23 Air Quality Tips

1. Avoid using pesticides in or around your home. Look into the many alternatives to pesticides that are available, since pesticides can seriously compromise your health.
2. In older homes, beware of the presence of lead paint on the wall. If necessary, have the walls stripped so that no one is exposed to lead.
3. Use carbon monoxide detectors, since CO is one of the most common killers in homes today. It’s tasteless and odorless, so detectors are the only way to go.
4. Keep your air conditioners and dehumidifers clean. Maintain them on a regular basis to keep your indoor air quality high.
5. Even hypoallergenic pets can trigger pet allergies. If someone is extremely allergic, keep pets outdoors. If nothing else, don’t sleep with a pet in the room.
6. Keep dust mites at bay by vacuuming regularly, keeping humidity low and avoiding carpets as much as possible. Dust mites make air very dirty.
7. Make sure your kitchen is well ventilated. The smoke and heat that is generated by cooking in the kitchen can make the air in your home less healthy.
8. Test your home for radon on a regular basis. Radon is a silent but deadly killer and can only be detected through testing.
9. Encourage your children’s school district to switch over to clean diesel buses, so that children don’t have to breathe in toxic exhaust fumes every day.
10. Since dry cleaning involves many toxic chemicals, allow dry cleaned clothing to ventilate in the garage or patio for a bit before bringing them back into the home.
11. Formaldehyde is found in many types of mattresses and wood paneling. Keep formaldehyde out of your home to improve its indoor air quality significantly.
12. Only use all natural cleaning products, which can be found at many major stores. Chemical laden cleaning products allow contaminants into the air in your home.
13. Discourage the spreading of the flu and colds by washing your hands regularly and covering your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough.
14. Remove carpets and put in wood or tile flooring instead. Carpets can harbor all sorts of contaminants that can compromise your health.
15. Never allow smoking in your home. If people want to smoke, make sure that they do so away from your home.
16. Never idle a car or other fuel-burning device inside your garage. The deadly exhaust can seep into your home and wreak havoc on your health.
17. Check for leaks in the home, and if any are found, have them repaired immediately to keep mold levels as low as possible.
18. If you have a wood stove or wood burning fireplace in the home, make sure that it’s well ventilated to keep your air as pure as possible. The best advice is not to use wood burning stoves or fireplaces as they are bad for the environment. 
19. If an asthma sufferer lives in your home, be conscientious about keeping asthma triggers at bay. Talk to their doctor about the best strategies to use.
20. When you paint, only use low-VOC (volatile organic compound) paints. These are the safest and release the fewest airborne pollutants.
21. In older homes, if asbestos is discovered call in the professionals to handle and remove it. Asbestos is highly toxic and should be dealt with by only experienced, knowledgeable contractors.
22. Ventilate the bathrooms in your home in order to keep humidity low. Low humidity keeps many contaminants and other problems at bay.
23. Use HEPA air purifiers in your home to filter the air and remove up to 99.97% of all airborne pollutants from it. The best HEPA air purifiers enhance allergy relief and provide a host of other key health benefits. When combined with the preceding tips, HEPA air purifiers can drastically improve the indoor air quality of your home.

Get Your HEPA Air Purifier from Clean Air Plus Today

Whether you choose a model from Austin Air, IQAir or Amaircare, any air purifier you purchase from Clean Air Plus is sure to promote the health and well-being of everyone in your home. Ordering from Clean Air Plus is easy, and you’ll have your new HEPA air purifier up and running within days. Help everyone in your home breathe easier – and make the air in your home as pure as possible – with high quality products from Clean Air Plus.

Related posts:

1. Easy Ways to Keep the Air in Your Home Safe
2. Tips for Allergy Sufferers
3. Clean Air for a Healthy Heart

New Research and Increased Risk

The study, “Influence of Ambient Air Pollutant Sources on Clinical Encounters for Infant Bronchiolitis,” was published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. Dr. Catherine Karr of the University of Washington, Seattle set out to study the effect of ambient air pollution on babies’ likelihood of developing bronchiolitis. She and her research team undertook a study of 11,675 infants who had been hospitalized before their first birthday for bronchiolitis. Their results were startling – babies with the most exposure to air pollution were 5 to 10% more likely to require hospitalization for bronchiolitis than were babies exposed to the smallest amounts of air pollution, even in the Pacific Northwest, known for its cleaner air and greener lifestyles.

