Allergies are a major problem for many Americans. The American College of Allergies, Asthma, and Immunology reports that 50 million Americans suffer from allergies. That fact makes allergies a major chronic illness Allergies can be further triggered indoors due to several sources, such as: Dust Mold spores Pollen Pet and animal dander Smoke Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) Insects So, do air purifiers really help with allergies? The short answer: yes. But how? Purchase a HEPA air purifier The quality of an air purifier makes all the difference in fighting allergies. We recommend true HEPA air purifiers, which can remove 99.97% of...

Do you ever feel more productive in certain environments compared to others? Maybe you focus well in the library near large windows, at your desk with headphones, or even outdoors in the shade. Preferences will vary from person-to-person. But could there be a common environment where most people are less productive? The first thought that comes to mind is a stuffy conference room. And there is actually science to back this up. The NBER White Paper: The Impact of Pollution on Worker Productivity In April 2011, the National Bureau of Economic Research published the first report that addressed air pollution and its...

When you’re expecting, it can be both an exciting time and a stressful time. You’ll likely spend hours creating the perfect nursery, complete with new décor and furniture. But what about the air your baby breathes? Newborn babies typically take 30 to 60 breaths per minute. This rate decreases during rest and continues to gradually decrease as babies grow. At about six months, babies take 25 to 40 breaths per minute. In comparison, an adult takes 12 to 20 breaths per minute. These differences are due to the size and capacity of babies’ lungs and the development of their respiratory systems....

Dr. Steven C. Ajluni, M.D. F.A.C.C. is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and its subspecialty board of Cardiovascular Disease. He is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology, and member of the Oakland County Medical Society, Michigan State Medical Society, and the American Heart Association. Dr. Ajluni also holds the academic appointment of Assistant Professor at Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine. He is on staff at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak and Troy; and also practices at Michigan Heart Group-Troy and Novi. In the following post, Dr. Ajluni reflects on the health benefits...

The growing use of indoor plants is best indicated by January 10th – National Houseplant Appreciation Day. This is a day to celebrate the benefits and joys that houseplants bring. But with growing numbers of households adding indoor plants, it’s important to correct some underlying misconceptions. Mainly whether or not indoor plants really clean indoor air. Those who support the use of indoor plants for air purification point to a famous NASA experiment. The NASA Experiment In 1989, NASA released a report titled, “Interior Landscape Plants for Indoor Air Pollution Abatement.” Through a series of experiments, they tested to see whether indoor...

New house, new furniture, new rugs, new paint… Everything seems fresh and clean – except your indoor air. The smell of “new” can be harmful to you and your family’s health. New flooring, rugs, and adhesives often contain harmful VOCs (volatile organic compounds). VOCs have a higher vapor pressure at room temperature and become airborne. They can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, nausea, and frequent headaches. Long-term exposure is more serious and can damage the liver, kidneys, or central nervous system. Health effects ultimately depend on length of exposure and concentrations. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that many VOCs...

Insufficient sleep leaves us lethargic, tired, and irritable the next day. It’s harder to concentrate at work and complete your daily tasks. But why is sleep so important? Five Reasons Why Sleep is Important Reduces Stress Improves Memory and Energy Reduces Risk of Depression Helps with Weight Loss Prevents Cancer and Other Illnesses  Cleaner Air, Better Sleep Using data from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA), researchers observed the correlation between quality of sleep and exposure to air pollution. They observed 1,863 individuals across six U.S. cities and focused on two primary measures of sleep: the total amount of time spent...