Allergy Consumer Review Issue #48

In This Issue

The Top Ten Spring Cleaning Tips to Reduce Allergies

IQAir Air Purifier note from Appreciative Customer

Carpet Cleaning revisited

Vapor Steam Cleaning Tips

Question: Needing a specific recommendation for an Allergy Air Cleaner

Information from www.Ready.gov on clean air and citizen preparedness for terrorist attacks

Correspondence with subscribers on terrorist attack protection

Smallpox protection by Ed Hooper (subscriber)

Smallpox Overview - CDC

Nuclear Fallout Protection by Ed Hooper (subscriber)

FAQ Potassium Iodide - Nuclear Regularity Commission

Allergy Relief Products

Spring is around the corner and unfortunately, so is allergy season. Many allergies that are associated with spring are caused by poor indoor air quality in homes rather than just the pollen from spring flowers. Here are some quick tips to make your home or office allergy free.

1. Test the indoor environmental conditions of your home. It is always a good idea to first test your home for: molds, dust mites, pet danders, cockroach allergens, fiberglass fibers, formaldehydes and other pollutants. There are several types of dust mite, mold and allergen kits available starting at $39.95. Finding the specific problem can help alleviate asthma, headaches, coughing, eye and respiratory irritation, sneezing, fatigue and flu like symptoms.

2. Use HEPA air purifiers in rooms where most of your time is spent. A good HEPA (high efficiency particulate absolute) air cleaner can remove up to 99.95% of airborne allergens from your household air! A high-grade air purifier is essential for allergy suffers in order to achieve excellent indoor air quality. HEPA air purifiers do require continued filter replacement, but when push comes to shove and you are in need of allergy relief, a good HEPA filter will do it for you.

3. Vacuum up pollen spores, dust mites and other allergens (including pet dander) with a high grade HEPA vacuum cleaner twice weekly. Vacuum walls, carpet, flooring, chairs and furniture…everywhere with a HEPA filter vacuum cleaner. Use the hand tools on the vacuum to get hard to reach areas. Good hand tools on your vacuum cleaner are the answer here. Also, installing a central vacuum will help pick up the rest of the allergens that may have been missed.

4. Sanitize, deodorize and disinfect your home with a vapor steam cleaner. Vapor steam cleaners are chemical free and are used to clean your floors, carpets, counters, appliances, upholstery, windows and much more. Steam cleaning kills dust mites, mold spores and other unwanted bacteria. It improves indoor air quality and reduces allergen counts and respiratory ailments. See our video.

5. Wash all bedding in 140-degree hot water at least twice weekly. This helps to eliminate dust mites, pet allergens and pollen. Use dust mite encasings for your mattresses, pillows and comforters to further protect yourself and your family from dust mites.

6. Shower and wash your hair every night before you go to bed. People bring pollen and other seasonal allergens into their homes on their clothes and their hair. Showering before bedtime is an effective way to keep allergens out of your bed.

7. Keep pets off of your bed and out of your bedroom. Sorry, this is a small price to pay for allergy relief. Your bedroom should be a sanctuary from allergens. So tempt your pets to sleep elsewhere. See our Cat Allergy Solutions page

8. Reduce moisture levels with a dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers help control mold and dust mites in the bathroom, kitchen and other water areas of the home. Also, fix leaks immediately and limit your home to a few houseplants.

9. Use a furnace filter to add protection and help clean your indoor air. Washable furnace filters will help effectively clean the air in your entire home with the use of your air purifier. Furnace Filters are permanent and work well when combined with the use of air cleaners.

10. You do not have to suffer this allergy season! If you follow steps 1-9, your spring allergies should be significantly decreased without expensive allergy prescriptions. Keeping on top of these steps takes a concerted effort, however, it will be well worth it once allergy season hits.

For more information, visit our Allergy Center for helpful articles and suggestions on allergy prevention.

Top

Hi Mercia,

I purchased an IQAir HealthPro Plus air purifier for my bedroom in January after some serious allergy and sinus problems. I noticed immediately that my breathing was better during the night.

But, this past Sunday morning I was sitting at my computer in my bedroom next to a window with the bright morning sun shining in. As I looked around I noticed that there were absolutely no particles floating around in the air in the beams of sunlight (and I have four Siamese cats!). Nothing but clean air. No particles of dust, no hair.

I appreciate your comparison charts to help consumers get the most bang for their buck. I wouldn't have known where to begin selecting the right air purifier. I tell everyone with allergies to visit your site.

