Autism and Air Pollution: A column takes a look at the link between the two

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Newspaper

A recent column in an Ohio newspaper looks at news that connects autism and air pollution indoors . Indoor air pollution, ranked as one of the top five environmental public health risks, is especially heinous because it exists in the spaces where we spend the most time.

David Simon writes in The Vindicator, “because the problems caused are not always easily recognized or produce immediate impacts on health, the general public continues to assume that our homes, offices, schools, day-care and senior centers are safe. If only they were.”

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the air we are breathing indoors often has two to five times the levels of pollution of outdoor air. And it’s not uncommon to find indoor air with much higher levels. Why? Because modern buildings are tightly sealed and cut off from nature’s method of cleaning the air. Pollutants from the activities we do, items we use and toxins that seep in from outdoors tend to accumulate.

We are already seeing signs from previous studies that this build-up of contaminants in indoor air is bad enough for adults. But new research points to the possibility that it could be linked to the development of autism in babies before they are born.

The good news is that something can be done about this problem. We can reduce the risk by making sure expectant mothers have fresh air to breathe. And we can reduce the risk of myriad other health risks for everyone by using technology to bring indoor air to a more natural, balanced state.

AirRestore’s developers are passionate about improving indoor air quality for everyone. Our researchers have known all along that it’s vital to have fresh indoor air to breathe. That’s why they’ve worked hard to bring us the technology at work in Air Naturalizers.

As David Simon writes in his column for The Vindicator, “Outside of occupational exposure to pollutants, the air quality within a person’s home plays the largest role in health and well-being. This becomes especially critical during the months of a woman’s pregnancy. This should be a major wake-up call for us as a community.”

You can read more of David’s insightful column here.

Eliminating Dust Mites

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Bug

Looking for tips on eliminating dust mites?

Dust mites are a common allergen that causes problems for many people. And these little creatures are everywhere. They live in carpet, bedding, pillows, mattresses and the dust that accumulates on every surface of the home. According to howstuffworks.com, there may be 100,000 to 10 million of these congestion-inducing mites in a typical bed. Gross!

Dust mites are pervasive in homes because they feed on dead skin cells, which of course are everywhere in most people’s houses. While it’s impossible to eliminate dust mites entirely, it is possible to keep their presence to a minimum in your home, using these tips:

  • Plug in AirRestore’s Whole Home System of Air Naturalizers. The technology helps get rid of the dead skin cells in the air, taking away the mites’ food supply.
  • Use a dehumidifier, and keep your bedroom temperature on the cool side. Mites love humidity and warm air, so taking these steps will make your room less hospitable to them.
  • Encase your pillows and mattress in dust mite-proof covers. You can find them at many retail stores. They will prevent dust mites from taking over your bed and making it hard for you to breathe while you sleep.
  • Wash your comforter, bed skirt, curtains, and mattress pad every two weeks — preferable in hot water if the washing instructions allow. Cool water won’t kill the mites.
  • Use a damp cloth when you are dusting, rather than using a feather duster. That way you will collect the mites and get rid of them, rather than spreading them around your home. Tip: Add eucalyptus and wintergreen essential oils to your dust cloth to help kill the mites.

You can find more great tips at this site.