Dust, Mold, and Allergens
Did you know that your household is home to a number of invisible intruders, all of which can have an effect on your family’s health? Dust, mold, and allergens – along with other indoor air pollutants – can settle into your home’s nooks and crannies, waiting to be kicked up and inhaled. Maintain a Healthy Home for you and your family by increasing Indoor Air Quality.
Indoor Air Pollutants Include:
- Dust and Dust Mites
- Pollen
- Pet Dander
- Mold Spores
- Gases, Chemicals and Smoke
- Misc. Air Particles
Respiratory issues such as coughing, sneezing, and runny nose are common symptoms associated with allergies and mold exposure. The inflammation that underlies these symptoms can manifest in other ways that you wouldn’t expect like headaches, nausea, fatigue, indigestion, eczema, and even some mental health issues have all been linked to chronic inflammation.
If you have been experiencing any of these symptoms, make sure to follow up with a healthcare provider to determine what the cause is and get you feeling better as soon as possible.
Dos & Don'ts
Do
install a whole-home air purifier to relieve your home of dust, mold, and allergens
Whole-home air purifiers can help reduce the amount of dust, mold spores, and allergens accumulating in your home. Consider using MERV air filters to help your home efficiently capture airborne particles.
Don’t
underestimate the use of room air purifiers
It's never a bad idea to use a room air purifier in high-traffic areas like the kitchen, living room, or pet area. A room air purifier can help clear away airborne contaminants. A room air purifier is also a great addition for smaller living spaces in apartments, offices, condos, dorm rooms, or classrooms.
Do
maintain a clean and Healthy Home
Dusting with a damp cloth will help remove dust from your home, rather than just stirring it up in the air for a period of time. Try to vacuum once or twice a week to remove dust and allergens from your Healthy Home, and make sure to change out your vacuum bag or empty your vacuum's dirt container regularly to improve suction power.
Don’t
neglect your household bedding and linens
Washing your bedding, mattress covers, throw pillows, and blankets in hot water regularly can help combat dust mites and other allergen accumulation.
Do
maintain the upkeep of your Healthy Home
Make sure to keep up regular home maintenance items such as fixing minor leaks and cracks to prevent mold growth, changing air filters regularly, and cleaning those hard-to-reach spots every so often to prevent dust and allergen buildup.
“Poor Indoor Air Quality can cause or contribute to the development of infections, lung cancer and chronic lung diseases such as asthma.”
FINAL THOUGHTS
It may not seem like your home is crawling with potentially harmful respiratory irritants on the surface, a world of invisible intruders lurks right before your eyes. In fact, about 40,000 dust mites can live in an ounce of dust.
Increase the Indoor Air Quality in your Healthy Home with whole-home and room air purifiers, MERV air filters, and good old-fashioned home maintenance, pure and simple.
The information contained on the AprilAire website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment in any manner. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding any medical condition. All information is for informational and educational purposes only and any use thereof is solely at your own risk.