Indoor Air Quality

Desert living can be a great choice for individuals who love being able to see beautiful landscapes while enjoying dry, warm weather. However, while avoiding harsh winters and never-ending rainy seasons can seem like paradise for many people, there are some challenges that desert living can produce.

One of the primary issues with living in desert areas has to do with the impact of dry air and the resulting impact of low indoor air quality. It’s important for homeowners to know how to properly address these issues to ensure they’re living in more comfortable and healthier conditions.

The Problem with Desert Air

Many people love the feeling of living in a warm climate, but the desert air can also present a number of problems for homeowners.

Dust

If you’ve lived in a desert climate for any amount of time, you no doubt have already invested in a great vacuum or dusting kit. Deserts are inherently dusty environments, and it can be very hard to keep a home clean from sand and dust collecting on blinds, air ducts, and floors.

The challenge with this dust is that once it gets disturbed and the microscopic particles that make it up enter the air, they can stay in the air for quite some time and be inhaled as you breathe. Long-term exposure to high levels of dust in your home can actually irritate your lungs and could lead to an increased risk of developing certain respiratory issues.

Allergens

Even those desert areas may seem like they’re too dry to contribute to allergies, the reality is most deserts still have many common allergens. Dust mites and even pollen produced by desert plants and flowers can quickly circulate through windy regions and enter into homes.

During rainy periods, mold spores that often lie dormant during the year can quickly start to proliferate and lead to strong allergic reactions for individuals who might be sensitive to them.

Dryness

Desert living is great for individuals who prefer warm, dry air. However, the dryness of the air in these areas can actually lead to various issues with an individual’s skin and immune systems.

When the air lacks moisture, it can often lead to very dry nasal passages and cracked skin. These can lead to a number of skin issues and make it more difficult to sleep. Living in an area that is too dry can also weaken the body’s natural defenses against certain airborne viruses and bacteria.

Dry air can also irritate the lining of the respiratory system and make some individuals more prone to coughing or nasal congestion.

Improving Indoor Air Quality in the Desert

The challenges that living in desert areas brings should leave homeowners running for the hills. There are a number of steps that can be taken to improve the indoor air quality of homes, including:

Air Filtration

Filtering your home’s air through your HVAC system is one of the first lines of defense against low air quality. Since your air conditioning system is likely to be running more often in desert climates, your air filters will play an important role in reducing or eliminating many airborne pollutants.

To ensure your filtering the air the best you can, it’s important to invest in high-quality filters with a MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating of at least 13. These types of filters are certified to capture even the smallest particles that pass through your HVAC system and will help to eliminate airborne dust, allergens, and other respiratory irritants.

Air Purifiers

 

To supplement the air filtration of an HVAC system, standalone air purifiers are a great solution for improving the air quality in each room of your home. HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) air purifiers are capable of removing over 99% of all airborne particles and are portable enough to be discreetly placed anywhere.

For individuals who have increased sensitivity to strong odors, chemicals, or smoke, purifiers with activated carbon filters can achieve the same level of purification as other HEPA solutions.

When looking for the best solution for your home, look for purifiers that are certified by organizations like the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) to ensure the unit is as efficient and effective as advertised.

Controlling Humidity

Maintaining a certain level of humidity in your home is actually a good thing. Humidifiers are portable devices that come in a wide range of sizes and can add moisture to the air in the room. Having sufficient moisture in the air helps to improve breathing, improve the quality of your skin, and actually reduce the risk of catching certain virus strains.

The preferred humidity level of a home will vary from person to person, but the suggested level is 30-50%. As with an HVAC system, however, you’ll want to regularly clean and maintain your humidifier to avoid the growth of mold or bacteria.

Proper Ventilation

Ensuring your home gets proper airflow is another important way to improve the quality of the air you’re breathing in. Strategically ventilating the home during favorable outside conditions can help to keep the air indoors from getting too “stale” and allow more fresh air indoors.

Windows and ceiling fans can help to circulate the air you’re breathing as well as using exhaust fans when cooking and when having showers. The exhaust fans in your home actually help to reduce too much moisture or odor build up and are another important way to keep your home air clean.

