Article by Ted Zajac, Jr.

Allergies are caused by exposure to pollution of either a particulate form such as pollen or a chemical form such as polyvinylchloride. The results of exposure to a pollutant to which the body is allergic vary dramatically. Hayfever with a few sneezes in the morning is a mild reaction while Multiple Chemical Sensitivity can completely debilitate a sufferer. So, what can be done to reduce the symptoms from these allergies? The answer is a lot.

While this article addresses the use of portable air purifiers, the first layer in a plan to reduce allergic symptoms must be to eliminate the source of the pollution. An air purifier is typically not able to keep up with an active source. So, for instance, while a good home air purifier can reduce the smell and particulates from a cigar, it will not be effective while a cigar is being smoked. Secondly, surfaces and materials that might harbor the pollutant such as rugs, walls, light bulbs, drapery, and upholstery must be cleaned or eliminated from the environment. All of these items will continue to return the pollutant to the environment. Thirdly, if there is a forced air system in the home or office the filter must be changed regularly and duct cleaning should be considered in older homes and offices. Often these first steps remove the pollutant and the allergy sufferer finds relief without the use of an air purifier.

All of the effective air purifier technologies are simple. There is a box with a fan and some system, either electronic or mechanical, that removes pollutants from the airflow that is passing though the box. The real key to understanding how to use an air purifier is to remember that only the air that goes though the box gets cleaned. So, if you have a very long room you may be better with two small air purifiers at either end rather than one large unit in the middle. Think logically and remember how these devices work.

The technology that you should employ is determined by what type of pollutant you are trying to remove. Adsorption media such as activated carbon or zeolite will remove chemical pollutants, HEPA and electronic technologies will remove particulates, and UV technology will disable microorganisms. Typically these technologies are used in combination.

Pollen is a particulate pollutant and is best addressed with either a HEPA system or an electronic system. HEPA is highly effective but the filters must be changes on an interval that varies from 6-months to 5-years depending on the manufacturer. Electronic filter elements do not need to be changed but must be washed regularly to remain effective. Both of these technologies are usually combined with an activated carbon filter. These vary from pounds of media to a then mat. Since pollen is a particulate we do not need to worry about the activated carbon but do not expect much from the activated carbon mats. They do not offer enough exposure time to be effective at removing chemicals or odors.

Microorganisms are often a concern for those that have weak or damaged immune systems including the very young and elderly. The most effective way to address the spread of microorganisms is the use of UV light in the air purifier. This light affects the DNA of the organism and at least keeps it from reproducing but more often kills it. UV light is typically employed in conjunction with HEPA technology so that the air is clean of particulates that would shade the microorganisms from the UV radiation.

Chemicals are removed from the air via a process known as adsorption. A media is used such as activated carbon that has tremendous surface area. As the chemicals encounter the media they adhere to the media and coat it, thus removing the chemicals from the air. While activated carbon is a good general purpose media, there are other mixtures that have been created by the air purifier companies that address specific compounds. Therefore, if you know which compounds you are targeting for removal it is best to communicate this with the firm to get the proper mixture to address your issue. Much like UV, HEPA is usually used in combination with the adsorbing media. This assures that the media does not become clogged with particulate pollution and made less effective.

In summary, the first defense against airborne allergens to remove the source of the allergen and anything that will retain the allergen. Secondly, pick a technology that is effective with the specific allergen that is the issue. Thirdly apply air purifiers in such a way as to maximize the air that is going though the unit.

About the Author

Ted Zajac Jr. is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University and Vice President of Technology for ClearFlite Incorporated that can be found at http://www.airpurifiers.com. Ted has been published in a variety of magazines from Byte to Hydraulics and Pneumatics.

My youngest son has suffered from a myriad of allergies since he was just months old.

Mikey broke out in a scaly rash on his head at just about four months old. We thought it might be regular old cradle-cap, but brushing it out just made it worse. His pediatrician said that it was actually eczema, and with his little hands, my baby would claw at it until it bled.

The rash soon spread all over his body and by age one, the eczema was causing his fingers and toes to split open. He was miserable, and I was sad that all the creams and ointments in the world weren’t helping.

“So, Who In His Family Has Allergies?”

Doctors would ask me which of us two parents had allergies and eczema, because the two were “usually hereditary”, they said. “Neither of us,” I would reply, and they would shake their heads and say “it had to come from somewhere”.

We were scratching our heads too. Neither myself nor my husband had any problems of this magnitude; and we had asked our parents to make sure.

Later, we learned that the trilogy of allergies, eczema, and asthma usually go hand-in-hand. If a person showed signs of two, he or she almost always has the third one, if only in a mild form.

We found that Mikey also had food, animal, and dust mite allergies, when he became old enough to have the common “skin tests”. Last year, as he began playing more aggressive sports like football and soccer, we discovered that he had sports-induced asthma.

The Vaccine Factor?

Recently, I’ve been reading about all the toxic ingredients in the vaccines our children are required to receive. I haven’t completely gone to the extreme and refused any vaccines for my children; my kids have had theirs already, and won’t require any more for a long time. I think it’s a decision that families must make for themselves.

But I did realize that around the time my son began exhibiting all of these allergy symptoms, was near the time he first received round one of his shots. That might explain why doctors were mystified that none of our other family members had serious allergies and eczema.

I began to wonder what was in those vaccines. I didn’t like what I found out.

Vaccines contain formaldehyde, mercury, aluminum, fetal animal lung and kidney cells, chick embryo, and ingredients similar to antifreeze, among other things. We’re not told that stuff, of course.

All of these toxins have to go somewhere. There is an effect. How else to explain the skyrocketing cases of allergies (to the point of banning peanut-containing products in schools), and especially asthma, in the U.S. over the last 30 years?

Get Rid Of Those Toxins

A unique supplement called liquid zeolite was put on the market a couple of years ago that has some remarkable testimonies for many, many serious conditions and diseases. It acts like a cage, trapping allergens and toxins and removing them safely from the body. Here are some real testimonies:

Beth’s Story:

“…My name is Beth. I live in Texas, and the product that we are using is the (liquid zeolite). And my daughter has suffered from Asthma since infancy, starting at about 3 months….She is now 20 years old. We have struggled all these years to find something to help relieve her asthma, and since we got her on the zeolite product, and within a few weeks her asthma has disappeared…”

Vicky’s Story:

“My name is Vicky, and I’m a physician’s assistant. I have a grandson who was born with tremendous amounts of allergies, and he has asthma attacks so severely he’s been hospitalized five times in the first two years of life.

When he was two was about the same time that I learned the (liquid zeolite). Since that time his results have been absolutely remarkable. He has not been hospitalized once. He has not had a severe asthma attack. He has not had to take any medication for asthma. All the rashes on his body have cleared up. He’s growing well. He is now a healthy four-year-old, and just doing great….”

While there is no one treatment that works the same for everyone, liquid zeolite seems to be the healthcare breakthrough for many diseases, including allergic conditions.

A growing number of people are tiring of waiting for traditional medicine to give complete relief to those who suffer from allergies, asthma, and eczema. In response, several families are turning to supplements to meet their needs. They also want to know why. Why the increase in allergies, especially life-threatening ones, and why the spike in asthma cases???

Many kids are suffering for reasons that we don’t really know. What I do know is that something triggered my son’s problems, and a good deal of research suggests it could very well have been the vaccines that we’re told will keep our kids healthy.

In the meantime, there is something that can be done. Until we find the answer, liquid zeolite seems to be the solution.