Thanx

Pat R.
www.siameserescue.org

Top

Every year as Spring approaches I look at the sad state of my carpets. My problem is I live in the North East and suffer through the winters, and I have a HUSBAND. If I had children it would be another matter, I would just order them to take their shoes off in winter. But a husband is different. So my husband with his size 13 shoes tramps an amazing amount of the mud, sand, and salt through the house, and seems to be oblivious to the havoc and anguish he is causing. Every Monday, after the cleaning lady has done her thing, I can enjoy a few hours of blissful clean respite, before those size 13 feet come home and do their damage.

By March of each year, the carpets are shall we say - just filthy?

If I could wave a magic wand over the mess, or say there was a perfect carpet fast-cleaning tool, I would tell you. There are some products that work, but they take time and effort.

My first line of attack one recent Sunday while my husband was out skiing, was to take out the trusty TW300 carpet cleaner. It is not a perfect tool- but it works, and I have been using it without any problems for 3 years. I dislike the fact the handle leaks and comes apart from time to time (duct tape worked wonders here), or that I have the lumber the darn thing around; but it is pretty simple to put together, and can cover a good sized area in about 15 minutes, which is about the time you have between refills of the hottest water you can get from your tap, as the TW300 has no built in heater.

The water at the end of each round is just totally black and disgusting, so the carpet cleaner is certainly doing its thing. It does not do spots and stains or edges of stair carpet very well, and for those, I take out the Formula 212 spot cleaner which is a near miraculous product.

The final phase is to get out my favorite vapor steam cleaner, the Ladybug. If I had the patience, I would do all of my carpeting with the Ladybug steam cleaner as it is better for your carpets and steam cleaners do a better job of getting deep down clean. But I go for immediate fast gratification and then go over the area with the steam cleaner and attack really stubborn stains and dirt ground in so that even a vacuum cleaner cannot get it.

There are fundamental differences between really steam cleaning a carpet and using the TW300 carpet cleaner, the latter is a hot water extraction unit and similar to the technology used when someone comes to “steam clean” your carpets.

Please do not expect to use TW300 carpet cleaner on a badly soiled carpet and restore it back to its original luster 100%. If it were really soiled, it would be best to use a professional cleaning company first and then use the steam cleaner for superb maintenance. The steam cleaner will then take out any of the chemicals that the professional cleaning left.

Overall, steam cleaning carpets with vapor steam cleaners will remove most spots and stains (providing that there has been no chemical reaction with the fibers) and it will also remove any chemicals and odors. Because the heat straightens the fibers and removes static charge from all pet and human hair, it allows for really deep vacuum cleaning of sand (the major destroyer of carpets), other solid particles, and hair.

I hope this has not thoroughly confused you all. The truth of the matter is this is, there is not a perfect solution although you CAN clean your carpets at home and avoid all those outrageous professional carpet cleaners company charges.

Top

Vapor Steam Cleaning Tips
By Bob Cobe, AllergyBuyersClub.com Staff

If you own a vapor steam cleaner, remember to "burp" it before you use it every time.

Fill it with water, plug it in, and wait until the OK light turns on. Then press the trigger to release the steam for about 15 to 30 seconds to get the air out of the system.

Take your finger of the trigger and wait until the OK light turns on again and then begin your cleaning. Also remember to let your machine just steam after every time you stop to change a tool or move to another room so that the steam that has just condensed into water in the hose will be turned again into steam.

ANSWER TO CUSTOMER ABOUT LADYBUG STEAM CLEANING:
Ron,

Although it is the best cleaning tool I have ever tested and used, it does have some weak spots as you have stated.

Personally, I have had no trouble in adjusting the steam volume, but that might be due to my not being too concerned about it. I find that I can also adjust for moisture content by changing the speed at which I move the head.

Unlike you, however, I have found the Formula 212 spot cleaner to be excellent. When diluted properly it will make over 20 gallons of solution, and when I have applied a mist of it over the spots and rubbed it into the spots, I have found it to be remarkable. It has not removed every spot 'cause some have had a chemical reaction with the fibers, but it has removed 95%.

Vapor steam cleaners use heat to clean; the water puts the impurities into suspension, but it is the heat that draws the impurities to the surface.

You definitely need the tough brush kit to do an oven. You mash one of the stainless steel non-scratch pads into the large brush that comes with the kit. The steam then gets the pad extremely hot and this heat plus the mild abrasive action of the pad removes the grime. You need to keep the pad moving from one location to another so that you don't end up heating the metal sides of the oven, and fight yourself with both the pad being hot and the oven metal equally hot.

The bathroom tiles often have a mineral grime left from the water. Rubbing the surface with a fresh lemon or white vinegar and then applying the steam will help dissolve the minerals with their acidic content. Be cautious if you want to try any detergents; just use a drop or two or you'll have bubbles, bubbles, bubbles.