Effective Tips for Ensuring Optimal Air Quality

Other than using HVAC systems and air purifiers, there are other effective tips you can follow to help ensure optimal air quality levels in your home.

Minimize Dust Collection

Dust naturally collects in all parts of our homes, regardless of where you live. However, the more dust that collects, the more likely it is to be disturbed and enter the air we breathe.

It’s important to have a regular cleaning routine in your home, including vacuuming with HEPA-filtered vacuums and using a damp cloth to remove dust buildup on surfaces. While having a clutter-free home is easy on the eyes, it also reduces the number of surfaces on which dust can collect.

The more regular you are at keeping your home clean, the less likely that you’ll be breathing in dust particles or other airborne bacteria.

Use Natural Cleaning Products

There are so many different cleaning products on the market today. Unfortunately, however, many household cleaners contain a variety of harsh chemicals that can cause a number of respiratory issues.

To keep the air pollution in your home low, you should choose natural cleaning products whenever possible. These solutions contain baking soda, vinegar, lemon, and essential oils instead of harsh chemicals.

Purchasing natural cleaning products, or even making your own, can help you reduce the amount of fumes in your home and keep your indoor air much healthier to breathe.

Purchase More Houseplants

Having houseplants in your home can be a great design choice, but they also provide hidden benefits. Many plants are natural air filters, absorbing many of the harmful pollutants in the air while also releasing oxygen.

Some examples of great plants for air purification include spider plants, peace lilies, and different types of palm plants. They are great for helping with air quality and are also a great decorative piece for your home.

Avoid Using Air Fresheners

Many people associate poor air quality with bad odors. And while it’s true that the common odors we smell in our homes are airborne bacteria, many people overcompensate by using air fresheners to eliminate them altogether. However, many air fresheners contain artificial fragrances as well as VOCs (volatile organic compounds) used to get rid of odors.

While they may make the air smell better, they can also contribute to more airborne chemicals in the home and lead to poor indoor air quality. A better solution is to neutralize odors naturally with homemade solutions, or home air diffusers that use natural oils.

In most cases, the odors come from a central source. Addressing the source of the problem directly, including cleaning the fridge or maintaining the home’s HVAC system, can help to fix the issue without contributing to poor air quality.

Monitor Your Home’s Air Quality

Because we all breathe involuntarily throughout the day, it can be hard to keep track of the air quality in our homes. Most of the time, individuals only consider the quality of air indoors when they notice something is wrong like smelling a strange odor, experiencing breathing issues, or when fighting a cold.

Investing in an indoor air quality monitor can be a great way to take a proactive approach to keeping your home more comfortable and healthy to be in. Air quality monitors can help you track humidity levels or even levels of particular matter and VOCs that you’re unable to detect on your own. This lets you adjust your air purification strategies based on the results you’re seeing.

Keep Your Home’s Air Quality as Clean as Possible

Desert living doesn’t mean you need to compromise on the air quality in your home. But in order to make sure your HVAC system is filtering the air the way it should, it’s important to have it checked and maintained by a reliable contractor. Contact us today at Sierra Air for a consultation and let us help you make sure your home’s air quality is what it should be.

The thought of pollution often triggers smog in cities, exhaust from vehicles, or black smoke coming from industrial buildings. But did you know that your indoor air can actually be much worse than the pollution outside?

Find out more about your indoor air quality, why it matters, and what you can do to keep it as clean as possible.

Why Does It Matter?

We often think of the outdoor air as being much dirtier than indoor air, but that’s not always the case. Outdoor pollution can be significant, but there’s evidence that the air within our homes and workplaces is more seriously polluted than the outdoors – and may come with bigger consequences.

According to the EPA, indoor air pollutants can cause a wide range of issues, ranging from respiratory irritation to serious health conditions like cancer or heart disease.

When your indoor air is clean, you’re not tasking your body with filtering out dust, pet dander, mold, and other contaminants, some of which you breathe in. You’re also less likely to suffer from severe allergies or complications with respiratory issues like COPD or asthma.

What Could Be in Your Air?

Wondering what’s lurking in your indoor air? Let’s find out.

