Is the air you breathe healthy? According to the World Health Organization 40% of all buildings pose a serious health hazard due to indoor air pollution. The EPA is calling indoor pollution the #1 pollution problem in America. The following is a list of common indoor pollutants, and some of their sources, that can be neutralized by using an Aranizer^TM.

DUST, POLLEN, AND OTHER ALLERGENS

Allergies are an overreaction of the immune system to foreign substances. When the body overreacts to common substances such as dust, fibers, animal dander, pollen, and molds, it puts undue stress on the body's immune system, making you more susceptible to dangerous attacks by harmful viruses, bacteria, molds, and fungi, etc. Many people suffer from allergy symptoms that unknowingly drain their energy and take a toll on their immune system.

CHEMICAL FUMES AND VAPORS

Indoor pollution can sometimes exceed "maximum safety levels" that were established for toxic-waste sites. Many of the new synthetic fibers and fabrics, plastics, insulation materials, glues and other adhesives, solvents, paints, stains, cleaning substances, deodorizers, and various aerosols have been linked to the growing "sick building " phenomenon. Used inside the home or office these items are constantly saturating the air you breath with harmful chemical fumes and vapors.

MOLD AND FUNGUS

Mold and fungus can be more than an unsightly nuisance for some have been shown to be pathogenic microorganisms that create or contribute to allergies and can cause many ills, ranging from athlete's foot to the fatal Legionnaires' disease. Most molds thrive on moisture and are often visible around bathroom fixtures, but dangerous molds can grow in unseen places such as air conditioners, humidifiers and heat exchangers and find its way into the air you breathe on a daily basis.

TOXIC GASES

Toxic gases such as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and oxides of nitrogen can be produced by such things as gas stoves, heaters, kerosene heaters, attached garages, fireplaces and electrical appliances. These gases can be fatal in large amounts but in small doses they can inhibit healthy respiration and drain your energy.

BACTERIA

Bacterial infections are common due to the fact that bacteria is so abundant in our environment. The overuse and abuse of antibiotics in our society combined with weakened immune systems has lead to dangerous antibiotic-resistant bacteria. We will likely see more strains of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the future.

VIRUSES

Viral infections are on the rise for similar reasons as mentioned above. Stronger, more resistant viral mutations are occurring every day and weakened immune systems are providing the means for proliferation of many seemingly new viruses that actually have been around for a long time. The Epstein-Barr virus is also known as the mono virus and lies dormant in the body similar to the AIDS virus activating when the immune system is weak. EBV has been linked to the increasing number of cases of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and may be evidence of the immunological deficit that our society is in from over exposure to toxins.

SMOKE

350,000 Americans die each year from smoke-related illnesses such as cancers, emphysema, and heart disease. Cigarette smoke ages the lungs and respiratory system and contains more than 3,000 toxic chemicals and gases. Passive smoking has been linked to increased cancer, heart disease and lung disease. Involuntary smokers have been shown to have decreased respiratory function and increased respiratory illnesses.

ODORS

Besides being annoying, odors have been shown to have a direct affect on emotions. The olfactory nerves are closely tied in with the endocrine system which controls our emotional states. The same way the smell of a particular perfume may bring back the memory of a special night, offensive odors (even ones which you might have become accustomed to) can dramatically influence the way you feel and act. Spray deodorants only cover up odors and add to indoor pollution.

OUTDOOR POLLUTION

If that weren't enough, most of the outdoor air pollution unfortunately finds it way indoors. 98% of our air pollution is made up of five major pollutants, carbon monoxide, sulfur oxides, hydrocarbons, particulate matter and nitrogen oxides.

"Ions are charged particles in the air that are formed when enough energy acts upon a molecule, such as carbon dioxide, oxygen, water, or nitrogen to eject an electron. The displaced electron attaches itself to a nearby molecule, which then becomes a negative ion. It is the negative ion of oxygen that affects us most. Remember that feeling you've experienced near a waterfall or high in the mountains? Those are two such places where thousand of negative ions occur. They create an effect on human biochemistry."