The best way to kill dust mites in the mattress is to use the window tool without the blade. This spreads the steam over a fairly large area. Move the tool fairly quickly so as to keep the area as dry as possible. This heat will also kill much of the mold that might be present in the mattress.
The wetness that you will produce, should dry within a very few hours, and since it would take about 24 hours for the moisture to activate any mold, mold growth should not be a problem.

Hope this helps you to more fully use your great Ladybug steam cleaner.

Bob Cobe
Technical Support / Sales
Allergy Buyers Club

Top

Q.  We live in an apartment, which offers a honey of a deal, except that is, the apartment is over a custom frame-manufacturing site. Below our apartment the company cuts "poly*" molding for frames; cut wood frames with various polyurethane finishes; cut, shape and hand apply varnish and stain finishes on moldings. They also have mice that inhabit the stacks of moldings -- and lots of sawdust and fumes from the saws as they cut through the materials, etc, etc.

Most of the folks in the building cannot notice any particular odor or report just a mild smell of stain as the manufacturers work to hand restain wood corners with tiny 3/4" to 1" brushes dipped in tints or thinned stains.

We also seem to have an intermittent propane leak in our apartment (sometimes you can smell it around our stove, sometimes you can't). We also have a cat and a bird that we are planning on getting rid of. Can you recommend a preferred machine for this application?

Thanks much,
Terence I.

A.

Hi Terence,

It would appear you are dealing with three things, which are dust and particulates from the cutting process, odors and chemicals from the applied finishes and wood cutting, and gases from the propane leaking.

First of all I would address the possible propane leak in the building. This could be very dangerous if it becomes strong enough because the risk of it exploding. Propane is a gas that cannot be removed readily through physical adsorption into activated carbon or oxidation through chemical absorption with chemisorbers like potassium permanganate and alumina oxide. Therefore, you need to have this leak removed.

I would recommend an air cleaner with a good pre-filter for the larger particulates that could be airborne from the cutting process and a HEPA filter for the smaller particulates that are probably from the fumes created by the cutting process. These particles will be extremely small ranging from 1 micron to .01 microns.

In addition, you will need an efficient gas filter to remove the gases, chemicals, and odors resulting from the finishes being applied onto the moldings. Most of these gases are VOCs which are volatile organic compounds, like paint, varnishes, polyurethanes, etc.

We have a good choice of products to help eliminate the pollution created from your location ranging in price from $499 to $899.

The best unit would be the IQAir GC VOC series which costs $899.95. This unit has a HEPA grade filter in the bottom of the unit, which is 97% efficient at removing the fine particles. This particle cleansed air then passes through four gas filter cartridges consisting of coal based carbon pellets, which will physically adsorb the VOCs from the air into the micro pores of the activated carbon pellets. The final phase of this air cleaner are post filter sleeves that go over each of the gas filter cartridges in case any of the carbon debris breaks off so no particulates are sent back into the room.

The Allerair 5000 VOC would be another good choice and this unit is $499.95. It consists of a pre-filter for the larger particulates, a HEPA filter for the finer particles, and a carbon filter for the VOCs.

Another thing you need to take into consideration is how large of an area are you looking to clean. The IQAir GC VOC will clean an area of 600 to 900 square feet with an average ceiling height of 8 to 8.5 feet. The Allerair 5000 VOC will clean an area of 600 to 1000 square feet.

Please feel free to contact me to discuss any of the products we offer from our website.

Sincerely,

Dave Barnaby
AllergyBuyersClub.com

Top

Many potential terrorist attacks could send tiny microscopic "junk" into the air. For example, an explosion may release very fine debris that can cause lung damage. A biological attack may release germs that can make you sick if inhaled or absorbed through open cuts. Many of these agents can only hurt you if they get into your body, so think about creating a barrier between yourself and any contamination.

Nose and Mouth Protection.

Face masks or dense-weave cotton material, that snugly covers your nose and mouth and is specifically fit for each member of the family. Do whatever you can to make the best fit possible for children.

Be prepared to improvise with what you have on hand to protect your nose, mouth, eyes and cuts in your skin. Anything that fits snugly over your nose and mouth, including any dense-weave cotton material, can help filter contaminants in an emergency. It is very important that most of the air you breathe comes through the mask or cloth, not around it. Do whatever you can to make the best fit possible for children. There are also a variety of face masks readily available in hardware stores that are rated based on how small a particle they can filter in an industrial setting.

Given the different types of attacks that could occur, there is not one solution for masking. For instance, simple cloth face masks can filter some of the airborne "junk" or germs you might breathe into your body, but will probably not protect you from chemical gases. Still, something over your nose and mouth in an emergency is better than nothing. Limiting how much "junk" gets into your body may impact whether or not you get sick or develop disease.

