People with asthma have sensitive and twitchy airways that negatively respond when toxic pollutants enter their respiratory system. Subsequently, the person may get congestion, shortness of breath, chest pain, and among others. As a result, it is critical for people, especially those with asthma, to take care of their indoor air since hundreds of pollutants linger in the atmosphere.
Indoor air pollutants that can trigger asthma are classified as allergens or irritants.
Irritants
Volatile organic compounds, also known as VOCs, are gasses that are considered irritants because they have the power to cause inflammation and irritation in people’s respiratory systems.
Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) – This volatile organic compound is lingering in the air of many kitchens around the globe since gas stoves emit it. It has been studied that high levels of nitrogen dioxide aggravate asthma symptoms and could create other respiratory diseases, especially in children.
Tobacco Smoke – Tobacco smoke is probably one of the worst enemies for asthmatic people. Tobacco smoke is a VOC extremely irritant that has the facility to “burn” the respiratory tract and can subsequently cause an asthma attack. Cigarettes are harmful to smokers and people around them because even when the cigarette has been put out, the smoke still lingers in the air.
Household dust – Pet dander, smoke, and other particles can make up household dust. Dust can easily stay for days, months, and even years on household floors, mattresses, and other surfaces. The problem with dust is that when itsnot constantly cleaned, it becomes airborne again.
Chemical Odours – Scented detergents, room deodorizers, soaps, and products with strong odors can trigger asthma attacks. Chemical odours can also come from wall paint, cleaning products, floor tiles, etc.
Allergens – Allergens are materials that have the power of causing an immunological response in people who are susceptible to them. Like irritants, allergens have the facility to enter our respiratory system due to their microscopic size. The most common allergens detected in indoor air are pet dander, germs, pollen, cockroach proteins, and other pest particles.
Of course, if you are asthmatic, the best way to reduce the chances of having an asthma attack is by always carrying your reliever and taking your prescribed preventer medicines. According to studies, air purifiers are also a good solution.
A study done by a group of pediatricians in 2016 discovered the efficiency of HEPA air purifiers. Their discoveries suggest that air purifiers with powerful filters reduce the presence of airborne particles by 25-50 % which reduces the probability of an asthma attack. Air purifiers plus asthma preventer medicines will reduce significantly the probability of asthma attacks.
HEPA stands for a high-efficiency filter, and it is named like that since it can capture and eliminate 99.97% of pollutants in the air, including viruses, bacteria, allergies, and contaminants. Each AIR8 air purifier is equipped with high-quality HEPA 13 filters, the most powerful filters on the market. Standard HEPA filters can only filter out 0.3-millimeter particles, but HEPA 13 filters can remove 99.97 percent of particles as tiny as 0.1 microns. AIR8 is here to provide you with clean and safe indoor air.