Dr. Karr emphasized how the results of the study confirm that infants are susceptible to diseases caused by chronic exposure to airborne contaminants, “even in regions where we might not think it’s a bad air pollution setting.” Infants who lived within 50 meters of a major highway had a 6% higher risk of contracting bronchiolitis, despite that air pollution was within acceptable limits.

Bronchiolitis and Infants

Bronchiolitis is a lung infection wherein the bronchioles – the smallest air passages in the lungs – become inflamed. It’s usually caused by a virus, most often the respiratory syncytial virus or RSV. Bronchiolitis can be caused by other viruses like the flu or common cold, as well. It’s most common during the colder months and infants are especially vulnerable before they reach 6 months. Adults and older children who catch RSV get cold-like symptoms that pass after a week or so, but babies’ immune systems are still developing. They can experience bronchiolitis complications, including breathing difficulties, a severe cough, and even blue skin.

According to Dr. Karr, 13% of infants who get bronchiolitis end up going to their doctors or to the hospital. The disease also increases their risk of developing asthma when they get older, though the causal link between bronchiolitis and asthma is not well-understood. Researchers have established links between air pollution and asthma in older children, however.

Air Pollutants

During the study, researchers mapped out the sources of air pollution near where the hospitalized infants lived. The most significant contributors to the development of bronchiolitis were auto emissions, industrial emissions, and wood smoke. Interestingly, ozone was negatively associated with the risk of bronchiolitis. Dr. Karr believes it’s likely that the deleterious pollutants wear down infants’ immune systems, cause cells to become inflamed, and disturb the lungs’ natural barriers against respiratory viruses. This allows bronchiolitis to take hold.

Air Pollution Effects In-Utero

Dr. Karr is not alone in studying this issue. Dr. Frederica Perera, Director of the Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health, has been researching the impact of urban air pollution on fetuses. Pregnant women have been fitted with backpacks that monitor air pollution. Researchers then studied the health of their children through adolescence. Their results suggest that urban air pollution impacts the expression of genes while fetuses are still in the womb, causing children to develop asthma when they get older.

Dr. Perera emphasizes that “there is growing evidence that prenatal and postnatal exposure to air pollution may be playing causal roles in the development of respiratory illnesses and asthma.” This connection between air pollution and respiratory diseases demonstrates the importance of reducing harmful pollutants in the immediate environment.

Parents Take Action

Dr. Karr identifies some ways parents can reduce the risk of air pollution to their children. Primarily, parents need to reduce those sources of air pollution over which they have control. She suggests checking fireplaces to ensure that wood smoke escapes appropriately. Wood fires should be limited as much as possible. She also suggests choosing schools, child care centers, and homes that are not on major roads that get clogged with traffic.

Of course, not every parent can up and move to a new neighborhood; it’s especially tough for families in cities where air pollution can be impossible to escape. For those concerned about airborne pollutants, air purifiers may be an effective way of improving indoor air quality.

HEPA Air Purifiers

The American Lung Association has declared HEPA air purifiers to be the most efficient filters at removing harmful airborne irritants. HEPA filters remove 99.97% of particles larger than .3 microns. Some remove particles even smaller than that. For a comparison, red blood cells are about 8 microns in diameter. Installing a HEPA air purifier in one’s home can be a good way to improve indoor air quality and thereby reduce the amount of harmful pollutants than can irritate the lungs.

Related posts:

1. Study Reveals Link between Air Pollution and Bronchiolitis in Infants
2. Air Pollution Increases Risk of Heart Attack
3. Risk of Premature Birth Higher among Women Exposed to Air Pollution

New Information about Pollution and the Human Brain

Hundreds of studies have delved into the effects of air pollution and the respiratory system; far fewer have taken closer looks at the relationship between pollution and the brain. That is beginning to change, though, as several highly respected research groups are examining the ways that air pollution may affect the human brain. Two of the most recent studies – one by the Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health, and the other by a joint effort between the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Harvard University – present some truly eye-opening information.

The Columbia Study

In the Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health study, which was authored by epidemiologist and director Frederica Perera, New York City five-year-olds were the subject of the research in question. The study found that five-year-olds who had been exposed to higher than usual levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAH, while still in utero had IQ levels four points lower than those who weren’t exposed to such elevated levels of PAH. The study was conducted by having expectant mothers wear air monitors during their pregnancies, and IQ tests were administered to the children around age five.