Other Barriers

• Heavyweight plastic garbage bags or plastic sheeting
• Duct tape
• Scissors

There are circumstances when staying put and creating a barrier between yourself and potentially contaminated air outside, a process known as "shelter-in-place," is a matter of survival. You can use these things to tape up windows, doors and air vents if you need to seal off a room from outside contamination. Consider precutting and labeling these materials. Anything you can do in advance will save time when it counts.

Use available information to assess the situation. If you see large amounts of debris in the air, or if local authorities say the air is badly contaminated, you can use these things to tape up windows, doors and air vents if you need to seal off a room.

HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air Filtration) Filter Fans

Once you have sealed a room with plastic sheeting and duct tape you may have created a better barrier between you and any contaminants that may be outside. However, no seal is perfect and some leakage is likely. In addition to which, you may find yourself in a space that is already contaminated to some degree.

Consider a portable air purifier, with a HEPA filter, to help remove contaminants from the room where you are sheltering. These highly efficient filters have small sieves that can capture very tiny particles, including some biological agents. Once trapped within a HEPA filter contaminants cannot get into your body and make you sick. While these filters are excellent at filtering dander, dust, molds, smoke, biological agents and other contaminants, they will not stop chemical gases.

Some people, particularly those with severe allergies and asthma, use HEPA filters in masks, portable air purifiers as well as in larger home or industrial models to continuously filter the air.

See all hepa air purifiers at AllergyBuyersClub.com

Top

From: Duane O.
Subject: IQAir Healthpro Plus
I was looking at your IQAir Healthpro Plus for the purpose of a safe room in the event of a terrorist attack (http://www.allergybuyersclubshopping.com/safe-room.html). First, I would like to know specifically what kind of blower motor this system uses. Also, has this system actually been tested to *create* and *sustain* a positive pressure safe room? How long can the blower motor be expected to hold up before it burns out (if it would burn out). Finally, has this system or any other IQAir purifier been tested for toxins, bacteria, viruses and the like which are most likely be used for terrorism? I know, I sound a little bit like a nut case, but I have a wonderful family to protect. I would highly appreciate your response.
Thank you, Duane O.

Hi Duane,

The IQAir uses a 700 CFM rated German engineered high performance fan. It is a centrifugal, backward curved fan and turns at 2950 rpm. Each fan is individually balanced and uses steel ball bearings which will give you reliable quality performance for many years.

David,
You wrote, "While a biological threat appears more realistic than a chemical one, IQAir is working on an add-on for all their IQAir systems which also addresses this aspect. In case of an emergency this allows existing and new users to convert their IQAir units into emergency ABC units." Do you know how much this will cost? Also, you mentioned radioactive materials released into the air. I assume the HEPA filters would stop those particles. Is that correct? Again, I appreciate your response. Thank you, Duane

The IQAir will create and sustain a positive pressure because both the unit and the intake or outflow wall kit are airtight so no leakage will occur. This is one of the reasons the inflow and outflow kits are so expensive. Each of the kits consists of the necessary parts to insure an airtight fit.

In a terrorist attack there will be three concerns. The first would be airborne particulates like bacteria, germs, viruses, etc. which could be very harmful if inhaled. These would range in size from as large as 10 microns to as small as 0.01 of a micron in size. The IQAir Healthpro Hyper HEPA performance will be at least 99.99% efficient at removing particulates 0.3 of a micron and larger and at least 99.5% on particulates 0.16 of a micron and smaller down to 0.01 of a micron. While IQAir units have not been specifically designed for filtration of ABC(airborne biological contaminants) related pollutants, but IQAir units are the most efficient air cleaners available in their class (high-end room air cleaners).IQAir does not follow or certify their air cleaners to any military specifications, because these specifications are not designed for room air cleaning devices, but for gas masks and filters of much different size and different air flow conditions. IQAir does offer their HealthPro series with EN1822 certified class H12/13filters.

EN1822 is the world's most current and toughest test for HEPA filters. The EN1822 certification has determined the HealthPro series HEPA filters up to speed 3, a minimum of 99.95% of those particles for which the filter is determined to offer the least filtration efficiency - a worst case test ( which is 0.16 of a micron). At the highest air flow setting, the HealthPro series HEPA filter was determined to filter at least 99.5% of the most penetrating particles. This test is a much tougher test than the dated DOP test. In addition, each IQAir HealthPro series air cleaner as a whole is individually tested at the Swiss factory to achieve an overall efficiency of over 99.97% at 0.3 microns. As a test aerosol, normal room air is used for this test, because DOP is a potentially health hazard and normal room air contains plenty of particles in the 0.3 to 0.5 micron size range, (typically in the order of one million per cubic foot).

The second concern would be toxic gases and chemical which would require a sophisticated activated carbon to be able to adsorb a large concentration of the gas. In this case, you would need a special gas filter to work in conjunction with the IQAir Healthpro unit.

