Q-Mask for Gardening

A few days ago, I wrote about our U2 Sports Mask and how popular it is with the ATV crowd.  I mentioned that it is made from the same material as our Q-Mask, then I got to thinking that you might not be familiar with the Q-Mask. Wear the Q-Mask for gardening, vacuuming, cleaning, or sorting through old books and papers.

Q-Mask Repels Particles

The Q-Mask  is a very lightweight, reusable mask that you can use around the house when you are cleaning, vacuuming, or otherwise stirring up dust.  The filtering medium is designed to actually repel particles, so it doesn’t clog up.  It also doesn’t restrict your airflow while you breathe and it isn’t hot. It is pleated, so it provides a large filtering surface area in a compact space.

Won’t Fog Up!

Because I wear glasses, I like the way the mask conforms to the nose and cheeks so my glasses won’t fog up.  So many masks cause your glasses to fog up when you wear them.

Q-Mask for Mold and Dust

I first used the mask when I was helping hubby out on job sites.  As you may know, we owned an indoor environmental company that did air duct cleaning and mold remediation.  The Allergy Store started out as a sideline from that business!  Anyway, there were times that we needed extra hands to finish a job on-time and I provided those extra hands.  Depending on the job, we might be knocking down drywall and cleaning up after a demo necessitated by mold or just performing a routine air duct cleaning.  Either way, you need protection against the mold spores and other particles while you work.  I previously wore masks made by 3M but they were very hot, made it hard to breathe, and would fog up my glasses.  When we first tested the Q-mask, I knew we had a winner.

 

The Q-mask will stop particles as small as molds and in addition it stops pollens too.  Since we sold Absolute Environmental in 2006, I don’t need a mask for work but I still like to garden.  When mold and pollen counts are high the Q-Mask stops the particles so I can still be outside without triggering an allergic reaction.

Q-Mask for Cleaning

We used to sell the 3M mask each year to a teacher that would use it to clean up her classroom at the start of each year.  I sold her a Q-Mask several years ago and now I don’t see her anymore.  The good news for her is that the mask lasts for years and years so she doesn’t need to replace it.  The bad news for me is I don’t get to see her every year before school starts.  Maybe I shouldn’t be saying these good things about Q-Masks!

 

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Open Window Policy? Windows and Allergies

So I am riding in my car and a voice comes on the radio…..no, its not the lyrics to The Rolling Stone’s Satisfaction. It was someone giving really bad advice about windows and allergies.

Bad Advice on Windows and Allergies

This  really happened this past Saturday. I was listening to a home improvement show on the radio.  The topic was  controlling moisture and humidity in the home.  The “guest” was selling a device to increase air circulation (a really good thing) but she was making me crazy with the bad information she was giving in an attempt to sell her product.

windows and allergies are a problem if you are allergic to pollenShe talked about opening your windows on clear, dry, windy days to increase circulation and air out your home.  She stressed that this was important if you have allergies.  WRONG!  Windows and allergies only work well together when the windows are closed and keeping pollen out!

If you have allergies to pollen, the last thing you want to do is throw your windows open on clear, dry days. Especially windy days. That is when pollen counts are the highest.

Good Advice on Windows and Allergies
So what can you do?

If you really want to get the fresh air inside and keep the pollen out, you can use special air screens to repel the pollen.  The Micro-Air Screens are perfect. They allow you to open the window 8″ (enough to get some air circulation) and the special screen media will repel the dust and pollen in the air.  Because the screen repels the particles instead of filtering them, the media does not get clogged.  You can read more at  Air Screens for Pollen.

Just another thing to consider in your fight for clean indoor air!
Cheryl Krause
The Allergy Store

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Pollen – Little Particles Big Problems this Pollen Season

It is getting to be that time of year again.  Spring is in the air for much of the country and that means the beginning of pollen season.
Pollen Season Cycle
The pollen cycle usually begins with trees in the spring, transitions to grasses in the summer, and ends up with the ragweeds in the fall.
The pollens that cause allergy problems are carried by the wind.  They are the very light, white variety.  The plants with showy flowers and big yellow pollens are not the pollen problems.  Those plants use bees and insects to spread their pollens.  The real culprit is the plain, nondescript plant that is using the wind to spread its pollen.
Pollen Season Masks
We carry several masks and this time of year we get lots of calls about which one will work best for pollen.  Pollen is pretty large, as far as small particles go.  Wind-borne pollens can range from 30 to 200 microns.
If you want a great mask for wearing while working in the yard, the U2 Sports Mask is great.  It will stand up to rigorous activity and filters particles as small as 18 microns.  That is more than enough for particles.
If you want a mask that is re-usable and light-weight, you might want the Q-Mask.  It uses the same filtering media as the U2, but is a lighter design.  It also stops particles as small as 18 microns.  If you have pollen allergies, try to stay indoors in the early morning and early evening.  This is when pollen counts are the highest. Of course, when you come inside it is best to shower, wash your hair, and change your clothes.  Those light-weight pollens will hitch a ride inside if you aren’t careful.

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