Effects-Of-Vaping

Healthy Air | Wellness |

Health Effects of Vaping

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In the last decade, we have seen the rise in popularity of vaping and e-cigarettes.

Vaping and Its Effects

“Electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, include e-pens, e-pipes, e-hookah, and e-cigars are known collectively as ENDS—electronic nicotine delivery systems. According to the FDA, e-cigarettes are devices that allow users to inhale an aerosol containing nicotine or other substances. Unlike traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes are generally battery-operated and use a heating element to heat e-liquid from a refillable cartridge, releasing a chemical-filled aerosol.” –American Lung Association

What’s the Harm in Vaping?

E-cigarettes are marketed as a safer alternative to combustible tobacco products. They are considered as a “safer” way to consume nicotine.

New research, however, is challenging that belief with more evidence about the risks of these products:

  • Highly addictive
  • Exposure to toxic Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
  • Inflammation of the lungs
  • Pneumonia
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Irreversible lung damage/ lung disease
  • Increased risk of heart attack

Environmental Impact of Vaping

Aside from the obvious health risks, our environment and air quality are also feeling the ill effects of e-cigarettes.

There has been a huge push in recent years to stop the use of single use plastic products like straws and k-cups, and yet e-cigarettes are just as environmentally irresponsible. Each JUUL cartridge, or pod, contains 200 puffs and is intended for a single-use.

Here’s a warning from Yogi H. Hendid, a postdoctoral researcher at the Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education at the University of California, San Francisco, with a background in environmental philosophy and public health: “[E-cigarettes and vaping products’] endocrine-disrupting plastics, lithium-ion batteries, and electronic circuit boards require disassembly, sorting, and proper recycling and disposal. Their instructions do not say anything about disposal. Electronic waste (e-waste) already presents a daunting environmental quandary and is notoriously difficult to recycle. When littered, broken devices can leach metals, battery acid, and nicotine into the local environment and urban landscape.”

As the debate over how to regulate this e-cigarette epidemic continues, it is just as important to consider the environmental effects as well as the immediate and secondhand effects of the products.

Sources:
https://truthinitiative.org/research-resources/emerging-tobacco-products/3-ways-juul-harms-environment

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/5-truths-you-need-to-know-about-vaping

https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/e-cigarettes.html

https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/Pages/Teens-Who-Use-E-Cigarettes-are-Exposed-to-Carcinogenic-Compounds.aspx

https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/10/health/vaping-outbreak-2019-explainer/index.html

https://theconversation.com/e-cigarettes-and-a-new-threat-how-to-dispose-of-them-105096

It’s Time to Care About Healthy Air
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healthy air solutions

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Guide to Aprilaire Air Purifiers – Healthy Air Solutions to Fit Your Needs

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Click play to listen to the Guide to Aprilaire Air Purifiers – Healthy Air Solutions to Fit Your Needs.

Are you and your family breathing the best air possible?

Air quality can vary based on where you live, and each region of the country deals with certain risk factors throughout the year.

Bringing in fresh air from the outdoors is an important part of creating a Healthy Air environment in your home. Crucial to that ventilation process is filtering out pollution and allergens before distributing the air throughout your home.

No matter if you live in a house or an apartment, you want your living space to be filled with fresh, filtered air. And Aprilaire wants to help you get there with our guide to air filtration solutions to fit your lifestyle.

The State of Your Air
We’re shining a light on the link between
local weather and air quality.

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Aprilaire Whole-Home Air Purifiers

Whole-home air purifiers work behind the scenes to keep the air in your home fresh every day, helping remove dust, pollutants, and odors.

Aprilaire Whole-Home Air Purifiers can be installed as part of your home’s central heating and cooling unit, or specifically in the basement, attic, or closet. To match the amount of space being purified by whole-home units, you’d have to buy multiple single-room units, which can cost more and be less efficient in the long run.

Some whole-home units can even be programmed through your thermostat, giving you the ability to schedule “event-based cleanings” that increase the level of purification when you’re cooking or cleaning or want a quick refresh before having company over.

It’s Time to Care About Healthy Air
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Aprilaire Room Air Purifier

If you live in an apartment or any other space where you can’t make permanent changes to the structure, consider adding a room air purifier to keep things fresh.

The Aprilaire Room Air Purifier removes airborne dust, pollen, mold spores, germs, and pollutants, so you can refresh the air in any room of your living space. Plus, the portable design makes it simple to move from room to room.

