Think you can escape the scary, dirty, infected outdoor, “public” environment by heading home and closing tight your doors and windows? I’m sorry to say that you are sadly mistaken.
In actuality, the air inside our homes can be 2 to 5 times more polluted than the air outside our homes. Scary, huh? Especially when you consider that we spend as much as 90% of our time indoors.
Where does the pollution come from? Some of it’s coming from your paints, fabric finishes, carpet padding, cleaning products, and other chemical emitting sources. And some of it you’re bringing into the home with you. But all of this becomes “sealed in” when our homes are closed up and air tight as so many news homes today are.
These chemical pollutants, which continue to infect the air we breathe, have been linked to asthma, allergies, headaches, cancers, and worse…and we all know what the viruses and bacteria that lurk all around can do to us.
Though I wouldn’t call myself a germ-phobe by any stretch, I absolutely do everything I can to make sure my loved ones and I are living in a clean home and breathing clean air.
So recently, in addition to my usual efforts, I have been trying out the T.R.A.C.S. (Total Room Air Cleaning System) air purification system in my home, and I have to say, I’m a huge fan!
It’s the most comprehensive air purification system that I’m aware of – able to clean particulates, microorganisms, odors, and chemicals from the air. Impressive! As air travels in it flows first through a carbon pre-filter to remove the larger particulates, odors/chemicals, and gases, then by two UV lamps to destroy bacteria, viruses and molds. After that the air enters a Hospital Grade HEPA filter, which removes smaller particulate matter and bacteria (it is 99.99% efficient at .3 microns), and finally carbon post-filters remove any leftover odors, chemicals and gases.
Wow, huh? And maybe the best news this time of year: the UV lamps are even capable of destroying the influenza virus.
And in addition to attacking airborne bacteria and viruses, the UV lamps continually bathe the “dirty” side of the HEPA filter (the side of the filter on which the microorganisms are collected) in UV light, to deactivate any microorganisms that have been collected and prevent bacteria and mold growth on the HEPA filter itself.
The TRACKS Air Cleaners, which are relatively large (15W x 15D x 22H and 50lbs), come in a standard grey or a solid wood box. But the thing that I really like is that there is a four-speed control with a “whisp-air” silent setting.
The units all retail for around $700 – not exactly cheap, but worth every penny to keep you and your family safe, especially as you seal your home up against the chilling temps.
Tags: air cleaner, flu, hepa filter, influenza
