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| Photo by Design Ecologist |
10 Reason You Might Need an Air Purifier in Your Home
For many of us, we have a great time in our homes but overlook air quality. Things like cleaning supplies, pesticides, building materials, and allergens can contribute to polluted air inside our homes. Using an air purifier can help those with allergies or severe health conditions. For this reason, we list the top 10 reasons people might need an air purifier.
1. Mold is a common problem in Florida
Mold is a common problem in Florida because it grows in warm, damp places. You're more susceptible to mold if you live in a coastal city because of hurricanes and flash floods. Water helps mold develop and grow. Small exposure can trigger asthma attacks or other health issues for some people. Those with an autoimmune disease may be more likely to get infections from certain molds. It will grow in areas of your home that you may not be able to see, like in the walls. The spores from mold can get into your home through the ventilation system. In addition to keeping your humidity levels at a minimum and maintaining your Floria home, an air purifier can help reduce mold exposure.
2. You have asthma or other respiratory symptoms
Asthma affects more than 954,000 Floridians a year. The symptoms can be anywhere from mild to severe. Air quality is a crucial issue for those suffering from lung conditions. Common asthma triggers inside the home include pet dander, mold, pollen, and dust. Exposure to these airborne particles can cause inflammation in the airways. Air purifiers can help manage lung conditions aggravated by pollutants in the atmosphere.
3. Florida has severe pollen seasons
Spring is a beautiful time of the year in Florida, but it can be difficult for those who suffer from airborne allergies. If you're allergic to tree pollen, this is one of the most challenging seasons. Trees like birch, bayberry, elm, oak, maple, and pine don't release fine yellow dust until early spring. Pollen can be airborne and carried as far as our beaches. Air purifiers can work with an air (HEPA) filter to trap airborne allergens like pollen.
4. You suffer from an autoimmune disease
Numerous studies indicate that poor air quality contributes to inflammation. An autoimmune disease results from the body attacking its own tissue and cells, causing constant inflammation. Those with an autoimmune disease usually have chemical sensitivity and are at risk of pulmonary illnesses like pneumonia. Exposure to synthetic chemicals is a risk factor. We use cleaning chemicals, scents, and other chemicals in our homes. Those who suffer from autoimmune disease can have chemical sensitivities, and these exposures can cause adverse effects. Prolonged exposure to toxins can bring symptom flair-ups. Many environmental pollutants cannot be avoided, but an air purifier can help reduce their presence indoors.
5. You have pet allergies
Some people have over-sensitive immune systems and are allergic to pets. Their hair can collect allergens like dander, saliva, dust, and pollen. These allergens are everywhere, lightweight, and quickly spread through the home. The allergens can also get into the air when animals shake and are groomed or petted. Those with asthma around pet dander may develop respiratory and other symptoms such as wheezing, sneezing, chest tightness, eczema, and watery eyes. You can help control pet allergens with an air purifier.
6. You're sensitive to chemicals
Chemical exposure may cause headaches, joint aches, difficulty concentrating, breathing problems, and fatigue. Possible triggers for these symptoms can be bleach, detergents, tobacco smoke, perfume, new carpet, chlorine, and more. In addition to limiting these exposures, you can improve the air quality in your home with a purifier that can filter chemicals from the air.
7. For odor elimination
An efficient air purifier can help eliminate unwanted odors in your home. Your sense of smell tells you if you are exposed to something, and everyone's sense of smell is different. Those more sensitive to odor could have headaches, dizziness, nausea, and a burning sensation. Odors may be produced by landfills, sewage sludge, chemicals, fires, and more. Once you remove the source of your indoor odor, you may want an air purifier to help combat environmental odors.
8. If you have small children
Children breathe more air and are vulnerable to exposure because they are in the early stages of development. Air pollution can put children at risk for respiratory infections and other pulmonary issues like pneumonia. Additionally, pregnant women are at risk of inhaling particles too. An air purifier is one way to remove the pollutants that affect children the most.
9. You live in an area with air pollution
If you live in a more crowded area with construction or an industrial facility, it's hard to escape the damaging microscopic pollutants. These particles can have a horrible effect on our health, causing sinus irritation, stroke, asthma, lung cancer, and heart disease. By having a HEPA and activated carbon filter, you can help absorb the harmful particles.
10. For peace of mind and your health
Clean air is essential to health, and no matter how much you try to keep pollutants out, you may want a purifier for peace of mind. Low-quality air can negatively affect your health. Most of the time, you can't visibly see what is in your air. Toxins circulating can eventually cause you to have headaches, exhaustion, and nausea. Clean air benefits the lungs and encourages people to be active.
Recommended Reading:
ATSDR: Environmental Odors
EPA: Cleaning the Air and Improving People's Health
EPA: Indoor Air Quality
FDEP: Air Quality 101
Florida Health: Burden of Asthma in Florida
Florida Health: Mold and Moisture
Johns Hopkins Medicine: Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
Tampa Bay Times: Allergy sufferers face longer, more severe pollen seasons
Mayo Clinic: Pet Allergy
NCBI: Estimated Global Disease Burden From Emissions
NCBI: Emerging role of air pollution in autoimmune diseases
NIH: Asthma and It's Environmental Triggers
NY Time: Allergy Sufferer Tests Six Air Purifiers
WHO: Children's Environmental Health
WHO: How air pollution is destroying our health.