If you have a whole-home air purification system in your home, you can still benefit from using single room units. They may be helpful in high traffic areas like the living room and kitchen, or in a bedroom to ensure quality air while you sleep.

If you have pets, adding a room air purifier to their areas can help cut down on lingering odors, dander, and hair.

Filter Options

For both whole-home and room air purifiers, you’ll likely have the choice of what filter to use. If possible, you should always opt for MERV 16 air filters, which can trap up to 99%* of asthma and allergy triggers, and 96%* of virus-sized particles.

Aprilaire filters can save you time and money. While traditional air filters need to be changed every 1-3 months, Aprilaire filters are effective for 6-12 months before they need to be replaced.

Check out the Aprilaire Filter Buying Guide to see your options for purifying the air in your home.

 *Contaminants removed based on air passing through the filtering system

variants

AA Homepage Articles | Healthy Air |

Mechanical Ventilation and Vaccinations Recommended Against Variants

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While it may feel to some like the war against COVID-19 is over, the Delta variant is spreading through both vaccinated and unvaccinated populations. Subsequently, there are other variants being monitored by the World Health Organization. As pharmaceutical companies and health officials try to stay ahead of these variants, mechanical ventilation can serve as a trusted and effective solution since we spend 90% of our lives indoors. 

Ventilation Emerges As A Solution Against Variants

Throughout the last one and a half years, the HVAC industry has continued to work in tandem with major health organizations and prominent health scientists to showcase the benefits of Indoor Air Quality. COVID-19 made the invisible visible and accelerated the need for more research and data about the benefits of better indoor air especially as it relates to our workspaces, schools, homes, and the symphony.  

Prestigious Organizations Recommend Ventilation and Vaccinations

Several engineers and health scientists make the case for ventilation and air filtration in this Scientific American article. 

According to a recent Nature article, bringing up ventilation levels to the recommended amount “had the same mitigating effect as a vaccination coverage of 50% to 60%.”

Ventilation and vaccinations are also recommended by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to reduce the risk factor of airborne viruses. 

How Mechanical Ventilation Works

Mechanical ventilation works by pulling in freshly filtered air from the outside while moving stagnant indoor air out. It filters the outdoor air, balances its humidity, and dilutes indoor air of other contaminants like dust, seasonal allergies, mold, volatile organic compounds, and odor. These contaminants can leave you and your family feeling ill and fatigued, and contribute to sleep issues. 

Aprilaire Healthy Air System™

For effective year-round virus protection, the Aprilaire Healthy Air System™ combines fresh air ventilation, air filtration, and humidity control. This award-winning, whole-home system captures, dilutes, and rids the air of airborne viruses, variants included, to keep you and your family safe. Our American-made system comes equipped with a 5-year warranty to keep your all-purpose investment protected. 

Additionally, the Aprilaire Healthy Air System™ can help protect your home from pests, wood warping and rotting, and wasted energy. If left unaddressed, these could lead to high energy bills, expensive repairs to your HVAC system, and even replacements.

Invest in greater health, virus protection, fewer allergens, more productivity, and better sleep.

Learn More

Breathe The Fullness of Life with Aprilaire Healthy Air Pros

To Breathe the Fullness of Life with Aprilaire and get Aprilaire Indoor Air Quality solutions inside your home, contact a local Healthy Air Pro.

Healthy Air Is on the Way

Find an Aprilaire professional near you.

Note: Aprilaire products are not intended to cure or treat any known airborne diseases. They can help in the reduction of airborne virus particles indoors. Continue to follow guidance from local public health officials, the CDC, and the World Health Organization about indoor and outdoor public gatherings. 

American Lung Association

Aprilaire Partners Logged In Homepages | News |

Breathing Healthy Air: Interview with the American Lung Association

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At Aprilaire, we encourage breathing Healthy Air because we know it benefits your overall health. The American Lung Association knows it too. That’s why Aprilaire air filters are the National Proud Partner of the American Lung Association*, playing a key role in the fight to improve lung health and prevent lung disease.

We got to interview National Senior Vice President of Development Sally Draper about the importance of Healthy Air and how both Aprilaire and the American Lung Association are working together to help you Breathe the Fullness of Life.

Could you introduce yourself for the readers and tell us about why you chose a career with the American Lung Association?

