Indoor Air Quality: How Important Is It?

For many people, the importance of indoor air quality does not become apparent until they discover that they or someone close to them has one form of allergy or the other. The link between a wide range of allergies and the quality of the air we breathe is continually being made as reported cases of allergic diseases and asthma continues to be on the rise. Some of the major allergens are actually not encountered outdoors, but indoors! Indoor air can include airborne allergens and triggers such as pollen, house dust mite droppings, dust, animal dander, moulds, tobacco smoke, and strong odours.

Since we spend up to 90% of our time indoors than outdoors, the risk of exposure to these allergens is greater. Furthermore, individuals who are most likely to be exposed to indoor air pollutants for the longest periods of time are more often than not the most susceptible to the effects of indoor air pollution. These include children, the elderly, and those who are chronically ill, particularly those suffering from respiratory or cardiovascular disease. As such the quality of indoor air is of great importance. Air purification is one of the main strategies for maintaining clean indoor air, and for the reduction and prevention of allergy symptoms, asthma and other respiratory diseases.

Air purifiers come in various shapes, sizes, prices, and features, with a wide variety of technology, which helps to purify or sterilize indoor air by eliminating different types of airborne pollutants, chemicals, odours or allergens. For those who suffer from allergies such as rhinitis, dust mite allergy, pet allergy, hay fever and multiple chemical sensitivity, it is crucial to inhale purified air. The majority of air purifiers have been proven to filter out 99.7% of all particles from indoor air. Chemical fumes, tobacco smoke and dust can be absorbed by an air purifier filter. High Efficiency Particulate Air Filters (HEPA filters) often used in air purifiers are very efficient in filtering out most allergens that can be related to allergic and asthma attacks from within indoor air. They can remove 99.7% of all particles that are 0.03 microns & larger. With the use of an air purifier, allergens or airborne pollutants are removed from indoor air so they are unable to continue circulating through the air.

Why are air purifiers good for you?
1. Air purifiers will greatly improve the quality of the air in you home.
2. Dangerous pollen and other allergens will be removed.
3. Unpleasant odours will be eliminated.
4. Pet and human hair will be removed.
5. Symptoms of allergies and respiratory diseases will be reduced.
6. Cigarette smoke will be filtered particularly if an air purifier specifically designed to deal with particles and gaseous pollutants of tobacco smoke is used.

Recommended products

What air purifier?
Seeing that there’s a wide variety of air purifiers to choose from, we have done the hard work for you by selecting the best air purifiers to suit your need. Click on the link that best suits your needs.

Dust Mite AllergynAsthma
Hay Fever
Clean Air in Style

Start shopping from our range of dehumidifiers and air conditioners.

Referencesn1. Albertini R, et al. Air purification and indoor biologic pollutants. Allergy 2000; 55: 780-782.

Visit our Learning Centre for more on Asthma, Dust mite Allergy and Hay Fever.

Useful links
Air purifiers - Air Purifiers and Clean Air Resourcesnhttp://www.air-purifiers-online.co.uk/air-purifiers-and-your-health.php

US Environmental Protection Agency – The Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Qualitynhttp://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/insidest.html#Intro1nnAsthma UKnhttp://www.asthma.org.uk/applications/site_search/search.rm?term=indoor+air&searchreferer_id=1nnFighting Asthma in Your Homenhttp://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/maho/yohoyohe/inaiqu/inaiqu_005.cfm

Asthma Society of Irelandnhttp://www.asthmasociety.ie/nnDisclaime
This article is only for informative purposes. It is not intended to be a medical advice and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor for all your medical concerns. Kindly follow any information given in this article only after consulting your doctor or qualified medical professional. The author is not liable for any outcome or damage resulting from any information obtained from this article. nn