There is an increasing concern about air pollution, not only outdoors but also indoors – right in our own homes. Not to be grim but about 3,000 Australians die every year from air pollution exposure. The adverse health effects cannot be understated. The air we breathe has a massive impact on everyone’s health, no matter the age – from congenital disabilities to type 2 diabetes.
We need air to survive, but it should be clean. It’s a common misconception that air indoors is more hygienic than outdoors. But the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that indoor air can become five times more polluted than outdoor air. The reason primarily lies in indoor air not being circulated enough, causing airborne pollutants to stay and thrive inside the house.
Thankfully, many Australians are becoming more knowledgeable about pollution and the importance of clean air. It is why air purifiers are growing in demand in recent years. Air purifiers offer plenty of benefits, which we will discuss in this blog. So, if you’re looking for a sign to buy one, you have come to the right place. Today, we will give you six convincing reasons why you should no longer wait to buy an air purifier for your home.
1. Are There People With Asthma or Respiratory Issues in Your House?
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), around 2.7 million Australians, equivalent to 11% of the population, have asthma. If you or a loved one has asthma, it means the bronchial tubes are inflamed. Pollutants like pet dander and dust mites can quickly irritate the airways. And that’s why breathing becomes difficult.
Several breeds of dogs and cats shed, usually daily. Hence, their fur and dander circulate in the air around your house. But it doesn’t mean you should not be careful if you don’t have any pets. You may love feeling the cool breeze when you open the windows, but you’re most likely welcoming pollen particles into your home. They even stick to your clothes.
Dust mites trigger asthma, too, and are probably the most common of all indoor allergens. They thrive indoors because of the lack of fresh air, resulting in a humid environment. These dust mites easily multiply in your carpet, upholstered furniture, and bed. While you can vacuum these areas, some particles remain in the air. It means you breathe them in, causing asthma attacks.
That’s when air purifiers become incredibly useful. These purifiers have filters that capture pollutants, leaving the air you breathe clean and healthy. Therefore, it reduces the chances of breathing difficulties due to asthma.
2. Are You an Animal Lover Who Has Allergies?
We’ve briefly mentioned how pet dander can trigger asthma attacks. But it also affects people with other allergies. Hair, fur, and dander are a concern for pet owners. Dogs and cats scratch and leave their fur behind, which can cause you to sneeze nonstop, have a runny nose, and have watery eyes. Just like humans, animals shed tiny flecks of skin known as dander.
They also have tiny allergens on their skin, as well as protein in their saliva, faeces, and urine, which can cause allergic reactions. Cats and dogs lick their bodies. When the saliva dries, the allergens they contain can flake off from their fur and may stay in the air. If you are allergic to pet dander, inhaling air can cause bouts of coughing and sneezing.
And here’s the tricky part. You may have heard that allergic people should stay away from long-haired or hairy animals. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a non-allergenic dog or cat. The fur itself is not the main trigger. Having a short-haired animal in your home can contribute to dander as effectively as pets with long hair.
So, how can an air purifier help? It filters dander from the air, so you only breathe clean and healthy air. It’s perfect for all, whether the allergic person is a child or an adult.
3. Are You Sensitive to Smells?
Does your house smell dirty? It’s a common issue for homes with teenagers, especially those usually active in the afternoon, playing sports. Is someone in the house a smoker? If there is a baby or an older adult in your home, you could be dealing with dirty diapers. Although you keep them hidden in the bin, your sensitivity to smells can be annoying for you and may even make you sick. The same problem arises if you have some furry friends in your house.
Apartments and offices often experience drafts from other parts of the building. They can carry unpleasant odours throughout the facility. Plus, dust can make the indoor air smelly (See this post for why your home is dusty).
With an air purifier, all your worries about the bothersome stench in the air can be significantly reduced. Whether you need to clear the air in your home or office, having an air purifier can help make the air more enjoyable to breathe. It’s best to position the air purifier at the entrance, specifically where the odours are. This way, you efficiently eliminate the smells before you start breathing them in.
4. Do You Worry About Indoor Toxins?
Your home should be a place where you feel comfortable and stress-free. But it’s not always the case, especially because there’s always the threat of mould, mildew, and certain toxins. Mould can become dangerous for people with lung conditions like asthma. But don’t just go for any air purifier. Make sure it has a HEPA filter, which you need to get rid of mould that may have accumulated in the air. Learn more about air purifiers in this blog post.
Another common issue in homes is smoke. Smokes, including tobacco smoke and bushfires, can affect your breathing and overall health. By investing in an air purifier, you will feel much better because you are breathing cleaner air.
Now, we all use cleaning products. But most of us do not realise that they come with toxins that can live in the air. This applies to personal care products, too, including hairsprays, perfumes, and deodorants. Even if you do not use these items, some particles stay in the air, multiplying, until you breathe them in. They then cause coughing and sneezing fits, as well as watery eyes. An air purifier can trap these toxins so they do not enter your body, which can immediately exacerbate allergies.
5. Are You Having Trouble Sleeping?
Dust mites, along with bacteria and fungi, can cause frequent sneezing, coughing, and nose congestion. You could also develop a sore throat and a general feeling of being unwell. All these symptoms can disrupt your sleep. Also, these allergens can keep you up at night because your bedding can get extremely itchy and uncomfortable.
If you lack sleep, you can suffer from daytime drowsiness, which dramatically affects your productivity the next day. Turn the air purifier on to get a better night’s sleep, thanks to the cleaner air in the bedroom.
6. Did You Recently Move?
If the house is old, you should be wary of asbestos. It’s a naturally occurring mineral that is commonly found in buildings built or renovated before the mid-1980s. But even Australian homes constructed in the 1990s can have materials that contain asbestos in roofing and insulation pipes. That means you and your family could be exposed to asbestos dust, which continues to spread in the ambient air.
This exposure is not only unhealthy but dangerous, too. It can cause lung diseases, particularly one that is distinguished with tissue scarring. Other symptoms of asbestosis that you should watch out for are swelling in the face or neck, appetite loss, and difficulty swallowing. If you are diagnosed with asbestosis, it increases your risk of lung cancer. Protect yourself and your family with HEPA air purifiers, which are effective in capturing asbestos dust.
But having a new home does not mean you don’t need an air purifier. Moving to a new house can give you that “new house” smell, which means the air is filled with formaldehyde and other pollutants. Just like asbestos, formaldehyde has been proven to cause a host of health problems. Filter out that toxicity so you can breathe clean and healthy air worry-free.
And there you have it! Six compelling reasons why you should invest in an air purifier today. It’s impressive that a small product offers revolutionary benefits, including peace of mind and even longer life.