Pet Dander

Pet dander consists of microscopic flecks of skin shed by cats, dogs, birds, rodents, and other animals with fur or feathers. When people have pet allergies, they’re usually a result of the pet dander, but they may also be triggered by saliva, urine, and sweat.

If you have any of these pets, you likely have pet dander in your indoor air that can end up in your household dust.

Dust

Dust is composed of dead skin cells, pet dander, bits of insects, and other particles. Dust mites are tiny insects that feed on dust.

Dust mites often live in mattresses, bedding, and upholstered furniture, but they can be found throughout your home. Dust mite allergens are among the most common indoor allergies and can trigger asthma and other breathing issues.

Mold

Mold can grow both indoors and outdoors, but it can enter your home via doorways, windows, vents, or clothing. For people who are sensitive to mold, it can cause throat irritation, coughing, wheezing, stuffiness, or eye irritation.

Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can be dangerous in high concentrations. A common combustion pollutant, carbon monoxide comes from unvented kerosene and gas space heaters, wood stoves, fireplaces, and gas stoves.

At high concentrations, carbon monoxide can be fatal, but at lower levels, it may cause symptoms like headaches, weakness, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue.

Lead

Lead was common in homes for millennia. Even as recently as the 1970s, lead was still used for household pipes, pots and pans, and paint, leading people to become sick. The US passed laws to reduce the use of lead during this period, but it’s still present in homes built before 1978.

When lead becomes airborne, it can enter your body when you breathe it in or swallow the particles. At high levels, lead can affect all systems of the body, causing convulsions, coma, or death. Even small exposure levels can have a negative effect on the brain, blood cells, kidneys, and central nervous system.

Radon

Radon is an odorless, invisible, radioactive gas that’s naturally released from rocks, soil, and water. Itcan enter homes through small cracks or holes, or it may build up in the air. The health risks associated with radon come from breathing in radioactive particles that can be trapped in the lungs, leading to tissue damage and lung cancer.

Volatile Organic Compounds

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are vapors or gasses with carbon that are volatile by nature. Many indoor products release VOCs, such as paints, stored fuels, wood preservatives, building materials, office equipment, disinfectants, furnishings, and indoor cleaning products.

VOCs are the most common contaminant in office and industrial settings. Short-term exposure can cause respiratory problems, allergic skin reactions, nausea, dizziness, and headaches, but long-term exposure can lead to nervous system damage, liver damage, and kidney damage.

How to Measure Indoor Air Quality

There are many ways to measure and test your indoor air quality, including:

Specialty Monitors

Specialty indoor air quality monitors provide high-quality professional testing to find out what pollutants you have in your home. These monitors can be pricey, but they test for multiple pollutants to ensure you have accurate, comprehensive results.

When we think of pollution, we often conjure images of city smog, exhaust from bumper-to-bumper traffic, or industrial smokestacks with dense black fog. But it’s not just the outdoor air we have to worry about – your indoor air can be just as polluted, if not more so, than the air outside.

Indoor air quality isn’t something we think about every day, but it’s vital to our health. Find out more about how to improve indoor air quality.

Indoor Air vs Outdoor Air

If you think the clean, enclosed air in your home is the safer bet than the air quality outside, think again.

According to the EPA, the levels of indoor air pollutants can be two to five times higher than outdoor levels. In some cases, indoor air pollutant levels can exceed 100 times the levels of outdoor air.

Indoor Air vs Outdoor Air Misconceptions

As mentioned, many people mistakenly believe that outdoor air is more polluted than indoor air because of car exhaust, industrial waste, and environmental allergens. Unfortunately, many outdoor pollutants can be brought into your home, and some are created by sources inside your home.

Worse yet, there’s less ventilation in indoor space, so pollutants can build up and lead to health problems. There’s no fresh air to dilute them, making the pollutants more concentrated and hazardous.

Sources of Indoor Pollution

There are many sources of indoor pollutants, including common items that are found in most homes. Household cleaning products and fumes from supplies or cooking, such as oil, gas, coal, and wood, can contribute to indoor air pollution. There are also extremely dangerous gases and degraded materials that can cause pollution, such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, asbestos, and insultation.

