YOUR BIRD'S ENVIRONMENT

- The Down and Dirty About Clean Air -

Introduction

Recently I have had an increased number of questions dealing with the dust and dander produced by birds. Everyone wants to know what type of air filter I recommend. It is reported that 90% of the indoor pollution in our homes and offices is invisible. Birds are even more susceptible to the air pollutants than mammals because of their more efficient and more sensitiverespiratory system. I spent the last two years looking at several different models to determine their efficiency. I researched several publications including Consumer Reports (CR) and reports published by the American Lung Association (ALA). I have tried a couple of different units and was not satisfied with their performance.

Pollutants

The basis behind pollutants in the air revolve around electricalcharges in the environment. Synthetic materials such as those that make upour floors, ceilings, and walls all have a positive charge. Nearly all of the particulate matter, pollutants, and microorganisms in the air also have a positive electrical charge. Since like charges repel, we end up with these particulates and pollutants suspended in the air.

Air Cleaners

Basically there are two groups of air cleaners:

Devices that attempt to filter the air.
Devices that attempt to ionize the air.

Filtering Devices

Filtering devices are generally equipped with a fan that is designed to suck polluted air into a collection box through a filter which is supposed to remove the particulate matter. Then, clean air is expected out of the other side of the collection box. There are a few problems related to thisdesign.

First, the unit can clean only the air that can be brought into the box. This creates a bottleneck effect, especially with a large volume of air needing to be cleansed. Second, as soon as air is pulled into the collection box the filter starts becoming impacted with pollutants and the efficiency of the filter drops dramatically. Therefore, the filters need to be changed frequently to maintain any efficiency. Frequent filter changes can become very expensive, especially with the HEPA filters.Third, as pollutants sit on this filter, molds, fungi, and bacteria cangrow on the filters and may be blown into the room air.

Electrostatic air cleaners utilize a similar mechanism. A fan pulls air into a collection box through a pre-filter. Anything that is not captured by the pre-filter is electroplated to metal plates and charged with electricity. What comes out the other side is positively charged air and ozone. You need to know that the ALA has reported that ozone is corrosive to the respiratory tract of all living beings. It was also reported in CR October 1992 that ozone is very harmful and devices that produce ozone should be avoided.

Ionization Devices

Ionization devices attempt to neutralize the positive static voltage in theair by generating a preponderance of negative ions. Ion generators have avery low functioning capacity. They are unable to handle large volumes ofair or large quantities of pollution. The design of this type of aircleaner involves exposed "needles" which produce a corona discharge. You can witness this discharge if you turn out the lights and watch themachine. You will see small electrical discharges firing across theneedles. These discharges produce ozone, that again, is caustic to therespiratory tract. In addition, this method of ionization overcharges the air and surrounding items (i.e. furniture, carpet, drapes, clothing, walls,etc.). These articles become highly negatively charged which makes them acollecting plate for dirt, dust, and other particulates.

Test Findings

After assimilating all of this information and testing a couple ofdifferent types of systems, I finally found one that I could trust and relyon. It is the most efficient, safe, affordable, and easily maintained unit of all of the ones that I looked at. It is a sealed unit with no exposed electronics and it does not produce ozone. It works by producing a negative field effect. The particles can no longer remain in suspension and can be carried away via the central duct system or vacuumed away easily.

This unit is able to remove microorganisms (bacteria, fungi,molds, and viruses), dust, smoke, odors, static electricity, and all other pollutants by effectively eliminating positive static voltage in a 2000(two thousand) square foot area. All other types of units that I looked atwere only able to produce their effects in the room in which they we relocated. This unit is able to remove heavy pollution such as cigarette smoke and other heavy pollutants that the other equipment was not able to tolerate. In this particular machine there is no filter that must be changed and there is no noise produced that can be heard beyond 5 (five)inches from the machine. It is easy to install and operate. You simplyplug it in, turn it on, and enjoy fresh, clean air.

Credits

Some of the preceding facts and information were furnished by Carlton Schreiner, president of Environmental Physics Corporation, a company devoted to the study of the effects of air pollution and how to control and prevent it.

Recommendations

I am very confident with this product and recommend them not only to my clients with birds, but to all of my friends, family, and acquaintances. I recommend it to you, too.

If you have questions about ordering or would like to receive a free brochure, you may contact me at:

: Mesa Veterinary Clinic; c/o Marv. Hamman, DVM; 1124 20 lane.; Pueblo, Colorado 81006; Phone: (719) 542-6075
: Email:

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LAST UPDATE: 7:03 PM 7/11/99 revised 5:12 AM 11/26/00 revised: 2:02 PM 3/14/01