While I was waiting for my new tires to be installed the other day, a brochure on the counter caught my eye. . .
"A tidy car isn't free of mold, germ, and bacteria. A MiST™ Service is like a hand sanitizer for the vents & interior surfaces of your car. Get a MiST™ Service Today! You owe it to yourself and your family." Intrigued, I turned it over.
There was a magnified picture of a cultured sample taken from the interior of a Porshe, along with an illustration of streams of things coming from your car vent. Below these in bold print it said "Every time the fan is turned on, harmful spores are blown into the air you and your passengers breathe."
According to the EPA, some service providers may attempt to convince you that your air ducts are contaminated by demonstrating that the microorganisms found grow on a settling plate (i.e., petri dish). This is inappropriate. Some microorganisms are always present in the air, and some growth on a settling plate is normal. As for the "harmful spores" statement, only an expert can positively identify a substance as biological growth and lab analysis is normally required for final confirmation.
Upon visiting the company's website, you learn that "MiST™ utilizes atomized micro-droplets (1/10 the size of aerosol droplets) of a specially formulated solution. These droplets are drawn into an automobile's vents, penetrating and traveling to where the micro-organisms are living. MiST™ treats the entire ventilation system, including the evaporator, heater core, air ducts and passenger compartment surfaces." The company suggests that you perform this service every 6 months.
It does not say if the specially formulated solution includes water. If so, introducing this additional moisture into the system may actually promote fungal growth. Also, the EPA cautions about the use of biocides inside air ducts. They say that simply spraying or otherwise introducing these materials into the operating duct system may cause much of the material to be transported through the system and released. Depending on the product used, it may actually be more dangerous to breathe.
The company does suggest regular cleaning of your vehicle and maintenance of your filter system, both of which are important to minimize irritating contaminants.
Although this EPA document focuses on the air ducts in your home, many of the issues are the same. Read what they say at: http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/airduct.html, and then decide if you want to MiST™ your ride!
Air Matters LLC has performed mold testing services in the Raleigh NC area since 2002. The owner, Renee D. Ward, has over 22 years of safety and environmental experience and holds both her Bachelors and Masters degrees in engineering. Renee is also a member of the American Industrial Hygiene Association and the American Indoor Air Quality Council. You may contact Air Matters at (919) 961-2221 or info@AirMattersMoldTesting.com.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Follow the Yellow Brick Road
It is easy to follow the yellow brick road during spring in North Carolina -- and the yellow sidewalk, and the yellow cars, . . .
Thick yellow pine pollen is everywhere, and allergy sufferers are quick to blame the pollen for their symptoms. However, as bad as it looks, pine pollen is not the main culprit.
The types of pollen that most commonly cause allergic reactions are actually produced by trees, grasses or weeds that do not have large, showy flowers or leaves. These plants have small, light dry pollen grains that are easily transported by the wind and inhaled by people through the nose or throat.
Ragweed, not pine trees, is the major culprit when it comes to allergic reactions. A single ragweed plant can generate up to one million pollen spores of pollen in a single day. Ragweed pollen is also extremely lightweight and travels through the air easily. In fact, scientists have collected samples of ragweed pollen 400 miles out at sea and two miles up in the air!
In contrast, pine pollen grains are much larger and fairly heavy. This is why they settle onto surfaces so easily. Stronger winds are required to keep pine pollen airborne for significant distances. Also, the types of allergens in pine pollen are less allergenic to most people as compared to the pollens found in many weeds or grasses.
The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology offers these tips to help prevent allergy symptoms from kicking into high gear this spring:
•Don't assume you know exactly what you are allergic to. More than two-thirds of people who think their allergies only occur during the spring season actually have year-round allergies. An allergist can pinpoint the source of your allergic reaction and recommend the right treatment.
•Don't buy over-the-counter medications that don't alleviate allergy symptoms. Consult an allergist to determine which treatment options are best for you. Immunotherapy using nasal spray or shots may even cure allergies permanently.
•Don't wait until symptoms start to take allergy medications. Before the spring allergy season starts, begin taking a medication that's worked for you in the past.
•Take steps to avoid allergy triggers. Experts suggest that if you are allergic to pollen, keep your windows closed, take a shower after being outside and avoid going out in the middle of the day when pollen counts are highest.
•If raw or fresh fruits or other foods aggravate your allergy symptoms -- making you sniffle and sneeze and your mouth, lips and throat get itchy -- you may have oral allergy syndrome. This condition affects about one-third of seasonal allergy sufferers. While cooking or peeling these foods may help, it is wise to consult an allergist.
Air Matters LLC has performed mold testing services in the Raleigh NC area since 2002. The owner, Renee D. Ward, has over 22 years of safety and environmental experience and holds both her Bachelors and Masters degrees in engineering. Renee is also a member of the American Industrial Hygiene Association and the American Indoor Air Quality Council. You may contact Air Matters at (919) 961-2221 or info@AirMattersMoldTesting.com.
Thick yellow pine pollen is everywhere, and allergy sufferers are quick to blame the pollen for their symptoms. However, as bad as it looks, pine pollen is not the main culprit.
The types of pollen that most commonly cause allergic reactions are actually produced by trees, grasses or weeds that do not have large, showy flowers or leaves. These plants have small, light dry pollen grains that are easily transported by the wind and inhaled by people through the nose or throat.
Ragweed, not pine trees, is the major culprit when it comes to allergic reactions. A single ragweed plant can generate up to one million pollen spores of pollen in a single day. Ragweed pollen is also extremely lightweight and travels through the air easily. In fact, scientists have collected samples of ragweed pollen 400 miles out at sea and two miles up in the air!
In contrast, pine pollen grains are much larger and fairly heavy. This is why they settle onto surfaces so easily. Stronger winds are required to keep pine pollen airborne for significant distances. Also, the types of allergens in pine pollen are less allergenic to most people as compared to the pollens found in many weeds or grasses.
The American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology offers these tips to help prevent allergy symptoms from kicking into high gear this spring:
•Don't assume you know exactly what you are allergic to. More than two-thirds of people who think their allergies only occur during the spring season actually have year-round allergies. An allergist can pinpoint the source of your allergic reaction and recommend the right treatment.
•Don't buy over-the-counter medications that don't alleviate allergy symptoms. Consult an allergist to determine which treatment options are best for you. Immunotherapy using nasal spray or shots may even cure allergies permanently.
•Don't wait until symptoms start to take allergy medications. Before the spring allergy season starts, begin taking a medication that's worked for you in the past.
•Take steps to avoid allergy triggers. Experts suggest that if you are allergic to pollen, keep your windows closed, take a shower after being outside and avoid going out in the middle of the day when pollen counts are highest.
•If raw or fresh fruits or other foods aggravate your allergy symptoms -- making you sniffle and sneeze and your mouth, lips and throat get itchy -- you may have oral allergy syndrome. This condition affects about one-third of seasonal allergy sufferers. While cooking or peeling these foods may help, it is wise to consult an allergist.
Air Matters LLC has performed mold testing services in the Raleigh NC area since 2002. The owner, Renee D. Ward, has over 22 years of safety and environmental experience and holds both her Bachelors and Masters degrees in engineering. Renee is also a member of the American Industrial Hygiene Association and the American Indoor Air Quality Council. You may contact Air Matters at (919) 961-2221 or info@AirMattersMoldTesting.com.
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