Knowledge Base

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January 27, 2022 9:23 am

Humidity and an Indoor Moisture Inventory

Humidity and an Indoor Moisture Inventory It is our core purpose at HypoAir to help you bring what’s best about outdoor air, indoors. Replicating outdoor air indoors, though, isn’t always easy. Sometimes outdoor air can be overwhelmingly humid, supporting all kinds of mold and bacterial growth on surfaces. There are differing opinions on optimal indoor

Featured, Natural Home

Why is the Sun in the news so much lately (and what does this mean for me?)

Why is the Sun in the news so much lately (and what does this mean for me?)Sometimes with natural disasters and “acts of God” I wonder, was this happening before with the same frequency/intensity while I wasn’t paying attention, or are they really becoming worse? Hurricanes. Winter storms. Earthquakes. and…Corona Mass Ejections (CMEs). This “corona” event

Why is the Sun in the news so much lately (and what does this mean for me?)

Air Quality, Featured

Plants as Air Purifiers?

Plants as Air Purifiers?IF you lived in a sealed environment like a spaceship or biodome, then plants could be extremely helpful in reducing harmful VOCs (check out NASA’s BioHome). Since most of us live in a much more dynamic environment with many air leaks, entrances and exits, a new study calculates you would need a

Plants as Air Purifiers?

Featured, Natural Home

Maximizing Your Sleep

Maximizing Your SleepFor many of us, sleep is the “margin” in our day; everyone and everything that needs more time usually sucks it out of our sleep time. It’s not supposed to be that way, but until you can put a lock on your sleep time, there are ways to maximize the hours you do

Maximizing Your Sleep

Air Quality, Natural Home

March 19, 2024 2:23 pm

To Vent or Not to Vent the Dryer Indoors?

To Vent or Not to Vent the Dryer Indoors?This was a tricky

March 18, 2024

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Mold Spores, Endospores and Exospores…what are the differences?

Mold Spores, Endospores and Exospores…what are the differences?I think most of us are familiar with spores that mold produces, which act similarly to dandelion seeds that can be carried off by air currents to relocate and start growing new “plants” elsewhere. However, there are similar terms using the word “spore” in the bacteria world that …read more

March 11, 2024

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Do HypoAir products kill the “good” bacteria as well as “bad” bacteria?

Do HypoAir products kill the “good” bacteria as well as “bad” bacteria?Short answer: yes, some good bacteria are killed, but let us explain a little about the nature of bacteria, and how this technology affects them!Since HypoAir’s bipolar ionization is made for the home, we are talking about “good” bacteria for humans, found on exposed …read more

March 11, 2024

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Is it ok to walk around barefoot in my home? I’m concerned about my feet absorbing mycotoxins.

Is it ok to walk around barefoot in my home? I’m concerned about my feet absorbing mycotoxins.Often we end up researching and writing articles in response to client questions, and this is one such article. If your floors are warm or carpeted, it often feels good to walk around barefoot in the house. However, this …read more

March 6, 2024

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PSA: How to quickly shut off water to your home, and systems that can do it automatically

PSA: How to quickly shut off water to your home, and systems that can do it automaticallyThink quick: do you know where your home’s water shut-off valve(s) are? Imagine for a moment that you hear the sound of water gushing in the kitchen, and walk in to find it pouring out from under the …read more

February 27, 2024

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Materials to Exclude from a Healthy Home

Materials to Exclude from a Healthy HomeEveryone has at least one “young and dumb” story where they are thankful not to have had more serious consequences from doing something un-wise, to put it mildly. One of mine is repurposing a chunk of mystery wood for bar-tops in my 1950’s home. It had a beautiful rustic …read more

February 27, 2024

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Actinobacteria: Another danger lurking in Water Damaged Buildings

Actinobacteria: Another danger lurking in Water Damaged BuildingsAvoiding mold and mycotoxins has taken a major share of the spotlight in healthy home discussions, and for good reason, because they can elicit major allergic responses in many people and disabling immune responses in very sensitive people. However, there is another organism that grows right along with …read more

