OUR CURRENT QUALITY OF AIR
The EPA states that indoor air can be up to 100x more toxic than outdoor air and this is ranked among the top 5 environmental threats to public health. And people spend 90% of their time indoors. As a result, indoor air quality plays a significant role in human and pet health.
And with all the environmental threats and spills, paying attention to your air quality is even more important.
WHY PURIFIY YOUR AIR?
As mentioned above one of the top 5 environmental threats to public health, according to the EPA, is indoor air quality.
In 2012 alone, 3.5 million deaths were caused by ambient air pollutants, worldwide.
Given that the EPA estimates that we spend 90% of our time indoors, routinely in "energy efficient" or "tight buildings" with inadequate ventilation and air circulation, this is not surprising.
Let's talk about a few more reasons why it's important to purify your indoor air ..
SPRING ALLERGIES AND MAST CELL
Do you experience mystery symptoms in the Spring, possible increase in histamine or other mast cell mediators?
Potential seasonal & environmental allergy symptoms:
red and watery eyes
sneezing
runny nose
itchy eyes, nose, ears & mouth
stuffy nose due to congestion
puffy eyes
post-nasal drip
hives
rash
Potential mast cell symptoms:
eye redness, irritation
itchy throat
swelling in tongue or lips
throat swelling
trouble breathing
tight chest
wheezing
low blood pressure
rapid heart rate
nervous system in fight or flight
constant sense of perceived danger
If you answered yes to several of these, consider going back to the basics, & focus on cleaning up your air in your home.
Clean air is a basic foundational.
If you have cracks in your foundations, how do you expect to build strong health?
THE COMPOSITION OF DUST AND IT'S RELATIONSHIP TO MOLD
Dust may seem like an innocuous household nuisance, however, having too much dust in your house can actually be a health concern for you & your family. This is important since we talk a lot about MCAS, mold & allergies.
Dust becomes the perfect breeding ground for parasites, mold & allergens. If inhaled, the particles can be harmful to us and may cause allergic reactions or allow sickness to breed INSIDE us.
We're never going to completely get rid of dust, but keeping dust to a minimum helps with clean indoor air quality.
Here are some tips for cleaning & managing dust:
Remove clutter. Extra things only provide a space for dust & bugs to hide. If it doesn’t serve a purpose or have sentimental value, consider donating it or throwing it out.
Remove any extra rugs. Dust mites do not burrow into hard surfaces like tile or hardwoods.
Get rid of blankets, clothes, etc that you are not using.
Stuffed animals harbor dust & mold, if you're not using them, toss them.
And if you DO use & have theses, wash them often.
Invest in a HEPA filtered vacuum (see below for recommendations). These special vacuums are a closed system, therefore you are not just recirculating dust. Vacuum 2-3 per week to pick up ultra-fine particles, spores & bug eggs.
Invest in a HEPA air filter. AirDoctor captures & removes bacteria, v!ruses, mold & mold spores, pollen, dust mites, airborne pinworm eggs, VOCs & chemicals & odors, smoke such as cooking, chimney, fireplace & wildfire.
Change your home air filters & vacuum filters regularly.
Dust weekly w/ a wet microfiber cloth, dust celling down to floor.
Wash your bedding weekly, including (throw) pillows.
Don’t forget your closets & the corner of closets, dust/mold hot spots. I recommend decluttering & minimizing anything you do not use.
Be sure to dust hidden areas such as top of door frames, around your bed, ceiling fans, underneath cupboards & baseboards.
As you read, there are many reasons to purify your air.
MY RECOMMENDED AIR PURIFIERS
AirDoctor
The 4 unique units:
AD1000 is their tower model and smallest size, it is great for smaller spaces; entry ways, guest bedrooms, kids room, offices, nurseries and travel. Hotels are notorious for having mold. Removes pollutants in 285 sq. ft. 4x/hour or 570 sq. ft. 2x/hour.
AD2000 is very light weight, but mighty at just 10lbs and has handles, perfect for classrooms, offices, bedrooms, basement, travel and suitcases. I have mine in my wood and furnace room in the downstairs. Removes pollutants in 305 sq. ft. 4x/hour or in 610 sq. ft. 2x/hour.
AD3000 is the classic, the OG unit and offers powerful purification for medium to larger spaces; master bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens and rooms in the basement, even classrooms (notorious for having mold). I have one in my basement and the other in my master bedroom. Removes pollutants in 638 sq. ft. 4x/hour or 1274 sq. ft. 2x/hour.
AD5000 is their most powerful and offers professional-grade performance for larger spaces like open concept kitchens and high-ceiling great rooms. Perfect for office spaces, gyms, schools, large basements and main living areas. Has filters on both side, 2 carbon filters for maximum purification and even has wheels. Removes pollutants in 1,001 sq. ft. 4x/hour or 2,001 sq. ft. 2x/hour.
