Allergy, Asthma and Immunology

Doctors recommend minimizing your exposure to allergens, irritants, and gasses that could trigger allergy or asthma problems. Dr. Ralph Bookman says, "Even when people are allergic to a substance, there is a certain level they can tolerate before symptoms will appear. Exceed that ‘threshold’ and up pop the symptoms".

When non-toxic particles lodge deep in lungs, only about 50% are removed within 30 days. Some toxic particles remain in the lungs permanently, causing damage to lung tissue and the immune system.

You can protect your health and minimize energy costs by taking the following actions:

• Use a mechanical ventilation system that removes dust and pollen from both incoming and recirculating air while consistently removing stale air.

• Seal air leaks in the shell of the home to stop entry of drafts and pollutants.

• Minimize use of toxic chemicals indoors.

• Keep indoor relative humidity below 50% to minimize growth of dust mites and molds.

• Keep indoor relative humidity above 20% to protect your respiratory system.

The following information sources can help you to protect your respiratory and immune systems

• Asthma & Allergies — Johns Hopkins University
• Airborne Allergens
• Allergy Discussion Log
• Allergy Learning Lab
• American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
• American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
• American Medical Association
• Indoor Exposure to Molds and Allergic Sensitization
• My House is Killing Me! : The Home Guide for Families with Allergies and Asthma — Book by Jeffrey C. May

  Here are some practical actions you can take to reduce energy costs, improve comfort, and
  reduce air pollution in your home or other building:

1. Use a powered exhaust for any device that burns fuel indoors and has any potential to spill exhaust gasses indoors.
2. Eliminate the need for air leakage through your home's building envelope by using mechanical ventilation
   to remove polluted indoor air and to supply as much fresh filtered air as you want.
3. Seal air leaks in the building's envelope to block entry of  microbes, allergens, toxins, irritants,  insects,
   and cold drafts.
4. Insulate the walls and attic as much, or more than, currently recommended for your local climate.
5. Control indoor air pressure to:

a) Minimize entry of radon and water vapor from the soil.

b) In cold climates, keep insulation dry and mold-free by minimizing flow of moist indoor air through walls
and attic cavities that have been cooled by winter weather.

c) In hot humid climates, keep insulation effective and mold-free by minimizing flow of moist outdoor air
through walls and attic cavities that have been cooled by an air conditioner.

These actions will make your home a safer shelter if an accident, or a terrorist, releases
chemical, biological or radiological substances upwind of your home.