Dust, Mold, and Pollution Control

Filters

1. Reduce your exposure to dust by cleaning the furnace filters, or replace them, three or four times during the heating season. If the furnace does not have filters, shut off the vent to the allergic person’s room and heat it by other means. If this is not possible, use a cheesecloth or an old panty hose to cover the vent. Changing the filter frequently provides some relief.

2. The most highly regarded mechanical filter is the HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) or “absolute” filter. These filters have a deep bed of randomly positioned fibers with a very large total thickness. The air flow passages are not straight, but very tortuous with many twists and turns. Particles adhere to the fibers causing the passages to become smaller and filtration efficiency increases. These filters do not degrade in efficiency through use. They are capable of filtering over 99 percent of all bacteria, pollen, and dust particles. The operating life of these filters is two to five years. This makes HEPA filters the most desirable of all air filters.

3. Electronic air cleaners are the most common type of cleaner. Many newer electrostatic air filters will help keep dust and mold from accumulating in central air systems. They are also very effective in removing pollens, yeast, bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Use in conjunction with charcoal filters to remove small chemical particles. These filters use alternate polarity and self-charging layers of polypropylene filtration media to attract very small particles. Reports vary on the effectiveness of this type of cleaner. The following facts make these units less desirable than the HEPA filters:

• The efficiency of home units can decrease over time.
• Their efficiency decreases with larger particles, such as plant pollens.
• Electronic units produce ozone that may have toxic effects.
• They must be cleaned frequently to preserve efficiency.
• Particles that pass through the unit, without being captured, are electrostatically charged and
• cause additional problems in the room.
• Every time there is an electrical arcing, efficiency is lost, releasing particles into the room.

4. Chemical filters act upon chemical substances in the air, such as ozone and other gases, vapors, and irritants. Activated carbon or charcoal makes the best known chemical filters.  They remove certain offending chemicals by trapping them on the charcoal’s surface area. Use activated charcoal filters to control minute chemical odors. They absorb fumes from cooking, tobacco, and perfume, but perform less effectively against pollen or mildew. Charcoal filters are almost worthless protection against powerful odors such as formaldehyde. Avoid filters made of fiberglass or asbestos. In the kitchen it helps to have an efficient fan, filter, and vent system. Jenn-Air ranges have a more powerful exhaust fan than range hood fans.

5. Negative ion generators work by producing negative ions. After being dispersed into the room, they combine with particles in the air, imparting a negative charge to them. These charged particles are attracted to and held by walls, floors, or anything that carries a positive charge. They share some of the inconveniences produced by the electrical systems mentioned above.

6. Face masks can be a life saver. You can also get cartridge masks that protect against the specific irritants you wish to work with. An electronic air cleaner protects most other members of the family from illness after painting or cleaning, if there is good ventilation. It does not protect the person working directly over the fumes. A face mask may be the answer.  Safety supply companies listed in the yellow pages will assist you in selecting the right equipment for your needed protection.

Mold Inhibitors

Use soap and water and wash thoroughly, scrubbing with a brush if possible. Bleach will kill mold, but those with chlorine or chemical sensitivities should avoid it. If your mold allergy is severe, you may need to change your sheets twice a week, the pillowcases daily, and wash clothes after each wearing.

Impregon is a mold inhibitor especially useful for mold allergies. Use Impregon solutions for fabrics such as diapers, shower curtains, small rugs, towels, bedding, clothing, and drapes.  Also use it on surfaces such as shower stalls, bathtubs, shoe linings, air-conditioning filters, lockers, tile, concrete and hardwood floors, wallpaper and fixtures. All chemically sensitive persons will need to use caution when applying products for dust and mold control. The manufacturers do not usually consider that chemically sensitive people may need to use their products. Zephiran will kill mold for up to three months. A suggested dilution is two tablespoons to one gallon of water. It has no odor when diluted and is available at drugstores.

An excellent vegetable and fruit rinse is grapefruit-seed extract. It is a bactericide and fungicide. Using grapefruit-seed extract in low concentrations will extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables by as much as 400 percent. For home rinsing use 7-8 drops of the extract in a gallon of rinse water.

Charcoal on top of the dirt in house plants will help retard mold growth. Buy charcoal at fish aquarium supply stores or in health-food stores. Add taheebo (an herb) as a tea to house plant water to retard mold in the potting soil. Taheebo is also available at health-food stores.  Borax sprinkled in moldy places will retard mold growth. Mix borax and water in a spray bottle and wash the walls of your shower or bathroom. Let it dry on the walls to prevent mold growth.

