Indoor air pollution and health: Is there a need for an air purifier?

open windowWe all know that the outdoor air pollution is harmful to our health but what about the indoor air pollution? Do you think that the air you breathe in your house is cleaner that the air outside?

Not necessarily…

If your rooms are rarely ventilated, you smoke or own pets, the air quality is greatly compromised and it will be affecting your health without you even knowing. Indoor air can also be polluted from dust, pollen, mould spores and even irritant chemicals from new furniture.

Immediate health effects of indoor air pollution may show as irritated eyes and throat, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. After years of being exposed to a poor quality indoor air, you may also be affected in other ways which could lead to respiratory diseases, heart disease and even cancer.

Although the extent to which indoor air pollutants may affect somebody’s health is not fully known, there is something we do know: children and those who are already ill are most at risk from poor air quality. We also know that people with asthma and other lung conditions are more likely to be affected.

So what can you do?

First of all, consider ventilating your home regularly, so don’t forget to open your windows every day to bring in the clean outdoor air! However, this may not be the best solution if you live near a busy road as opening the windows will also let lots of outdoor pollutants in (toxic diesel fumes, for example). Also, it’s not always possible to ventilate as the weather will not allow you to. A solution? An air purifier.

What is an air purifier?

An air purifier is a device designed to filter the air in your home. The air is drawn through the machine and the various parts of the machine clean the air as it passes through them.

There are different types of air purifiers available today and which one you should buy depends on what you would like to get rid of from the air. There are HEPA air purifiers, for example, which cleanse the air of the most common pollutants such as mould spores, pollen, dust, pet dander and bacteria. If you want to get rid of odours and gases, air purifiers with activated carbon filters will be your best bet.

The benefits of using an air purifier

The main benefit of using an air purifier is cleaner air of course! This is especially beneficial for those who suffer from allergies and asthma as the number of allergens floating around is greatly reduced.

Young children are especially vulnerable to air pollution as they inhale more pollutants per kilogram of body weight than do adults. By using an air purifier you are reducing the number of air contaminants your child is exposed to and in the long run, this may prevent various health issues and illnesses.

Cleaner air is also beneficial for school children – it does not only reduce the spread of viruses and sickness, it also has a positive effect on children’s congnitive performance.

Unborn babies are also greatly affected by air pollution – it can affect their brain development – so if you are pregnant, buying an air purifier will definitely be a good idea.

Where can I buy an air purifier from?

You can buy an air purifier from various online shops such as Amazon and Argos but you can also get it directly from the supplier like Fellowes AeraMax™. AeraMax air purifiers have the official Allergy UK Seal of Approval and they feature a True HEPA filter removing 99.97% of airborne impurities, creating a fresher home or work environment.

How to buy the best air purifier?

There are lots of different types of air purifiers – these are different sizes and with different filters which suit different purposes. It can be confusing so here is a good article which will help you figure out the best air purifier for you. Also, check these Five Things to Avoid When Buying an Air Purifier.

Conclusion

There is no doubt that indoor air pollution affects your health, even more so if you suffer from allergies or asthma. Not to mention young children and unborn babies who are extremely sensitive to indoor air pollution.

Now, whether you need to buy an air purifier to clean your indoor air really depends on several factors such as where you live, the weather and whether you suffer from allergies or not. You may be able to improve indoor air quality yourself through enhanced ventilation but if this fails, yes, an air purifier is a great idea.

1 Comment

  1. Great article on Air Purifiers, when purchasing an air purifier, it is important to speak with an indoor air quality specialist, to understand your need.

    Typically Air volume in the room, size of the room, and severity of the odor, all play a role in determining which size and model of Air Purifier is right for your needs.

    Feel free to drop me a line on our line of Air Purifiers from AllerAir.

    George Luker number in North America 888-852-8247 Ext 241 or by email GLuker@AllerAir.com