February 22, 2024

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Scent Control for Hunters

Scent Control for HuntersIf you are a hunter, you’ll likely know that many animals have a much more sophisticated sense of smell than humans, giving them information about how to stay alive and out of our paths. Eliminating human scent, then, gives an edge to the hunter, allowing his prey to come closer or linger …read more

February 21, 2024

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Better bedroom ventilation = better sleep quality

Better bedroom ventilation = better sleep qualityHave you ever wondered why you’re not sleeping well? We have quite a few suggestions for better sleep, but there’s one more (invisible) thing that can negate the others: CO2. Sleeping in a stuffy bedroom does not enable quality sleep! It turns out that you need “fresh air” even …read more

February 21, 2024

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How to make your home less susceptible to flooding

How to make your home less susceptible to floodingWeather forecasts for rain can strike fear in homeowners. Different parts of the world are experiencing rainfalls that surpass a year’s average within just a few days, or even a few hours. What can we do to lessen the chance of having to use mops, pumps, demolition …read more

February 14, 2024

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Marijuana smoke, just like cigarette smoke, is an air quality problem that affects a lot of people.

Marijuana smoke, just like cigarette smoke, is an air quality problem that affects a lot of people.According to Gallup Polls, approximately 17% of Americans smoked marijuana in 2023, which is up from 12% in 2017-2021. By inference, approximately 83% of Americans don’t directly smoke marijuana, for any number of reasons, but a good number of …read more

February 14, 2024

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Tight homes need ventilation, but what do I do when it’s smokey outside?

Tight homes need ventilation, but what do I do when it’s smokey outside?If you’re blessed to be living in a “tight” home (one that doesn’t allow much unintentional air leakage), you should know that mechanical ventilation is really helpful, if not necessary, to achieve healthy indoor air. Humidity, CO2, particulates and VOCs can build up …read more

February 13, 2024

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What does living near a farm mean? It’s not all cute baby animals.

What does living near a farm mean? It’s not all cute baby animals.I didn’t grow up near a farm, but I spent a lot of time on one. My mother’s uncle was a farmer who raised soybeans, corn, a few pigs and an extensive home garden. Although my sister and I had to shell a …read more

February 12, 2024

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So you’re in the market for a new car? With or without New Car Smell?

So you’re in the market for a new car? With or without New Car Smell?If the idea of driving a new car is appealing, you may need to educate your nose to accept that the new car smell is not a good thing. Thankfully, many automakers are becoming conscious of the dangers of volatile organic …read more

February 7, 2024

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Help! My basement has flooded!

Help! My basement has flooded!While some are suffering in the US from droughts, others are walking ankle-deep through water in their basement. Unfortunately water in the basement is different from other areas of the home because 1) it doesn’t easily drain away because you can’t just “cut a hole in the floor”, 2) being below …read more

February 7, 2024

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If you are skeptical about the effects of mold in homes, please stop and read this.

If you are skeptical about the effects of mold in homes, please stop and read this.Mold is a fungus that has thousands of species and grows outdoors and indoors, year-round; every building has some level of mold in it. (Molds in the Environment, Johns Hopkins Medicine) It spreads by microscopic spores which are carried in …read more

February 6, 2024

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“Rust” in your sinks and toilets? Iron in your water can mean iron bacteria in the water

“Rust” in your sinks and toilets? Iron in your water can mean iron bacteria in the waterWait–is that rust in my toilet? Why is the toilet looking rusty? You might initially think that the pipes supplying the water might be rusting, and that could be a problem (however, it’s rare). But if you know that …read more

February 5, 2024

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Are Tiny Homes built from Sheds a Good Idea?