Health Effects of Indoor Air Pollution

Our lungs act as a filter for our bodies, drawing air in and removing pollutants. The more polluted that air is, however, the harder your lungs need to work to remove them. Whether polluted air is indoors or outdoors, it can have negative health effects.

Along with common pollutants like dust and pollen, your indoor air can harbor potentially dangerous contaminants like volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from upholstery or paint, carcinogens from cleaning supplies, and mold or cigarette smoke. There are numerous health problems that can arise from poor air quality, including:

• Asthma
• Respiratory problems
• Allergies
• Irregular heartbeat
• Decreased lung function
• Nonfatal heart attacks
• Premature death in people with heart or lung disease

Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality

Want to improve your indoor air quality? Here are some ways you can keep your home’s air fresh, clean, and healthy.

Change the AC Filter

Air conditioners work hard to keep your home comfortable in the summer heat and filter out some common air pollutants. While they do their job, however, the air filters are gathering dust, debris, and pollutants to prevent them from circulating through your home. If you don’t change your filters regularly, it can contribute to poor indoor air quality and add wear and tear to your AC system.

You can change your AC filters regularly or schedule regular AC maintenance, which typically includes a filter change. This is especially important if you live in an area with a lot of pollution.

Check Air Ducts

Air ducts on your HVAC system distribute the heated and cooled air through your home. Like the AC filter, your air ducts gather dust and debris through regular use, which can lead to a lot of buildup throughout the system. The air is circulated, bringing that dust and dander back into your home and hurting your air quality.

A professional air duct cleaner should be part of your regular HVAC maintenance plan to ensure your system is pumping out fresh, clean air throughout your home.

Use Cooking Vents

The kitchen is a big culprit in harming your indoor air quality with pollutants, including carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide. Though gas stoves release a lot of contaminants, electric stoves are still responsible for some indoor air pollution.

When you’re cooking, turn on your kitchen vents and open a window to ventilate the area and release the pollutants. Otherwise, they can be absorbed by your body.

Open Windows

Letting fresh air in is one of the best ways to improve your indoor air quality. Though it may seem counterintuitive to open your windows in the winter and let the heat out, it’s best to do so on occasion to improve ventilation and reduce the humidity that dust mites require to survive.

Use Home Air Purifiers

Cleaning regularly cuts down on dust and dander, but what about the allergen particles in the air? Home air purifiers can remove almost all the pollutants in your home by drawing in the dirty indoor air, filtering it, and releasing cleaner, fresher air. It’s especially helpful to have an air purifier during the allergy seasons, which are typically late spring to early summer.

When you’re shopping for air purifiers, look for ones with a high clean air delivery rate (CADR). The higher the CADR, the quicker the unit will filter the air.

Purchase Indoor Plants

Plants are natural air filters. Though you need a lot of plants to truly freshen the air, even a few plants – combined with other improvements – can help with your indoor air quality. Consider a mix of smaller and larger plants, such as potted ferns and large palm trees.

Control Humidity

Most indoor pollutants thrive in heat and moisture, including your bathrooms and basement. Try to reduce indoor humidity by opening the windows to release condensation and showering with the bathroom door closed.

If you struggle to control your indoor humidity, especially in the basement or other high-moisture areas, invest in a dehumidifier. This small investment can go a long way in reducing the humidity in your home.

Looking for indoor air quality solutions? Contact us at Sierra Air to schedule your appointment!

A MERV rating is an HVAC air filter rating guide to help you pick the right air filter for your home. When you breathe in polluted air, you’re breathing in tiny particles of dust and dirt that can trigger allergies, asthma, and other health problems.

The efficiency of your heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system has a lot to do with the filter you use. Air filters come in different sizes, shapes, designs, and MERV ratings.

We’ve put together some information to help you understand more about MERV ratings and why choosing the right filter is essential.

What is a MERV Rating?

The term “MERV” stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value and was developed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).

The society created this standard in the 1980s as part of its effort to improve indoor air quality through better ventilation systems.

The MERV rating of a filter indicates its ability to capture fine particles such as dust, pollen, smoke, and other particulate matter. A higher MERV rating means the filter can better capture these particles.

