Kaboutjie SA Mommy Blogs by Lynne Huysamen
Almost 26 million Americans or 1 in 13 people have asthma. The exposure to air pollution plays a major role in asthma attacks and constant introduction to airborne contaminants can even lead to the development of lung cancer. According to the American Lung Association, lung diseases claim the lives of 350,000 people in the U.S. every year.
During an asthma attack, the airways in the lungs narrow and swell making it difficult to breathe. The growing rate of asthma and other respiratory diseases worldwide has boosted the sales of the air filtration business. Based on a study of consumer trends in 2012, 25% of American adults with children purchase a home air purifier.
Various clinical trials have proven that air purifiers significantly increase asthma-free days and reduce unscheduled visits to the doctor or emergency room. But how does it do it? In this post, we will discuss how air purifiers provide asthma relief and create a substantial difference in the lives of those suffering from this condition.
Removes common environmental asthma triggers
Contrary to popular belief, indoor air is more polluted than outdoor air due to the presence of contaminants that are inadequately ventilated. Without proper air filtration and circulation, there is a buildup of particulates that can irritate the nose and lungs. Continuous air cleansing is one of the many advantages of using an air purifier all the time, check out the 5 Reasons Why You Should Run an Air Purifier 24/7.
Most people spend 90% of their time indoors and approximately 70% of that time is spent inside their homes. If indoor air is dirty and full of harmful particles and chemicals, it can trigger the onset of asthma symptoms. An air purifier gets rid of these asthma triggers by efficiently trapping these airborne particles in the filter and releasing cleaned air back into the room.
According to the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, using an air purifier to control the exposure to allergens, tobacco smoke, and similar pollutants prevents 65% of asthma cases experienced by school-age children in the U.S. each year. Home air purifiers can also reduce the cases of breathing problems caused by biological contaminants by as much as 60%.
Offers multiple stages of air filtration
High-end air purifiers are equipped with multiple filters to ensure clean and odor-free air. The Best Air Purifiers and Air Cleaners are highly efficient and provide various stages of air purification and filtration. Some home air purifiers also offer customized filters to provide the versatility you need to solve a specific type of air quality issue.
The most effective air purifiers against asthma are the ones that passed the HEPA requirements. Considered as the gold standard for air filtration, HEPA or High-Efficiency Particulate Air is made of dense and thin matted fibers that effectively trap dust and dirt making it perfect for asthmatic individuals.
To be classified as a True HEPA air purifier, the HEPA filter must remove airborne particles larger than or equal to 0.3 microns in diameter at 99% efficiency. The particulates that are 0.3 microns and larger include dust, pollen, mold spores, and even some viruses and bacteria.
Cleans and sanitizes the air in a large room
If you want to cleanse the air in a bigger room, make sure to get an air purifier with a large coverage area in square feet. To get the square footage of a room, simply measure the length and width of the area in feet and multiply those two numbers together.
Another thing to consider is the air purifier’s CADR or Clean Air Delivery Rate. This determines the airflow and filter efficiency and calculates how many cubic feet of air the machine can filter out in one minute. The higher the CADR number, the better the air filtration. Most air purifiers will indicate the three CADR numbers for the most common air contaminants – dust, pollen, and smoke.
A HEPA air purifier with a large coverage and high CADR is particularly useful in busy areas in the home such as the living room and kitchen. But when it comes to preventing night-time asthma attacks, it is best to also use one in the bedroom while you are asleep.
Conclusion
A research from the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI) states that 75% of Allergists recommend air purifiers to their patients as part of an overall allergy or asthma treatment program.
An air purifier makes the air feel less stale and help asthmatics breathe better, but it is not a magic cure! The use of an air purifier is only one of the many ways to manage asthma and should not be considered as the first line of defense. Taking medication, using an inhaler properly, and exercising is still the best action plan to keep asthma under control.