AirDoctors 6 unique features:
State of the art ULTRA HEPA filter
Dual action / gas trap VOC CARBON filter
Quiet performance with whisper jet fans and100% sealed system
Change filter alert
Professional grade SENSOR
AD’s are comprised of a 3 stage, enclosed filtration and quiet performance w/ their whisper jet fans. There is a cleanable pre-filter to remove larger contaminants like dust, bugs and pet hair. The 2nd filter is a carbon/gas trap/VOC filter and 3rd is the ULTRA HEPA filter.
AirDoctors capture and filter:
✖ bacteria
✖ viruses
✖ mold and mold spores
✖ pollen
✖ dust mites
✖ VOCs
✖ pet dander
✖ airborne pinworm eggs and bugs
✖ flame retardants
✖ fumes and smoke such as fireplace, chimney, cooking and wildfire
Two important features you might not know that your AirDoctor units have.
1. Control lock - You simply press the timer & the ion button for three seconds with your fingers, you’re going to hear a beep, this enables the control lock & locks this panel, it’s great for children wanting to touch the panel or anyone potentially changing your settings. Then you simply press those 2 buttons again for 3 seconds & now you can change the settings.
2. Replace filter light - Your replace filter light comes on when the filters are ready to be changed. You’re going to change your filter(s), takes just a few seconds, but that light will stay on, so to reset that light you simply hold down the auto & the dim buttons for three seconds & that light will disappear. Voila!
CHEMICAL SPILL AND ENVIRONMENTAL THREATS
AirDoctors official statement:
“Vinyl chloride (a volatile organic compound) in the air breaks down in a few days, resulting in the formation of several other pollutants including hydrochloric acid, formaldehyde, and carbon dioxide.”
These four of these pollutants are reduced by the VOC filter in the AirDoctor. If possible, during a time of high VOC exposure, remove the HEPA filter in AirDoctor and replace it with a second carbon filter. Depending on the level of VOC exposure you may want to replace your carbon filters more frequently. Once the emergency event has ended, replace the VOC carbon filter with a new one as the carbon may be “deactivated” due to the adsorption of the VOC’s.
COMMON AIR DOCTOR Q'S
Do they come with filters? Yes, the come with all the filters they need.
How many filters and how long do they last? There are 3 filters. The prefilter can be vacuumed or hand washed and can last 12- 18 months. The second one is the Gas Trap carbon VOC filter and should last 12-18 months and the third is the UltraHEPA filter should last 12-18 months.
Are the units loud? No. They do kick into higher gear when they detect contaminants in the air, so you will hear the unit turn up higher. The AD5000 is the softest sounding when on high. But they all have the whisper jet fans.
Do they have a dim feature for lights at night. Yes, each unit has a dim button, which shuts off all the lights, many use them as white noise machines.
Do I need one for each room? I personally recommend at least one unit per story of your house. It is important to have air purification in bedrooms, where we spend the majority of our time, and in a common living room/kitchen area, given the harmful byproducts generated by cooking. Air purification is especially important in the areas where children spend their most time, since their delicate developing bodies are most sensitive to toxic exposures.
Which unit offer the most purification? The AD5000, because you get the maximum capturing of unfiltered air and maximum output of purified air and unless you have a very open concept home it’s difficult for the air purifiers to work around walls.
Which one should I start with if I'm on a budget? The classic, the AD3000. You can move the unit around if need be.
Do they work on odors. Yes, Many testimonials on pet smell and kitchen cooking odor diminished.
Are they helpful for new builds and construction. Absolutely, all of that contains off-gassing material, the AirDoctor will capture and filter those toxins.
Are they helpful for our pet's health? Yes, children and pets are especially sensitive and susceptible to mold, pathogens and VOCS.
Tip: Be sure to turn your AirDoctor on high when dusting & vacuuming & leave on for up to 2 hours after to allow the dust & fine particles to settle & to be captured by your AD.
ROOM WITH MOLD, DAMP OR HIGH HUMIDITY
In this case, you would not want to use an AirDoctor since the filters could become contaminated with mold from the moisture, therefore I would use HypoAir, which uses an easy to clean and rinse off filter.
HypoAir
Kills mold, viruses, bacteria, allergens and parasites on surfaces and knobs, not just the air that runs through the filter
Removes all harmful contaminants
Easy clean filter to avoid filter mold
No wires or cords
Their filters are used in hospitals, universities, professional sports teams, aerospace groups, famous resorts, etc...
Compact, perfect for travel
Energy efficient
Low maintenance
HypoAir Whole Home Air Purification system, code MELISSA
PURIFYING YOUR AIR WHILE YOU TRAVEL
My Top Picks ...
