About Air Purification
Indoor air pollutants are unwanted (and sometimes harmful) materials in the air in every home,
including particles and gases that can be breathed into your lungs and cause allergic
reactions.
If you suffer from allergies associated with airborne particles, there are three commonly
recommended strategies for their reduction:
•
Control the source of the allergens by doing things such as vacuuming regularly and
removing pollinating plants.
•
Ventilate your home when practical, replacing contaminated air.
•
Use an air cleaner.
This combination of strategies, including the use of a Vicks True HEPA Air Purifier, may result
in reduction of airborne allergens in your home.
For best results, place the Air Cleaner near the source of pollutants or where it can process air
of occupied areas.
Kaz also recommends humidity control as part of an overall allergen-reduction regimen. High
levels of humidity (over 50%) in the home can create beneficial environments for mold growth
and dust mites, discussed in
“Types of Allergens”
. It is important to note that low levels of
humidity (less than 25%) can be harmful as well: low humidity can reduce mucus production,
inhibiting the body’s natural ability to capture pollutants, viruses and bacteria.
Types of Allergens
An allergen is any material that can provoke an allergic or asthmatic reaction in an individual
predisposed or sensitized to that material
Pollen
Nearly all plants generate pollen at differing levels depending on the season and location.
While pollen allergies are common, they are also controllable by remaining indoors during
pollen season with doors and windows closed. It can also be helpful to bathe and wash hair
before going to bed to avoid transferring the pollen to bedding.
Dust
The most bothersome component of household dust is the Dust Mite, a microscopic creature
found in virtually all homes. It lives primarily in cloth, bedding and carpeting and its waste
products are the main allergen to which dust-allergic people react. The key to long-term
control of dust allergens is control of the Dust Mite itself. The Dust Mite thrives in moist,
humid conditions of around 75% humidity, and can be controlled through humidification
control (mites cannot survive humidity levels lower than 50% relative humidity), use of
mattress and pillow covers designed to protect against Dust Mites, and frequent vacuuming.
