Dr. Mercola: “The Biggest Threats to Your Health”

“The Biggest Threats to Your Health”You breathe more than you eat or drink, but most likely you don’t give nearly as much thought to what you may be inhaling. With the possibility of over 1,500 invisible and potentially toxic substances contaminating your air space right now, isn’t it time you took control over what you’re breathing?

Whether you’re relaxing at home, working in your office, driving in your car or riding on public transportation, you’re exposed to a wide variety of airborne particles and contaminants.

While many people focus on outdoor air when they hear ‘air pollution’, you may be surprised to learn that the EPA has discovered indoor air contains 2 to 5 times and potentially as much as 100 times more contaminants than the air outdoors!

Indoor air pollution has truly become one of the most serious environmental threats to your health. Yet, no government agency monitors or controls it and studies on its health effects are limited.

So I ask you… Are you paying as much attention to what you’re breathing into your lungs as you are to what you’re eating and drinking? It may be just as important.

Over the next few minutes, I hope to increase your awareness of what you may be inhaling. And I’d like to share with you options I’ve discovered to help you protect yourself and your loved ones from these contaminants lurking out-of-sight in indoor air, wherever you go.
How Can You Tell If Your Indoor Air Is Polluted?

Most contaminants aren’t visible to the naked eye, so it’s hard to tell how polluted your indoor air may be.

Indoor air pollution is made up of solid and liquid particles that are suspended in your air – or particulate matter.

These suspended particles can consist of dust, metals, smoke, liquid droplets, chemicals and pollen.

One clue may be what you see on your air-intake vent in your home. Particulate matter can build up and form a greasy dirty film, like in the photo.

Even if you can’t see it, particulate matter continually floats through the air in your room, just waiting to be captured by your intake vent or inhaled into your lungs!
dirty air conditioner
A telltale sign of what you may be inhaling

A second clue to the quality of your indoor air might be how you feel. Do you sometimes experience any of these symptoms for no apparent reason?

    Itchy, watery eyes
    Runny nose
    Scratchy throat
    Headaches
    Dizziness
    Forgetfulness
    Fatigue
    Moodiness

These can be the immediate effects of particulate matter in your indoor air. Health effects can show up soon after exposure or they can take years to manifest in much more serious ways, affecting your entire body and brain.
9 Indoor Air Contaminants That Could Be Hiding in Your Home Right Now
organized bedroom
Your mattress, drapes, carpet and cushions can contribute to indoor air pollution

Over 1,500 substances may be found in the typical American home. Some can emit toxic fumes.

And more chemicals are approved every year for use by manufacturers with little or no safety testing!

So what types of contaminants and pollutants could be in your home right now?

    Formaldehyde from paint, bookshelves, cabinets, beds, plastics, cosmetics, fabrics, pillows and drapes
    VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, from paint, pesticides, building and hobby materials, cleaners and cabinetry
    Lead from old paint (simply opening an old painted window can release it into your air)
    Airborne bacteria and viruses from humans, pets, moist surfaces and ventilation systems
    Flame-retardant chemicals from furniture, carpeting and mattresses
    Fragrances and other chemicals from candles and cleaning and laundry supplies
    Mold, mildew and other pollutants from faulty plumbing and leaky foundations and roofs
    Dander and allergens from pets and other animals
    Tobacco smoke, including second- and third-hand smoke   

And here’s another source of indoor air pollution that you might not suspect: cooking. Roasting or frying food creates organic compound byproducts and without proper ventilation, Korean researchers have found the concentration of these dust particles can reach levels 25 times higher than what’s considered “very unhealthy!”

Most if not all of these substances present a significant threat to your health and your family’s health, including your pets. Some, like formaldehyde, certain VOCs and flame retardants are known or suspected carcinogens. Others can potentially harm your thyroid, IQ, memory and fertility.
Beware the Potential Dangers of Room Air Fresheners
chemicals in air freshener
Chemical air fresheners can contain hormone-disrupting phthalates

A recent survey found that almost half of Americans use air fresheners at least once a week. And over a third of respondents use candles or incense to cover up smells and household odors.