The Harvard/UNC-Chapel Hill Study

If news that PAH may play a role in lowered IQs in children isn’t revelatory enough, the joint study by Harvard University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill may be. This 2008 study took a look at a group of people aged twenty to fifty years and found connections between elevated levels of ozone and reduced attention spans, slower reaction times and compromised short term memories. With this study, it is apparent that air pollution’s effects on the brain strike people of all ages and at all levels of development.

What the Studies Mean

Based on these two recent studies – and on several others that are constantly being conducted – it is plain to see that a link of some sort does exist between elevated levels of air pollution and impaired brain function. The Columbia study, in particular, should concern parents-to-be who want to give their children the best start on life possible. Escaping to the country from the smog-filled city, though, really isn’t good enough. Indoor air quality is a major concern, and since most of us spend the majority of our time inside our homes it’s safe to say that it plays a major role in the pollutants that we breathe.

What You Can Do

On a broad scale, it’s apparent that much more needs to be done about levels of exhaust and traffic-related pollution. However, it’s possible to take a proactive approach by making a few key changes in your own life. Staying indoors on especially smoggy days is one great tip. Keeping an eye on the ozone levels that are published by local watch groups is another smart way to stay on top of things. However, keeping the indoor air quality of your home as high as possible is imperative – and air purifiers can help.

HEPA Air Purifiers – A Great Option for Mitigating the Effects of Air Pollution

HEPA air purifiers remove up to 99.97% of airborne particulates from the air in your home; they help with sinus, allergy, and asthma relief and can help protect your respiratory system from harm. Since these recent studies suggest a link between lowered brain functioning and air pollution, it’s possible that using a HEPA air purifier can lessen the chances of incurring such damages yourself.

If you’re interested in using topnotch HEPA air purifiers in your home, you can rely on the experienced and exceptional services of Clean Air Plus. We stock and supply models from leading manufacturers like IQAir, Austin Air and Amaircare, helping you maintain the indoor air quality of your home. In turn, you can reduce the chances of exposing yourself and your loved ones to harmful airborne particulates and air pollution that might compromise the health of your brain and your body. Turn to Clean Air Plus for all of your HEPA air purifier needs.

Related posts:

1. Prenatal Pollution May Lower Children’s IQ
2. Indoor Air Pollution May Increase Asthma Symptoms in Children
3. Appendicitis and Air Pollution: A Possible Link

Make It a HEPA

The gold standard in air filtration systems is the high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) purifier. Originally created to remove radioactive particles from the air during the Manhattan Project, HEPA filters remain the most efficient, effective way to clean the air. A medical-grade HEPA rating means that the filter removes 99.97% of particles .3 microns and larger, including ultra-fine dust, pollen, mold spores, bacteria and viruses. This is a government regulated standard, so filters must go through rigorous independent testing to achieve it.

Don’t be fooled by marketing. Some air purifiers are touted as “HEPA-like,” “HEPA-type,” or “99% HEPA.” These do not meet the same standards as does a medical-grade HEPA filter, so people must be vigilant about checking the fine print. Accept nothing less than the genuine article.

Activated Carbon

Many HEPA air purifiers also contain an activated carbon filter. Carbon is “activated” when it’s treated with oxygen, causing tiny pores to open up in the carbon’s surface. The pores capture pollutants, removing them from the air. Carbon filters are extremely good at removing volatile organic compounds (VOCs), toxic gases, chemical fumes, and odors, among many other things. Sometimes the carbon is also treated with another chemical in addition to oxygen, often potassium. This creates a chemisorbent, which is ideal for removing highly chemically-reactive or inorganic gases.

People should make sure to get an air purifier with a quality activated carbon filter. The amount of carbon is directly linked to how many pollutants it can remove, so be wary of filters that are carbon coated or have only a token amount of carbon present.

Air Purifier Pre-filters

HEPA filters are designed to remove the tiniest particles possible – as small as .3 microns and even smaller, in some cases – so it’s wasteful if larger particles use up the filter’s capacity. Because of this, many HEPA air purifiers contain one or more pre-filters. A pre-filter removes the larger particles visible to the naked eye, such as dust and pet dander. This allows the HEPA filter to be used to greatest effect, to remove microscopic particles. The pre-filter also increases the longevity of the HEPA filter, decreasing the need for frequent HEPA filter changes. People should check to ensure that their HEPA air purifier comes with at least one pre-filter in addition to the HEPA filter and activated carbon filter.

