Relieving Allergies With Air Filters

   

Spring has arrived. Unfortunately for many, so have numerous allergies. While allergens are only a seasonal problem for some, many are present throughout the year and are especially bad indoors. If you are one of the unfortunate many suffering from constant allergies, there are a variety of symptom management steps you may try for relief from allergies. If these still aren’t enough, then it may be time to look into an air filter.

A good place to start is the Asthma and Allergy Foundation’s website. There you’ll find tips and even a checklist that offers methods in combatting those allergies, even some that aren’t obvious. One such tip is to not use humidifiers unless directed to do so by a physician, following your doctor’s directions carefully. This often seems counterintuitive, as humidifiers would seem to alleviate congestion. In fact, adding moisture to the air can sometimes increase the presence of certain allergens, particularly dust mites and mold.

Once you have gone through the checklist, if you or one of your family members are still experiencing allergy symptoms, it might be time to purchase that air filter. It is necessary to do a significant amount of research first. You must learn what kinds of air filters are available. There are five types on the market: the mechanical filter, the electronic filter, the hybrid filter, the gas phase filter, and the ozone filter.

Each filter has its own function and some are not recommended by the EPA or by the American Lung Association. The most popular and most recognized mechanical filter is the high efficiency particulate absorbing (HEPA) filter. It works by forcing air through a type of screen that is meant to trap particles. Some of the particles it traps are allergens. Those allergens include pet dander, dust mites, and pollen. It also traps irritants, including cigarette smoke. In order to qualify for the HEPA label it must be able to grab at least 90 percent of all particles bigger than 0.3 microns. A micron is a measurement equal to 0.001 millimeters.

An electronic filter captures allergens and other irritant particles using an electric charge. Hybrid filters employ both electronic and mechanical methods in tandem to become even more effective.

Gas phase filters aren’t designed to trap allergens. Instead, this design helps alleviate asthma symptoms. Gas phase filters free the air of odors and other contaminants that are not particles. For instance, cooking gas, paints and perfumes can all be scrubbed from the air by gas phase filtration.

You might have heard of ozone generators from friends or from advertisements, but they are not good for homes with allergy sufferers. There is no evidence that adding ozone will remove air pollutants. In fact, high levels of ozone can be hazardous to those with asthma.

Now that you have your air filter, where is the best place to put it? The logical place is where you spend the most time. For many of us that is the bedroom. If you decide that you need any more air filters you might consider putting one in the living/family room where many people will sit together. They can all get the benefit it provides. If you have severe allergies and do not feel like individual units are enough, you could install a model that will work with your air/vent system.

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Relieving Allergies With Air Filters

   

Spring has arrived. Unfortunately for many, so have numerous allergies. While allergens are only a seasonal problem for some, many are present throughout the year and are especially bad indoors. If you are one of the unfortunate many suffering from constant allergies, there are a variety of symptom management steps you may try for relief from allergies. If these still aren’t enough, then it may be time to look into an air filter.

A good place to start is the Asthma and Allergy Foundation’s website. There you’ll find tips and even a checklist that offers methods in combatting those allergies, even some that aren’t obvious. One such tip is to not use humidifiers unless directed to do so by a physician, following your doctor’s directions carefully. This often seems counterintuitive, as humidifiers would seem to alleviate congestion. In fact, adding moisture to the air can sometimes increase the presence of certain allergens, particularly dust mites and mold.

Once you have gone through the checklist, if you or one of your family members are still experiencing allergy symptoms, it might be time to purchase that air filter. It is necessary to do a significant amount of research first. You must learn what kinds of air filters are available. There are five types on the market: the mechanical filter, the electronic filter, the hybrid filter, the gas phase filter, and the ozone filter.

Each filter has its own function and some are not recommended by the EPA or by the American Lung Association. The most popular and most recognized mechanical filter is the high efficiency particulate absorbing (HEPA) filter. It works by forcing air through a type of screen that is meant to trap particles. Some of the particles it traps are allergens. Those allergens include pet dander, dust mites, and pollen. It also traps irritants, including cigarette smoke. In order to qualify for the HEPA label it must be able to grab at least 90 percent of all particles bigger than 0.3 microns. A micron is a measurement equal to 0.001 millimeters.

An electronic filter captures allergens and other irritant particles using an electric charge. Hybrid filters employ both electronic and mechanical methods in tandem to become even more effective.

Gas phase filters aren’t designed to trap allergens. Instead, this design helps alleviate asthma symptoms. Gas phase filters free the air of odors and other contaminants that are not particles. For instance, cooking gas, paints and perfumes can all be scrubbed from the air by gas phase filtration.

You might have heard of ozone generators from friends or from advertisements, but they are not good for homes with allergy sufferers. There is no evidence that adding ozone will remove air pollutants. In fact, high levels of ozone can be hazardous to those with asthma.

Now that you have your air filter, where is the best place to put it? The logical place is where you spend the most time. For many of us that is the bedroom. If you decide that you need any more air filters you might consider putting one in the living/family room where many people will sit together. They can all get the benefit it provides. If you have severe allergies and do not feel like individual units are enough, you could install a model that will work with your air/vent system.

Tags: ,