“I joined the Lung Association in 2014 because I was attracted to its comprehensive mission—to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. Every day we help Americans breathe easier through our efforts to fund innovative research, advocate for policies that protect our lungs, and educate patients, caregivers, providers, and the public with science-backed information. We were founded more than 115 years ago, and the needs are greater today than ever before, including the youth vaping epidemic, climate change, and COVID-19!”

Can you tell us about the American Lung Association’s mission?

“The American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. Our work is focused on four strategic imperatives: to defeat lung cancer; champion clean air for all; improve the quality of life for those with lung disease and their families; and create a tobacco-free future. Whether it’s searching for cures to lung diseases, keeping kids off tobacco, or advocating for laws that protect the air we breathe, the work of the American Lung Association helps to save lives every day.”

How did Aprilaire and the American Lung Association come to work together in the first place? What does that relationship look like presently?

“Aprilaire and the American Lung Association forged a new relationship in 2018. We quickly realized how much we had in common. Our partnership was developed as we saw an opportunity to educate and help more consumers improve the air in their homes to create a healthier environment.

Since 2020, Aprilaire has been a Proud Partner of the Lung Association with its 4” residential air filters. Additionally, Aprilaire joined the Lung Association as our FY20 National Fight For Air Climb Partner For Healthy Air. The company has also supported the Lung Association’s “Stand Up For Clean Air” campaign. As part of this initiative, we are driving conversations around air quality, climate, and health. The Lung Association invited people to share their #MyCleanAirStory—knowing that when people realize climate and air quality are impacting the health of their neighbors, friends, and loved ones—they are more willing to act. Aprilaire provided prizes for the #MyCleanAirStory contest, including one grand prize of a whole-home Indoor Air Quality upgrade (the Aprilaire Healthy Air System™) and nine Aprilaire Room Air Purifiers. This year, the company stepped up once again to sponsor the Wisconsin Fight For Air Climb in Milwaukee. Also in 2021, the Lung Association welcomed Dale Philippi, President and CEO of Research Products Corporation, Aprilaire’s parent company, to the Lung Association’s Wisconsin Leadership Board of Directors.”

Tell us about the Fight For Air Climb.

“The American Lung Association’s Fight For Air Climb is the nation’s premier stair climbing challenge. At 38 events nationwide, children and adults of all ages participate in this celebratory stair-climbing adventure. Pre-pandemic, the Fight For Air Climb was held in several of our country’s most iconic skyscrapers. This year, the Lung Association invited participants outdoors for a one-of-a-kind adventure to support healthy lungs and clean air. In fact, Dale was among the company’s team of more than 50 employees that climbed the stairs at Milwaukee’s American Family Field on May 22nd, proving he puts his feet, time, and talent behind causes he supports.

Aprilaire has been a stalwart partner in the Fight For Air Climb, promoting the event to employees, customers, trade partners, family, and friends. Through this unique vehicle, the company is engaging individuals of all ages to understand and celebrate the importance of Healthy Air.”

Aprilaire’s air filters are a National Proud Partner of the American Lung Association. How do you feel our mission aligns with yours?

“Our CEO, Harold Wimmer, has said, ‘Breathing should not be an uphill battle, but for many it is… no one should have to fight for air on a daily basis.’ Similarly, Dale has declared, ‘We believe everyone deserves to breathe Healthy Air.’ As a National Proud Partner, Aprilaire’s mission to enhance everyone’s health by improving the air in their homes aligns very closely with that of the American Lung Association, champion of clean air for all.”

What are the benefits of breathing Healthy Air and what are everyday things that people can do to Breathe the Fullness of Life?

“Clean air is essential for healthy lungs. The American Lung Association works to ensure that the air we breathe is clean and safe from harmful pollution. In fact, every year we publish our State of the Air Report, which looks at two of the most widespread and dangerous air pollutants, ozone and fine particulate matter. Our 2021 State of the Air Report found that more than 4 in 10 Americans—over 135 million people—are living in places with unhealthy levels of ozone or particle pollution.

One of the most important things you can do to Breathe the Fullness of Life is to keep sources of pollution out of your home. Check out these commonsense tips on Lung.org. Additionally, ventilation helps reduce indoor air pollution, but it works best if paired with keeping known sources of air pollution out of the building. For tips on how to use ventilation to protect your lung health, check out our section on Ventilation: How Buildings Breathe.”