Ozone-free Operation

Ionic air purifiers have been trendy in recent years, despite the fact that they may do more harm than good. Even the best ionic air purifiers produce ozone as a byproduct of operation. Ozone is recognized by both the American Lung Association and the Environmental Protection Agency as a pollutant. The Mayo Clinic warns against breathing in ozone as it irritates the lungs. Recent studies have shown that even a small amount of ozone released continuously will accumulate indoors, quickly reaching unsafe levels. Since people are buying air purifiers in order to breathe healthy, clean air in their homes, they should make sure they’re not inadvertently causing more damage by introducing more pollutants. There is no substitute for a HEPA filtration system.

Be Vigilant about Details

Paying attention to details can save a lot of frustration down the line. Small things to consider include the quality of the materials used, the air flow rate, and long-term performance. Some cheaper air purifiers are made out of mediocre materials and may off-gas VOCs. Once again, air purifiers should remove the pollutants from one’s home, not introduce new ones. Make sure the purifier does not release VOCs and is made of good-quality materials.

Air flow rate is another thing to consider. This is the amount of air the purifier takes in from its surroundings. Manufacturers may inflate these numbers, so look for ones that guarantee a product’s efficiency. At the same time, people should realize that ultra low penetration air (ULPA) filters are not superior to HEPA filters. ULPA purifiers have a very low air flow rate, meaning they don’t clean enough volume to make the purifier very effective.

Purchase from a Reputable Supplier

Clean Air Plus is the number one source of medical-grade HEPA filters, selling air purifiers produced by Amaircare, Austin Air, and IQAir. One of the best ways to purchase a quality air purifier is to buy from a reputable supplier like Clean Air Plus, with its dedication to improving indoor air quality and its expansive knowledge of air filtration systems.

Related posts:

1. Things to Consider When Buying an Air Purifier
2. A Beginner’s Guide to Air Purification
3. How to Choose a HEPA Air Purifier

Cardiovascular Health Study

The study, “Insights Into the Mechanisms and Mediators of the Effects of Air Pollution Exposure on Blood Pressure and Vascular Function in Healthy Humans,” was published in the journal Hypertension, a publication put out by the American Heart Association. Researchers conducted two randomized, double-blind crossover studies measuring the effects of ozone and fine particulate matter on cardiovascular health. Subjects in good health were exposed to air pollution in a series of three two-hour sessions. The air simulated the pollution present in urban environments near major roadways.

Air Pollution Tested

Researchers exposed subjects to two main forms of air pollution: ozone and fine particulate matter. Ozone is a well-known pollutant, recognized by both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the World Health Organization as a hazard. Fine particulate matter is made up of microscopic particles measuring 2.5 microns, less than a tenth of the diameter of a strand of human hair. These particles come from the burning of fossil fuels, such as a car’s exhaust, for example. Fine particles can settle deep in the lungs and may even get into the body’s bloodstream. Previous studies haven’t been able to clearly determine whether fine particulate matter or ozone was worse for people’s health. Significantly, this study did.

Study Findings

Test results indicated that fine particulate matter both significantly raised diastolic blood pressure and impaired the normal functioning of blood vessels. The increase in blood pressure occurred soon after exposure to air pollution, within about 2 hours of breathing in the air. The changes in blood vessel function took longer, but also lasted for a longer period of time, in some cases up to 24 hours. The particles also disrupted the body’s central nervous system and triggered inflammation, which can weaken the walls of blood vessels.

The lead researcher, Dr. Robert Brook, stated, “Although this increase in diastolic blood pressure may pose little health risk to healthy people, in people with underlying coronary artery disease, this small increase may actually be able to a trigger heart attack or stroke.” The authors recommended that on days with significant air pollution present, people with lung disease, heart disease, or diabetes should stay indoors as much as possible. Given that these deleterious effects were experienced by people only subjected to pollution for a limited amount of time, people who live in polluted areas should take special care with their cardiovascular health.

Indoor Air Quality

Staying indoors is less helpful if indoor air quality is poor. The EPA has stated that indoor air pollution is two to five-times worse than air found outdoors. This is because pollution accumulates within the home, becoming more concentrated, both from sources inside the home and outside pollutants seeping in. The EPA’s three suggestions for improving indoor air quality include controlling the pollution’s source, improving ventilation, and buying an air purifier. Since 9 out of every 10 breaths is taken indoors, it’s important to make sure that the air one breathes is clean and healthy.