While a scented candle or air freshener might seem like a useful idea to disguise unwanted odors, they may be giving you something you weren’t expecting: phthalates.

Phthalates are potentially harmful chemicals that have been shown to cause hormonal abnormalities, birth defects and reproductive issues.

Not a surprise, they are especially hazardous for use around children or pregnant women.

Unfortunately, phthalates aren’t just in scented products… They’re also found in children’s toys, nail polish and in perfumes.

When sprayed into the air, the phthalates become airborne and may be inhaled into your lungs or absorbed through your skin. Either way, they enter your bloodstream.
Why Pollutant Particle Size Matters

Size matters when it comes to pollutants. Particles 10 micrometers (or microns) in diameter or smaller (like the organic compounds, mold, metals, chemicals and pollen in your indoor air) can be inhaled, penetrate tissue and lodge deep inside your lungs. From there they can enter your bloodstream and damage your heart and other organs.

To appreciate how small these particles truly are, below you can see how these common particles compare to a human hair and a few grains of beach sand! (courtesy of EPA.gov):
particles in human hair
So What Can You Do? Four Solutions for Indoor Air Pollution – For Home, Work and Travel

If you’re like the typical American, you spend as much as 97 percent of your time breathing indoor air, either working, sleeping, relaxing, driving your car or riding public transportation.

Doesn’t it make sense to have effective ways of improving the quality of the air you breathe, wherever you are?
woman enjoying clean air
Enjoy clear air in your home or office, car and anywhere you go

I think so and I’m pleased to say we have found not just one, but four solutions to help protect you, no matter where you are:

    Whole House Air Purifier – for clearing the air of contaminants and pollutants in your home or large office space
    Room Air Purifier – for clearing the air of contaminants and pollutants in a single room or small office
    Vehicle Air Purifier – for clearing the air inside your car of smoke, odors, pollutants and chemicals
    Personal Air Purifier – for clearing your personal air space of contaminants when using public transportation, working in a crowded office, or visiting waiting rooms, movie theaters and other public spaces

I’ll tell you more about each option, but first let’s take a quick look at some of the innovative air-clearing technologies that make these so unique. Each air purifier uses at least one of them...
Invented for Use in Space by NASA
space station
Astronauts needed a way to grow plants for food

The Advanced Photo Catalytic Oxidation Technology or PCO technology, was originally invented for use in space by NASA.

For extended stays in space, NASA realized their astronauts needed to grow plants for their survival.

But first, they had to remove the ethylene in the air. Ethylene is to plants like carbon dioxide is to humans.

Hence, PCO technology was born to remove unwanted gases like ethylene and to help neutralize bacteria, viruses and fungus.

NASA still uses PCO technology today in their space program.

The Photo Catalytic Oxidation technology in our air purifiers destroys biological contaminates and it produces purifying plasma to eliminate odors, minor mold, bacteria and viruses.

PCO cells have been proven to reduce potentially dangerous pathogens by more than 99 percent in less than 24 hours. Instead of simply covering up the source, it breaks down the actual molecules.
A Continuous Stream of Millions of Negative Ions Leaves Your Air Smelling Fresh and Clean
mother daughter bonding
Ions reach every corner of your home for truly clean air

Imagine a continuous stream of millions of ions circulating throughout your home seeking out and neutralizing contaminants.

That’s what Needlepoint Ionization does…

An active approach to air purification, Needlepoint Ionization travels to the pollutants in every corner and every surface in every room, rather than waiting for contaminants to enter the purifier.

Most other technologies on the market, including popular HEPA filters, use a passive approach to purify the air. The air must actually come in contact with the unit to be cleaned.

Here’s how Needlepoint Ionization effectively clears your air:

Negative ions impart a charge to particles like dust, dander or bacteria, causing them to attract other particles and clump together.

As more and more particles come together, the heavier they become. Eventually they enter your home’s HVAC air filter or simply fall to the floor to be vacuumed up.

Another plus of Needlepoint Ionization is its ability to reduce ultra-fine, even nano-sized particles. HEPA filters can only filter out particles 0.5 microns or larger.