Mold does not like heat. Use a hair dryer or a portable electric heater to heat, dry, and kill mold. Remember, heat will not destroy mold spores unless the temperature is extremely high. Using a hot steam vaporizer will kill mold, but a cold steam vaporizer will not. Be sure to clean it with a fungicide, otherwise you may be distributing mold into the air. The use of hot steam is recommended for chemically sensitive people. Be sure to use tolerated water.

Vacuum Cleaners

Vacuum the house daily. Give special attention to the bedroom of the allergic person. Cylinder or canister vacuum cleaners are more useful for dust-allergic people because the upright air bag type may leak dust back into the air. To check for dust leaks, run the vacuum cleaner in a dark place and use a flashlight to sight any escaping dust.

Some hints:

• Replace the vacuum cleaner bag frequently.
• Do not ask a dust-sensitive person to vacuum. They should be out of the room, and ideally out of the house, when the vacuum cleaner is on.
• Dusting should be done with a vacuum attachment.
• Damp mopping and damp dusting may collect whatever the vacuum missed.
• Watch for deodorant pads on vacuum cleaners (Electrolux, for example) that contain perfumes.
• Buying a good cylinder vacuum is an excellent idea, but there are also some interesting “alternative” vacuums on the market:
• The Filter Queen was invented during World War II to clean up radium dust. It has an inside cone that does not permit dust particles to travel.
• The Rex-Air Rainbow catches dust in water rather than in a conventional bag. The  dust cannot escape and is removed with the water. Use the Rex-Air Rainbow as a humidifier and deodorizer. Finding a local distributor may be a problem.
• Central vacuum systems are ideal.  Permanently install them in the house. They contain a powerful motor with a dust-free central collection exhaust. This directs the dust outdoors into a container.
• Regina Electric is an inexpensive solution. It keeps dust from flying out by collecting it in a plastic cup, not in a bag.

Most cities now have services available for cleaning duct work for forced air furnaces.  This not only helps keep walls and curtains from becoming soiled quickly during winter, but it also helps alleviate dust sensitivities. Consult your yellow pages under “Furnaces–Repairing and Cleaning.” Spring is the ideal time to have this type of work done since the furnace is not being used. The demand in autumn for service is usually high.

The HEPA-Aire method is a technician-hired method to clean your ducts with a portable power vacuum and the Aire-Sweep compressor. This system can reach and thoroughly clean your entire duct system. It pulls dislodged contaminants 1/300th the diameter of a human hair and returns filtered “hospital grade” air to your home. After cleaning your duct’s system, they reseal all access holes and return your ducts to like-new condition. Check with your local heating and air-conditioning installation people to see if they provide this service.

Vaporizers and Other Aids

Many people find that cold-steam vaporizers help during an asthma attack more than hot-steamvaporizers. However, hot steam automatically kills mold and cold steam does not.  Before using a cold-steam vaporizer, be sure to clean it with a fungicide; otherwise you will be distributing mold into the air. Hot steam is usually helpful for chemically sensitive patients.  Be sure to use distilled water.

Don’t forget that heating systems rob air of vital moisture. This is especially bad for those with respiratory ailments. Humidifiers are important to use. Remember to check and clean mold from humidifiers with a mold inhibitor like Zephiran.

There is a type of furnace called a converter that works like a refrigerator’s coils. In warm weather, it collects hot air and releases it outside. In cold weather, it collects cold air and releases it outside. It is effective to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Use supplemental electrical heat for lower temperatures.

Air-conditioning is effective at reducing pollen in the air. It is also helpful with dust mites and mold. They do not thrive in a low humidity atmosphere. Keep the unit and filter clean to discourage the growth of mold. Catalytic converters or other emission-control devices can be added to wood stoves and kerosene heaters.

Water Purifiers

Granular-activated carbon has the recognition of being the best agent to clean up large amounts of water. Carbon is excellent in removing chlorine, pesticides, insecticides, and some toxic organic chemicals. Bone carbon or hydroxyapatite charcoal goes beyond the granular-activated carbon by being able to absorb heavy metals and toxic minerals from the water. In order for the carbon filter to remain effective and not further contaminate the water, clean the filters of the algae, mildew, and other life forms that collect on it. Back-washing removes this residue very effectively.