For parents who are eager to protect the health of their children as much as possible, a study from Johns Hopkins University is sure to raise a lot of red flags. The study, which included 150 kids ages two to five years, indicates that high levels of indoor air pollution worsen asthma symptoms in children who suffer from the condition. This news flies in the face of conventional wisdom that dictates that asthmatic kids are better off indoors, and is sure to prompt some major changes in the lives of children who suffer from asthma. Most of all, the study highlights the need for clean air inside the home.

What the Study Shows

The researchers in the Johns Hopkins study followed the 150 children, monitoring the air quality of their bedrooms with special devices. These devices measured levels of indoor air pollution to give an idea about how contaminated they generally were. Measurements were taken during three three-day intervals: at the beginning of the study, at the three month mark and at the conclusion of the study during the sixth month. From those measurements, the study showed that the children who were exposed to the most indoor air pollution experienced higher levels of asthma symptoms than those who lived around lower levels.

Many different types of air pollution lurk within the home. The most worrisome kinds – the fine particulate ones that measure under 2.5 microns in size – can penetrate deep into the body’s respiratory system. These are the culprits that are largely behind the increase in asthma symptoms that the children in the Johns Hopkins study experienced. However, coarse particles measuring 2.5 and 10 microns in diameter also had a hand in increasing asthma symptoms, according to the study.

Higher concentrations of fine and coarse airborne particulates increased children’s asthma symptoms noticeably. With every 10 microgram per cubic meter of air increase that happens, there is an eight percent increase in the number of days that an asthmatic child experienced coughing, wheezing and chest tightness. As levels of indoor air pollution rise, the frequency of the number of days that rescue medication was necessary climb as well. For the parents of children with asthma, this is troubling news indeed; it shows that keeping a child indoors hardly protects them from the potential dangers of air pollution. In fact, many homes in the study had levels of fine particulates inside that were twice what the EPA deems acceptable for the outdoors.

What the Study Means for Parents

Since children spend approximately eighty percent of their time inside the home, indoor air quality is essential – especially for asthmatic children. Although there are many treatments and medications available to control asthma, it is becoming increasing apparent – especially through studies like the Johns Hopkins one – that reducing indoor air pollution can have a dramatic impact on the effects of asthma. Since most parents are willing to do anything to alleviate their child’s symptoms, it is certain that many will be eager to find ways to reduce levels of air pollution inside their homes.

What Can Be Done to Reduce Indoor Air Pollution?

Even though the Johns Hopkins study was conducted in Baltimore – a densely populated, highly polluted city – the problem of indoor air pollution can occur anywhere. Even if relocation is feasible, it will not completely eliminate the problem of indoor air pollution; it’s simply something that is everywhere. Fortunately, there are ways to make the air in your home safer for a child living with asthma. Vacuuming, dusting, sweeping and mopping frequently can help reduce pollution a bit. HEPA air purifiers, though, are the number one way to improve indoor air quality.

HEPA air purifiers pull 99.97% of air pollutants out of the air that you and your child breathe, making it clean and healthy. When used in the home, these air purifiers can have a dramatic impact on the amount and the severity of the symptoms associated with asthma. Asthma relief is one of the main reasons people purchase HEPA air purifiers, and this study reinforces the fact that air pollution definitely aggrevates and worsens asthma symptoms.

At Clean Air Plus, we are proud to offer the best lineup of HEPA air purifiers available today. With products by IQAir, Austin Air and Amaircare, we are certain that you will find precisely what you are looking for. There are so many great reasons to breathe clean, pure air – order a HEPA air purifier from Clean Air Plus today to begin enhancing the overall health of yourself and your family today. Breathing has never been easier than it is with the fine products of Clean Air Plus.

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