SINGAPORE - How does one cope with the haze? This is a pertinent question, especially since schools reopened today amid the current haze situation. How can the haze affect my health?The haze contains particulate matter (PM), which are graded by size.PM10 refers to particles less than 10 micrometres in diameter, while PM2.5 refers to particles less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter.PM2.5 particles are more hazardous to humans as they can get lodged deep in the lungs, causing complications for those with respiratory illnesses.Healthy people can get irritated or watery eyes, conjunctivitis or nasal irritation due to the haze. Other symptoms include throat irritation, shortness of breath and dry cough.For those with respiratory illnesses, the haze can cause shortness of breath, and worsen conditions like asthma or chronic bronchitis when haze conditions are bad.In children, long-term exposure to PM2.5 may lead to chronic respiratory diseases.For pregnant women, long-term exposure to haze can cause birth complications.

Seniors, as well as those with heart problems or are stroke victims, are more susceptible to the haze, which can exacerbate health problems.What can I do when it gets hazy?Pay attention to the National Environment Agency's (NEA's) hourly PSI updates, and follow the daily advisories found on its website (www.nea.gov.sg/psi).When the PSI hits very unhealthy levels (above 200), healthy people should avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor activities, or wear an N95 mask otherwise.Prolonged and strenuous activities refer to those that last several hours and lead to people taking in more breaths than normal, such as swimming.Vulnerable groups of people - including children, pregnant women and the elderly - should avoid outdoor activities when the PSI is above 200, or wear an N95 mask if they cannot avoid being outdoors.Air purifiers can help filter particles from the air. Visit NEA's website (www.nea.gov.sg) for a list of portable air cleaners.Air-conditioners can help, but not all can filter PM2.5 particles.

If you are suffering from an existing illness, take your medication regularly. If you feel uncomfortable, seek medical attention immediately.Drink more water, which can relieve an irritated throat, and eat more fresh fruit and vegetables.Cut down on alcohol and coffee.Use a warm towel to wipe eyelids and apply eye drops when eyes are irritated.Get medication, like antihistamines and decongestants, if you are suffering from a runny nose.blueair hepasilent air purifier - 503Should I use a surgical or N95 mask?cleandr laser lens cleaner for playstation 3The N95 mask has been scientifically proven to filter out microscopic particles, including haze particles, effectively.novita air purifier nap 101 price

Most surgical masks do not effectively filter small particles. Still, in cases where an N95 mask is not recommended, healthy people can use a surgical mask instead.The N95 mask increases the effort required to breathe, so using it may cause discomfort, tiredness or a headache.Seniors, people with chronic lung or heart disease, those who have suffered a stroke, and pregnant women in their second and third trimesters should consult their doctor on whether they can use an N95 mask.N95 masks are not certified for kids' use, so they should remain indoors as much as possible when haze conditions are bad.To learn how to wear an N95 mask, visit the Ministry of Health's website (www.moh.gov.sg).Get My Paper for more stories.For more haze updates from AsiaOne, click here:Simple & Quick Scheduling Enter your zip code to get a quote! Home Residential Cleaning Services Carpet Cleaning Want a Stress-Free, Clean House? Having Clean and Fresh Smelling Carpet is a Step in the Right Direction

It can be tough to keep the carpeting in your home looking beautiful and smelling fresh. Over time, the carpeting in your home will inevitably get stained, show spots, and hold unpleasant odors. A DIY carpet cleaning job can be extremely expensive and time consuming, and many spot and stain removers just don’t do the trick. Our technicians use truck-mounted hot water extraction systems that permeate carpet fibers, drawing out deeply embedded odors and odor-causing agents from musty basements, pet-affected areas and spill-zones. This means you can have carpeting free of embarrassing spots, stains, and odors. Scheduling your residential carpet cleaning appointment has never been easier, simply use our handy online quoting system. Don’t forget to check out our carpet cleaning coupons to keep your services affordable. Also take advantage of our professional furniture cleaning and residential air duct cleaning service to give your home a complete clean. Get a Free Real-Time Quote Instantly

