For many of us, air pollution is a problem that is reserved for places like Los Angeles and Mexico City, where millions of people live in cramped, close quarters creating a huge amount of smog that hangs persistently over the city and surrounding areas. However, the problem of air pollution is actually much more widespread than many of us would like to acknowledge – at it could very well be wreaking havoc on your health even while you’re reading this article. Just because you live out in the suburbs or even in the country doesn’t mean that you’re immune from the dangers of air pollution; in fact, you could be at serious risk.

Small Particulate Pollution: A Growing Problem

Despite the fact that air pollution is much less severe today than it was ten years ago, a different kind of pollution is invading our homes – and might even be created right within them. It is known as small particulate pollution, and it refers to ultrafine particles that measure anywhere between 2 and 10 microns in diameter. These particles are so small that more than 50,000 of them could fit inside the period at the end of this sentence. Although you can’t see them, they can – and do – invade your lungs, bloodstream and other parts of your body, causing all sorts of health problems.

What Causes Small Particulate Pollution?

Small particulate pollution is caused by a number of different things. Smokestacks and vehicle exhaust are the two big-time generators of small particulate pollution. Coal fired power plants also contribute to the problem. However, many seemingly innocuous household items can generate it, too. Things like wood stoves, many appliances, candles and smoking all build up levels of particulate pollution within the home.

What Problems Are Caused by Small Particulate Pollution?

People who suffer from asthma, allergies and other respiratory ailments can see those problems exacerbated by small particulate pollution. Those ultrafine particles can become lodged in the lungs and get into the bloodstream, where they can worsen asthma and can even trigger serious health problems like chronic pulmonary disease. Recent studies show that over time, exposure to small particulate pollution can increase your risk of having a stroke or a heart attack; you could even end up dying early as a result of being exposed to these lurking dangers.

What Can You Do?

As mentioned before, simply moving away from a major metropolitan area may not significantly reduce your exposure to small particulate pollution. However, there are things that you can do to help avoid breathing dirty air and its associated health risks. For instance:

  • Heed Dirty Air Warnings – Most major newspapers – and many websites – issue alerts when the air quality on any given day is exceptionally bad. Keep abreast of such alerts, and remain indoors on those days. Remember, though, that your home’s indoor air quality may be very inadequate, too.
  • Avoid Busy Roads – While going out for a vigorous walk, run or bicycle ride is a commendable way to get some much-needed exercise, doing so along a busy road exposes you to high levels of small particulate pollution. Busy roads are clogged with exhaust spewing vehicles; choose less-busy roads for your exercise routines.
  • Drive Less – You can help reduce the levels of small particulate pollution in your immediate area by driving as infrequently as possible. Walk or ride a bike to nearby destinations in order to put less pollution into the air.
  • Don’t Smoke Indoors – If you smoke, you already know that you should quit as soon as possible. However, one very good first step to make is to stop smoking inside the house. Cigarette smoke drastically reduces overall indoor air quality, exposing everyone in a house to massive amounts of small particulate pollution. If you must smoke, do it outdoors.

The Best Option: Use a HEPA Air Purifier

The best way to clean the air inside your home – and to remove the vast majority of small particulate pollution from it – is to use a high quality HEPA air purifier. These machines are designed to remove up to 99.97% of contaminants from the air. By using them, your home can become a true “safe haven” in every sense of the word. You’ll be able to escape from the pollution of the outdoors simply by stepping in to your home.

Clean Air Plus offers a complete line of the best HEPA air purifiers available today. With models from top manufacturers like IQAir, Amaircare and Austin Air, we are the premier source for top quality HEPA air purifiers today. Order an air purifier from Clean Air Plus today and stop letting small particulate pollution wreak its havoc on the respiratory systems – and health – of you and your family, once and for all.

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