Water Softeners and Air Filtration Systems - Urgently Need Air Filter Device for Bedroom

Do you have, or know anyone with dust related allergies?
Unfortunately, I've been an allergic person for decades.

The history of trying to control dust in my house is a
long and difficult story. We once had a "whole house"
air filter system that functioned very poorly. When it
died I junked it.

I've got a small barn in the back of my house that I
converted into a wood shop many years ago. Believe or
not, this shop is a little bit of heaven for me. I create
a lot of sawdust, which should be a big problem for an
allergic person. It's not, because I have a very powerful
dust collection system. The darn thing is big, noisy, and
ugly as sin, but it gets the job done!

I desperately need to resolve the dust problem in the
bedroom where I sleep. Like all bedrooms its loaded
with fabrics and paper products. Its got an attached
bathroom which makes the problem worse. I can use
up a box of Kleenex in one day! I keep a small vacuum
in my bedroom which I use almost everyday.

Recently, I did something incredibly dumb. I setup an
expensive desktop computer in my bedroom. I hate
TV, so the web is my source for news and information.
I made heavy vinyl covers to protect this computer
from dust. If I remove the covers for several hours
the monitor, keyboard, and all the peripherals get
coated with dust.

Air filter devices for the home are usually one of two
types. A blower or fan draws the air through a HEPA
filter. The other type has a set of metal plates or a
woven metal mat. A high voltage electrostatic charge
causes dust to cling to the metal. The vertical or
tower models (Ionic Pro, etc) use a series of plates.
When the plates are charged up a small convection
current is created which moves air through the plates.

I've tried both, even though I could not see how either
type would collect much dust. I purchased a Honeywell
drum style HEPA unit that was rated for a room 20%
larger than my bedroom. I kept it on the highest fan speed
for one week without turning it off. The bedroom door
was kept closed. When I checked the filter after a week
it was practically clean. I noticed no reduction in the
amount of dust spread around my bedroom. The unit
I tried that relies on a static charge was even worse.
I could see a miniscule coating of dust on the plates at
the end of one week. In other words, it collected almost
nothing.

These results are not surprising, to me anyway. If I take
a cup of sawdust and sprinkle it in front of a powerful
shopvac, I'd be lucky if half of the sawdust got sucked
into the drum. Anyone who works in a wood shop knows
how much suction power it takes to collect dust effectively.

The question I have is how can any of these filter devices
built for home use draw dust from every corner of a room,
when they simply don't have the power to do the job?

I know a lot of folks claim dramatic reductions in dust
with the HEPA and electrostatic units. Maybe the type
of dust in my bedroom has a very high static charge.
If this is so, I guess that would explain why these air
filter devices have failed.

At this point, I'm will to try almost anything. Help!

2009-01-22 20:44:22
Unless I missed it, you don't say the source of the dust in your bedroom. To cover your computer in a matter of hours doesn't sound like dust. Of course vacuuming, etc. can stir up as much as it picks up, unless it has a good filter. If you are reasonably diligent at house cleaning and stopping as much dust from enteringng your home as possible (people wiping feet, etc.), I might suggest a little bit of detective work. I have suffered from allergies all my life, and they have steadily gotten worse the last two years. At the same time, i have been fighting a losing battle with "gray dust", that many people call cob webs when it collects in corners on wisps on the walls and ceilings. However, as it has gotten worse, I have discovered this a fungus, and so far, no one has id'd it. I am in the process of "culturing" some of it to get a better sample to send to labs. You can hire soemone to do this (mold remdiators) or get the culture kits (petri dishes with media) that you culture for a few days to see if anything grows, and if so, send it to a lab to find out what it is. You can follow my progress at morgellonsrevealed.com if this interests you at all. If you do this, I would appreciate hearing waht you find out.

To your question about fitlers. I have sold all types of filters in my 25 years in the home medical equipment business, which dosns't make me an expert, but means I have access to pretty much all types, anda have tried them all. What I do now, aafter 20 years of experimenting, and including aggressively trying to knock out this mold (mold spores are the primary cause of airborne allergies). I use the best dispoable filter available in the central HVAC unit, and change it every 2-4 weeks, regardless of what they recommend. The 3M HEPA 99.97 run $20-30 around here. I then run a Hoenywell HEPA with carbon pre-filter in my bedroom, and in the room I spend the most time in; and like the other post said, err on the side of too much power/air turnover. THe HEPA filters are "lifetime" and the carbon prefilters are not too pricey.

Send any questions, I have doena lot of research (meaning I will share links, I don't profess to be an expert). I do hope you get tot he source of the dust, and just as important, the content.

The following are noted re: bedrooms and allergies:

1. Most folks spend most of the hours out of a day in the bedrooom sleeping. Those with home offices and entertainment in bedrooms spend more time there.

2. Bedrooms tend to have the greatest problems with dust and allergens because of all the fibers in carpets, rugs, upholstery, mattresses, pillows, draperies, etc.

For allergy sufferers, it is recommended that as many items that contain fibers be eliminated. Eliminate carpet and cushion and go with hard surface floor covering. Rugs by bed should be washable for frequent washing to remove dust particles. Eliminate upholstered furniture. Eliminate draperies and go with decorative hard surface blinds.

Mattresses can be sealed in plastic cover and covered over with washable mattress pad for frequent washing. Most folks have old pillows full of dust, dander, and odors. Many have feather pillows full of dust and dander and no clue if they are allergic to pillows. There are nonallergenic pillows available. There are also plastic covers for pillows. Pillows can then be zipped in a quilted cover over which pillow cases are used. It is also important to change bedding on a weekly basis for washing in such a way as to not disturb much dust and dander. Covering comforters with duvets that can be easily removed for washing can also be helpful.

With fabrics and upholstered items minimized, hard surface floors and furnishings can be cleaned on a frequent basis to minimize dust. Some areas are more prone to dust than others, especially if located near busy streets and highways, manufacturing, railroad track, etc. These sources do not have to be nearby, as pollutants and dust particles are carried in the air.

Sealing all gaps around windows and doors and making sure windows and doors properly close and are weatherstripped can help save on energy bills and minimize dust.

In addition to frequent changing of filters, allergy sufferers have found that it is important to monitor the humidity level inside the home. Monitor with hygrometer (sold where thermometers are sold. Humidity should be between 35-55% year round. Humidify is humidity is low, dehumidify if high. Humid air is easier to heat than dry air, so there is a savings on heat. Monitor humidity level so that it does not get above 55%. If air is too humid, then there is a chance for mold and mildew to grow.

Dry air can irritate noses, throats, and eyes. There is more static when the air is dry, causing air to collect more dust to settle on surfaces. Frequent damp dusting is recommended to minimize dust and stirring it up with feather dusters or other fluffy techniquest of dusting. Damp dusting protect furnish finish, as dust particles scratch finish when dry dusting.

Screens on computers and TVs attract lots of dust because of the magnetic field. Computer tower and electronics and appliances that circulate air to cool will pick up dust and need to be cleaned on a frequent basis.

Dust particles are everywhere in the air, but you can take steps to minimize them. Minimizing dust can minimize allergens for allergy sufferers.