HypoAir Germ Defender & Mold Guard: most compact, easy to travel with, can fit in a purse or backpack, low maintenance, code MELISSA.
AD1000: great for travel, larger than the HypoAir, but effective, can fit in a larger suitcase, discount and sales apply with my link.
AD2000: very light weight, but mighty at just 10lbs and has handles, great for hotels and Air BNB's, can fit in a larger suitcase, discount and sales apply with my link.
HypoAir Germ Defender & Mold Guard
AirDoctor 1000
HEPA VACUUMS
Highly rates and in order of price, lowest to highest
Hoover WindTunnel 2 Whole House Rewind Corded Bagless Upright Vacuum Cleaner with Hepa Media Filtration.
BISSELL 2998 MultiClean Allergen Lift-Off Pet Vacuum with HEPA Filter Sealed System, Lift-Off Portable Pod, LED Headlights, Specialized Pet Tools, Easy Empty
Miele Classic C1 Pure Suction Bagged Canister Vacuum, Graphite Grey - Portable, Household. German engineered Miele's unique 3-tiered filtration system.
Shark ZU881 DuoClean with Self-Cleaning Brushroll Powered Lift-Away Upright Vacuum, Crevice and Pet-Multi Tools.
WATER
Since the EPA is responsible for regulating & treating tap water, it's clean, right? Let's discuss.
How is water even treated anyway? It’s a multi step process that includes chemicals, filtration & disinfection. But they use toxins for this process, examples; chlorine, chloramine, or chlorine dioxide, flocculants, disinfectants, defoamers, scale inhibitors & more AND those stick around in the water.
Then there is a closed loop system that some cities implement. It's a system that will treat sewage water & turn it directly into drinking water. Among water professionals, it’s called “direct potable reuse” or “advanced purification”, or even “environmental intermediary” but essentially they are all toilet to tap, yes, you read that correctly. Whatever is flushed down the toilet simply gets treated & then is sent back to your tap for brushing your teeth, bathing, cooking & drinking.
Not an inclusive list:
fluoride
chlorine
aluminum
arsenic
chloroform
chromium
nitrate
nitrite
atrazine
triclosan
heavy metals
fecal matter
blood
vomit
parasites
glyphosate & other herbicides/pesticides
drugs, drugs, drugs, such as antibiotics, SSRI's, birth control & pain killers
If you want to check out the levels of contaminants in your water you can go to the link in my bio under "is my water safe".
One of the best things you can do for your health is invest in a water filter.
LOOK UP YOUR TAP WATER QUALITY BY ZIPCODE
TEST YOUR WATER
Tap Score by SimpleLab. Plan ahead before testing and follow instructions very carefully. Third party unbiased lab results. Order test, collect sample, ship to lab for rigorous, certified, independent testing, then get your report. Testing for city tap and well water, rain water and spring water or test for certain contaminants. Affordable and great customer service. Discount code MELISSA.
WATER PURIFIERS BY TYPES AND USES
FILTERED WATER BOTTLES
Clearly filtered filtered water bottles. code WELCOME10 for 10% off first orders, excluding replacement filters.
PITCHERS
TheraH20 Filter by Therasage. No electricity needed. Your TheraH2O pitcher filters and ionizes your tap water turning it into healthy, energetically vitalized, purified, structured water. The only water purification system that filters heavy metals, harmful chemicals including fluoride, lead, chlorine, pesticides, and virtually all particulates and creates cellular hydrating healthier living water. Discount code MELISSA
Clearly Filtered water filters. Code MELISSA for 15% off your first order.
ZeroWater, 23 Cup Water Filter Pitcher with Water Quality Meter. No electricity needed.
COUNTERTOP WATER PURIFIERS
AquaTru Countertop glass carafe, 64oz. Great for 1-3 family members. Or simply refill more often for larger families. Discount and sales apply with my link.
AquTru Classic countertop unit. Classic countertop, 1 gallon. Ideal for under 4 members. Or simply refill more often for larger families. Discount and sales apply with my link. I do not recommend the "Connect" wi-fi version, I recommend the "Classic".
Greenfields countertop unit. All Greenfields units structure water, this one is stainless steel and have a few different filter options. (1) Cerametix is more appropriate for well water or for city water systems that call for boil alerts due to e-coli or for water containing sediment or iron. (2) Aquametix has a larger carbon block core and will last longer. For Arsenic in water choose Catalytic Carbon. Discount code MELISSA
Greenfields stoneware water filter with stainless steel spigot. Fast filtering, no electricity needed. Discount code MELISSA
TheraH20 Counter Top by Therasage. Discount code MELISSA
UNDERSINK WATER PURIFIERS
AquaTru's 3 stage undersink unit. Pro-tip run extra lines to your fridge and other sinks for more purification to other areas with one unit. Discount and sales apply with my link.