Are Tiny Homes built from Sheds a Good Idea?At least every other day, I see an ad for a tiny home or office that companies or individuals built from what used to be backyard “sheds”. Now, don’t get me wrong, I am all for repurposing buildings and materials, when they are done the right way! …read more

February 5, 2024

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Tenant Rights to a Habitable Home: Mold and Smoke Issues

Tenant Rights to a Habitable Home: Mold and Smoke IssuesWhat can a renter do when their home becomes “inhabitable” due to mold or second-hand smoke?When tenants sign lease agreements with building owners or landlords, they agree to abide by certain rules while living at the property, which protect both the tenant and the landlord. In …read more

February 1, 2024

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Why choosing “Non-Toxic” is not only good for you, it’s good for your grandkids (and great-grands…)

Why choosing “Non-Toxic” is not only good for you, it’s good for your grandkids (and great-grands…)Hmmm. A new study seems to say that the genes we inherit and pass on are not entirely a product of simple reproduction. They are also influenced by the toxicants we are exposed to by accident, or even as a result …read more

January 31, 2024

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Insulating drafty windows makes a difference in air quality, not just energy savings!

Insulating drafty windows makes a difference in air quality, not just energy savings!When you’re trying to make a whole house less drafty, you should go for the low-hanging fruit first. That means big ol’ holes in the walls, floor or ceiling (like this disconnected register) come first. If you don’t have any big holes, you …read more

January 30, 2024

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No-Demo Renos for Air Quality

No-Demo Renos for Air QualityAs of 2024, home renovation is still very popular in the US, but there’s been some interesting developments, such as “no demo reno”. Eliminating demolition usually means less cost and less time–two very important commodities in renovation! I’m waiting for designers to take it a step further to challenge themselves to …read more

January 29, 2024

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How to keep MILDEW out of your CLOSET

How to keep MILDEW out of your CLOSETCloset doors are meant to keep closed, right? Unless you are Martha Stewart, it’s likely your closet doors don’t stay open very long–if they close to begin with! The problem comes when humidity and closed doors combine for a stinky problem: mildew and mold.We sometimes think that mildew …read more

January 26, 2024

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Why, when and how do I clean my mini-split unit?

Why, when and how do I clean my mini-split unit?Mini-splits are the elegant cousins of window AC units (even though some window AC units are pretty darn good-looking nowadays with lower profiles that don’t block your view). Mini-splits and window AC units have some of the same internal parts, so even though mini-splits are …read more

January 25, 2024

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Why you need a moisture meter (and how to use it!)

Why you need a moisture meter (and how to use it!)Moisture meters are like thermometers. When you think, I feel warm…do I have a fever? You might ask someone else to put their hand on your forehead for a reference check, but if they’re not sure, what you really need is a thermometer to verify …read more

January 25, 2024

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Gutters and downspouts: the necessary accessories that move water away from your home

Gutters and downspouts: the necessary accessories that move water away from your homeGutters just can’t compete with kitchens. When you save up for those long-awaited home renovations, or even as a part of a new home, gutters usually take a backseat to countertops and appliances. We get it–spending so much time inside makes you want …read more

January 23, 2024

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Keep Air Quality in Mind When Exercising Outdoors

Keep Air Quality in Mind When Exercising OutdoorsWhen the weather is nice, many people want to shift their exercise from indoors to outdoors. There are a lot of benefits to it, such as varied surroundings and surfaces, mood-elevating sunshine, and even a greater incentive to stick with it and go farther, whether you’re walking, running …read more

January 23, 2024

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How to get free ventilation without sacrificing heat (or cool)

How to get free ventilation without sacrificing heat (or cool)Something has piqued my interest for some time: the transfer of heat to make something cooler or warmer than the ambient air without mechanical means. Living in the hot and humid southeast US, I’m keenly aware that air conditioning is key to my comfort during the …read more

January 17, 2024

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Testing Your Home for mVOCs Could Point to Hidden Mold

Testing Your Home for mVOCs Could Point to Hidden MoldIn our Indoor Mold Summary White Paper, we discussed the various by-products of mold: spores, mycotoxins and mVOCs (microbial Volatile Organic Compounds). Some of these VOCs give that characteristic musty odor, and like VOCs from other sources (like furniture or building materials that off-gas), they can …read more

January 16, 2024

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Increasing Filter Surface Area for Better HVAC Filtration

Increasing Filter Surface Area for Better HVAC FiltrationLots of customers are jumping on the idea to use their central HVAC as a whole-house air cleaner. Why not? It’s a very expensive piece of equipment, it has a fan and an air filter, and it circulates air throughout the house. The only thing is that you …read more

January 10, 2024

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Are there any new mold detectors on the market?