"The normal ion count in fresh country air is 2,000 to 4,000 negative ions per cubic centimeter (about the size of a sugar cube). At Yosemite Falls, you'll experience over 100,000 negative ions per cubic centimeter. On the other hand, the level is far below 100 per cubic centimeter on Los Angeles freeways during rush hour."

"While ionization of the air is mandatory in many European and Russian hospitals and work places, it has only recently come to light in our country with the growing problem of toxic air in our urban environments."

"Whole Self", Spring 1991, an article entitled "Ions and Consciousness".

From a transcript of CBS News 2/14/95 6:30-7:00 PM, with Connie Chung.

Dr. Bob Arnot:

" If the blustery winds of winter blowing across the nation this week are bringing you down, there's good reason. Researchers now believe that the ill winds strip away highly charged subatomic particles called Negative Ions from the air around us, contributing to a seasonal form of depression. Here's why. Level of brain chemical responsible for mood, called serotonin, are often lower in cases of season depression. Serotonin levels can be elevated by increased exposure to light or by antidepressants like Prozac. Researchers say negative ions may also increase brain levels of serotonin. A study in the current "Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine" concluded that 58 percent of patients treated with high-density negative ions had significant relief of their symptoms, almost identical to the number improved with drugs, but without drug side effects."

"...For psychological state, negative ion exposure appeared associated with feeling better about self, less sensitive, and more responsive or innervated [energized]."

From:August, 1982 issue of "Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine" entitled "Subjective Response to Negative Air Ion Exposure."

"...Results indicate that subjects had faster reaction times and reported feeling significantly more energetic under negative-air-ion conditions that under normal-air conditions."

From October, 1981, Human Factors entitled "The Influence of Negative Air Ions on Human Performance and Mood,"

"... The introduction of a negative ion generator increased the subjective rating of alertness, atmospheric freshness, and environmental and personal warmth. Ions reduced the complaint rate for headache by 50% and significantly reduced the number of complaints of nausea and dizziness. "

December 1981, "Journal of Environmental Psychology" entitled, "The Influence of Air Ions, Temperature, and Humidity on Subjective Well-being and Comfort,"

"Studied the effects of artificial negative or positive ionization of the air on the performance of psycho motor tasks with 45 18-26 year-old healthy males...Three testing environments were used: natural, negative, and positive ionization. Negative ionization was associated with a significant increment in performance as compared to controls."

April of 1978, in the science journal "Ergonomics", article entitled, "Air Ions and Human Performance".

REDWOOD CITY - A case of the blahs at work may really be a case of the VODS

VODS stands for Video Operator Distress Syndrome, and the troublesome malady is not uncommon of the millions of workers who use computer video display terminals. Those who work too close to the face of a cathode ray tube or who work before a terminal for too long a time typically experience increased fatigue levels, eye strain, blurred vision, skin rash, headaches, back pains, irritability, anxiety, depression and general apathy. While the cause of these symptoms may also be a depleted bank account, domestic troubles or a tyrannical boss, they can be caused by the computer terminal, Wallach said. The culprits that cause the VODS are positive ions or charged molecules of air, created at the face of the video display terminal. What are needed in the work place, Wallach explained, are negative ions. In contrast to positive ions, negatively charged molecules of air, or negative ions, promote a sense of well-being for people. Negative ions are typically found in the natural environment at the seashore, near waterfalls and in pine forests, Wallach explained. "Every place people like to be is rich in negative ions," Wallach said. Video display terminal operators need their negative ions. "In weighing the evidence, I am convinced that the aero-electrostatic qualities of an indoor environment are the most significant single factor in the control of unavoidable air pollution," Wallach said.

"The Peninsula Times Tribune", By William Johnson Times Tribune Staff