Understanding a MERV Rating

How much dust and pollen are in your area? The higher the amount of dust in the air outside your home, the higher the quality air filter you should select.

The higher the MERV value, the more efficiently the filter removes particles from the air. MERV 13 and above filters are considered high-efficiency filters. They are well-suited for areas with high air pollution or with individuals who have allergies.

However, you don’t always need to buy the highest MERV-rated filter. Air filters with a high MERV rating trap large amounts of fine particles and can clog up your HVAC system. This causes the system to work harder and can break down more often.

Check with your local HVAC technician to find out which is the best MERV rating for your home’s needs.

MERV Ratings and Their Uses

MERV ratings are the industry standard for rating the filtration of your HVAC system. They measure how well an air filter can capture dust and allergens from the air passing through it.

MERV rating 1-7

A MERV rating of 1-7 indicates that a filter will remove larger particles but not smaller ones. This is why they’re typically used in places that already have good airflow, like factories and industrial settings.

Filters that only capture larger particles don’t use as much energy. But don’t be tempted to use a low-rated air filter in your home. You may save money, but you’ll also be putting your health at risk.

MERV Rating 8-13

Buying an 8-13 MERV-rated filter for your home’s central air conditioning system means you’ll get excellent filtration to keep your home’s air clean and clear of dust and other airborne particles.

<In a nutshell, the more pollution you want to remove from your home, the higher the MERV rating should be. For example, a MERV 13 filter can remove particles as small as 0.3–1 micron from the air.

MERV Rating 14-20

Hospital and laboratory air filters are designed for maximum efficiency, which means they have a very high MERV rating.

Hospitals and laboratories know how dangerous airborne pathogens can be to patients and staff. That’s why they often choose the highest MERV rating possible, because they want their air filters to capture as many particles as possible.

If you want to protect your family from smaller particles, opting for a HEPA filter is best.

Does a HEPA Filter Have a MERV Rating?

HEPA (high-efficiency particulate absorbing) filters have become the gold standard of home air purifiers.

They’re designed to remove up to 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns from the air, which helps reduce pollutants such as pollen, dust, pet dander, and smoke that triggers allergies or respiratory infections.

Some think a vacuum with a HEPA filter is enough to rid their homes of allergens and germs. But this isn’t always the case because they don’t capture airborne particles inside your house — like smoke or dust. A HEPA air purifier will help remove those particles while also cleaning the air around it.

Finally, your air filter won’t last forever, regardless of your MERV rating.

If you notice your HVAC unit producing more noise than usual or working harder, it’s time for a new filter.

Additionally, if you have any allergy symptoms, such as sneezing or watery eyes, then this may also be a sign that your filter needs to be changed immediately!

The bottom line is that air filters should be replaced on a regular schedule determined by the manufacturer or HVAC technician who installed them. Most filters need changing every few months. It’s a routine job and can be carried out during an HVAC tune-up.

Still trying to decide which air filter is best for your home? Contact the HVAC experts at Sierra Air for more help and information.

Get Rid of Home Gym Smells with These Simple Tips

Home gyms are great – they’re private and keep you fit without the hassle of traveling. However, the problem is home gyms can get a bit stinky if not looked after correctly.

Thankfully, there are some simple things you can do to keep that sweaty home gym smell at bay while you continue to enjoy your workouts.

What Causes That Home Gym Smell?

A dirty home gym can be an unpleasant experience for anyone who exercises there. When you sweat, bacteria from your skin, hair, and clothes can collect on surfaces and create a pungent odor that’s hard to eliminate.

Here are some reasons why your home gym might smell:

• There isn’t enough ventilation.
• Not wiping down the equipment after each use.
• Old towels and clothes are left lying around.
• Bins not being emptied regularly.
• Carpets and mats are not cleaned properly.

Remember to Clean Your Gym Equipment

Cleaning your home gym can be a daunting task. You may not have the time or energy to clean between every workout, but it’s important to keep your equipment, floors, and walls clean for your and your family’s health.