Discover Why Modernistic Carpet Cleaning is #1 in Michigan Powerful Cleaning Techniques and Phenomenal Results Guaranteed Learn more about Modernistic’s carpet cleaning services by visiting our frequently asked questions about carpet cleaning page. Our solutions destroy all microbial contaminants, including Volatile Organic Compounds (V.O.C.) and odors, to achieve satisfactory Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and prevent Sick Building Syndrome. All assessments are conducted by NEA-certified inspectors. To rid viruses, mold, dust, and other airborne pollutants, we use proven technologies, including HEPA filters (High Efficiency Particulate Absorption), thermodynamic sterilisation, ultraviolet germicidal irradiation, photocatalytic oxidisation, and Electrostatic Precipitation (ESP). Mold Inspection and RemediationOne of the most frequent questions I get asked is “What kind of air filter should I get?”  This is great to hear because it means that people recognize the need for clean air and are trying to do something about it!  

Also, in China, the level of air particulates indoor is quite high and we regularly see clients test at levels that are as high as 15x that of the EPA annual standard (15 micrograms/ cu. meter of air).  There are multiple solutions to high particulates, but oftentimes, clients want to achieve cleaner air without a lot of change in their daily habits.  (ie. washing your cat). Or, if you close your windows to the outside air, you can cut down your particulates but at the cost of less ventilation, which can generate stuffier air and higher levels of other indoor pollutants. Air filters (sometimes called air purifiers) are a good way to both make a big dent in particulate levels, and some can also reduce odors or toxic gases. For options we have, please check our online store. Unfortunately,  it’s pretty confusing, especially when you are trying to do your homework and have each brand salesguy telling you a different thing.  There are also a lot of different technologies out there, many of them proprietary and unfortunately, gimmicky.

Since I test air for a living, I’ve had the chance to evaluate what’s out there, play with the units, and spend time with the product reps.  Today, I had a call with a client who is very conscientious about her health and is doing all the right things, but still had a high particulate (PM2.5) count and wanted to know what she could do.  There are a few general points I shared with her that I’ve replicated here: 1. Get the filter that is right for your situation or problem. For instance, someone who has recently renovated and has high levels of formaldehyde needs a different purifier (something with a gas filter, usually activated carbon) than someone who has allergies or asthma (HEPA filter capable of filtering the smaller particles likely to trigger allergic reactions) than someone who has a compromised immune system (special type of HEPA filter capable of ultrafine filtration plus UV-light to kill bacteria or viruses). The big differences are particulates, odor/gas removal, and ability to kill microbes.

Like everything else in life, trying to get one that does everything well will either cost you a lot or sacrifice performance somewhere else. Spending some money to test your air first can help you identify what to get and save you from overspending on a filter you may not need.  Here’s a primer on what are the most common pollutants in Shanghai, their sources, and health effects. 2. Look for HEPA (high efficiency particulate absorbing) filters. It’s a dirty secret, but all true HEPA filters will filter 99%+ of particles sized 0.3 microns or larger. A filter cannot be called HEPA unless it meets this industry standard. For reference, a human hair is about 40 microns thick and your body (if healthy) does a pretty good job of naturally removing particles 10 microns or larger. The smaller, the worse it is for you because the smallest particles bypass the body’s nasal hairs and mucous (yes, the Beijing hack does serve a purpose!) and penetrates deep into the upper lungs and into the bloodstream.  

There’s a pretty complete guide for particle  sizes, but strangely, they don’t list one of the most common allergens  – can and dog dander.  (for the record, around 2 microns) Avoid things that sounds like “HEPA-like” or “partial HEPA”. “True” HEPA is ok. The finer the filtration, the better, right? The finer the filter, the harder the machine must work to push the air through the filter — the only way it can do this is to either have a stronger motor (louder) or wear out the filter faster. Just get enough for what you need and don’t get swayed by one manufacturer that says they can filter 99.97% vs. their competitor who “only” filters 99.3%! 3. That said, all HEPA machines are not built the same. The capability to circulate the air is very important. The larger the room or living space you’re trying to purify, the more important this is. Generally, this is where the larger, more expensive machines shine. IQ Air, Blueair, Alen, are the biggies in Shanghai and all of them do a good job of ensuring that all of the air in the dimensions their machines are rated for are clean.

