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Showing posts from November, 2018

California Wildfire Tips to Protect Indoor Air Quality

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Just when we think the wildfires have finally settled and have been finally extinguished for the rest of the year, they continue to range on devastatingly in California. The destructive wildfires have brought plumes of smoke that have tainted the air quality in most of California to dangerous levels for human exposure. Smoke plumes from wildfires are composed of an amalgam of toxic components – such as corrosive gases, hydrocarbons, fats & oils, resins & waxes, and worst of all tiny particulate matter. This hazardous concoction has the potential to lead to health problems that can vary from temporary discomfort to long-term debilitating disease- affecting the heart and lungs. If you are in a significantly impacted area in California or in a surrounding area that has been affected by the blazing wildfires, learning the best tips to protect yourself and your air from the risks and hazards of wildfire smoke can be crucial to maintaining your air quality and health. California

5 Tips on How to Detect Mold in Your Bathroom

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Mold infestation is a problem that millions of homeowners face across the globe. They may differ in terms of strain, toxicity, and species, but one commonality is the fact that they are all dangerous and can spread rapidly if not removed. Mold exposure can cause side effects such as asthma attacks, hay fever-like symptoms, dizziness, headaches, skin rashes, and nausea; this is why mold is so unwelcome in our homes. Since mold thrives mostly on organic matter and moisture, there is no doubt that our bathrooms hold the highest risk of a mold infestation. Unfortunately, most homeowners don’t discover this menace until it is too late. However, with these five important tips, you will be able to detect the slightest hint of mold growing in your bathroom. 1. Check For Discolorations Whether it is on the wall, ceiling, cabinets, tiles, or shower curtains, any discoloration can be a sign of the growth of mold. With mold, these visible patches of black, white, green, or brown may be mistak

3 Ways To Spot Mold In Your Walls

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Mold can do some serious damage to our walls, so it is imperative to find out if we have such an infestation as soon as possible. If it’s not feasible to replace the drywall with a conservative alternative, you’ll have to come up with better, more hassle-free methods of detecting an invasion of mold . Below, we will talk about 3 surefire ways to find out if it’s possible that there is mold in/on your walls. 1. Are The Walls Holding Moisture? If your residence has recently been exposed to floodwaters, it is almost certain that the walls are going to be infested by mold within a short span of time. As a result, it is vital to remove your drywall immediately, and also replace it without wasting much time. However, the question of how much wall to remove will depend on the amount of moisture it has been exposed to. In case it is not possible for you to measure the amount of moisture on the walls, you can buy a moisture meter that will do the job for you. Otherwise, make it a point to

Can Paint Fumes Cause Cancer?

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Painters are subjected to a great deal of complicated chemical compounds and mixtures that usually generate poisonous fumes, which are known to cause carcinogenic complications. According to certain research published in the Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, painters are significantly exposed to greater risks of contracting various types of diseases, including cancer of the lungs, kidney, and bladder. Most paints that are used for decorating homes contain dangerous chemical substances, such as VOCs (Volatile-Organic-Compounds) and harmful solvents. When the paint dries up, the chemical compounds are converted into gases, which are then released into the atmosphere. When the painter and people nearby inhale the paint fumes, they’re more likely to suffer from nose, throat, and eye irritation. In great amounts, studies have clearly shown that these chemical substances can cause cancers, birth complications, and damage to the brain. Paints And VOCs Paints can be cl

Curb Your Seasonal Allergies With An Air Purifier

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Air purifiers are becoming a common addition to numerous homes. They are installed to prevent people from suffering from seasonal allergies, like pollen, ragweed, and others. They help to minimize health problems during any season and improve our well being. They ensure that the air we are breathing is cleaned in various ways. Below are some ways that air purifiers can help with seasonal allergies . #1. They Charge And Attract Particles To Metal Electrodes One kind of these gadgets, ionic air purifiers, are believed to function through the charging of particles that are airborne, and then attracting these particles to metal electrodes. This ionization method gives off a small quantity of ozone. Even though ionic type purifiers are commonly referred to as purifiers, they are not; they do not obliterate damaging matter. Ionic purifiers emit negative ions, which go on to neutralize oxidizers. #2. They Remove Allergens From The Surroundings An air purifier helps to remove allergens f

How To Detect Mold With A Blacklight

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Mold can cause severe health problems, so it must be dealt with quickly when there is a manifestation of it in one’s home. Also, there is a risk of suffering ailments such as allergies, nausea, asthma attacks, and other issues. Once someone has a feeling that their home is infected, it is crucial to find the source instantly. It is easy to locate mold through its black, brown, or gray look. However, not all mold is visible to the human eye, and that’s because it stays in the walls. This requires the use of a blacklight to spot the invisible fungus. A blacklight is a long-wave ultraviolet light that makes hard to see substances visible with the human eye. Here are methods on how to detect mold with a blacklight. Detecting Signs Of Mold How do you detect mold in your home ? Before using a blacklight, one has to inspect the building for revealing signs of a fungal presence. Take a look at the walls, books, fabrics, and other things in the building that have the possibility of holding

How To Keep Your Garage Mold Free!

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Mold is a problem that may often be lurking in homes, but it can also affect garages and other outdoor structures. It is only when it is out in the open that most homeowners try to find ways to remove it. One of the main reasons why mold is so commonly found in garages is because they are more exposed to the weather elements, as compared to homes. That is why there is a higher moisture content in the walls of garages after heavy precipitation. This makes the ideal situation for the growth of mold. You need to keep in mind that when the first signs of mold are visible, you have to eliminate it completely from your garage. There are, however, a few steps that you can follow in order to detect mold at an early stage. Another option of cleaning your air is to check out the EnviroKlenz Air Purifier . We will go into the details of those steps below. Steps On How To Detect Mold In Your Garage Step 1: Check The Concrete Floors Even though mold does not usually grow on solid concrete flo

How To Safely Remove Mold And Mildew From Clothes

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When fabric lies idle in a damp and warm setting, it’s highly likely that mildew or mold will start growing on it, which is usually evidenced by splotchy and/or discolored patches. These two can pose a major health risk when not dealt with quickly, so here are some techniques to help you get rid of mold and mildew effectively and safely. If this is a constant problem, you may want to invest in an air cleaner that removes mold and mildew . #1. Toothbrush And Stain Remover Using an old toothbrush with fairly firm bristles, scrub at the patch of mold/mildew, and do so until you remove as much of the build-up as possible. Throw away the toothbrush as soon as you are done with scrubbing. Afterwards, spray a stain remover on the scrubbed section and let it sit for half an hour before washing the fabric with hot water. #2. Bleach A water and bleach solution is a great way to kill harmful mold or mildew, while also restoring the discolored patch to its initial shade. The general procedur

What Is Painter’s Dementia?

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On a daily basis, human beings strive to improve the conditions of their residences so that they can look better. They clean, paint, and even do some gardening around the property. Painting is notably one of the home improvement techniques that is most commonly used. It not only enhances the general condition of a home, but also the look of it. In this case, painters are imperative to getting the job done. However, when painting, a person may be exposed to chemical vapors, which can cause short-term and long-term health hazards. One long-term effect of being in contact with paint is dementia, which is the loss of memory and other mental abilities that interfere with day to day personal activities. There are several types of dementia, including Huntington’s disease, mixed dementia, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, Frontotemporal dementia, and others. What can cause some of these problems is exposure to toxic chemicals, like those used in the manufacturing of paints. How Are These Health