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.

Should the Dust Mites in Your Mattress Scare You?

You have heard the radio commercials with the statistics. You have seen the ads with the pictures (which look pretty scary when magnified 5,000 times!). Oprah has done a special episode on it. Even the Wall Street Journal has published articles in the past saying that "the average mattress will double its weight in ten years due to an accumulation of dust mites and their feces."

The thought of crawling into bed with pounds and pounds of dust mites and their feces gives you nightmares, not a restful night's sleep. Next you calculate the age of your mattress, and now you are truly frightened. The next day, you immediately begin your quest for new bedding.

A great marketing ploy, but do these claims have any scientific basis? Here are what a few experts in the field of dust mites had to say to Cecil Adams, who writes a syndicated weekly newspaper column called "The Straight Dope":

"It's nonsense," said mite authority Larry Arlian, professor of biological sciences, microbiology, and immunology at Wright State University. "I don't know where that originated. They're not that prolific."

Thomas Platts-Mills, professor of medicine and dust-mite guru at the University of Virginia, agreed. "I've heard that kind of stuff," he said. "I don't believe it. I'm sure there's an added weight but I don't think anyone has ever actually measured it."

Emmett Glass is the Ohio State University research associate leading the "Dust Mite Management Study" He was the gentleman that Wall Street Journal reporter said was the source of the claim that a mattress will double its weight due to dust mites. Emmett writes:

"I never quoted that statistic. I told [the reporter] that Internet web sites have statistics that try to strike fear in the consumer, thus promoting their products. I gave her a few off the top of my head (two million mites in an average mattress, mattress doubling in weight, etc.) that I read over the years. She asked me if any of these statistics have any scientific merit and I told her that none of them are in the literature. To the layman that is NO! In fact I asked the Wall Street Journal writer to call an expert on mattresses at the internal sleep products association. She did and was told that the statistic on mattresses doubling in weight was far from the truth. The journalist choose to include it in the story anyway. She liked the statistic because it made her story more interesting."

According to the American College of Asthma, Allergy & Immunology, only 10% of the general population is allergic to dust mites. However, 90% of people with allergic asthma are likely sensitive to dust mites and should take additional precautions.

Margot Carmichael Lester at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham offers the following tips to reduce your exposure to dust mites:

•Keep relative humidity low (under 55 percent) because dryness kills germs.
•Use a HEPA filter-equipped vacuum to keep allergens from releasing back into the air. Change the bags at least once a month.
•Switch out air filters according to manufacturers recommendations.
•Vacuum mattresses, carpets, upholstered furniture and window treatments at a very high setting.
•Toss stuffed animals, throw pillows and small rugs into the dryer on high heat regularly.
•Cover bed pillows, mattresses and box springs with impervious covers to keep dust mites from coming through.
•Unclutter rooms with most use (bedrooms, family rooms), including extra pillows and bed covers, out-of-season clothing, throw rugs, stuffed animals – and anything that gets (and stays) dusty.

You can use the money you save by not having to buy a new mattress to take your family over to Durham for a visit to the museum!

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.

What is Triggering Your Fall Allergies?

Just like spring, fall is prime time for many people with allergies. Many people blame spending additional time indoors with mold and mildew irritants for their increase in allergy symptoms. What are some of the other common triggers to be on the lookout for?

Ragweed
The most common fall outdoor irritant is ragweed. Ragweed blooms in mid-August and continues into late October. It is common on roadsides, in vacant lots, or in other large grassy areas. In an average season, each ragweed plant can produce up to one billion grains of ragweed pollen. These grains can travel up to 400 miles in the air, due to their lightweight texture.

Dust Mites
Allergies to dust mites are common in the home. Dust mites are particularly prevalent in warm, moist areas with ready access to dead flakes of human skin, such as bedding, upholstered furniture, or plush carpeting. Studies show that close to 85% of U.S. homes have a bedroom with easily detectable levels of dust mite allergens.

Pet Dander
People often associate pet allergies with the hair, fur, or feathers of the animal. In fact, the dander (tiny pieces of dead skin that flake off from just beneath the hair, fur or feathers) is usually to blame. Pet dander is easily airborne and can spread to all areas of your home, even where pets are not allowed.

Cockroaches
Cockroach allergens comes from the feces, saliva, and bodies of the bugs. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, when one roach is seen in the basement or kitchen, it is safe to assume that at least 800 roaches are hidden under the kitchen sink, in closets, and the like. Studies show that almost 3/4 of urban homes have some level of cockroach infestation.


Air Matters has performed mold inspection and testing services in the Raleigh NC area since 2002. The owner, Renee Ward, has over 22 years of safety and environmental experience and holds both her Bachelor of Science and Masters degrees in engineering. Renee is also a member of the American Industrial Hygiene Association and the American Indoor Air Quality Council. Contact Air Matters at (919) 870-6748.