Control Air Pollution Using Air Purifiers
Posted by admin in environment on 01 31st, 2009Indoor air pollution is a much bigger problem than most people suspect, especially because the average person spends about 90 percent of their day inside. For energy efficiency, homes are more tightly sealed now than ever in the past. Therefore indoor pollutants become trapped, making it important for people to consider adding air purifiers to their homes and offices.
The greatest impact that indoor air pollution has on health is easily seen in the steep climb of incidences of asthma and allergies sufferers. Interestingly, this marked increase in respiratory problems is seen in developed countries around the globe. In addition to allergens being trapped in homes by better seals on windows and doors, it is also believed that the chemicals used in our homes for every day cleaning and maintenance are also to blame. These chemicals collect over time, eventually reaching toxic levels when the air in a home is stagnant and not cleaned.
While home air cleaners are often geared toward homes, office environments have the same air quality problems and for the same reason. Quality air purifiers used in home and office settings can very effectively remove the majority of pollution from the interior air, thus keeping you from using your lungs as contaminant air filters. These contaminants are responsible for asthma and other respiratory problems and are also considered to contribute to an increase in lung cancer rates in the U.S.
Another area where home air cleaners should always be in use, are in hair and nail salons. Nail salon technicians and cosmetologists are at elevated risks for breathing problems and lung disease because they are routinely exposed to higher than standard levels of potent chemicals, such as formaldehyde. This fact alone makes them 1.8 times more likely to end up with lung cancer because of this exposure. Proper air purification in their environments can help to reduce that risk.
Air purifiers are able to remove allergens and contaminants from the air. They significantly reduce the major contaminants found in home environments, such as dust, pollen, mold spores, dust mite feces and pet dander, just to name a few. They can also be helpful in removing smoke particles from the air as well. When the level of such pollutants is lowered, so is the risk of triggering allergies, developing asthma or getting cancer.
A side benefit of regular use of air purifiers in the home is that they can also help to reduce the frequency of dusting and vacuuming, since the particles are removed by the air purifier rather than settling on furnishings and the floor.
There is a wide variety of home air purifiers available on the market. Prices range from under $100 for a very basic unit that can effectively clean the air in a small room, to elaborate whole home air purification systems that can cost up to thousands of dollars, depending on the size of the house and the level of purification desired.
In general, air purifiers don’t take a significant amount of electricity to operate, which is good because they need to be running at all times to keep the air clean and filtered. Filters are another component of the cost of running air cleaners and this aspect should be taken into account when comparing the costs of acquiring and maintaining them.
read comments (0)Trends In Magazines And Periodicals
Posted by admin in environment on 01 23rd, 2009There are always magazines and publications that are less popular in today's times than they were a few years ago. Learning about the trends of magazines and periodicals can help you subscribe to cutting edge publications.
Technology
Because we’re people who love our new gizmos and gadgets, it’s not surprising that we also love magazines that talk all about the latest offerings in computers, cell phones, and other devices.In these magazines you might find product reviews and tutorials for you to make the most of your tech gear.
Green Living
Green environment is on many people’s minds these days, which is why so many more green living magazines are on the newsstands.To learn more about how to 'green' up your life or how to create social change in our environment, these magazines can be of great helpful.
Style
We all know that appearance is everything, so magazines that help us achieve our best looks are still flying off the shelves.From clothing to hair fashion and makeup tips, style magazines are available for men and women.
Entertainment
With video games, movies and music all around us, entertainment magazines help us stay up to date on what’s new and exciting in new releases.
What Kind Of Magazines And Periodicals Are People Subscribing?
There are many great internet sites and publications out there giving great information about how magazines and periodicals can influence your life. There are also eBooks explaining how magazines and periodicals can be of great benifit to us. These sources offer excellent advice about magazines and periodicals that are worth reading and keeping for a long time. Some popular sites even provide comprehensive directory listings with extensive explanation on their different categorizations. Spending time and efforts on these areas can definitely go a long way to help us become better informed readers.
Ionic Air Purifier Technologies - Scientific Fact or Science Fiction?
