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Volume 8 Issue 2

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www.AbbysHealthFood.com - Issue 42 | Page 21 Live Healthier Indoors Whether indoors or outdoors, air must be continually cleaned. Nature has powerful methods that works synergistically and without our efforts; using thunderstorms, sunshine, wind and rain to continually clean our air. However, Americans now spend 90% of our time indoors. We like the comfort that comes with controlling our temperature, humidity and airflow. However, once we have sealed our home, we have created an envelope that will not automatically self-clean. Until recently, it was not common knowledge that indoors can be an unhealthy breeding ground for viruses, bacteria and mold. Our efforts shouldn't be to avoid all germs. We simply want to reduce the exposure to germs indoors so that our immune system can be our defense. Understanding how viruses move and live indoors will help us avoid contagion. Here are some virus facts: • Viruses are neither dead nor alive, but a protein molecule, which decays on its own, usually in three hours. • Viruses have no ability to move on their own. They need a host. The host will be a particulate in the air or on surfaces. Particulates can be "course particulates" such as dust or pollen or they can be "fine particulates", so small that several thousand will fit on the period at the end of this sentence. • Humidity, temperature and the type of host determines how quickly it decays. The optimum zone to reduce growth of germs indoors is between 40-60% relative humidity. • Particulates tend to stay suspended in the air. Have you ever looked at a shaft of light coming through a window and see dust floating? • Viruses attach themselves to bacteria. We encounter viruses through both air and surface contact. Here are four ways to a healthier home. • Particulates move on airflow within the home. If the home is very energy efficient, then the particulate can stay suspended in By Della Mauck the air. Here are three ways to reduce particulates: s Open two windows and allow air to flow. This would need to be repeated throughout the day. s Hire a HVAC professional to install a Fresh Air Makeup, to ventilate the home, and/or s Set up air purification equipment that includes an ionizer. Ionization has been studied for over 100 years by Universities and scientists around the world. It is well established that ions will cause particulates to clump together and fall out of the air. • Spring clean your home! Yes, it sounds too simple, but as a NORMI trainer, this is what we teach IAQ professionals and those training for mold remediation licensing. The lost discipline of deep cleaning makes a big difference in our exposure to germs, such as virus, bacteria and mold. Clean all surfaces, including high shelves, books, under bed, carpets and rugs. • Replace your AC filters consistently. • Clean your high touch surfaces. Avoid bringing in chemicals into your home by substituting them with s Enzymes and essential oils s Hydrogen peroxide (dissolves virus protein), or s Install air purification that uses photocatalytic oxidation technology (PCO). PCO has been used since the early 2000's, commercially and in homes. The advantage of PCO is that it is a continuous sanitizer. PCO acts like sunshine inside your home. According to Al Jazeera and News Agencies, SARS-Cov-2 (the virus that causes Covid19) lost half its strength in 90 seconds, when exposed to sunlight. That's a far cry from 3-72 hours. The best part is that PCO technology is effective on both air and surfaces. I have used PCO in my home since 2004. As of April 2020, air purification with PCO technology is being installed in Texas hospitals. It is possible to live healthier indoors with simple affordable solutions! For help with air purification or DIY mold/chemical testing for your home or office go to www.SheKnowsMold.com Della Mauck, CAIA 813-785-6634

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