Keep in mind it’s the ultra-fine particles that present the greatest potential threat to your health – much more so than the larger particles you can see.
Leave It to Mother Nature to Come up with This Effective Air-Clearing Technique
white daisy and thunder
Nature has its own effective air-cleaning system

You’ve probably noticed how the air seems so fresh and clean when you’re out in the woods or up in the mountains.

That’s Mother Nature at work…

Ozone, or O3, is a molecule made from three oxygen atoms. A natural component of the earth’s atmosphere, low levels of ozone exist in outdoor air, even right outside your window!

Created by solar ultraviolet radiation and lightning, ozone is what cleans the outside air, especially after a thunderstorm.

Scalable Activated Oxygen Purification uses activated oxygen, or ozone, to purify and clean your air. Another active method of air purification, activated oxygen neutralizes odors instead of masking them like with toxic air fresheners.

Ozone is highly reactive so when it “cleans” or oxidizes an air pollutant, it loses one of its oxygen atoms and turns back into pure oxygen (O2). In fact, its half-life is very short – the amount of ozone in your air decreases by 50 percent in only 20 minutes!

Once ozone oxidizes a pollutant, the contaminant loses its ability to cause odor or be allergenic or potentially harmful. Mold spores and bacteria can no longer reproduce as ozone reacts with the fatty acids in bacterial cell walls, breaking down membranes and allowing the cellular contents to escape.
Scalable Low Level Ozone Purification – the Answer to Ozone Jitters

As effective as it may be, some people have concerns about ozone. But once they have a clear understanding of it, they realize just how important it is for the quality of their air.

At its naturally occurring levels in nature – 0.01 to 0.05 ppm (parts per million) – ozone is effective and safe. But just like anything else in nature, including the sun and oxygen, bringing it indoors requires respect and control to avoid creating a safety hazard.

The EPA has established limits for ozone in air purifiers for occupied spaces – 0.05 ppm – the same levels as what’s found outdoors.

With carefully designed air purifier controls, I believe ozone can be a safe and effective tool against indoor air contaminants. Scalable Low Level Purification allows for adjustable levels based on the square footage of your space to maintain levels of ozone well within the safety margin.

Below you can see the LCD data display for the Scalable Low Level Purification set to its highest level – a safe level suitable for your entire home or a large 3,000 square-foot (sq ft) space. Simply scale down the control for smaller spaces, all the way down to 250 sq ft, for the right level of activated oxygen, or choose the “normal” mode for operation without ozone.
LCD data display

The manufacturer has gone to great measures to ensure when the unit is set properly, the Scalable Purification technology will not release ozone greater than the EPA’s limits.
Treat Your Whole House to Fresh, Clear Air
Whole Home Air Purifier

Unlike many other air purifiers in the marketplace that use one or two technologies, the ClearAir Whole Home Air Purifier effectively incorporates all of the technologies I just talked about.

In addition to Advanced Photo Catalytic Oxidation, Needlepoint Ionization and Scalable Activated Oxygen Purification, the ClearAir Whole Home Air Purifier utilizes physical electrostatic filtration to remove clumps of pollutants from the air and to keep your purifier unit clean.

Together these technologies significantly reduce or eliminate odors, smoke, pollen, dust, dust mites, pet dander, minor mold, carbon monoxide, bacteria, viruses, VOCs and chemical gases and other potentially hazardous indoor contaminants.

With a focus on active types of purification, this whole house air purifier is designed to proactively seek out indoor air pollutants, including mold spores in carpet and on surfaces and not simply wait for them to find their way into the device.

You can depend on my ClearAir Whole Home Air Purifier to:

    Destroy pollution from the air along with contaminants embedded in your walls, ceilings, floors, carpets, furniture, clothing and other surfaces
    Reduce or eliminate odors such as cigarette smoke, mildew and cooking odors
    Contribute to the sanitization of all surfaces within your home 

And it goes to work clearing your air right away. Noticeable pollution can start to be eliminated in as little as 15 minutes and the most challenging pollution in as few as 24 hours.

