Air
Purifiers and Asthma
by
Logan Rokwild
If
you are a sufferer of asthma or any serious allergies, at some
point you must have considered or been approached by a salesman
to buy an air purifier. These gadgets are meant to alleviate the
problems of air pollution faced by asthma patients. People who
suffer from asthma know only too well the advantages of maintaining
a clean and healthy air environment. The cleaner the air that
they breathe the lesser the chances of an asthma attack.
What
sets off an asthma attack? Asthma can be triggered by a number
of common elements found in the air. These include but are not
limited to high levels of dust floating in the air, the ever present
smog in cities caused by traffic congestion, noxious byproducts
discharged by industrial and home chemicals, pollen, cigarette
smoke, pet hair etc. The list could just go on and on.
The
challenge, then for an asthma patient is to reduce the number
of irritants that are present in the air that can cause the onset
of an attack.
Enter
Air purifiers An air purifier is a device which frees the air
from contaminants, like the ones mentioned above. Experts maintain
that an air purifier can indeed help relieve the asthma symptoms.
Air purifiers are able to do so as they are equipped to filter
the air of pollutants and second hand smoke. They cut down on
the number of airborne dust mites by reducing the amount of floating
dust. They are able to cleanse the air of chemical pollutants
and even filter fine pet hairs. Various technologies are used
to accomplish this, including filters, adsorbents like charcoal
and electrostatic charges.
Are
they worth it? Experts believe that while air purifiers do succeed
in removing and filtering many of the allergens that are present
in the air, they can do so only when other changes are made to
the environment, in addition to purchasing an air purifier. The
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the American Lung
Association, both recommend air filtration systems but not as
an all-in-all solution.
Minor
changes made to the home can achieve better air ventilation and
cleanliness, which can also help reduce the symptoms of asthma.
For instance avoiding carpeting, using air conditioning, regular
cleaning of air filters in air conditioners in every season, staying
indoors during the pollen season or when your allergies are severe,
can all help to reduce asthma.
About the Author
Logan
Rokwild writes about various topics. |