Here are some easy ways to keep your home gym clean –

• Sweep up loose dirt, hair, and other debris from surfaces after each workout.
• Wipe down equipment after each use. Use disinfecting wipes, or simply wipe with a damp towel followed by a dry cloth or paper towel.
• Clean up any spills immediately to prevent them from getting on floors, carpets, or equipment.
• Mop any hardwood floors regularly.
• Use a towel when working out, so drops of sweat don’t land on the equipment.

Choose a Space with Good Ventilation and Air Circulation

You don’t want your body smothered by stale air while you work out, so ensure there’s plenty of ventilation in your home gym. This means opening windows or doors if possible (or turning on fans) so fresh air can come into the room.

If you have no windows in your gym, try using an exhaust fan in your home gym to eliminate bad smells and keep the air fresh. It’s also a great way to get rid of excess moisture in your space so that you don’t end up with mold or mildew on your equipment.

Use an All-Natural Air Freshener

No matter how much you shower before and after your workout, there’s nothing like the smell of sweat and body odor lingering in the air.

Thankfully, there are some easy ways to keep your gym smelling fresh without resorting to chemicals or other unnatural fragrances.

Essential oils are a natural way to infuse your space with different scents. They come in dozens of varieties, including citrus, floral, woody and spicy scents. The most popular ones include eucalyptus, lemongrass, and peppermint. You can get them in diffusers or as a spray that you squirt into the air as needed.

Remember to Clean Your Towels

Cleaning a sweaty gym towel is much like cleaning any other type of towel: You can either wash it in the washing machine or hand wash it.

Consider how often you’ll need to do laundry over a week. If you have time to do laundry every day or two, it’s probably better to wash your gym towel in the washing machine — it will take less time and effort than hand washing.

Use an antibacterial detergent and let your towel completely dry before reusing.

Invest in a Dehumidifier and an Air Purifier

If you want to keep your workouts safe and healthy, it’s important to clean up your air.

Dehumidifiers remove moisture from the air so that there is less moisture in the air for bacteria, mold, and mildew to grow on. They also help control humidity levels in your home gym, so sweat doesn’t build up on floors and equipment.

Air purifiers remove dust, pollen, and other allergens from the air so people with allergies or asthma can work out safely.

Check for Mold

Mold spores are everywhere. They float in the air around us and can get into your home through open windows, doors, and ventilation systems. Mold spores thrive on moisture, so it’s important to keep your home gym dry to prevent mold growth.

If you’ve noticed mold growing in your gym equipment or clothing, it’s essential to clean it up immediately so it doesn’t spread to other areas of your house.

Book an HVAC Tune-Up

If your HVAC system is not running efficiently, it’ll use more energy than it needs to. This can result in higher energy bills each month. Regular tune-ups help ensure your HVAC system is running at its best – which will help keep those nasty home gym smells at bay.

Need an HVAC tune-up? Contact the experts at Sierra and get your HVAC system in top working condition.

Winter is coming! Game of Thrones may be long over, but winter will never die. And while we’re lucky to not have the frigid winters a lot of the country has to deal with, shorter days bring chilly nights, and there’s no better way to warm up than with a cozy and festive fire. But before you light up, remind your family (and yourself) of some best practices for wood smoke and your home’s air.

How does wood smoke affect the air?

Anyone who lives out west is no stranger to the hazards of fire in relation to our home’s air quality. But is wood smoke from the fireplace or another alternative heating source the same story?

According to the EPA, wood smoke can contain trace amounts of harmful chemicals, gases, even tar. Breathing in these particles can aggravate the respiratory system and agitate heart and lung conditions, such as asthma. Cold, dry weather has a tendency to exacerbate these problems already, and there is emerging data that suggests that wood smoke can increase the risk of bronchitis or COVID.

How To Protect Your Indoor Air from Wood Smoke

Health risks can vary in severity from household to household, but whether you have a family member’s health conditions to take into account or simply want to preserve your home’s pure air, there are ways to prevent poor air quality.

Store Wood The Right Way

Keep firewood dry and out of the elements to reduce the possibility of burning off foreign substances. As a general rule of thumb, try to keep all firewood prepared (split, stacked, and covered up) for at least six months prior to burning.

Don’t Ditch Your Heater

The fireplace is no substitute for a modern heating system. Trying to force large amounts of heat through a fire only adds harmful gases to your air without heating your home as efficiently as an HVAC system will.