    University of Cincinnati Test (published in Environmental Science and Technology): Evaluated both PCO and Negative Ionization technologies against two active contaminants.

    The Results: Combination of the two technologies provided a much more significant reduction of airborne contaminants than when the two technologies were used independently. The combination of both resulted in an overall aerosol exposure reduction after 30 minutes by a factor of about 50, or an overall reduction/inactivation of approximately 98 percent.

    Kansas State University Test (published in Journal of Rapid Methods & Automation in Microbiology): Evaluated PCO technology against nine airborne microorganisms.

    The Results: The nine organisms tested were reduced, on average, over 80 percent after only 2 hours and after 6 hours, it was over 90 percent. After 24 hours of exposure, the reduction was from 96.4 to 99.9 percent.

I believe these results clearly confirm the effectiveness of my ClearAir Whole Home Air Purifier.

With a choice of five fan speeds, including one that allows for quiet nighttime operation and optional lighting, you can use your air purifier around the clock.

Unlike HEPA filters, the electrostatic filter is washable and can be used for the unit’s lifetime. For maximum usefulness and efficiency of your purifier, the PCO cell and purification plates may be conveniently replaced.

The Whole Home Air Purifier covers up to 3,000 sq ft on a single level. If you have a multi-level house, I suggest placing a unit on each level for optimal results.
Got a Smaller Space? Choose This Chemical-Free Plug-in Instead!
Room Air Purifier

Tired of embarrassing pet odors or other household odors, including second- or third-hand smoke?

Transform the air in your bedrooms, bathrooms, office, or other small spaces into fresh, clean-smelling air with my ClearAir Room Air Purifier.

Using two of the advanced technologies – Ionization and Activated Oxygen – the ClearAir Room Air Purifier with its adjustable dial removes offending particles and odors from the air rather than covering them up with chemical-laden “air freshening” plug-ins and sprays.

The ClearAir Room Air Purifier is perfect for small rooms, like bedrooms, bathrooms, offices and laundry rooms – about 50 sq ft. Have a larger space? Simply plug in more than one purifier.

With its space-saving size and complementary white color, the ClearAir Room Air Purifier fits unobtrusively into any home or office décor.

And its small size makes it perfect for travel. Simply plug in to any outlet and turn the dial to your desired level of purification. Stale, smelly hotel air can now be a thing of the past!

Best of all, the ClearAir Room Air Purifier requires only minimal maintenance. Since crystals will form on its vent with normal use, an occasional swabbing with alcohol will keep your unit functioning smoothly.
Driving Your Car Doesn’t Have to Include Inhaling Contaminants and Pollution
bumper to bumper traffic
Breathe fresh air in your car, even in heavy traffic

If you’ve ever been caught in heavy traffic, you know how difficult it can be to avoid the smell of exhaust fumes, even with your windows rolled up and your so-called “fresh air” vents closed.

Or another scenario… While you love driving your sparkling new car, you know with every whiff of that “new car” smell you’re inhaling toxic chemicals!

So how can you help keep the air inside your vehicle fresh and clear of contaminants?

My ClearAir Vehicle Air Purifier uses ozone-free cluster ion technology to break down and remove smoke, odors and particulates, including VOCs and chemicals from your breathing space.

This advanced “Plasma Cluster” Technology uses a natural balance of positive and negative ions to reduce microscopic airborne particles.

You get fresh, clean-smelling air and surfaces inside your car without the use of any harmful chemicals!
Vehicle Air Purifier

Compact in size (6.4” H x 2.8” W x 2.2” D), the ClearAir Vehicle Air Purifier conveniently fits into your cup holder space and plugs directly into your power source with its included 12VDC plug (no batteries needed!).

With its quiet operation, the ClearAir Vehicle Air Purifier allows you to listen to your music or radio and not your air purifier. Plus it comes equipped with two output modes and a 4-hour automatic shut-off, so you don’t have to worry about forgetting to turn it off!

Start enjoying fresh and clear air when you drive with the ClearAir Vehicle Air Purifier.
Away From Home? The Personal Air Purifier to the Rescue!

