studio and pursued his writing career. All nine kids were thriving in school, at church and at home. The family seemingly had it all.
But in 2007, the Fabrys discovered mold in one of their bathrooms. They cut into the wall, accidentally releasing spores and set off a series of health problems ranging from rashes to diabetes – and then worse.
Chris Fabry remembers 11-year-old Reagan’s constant vertigo, nausea and vomiting which doctors could not explain.
“This was a child I had to literally carry to the bathroom so he could throw up and no doctor would say – they would say – ‘you can’t have vertigo all the time. That’s not possible.’”
Ten-year-old Kaitlyn, a voracious reader, had to give up her books after her vision began to blur. Her 7-year-old brother Colin also became sick.
Andrea Fabry remembered, “He would be doubled over with abdominal pain sobbing and having migraines that would be so severe that he would literally just sit there and scream. And then it was all four kids, every night was like that.”
Little Help from Doctors
Part of the Fabry’s problem, unknown at the time, was that remediators used fans on the mold, spreading toxic spores throughout the home.
In 2007 and 2008, the Fabrys would visit 30 specialists for their family’s growing health crisis.
For each child, doctors focused on symptoms and how best to treat them. They never asked questions about the Fabry’s home environment, although they did challenge their parenting.
“I would have doctor after doctor look at me and say ‘have you thought of a psychologist? I think you need to take them home and give them some tough love. I think that’s what they need,’” Andrea Fabry said.
In late 2008, an indoor air test confirmed Andrea’s deepening suspicion: dangerously high counts of mold spores in several rooms. The toxicologist told the family they must leave their home and everything in it. The Fabrys even had to put down their two dogs to prevent future contamination.
The family soon discovered that only a handful of doctors in the country have experience in treating mold-related health issues.
After speaking with Dr. Michael Gray, a mold specialist in Benson, Ariz., they decided to move. Chris’ work could continue in Arizona and the family could recuperate better in the warm, dry climate with medical help close by.
Changing Medical School Curriculum
Gray told CBN News that urine tests confirmed high levels of toxins in all 11 Fabrys. Their varying patterns of illness reflect symptoms of hundreds of other mold patients he’s treated since 1994.
But Gray doesn’t blame the Fabry’s doctors, who failed to identify mold as a primary issue. Instead, he cites medical schools that give little or no class time to environmental concerns.
“It is an area that is not well-taught and not well-recognized,” he explained.
The American Medical Association and other leading health institutions agree, calling on medical schools to devote more time to the issue.
Dr. David Jacobs is the Director of Research for The National Center for Healthy Housing and the former director of the Office of Healthy Homes for the U.S. Department of Housing. He estimates that up to 25 percent of U.S. homes have mold problems.
But he acknowledges, research on mold is still in its infancy.
“We are still struggling to understand which species of mold produce which specific health outcomes,” he said.
Mold’s History
Mold is a recognized hazard going all the way back to Bible times. In Leviticus 14, the Lord commands Moses and Aaron to follow-up on mold complaints.
Lev. 14:36-37 says, “The priest must go in and check it. He must look carefully at the mold that is on the walls.” (NIRV)
The passage then explains how priests must oversee repeat examinations, cleanings and eventual tear-downs if mold continues to grow in the home.
The World Health Organization has published a report on toxic molds, known as mycotoxins, that notes significant health issues.
It warned that “exposure to mycotoxins can produce both acute and chronic toxicities ranging from death to deleterious effects on the central nervous, cardiovascular and pulmonary systems.”
The Department of Defense is also up-to-date on toxic molds. It has published a lengthy report on one type called “trichothecene mycotoxins.” The DOD says this mold is a proven warfare agent and can cause vomiting, bleeding, blistering – even death.
Yet, the Environmental Protection Agency’s Web site on mold contains just one paragraph on its effect on health. In essence, the EPA cites concerns about mold and allergies and notes that research is on-going.
The problem, Jacobs said, is that Congress has not given statutory authority to any one government agency.
The GAO’s 2008 report makes the same conclusion, noting “while current research activities on indoor mold conducted or sponsored by EPA, HHS and HUD address identified health-related research gaps to varying degrees, these activities are largely uncoordinated within and across agencies.”
“There is no uniform training curricula that’s out there that all the states can use and adopt,” Jacobs said. “We do have that for lead and radon.”
Tip and Recommendations
Mold experts say the best prevention method is to keep your home dry. Watch for leaking pipes under sinks, water coming in around windows and unventilated bathrooms. When in doubt, call a professional with experience.
For the Fabrys, it’s unknown whether their Colorado home will ever be livable again. For now, they are simply trying to recover. Their goal: healthy eating and avoiding public places which trigger new-found chemical sensitivities.
Inspired to share what they’ve learned, Andrea is chronicling their journey on the Web.
“We as people living in our homes don’t know this,” she said. “And I think we’re going to wake up. I think it’s coming just like lead poisoning, radon.”
Chris Fabry is now hosting his radio show in a make-shift studio in their rental home. Off-air, he tackles mounting medical bills that insurance won’t cover, and is re-entering the world of sports with his sons.
