Being surrounded by lots of people, in varying degrees of health or sickness, enclosed in a small, contained area, using recirculated air for several hours can lead to germ exposure. According to David Dale, M.D., FACP, president of the American...
The pH scale is a measurement of the acidity or alkalinity of a substance. The scale ranges from zero to 14, with zero being extremely acidic and 14 being extremely alkaline or basic. Pure water has a neutral pH of 7, but our bodies are healthiest...
An air purifier removes harmful particles from the air. Electric air purifiers use advanced technology to do so. These devices are beneficial if you suffer from allergies or respiratory disorders. You can use air purifiers as stand-alone units in...
Pollutants lower the air quality inside your home. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or EPA, defines two types of indoor air pollutants, gases and particulate matter. Gases include combustion gases and organic chemicals not attached to...
Drinking tainted water can have adverse effects on your health. Water can become contaminated with microorganisms, chemicals, radionuclides and disinfectants. Particulates in water can give it an unpleasant taste and odor. Carbon block water...
Air ionizers are a popular method of cleaning indoor air and improving air quality. They work by sending high velocity ions into the air. When these ions collide with airborne pollutants, they pass on their static charge, which endows the affected...
Ingrown hairs are caused by the ends of hairs becoming trapped underneath the skin, which then become infected and pus-filled. Because ingrown hairs closely resemble whiteheads and acne pustules, many people unknowingly try to pop and pick at...
An uneven skin tone can be caused by acne breakouts, autoimmune diseases, skin damage from a sunburn, or as a side effect from a medication. When the skin tone appears blotchy and uneven, it can make the complexion seem sallow and unhealthy....
To preserve your lung function and prevent chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), don't start smoking. If you've ever known someone who is on oxygen, having surgery or suffering due to COPD symptoms and complications, you know you want to...
Individuals exposed to second-hand smoke have increased risk of developing respiratory illness, asthma and allergy. Cigarette smoke impairs the integrity of the lung epithelial layer and facilitates the penetration of allergens by compromising the...
An air purifier is a machine that removes harmful particles from the air. An electric unit uses advanced technology. Modern electric air purifiers are based on technology used in the original electrostatic precipitator created by Frederick G....
Someone who would never pick up a cigarette sitting next to someone smoking in a closed room will experience many of the same effects as the smoker. Called "second-hand smoke" or "environmental tobacco," breathing in smoke from someone smoking...
Water purification systems remove particles and contaminants from drinking water. Public and private water supply systems may need additional treatment to ensure better water quality and purification devices eliminate chemicals, organisms and...
Ingrown hairs are caused by the end of a hair becoming caught underneath the skin while it continues growing. The area typically becomes infected and pus-filled, often causing people to try to pick or pop the infected area. This leads to damage...
Pimples are characterized by the appearance of blackheads, papules, pustules and cysts on the skin. When pimples contain dark spots in the center, they are classified as blackheads. The dark coloration is caused by sebum, oils and bacteria...
Homes hooked to a municipal water supply usually receive treated water, according to West Virginia University's National Environmental Services Center. Some households further treat their water by running it through a water softener or other...
Air pollution can be naturally occurring or it can be man-made. You can take steps reduce the presence of natural allergens such as pollen, dust and pet dander indoors. Reducing outdoor air pollution, more typically associated with the...
Dark pores are caused by impurities becoming trapped inside the skin. These impurities, including sebum, excess oil, dirt and bacteria, become lodged inside the pores and are oxidized, turning the pores brown. Often referred to as blackheads, dark...
Acne can be seen on the skin in many different forms, including blackheads, papules, pustules, cysts and nodules. If acne is severe enough, or if it is picked or popped too frequently, it can cause the skin to become scarred and damaged. These...
Acne can erupt anywhere on the skin, including on the face, neck, chest and back. When back acne appears, it can be difficult to treat because of its hard-to-reach location. This can result in infection and acne scarring. Acne scars and...
Your lungs are protected from adverse conditions by a variety of defense mechanisms. Running in extreme weather can result in short-term discomfort, but will not often cause permanent damage. Asthma can aggravate the discomfort and increase your...
The immune system and lungs of infants are immature. When these children are exposed to environmental tobacco smoke, they are at higher risk of developing allergies and asthma than infants who are not exposed. Exposed infants may develop allergic...
Your kidneys filter toxins, waste and other impurities from your blood. Like all filters, your kidneys can become choked with a buildup of particulates over time. This can lead to conditions like kidney stones and nephritis. To cleanse your...
Skin discoloration causes the skin to exhibit areas that are darker than the surrounding skin. Skin discolorations can appear on the skin because of a health ailment, psoriasis, acne blemishes, chickenpox or an injury, and can be eliminated by...
Rain barrels are an excellent way to collect and store water without needing to deplete other water supplies. The stored rain water encourages both environmental protection and economic efficiency. The water has many uses, including washing,...
Skin blemishes happen to most people at some point in their lives. There are many types of skin blemishes, including pustules, blackheads and cysts. Blemishes and black spots on the skin can cause the complexion to look blotchy, dull, and more...
HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Arresting filters. Originally used by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission in the 1950s to remove small radioactive particles, they are now common in both residential and commercial locations. The primary...
The N95 medical mask is a type of disposable respirator that may be used in a medical or industrial setting. Both types of N95 function by filtering out particulates in the air before they reach your respiratory system. Both the FDA and the...
Clean, safe drinking water is second only to oxygen on the list of things we need to survive, and luckily, in this country, it's something most of us can take for granted. But ensuring that our fresh water supply is free from contaminants and...
Vaginitis is a general inflammation of the vaginal mucous membranes and is a common problem. Get expert tips and advice on preventing, diagnosing, and treating vaginitis in this video.