Ask to see the manual to understand the number of air changes they can do every hour as a common metric. However, this is only useful if you understand what efficiency the air is being cleaned at. If you only need to clean a single room (ie bedroom when sleeping), you can do well on a limited budget with a small HEPA purifier. Or, you can drag it around with you wherever you go on a long extension cord (not a joke — one of our clients does this). 4.  Avoid purifiers that produce ozone.  Ozone is a gas that is extremely reactive and forms byproduct gases on contact with organic material.  In the atmosphere,  it protects us from UV and in water, it is used to disinfect.  But, if you breathe it in, it is very damaging to the body, causing coughs, chest discomfort and eye, nose, and throat irritation.  It can also aggravate asthma by increasing sensitivity to allergens and cause long-term scarring of lung tissue.  There is a 30% higher incidence of lung disease in cities with high ozone.  

A few machines produce ozone to attract particles which drop to a collection tray or worse, emit ozone.  Remember the Sharper Image’s Ionic Breeze machine?  Shows you what millions in marketing dollars can do when an air purifier creates more unhealthy air than you had to begin with.  Most retailers and manufacturers avoid ozone like the kiss of death, but this is China and you never know, so check the fine print.You’ll be trying to sleep while it’s running. Manufacturers have a decibel rating, but this is not very useful — I’ve seen some of Blueair’s machines’ rating to be inexplicably high when the sound is actually much lower in practice. Go and test out the machines before you buy on all speeds. Better yet, listen to it in someone’s house instead of a noisy salesroom floor. 6. Cost of filter replacement. This is a biggie. Think total cost of ownership over time for the filter you need. Alen and Blueair are quite similar, at about 500-700rmb / 6 months. Filters with gas removal capability usually cost more because they add carbon to the mix.  

IQ Air is about twice that. There are some interesting models by Sharp (Plasmacluster) that can be washed (including the carbon odor/gas filter), which means you actually don’t need to replace the filter for 5 years. However, I haven’t seen how efficient these are over time.  Models that have a precleaner that can be vacuumed may extend the life of your HEPA filter.  Most importantly, change your filters according to the recommended guidelines!  A 1000rmb HEPA Yadu purifier with a new filter will clean your air better than a 15000rmb IQ Air Health Pro Plus with an old filter, hands down. 7. Why not just buy a unit from the US (usually cheaper there than in Europe) and bring it here? Assuming you don’t want to use up that luggage allowance bringing over salami, nice hard cheeses, or 20 iPads to sell here, there is a matter of voltage. US machines will be 110V, requiring a transformer here and if you run the machine 24/7, the transformer will waste a lot of energy being constantly on.

Even if that didn’t bother you, there’s a reason that the manufacturers don’t recommend this. The cycle is different. US are on 60 cycles, China is on 50. Transformers change the voltage but not cycles, meaning that the motors run at a different speed than designed, causing all kinds of mechanical weirdness and potentially different filtration results. I am not sure if this voids the warranty, but it wouldn’t surprise me. Just don’t do it. 8. Don’t undervalue after sales service. The three brands I mentioned before all have local product experts who will support you, answer your questions, differentiate between models, and continue to provide filters and warranty service after the sale. They also will be able to answer your questions halfway intelligently as opposed to the brand sales clowns in Gome or Suning who will look at you like you’ve got a pecker growing out your head if you start asking these questions. When I first came to China (before getting into the testing industry) I bought a big Yadu and Malata, another local brand.

A year later, when it was time (overdue actually) to replace the filter, the retailer no longer carried the model at all, and when I got a factory number from them, the factory didn’t have the filters anymore. I ended up with an expensive paperweight (actually houseplant stand). Don’t be penny wise, pound foolish. Bottom line, air filters are good (not always the only answer for indoor air problems though), but you should figure out what problem you have before you buy one to avoid wasting money. Don’t be swayed by your buddies who probably don’t have experience with anything other than their single machine. Get the right purifier for the needs you have and think about total cost of ownership (including your time) over a few years, not just the initial purchase. Feel free to ask any other questions about this or filtration technologies here — later on, I’ll touch on some of the other technologies out there besides HEPA filtration and gas adsorbtion with carbon-based compounds, like photocatalytic oxidization (PCO), ultraviolet (UV) light, and ionization.