The use of an air filtration system with over pressure is certainly the best option to achieve a controlled clean environment. While a biological threat appears more realistic than a chemical one, IQAir is working on an add-on for all their IQAir systems, which also addresses this aspect. In case of an emergency, this allows existing and new users to convert their IQAir units into emergency ABC units. They are currently working with the Swiss army on the design of this set-up and will have an upgrade-product announcement within a few weeks. The gas phase filter in the HealthPro Plus is designed for optimum performance in reducing typical gaseous compounds in a household or office environment. IQAir is currently designing a specific gas phase filter, which is optimized for "war gas" applications. The filter can, in case of an emergency be used by IQAir owners to optimize the performance of IQAir systems under such conditions. The filter is not recommended for everyday use, due to environmental concerns. IQAir is currently working with the Swiss Army Laboratories on such a filter and hopes to offer the IQAir "ABC Emergency Upgrade Kit" by April 2003.We will keep our customers updated as to the exact date of availability.

The third concern would be in the case of a nuclear type device used which would result in radioactive materials being released into the air, which would present an entirely different contamination to the air.

Please feel free to contact me to discuss any of the products we offer from our website.

Sincerely,
Dave Barnaby

Hi Duane,

I've heard back from IQAir and they told me the radioactive threat from a dirty bomb attack (which is according to experts the most likely nuclear attack) would be mainly from radioactively contaminated dust particles. These particles can travel half around the world, as is known from the radioactive fallout from atomic bombs or accidents in nuclear power plants. Therefore, an air cleaner like the IQAir Healthpro and Healthpro Plus with the Hyper HEPA performing HEPA filter along with the pre-filter will be able to filter those particulates.

The gas filter would be to be no more than twice as expensive as a standard V5-Cell filter. So, the price would be in the area of $180.00.
Please feel free to contact me to discuss any of the products we offer from our website.

Sincerely,
Dave Barnaby

Top

Email from one of our subscribers:

In your latest newsletter you wrote about a computer service to find the sources for Smallpox, etc. As you mentioned, even that program will not in all probabilities, result in a solution for several years to come.

In my pursuit of a possible preventative and or cure for Smallpox, I discovered a readily available as well as an economic product. It is the best that I have found, and personally prefer it over having to risk Smallpox shots and their inherent side effects. Please go to Google or another search engine of your choice. Type in “Cream of Tartar”. You will see that this product has been used in England and other countries with great success. The preparation and recommended dosage is on many of the websites. One word of caution is that it must not have been RADIATED. The grocery store variety is usually radiated even though they do not state this on their label. I have purchased 5 pounds from Spice Mix already, because I want to be ready. The people at Spice Mix have assured me that their Cream of Tartar has not been radiated. They are as honest as the day is long and I could not have been more pleased with their service. The reason that non-radiation is a must is because Cream of Tartar is the scrapings from inside of the wine barrels or casks. Apparently it was discovered, that radiation of the Cream of Tartar kills the beneficial bacteria, etc. that provides the protection and or cure for Smallpox and may well provide the answer for us in regard to Anthrax exposure. The website for Spice Mix is as follows in the event that someone is interested in an excellent website operated by good people:

http://www.sd-exports.org/the_spice_mix/herbs/herbs.htm ------ E T Hooper

Editor’s note: I went to Google and found out Ed is right. Cream of tartar (non radiated is a remedy century’s old). Here are some additional excellent informational links. I have also bought some cream of tartar for my family at my local health food store.
http://www.thepowerhour.com/smallpox-anthrax-vaccines/smallpox-what-to-do.htm
http://www.thepowerhour.com/postings/non-conventional-treatments.htm

Top

Smallpox Overview
from Center of Infectious Disease Control

The Disease
Smallpox is a serious, contagious, and sometimes fatal infectious disease. There is no specific treatment for smallpox disease, and the only prevention is vaccination. The name smallpox is derived from the Latin word for “spotted” and refers to the raised bumps that appear on the face and body of an infected person.

There are two clinical forms of smallpox. Variola major is the severe and most common form of smallpox, with a more extensive rash and higher fever. There are four types of variola major smallpox: ordinary (the most frequent type, accounting for 90% or more of cases); modified (mild and occurring in previously vaccinated persons); flat; and hemorrhagic (both rare and very severe). Historically, variola major has an overall fatality rate of about 30%; however, flat and hemorrhagic smallpox usually are fatal. Variola minor is a less common presentation of smallpox, and a much less severe disease, with death rates historically of 1% or less.

