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What is an Airborne Allergen? An allergen is defined as any substance that, when ingested, inhaled, or touched, causes an allergic reaction. Our immune systems are designed to protect us against foreign substances introduced to our bodies. People have allergic reactions when their immune system overreacts in defense of a “false alarm.” The symptoms of an allergic reaction can be as mild as congestion and can range to reactions as extreme and life threatening as anaphylactic shock. It is impossible to list all existing allergens, as each individual reacts differently to substances they encounter. Something that may cause one person to break out in hives or to not be able to breathe may not even affect someone else. An airborne allergen is any of these reaction-causing substances that can be inhaled. You are most likely familiar with some of the most common airborne allergens. These include pollen, pet dander, mold, dust, and even cigarette and secondhand smoke. Although many of these allergens, and others, can be found outdoors, research has shown that there is a higher concentration of allergens within the average home and workplace than there is without. One of the major reasons for this is that buildings are designed to be insulated from the outdoors, and this means that any allergens or other undesirable air particles that make their way inside get trapped there with no way out. This includes secondhand smoke that can linger in the air for long periods of time without adequate ventilation. Homes also offer certain environments that cater to mold, mildew, and dust accumulation. Basements are often designed in a way that leaves them susceptible to flooding, high humidity, and overall dampness. Bathrooms, as well, have a tendency to remain humid and damp for prolonged periods of time. Mold and mildew can grow on shower curtains as well as in consistently damp areas. The spores can then be launched into the air and breathed in, causing allergies in many people. “Like pollens, mold spores are important airborne allergens only if they are abundant, easily carried by air currents, and allergenic in their chemical makeup. In general, Alternaria and Cladosporium (Hormodendrum) are the molds most commonly found both indoors and outdoors throughout the United States. Aspergillus, Penicillium, Helminthosporium, Epicoccum, Fusarium, Mucor, Rhizopus, and Aureobasidium (Pullularia) are also common.”1 In addition to mold, dust can cause allergies in some people, and can accumulate easily on household items such as Venetian blinds, carpeting, and furniture. House dust can contain more than one single substance, often including various fabric fibers, pet dander, bacteria, spores, food particles, and tiny pieces of plants and insects. Any one of these things may cause an allergic reaction in a particular individual. Dust mites and their byproducts can also become airborne allergens. The American Lung Association recommends a three-step process for reduction of indoor airborne contaminants.
Location and removal of airborne pollutions at the source is always the first and most effective step to detoxifying the air in your home. Secondly, if there is not enough ventilation and air circulation in the building, any toxins in the air will be trapped inside as new ones are created, raising the contaminant levels significantly. A central ventilation system will go far to this end, but make sure that you increase air flow temporarily by opening some windows if you are using chemicals of any kind within your home. The third step you can take to help eliminate indoor air pollution is to install an appropriate air purifier in your home. There are several different types of air cleaning devices, such as electronic air cleaners that use negative ion generators to attract airborne particles to internal metal plates, gas phase filters used to combat specific gases, vapors, and odors, and high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters used to remove contaminating particles in from the air. According to the American Lung Association, “HEPA Filters are the most efficient mechanical filters for removing small particles which can be breathed deep into the lungs.”2 This is in part due to the fact that, unlike electronic air cleaners, they do not have the adverse affect of causing airborne particles to cling to other room surfaces, where they can then be too-easily re-introduced into the air. HEPA Filters are 99.97% efficient at .3 microns and higher.When purchasing your HEPA filter air purifier, keep in mind four important factors that contribute to ensuring that the one you choose performs most effectively for you. These are efficiency, clean air delivery rate, ozone production levels, and certification. Efficiency means how effectively and quickly particles are drawn through the filter. Clean air delivery rate means the volume of air that can pass through the filter in a given time. If this rate is too low, it will not matter if the filter itself is “effective.” Ozone generators are sometimes marketed as air cleaners. However, ozone itself is a pollutant that can cause damage to the lungs, chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath, and throat irritation. “Ozone may also worsen chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma and compromise the ability of the body to fight respiratory infections.”3 Ozone in safe amounts has been proven to have little effect on reducing indoor air contaminants. At Pyramid Air, “Certified” means that our HEPA filter air purifiers are individually tested to perform at 99.97% efficiency. They do not produce unsafe levels of ozone. They do have UVGI systems to help destroy airborne bacteria and diseases that might otherwise be too small to be caught in the filter, and unlike any other similar product on the market today, the UV lamps in all of our units are installed on the intake (dirty side) of the primary filter to help destroy airborne pathogens but also prevent bacteria and mold growth on the HEPA filters. Learn more about our individual products. Please visit the links below for more related information on this topic.
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Successful Steps to Control
Four Airborne Allergens,
from Care2 3 Ozone Generators That are Marketed as Air Cleaners, from the EPA Dogs and Asthma, from Penn State University |
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