The official U.S. launch coincides with Clean Air Month and the seasonal shift that has millions of Americans seeking allergy relief. It also precedes summer wedding season, the start of sleepaway camps, and off-to-college prep when Americans are filling out gift registries and assembling personal care items for close living quarters. "The great thing about Blue is it delivers more air cleaning performance than comparable appliances without compromising style," said Blueair Inc. President Herman Pihlträd, speaking from the company's Chicago head office. "Blue makes an excellent purifier for dorm rooms and nurseries, and what better way to wish a young couple a happy marriage than with a stylish appliance that can actually improve sleep and well-being." Designed by Swedish engineer Elin Ward, the award-winning Blue combines her creativity and innovation with a keen understanding of youthful consumers to create the next must-have appliance for young adults. "Blue is deceptively simple and packs a punch when it comes to trapping dust, pollen, smoke, allergens, viruses and chemicals typically found in rooms up to 540 square feet," said Ward.

"This is a premium appliance that quietly delivers clean air for a wellness-seeking audience." Apart from good looks, Blue serves an increasingly practical purpose. Climate change and human health experts agree air pollution and airborne allergens will likely increase and worsen allergy and asthma conditions. Indoor air purifiers can help those affected. Americans living in or moving to congested urban communities can also benefit from indoor air purifiers.www.sharp air purifier *According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencyair purifier prescription About BlueairSold in over 60 countries around the world, Blueair delivers home and office users more clean indoor air for enhanced user health and wellbeing faster than any competing air purifier thanks to its commitment to quality, energy efficiency and environmental care. air screen seed cleaner

A Blueair air purifier works efficiently and silently to remove airborne allergens, asthma triggers, viruses, bacteria and other pollutants. < Back to Listings Can Indoor Air Purifiers Produce Cardiopulmonary Benefits? Air purification is significantly associated with decreases in geometric means of several circulating inflammatory and thrombogenic biomarkers, as well as a decreases in systolic blood pressure (BP), diastolic BP and fractional exhaled nitrous oxide, according to a study published May 25 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. The study analyzed data from 35 healthy college students living in dormitories in Shanghai, China, who were randomized into two groups alternating the use of true or sham air purifiers for 48 hours with a two-week washout interval. Overall results, found that air purification resulted in a 57 percent reduction in the concentration of PM2.5, in addition to a 2.7 percent reduction in systolic BP, a 4.8 percent reduction in diastolic BP and a 17 percent drop in fractional exhaled nitrous oxide.

The trial also revealed a beneficial (although not statistically significant) impact on lung function and vasoconstriction. According to study investigators, their findings demonstrated clear cardiopulmonary benefits of indoor air purification among young, healthy adults with severe exposure to ambient particulate air pollution. They noted, however, that, "future studies should further evaluate the potential health benefits of long-term air purification among more vulnerable populations, such as children, older adults or people with cardiopulmonary diseases." In an accompanying editorial, Sanjay Rajagopalan, MD, FACC, and Robert D. Brook, MD, note that ultimately improvement in outdoor air quality will be needed to change indoor air quality in places like China and India. "The good news is that air quality regulations, when enforced, can substantially reduce prevailing outdoor air pollution concentrations and improve societal life expectancy rates," they write. "In the meantime, personalized behavioral and small-scale interventions to lower exposures (e.g., filters in homes and cars) may be needed in order to optimally protect citizens in these areas."

Clinical Topics: Heart Failure and Cardiomyopathies Keywords: Adult, Air Filters, Air Pollution, Air Pollution, Indoor, Blood Pressure, China, Exhalation, Nitrous Oxide, Particulate Matter, Vasoconstriction < Back to Listings Asthma and Dorm Life Going to college can be a fun and exciting time, however, for asthma and allergy sufferers it should also be a time for preparation. Nearly 40-50 million people in the United States have allergies and 20.3 million people are affected by asthma, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI). Managing Asthma Symptoms at College Leaving home to attend college does not mean that asthma and allergy sufferers can leave behind the responsibilities of taking care of their asthma and allergies. "More than ever, the college years are a time for students to step up to the plate and become their own health care advocates," said Martha White, MD, Fellow of the AAAAI and Past Chair of the AAAAI's Public Education Committee.

"By continuing to take their medication and following their treatment plan, allergic and asthmatic students can take control of their condition and enjoy their college experience." The AAAAI recommends allergy and asthma sufferers take the following steps to prepare for college: Make an appointment with your allergist/immunologist before leaving for college Refill your prescriptions and have your doctor find a local allergist for you to see while at college Complete an asthma action plan and provide a copy for your roommate, resident assistant and hall director Request a smoke-free room and roommate; smoke is a trigger for most people with asthma Equip your dorm room with an air purifier and bring extra filters. Try to avoid social situations where you will be exposed to smoke and other triggers Keep dorm room clutter to a minimum. Try to limit upholstered furniture or secondhand rugs as these are filled with allergens Dorm life breeds mold, dust mites, bacteria and viruses.