HEPA Air Purifiers for Improved Indoor Air

High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) purifiers can filter out many of the airborne pollutants that may harm cardiovascular health. To get a HEPA rating, filters must remove 99.97% of particles .3 microns and larger. Purifiers often include both a HEPA filter and an activated carbon filter, the latter of which removes toxic chemicals, gases, and odors. Together they can remove a wide array of airborne pollutants and provide clean, pure air.

Clean Air Plus offers HEPA air purifiers by trusted manufacturers like Amaircare, IQAir, and Austin Air. Their purifiers are able to remove the types of pollutants that researchers found harmful to the heart. Anyone concerned about cardiovascular health – and especially anyone with an underlying heart condition – should consider purchasing HEPA air purifiers. They improve indoor air quality, allowing people to breathe easier.

Related posts:

1. Air Pollution: How It Damages the Heart
2. Air Pollution Increases Risk of Hospitalization in Newborns’ First Year
3. Heart and Blood Vessels Damaged by Air Pollution, Study Shows

Why Buy Air Purifiers

Traditionally, people who purchase air purifiers are concerned about their respiratory health. Often they already have a condition that is exacerbated by airborne pollutants. Such conditions can include asthma, allergies, and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, among many others. They get personal air purifiers to clean the air in homes and offices in order to help manage their condition. And as greater numbers of people become aware of problems like indoor air pollution, more buy air purifiers of their own.

Ionic Air Purifiers

Ionic air purifiers supposedly have two benefits. First, they operate silently. Second, they don’t require filters. The marketing for these purifiers claims that they use innovative technology to clean the air. Looking closer, these claims simply don’t make sense. Ionic air purifiers don’t use fans to circulate the air. Their sales pitch is that they depend on a constant release of negatively charged ions. Such ions attract dust, dander, and pollen and then stick to the collection plates inside the purifier, thus removing them from the air. All of this happens without filters or other moving parts. It would be remarkable, if it actually worked.

Problems of Ionic Purifiers

Advertisements for ionic air purifiers claim that the negatively charged ions will be attracted to the collection plate inside the purifier. People have actually been lead to believe that these purifiers are cleaning the air. In fact, those negatively charged ions will be attracted to anything positively charged, like television screens and tabletops. So they don’t, in fact, remove the particles from the air to the plates – they merely shift the contaminants to other parts of one’s home. Indeed, because they don’t use fans, ionic air purifiers can only affect the air immediately around them. Pollutants further away from the purifier remain unaffected. That’s hardly an efficient means of improving one’s indoor air.

The Ozone Issue

A common byproduct of ionic air purifiers is ozone. Most people think of ozone in the context of the ozone layer, which protects the Earth from the sun’s harmful radiation. That’s the good kind of ozone, but there’s also another kind: low level ozone, which is found close to the Earth’s surface. This is the bad kind of ozone, recognized by both the Environmental Protection Agency and the World Health Organization as an environmental pollutant. The Mayo Clinic has stated that inhaling even small amounts of ozone can irritate one’s lungs. It can cause coughing, shortness of breath, throat irritation, and it can even increase one’s risk of a respiratory infection. Given that many people buy air purifiers to help improve their respiratory health, it’s quite problematic if the purifier actually worsens it. There’s a reason allergists, immunologists, and other health professionals don’t recommend ionic air purifiers: they won’t help relieve respiratory issues.

HEPA Air Purifiers: The Better Choice

Thankfully, the choice is not between ionic air purifiers and nothing at all. High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) purifiers are a safe, proven way to improve indoor air pollution. They’ve been thoroughly cleaning air for decades, ever since they were first developed during the Manhattan Project to remove radioactive particles from the air. To get a HEPA rating, they must filter out 99.97% of airborne particles as small as .3 microns. These purifiers do use fans and filters, for a very good reason: they actually remove airborne pollutants from the air. Pollutants are trapped in the filters rather than ending up in one’s lungs. A HEPA air purifier removes airborne irritants and provides breathable, healthy air for anyone concerned about what gets in their lungs. They’re even recommended by organizations like the American Lung Association.

People should be skeptical about the dazzling claims spread by the heavy marketing of ionic air purifiers. New does not equal better; in this case, it really just equals more money spent on an inferior product. The hype sounds good, but it won’t produce clean air. Only HEPA air purifiers will do that, like the kinds sold by Clean Air Plus. Choose wisely and go with the tested, safe, effective way to improve indoor air quality.

Related posts:

1. The Trouble with Ionic Air Purifiers
2. The Dangers of Ionic Air Purifiers
3. Increased Ozone Caused by Ionic Air Purifiers Poses Health Risks

What Are House Dust Mites?

