Indoor Air Quality: The Situation
Optimal Living®: The Solution
How To Purchase
Air Purification Technology Glossary - Definitions
ADVANCED OXIDATION PROCESS: Oxidation is a chemical reaction in which an oxidant breaks down a contaminant. (The advanced oxidation process in the Optimal Living® products use ultraviolet light rays to react with ozone, water vapor, and a catalyst target to form super oxide ions and hydroperoxide radicals resulting in superior bacterial killing power over traditional methods.)
ANTIMICROBIAL: Destroying or inhibiting the growth of microorganisms.
BACTERIA: [pl. of bacterium] Bacteria are microscopic unicellular prokaryotic organisms characterized by the lack of a membrane-bound nucleus and membrane-bound organelles. Bacteria were the only form of life on earth for two billion years. They are remarkably adaptable to diverse environmental conditions. Bacteria are found in the bodies of all living organisms and on all parts of the earth.
BACTERIOSTATIC: Inhibiting the growth and reproduction of bacteria.
CATALYST: Substance that can cause a change in the rate of a chemical reaction without itself being consumed in the reaction; the changing of the reaction rate by use of a catalyst is called catalysis.
CORONA DISCHARGE: Corona can be defined as a type of localized discharge that results from high, non-uniform electric fields. It causes deterioration of the insulator and sometimes causes complete breakdown. A corona discharge is capable of producing oxides of nitrogen, which are pollutants, and generates electromagnetic radiation that may disturb radio and TV reception. The obvious ways to detect a corona are by sight and sound. At high voltages, corona produces visible light and audible noise. Corona can also be detected by using various types of measuring equipment. When observed, corona may appear as a faint glow. (The Optimal Living® products do NOT use corona discharge. Rather, they use an ultraviolet lamp to produce light energy as a photocatalyst. While powerful enough to create the advanced oxidation process, the UV lamp does not create oxides of nitrogen that can be irritating to the lungs and eyes.)
ELECTRON GENERATION: Causes pollutants to be removed from our breathing space and dropped to surfaces where they can be vacuumed or cleaned up. Electron generation does not produce an Electro Magnetic Field, such as high power lines or microwaves. The Optimal Living® products use a unique dielectric chamber for electron generation that produces an electrostatic field that emits electrons into the surrounding air. The electrons emitted into the air reduce the static charge inside rooms. These electrons agglomerate with positively charged particles to become heavier, neutrally charged particles. Because these particles are now heavier, gravity is able to take over and pull the particles to the ground. And, because they are no longer positively charged, they do not resist settling onto horizontal surfaces (which are normally positively charged).
ELECTRO MAGNETIC FIELD (EMF): In general, when electric charges move in a non-steady manner, the electric and magnetic fields that surround them change in a non-steady manner. The disturbances of the “electro-magnetic field'' travel outward from the source at the speed of light. (The Optimal Living® products do NOT produce an electro-magnetic field. It only produces an electrostatic field that sends electrons into the air.)
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA): Agency of the U.S. government, with headquarters in Washington, D.C. It was established in 1970 to reduce and control air and water pollution, noise pollution, radiation, and to ensure the safe handling and disposal of toxic substances. The EPA engages in research, monitoring, and the establishment and enforcement of national standards.
FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (FDA): Agency of the Public Health Service division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is charged with protecting public health by regulating food, drugs, dietary supplements, cosmetics, and medical devices to to ensure these products are safe, effective (if applicable) and truthfully labeled.
FUNGI: Fungi belongs to the kingdom of heterotrophic single-celled, multinucleated, or multicellular organisms, including yeasts, molds, and mushrooms. Previously classified in the plant kingdom, fungi are nonmotile, like plants, but lack the vascular tissues that form the true roots, stems, and leaves of plants. Unlike algae or plants, fungi lack the chlorophyll necessary for photosynthesis and must therefore live as parasites or saprobes. Typically they release digestive enzymes onto a food source, partially dissolving it to make the necessary organic or inorganic nutrients available. Some fungi are pathogenic to humans and other animals. Some molds, in particular, release toxic chemicals called mycotoxins that can result in poisoning or death.
