The Oreck company is known for making vacuums, but it also produces air cleaners and miscellaneous household products. The company makes several models of household vacuums, shop (wet/dry) vacuums, floor waxers and refinishers, and air purifiers.

The Oreck Corporation was founded by David Oreck in the United States in 1963. The company is based in New Orleans, Louisiana, and its principal manufacturing facilities are in a modern 375,000 square foot factory in Long Beach, Mississippi.

Oreck Corporation started as a manufacturer of upright vacuum cleaners for the hotel industry in the United States. They designed a lightweight yet powerful and durable vacuum which was preferred by hotel housekeepers over the very heavy models available at that time. Oreck vacuums proved so popular that they are now used in over 50,000 hotels worldwide. After using these efficient vacuums at work, hotel personnel wanted to buy the machines for home use, which prompted Oreck to manufacture household models as well as their commercial line. Their products, while not cheap, are known for exceptional durability and ease of handling.

The Oreck XL 8-pound vacuum cleaner, aside from being one of the lightest models on the market, has a factory-tested estimated product lifespan of 18 years. The Arthritis Foundation gave this vacuum an Ease-of-Use Commendation for its exclusive Helping Hand Handle, which is ergonomically designed to reduce strain on wrists and arms. The user can simply push and pull the vacuum without having to grip the handle tightly, making it much easier to use for arthritis sufferers.

The Oreck air cleaner works by attracting air particles such as pollen and dust onto an electrically-charged collection grid. One unit can clean the air of a 30 foot square room. After passing air over a collection plate to trap particles, an Air Revitalizer is added at the end of the air cleaner which releases negative ions to revitalize the air. The Air Revitalizer can be turned on or off on the Professional Air Purifier. Leaving theAir Revitalizer on provides a pleasant, clean smell, but has no effect on the air purifiers cleaning efficiency.

The Oreck Air Purifier is not an ozone generator because it does not rely on ozone as part of the cleaning process. However, ozone is a natural by-product of many electrical appliances. The Air Purifiers Air Revitalizer emits only a very low level of ozone, well under UL and FDA guidelines of 50 ppb (parts per billion). Though ozone generators are sold by other manufacturers, they do a poor job of cleaning the air and generate high levels of ozone, especially in small spaces, which irritate the lungs. Consumers are advised by health authorities and the EPA not to purchase these units.

The collection grid of the Oreck air purifier, which should be kept clean to maintain the efficiency of the unit, is easy to remove and can be washed simply by a short soak in warm water and detergent. The company offers a specialized cleaning solution for the collection cell, but unless the air is full of tarry substances such as cigarette smoke, this is not necessary. Other than the carbon filter, which is not necessary to clean the air, there are no disposable filters to buy.

The Oreck model functions differently from a HEPA filter. HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Arrestance, and These filters use a mat of very fine fibers to capture airborne particles.

HEPA filters create high resistance to airflow, which gets worse as the filter loads with dirt. This resistance causes HEPA units to use more energy , and cost more to operate. As the filter becomes more and more clogged, performance declines. Therefore, HEPA units require the user to frequently change the expensive filters. Since Oreck uses only a washable collection plate, continuing cost is not an issue with their air filters.

However, it is important to keep the collection cell clean, as it does not function well once it covered with dust. The company advises users to wash the collector after 4 weeks of initial use and every 8 weeks thereafter, but every house has a different amount of dust, so it is best to check the unit every few weeks to see whether a film has accumulated on the collector.

New units come with a 3-year warranty, and reconditioned units come with a 1-year warranty. The company has been in business for a long time and has a good reputation for honoring its guarantees.

Recommended Daily Allowance
There is no one single daily recommended allowance of iron for everyone at all stages of their lives. Because of this fact, many consumers may think that they should take the same amount of iron that they have always taken or take the same amount as a friend or relative. This may not be enough to suit their particular nutritional needs or it may be too much. Fortunately, there are many sources of dietary iron and no withdrawal symptoms to if a patient discovers that he or she is consuming too much iron.