Fight for Healthy Air

At Aprilaire, we believe everyone deserves to Breathe the Fullness of Life, and we’re not the only ones that feel this way. Through our Proud Partnership with the American Lung Association, we aim to fill every home with Healthy Air. Both Aprilaire and the Lung Association believe that breathing Healthy Air should be available to everyone, and maintaining healthy Indoor Air Quality is an important step for your lung health. Read more about our partnership and the efforts of the American Lung Association on their website.

*Disclaimer: The American Lung Association does not endorse any product, device, or service.

St. Vincent de Paul

AA Homepage Articles | News |

2021: Aprilaire’s Good Neighbor Values

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We take the importance of caring for others to heart at Aprilaire. We believe we have a purpose beyond the individual work we do and that being a successful company also means “Being a Good Neighbor.” It’s one of our core values, and something we put into action each year.

We remain committed to helping our local communities in a number of ways, including financial contributions and volunteering. In the past, we’ve raised funds to provide pack-n-plays to mothers in need, volunteered at local blood drives, and held various donation drives throughout the year.

While our partnership opportunities may look different in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re excited to continue our work with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, whose mission statement reads:

“A membership organization, the Society began working in Madison in 1925 with two parish-based groups of members serving their neighbors in need. Today, programs the Society operates in Dane County include a large customer-choice food pantry, a charitable pharmacy, storage for the goods of persons who are homeless, seven thrift stores offering direct charity, housing at Port St. Vincent de Paul and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton House, and several other forms of assistance for people struggling with poverty.”

We’ve been working with St. Vincent de Paul – Madison since 2014, giving us a number of incredible opportunities to give back and live out our mission of being Good Neighbors.

We believe the work they’re doing to provide assistance for our community is more important than ever right now, which is why it’s our honor to be a 2021 Platinum Sponsor for St. Vincent de Paul’s 6th Annual Care Café fundraising breakfast on May, 5th 2021. The theme is “Love Made Visible.”

They’re going virtual this year, which means they have unlimited capacity to reach their goal of $140,000. If you live in Dane County, we encourage you to attend the virtual event and support our neighbors in need through your contributions to the food pantry, free pharmacy, and housing programs.

 Click here for more information on St. Vincent de Paul – Madison to see how you can get involved.

Or find a charity in your area that you may be able to connect with to make an impact.

flights

AA Homepage Articles | News |

Experts Say Flights Can Resume, But Bring Increased Risks

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Air quality experts say that it is safe to resume flying, but travelers must take advanced precautions before traveling like taking shorter flights when possible, wearing masks, and social distancing. 

In an opinion piece for The Washington Post, Joseph Allen, an assistant professor of exposure assessment science at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, makes the case that airplanes do not make you sick. In fact, airplanes have comparable levels of air filtration and fresh air ventilation to a health care facility. 

Flights May Be Less Comfortable With Recommendations

He argues that airlines should continue disinfecting high-touch areas such as armrests and tray tables, stop in-flight food service, mandate mask-wearing, and ask patrons to keep their above ventilation fan on throughout the flight. While these adjustments make flying less enjoyable, they can help reduce in-flight virus transmission. Masks are currently required on public transportation. 

Allen is not the only one saying it is safe to resume flying. 

‘Safer Than Eating At A Restaurant’

Linsey Marr, an engineering professor at Virginia Tech, in a CNN article writes, “When HEPA ventilation systems are running on a plane and everyone is masked, the risk of Covid-19 is greatly reduced and makes air travel on a big jet safer than eating at a restaurant.”

Activities Create Biggest Risks

She and Allen argue that the biggest risks in airline travel stem from activities like the pre-flight boarding process or when a flight is delayed and people are stuck on the plane. Marr, who has been wearing an air quality monitor when she travels, said CO2 levels are elevated during these aforementioned activities and are indicative of a lack of fresh air ventilation. 

Marr told CNN that “A CO2 (carbon dioxide) level of 3,000 ppm means that for every breath I take in, about 7% of the air is other people’s exhaled breath…like drinking someone else’s backwash!”

The airport also presents other problems for travelers.

Allen suggests airports create more touchless experiences, upgrade their HVAC system, and require masks. Some updates have already been implemented in some airports or will be implemented in the future. 

Other experts suggest carrying your own personal hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, and sticking to shorter flights. 

Even though there are risks to flying, Marr and Allen say you are clear for takeoff this summer.