Are there any new “mold detectors” on the market?If you have had a brush with illness-causing mold or suspect that there may be toxic mold growing somewhere in your home, we understand the desire for speedy detection and remediation! Often, the solution also has to lie within a modest budget. Traditionally, that demanded a trade-off …read more

January 2, 2024

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Cancer may be a case of nature AND nuture: Why it’s time to pay attention to Inflammogens

Cancer may be a case of nature AND nuture: Why it’s time to pay attention to InflammogensThe New Yorker article “All the Carcinogens We Cannot See” is quite eye-opening. You’ve probably known people who lived a “bad” life, drinking or smoking or doing drugs, to a ripe old age, and then also a number of …read more

December 29, 2023

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How PCM works to keep your home cooler–and warmer

How PCM works to keep your home cooler–and warmerWe are always eager to hear about advances in technology that the average homeowner can use to live healthier lives with less expense or energy. Lots of new materials are being engineered that use the ambient air or temperature to reduce heating or air conditioning costs. Phase …read more

December 29, 2023

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How to reduce annoying Static Electricity (and distinguish it from real electricity)

How to reduce annoying Static Electricity (and distinguish it from real electricity)Static electricity is just plain rude! Although it can seem like someone has electrified your doorknob to play a trick on you, most likely your own body is just ridding itself of built-up static electricity.Why and how does one accumulate that much electricity, anyway?This …read more

December 27, 2023

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Truly Natural Air Purifiers

Truly Natural Air PurifiersAs homeowners realize the extent of air pollution inside the home, they value making or buying air purifiers all the more. Many purifiers require expensive manufactured filters to be purchased and changed out on a regular basis. They can certainly do the job but our ears always perk up when something using …read more

December 21, 2023

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These steps convert your HVAC into a whole house filter

These steps convert your HVAC into a whole house filterMany people have central air conditioning/heating, yet they don’t know that this machine could be used year round to improve the air quality in their homes. For such an expensive investment, it’s wise to get the most out of it–everyday! Here are a number of tips …read more

December 11, 2023

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How to eliminate many of your cleaning solutions

How to eliminate many of your cleaning solutionsWell, that is a pretty attractive headline, right? Since the average American family of four can expect to pay at least $680 a year for cleaning products, this is a substantial sum of money. (Cleaning Supplies Costs: How to Save Money While Keeping Your Home Clean) How …read more

December 7, 2023

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It’s a dehumidifier that doesn’t use electricity AND has no moving parts!

It’s a dehumidifier that doesn’t use electricity AND has no moving parts!Our clients know that here at HypoAir, we’re all about managing humidity for a healthier home. If your house is above 60% humidity, you can start to have mold problems (the higher the humidity, the more quickly mold can grow). We’ve written on dehumidifiers …read more

December 6, 2023

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Enduring the Rainy Season

Enduring the Rainy SeasonMany kinds of climates may exist in your state, from hot and dry to cool and humid, depending on your elevation, weather patterns, proximity to water, etc. Although mold can grow anywhere (even in the desert!), more water definitely means more mold. Your “rainy season” can come in January or July…but …read more

December 6, 2023

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Lime: an ancient wonder-mineral

Lime: an ancient wonder-mineralIf you read our article on Ancient Homebuilding 101, your interest might be piqued about lime and its use as an anti-fungal coating inside and outside homes. We gave a number of benefits of limewash that are still used on some farms and buildings today; if you see white walls inside a …read more