Contact Sierra Air Inc today at (775) 800-5500 to learn more about our indoor air quality solutions and heating services! Let us help you keep your home comfortable and safe this winter.

9 Plants That Are Toxic to Pets

While many plants can help improve productivity, boost your mood, and even positively impact your indoor air quality, there are a large number of common plants that can be extremely toxic to your pets. Keep these plants away from pets to prevent accidental poisoning.

1. Amaryllis: Contains toxins that can cause vomiting, depression, diarrhea, abdominal pain, hypersalivation, anorexia, and tremors.
2. Azalea/Rhododendron: Can produce vomiting, drooling, diarrhea, weakness, and depression of the central nervous system in animals. Severe azalea poisoning could ultimately lead to coma and death from cardiovascular collapse.
3. Chrysanthemum: If ingested they may produce gastrointestinal upset, including drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea. In certain cases, depression and loss of coordination may also develop if enough of any part of the plant is consumed.
4. English Ivy: If ingested by pets, can result in vomiting, abdominal pain, hypersalivation, and diarrhea.
5. Lilies: Highly toxic to cats. Even ingesting a very small amount of the plant can cause severe kidney damage.
6. Marijuana: Ingesting Cannabis sativa can result in depression of the central nervous system and coordination problems, as well as vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, and increased heart rate. Serious cases can lead to seizures and coma.
7. Oleander: Serious effects can include gastrointestinal tract irritation, abnormal heart function, hypothermia, and even death.
8. Peace Lily: Plants contain calcium oxalate crystals that can cause oral irritation, excessive drooling, vomiting, difficulty in swallowing, and intense burning and irritation of the mouth, lips, and tongue in pets who ingest.
9. Tulip/Narcissus Bulbs: The bulb portions of Tulipa/Narcissus spp. contain toxins that can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation, drooling, loss of appetite, depression of the central nervous system, convulsions, and cardiac abnormalities.

6 Pet-Safe Houseplants

Choosing the correct plants for your home and your furry friends can seem overwhelming, but there are safe, non-toxic choices out there. Try some of these plants that won’t harm your pets and can keep your home beautiful:

• American Rubber Plant, Peperomia obtusifolia
• Parlor Palm, Chamaedorea elegans
• Spider Plant, Chlorophytum comosum
• Zebra Haworthia, Haworthia fasciata
• Calathea, Calathea lancifolia
• Areca Palm, Dypsis lutescens

For simple ways to keep your indoor air quality clear and fresh without putting your pets at risk. Contact Sierra Air Inc for our many indoor air quality solutions! (775) 800-5500

What’s in a JUUL?

E-cigarettes use a product called an ‘e-liquid’ — this is what people inhale while vaping. There are many different ingredients that have been found in e-cigarettes, including:

• Nicotine – Addictive substance that can negatively impact adolescent brain development.
• Propylene glycol – Approved as a food additive but isn’t approved as a vapor. Some studies link those exposed to propylene glycol with respiratory irritations and restricted lung functions.
• Diethylene glycol – Toxin used in anti-freeze and has been linked to lung disease.
• Benzene – Volatile organic compound (VOC) found in car exhaust.
• Acetaldehyde – Carcinogen (a chemical known to cause cancer).
• Formaldehyde – Another common carcinogen.

In late 2019, thousands of e-cigarette users were hospitalized after an outbreak of a lung disease known as e-cigarette, or vaping, product use-associated lung injury (EVALI). An illicit chemical additive, vitamin E acetate, is closely linked to EVALI cases — the chemical has since been more heavily regulated and removed from most e-liquids.

Effects of E-Cigarette Use Indoors

Vaping (the act of smoking from an e-cigarette or similar product) has been advertised as being ‘healthier than smoking’ — but is this true?

How Do E-Cigarettes Work?

E-cigarettes heat the liquid housed in ‘pods’ in order to create an aerosol that is then inhaled. The cloud that is exhaled is typically thought of as water vapor, but in reality, it contains ultrafine particles that are as concentrated as particles found in traditional cigarette smoke. Toxic chemicals such as formaldehyde and acetaldehyde are formed as the liquid is heated into an aerosol for inhalation.