Posted by admin in environment on 01 12th, 2009Introduction
Ionic air purifiers hold the promise of clean air, purified of all known harmful contaminants that threaten our health. Air is made impure by substances unseen by our naked eye. Invisible ions battling invisible contaminants appears to make perfect sense. Intuitively, the logic appeals to me. Sadly, google has no quick answer to meet my simple expectation. Instead, controversy abounds. Obviously, I must resist the urge to go by intuition and grab the first ionic air purifier that I lay hands on. Safety, more than effectiveness, must be given higher weightage in the selection of an ionic air purifier.
The recent China melamine saga that killed infants also serves as a reminder to us that in buying into any technology or any product, all claims by manufacturers and distributors must be examined to the fullest extent that our resources permit. This is even more critical when the key reactive agent is unseen to the human eye. My investigation of ionic air purifier technologies falls within this realm, as the reactive agents are ions that are invisible to our eyes.
In this space, I am providing an overview of the existing ionic air purifier technology in the global market. As laypersons, I believe we have to adopt a back-to-basics approach to try and understand the technologies. The creation of a powerful invisible defence shield against airborne molecular contaminants is increasingly taking centrestage. The predominant airborne threat being monitored by scientists the world over is the avian flu virus.
Types of Ionic Air Purifier Technologies
Broadly speaking, air purification technologies can be deployed in either passive or active modes. Under passive technology modes, reactive agents are contained in the air purifier whilst impure air is drawn in for cleansing before being pushed back to the environment. Conversely, in active mode, reactive agents are pumped into the impure air environment. Interestingly, marketeers betray their lack of confidence in their own ionic air purifier technologies by combining both passive and active modes.
In the global market today, ionic air purifier technologies include the following categories:
(A) Ion generator - positive and negative ions
(B) Ion generator - negative ions only
(C) Photocatalytic Oxidation (POC)
(D) Electrostatic filter
(E) Combos
Ion Generator - Positive and Negative Ions
This combination of positive and negative ions appears to show the most promise for the future of ionic air purifier technology. They have been named as plasmacluster ions by Sharp Corporation, the Japanese corporate powerhouse that invented them.
Sharp Corporation’s marketing efforts focus on the ability of plasmacluster ions to surround and cling on to harmful airborne bacteria and viruses. When this happens, hydroxyl is produced. Hydroxyl, also known as nature’s detergent, is a powerful reactive species that plucks out hydrogen molecules from the organic structure of these airborne particulates thereby destroying them. Harmless by-products, mainly water, are generated by this chemical reaction.
This technology uses a differential ion generator, comprising a positive and a negative ion generator which can be powered in alternate cycles to control the type of ions generated.
Advocates of the positive and negative ions combination claim that a balance of both these ion types is to be found in places like waterfalls and pristine forests, i.e. this is the actual state in nature. Adherents of the negative ions technology expound the view that negative ions dominate these natural habitats and that positive ions are harmful. Thus far, I have not found any independent scientific studies to support the opposing claims of the two technologies.
Ion Generator - Negative Ions
The traditional ionic air purifier produces only negative ions. Currently, this technology dominates market share but it is under serious threat from Sharp’s plasmacluster positive and negative ions technology.
It is claimed that nearly all harmful airborne particulates like dust, smoke and bacteria etc have a positive charge. Negatively charged ions are naturally attracted to these particulates until they sink to the ground by sheer weight. Regular vacuuming removes these impurities from our environment. Critics of negative ion technology charge that the weighed down particulates are not destroyed and the mere act of walking around the room kicks them back into the air that we breathe.
In addition, there appears to be several methods of producing the negative ions. This is important because different methods produce different by-products, some of which may be harmful. These methods include:
(1) Water method - this employs what is known as the waterfall or Lenard Effect. Onto a metal plate that is electrically-charged, water droplets are splashed. Large numbers of negative ions are produced as water droplets are split. It is claimed that no harmful by-products are produced by the water method.
(2) Electron radiation method - this is based on a single negative discharge electrode needle. Negatively-charged electrons are produced by the millions when a high voltage pulse is applied to the electrode. This method does not result in ozone being produced. This is attributed to a “smaller” energy pulse being applied.