December 5, 2023

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Why it’s important to get a proper kitchen exhaust fan and USE IT

Why it’s important to get a proper kitchen exhaust fan and USE ITRecently (in the last few years) gas stoves have come under fire as a source of air pollution in homes. While we used to think that the “blue flames” were clean-burning, it turns out that natural gas stoves (the kind of gas used …read more

December 5, 2023

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Why is my house so DUSTY? Assessing the air currents gives a clue

Why is my house so DUSTY? Assessing the air currents gives a clueThis article was written in response to an actual problem. My elderly parents moved into a “barndominium” which was converted from a 35×35’ metal workshop, in 2020. The walls were insulated with fiberglass batts, and the attic above their 10’ ceilings was insulated …read more

December 3, 2023

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Specific help for asthma and allergy sufferers

Specific help for asthma and allergy sufferersIn our article “Air Quality in the Operating Room”, we described a new technology to produce laminar air flow called Opragon. Opragon by Avidicare creates a clean air flow from the ceiling to the floor by creating a 3 degree temperature difference, which causes clean, filtered air to flow …read more

December 1, 2023

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Advances in Phototherapy

Advances in PhototherapyPhototherapy, or light therapy, is the exposure to direct sunlight or artificial light at controlled wavelengths in order to treat a variety of medical disorders. (Light therapy) Light therapy has been around for a long time. Natural sunlight is free and abundant in many climates, and doctors have known that it does other …read more

December 1, 2023

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What are Probiotics for the Air?

What are Probiotics for the Air?Probiotics have been around for a long time, even millenia! Probiotics are live, active microorganisms ingested to alter the gastrointestinal flora for health benefits. They often are referred to as good bacteria in the gut and compete with bad bacteria to support the body in establishing optimal digestion and aid …read more

November 28, 2023

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Hydrogen Peroxide as an Air Cleaner

Hydrogen Peroxide as an Air CleanerHydrogen peroxide has been around for a long time. The brown bottle you may keep in your bathroom as an antiseptic for treating wounds has many, many more uses! It was discovered in 1818 by scientist Louis Jacques Thénard as he reacted barium peroxide with nitric acid. Today, it’s still …read more

November 28, 2023

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A Clean Way to Update Your Popcorn Ceiling

A Clean Way to Update Your Popcorn CeilingDo you have an old ceiling that needs updating? “Popcorn”, acoustic tile and other types of textured ceilings can become brittle and contribute to bad air quality because they can hold dust and mold spores, as well as fall off in big or small chunks whenever they’re disturbed …read more

November 22, 2023

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Hidden benefits in the scents of the holidays

Hidden benefits in the scents of the holidaysIn the US, you know that winter holidays are coming when pine-scented, cinnamon, clove and peppermint candles and essential oils come out. Besides giving a fresh, yet cozy scent to your home, each of these have hidden benefits in their chemistry.Pine oil (which emits a concentrated fragrance due …read more

November 21, 2023

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Air quality in the Operating Room

Air quality in the Operating RoomIf you are in the position to have elective surgery, you probably assume that the hospital does its best to mitigate infections by maintaining a sterile environment and using sterile procedures. The Operating Room (OR) is where patients are at their most vulnerable because hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) can easily happen …read more

November 13, 2023

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What to do when you find yourself in an air quality emergency

What to do when you find yourself in an air quality emergencyWe’ve all been on the other side of the highway when an accident snarls traffic for miles behind it, and our lanes of traffic slow down but continue to move. Whew, glad I wasn’t on that side, we think…but sadly sometimes we may find …read more

November 13, 2023

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Non-toxic ways to deal with Hard Water

Non-toxic ways to deal with Hard WaterMany of us live in areas with very “hard” water. How can water be hard? It’s a way of saying there are a significant amount of minerals in the water, which can leave spots on your appliances, clog your pipes or leave a filmy residue on your hair or …read more

November 8, 2023

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What are xenobiotics and POPs and how do our bodies deal with them?

