How to Avoid Christmas Allergies

Dr Rajiv Sahay, FIHA, CIAQP Director of Laboratory Services with Environmental Diagnostics Laboratory (EDLab) warns that fresh Christmas trees and poinsettias along with stored boxes can stir up potential allergy triggers like dust and mold.  "The past decorations that have been stored in attics and/or basements are very dusty and may trigger allergic type reactions,” stated Dr Sahay.

Dr. Sahay, world reknowned microbiologist/microscopist recommends following tips to help people who suffer from allergies and asthma:

• Artificial Tree: “Natural Christmas trees contain a lot of dust, mites, pollen and other allergens that can aggravate nasal passages,” Dr. Sahay recommends an artificial tree to severe allergy suffers
• Natural Tree:  “If you want to stay with tradition and buy a home-grown tree hose it down with the water, then let it dry outside before brining it inside removing many of the allergens on the tree,” recommended Dr Sahay. "The water in the tree stand is stagnant allowing mold and bacteria to grow.  You may want to siphon out the old water and replace it with new each week," comments Dr. Sahay.
• Housekeeping:  “During the holiday’s increase your normal housekeeping around the Christmas tree and make sure your vacuum cleaner has a true HEPA filter” recommends Dr. Sahay.
• Avoid Scented Candles and Oil: Dr. Sahay feels that the “fragrances can irritate the sinuses and respiratory system causing allergies and asthma to flair.”
• Remove Interior Fresh Plants and Flowers: "Moist soil encourages the growth of mold propagules which can become airborne” Sahay indicated.
• Humidifiers: Keep humidity close to 50% as best possible
• Large Plastic Bins: “Last but not least store all decorations in large plastic bins keeping them dust-free during the off-season. Before brining in the bins back into the home for thje new season wipe them down with 10% bleach solution to remove the past years allergens,” recommends Dr Sahay.

If you are unsure if you have taken the effective corrective actions you can purchase a DIY test kit at www.IndoorAirTest.com to determine the baseline allergen conditions in your home and around your Christmas tree.  For more information contact Building Health Check at 1-727-572-4550 ext 404.  Kits can be purchased at a number of fine retailers across the country including www.IndoorAirTest.com,  Grainger and Sears.

About Environmental Diagnostics laboratory (EDLab):

The Environmental Diagnostics Laboratory (EDLab) (established in 1992) at Pure Air Control Services (PACS) is an AIHA accredited environmental lab # EMLAP 102795 offering complete and comprehensive indoor environmental microbiology laboratory services. They include: microbiology, aerobiology, chemistry, allergen assays and microscopy designed to meet all your indoor air needs. EDLab supports IAQ investigations by assisting with strategic sampling plan development and supplying media collection equipment while performing a wide range of environmental analyses.

The company’s expanding client roster includes the General Services Administration (GSA);US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Allstate Insurance; Carrier Air Conditioning; US Naval Air Warfare Center, Orlando; and Naval Air Station - King's Bay, Georgia, and many other Fortune 500 companies, school boards, and city, state, and county governments, making Pure Air Control Services/EDLab the reliable industry leader in IAQ.

For more information on EDLab at Pure Air Services, Inc. please contact Dr. Rajiv Sahay or Alan Wozniak at  (800) 422-7873 301 or 802 respectively, or visit www.edlab.org