DIY Network

Eliminating Common Allergens From "Healthy Household Workshop" episode DHHW-103

Host Fuad Reveiz

Allergens are anything your body reacts to: pollen, fibers, pet hair and dander, insects, foods and chemicals. Here, host Fuad Reveiz focuses on airborne allergens -- particulates and gases.

Particulates include mold, pollens, house dust, pet dander, insects and gases. There are literally hundreds of particulates, including combustion by-products from gas appliances and formaldehyde commonly found in pressed wood and plastics.

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	Electro-static filter
	Extended-surface filter
	Gas filter
	MERV rating

Filtration Systems

An HVAC instake or portable filter traps both particles and gases. Two types or filters are needed. Electrostatic precipitators and extended-surface paper filters catch particulates; absorbing filters are needed for gases.

Electrostatic filters catch particles by placing an electrical charge on particles as they pass through a filter. Metal plates with an opposite charge trap the particles. The plates have to be cleaned when they become full.

Extended-surface filters are accordion-shaped paper inserts with very fine pores. These filters offer a lot of surface area with very little air resistance. HEPA filters are extended air filters with extra-fine pores and usually require more powerful fan motors.

Gas filters absorb pollutants rather than catching them. They generally contain activated carbon and must be replaced frequently.

Angie Lien, National Director of the American Lung Association, offers this tip on identifying a good filtration system: A good filtration system should have a high-efficiency filter with a high MERV rating.

MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, and the ALA recommends a minimum MERV value of 10. The filter packaging should indicate the MERV rating. (The MERV rating can range from 1-16; the higher the number, the greater the ability to filter and remove particulates from the air.)

RESOURCES :

Health House Consumer Information
American Lung Association
Web site: www.healthhouse.org

GUESTS :

Angie Lien
Director, American Lung Association's Health House program
Web site: HealthHouse.org

John Isaac
Central Vac / Blueprint Wiring Systems, Inc.
Phone: 865-558-5757