Smallpox outbreaks have occurred from time to time for thousands of years, but the disease is now eradicated after a successful worldwide vaccination program. The last case of smallpox in the United States was in 1949. The last naturally occurring case in the world was in Somalia in 1977. After the disease was eliminated from the world, routine vaccination against smallpox among the general public was stopped because it was no longer necessary for prevention.

Where Smallpox Comes From

Smallpox is caused by the variola virus that emerged in human populations thousands of years ago. Except for laboratory stockpiles, the variola virus has been eliminated. However, in the aftermath of the events of September and October, 2001, there is heightened concern that the variola virus might be used as an agent of bioterrorism. For this reason, the U.S. government is taking precautions for dealing with a smallpox outbreak.

Transmission
Generally, direct and fairly prolonged face-to-face contact is required to spread smallpox from one person to another. Smallpox also can be spread through direct contact with infected bodily fluids or contaminated objects such as bedding or clothing. Rarely, smallpox has been spread by virus carried in the air in enclosed settings such as buildings, buses, and trains. Humans are the only natural hosts of variola. Smallpox is not known to be transmitted by insects or animals.

A person with smallpox is sometimes contagious with onset of fever (prodrome phase), but the person becomes most contagious with the onset of rash. At this stage, the infected person is usually very sick and not able to move around in the community. The infected person is contagious until the last smallpox scab falls off.

* Smallpox may be contagious during the prodrome phase, but is most infectious during the first 7 to 10 days following rash onset.

Top

Nuclear Fall Out Protection
By Ed Hooper

Email from one of our subscribers:

Mercia,

It's me again. Thank you for your emails. I failed to mention in my emails to you, that I owe you a huge thank you for your informative newsletters. Shortly, I will be flying to Santo Domingo and I was really dreading the thought of flying again. As a former engineer with the FAA, I was retired because of fluid behind the eardrums that was caused by the inadequate pressure regulation found in many aircraft. I was told by a well-known specialist, that I either had to quit flying or I would go deaf. Over the 32 years since retiring, I have always been alert for a possible remedy for me and other people who suffered ear problems from flying. In your newsletter regarding help for sinus sufferers you led me to Murray Grossman M.D.'s website and there it was, in his list of products.

My solution for keeping the Eustachian tubes clear, and thereby eliminating fluid buildup as well as pain in the ears and head complications. The doctor calls it Clear-Ease. And lo and behold, you where my guide to the best solution for the possible consequences of breathing the highly questionable air that is being recycled inside the airplane. The doctor calls it Breathe-Ease XL Gel. I have already mailed a supply of both products to my daughter and her daughter in Santo Domingo. They were deeply concerned about flying here so that we could return to Santo Domingo together. We no longer have the fear of flying because the description of how both of these products work have eliminated all of that worry. I truly believe that these two products will go far in alleviating your husbands concern about the Hilton Head trip. Both products are all natural and reasonably priced. I have missed flying and I am convinced that I am back. I owe you one for this and I promise you that I will never ever leave home without it. : http://www.sinus-relief.com/

In conclusion, Mercia, and at the risk of encroaching on your time for relaxing, I would like to add info regarding nuclear radiation. Possibly you have already covered it in earlier newsletters. If so, forgive my intrusion on your limited time for relaxation. To attempt to replace the fear that many of us are experiencing, possibly a little info will bring back some security that we all have cherished in the past. To simplify the way a Nuclear bomb would behave, is a start. At the point of detonation essentially 3 expanding rings of activity will radiate out from the center. The inner first ring we can call the "concussion" ring. It is the smallest. The second expanding ring we can call the "heat" ring and it covers a larger area around the point of detonation. The last ring which covers a larger area and is prone to spreading from the prevailing wind we can call the "radiation" ring.

The inner two rings "concussion" and "heat" will probably have no survivors. HOWEVER, there is something that each of us can do to survive the larger and, more than likely, moving "radiation" ring. The answer is Potassium Iodide tablets. Yes, the government as well as the scientists are aware of this. The government has a stockpile full of it. The problem is that as I type this and there was a terrorist Nuclear bomb detonated near me, the tablets would never reach me in time to protect my Thyroid gland. It would be too late. I have replaced my fear in regard to this, by having the tablets in the foil strip form for my immediate families use. The foil strips allow me to conveniently store a strip or strips in my glove compartment or in a handbag if flying. In addition to the foil strips for my immediate family, I have 2 bottles of 100 tablets that will be available to whoever knocks on my door and is desperate for help. Should a terrorist place an explosive device in a crucial area of a Nuclear power plant then we only need to be concerned primarily with the "Radiation" leakage. I want you and yours to have the very best vacation and free from as much fear as possible. I therefore urge you to consider this bit of info and of course our friend Google will fill in the missing blanks by typing in "Potassium Iodide",

Best regards---Ed Hooper .