America’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) publishes a chart breaking down the differences in the daily recommended dosage of iron:

*Males over 19: 8 milligrams
*Male vegetarians: 14 mg
*Females 19 – 50: 18 mg
*Female vegetarians: 32 mg
*Females over 50: 8 mg
*Pregnant women: 27 mg
*Nursing women: 10 mg
*Newborns to 6 months: 0.27 mg
*Babies 7 12 months: 11 mg
*Children 1 – 3 years: 7 mg
*Children 4 8: 10 mg
*Children 9 13: 8 mg
*Children 14 19: 10 mg

This is only a rough guideline. Patients with particular illnesses, women with exceptionally heavy periods, individuals with vitamin C deficiencies or individuals who habitually consume beverages like tea that interfere with the body’s absorption may require a doctor to determine their daily levels. Some trial and error may be needed.

Why Bother with Iron?
Iron performs several functions in the body. Most importantly, it helps blood transport oxygen throughout the body. This is why it can be found in just about every cell of the human body. Oxygen and other chemicals help the cell absorb glucose (blood sugar), the cell’s fuel. Iron is also thought to play a significant role in the human immune system and in brain function. Although very few individuals can attract a magnet, all healthy individuals have minute portions of iron in their cells.

Patients with iron anemia (also called iron poor blood) feel exhausted all the time, despite how much sleep and exercise they obtain. Their skin is often pale or more pale than usual. They may feel as if a weight is on their lungs and complain of being faint or short of breath. Without the proper amounts of oxygen traveling through the bloodstream, the body does not have sufficient energy to work at maximum efficiency. Life for the iron anemic is dreary and overwhelming because of the fatigue. It takes a tremendous effort to even accomplish simple tasks.

Symptoms of iron anemia are very similar to those of other chronic conditions such as clinical depression and thyroid problems. Taking extra dietary iron will not help these conditions and will unnecessarily prolong the patient’s suffering. This is why it is important for anyone with these symptoms to go to a doctor for a blood test to obtain a proper diagnosis. Without a proper diagnosis, there cannot be proper treatment.

What is Dietary Iron?
Dietary iron is comprised of proteins and comes in two types called heme (found in hemoglobin in the blood) and non-heme (found in myoglobin, found in muscles and bones.) Dietary iron is marketed under the name ferrous sulfate, which is easily available in multivitamin supplements or iron sulfate supplements. But it is also abundant in multiple food sources. Vitamin C has been shown to help the body absorb iron more efficiently, thus eating foods rich in vitamin C or taking vitamin C supplements is highly recommended.

A common misconception is that meat is the superior source of iron from food. Larger quantities of iron can be found in similar size portions of porridge, oats and vitamin-fortified breakfast cereals. Iron may also be found in many vegetables, milk, eggs, beans, nuts, whole grains and some starchy foods such as grits. Many meal replacement powders, liquids and bars contain iron. Some beverages such as tap water may also contain ferrous sulfate.

Avoiding Iron Overdose
The human body is not an efficient absorber of iron. On average, the body only absorbs 10% of the iron it consumes. But iron overload is possible and can bring debilitating symptoms. Clifford S. Spanierman, MD of Lutheran General Hospital and a specialist in pediatrics and emergency medicine, estimates iron toxicity to be a major factor in the deaths of children under six years old. Dr. Spanierman speculates that children may take iron supplements in the mistaken belief that they are sweets.

Symptoms of iron overdose are dramatic, often including copious amounts of diarrhea and vomiting. Dr. Spanierman reports that if a patient can stay conscious and get to a hospital, the patient has an excellent chance of surviving. But if the patient becomes unconscious, the chances of recovery are very slim. In extreme cases, blood transfusions are needed in order to quickly clean the excess iron from the body. Dr. Spanierman added that women over 65 were also prone to iron overdose because they were not aware that their iron needs drop significantly after the completion of menopause.

A good general rule to avoid iron overdose is to avoid taking an iron supplement if not instructed to by a physician. Because of the dangers of iron overdose, it is never a good idea to self-diagnose one’s health problems.

Conclusion
Individuals can suffer if they do not have enough iron or die if they consume too much. Iron is easily available in the modern diet through natural foods, nutritional supplements and iron-fortified foods. Never guess as to the amount of iron to consume. Consult a physician with any questions.