Recent research indicates that Australians now spend 90 per cent of their time indoors, and according to the Environmental Protection Society indoor air is up to five times more polluted than outdoor air. This can be attributed to the increasingly polluted urban environments many of us live in, along with dust, pet dander, mould spores and other allergens than collect within the home.
If you’re an asthma sufferer or someone who struggles with allergies or other respiratory conditions, improving the air quality within your home may reduce the severity of your symptoms, and enable you to breathe easier.
BHG Digital talked to Australian GP Dr Ginni Mansberg about how you can improve the air quality at home.
Struggling to get a better night’s sleep?
“Even if you manage to get a full night of sleep, air pollution can decrease the quality and benefits of your sleep,” says Australian General Practioner Dr Ginni Mansberg.
“When trying to improve the air quality in your bedroom, one of the most important considerations should be ventilation which is why open windows, and a high-quality air purifier are the essentials of creating a healthier sleep environment.
“After those, good energy, and lots of laughs with the family are guaranteed to improve overall wellbeing in the home,” she says.
What are the benefits of air purifiers for health?
- Air purifiers with a HEPA filter can be used to reduce the risk of infections indoors including bacteria and viruses including COVID.
- Air purifiers can also help create a healthier sleep environment. Air pollution can decrease the quality and regenerative benefits of your sleep.
- The use of air purifiers with HEPA filters can significantly reduce the severity of hay fever and asthma.
- Air purifiers remove ultra-fine dust particles, pollutants, bacteria, allergens and bad odours from indoor rooms, ensuring cleaner air and overall air health and wellbeing.
Are there any health conditions that would benefit from an air purifier?
- Sufferers of asthma, allergic rhinitis and mould allergy have been shown to benefit.
- Given that poor indoor air quality has been directly linked to a higher risk of heart attacks, they might help people prevent catastrophic cardiovascular events.
- From early studies, it looks like they might also help poor sleepers get a better night’s sleep.
Can an air purifier remove Covid and other viruses from the air?
The short answer is yes- well some do! Your air purifier MUST have a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter – these filters get rid of particles as small as 0.3 microns. Studies show they do nuc virus particles, including COVID 19.
But the air purifier needs to be big enough to handle the volume of air being circulated and ideally it should be left on continuously. I use one in my surgery and despite being coughed on as I’m swabbing maskless people with flu and COVID, so far I have been mercifully virus-less since 2019!
Ginni’s tips for improving your indoor air quality at home
1. Open the windows
By opening windows, you’re letting fresh air in to improve your indoor air quality. Doing so in the morning and before bed at night, or when cleaning with toxic cleaning products, is essential to maintain good airflow throughout your home.
2. Get a high-quality air purifier
Air purifiers remove ultra-fine dust particles, pollutants, bacteria, allergens and bad odours from indoor rooms, ensuring cleaner air and overall air health and wellbeing.
Electrolux’s newest range minimises airborne pollutants even when you sleep with their four-step filtration system that removes bacteria for cleaner and healthier fresh air at home.
3. Be conscious of mould
Get mould detected and manage it as soon as possible. Spores are carried in the air and can cause health problems in vulnerable people, such as asthma, irritation of the eyes, wheezing or a blocked nose, if inhaled. If you are vulnerable to illnesses caused by mould, take extra care to ensure the best indoor air quality and seek professional help to remove mould from ceilings and walls.
4. Invest in a strong pet vacuum
If you have a pet that sheds hair, make sure you have a great vacuum cleaner and for best results, use it in tandem with an air purifier. Loose pet dander can be hidden all around the house and trigger short-term allergies in vulnerable people such as sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, and shortness of breath. Using a strong, pet-friendly vacuum is a great way to uphold air quality and wellbeing in the home.
You might also like:
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