Top

FAQ: Potassium Iodide And Nuclear Protection
from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Frequently Asked Questions About Potassium Iodide

• What is potassium iodide?
• What is the role of potassium iodide in radiological emergency preparedness?
• What is the benefit of taking potassium iodide during a radiological accident?
• Does this rule imply that America's nuclear reactors are less safe?
• Why does the rule require States to consider the use of potassium iodide instead of mandating its use?
• What does it mean for a State to consider the use of potassium iodide?
• What kinds of things should States consider in deciding whether to incorporate the use of potassium iodide in their emergency planning?
• What are the recommended dosages of potassium iodide?
• Can individual members of the public obtain potassium iodide?
• Why is KI only being provided to the 10-mile EPZ around nuclear power plants?
• Why is the NRC only providing two KI tablets per person?
• Will KI be effective in case of a terrorist attack or dirty bomb?

What is potassium iodide?

Potassium iodide is a salt, similar to table salt. Its chemical symbol is KI. It is routinely added to table salt to make it "iodized." Potassium iodide, if taken in time and at the appropriate dosage, blocks the thyroid gland's uptake of radioactive iodine and thus could reduce the risk of thyroid cancers and other diseases that might otherwise be caused by exposure to radioactive iodine that could be dispersed in a severe nuclear accident.

What is the role of potassium iodide in radiological emergency preparedness?

The purpose of radiological emergency preparedness is to protect people from the effects of radiation exposure after an accident at a nuclear power plant. Evacuation is the most effective protective measure in the event of a radiological emergency because it protects the whole body (including the thyroid gland and other organs) from all radionuclides and all exposure pathways. However, in situations when evacuation is not feasible and in-place sheltering is substituted as an effective protective action, administering potassium iodide is a reasonable, prudent, and inexpensive supplement to evacuation and sheltering.

Potassium iodide is a special kind of protective measure in that it offers very specialized protection. Potassium iodide protects the thyroid gland against internal uptake of radioiodines that may be released in the unlikely event of a nuclear reactor accident.

What is the benefit of taking potassium iodide during a radiological accident?

When potassium iodide is ingested, it is taken up by the thyroid gland. In the proper dosage, and taken at the appropriate time, it will effectively saturate the thyroid gland in such a way that inhaled or ingested radioactive iodines will not be accumulated in the thyroid gland. The risk of thyroid effects is reduced. Such thyroid effects resulting from radioiodine uptakes due to inhalation or ingestion, or both, could result in acute, chronic, and delayed effects. Acute effects from high doses include thyroiditis, while chronic and delayed effects include hypothyroidism, thyroid nodules, and thyroid cancer.

Does this rule imply that America's nuclear reactors are less safe?

The rule does not imply that the present generation of nuclear power plants are less safe than previously thought. On the contrary, present indications are that nuclear power plant safety has significantly improved since the existing current emergency preparedness requirements became effective after the Three Mile Island-2 accident in 1979.

Why does the rule require States to consider the use of potassium iodide instead of mandating its use?

The NRC will not require use of potassium iodide by the general public because the NRC believes that current emergency planning and protective measures--evacuation and sheltering--are adequate and protective of public health and safety. However, the NRC recognizes the supplemental value of potassium iodide and the prerogative of the States to decide the appropriateness of the use of potassium iodide by its citizens.

The NRC believes the final rule together with the decision to provide funding for the purchase of a States's supply of potassium iodide strikes a proper balance between encouraging (but not requiring) State authorities to take advantage of the benefits of potassium iodide.

By requiring consideration of the use of potassium iodide, the Commission recognizes the important role of States and local governments in matters of emergency planning.

This rule applies to States and Tribal governments that have a nuclear power plant within their borders and populations within the 10-mile emergency planning zone and to local governments designated by States to request funding for potassium iodide.

What does it mean for a State to consider the use of potassium iodide?

A State considering the use of potassium iodide would at least review the regulation (66 FR 5427; January 19, 2001 ), the Federal Policy on the Use of Potassium Iodide , the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines "Potassium Iodide as a Thyroid Blocking Agent in Radiation Emergencies." , the FEMA guidelines, and the NRC disclaimer, and would briefly deliberate the State's position on the use of potassium iodide by the general public in the unlikely event of a severe nuclear reactor accident.

In NRC's experience, States periodically review their emergency preparedness plans to ensure that the plans are up-to-date and account for the possibility of changed circumstances in any locality. The NRC expects that States that routinely schedule periodic reviews of their emergency preparedness plans would consider use of potassium iodide during their first scheduled review. NRC expects that States that do not routinely conduct such reviews would consider the use of potassium iodide whenever they schedule periodic emergency preparedness exercises.

