Re: Is a fresh air intake safe for me?

[Guest guest]

The reaction is the release of toxins into the air when the bacteria that is the

red tide blooms. It is airborne.

>

> Subject: Re: Is a fresh air intake safe for me?

> To: iequality

> Date: Friday, December 19, 2008, 12:25 PM

> Dear Semco:

>

> Do you have any idea whether you are reacting to a gaseous

> or particulate component of the red tide?

>

> I ask these because it is easier to protect yourself

> against air contaminants that are in particulate form as

> opposed to gaseous form.

>

> While ultimately the indoor air in your home will be

> replaced by the air outside of it, you do have the option of

> having a fresh air intake that filters this outdoor air. If

> this outdoor air intake has a fan to overcome the pressure

> drop of the filter and also pressurize the home against

> infiltration, you should be able to create a safe haven from

> this source of outdoor air pollution.

>

> Best wishes,

>

> W. Bearg, PE, CIH

>

> --

> LIFE ENERGY ASSOCIATES

> 20 Darton Street

> Concord, MA 01742-5710

> www.LifeEnergyAssoc.com

>

>

> -------------- Original message ----------------------

> From: " semco_semco_semco "

>

> > I live at the beach and at least once a year, we have

> red tide. I am also a

> > sever asthmatic and

> > chemically sensitive. When we have red tide, I can

> barely breath outside at

> > all.

> >

> > Should I install a fresh air intake in my new house

> considering the above

> > circumstances?

> >

> > Thank you.

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Semco,

The asthma exacerbations of red tide are well known (see below) and

due to toxins that are aerosolized (the water from droplets containing

toxic algae evaporate) so the toxins are in particles that can be

filtered out.

The toxins are high molecular weight and not volatile at all so vapors

(gases) are not the issue.

When outdoors during red tide, you should wear an N95 mask; if this

doesn't help, go to a P-100 half-face respirator.

Any outdoor air you bring in should be filtered.

If you slightly pressurize the house with HEPA filtered air, this

should eliminate or minimize infiltration. (You might also have to

dehumidify the air before bring it in.)

Or you can wear the mask indoors!

May

May Indoor Air Investigations LLC

Tyngsborough, MA

www.mayindoorair.com

www.myhouseiskillingme.com

----------------------------------------------------------

http://www.chestjournal.org/cgi/content/abstract/131/1/187

Aerosolized Red-Tide Toxins (Brevetoxins) and Asthma*

Lora E. Fleming, MD, PhD, MPH, MSc; Barbara Kirkpatrick, EdD; Lorraine

C. Backer, PhD, MPH; Judy A. Bean, PhD; Adam Wanner, MD, FCCP;

Reich, MS; Zaias, DVM, PhD; Yung Sung Cheng, PhD;

Pierce, PhD; Jerome Naar, PhD; M. Abraham, PhD and G.

Baden, PhD

Abstract

Background: With the increasing incidence of asthma, there is

increasing concern over environmental exposures that may trigger

asthma exacerbations. Blooms of the marine microalgae, ia brevis,

cause red tides (or harmful algal blooms) annually throughout the Gulf

of Mexico. K brevis produces highly potent natural polyether toxins,

called brevetoxins, which are sodium channel blockers, and possibly

histamine activators. In experimental animals, brevetoxins cause

significant bronchoconstriction. In humans, a significant increase in

self-reported respiratory symptoms has been described after

recreational and occupational exposures to Florida red-tide aerosols,

particularly among individuals with asthma.

Methods: Before and after 1 h spent on beaches with and without an

active K brevis red-tide exposure, 97 persons 12 years of age with

physician-diagnosed asthma were evaluated by questionnaire and

spirometry. Concomitant environmental monitoring, water and air

sampling, and personal monitoring for brevetoxins were performed.

Results: Participants were significantly more likely to report

respiratory symptoms after K brevis red-tide aerosol exposure than

before exposure. Participants demonstrated small, but statistically

significant, decreases in FEV1, midexpiratory phase of forced

expiratory flow, and peak expiratory flow after exposure, particularly

among those participants regularly using asthma medications. No

significant differences were detected when there was no Florida red

tide (ie, during nonexposure periods).

Conclusions: This study demonstrated objectively measurable adverse

changes in lung function from exposure to aerosolized Florida red-tide

toxins in asthmatic subjects, particularly among those requiring

regular therapy with asthma medications. Future studies will assess

these susceptible subpopulations in more depth, as well as the

possible long-term effects of these toxins.

Key Words: asthma • brevetoxins • harmful algal blooms • ia

brevis • red tides • sensitive populations • spirometry

Is a fresh air intake safe for me?

Posted by: " semco_semco_semco " semco_semco_semco@... semco_semco_semco

Date: Fri Dec 19, 2008 9:16 am ((PST))

I live at the beach and at least once a year, we have red tide. I am

also a sever asthmatic and chemically sensitive. When we have red

tide, I can barely breath outside at all.

Should I install a fresh air intake in my new house considering the

above circumstances?

Thank you.