Greenfield under sink unit. All Greenfields units also structure water and has single stage, 4 or 5 stage options. Discount code MELISSA
Live Pristines under sink unit Water Revival System™ - Under-Counter (WRS-UC4) . Gold standard options several stages of filtration and also structures the water.
WHOLE HOME WATER PURIFICATION
Greenfield whole home. All Greenfields units structure water as well and it does not require additional under the sink filtration. Discount code MELISSA.
DISTILLED WATER UNIT
My Pure Water. Multiple home water distiller options. Discount code MELISSA.
MINERALS TO ADD BACK TO YOUR WATER
Redmond Real Salt. Discount code MELISSA
Icelandic Flakes. Discount code off 1st order MELISSA10
CT-Minerals. Practitioner code to order AQWXV4Cs
Quinton Isotonic and Hypertonic. Found in my Fullscript under Favorites
WATER STRUCTURING/VORTEXING DEVICES
What is Structured Water?
Structuring our water helps erase the memory of contaminants, radiation/EMF and pollutants and restores it back to the way it's suppose to be in nature. Water runs through springs, then runs off mountains and rolls over rocks, this is the way it's suppose to happen just before we drink it.
Structuring your water achieves 5 goals and this is what would happen in nature just before you drink it:
It creates a double vortex
It changes/enhances the structure of the water elements
It erases the memory
It adds oxygen to the water, which adds an additional cleansing to the body and it makes it more bioavailable
It restores water to its spring like structure making it alive, versus dead water, which is what most people drink.
What Is Vortexing Water?
One method to create structured water is through vortexing. Vortexing mimics the natural motion of water, helping to bring structure to the water. It aerates the water with fresh oxygen, helping to support optimal hydration.
NAT. I have this small light weight portable hand held structuring unit. Discount code DISCOUNT10 w/ my link.
Undersink Inline Vortexer (structuring) and Mineralizer from Greenfield. Discount code MELISSA
Whole home and under the sink structuring and vortexer options from Greenfield. Great if you already have a whole home purifier in place, but want to add water structuring. Discount code MELISSA
The Mayu Swirl is an innovative pitcher with a unique water vortex. By producing a swirling vortex, the mayu swirl AERATES the water to replenish dissolved oxygen levels while balancing pH to create tastier, more refreshing water. 1.5L glass carafe with built-in impeller- hand-blown grade A borosilicate glass; light weight, crystal clear and dishwasher safe. Stainless Steel lid for storage - made of stainless steel (304) with a food-grade silicone seal. Vortex generator base - handmade porcelain, coupled with automatic load and touch sensors for a perfect, hassle-free vortex. Rechargeable li-ion battery - up to 7hours of wireless use on a single charge. The Mayu swirl could be used for unfiltered tap water, filtered water, Reverse Osmosis, or distilled water, code NATUROPATHMELIS
SHOWER FILTERS
Greenfield Water Revive Structured Shower Filter. Click SHOP, then KITCHEN STRUCTURED FILTERS tab. Discount code MELISSA. This exceptional American-made shower filter not only cleanses your body but also leaves you with healthier, more lustrous hair and smoother, suppler skin. Lasts up to 20,000 gallons! Optional: Elevate your shower experience to new heights with the incredible power of our handmade copper vortexer/energizer (lasts a lifetime and never needs replacement) Harness the power of nearly a pound of KDF 55 filter media – more than nearly every shower filter available, which efficiently removes impurities and enhances the quality of your shower water. Includes Crystalline Quartz for a completely rejuvenating, revitalizing shower experience. At only $60, this is more affordable than many similar shower filters being sold with this capacity. KDF 55 effectively reduces the following contaminants:
Free chlorine
Heavy metals (such as lead, mercury, and arsenic)
Chloramines
Iron
Hydrogen sulfide
Bacteria and algae
Scale and sediment particles
Jolie filtered shower head. This is a filtered shower head, so you won't need a head, this is it. Third-party testing to confirm that the showerhead removes chlorine at over 85% for the lifespan of the filter. Easy install and beautiful designs.
Live Pristine. Ultimate Dual KDF Shower Filter without Head filters the most contaminants. Use you own shower head.
Live Pristine. Budget friendly options
BATHROOM SINK FILTER
Filter Baby. Wash your face and brush your teeth with this direct to standard sink filter that comes with lots of different fittings. I love mine and they have third party testing. Discount code MELISSA
BATHTUB FILTER
Any questions, please let me know. As always, I appreciate you using my links and discount codes and I hope having all these resources in one place is helpful and time and money saving for you.