(3) Corona discharge method - this is based on a dual electrode model, a sharp metal electrode and a flat electrode. High voltage is applied between the electrodes. This creates a massive movement of electrons between the electrodes and ionises the air in between them. This method has been criticised for the production of harmful by-products like ozone and nitride oxide.
Photocatalytic Oxidation (POC)
This technology is commonly applied in a passive mode. In POC, the powerful reactive agent hydroxyl is also the key to the purifying process.
Germicidal ultraviolet (UV) light is commonly shone on a catalyst (usually titanium oxide) to produce hydroxyl, oxygen and peroxide, all of which are potent oxidising agents that are very effective at destroying the organic structure of micro-organisms and gaseous volatile organic compounds.
The key pillar of POC technology is its comprehensive coverage. Proponents of this technology claim that POC inactivates ALL categories of indoor pollution, including:
(1) airborne particulates i.e. dust, pet dander, plant pollen, sea salts, tobacco smoke, industrial and car pollution, etc
(2) bioaerosols i.e. biological compounds that may be infectious or contagious (e.g. viruses and pathogenic bacteria) or non-infectious (e.g. non-pathogenic bacteria, molds, cell debris)
(3) volatile organic compounds (VOCs) i.e. gaseous chemicals or odours - benzene, styrene, toluene, chloroform, hexane, ethanol, formaldehyde, ethylene, etc, all common emissions from everyday products of our modern home.
Critics of POC zoom in on the power effects of hydroxyl, claiming that they cannot differentiate between the organic structures that make up molecular contaminants and our lung tissue, eye cornea or nose membranes.
Electrostatic Filter
This technology appears to have originated in heavy industries which produced abundant pollutants. In the most common electrostatic filter arrangement, there is a porous dielectric material positioned between two electrodes. Dielectric materials do not conduct electricity while metallic electrodes are excellent conductors that transmit and receive electricity.
Impure air is sucked into the electrostatic purifier and passed over the dielectric material which acts like a sieve. The electrostatic field between the electrodes causes airborne particulates i.e.smoke contaminants, dust, etc, to stick to the dielectric surface. Purified air is pushed out of the purifier and re-circulated.
An ion source is often placed before the electrostatic filter to impart an electric charge to the airborne particulates. These impurities, so charged, stick more effectively to the dielectric material.
The general criticism of ionisation technology applies to electrostatic filters as well i.e. that harmful ozone is a by-product.
Combo Ionic Air Purifiers
To cater to the various adherents and critics of the diverse technologies, combos incorporate all or some of the above types of technologies. Combos may include:
(1) adsorptive materials such as activated carbon or oxygenated charcoal (known for its extremely porous large surface area) are added to POC technology to enhance the removal of VOCs;
(2) oxidizing catalysts like titanium oxide are coated on various components of all types of air purifiers to enhance VOC elimination;
(3) reducing catalysts such as manganese dioxide are coated near the exit outlets of many air purifiers to reduce reactive species like ozone and nitric oxide which may be harmful;
(4) generating ions by differing methods such as using microwave, UV light, radio frequency waves, and direct current;
(5) tweaking the specifications of any ionic air purifier technology so as to attain the well-known HEPA status without actually using HEPA filters.
Obviously, the process of selecting the most efficient and effective ionic air purifier involves analysing a deluge of information. I have barely skimmed the surface of the safety issues of each technology. I have also not examined in detail the claims of each technology. I urge you not to rush out to get the latest air purifier for your homes, offices, factories, schools etc. Do your homework and check back here for updates as I continue to find the ideal ionic air purifier.
To easily receive updates on new articles, subscribe to The Ionic Air Purifier Blog today.
How To Build Wind Generator – Advantages Of Using Wind Power
Posted by admin in environment on 01 11th, 2009The increase in cost for energy in our modern world today has forced us to choose other viable energy solutions. Several of those alternative solutions are solar power, wind power and hydro power.
Solar power is the most popular solution, however the reliability of sunlight can be quite problematic especially if sunlight is not particularly strong. Wind power is another popular approach as the cost of using wind is free and more than that unlimited in supply.