Are E-Cigarettes Healthier than Traditional Cigarettes?

Long-term research is needed to definitively determine the health effects of e-cigarettes and secondhand exposure, but preliminary data suggests that due to the release of toxic chemicals and particulate matter, e-cigarettes likely have a negative impact on indoor air quality over time. However, they are also proven to release fewer chemicals and toxic matter than the traditional cigarette.

So should you Juul indoors? If you or anyone in your family has asthma or any other respiratory ailment, the safest route is to avoid smoking anything indoors. Since there is still so much that’s unknown about electronic cigarette use, only time will tell.

Helping Your Family Breathe Easier

The average American spends approximately 90% of their lives indoors — protect your air quality and your family’s health by investing in indoor air solutions today! Whether you’re looking for high-efficiency media air cleaners, electronic air cleaners, or humidifiers Sierra Air Inc is your team to call. Contact us online or by phone at (775) 800-5500 to learn more about how we can help you improve your air quality!

Why is my indoor air quality bad?

There are many possible causes of indoor air pollution. Some are passive, while others are a direct result of our actions. Knowing what activities and habits negatively affect our air is essential to maintaining good indoor air quality.

Forgetting to Clean

Dust mites, dander, pet hair, and other airborne contaminants affect our air quality—thankfully, there’s a simple solution: cleaning!

Dust surfaces regularly to reduce your exposure to allergens. Be sure to use a microfiber cloth while dusting. Paper towels or regular cloth will just move the allergens around or redistribute particles into your air supply.

Poor Ventilation

Tired: recirculating the same air all season.

Wired: opening the windows to let fresh air ventilate your home.

A long winter can have a lasting effect on your air quality. Recirculating the same air throughout your home also recirculates and adds to airborne contaminants. Open the windows on nice days and use ventilation and exhaust fans in the bathroom and while cooking to keep your indoor air pure and fresh!

Using Artificial Fragrances

Most artificial fragrances in aerosol sprays (such as Febreze or Glade products) rely on chemicals and synthetic fragrances that cover up smells—but leave behind harmful chemicals. Scented candles have a similar issue. Many candles are made from paraffin wax which burns off and leaves volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the air.

Opt for an essential oil diffuser or candles made from soy or beeswax for a more natural and healthy way to rid your home of odors.

Pure, fresh air is essential for anyone who suffers from allergy or asthma symptoms, but everyone benefits from fresh air. Keep your air pure and clean with indoor air quality solutions from Sierra Air Inc! Contact our team online or by phone at (775) 800-5500 to learn more.

• Tree pollen
• Mold
• Dust
• Grass pollen

Our indoor air has never been more important than it has been in the past year, but what can you do to better protect your home and family from allergies?

How to Treat and Prevent Seasonal Allergies

The truth is, there are many different ways that you can reduce your allergies, but most practices fall into two categories: prevention and treatment.

3 Ways to Prevent Exposure to Allergens

Preventing any exposure to potential allergens is the best way to reduce your symptoms.

• Check the pollen forecast. Online weather tools can help you track pollen counts throughout the week. On days with a higher pollen count, stay indoors to prevent symptoms.
• Close windows and doors. Spring means nicer weather, and the urge to open up may be irresistible, but it could also mean opening your home up to pollen and other outdoor allergens.
• Pay attention to moisture. Moisture matters–pollen counts are highest after a rainstorm and in the early mornings. Avoid outdoor activities during these times to prevent triggering your symptoms.

Truthfully, it may be impossible to completely avoid environmental triggers–after all, the outdoors is one of the only places we can safely go right now! In instances where avoiding allergens is impossible, you’ll instead need to treat allergy symptoms (typically with an over-the-counter medication) ahead of time or after your symptoms set in.

Allergy symptoms like itchy, watery eyes, sneezing and nasal congestion, and a runny nose are a hassle to deal with no matter where you are—but dealing with allergy symptoms in your home?

Survive allergy season comfortably with indoor air quality solutions from the experts at Sierra Air Inc. Contact our team today at (775) 800-5500 to speak with a member of our team about how we can help you fight seasonal allergies at home.