What are xenobiotics and POPs and how do our bodies deal with them?Xenobiotics surround us everyday! If you have an illness that you can pinpoint to a chemical or environmental exposure, then you know what a xenobiotic is and how it can seriously affect your health. Xenobiotics have been defined as chemicals to which an organism …read more

October 27, 2023

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Enjoy Your Favorite Scents and (Effortlessly) Reap the Benefits!

Enjoy Your Favorite Scents and (Effortlessly) Reap the Benefits!You might have said this of different tasks in your life, that you can “do it while sleeping”, meaning that you don’t have to use much conscious thought to do them. Well, here’s a literally simple way to boost cognitive capacity and avoid dementia-related diseases: plug …read more

October 27, 2023

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A Sticky, Fragrant Solution to an Old Problem

A Sticky, Fragrant Solution to an Old ProblemWhile reading a new scholarly article on creating water filters from ceramic pots with nanoparticles of silver in them, I thought, I’ve read about this before; it’s not new. This type of system has been used in Africa and other disadvantaged areas that lack access to clean drinking …read more

October 26, 2023

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Which is a healthier home habitat: the forest or the desert?

Which is a healthier home habitat: the forest or the desert?Is it more healthy to live in or near a forest or a desert? Spoiler alert: we’re not going to call that decision. Each habitat has its advantages and disadvantages, so we’ll explore them to see which one is best for you.You might think that …read more

October 26, 2023

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Keeping safe when using supplemental heat

Keeping safe when using supplemental heatWhen the weather turns chilly, sometimes your main heat source doesn’t heat quickly or completely, or it’s expensive to run, and you may turn to supplemental heaters for a quick way to warm up. Supplemental heating sources like radiators, space heaters, and fireplaces are alternative options to simply turning up …read more

October 19, 2023

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Glowing under blacklight

Glowing under blacklightI’ve heard that in the 1960’s, blacklight posters were all the rage. Glowing things are cool! How does blacklight actually cause things to glow? “Blacklight” is an invisible form of light that operates in the ultraviolet range. Because light takes on a wave form, the frequency of the peaks and troughs in the wave …read more

October 17, 2023

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“Sleeper” bacteria spores are like mold spores

“Sleeper” bacteria spores are like mold sporesOne of the unsavory facts about mold is its ability to lie dormant when food and moisture sources dry up, until conditions allow it to “bloom” again. Scientists are finding out that there are other microbes that exhibit this same behavior, necessitating finding new ways to detect their presence. One …read more

October 11, 2023

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How do water-based vacuums work and are they better than traditional vacuum cleaners?

How do water-based vacuums work and are they better than traditional vacuum cleaners?Do you like how fresh the air seems after a rainstorm? Well, that is the effect of the rain “washing” dust and microbes out of the air. Sure, on a hot summer’s day it’s not long until these contaminants return, but it’s a …read more

October 10, 2023

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How do emergency shelters get fresh air?

How do emergency shelters get fresh air?If you must go into an emergency shelter, then you can bet that conditions outside are not good, whether it’s a natural disaster, war or safety from criminal activity. You can store many supplies such as food and water for staying in a shelter, but without clean air, survival …read more

October 9, 2023

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Mold in the Toilet

Mold in the ToiletThe bathroom is a room that’s very susceptible to mold growth, and once you understand what mold needs to grow, it’s easy to understand why. Basically, it just needs moisture (shower=check, sink=check, toilet=check), and food (dust=check, organic matter=check), so the bathroom sometimes becomes a petri dish that’s hard to keep up with. …read more

Our Technologies

We have two primary proprietary technologies that provide the most powerful protection available. Air quality is complex. No single technology or product is optimal for every situation or contaminant type (despite what some may claim). Our current array of products utilize various combinations of technologies depending on the application. These technologies allow our products to far out perform all of our competitors. Most don't even claim to do what our technologies have been proven to accomplish. Find out more what makes us different, effective, and safe.

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