The air outside isn’t always fresh and clean. There are pollutants in outdoor air that can cause problems. These pollutants come from vehicle exhaust, factory smokestacks, wildfires and other sources. Some common outdoor pollutants are:
Particulate Matter (PM) – These are tiny solid and liquid particles in the air. Some examples are dust, soot, and smoke. When you breathe in particulate matter, it can irritate your lungs and make asthma worse.
Ozone (O3) – This gas is helpful high up in the atmosphere, but at ground level it can damage lung tissue. Ozone forms from vehicle emissions and other pollutants reacting with sunlight.
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) – These gases are released when fuels like gas, oil, coal or wood are burned. They can cause breathing problems by damaging lung tissue.
Even when you’re inside your home or school, some outdoor pollutants can sneak in through open windows, vents or cracks. This makes the indoor air dirtier and harder to breathe. An air purifier with the right filters can trap many outdoor pollutant particles before you breathe them in.
What your air purifier needs
Since air pollution is a combination of particles and gases your best bet is filters that have both HEPA and activated carbon.
Air Pollution and Your Health
Have you ever noticed a hazy sky or smelled something unpleasant in the air?
That could be air pollution. Air pollution is when gases, dust, or other harmful substances get into the air we breathe. It can come from factories, cars, fires, and even some household products. Air pollution is bad for our health and the environment.
There are different types of outdoor air pollution.
Smog is a mix of pollutants that creates a thick haze in the air, especially over cities. Soot and smoke come from burning fuels like gas, oil, and wood. Other pollutants are invisible gases like carbon monoxide from car exhaust.
Breathing polluted outdoor air can cause breathing problems, headaches, and make asthma and allergies worse. Over time, it can lead to more serious illnesses like lung disease, heart disease, and even cancer. Air pollution also harms plants, trees, crops, and animals.
But did you know that indoor air can be polluted too?
The air inside homes, schools, and other buildings can actually be more polluted than outdoor air. This is because indoor spaces are enclosed, so pollutants have no way to escape.
Some common indoor air pollutants are dust, mold, pet dander, smoke from cooking or fireplaces, and chemicals from cleaning supplies or paint. Breathing these in can cause the same health problems as outdoor pollution like coughing, shortness of breath, headaches, and allergies.
Luckily, there are steps you can take to improve indoor air quality in addition to adding in a high quality air purifier:
- If the outdoor air quality is good and free of allergens, open windows to let fresh outdoor air circulate indoors.
- Use exhaust fans when cooking or showering to pull out odors and moisture that allows mold to grow.
- Vacuum carpets and clean hard floors often to reduce dust and dander.
- Avoid using harsh chemical cleaners or letting people smoke indoors.
- Keep humidity levels in check using dehumidifiers so that mold doesn’t grow. Ideally between 30%-50%.
- Have your heating and air conditioning units inspected yearly to make sure they are working properly.
- Select a top air purifier to clean your air.
Taking these steps can really help clear the air and make your indoor environment healthier to breathe.