Innovation Partners for Aerobiology & Biomedical Research

airmid enjoyed a highly successful few days attending the Heimtextil Trade Fair in Frankfurt, Germany. As always it was an extremely impressive trade fair with a vast array of exhibitors from all around the world in the enormous trade fair centre that is Messe Frankfurt.

airmid healthgroup's mission is to help our clients with products and services for the built environment to improve their customer offerings through health related innovations and marketing. As textiles in bedding, floor coverings and soft furnishings contribute hugely to the built environment, this is a key trade show for us.

Textiles can have an enormous impact on the chemical emissions in the indoor environment as well as the ability to reduce exposure to indoor particulates including airborne pathogens and aeroallergens. OEKO-TEX certification was very well represented, particularly in the bedding hall, which is of benefit in controlling chemicals in textiles. A number of clients displayed textile products with claims relevant to indoor health such as allergen filtration efficacy and antibacterial properties. However there appeared to be little standardisation to the various claims. airmid had a number successful meetings looking at regulations, certification testing and claim verification with a number of bedding groups across the natural and synthetic sectors.

As winter draws in and the temperature drops, the quality of air in our homes can deteriorate. Heating systems are started up, open fires are lit, doors and windows are shut to seal out the cold air - all of these actions can contribute to an increase of allergens and irritants in the air of your home. Sealing our homes may be more energy efficient but unless adequate ventilation is also present this can be to the detriment of our health, especially for those with asthma and upper airway disease. Lack of ventilation may also cause increased moisture levels which together with warm room temperatures give an ideal environment for growth of mold & house dust mites. An asthma & allergy friendly™ certified Air Cleaner can work against these factors to reduce airborne allergens and irritants in your home during these winter months.

This article was prepared by Niamh McKeon. Niamh graduated from Trinity College Dublin with a BA (Mod) in Natural Science specializing in Zoology. Niamh manages the testing and certification approval processes in Allergy Standards.

Medical specialists recommend that individuals suffering from asthma and upper airway disease reduce exposure to allergens and irritants in indoor air to the greatest degree possible.

The 11^th World Filtration Congress starts today and will embrace the whole spectrum of filtration and separation technologies from around the world for five days from 16^th- 20^th April 2012.

It will be held in Graz, a Unesco World Heritage Site.  It is the largest and most important Filtration Event in 2012 world-wide.

http://www.wfc11.at/index.htm

Exhibitors from the world-wide filtration and separation industry, manufacturers of particle measurement instruments as well as related industries will feature the latest innovations and technology. Airmid Healthgroup will be there joining the debate on Airborne Infectious Agents, Aerobiology Research and Ultrafine particles.