GAS (GASES): In physics, gases are one of the three commonly recognized states of matter, the other two being solid and liquid. A substance in the gaseous state has neither definite shape nor definite volume. Like liquids, gases are fluids and assume the shape of their containers. Unlike liquids, they will expand to fill any container, regardless of its size. All gases condense into liquids or solids when sufficiently cooled or compressed.
HEPA: High Efficiency Particulate Air (filter) is a disposable, extended medium, dry type filter with a particle removal efficiency of no less than 99.97 percent for 0.3 micrometer particles.
HVAC: Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning system. A system for regulating the temperature, humidity, cleanliness, and distribution of air.
HYDROPEROXIDE RADICAL: A group of atoms consisting of a compound containing the monovalent group OOH that is considered an entity in various kinds of reactions.
IAQ: Indoor Air Quality refers to the quality of the air in the indoor environment. This may also be referred to as Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ). Typical symptoms of poor IAQ may include headaches, eyes and/or skin irritation, nasal congestion, and dry and/or irritated nose or throat.
INHALATION: Breathing. Once inhaled, contaminants can be deposited in the lungs, taken into the blood, or both.
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION: Air pollutants that occur within buildings or other enclosed spaces, as opposed to those occurring in outdoor, or ambient air. Some examples of indoor air pollutants are nitrogen oxides, smoke, asbestos, formaldehyde, and carbon monoxide.
ION: An electrically charged atom. An atom that has lost one or more of its electrons is left with a positive electrical charge; those that have gained one or more extra electrons are left with a negative charge.
IONIZATION: The process of converting molecules wholly or partly into ions.
IONIZER: A product that emits ions. Negative ions can be produced by copying any of the ways that nature uses ultraviolet (lamps), radioactive sources etc. In most cases, the methods are too dangerous, too expensive or just impractical. For this reason, most manufacturers use the method called "corona discharge" which is similar to lightning. A high voltage (but at extremely limited current, for safety) is applied to one or more needles. Electricity is a flow of individual electrons. And these electrons, supplied by the internal circuit, are pushed down the needle towards the point. The nearer they get to the point, the closer they become forced together. Electrons naturally repel each other, so as they reach the tip, the pressure becomes too much and they "jump" off, onto the nearest air molecule, turning it into an ion. By adjusting the voltage level, the needle profile and the various materials used, this process can be made very efficient. As the negative ions repel each other, they are driven from the needles as a gentle breeze, forming a dense "cloud" in front of the ionizer.
MICROBES: See Microorganism. Grouped by physical and behavioral characteristics, microbes fall into the following major categories: viruses; bacteria; protozoa; and, fungi. Not all microbials are removed or reduced by Optimal Living® products.
MICROBIAL: Of, relating to, caused by, or being microbes.
MICROORGANISM: A microscopic organism, especially a bacterium, fungus, or a protist.
MOLD: A common term for microscopic forms of fungi; a growth of fungi forming a furry patch, as on stale bread or cheese. See also spore. Mold and fungi are organisms with rigid cell walls but no chlorophyll. The most common indoor molds are Cladosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Alternaria. All molds may cause allergic reactions in humans sensitive to mold. Molds will grow anywhere indoors where there is moisture and a food source. Many building materials provide this needed food source - many consist of cellulose materials that are particularly suitable for mold growth when they are wet. Examples include paper and paper products, cardboard, ceiling tiles, wood, and wood products. See also: Stachybotrys chartarum
MVOCS: Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds are volatile chemicals produced by the metabolism of fungi and bacteria.
MYCOSTATIC: Of or relating to a mycostat (an agent that inhibits the growth of molds).
MYCOTOXIN: Certain molds (such as Aspergillus, Fusarium, Penicillium, Chaetomium and Stachybotrys) release chemicals during their metabolic cycle called mycotoxins, which can be toxic to humans and animals. These chemicals can be found in the mold spores, within the mold itself, and in the materials that the mold is growing. Inhalation of mold spores or dust containing mycotoxins can result in human
exposure with potentially severe heath effects.
NEEDLEPOINT IONIZATION: One of the methods of ionizing air. When a high voltage is applied to a conductive surface that is not grounded, electrons will build up until they find a place to “jump off.” A sharply pointed surface, such as a needlepoint, allows the electrons to easily escape and ionize the air surrounding the point. The type of ionization produced (positive or negative) depends on the type of electrical charge applied to the needlepoint.