House dust mites have eight legs and come in two basic North American varieties. Both types of house dust mites are virtually unapparent to the human eye, but neither type burrows into skin, is parasitic or bites. Instead, these critters survive by absorbing water from the air. They require high temperatures and high humidity to thrive. They feed on dead human skin cells, like the ones that are continually being shed by everyone in the home, along with pollen, fungi, animal dander and bacteria. Most homes contain an abundance of all these things.

Allergies and Dust Mites

Dust mites trigger allergic reactions in many people. In fact, house dust mites are one of the most common causes of indoor allergies in humans. When exposed to dust mites, allergic people experience watery, itchy eyes, stuffy noses, sneezing, stuffy ears, asthma, eczema and various respiratory problems. Most of the time, these reactions become pronounced when dust is stirred up, as it is during cleaning and other common indoor activities. Dust mite allergies can make a person downright miserable, and can wreak havoc on the overall quality of their health as well.

Managing Dust Mites

Since dust mites are one of the biggest problems, getting rid of them is important. Look below for some of the best ways to eliminate dust mites from the home.

1. Pet dander is a major source of nourishment for dust mites. If you do have pets, do not allow them in the room where you sleep.
2. Dust mites thrive on humidity; keep the humidity level of your home as low as possible to discourage them. During the summer, use an air conditioner to keep the humidity down in your home and to reduce the presence of dust mites.
3. Furniture made out of wool should be avoided, since wool particles provide an additional food source for dust mites. Similarly, overstuffed furniture should be avoided, since it tends to collect a lot of dust. Try to avoid carpeting, since it can harbor a lot of dust that the critters thrive on.
4. Keep your home as well-sealed as possible in order to reduce the amount of pollen that gets in. Dust mites love pollen.
5. Keep up with the housekeeping, and pay special attention to washing bedding frequently. Also, try to steam clean any rugs or carpets regularly to reduce dust in the home.

Managing Dust

Dust mites thrive off of dust and everything that goes into it, so keeping it to a minimum can help keep the critters at bay. There are a few key ways to reduce dust in the home, including:

• Dusting – Dusting is the first thing you should do when cleaning the home. Use a damp cloth to catch dust particles; dry dusting just sends them out into the air more quickly. Make a habit of dusting your home regularly, and do it before doing any other type of cleaning.
• Vacuuming – After dusting and straightening up, vacuum your home thoroughly. For best results, use a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA air filter in it, since it will pull the most dust particles and other impurities from the carpeting in your home.
• Air Purification – Beyond dusting, vacuuming and cleaning, HEPA air purifiers are the absolute best way to reduce the amount of dust – and dust mites – in the home. HEPA air purifiers, which bring allergy, sinus and asthma relief to the table, are the best products available today.

Invest in a HEPA Air Purifier from Clean Air Plus

At Clean Air Plus, we understand why you don’t want dust mites in your home and are prepared by offering HEPA air purifiers by IQAir, Amaircare and Austin Air. By shopping with us, you can bring high quality air purification into your home. As you rid your home of the dust mite population, easier breathing will occur.

Related posts:

1. The Trouble with Whole House Air Purifiers
2. What’s the Deal with Dust?
3. Why Indoor Air Quality Matters

Indoor Allergies Get Worse in the Winter

During the winter, we tend to spend a great deal more time indoors. At the same time, we open our doors and windows a lot less, which means that the indoor air pollutants that swirl around our homes become even more highly concentrated and can affect our health that much more easily. It’s not unusual at all to hear a lot of coughing and hacking during the holidays, and colds aren’t the only culprits in those cases – allergies are, too.

It’s Not a Cold

If you notice that you seem to suffer from exceptionally long-running colds during the winter months, or that you seem to come down with back-to-back colds during that time of year, there’s a very good chance that indoor allergies are actually to blame. This is especially true if you notice yourself dealing with this same phenomenon each and every winter. It doesn’t mean that you are just more susceptible to colds than other people – it could very likely mean that you have indoor allergies. Pay attention to the symptoms that you have; if itchy, watery eyes and a scratchy throat are among them, they could be allergy symptoms.

Dealing with Indoor Allergies

Over-the-counter allergy medications are immensely popular, but they are not right for everyone. Even if you do choose to use them, you probably don’t want to have to rely on them day in and day out, all winter long. How can you lessen your dependence on allergy medications while still reducing the severity of your allergy symptoms this winter? Check out the tips and advice below for a few great ideas.

