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Air cleaning products can benefit the family THE HALTON HILLS HOMESTYLE Saturday September 1 1990 Page 3 Dr M Eric Gershwin nationally respected allergist author and Pro fessor of Medicine at the University of California discusses the potential benefits and the differences in air cleaning products now on the market Question Who benefits most from a home air cleaning system Dr Gershwin Both children and adults with allergies as well as anyone who lives in a home with a smoker Also anyone who suffers from bronchitis emphysema or asthma Question How are allergies and asthma different Gershwin Allergy is a state of hypersensitivity to a particular food or medication or more commonly an air borne material such as pollen dust or mold Many cases of asthma are caused or made worse by this sensitivity Asthma is a specific condition in which the bronchial tubes contract The collapse of these leads to the shortness of breath Question So it is true that an air cleaner would only help with allergies to airborne irritants like pollen dust and mold Gershwin Not at all The wheezing asthmatics suffer is definitely aggravated and increased by pollution dust and smoke A good air cleaning system will remove all of these irritants CHOOSING THE RIGHT KIND Question How do you determine which air cleaner is best Dr Gershwin Look for one that removes pollen mold spores dust pet dander and other household pollutants without requiring expen installation or a lot of maintenance The type we recommend in our practice is a passive electrostatic type manufactured by Pro ducts Company of Cincinnati Ohio Question Are there any other key differences between electronic and Dr Gershwin From a health standpoint electronic filters pose a special problem for everyone par ticularly those with respiratory allergies While electronic filters remove some of the pollutants they actually generate another very undesirable pollutant Ozone Question Isnt there ozone in our atmosphere anyway Gershwin Yes in small amounts Even in small quantities it can decrease lung capacity and be very irritating for the lung Anything that produces ozone 15 not recommended for home use Question How much help can an air cleaner provide if a person only has it at home Gershwin Allergies are worst at night In a home without an air cleaner the heater or air condi is continually up dust and pollutants that cause the ing and coughing The best answer is to install a passive electrostatic filter in the heating and air tionlng system and leave the fan on 24 hours a day This provides the best relief Question What about filters Gershwin filters are standard in most residential heating systems As air flows through them they filter out par tides such as dust They need replacement at least monthly They do not really help allergy victims because they don eliminate allergens like pollen MORE ADVICE Question Is there any other ad vise you can give those of us who sneeze through the spring and fall Dr Gershwin Don t smoke it constricts the bronchial WHEN YOU SNEEZE In prtng or bit if probably n here magnified WO by an electron after if been by a Air leaner Mom pollen like thin one from a hemlock tree range in from SO roiw of an inch and makes any allergy worse Keep your windows closed at night pollen is worst between midnight and 6 a Think more about embarking on a program of preventive medicine It is far more effective to prevent a wheeze than to treat a wheeze Dr Gershwin is Chief Division of Rheumatology Allergy and Clinical Immunology at the Univer sity of California and the author of two books on allergy Bathroom area needs caulking The one area inside a house most commonly in need of caulking Is around the bathtub or wash basin Every time the tub or basin is filled with water it settles a little This causes a minor separation of the tub or basin from the wall Splashed water can then work between the tub or basin and the wall starting the process of rot For bathroom projects a small handheld tube of tub and tile caulking is usually sufficient To replace caulking clean out the old caulking with a screwdriver or putty knife being careful not to scratch the tub basin or surrounding wall tile Cut the top of the nozzle for a moderatesize bead or remove the cap if so equipped and when the area is completely dry push the sealant around the edge in one continuous line Once the caulk is in place you can wet your finger to smooth out the caulk It is very that all areas to be caulked be free of any soap and grease deposits or dirt If not the caulk wont property adhere When caulking a tub its a good idea to fill it with water so the caulk can the gap between the tub and wall REALTORS Need Buyers for your Homes Our HOAAESTYLE Real Estate Guide reaches over homes every week including Georgetown Acton Erin and the surrounding rural communities EXCEPTIONAL RATES SUPERIOR SERVICE GIVE US A TRY Call Kim Haryott at 8772201