The Fabrys fully expect that their battle with mold will not end anytime soon. For now, their story is God’s faithfulness in the midst of a life they would never have imagined could happen to them.
“We’re together,” Chris said. “My wife and I are closer than we’ve even been. We’ve been able to go through this tornado of the rollercoaster–the emotions and the loss, all of our stuff and the dogs and the illnesses of the kids and we’ve really seen God work through that.”
God’s grace plus their deepening understanding of mold is helping to restore them – and will likely awaken more people to the dangers of mold.
I’ve always been susceptible to topical allergies. For years I struggled to find a laundry detergent that wouldn’t give me hives upon contact with my skin. I would switch detergents and believe that I had found a solution until a month or two later when the symptoms would return with intense ferocity. In time it became clear that I would either have to buy new clothes constantly – not an option for obvious financial reasons – for find a new way to do my laundry.
That’s when I discovered an environmentally friendly laundry unit that’s even more effective than traditional washers. The eco-conscious aspect of the machine was appealing, of course, but I was more enthusiastic about its claims of washing clothes without any detergent whatsoever. I was skeptical at first, but the claims proved to be true. I haven’t had to deal with itchy, unsightly hives in more than a year.
Allergy Alert: Going to Grandma’s Maybe Hazardous to Your Health
written by Jeanette M. – Minnesota
Are your allergies in control when at home, but when you go “home” to Mom and Dad’s or Grandma’s they go nuts and spin out of control? I know how you feel. You miss your family, but you know you will be popping allergies meds, soon after you get there- and if you forgot to take them before arriving,(which you probably did not take the meds, because you try to avoid the meds and hope it will be okay this time) hits you head on at the door. The cat, the dog, the moldy mildew basement, the relatives who are visiting and smoke in the house when they think no one knows-on and on the stories go ; however, you with allergies have to endure-and I mean endure the never-ending attack on your eyes, nose, throat. It is not just one but several allergians attacking all at once. Well…..
There is help/relief available. The E..box. It works alongside of the allergy meds. Sometimes even providing enough protection from the environment to avoid the antihistamines all together, (each case is different). E..box is a home purifier. It “tames” the allergens, molds, mildews, smoke…, and I definitely needed help in taming the environment at my Mom’s place.
We gave one to my Mom as a gift and she runs it in the basement where my husband and I sleep. I now can at least breathe through my nose, which enables me to rest. My Mom gladly runs the E..box for my benefit, and hers. I ‘m just glad I found a way to control an environment that seemed uncontrollable, without hurting my Mom’s feelings. Ah, relief.
Testimonial by Jeanette M. – Minnesota
Having good quality air to breath can be very helpful for those who suffer from asthma or allergies.
· It is estimated that 10.5 million Americans had an asthma attack in 1999. More than a third of them (at least 3.5 million) were children under the age of 18.
· Asthma, which can be triggered by either indoor or outdoor air pollution, annually accounts for an estimated three million lost workdays for adults and 10.1 million lost school days in children. Asthma costs our nation $12.7 billion in health care costs annually.
· Air pollution contributes to lung disease, which claims close to 341,500 lives in America every year and is the third-leading cause of death in the United States (Source: American Lung Association, Trends in Asthma Morbidity and Mortality, 2002)
This information shows us that air pollution affects a lot of people. How many more people suffer from allergies that poor air quality has a big affect on. We have previously addressed some of the problems with indoor air quality, but how about the air we are breathing while driving our cars and trucks.
It has been stated that the air inside of our homes is often several times worse than the air outside, although there is still areas outdoors that have a lot of harmful pollution. Industry puts a lot of pollutants into the air as well as the exhaust from all of the traffic. Rural areas may have pesticide pollution that is very harmful for us to breath. Molds and mildews are also present in the wetter climates. These all have an affect on our health.
For the last year and a half, we have used a Car air purifier in our family minivan. It is a portable device that plugs into the cigarette lighter. We have noticed that the air in the car is fresher. My wife and children who have allergy issues have noticed a considerable difference and have had much less discomfort especially in times of heavy pollen.
If we end up staying in a hotel somewhere, we take the car air purifier into the hotel room with us and use the cord the plugs into the electrical outlet and presto, we have cleaner air to breath while we are in the hotel room. Those who have asthma or allergy issues really seem to notice a substantial improvement with the air quality.
Having good quality air to breath can be very helpful for those who suffer from asthma or allergies as well as being good preventative maintenance to our lungs – even in our cars and trucks.
Home air purifiers are great for the office too! Having fresh, clean air to breath all day long is important for everyone in order to operate at peak performance.
Pollen, dust and mold can irritate us especially those with allergies or asthma. Tobacco smoke can also be irritating to many and also cause furniture and supplies to have an odor. Bacteria and viruses are also present and can be spread from person to person. UV air purifiers 
with ultra violet light are designed to destroy bacteria and viruses.
The home air purifier was designed to remove these impurities from the air and leave us with a clean, healthy environment to work in. They work great to remove smoke smell. They also do a wonderful job removing dust and pollen providing us with natural allergy relief. Also in damp conditions where molds and mildews grow, there are certain purifiers that suppress these conditions.
