Considerations For Your Health

Why all the hype about air purifiers? After all, we only breathe 12-14 times a minute, and air only makes it as far as our lungs except for things like Radon, viruses, and perhaps the occasional smallpox terrorist attack. So who needs an air purifier?

Levels of contaminants in the air increase every year both inside and outside the home. Every year more people who have been taking breathing for granted seem to want to breathe something a little less toxic. An air purifier eases your breathing and your mind.

Reaction to Weather

No doubt you hear "Vermont" and think clean mountain air. Guess again! Vermont has many issues that require an air purifier. Perhaps more so due to the extreme weather conditions the area faces. It can be sixty degrees one day and five below the next.

Three systems become important: air purifier systems, humidifier systems, and dehumidifier systems.

Problems with Basements

One thing most Vermont homes have that southerners may not be used to is a basement. A basement can host a multitude of mold spores, mildew spores, and even radon. All three of which can cause health problems.

Radon is a radioactive gas found in the earth that can cause lung cancer. In order to get rid of radon, you need a top-notch air purifier system. And the presence of radon should send you searching for the right air cleaners.

In a typical Vermont home, you have the basement where the laundry room is located. You know how much time you can spend doing laundry on a weekly basis. All the time you are down there, you are breathing in these molds and possibly radon gases.

Basements can be very damp year round. Controlling your air quality is essential. A dehumidifier can help take the excess moisture out of the air, which will reduce some molds and mildews, but a dehumidifier will not help with radon.

This leaves you needing a humidifier or air purifier.

Troubles With Upstairs

Upstairs, just the opposite occurs. The air above ground level can be extremely dry, especially in winter months. You can either get used to zapping everyone you meet with static electricity or you can purchase a humidifier to add moisture back to the air.

Again, radon is still in the air. You really need an air purifier. Nonetheless, neither the dehumidifier nor the humidifier will touch the problem of mold spores and radon upstairs. A humidifier or dehumidifier can add or reduce moisture, but they cannot take care of radon.

You cannot smell or see radon. It's a silent killer. For this most important issue, you need to look into an air purifier.

Looking for Signs

Sure, it sounds hard. How do you know if an air purifier is really the appliance you need? It's actually quite simple. Look around your house. Do you fight mildew battles from time to time? Is dusting a daily routine? Do your windows steam up frequently when you cook or when the shower has been on? Do you have mushrooms growing in your basement despite your use of a dehumidifier?

These are all critical warning signs.

Radon Is Another Issue

You should start by contacting the state. They have many brochures on air purifier systems. They also offer free radon test kits. In six months time, you will know if you are at risk for radon. Once you know for sure, you will know how much of an air purifier system you need to purchase. Once you know, an air purifier should be your next step. You may just need an air purifier for mold and mildew spores. You also might be one of the few who need something capable of removing radon as well. Either way, your health is worth it!

Bob Martin says