There may be times when it may not be practical to use a room or vehicle air purifier, but you still want to guard your personal breathing space against contaminants.
man with flu
There are times when it’s a good idea to protect your personal air space

For example, when you are…

    Sitting in your doctor’s waiting room
    Using public transportation with its stale, “recycled” air
    Sharing a crowded office space
    Visiting a friend with pets that make you sneeze and your eyes water
    Entering a space with chemical smells that you’d rather avoid

Imagine instead feeling confident that you’re surrounded by your own personal 3-foot "cloud" of fresh, clear air.

That’s exactly what my wearable ClearAir Personal Air Purifier offers. By emitting electrically charged ions, the ions transfer their charge to particles in the dirty air that then repels them out of your air space.

The result is an "exclusion zone" of fresh, clear air – a 3-foot space around your head to allow you to breathe air cleared of atomic sized as well as larger-sized contaminants.
My Wearable ClearAir Is 3 Times More Powerful Than Other Personal Purifiers – and There’s No Annoying Fan or Blower!
Personal Air Purifier

Made by one of the Environmental Purification Industry's most respected leaders, the ClearAir Personal Air Purifier has been:

    Granted four U.S. patents
    Validated through testing at leading universities and research facilities
    Confirmed as the leader in personal air purification technology by dozens of peer-reviewed, published papers 

Other companies have tried unsuccessfully to imitate the ClearAir Personal Air Purifier.

What sets this device apart from the competition is its exclusive patented ionization technology that creates an "ion wind" of potent purification ions without the use of a fan or mechanical blower.

With the highest ion wind output and the smallest unit size of any personal air purifier, it’s three times more powerful than other purifiers in clearing your air of pollutants. While other devices actually attract pollutants into the user’s air space with their negative ions, the ClearAir Personal Air Purifier repels particles and contaminants.

Lightweight, sleek and attractive (no larger than a pager weighing 1.5 ounces), the ClearAir Personal Air Purifier is worn around your neck with the included toggle-fastening neck strap or optional clip.

It’s ideal for use on public transportation and in waiting rooms, movie theaters, crowded offices, gyms or anywhere you want the assurance of clearer, fresher air. It’s especially useful for sensitivities to pets, and pet and household odors.

I regularly use it when I fly and am impressed with how quiet and effective it is.

And it even comes ready-to-use with its own non-rechargeable lithium battery!

Create your own "fresh air cloud" and discover the difference clear air can make in your life!
Are You Ready to Take Control of Your Indoor Air?

I hope by now you can see that your indoor air is worth considering…

And I hope you’re ready to do something about it.

Your home is your sanctuary – your place to escape and relax either by yourself or with friends and family, including your fur-covered and feathered family members. Who wants to worry about contaminants that can threaten your (and their) well-being?

You now have four options to take control of your indoor air quality:

    Whole House Air Purifier for your home or large office space
    Room Air Purifier for a single room, small office and travel
    Vehicle Air Purifier for use inside your car
    Personal Air Purifier for public spaces and transportation

With your active lifestyle, these four options give you the flexibility you need to have clean air, no matter where you go!

Don’t delay, order your ClearAir Air Purifiers today!

P.S. Your purchases are covered with my Money Back Guarantee – see details below!
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Frequently Asked QuestionsFrequently Asked Questions
Top 5 Frequently Asked Questions

    1. Q: Is the battery in the Personal Air Purifier dangerous to travel with on public transportation?
    2. Q: Will the Whole House Air Purifier take care of my home’s mold problem?
    3. Q: I live in California. Why can’t I order the Whole House or Room Air Purifiers?
    4. Q: Are the technologies used in the Whole House Air Purifier more effective than HEPA filters?
    5. Q: I’ve noticed an increase in dust on surfaces with my Whole House Air Purifier. Is that typical?

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Disclaimer: The entire contents of this website are based upon the opinions of Dr. Mercola, unless otherwise noted. Individual articles are based upon the opinions of the respective author, who retains copyright as marked. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Mercola and his community. Dr. Mercola encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your health care professional before using products based on this content.

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