OZONE: Oxygen with an extra, loosely held oxygen atom that aggressively attaches itself to organics and microbials and thereby oxidizes the organics and microbials. Ozone is formed when ultraviolet radiation or electrical discharge splits the molecule of the stable form of oxygen (O2). Ozone is one of the three allotropes (forms) of oxygen.
PARTICULATE: A state of matter in which solid or liquid substances exist in the form of aggregated molecules or particles. Airborne particulate matter is typically in the size range of 0.01 to 100 micrometers. Particulate matter is a suspension of fine solid or liquid particles in air, such as dust, fog, fume, mist, smoke, or sprays. Particulate matter suspended in air is commonly known as an aerosol.
PHOTOHYDROIONIZATION: The process of ion formation utilizing radiation energy (specific forms of light, such as ultraviolet light) and water.
PHOTOHYDROIONIZATION MODULE: The PhotoHydroIonization Module contains the unique ultraviolet (UV) lamp and a tri-metallic catalyst. The UV light energy strikes the target and combines with moisture and ozone in the module to create hydroperoxide radicals and super oxide ions resulting in antimicrobial, bacteriostatic, and odor control of indoor air. This Advanced Oxidation Process is contained within the module treating the contaminants drawn into it, and emitting fresh, clean air. While the super oxide ions and hydroperoxide radicals are used up in the process, some excess, very low levels of ozone may be emitted with the treated air.
PHOTOCATALYTIC OXDATION (PCO): A chemical reaction influenced or initiated by light that removes electrons from a catalyst and adds those electrons to a compound.
STACHYBOTRYS CHARTARUM: (also known by its synonym Stachybotrys atra) is a greenish-black mold that may produce a mycotoxin. Areas with excessive moisture that are subject to temperature changes are ideal for Stachybotrys to grow. Because the spores of Stachybotrys are wet and slimy, they do not get into the air easily unless the material it is growing on is physically disturbed (for example, if the material is cut or ripped out.) Most of the time, the spores of Stachybotrys get spread around by becoming attached to building or home dust, the bodies of insects or rodents or by getting washed away in running water. Growth occurs when there is moisture from water damage, excessive humidity, water leaks, condensation, water infiltration, or flooding and typically grows on materials with high cellulose content, such as fiberboard, drywall, newspaper, gypsum board, wood, cardboard, paper, dust, lint, dropped ceiling tiles, wall paper and wallboard. Stachybotrys does NOT grow on plastic, vinyl, concrete products, or ceramic tiles (like in the shower) and is NOT found in the green mold on bread. After the area dries, the Stachybotrys will not continue to grow, but the black dust caused by the fungus can be sucked up by the furnace blower and spread throughout the house. Be sure and check your basement for mold even if you do not use your basement. If you do not have access to the basement, ask your landlord for assistance. Consult a professional when dealing with this type of mold - do not attempt to extricate it with Optimal Living® products.
SUPEROXIDE ION: An ion formed by the combination of one molecule of dioxygen (O2) and one electron (e-).
TRI-METALLIC CATALYST: A suspension of three metals specially coated on the targets in the Photo-Ionization Module that, when struck by ultraviolet light, produce photocatalytic oxidation, leading to the advanced oxidation process.
TOXIN: Any poison produced by another living organism (usually a bacterium) that can damage the living body. See Mycotoxin.
UL CERTIFICATION: Underwriter’s Laboratory is an organization that tests and certifies electrical devices and appliances for consumer safety. (Although UL certification is not mandatory, a seller is responsible for ensuring the safety of the product he sells). Optimal Living® products have been tested by UL and complies with the electrical and mechanical requirements of the UL 867 standard.)
ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT (UV): The portion of the electromagnetic spectrum extending from the violet, or short-wavelength, end of the visible light range to the X-ray region. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is undetectable by the human eye, although when it falls on certain materials it may cause them to fluoresce—i.e., emit electromagnetic radiation of lower energy, such as visible light.
VOCS - VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS (OR CHEMICALS): Chemicals containing carbon are called organic. Volatile means that they evaporate or get into the air easily which make them easier to breathe in. Examples of common VOCs include benzene and trichlorethylene., and organics produced by microbes. See MVOCs.