This post was last updated on August 10th, 2023 at 08:21 am
It is already difficult to live with allergies, and it is even worse when people with allergies are exposed to poor air quality in their homes 24/7. This is because poor air quality can aggravate allergies and make symptoms worse.
There has been a lot of research into air purification in recent years, especially in the context of indoor air quality. This is because indoor air pollution can be a serious problem and is especially harmful to people with allergies.
If you live in Babylon, nowadays, the overall allergens index is at a moderate level, with weed pollen higher (moderate) than tree pollen and grass pollen (low). But air quality shouldn’t just concern allergy sufferers; the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that indoor air pollutants are 100 times higher than outdoor air pollutants. They are a greater threat to children, older people, and those with heart or respiratory conditions.
There is no denying the fact that indoor air purification is a must, so how can this be achieved? Below are some ways to improve indoor air quality and promote healthier living.
Improve Ventilation
If fresh air is circulating in your home, it will inevitably remove pollutants, allergens, bad odors, and contaminants. You can improve ventilation in your home by adding windows, improving your HVAC system (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning), and moving ductwork.
Your dust filters might need a replacement or cleaning, there may be seal leaks in the building shell of your HVAC devices, or you might need to install new fans in your HVAC system, so be vigilant. In Babylon HVAC services aren’t difficult to find, and investment in this can go a long way in improving ventilation in your home.
When you schedule your air filter clean-up, remember that whether a change or cleaning is needed depends more on usage than on the claim made by the company. If the label says that a furnace filter can last 30 days, it might need a change after only 15 days if usage is high or if you live in a place with high dander, dust, and other indoor pollutants.
Install Air Purification Technology
UVC radiation is the most damaging type of solar radiation but is also the most effective at killing contaminants and pollutants. UVC lights are typically used with other ventilation systems, such as duct and upper-air systems, cooling coil disinfectors, or surface disinfecting technology. You can also get air purifiers that use ultraviolet light.
Ultraviolet air purification systems kill contaminants by breaking down their DNA, which prevents them from reproducing. Ionization and oxidation technology work by creating charged particles that attach to contaminants and pollutants, making them easier to remove from the air.
These systems are popular in hospitals, food processing plants, and other important public sectors. They can also be used in homes and businesses to improve air quality.
Lower Humidity In Your Home
Moist conditions are perfect for breeding molds and mildew, which in turn cause allergies and other respiratory conditions. When the humid months arrive, like December in Babylon, when humidity is highest (at 82%), you need to be extra cautious.
The ideal indoor humidity level is 30-50%; while too humid is harmful, perpetually dry air can also increase the risk of asthma and allergies.
To control humidity levels in your living space, improve ventilation, keep windows open, maintain air conditioners, run the exhaust fan when bathing, and avoid keeping certain indoor plants.
Learn About And Avoid Sources Of Pollutants
Many homeowners unknowingly use products that release harmful pollutants, some of which might even be life-threatening. Formaldehyde, for instance, is a volatile organic compound that certain household items, including glues used in composite wood, release. Constant exposure can put you at risk of respiratory problems, including bronchitis.
Similarly, products like glass cleaners, bleach, air fresheners, and cleaning sprays can emit toxic gases. Second-hand smoke is another major pollutant you should look out for and control; second-hand smoke can cause certain cancers.
Even third-hand smoke from cigarettes (i.e., smoke that lingers on surfaces like furniture or clothes) poses a serious health risk.
Use The Right Indoor Plants
Plants generally can increase indoor humidity if there is already a high level, but certain plants are helpful. While research conducted in 2017 showed that indoor plants can lower levels of certain air pollutants like VOCs (volatile organic compounds), the results of most studies present a contradictory picture about the extent of the impact. In fact, some even prove indoor plants to be harmful as they trigger molds.
What matters is that you use the right plant varieties. Dracaena, Spathiphyllum, Aloe Vera, Queen Fern, Rubber Tree, Snake Plant, Bromeliad Vriesea Vogue, and Hedera helix are some house plants that help to keep the air clean.
Get An Air Purifier
Last but not least, get an air purifier for your home. Sometimes when the risk of poor air quality and allergens is high, simply upgrading your HVAC system is insufficient.
By ensuring proper ventilation, indoor polluted air gets replaced repeatedly with clean outdoor air, but what if the outdoor air isn’t as allergen-free as we hope? In such a case, air purifiers are a must.
Air purifiers have HEPA (high-efficiency particulate absorbing) filters that can remove up to 99% of harmful substances – like the influenza virus, allergies, dust particles, pet dander, and more – from the air circulating in your home. Air purifiers also help tackle unpleasant odors.
Conclusion:
If the air we breathe in regularly isn’t pure, there will inevitably be a big health risk, and this is all the more accurate when it comes to people who suffer from allergies. To ensure that the air in your home is pure, improve ventilation, install air purification technology in your HVAC system, get an air purifier, control humidity, and use the right indoor plants. All these small measures can make a huge difference in indoor air quality.