• Wear a mask when dusting and vacuuming, since this will lessen your exposure to the dust and other airborne pollutants that will get stirred up.
• Use allergen-proof covers on your box springs, mattresses and pillows to help keep dust mites at bay as much as possible.
• Keep the humidity in your home below 35%, since dust mites and mold spores don’t fare nearly as well in low humidity.
• Vacuum and dust on a regular basis, to help keep pollutants from growing and building up too much.
• Wash your bedding, including pillow cases, in very hot water at least one time per week to keep dust mites and other issues from cropping up.
• Don’t allow pets in your bedroom or in other areas of the home where you spend a great deal of time.
• Be sure to replace your furnace filter every two to three months, to help improve the indoor air quality in your home.
• Invest in a high quality HEPA air purifier to help improve the air in your home by a very considerable degree. HEPA filters remove up to 99.97% of airborne pollutants from the air, making it cleaner and purer. Clean air can potentially bring allergy and sinus relief, along with many other key health benefits.

Finding the Right HEPA Air Purifier

Shopping for a top of the line HEPA air purifier can be confusing. There are so many to choose from, and you certainly don’t want to buy one that won’t make the air in your home ultra clean. If you’re serious about wanting to make the air in your home as healthy as possible this winter, then you should invest in a HEPA air purifier from Clean Air Plus. At Clean Air Plus, we place a high priority on providing the best clean air solutions to our customers. We know that you want to keep indoor allergies at bay, and our products can lead the way.

Fight Back against Indoor Allergies This Winter with Clean Air Plus

Without a doubt, there is absolutely no reason why you should have to accept indoor allergies this winter. By purchasing a top HEPA air purifier from Clean Air Plus – taking your pick from reputable manufacturers like IQAir, Austin Air and Amaircare – you can dramatically improve the indoor air quality of your home. Why settle for less? Order from Clean Air Plus today and breathe easier this winter!

Related posts:

1. Don’t Let Indoor Air Get To You This Winter
2. How to Stop Allergies before They Get Started
3. Fall Is Here – Invest in an Air Purifier Now

What Is Asthma?

Before going into the specifics about how the indoor air quality of your home can affect your asthma, it helps to have a firm grasp about what asthma actually is. In a medical book, the definition for asthma can be confusing and convoluted. In layman’s terms, though, asthma refers to a condition in which the bronchioles – or the body’s airways – are inflamed and constricted. A person who suffers from asthma, then, has difficulty breathing; asthma attacks can be incredibly frightening experiences, especially for young children.

The Symptoms of Asthma

Asthma is an equal opportunity ailment; it strikes the young just as frequently as it strikes the old. Symptoms can appear gradually, or can seemingly come on all at once. Difficulty breathing is one of the hallmark symptoms of asthma; people feel as if they just can’t get a deep enough or a sufficient enough breath. Coughing and wheezing are also very common symptoms of asthma, and are usually chronic or occur regularly. Finally, asthma often includes the very uncomfortable sensation of a tightness of the chest; when combined with difficulty breathing, it can make a person feel as if he is suffocating.

Indoor Air Pollution and Asthma

As mentioned above, poor indoor air quality can exacerbate the symptoms of asthma considerably. Although there is no cure for asthma, it is possible to manage its symptoms and to make it interfere as little as possible in your life. One of the key ways to do that is by managing the quality of the air inside the home. Dust, pollen, dander and other common household air pollutants are all mortal enemies of any asthmatic; they get into the already-compromised airways and can wreak real havoc, triggering asthma attacks and other issues.

Minimizing Indoor Air Pollution the Easy Way

Indoor air pollution is a fact of life, but there’s a simple way to keep it to a bare minimum: use a HEPA air purifier. Although HEPA air purifiers cannot remove every last airborne particulate from the home, they can greatly improve indoor air quality. In turn, asthma sufferers can breathe a bit easier since their compromised respiratory systems aren’t being subjected to high concentrations of pollen, dust, dander and other harmful forms of air pollution. When used properly, a HEPA air purifier can eliminate a high percentage of indoor air pollutants, making it easier to breathe in general.

How HEPA Works

There are many misconceptions about how HEPA filters work. HEPA air purifiers cannot “cure” asthma or other respiratory ailments. Instead, they filter up to 99.97% of airborne particulates as small as 0.3 microns from the air in the home. These tightly woven and coiled filters are very good at what they do, and are considered to be the gold standard among air purification filters in the world today. Using a HEPA air purifier can help promote asthma relief, especially when combined with other treatments and strategies.