A person never knows who else might be coming into their office that may be irritated by any of the issues mentioned above. As a professional business person, I’m sure we all want to have the best presentable office that we can have. We certainly don’t want spread bacteria and viruses to others or visa - versa. The home air purifiers do a good job of cleaning the air we breath and they are great for the office too!
Millions of Americans struggle with inhalant allergies, and summer is one of the more difficult seasons to find relief. According to some studies, we only spend an average of 10 percent of our time outdoors. It stands to reason, then, that many allergy flare-ups are occurring in the safety and comfort of our own homes. What airborne presences could be causing these allergic reactions?
Many allergy sufferers are keenly sensitive to cigarette smoke. The allergen particles from cigarette smoke are particularly small, although a home air purifier overpowers them in a snap. Pet owners need to we wary of animal dander and the potential irritation it can cause to the respiratory system. Finally, especially damp, humid homes are at risk for mold and mildew growth. The spores they give off could be the real culprit as to why you’re sniffling and sneezing.
- Indoor air quality can be worse than that of outdoor air.
- Problems can arise from moisture, Insects, pets, appliances, radon, materials used in household products and furnishings, smoke, and other sources.
- Effects range from minor annoyances to major health risks.
- Remedies include ventilation, cleaning, moisture control, inspections, and following manufacturers’ directions when using appliances and products.
:
- Signs of indoor air quality problems include
- Unusual and noticeable odors
- Stale or stuffy air.
- Excessive humidity.
- Presence of molds and mildew.
- Health reaction after remodeling, weatherizing, using new furniture, using household and hobby products, or moving into a new home.
- Feeling noticeably healthier outside.
I heard it said once that the air inside many homes is worse that the outside air in Los Angeles, CA. That is a statement that is hard to beleive but there are studies that go on to proove it! www.tryfreshair.com/pj6
Out side our homes there are natural ways that the air is being cleansed all the time. Have you ever noticed after a rainstorm that the air smells so fresh? That’s because the air was just cleansed by the rain falling . The air inside our homes needs to be cleansed too, but much of the time the indoor air is sealed off from the outside air. So what can we do about this dilema? When it is hot outside, we don’t want to open the windows and let the heat in but instead we keep everything closed up and run the air conditioner. Most of us do that!
In the winter time up in the (North) we also keep the house closed up to keep it warm. These two scenarios lead to having stale and poluted air in homes that may be unhealthy. So again what can we do about it?
Good cleaning habits is the most important both our living spaces and personal hygeine. Secondly, we can invest in modern technology that cleans the air on the inside of our home so that it compares to the air just after a rainstorm. I call this the air healthmate. There are many different types and sizes for all of the different appoications to choose from. Now is the time to research the different options – before you develope some kind of health reaction.
Once again, indoor air quality can be worse than that of outdoor air!
Laundry detergent phosphate has been a hot topic for some time now and natural laundry detergent alternatives are being sought for every day. Many studies have been done and many articles have been written about the topic. The claims that increasingly higher levels of phosphorus in the rivers and lakes are detrimental to aquatic life certainly may be valid.
Most laundry detergents contained sodium triphosphate which served two purpose
s. To provide an alkaline solution (pH 9.0 – 10.5) is necessary for effective cleansing and also to tie up calcium and magnesium ions found naturally in water, and to prevent them from interfering with the cleaning role of the detergent.
With the drive to seek out phosphate-free resources for our laundry detergents, synthetic surfactants have been substituted. Also, artificial fragrances which are made from petroleum are also added to give an appealing aroma. These substances are slow to biodegrade in the environment and have been implicated in chronic health problems and allergies and may have toxic effects on fish and mammals.
Because of these effects, we all are most likely using as little detergent as we can possibly get by on. There are some natural laundry detergent products on the market that are very bio-degradeable. Lately, there has been new technology introduced to the market that enables us to wash our laundry without the use of laundry detergent or enabling us to use just a fraction of the amount we used prior.
This technology hooks up to a washing machine to treat incoming water with silver ions for killing odor-causing bacteria, and the cleaning power of oxygen and bubbling peroxides to break down and lift away grime, without the need for hot water.
Laundry detergents have been a hot topic for some time, but now we have natural laundry detergent alternatives.
Whole House Air Purifiers; Your Srategic Air Defence System
Do you have a Strategic Air Defense System in your house? Having clean air to
breathe is very important to your overall health. Many of the respiratory problems stem from breathing air that is not pure.
Some of the pollutants that we find in air are Particles such as Dust, Smoke, Pollen, and Dust Mites. There are also odors in the air that can be harmful to breathe in or maybe they are just unpleasant. Also, there are many micro-organisms in the air that may cause us to become sick. Some examples of these are Staff, Strep and Salmonella.
Whole House Air Purifiers that have Radiant Catalitic Ionization (RCI) technology attacks the micro-organisms in the air and on the surfaces of your home; Thus lowering the chance of getting sick from these micro-organisms. Check here for University tests results of reduced bacteria counts when these machines are in use.
For more information, click on highlited word groups or call 507-752-6102