What kinds of things should States consider in deciding whether to incorporate the use of potassium iodide in their emergency planning?

Considerations to be evaluated by the State and local authorities in deciding whether to institute a program for the use of potassium iodide by the general public include the following:

• Whether potassium iodide should be distributed to the general population before an accident occurs or as soon as possible after an accident occurs?

• Whether the risks of exposure to radioactivity will be lower if the evacuation of the general population is initiated (with or without the use of potassium iodide) or if the general population is sheltered and the administration of potassium iodide initiated?

• How potassium iodide will be distributed during an emergency?

• What assumptions should be made about its actual availability and use in the event of an incident if potassium iodide is predistributed?

• What medical assistance will be available for the individuals who may have some adverse reaction to potassium iodide?

• How medical authorities will advise the population to take potassium iodide and under what circumstances this advice will be given, i.e., methods for public education, information, and instruction?

• How the authorities will provide potassium iodide to transient populations?

What are the recommended dosages of potassium iodide?

The FDA is the Federal agency responsible for decisions about appropriate thresholds and dosages for use of potassium iodide. The FDA published their final guidelines on the use of potassium iodide and included revised dosages and intervention levels, "Potassium Iodide as a Thyroid Blocking Agent in Radiation Emergencies." Additionally, the FDA has published guidance on Home Preparation Procedure for Emergency Administration of Potassium Iodide Tablets to Infants and Small Children and also answered Frequently Asked Questions on Potassium Iodide (KI) . Current Status. To facilitate use of KI in emergency situations, on December 23, 2002, the FDA published Guidance for Industry KI in Radiation Emergencies - Questions and Answers .

Can individual members of the public obtain potassium iodide?

The FDA has approved potassium iodide as an over-the-counter medication. As with any medication, individuals should check with their doctor or pharmacist before using it.

Why is KI only being provided to the 10-mile EPZ around nuclear power plants?

The population closest ( within the 10 mile EPZ) to the nuclear power plant are at greatest risk of exposure to radiation and radioactive materials. The purpose of radiological emergency preparedness is to protect people from the effects of radiation exposure after an accident at a nuclear power plant. Evacuation is the most effective protective measure in the event of a radiological emergency because it protects the whole body (including the thyroid gland and other organs) from all radionuclides and all exposure pathways. However, in situations when evacuation is not feasible, in-place sheltering is substituted as an effective protective action. In addition, administering potassium iodide is a reasonable, prudent, and inexpensive supplement to both evacuation and sheltering. When the population is evacuated out of the area, and potentially contaminated foodstuffs are interdicted, the risk from further radioactive iodine exposure to the thyroid gland is essentially eliminated.

Why is the NRC only providing two KI tablets per person?

The tablets are to be used, if necessary, to supplement evacuation or sheltering. After individuals have evacuated the area, then they will no longer be exposed to significant quantities of radioiodines. The KI tablets, if taken at the appropriate dosage and time, block the thyroid gland, preventing uptake of radioactive iodine. Any radioactive iodine taken into the body after consumption of KI, will be rapidly removed from the body. The two tablets will provide approximately 48 hours of protection to the thyroid gland.

Will KI be effective in case of a terrorist attack or dirty bomb?

If a terrorist attack either at a nuclear power plant or with a "dirty" bomb, radioactive iodine would have to be released in order for potassium iodide (KI) to be needed. Potassium iodide protects the thyroid gland only against the internal uptake of radioiodines.

A nuclear power plant will make protective action recommendations based on current emergency plans, which may include the recommendation to take KI as a supplement to evacuation and/or sheltering. In the case of a dirty bomb, protective actions will be made according to the threat presented. If the bomb contained radioactive iodine, then the use of KI may be appropriate. However, radioactive iodine is not considered to be a viable component of a dirty bomb due to its relatively short half-life and the difficulties in obtaining significant quantities. More information on dirty bomb and response to terrorist activities can be found on the Nuclear Security and Safeguards web page.

FAQ Potassium Iodide by FDA

In November 2001, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a final "Guidance on Potassium Iodide as a Thyroid Blocking Agent in Radiation Emergencies." The objective of the document is to provide guidance to other Federal agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and to state and local governments regarding the safe and effective use of potassium iodide (KI) as an adjunct to other public health protective measures in the event that radioactive iodine is released into the environment. The adoption and implementation of the recommendations are at the discretion of the state and local governments responsible for developing regional emergency-response plans related to radiation emergencies. The recommendations in the guidance address KI dosage and the projected radiation exposure at which the drug should be used. This guidance updates FDA’s 1982 recommendations.

Editor’s note: I bought our potassium iodide for everyone at the office from http://www.iherb.com

Top

  Our Rating System
  = poor
  = fair
  = good
  = very good
   = excellent