Let´s capitalize on wind energy by learning how to build wind generator that can supply your house for less than $500.
1. First Preparation
The first thing you may want to do is to consider whether you want to build the entire wind generator from scratch, or assembly different parts bought from suppliers. However, I must warn you that the price of buying different parts of wind generator can cost you up to $2000 or even more.
Another consideration you may want to consider is the supply of wind in your local area. Maybe your area is not too windy but has a lot of water supply; in that case building wind generator will be useless.
2. The Best Combination
The best combination is to combine wind power and solar power for maximum advantages. So you can supply the energy for your house fully for one whole year.
3. What You Need To Start
What you need to start is a do it yourself guide available for download on many websites. Some enough space to work preferably garage, and some equipment. Some of the equipments you will need are DC motor and PVC pipe. The larger your electric needs, the bigger blade diameters you will need.
Building your own wind generator can be fun and easy to do, just do it and you will get a whole new supply of extra electric energy for years.
If you want to learn how to build your own wind generator, check out Michael Harvey Earth4Energy guide. Check out my Earth4Energy review here.
Researching The Arguments For Climate Change
Posted by admin in environment on 01 9th, 2009Since climate change is caused generally by the growth in CO2 given off into the atmosphere, the most practical thing that the masses as a whole can do to determine ways to halt global warming is to diminish those emanations. Because of the ongoing gas crisis, more work is being done in order to help lessen those emanations from cars and motortrucks by producing cars that operate on alternative sources of fuel. Since car pooling does not seem to have taken a great deal of popularity in more advanced countries, switching the fuel for automobiles and trucks looks like the optimum manner to help stop global warming. Unfortunately, unless car pooling grows into a government mandate, it does not seem promising that individuals can abandon their independent automobile use in the near time to come.
With more info readily available today from the internet, everyone is becoming more aware of the outcomes of climate change on our surroundings. The world’s temperature has merely increased about one degree Celsius over the former one hundred years; still, that is twice the increase from the one hundred years before that. Additionally, there have been changes in the amount of huge storms going through during hurricane season, storms which are produced by the warm sea currents worldwide. Since the weather has gotten warmer, scientists theorize that has contributed to the increased amount of violent storms. Also, the water levels of the oceans have been steadily growing at an enhanced value over the previous one hundred years as well, which was the point of time in which the Earth went into the industrial age when more fossil fuels have been burned.
As more and more people inhabit the earth each year the number of greenhouse gases like carbonic acid gas and methane that is expelled into the surroundings rises. As this takes place the operation of climate change is amplified. Just being aware of the numerous things that will drive global warming is a good way to help individuals to modify behaviors which hurt the atmosphere.
Global Warming Reasons and Effects
Posted by admin in environment on 01 8th, 2009Currently nobody genuinely realizes the precise cause of climate change, nonetheless it is a large piece of what science is exploring. There is a lot of effort being directed into determining the actual cause of this and to solve how to prevent it from getting much farther. We can hypothesize nevertheless what may occur if climate change is not reversed and reversed very before long. While there are many people out there with outlandish stories of what is going to happen to the world, there is some underlying cause of concern with the issue of global warming that should not be ignored in the slightest bit.
Even after you have those meetings to discuss your feelings about what should be taught if the subject of global warming you should not stop there. You should be making sure that are teaching everything you possibly can about the cause of global warming to your children in your own home. Just so much can be done inside the schools so it is all-important to make certain that you are dealing with a good deal of the major issues at home to be sure that everything is driven home. It is your problem as the mother or father to make sure that your youngsters acquire the education that they require so they can develop into strong wise adults.
If your state-supported schools are not doing plenty to educate the children on the natural causes of global warming then you could sure enough step to the fore and instruct your youngsters what you feel would be beneficial for them to know. Even if the school is doing their responsibility, as the mother or father it is up to you to supplement the education that the minors are picking up on the typical causes of climate change. Learn everything that you can discover on the case and be sure that you are communicating it on to your youngsters so that they likewise will benefit from it.