Enhancing Your Fight against Asthma

If you or someone in your home suffers from asthma, investing in a HEPA air purifier is definitely a step in the right direction. Keeping your home well-dusted and vacuuming it regularly can also help a great deal. If possible, removing carpets in exchange for wood or tile floors can also make the home a more agreeable place for people with asthma. The key is to make your home a genuine safe haven, where its inhabitants can breathe easily and where those who suffer from asthma can give their bronchioles a much-needed break.

Shopping for a HEPA air purifier can be a confusing endeavor; fortunately, Clean Air Plus only offers the most effective HEPA air purifiers available today. Our line of products includes machines from Austin Air, IQAir and Amaircare; you are sure to find something that will work well for your specific need. Why put off improving the indoor air quality of your home for one more minute? Order a HEPA air purifier from Clean Air Plus today.

Related posts:

1. Indoor Air Pollution Can Make Asthma Suffering Worse
2. Stay Healthy with Air Purification
3. A Beginner’s Guide to Air Purification

The Problem with Staying Indoors

Even if you maintain the most immaculate and comfortable home in the world, the air inside it is probably teeming with many different airborne particulates. Those irritants get into your airways and your respiratory system, creating unpleasant health problems. In addition to making allergy suffering even worse, indoor air pollution can exacerbate existing respiratory ailments like asthma. On top of that, it can make sinus problems even more pronounced. Since indoor air pollution is generally colorless and odorless, you don’t even realize that it’s there.

What’s in the Air in Your Home?

Without being able to see it, it’s difficult to imagine that there are so many things swirling about in the air inside your home – but there definitely is. When you stay indoors during the winter, you are exposing yourself to more of it than you usually do. What’s worse is that we keep our doors and windows sealed shut as much as possible when it’s cold outside; indoor air pollutants have fewer ways to escape, and remain bottled up inside the home. They become more highly concentrated and can affect your health much more easily.

What sorts of things are compromising your indoor air quality? They may include:

• Dander from pets
• Dust mites
• Mold spores
• Smoke – especially if people smoke in your home
• VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, which are emitted from common household items like cleaning products, paints and varnishes
• Bacteria and viruses that can make you sick
• Many other microscopic things

When combined, all of those things add up to very poor indoor air quality. By breathing them in regularly – especially during the winter – you increase your odds of becoming ill or of making existing respiratory problems worse.

Minimizing Indoor Air Pollution

Now that you have an idea about what’s in the air in your home – and about how much more of an issue it can be during the winter – you are probably eager to do something about it. After all, clean air can help promote good health and can lead to asthma, sinus, and allergy relief. How can you remove those contaminants from the air in your home, though, in order to enjoy those benefits for yourself? Air purification is one of the most obvious answers.

A HEPA Air Purifier Can Help This Winter

Rather than accepting poor indoor air quality this winter, you could invest in a high quality HEPA air purifier to make the air in your home much purer. Indeed, the popularity of HEPA air purifiers has skyrocketed as more and more people become conscious of the problems that are associated with breathing in contaminated air. HEPA technology can filter out up to 99.97% of airborne particulates, vastly improving the indoor air quality of your home and helping everyone in it breathe a whole lot easier this winter – and all year long.

IQAir HEPA Purifiers: A Great Option

Considering that they are backed up by more than forty years of superior Swiss engineering, IQAir HEPA air purifiers are among the very best that you can hope to buy for your home. During the SARS epidemic, the Hong Kong government chose IQAir purifiers for area hospitals, as they were shown to provide the very best air cleaning capabilities. Even airborne contaminants as small as viruses can be filtered out by IQAir’s amazing HEPA technology; these machines can make any home much cleaner and healthier during the winter.

HEPA Air Purifiers from Clean Air Plus

At Clean Air Plus, we are proud to carry IQAir HEPA air purifiers and believe that these products can dramatically improve the indoor air quality of your home this winter. Ordering with us couldn’t be any easier; you can have your IQAir unit up and running in your home in no time flat. With clean air comes greater health, so insist on the best and order your HEPA air purifiers – including IQAir units – from Clean Air Plus today.

Related posts:

1. Fighting Back against Winter Allergies
2. Indoor Air Quality Poses Significant Health Risks
3. Fall Is Here – Invest in an Air Purifier Now