If you or a family member is experiencing asthmatic or cold/flu-like symptoms, the cause could be indoor air pollution. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, approximately 50 percent of illnesses are either caused or aggravated by bad air inside the home.
Certain immediate effects are similar to those from colds or other viral flu-like diseases, so it is often difficult to determine if the symptoms are a result of exposure to indoor air pollution. Consequently, pay attention to whether the symptoms fade or go away when you are out of the house. If you find this to be the case, it is more than likely that indoor air pollution is causing your health problems due to inadequate ventilation and/or humidification. You may also require filtration to remove certain indoor pollutants.
TrueCLEANAir™ can scientifically test your indoor air to determine if there are contaminants that may be contributing to your health issues. We can then design the most effective solution to remove particles, ventilate with fresh air, and/or properly humidify your house.
Colds/Flu
Colds and influenza (flu) are caused by viruses. They can cause mild to severe illness, with symptoms such as fever, headache and sore throat. In severe cases, flu can result in death. Older people, young children and those with depressed immune systems are particularly at risk. Cold and flu are contagious, meaning it can be spread to others from up to six feet away, via moisture droplets inhaled from air where people with cold/flu cough, sneeze or talk. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention:
“Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick. Children may pass the virus for longer than 7 days. Symptoms start 1 to 4 days after the virus enters the body. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick. Some persons can be infected with the flu virus but have no symptoms. During this time, those persons may still spread the virus to others.”
TrueCLEANAir™ solutions help filter the small bacterial and viral particles that spread cold and flu viruses.
Asthma
According to the Pediatric, Allergy, Immunology and Pulmonology journal, asthma is the most common chronic disease of childhood, and has increased dramatically over the past three decades. A significant contributor towards this increase is allergens found in homes derived from dust mites, molds and pet dander. The study estimates that more than 92 percent of homes in the U.S. contain sufficient concentrations of at least one allergen in dust to cause asthmatic symptoms.
TrueCLEANAir™ solutions can effectively filter the smallest particles that can contribute to asthmatic conditions. These particles include spores from mold, bacteria and viruses, volatile organic compounds and dust mites.
Allergies
If you suffer from allergies, you know the misery—the itchy nose, scratchy eyes, coughing and tightness in the chest. In the spring or fall, most allergy symptons are caused by pollen or mold spores. Even indoors, the symptoms can continue, and in fact, sometimes get worse, thanks to some 72 trillion allergens that find their way into your home every day. Here are just a few allergens that may reside in your home:
-
Mold spores can irritate the respiratory passages
-
Dander from pets can float in the air and cause reactions in sensitive family members
-
Protein in urine from rats and mice is a potent allergen. When it dries, it can become airborne
-
Dust mites lurk in bedding, upholstery and almost any other soft material, generating irritating waste particles that can become airborne
-
Dust – the big culprit. The average home generates about 40 pounds of dust per year per 1,500 square feet of space
Chronic Breathing Problems (COPD)
COPD refers to any disease that interferes with normal breathing, and is typically a condition that grows worse over time. Examples are chronic bronchitis and emphysema. The leading cause of COPD is pipe, cigar and cigarette smoke; even people who don't smoke are at risk from second-hand passive inhalation of tobacco smoke. While indoor air pollutants other than smoke may not be primary causes of COPD disorders, they may over time be contributing factors. Someone who is already suffering from COPD will experience more frequent or worsening symptoms in a home that is high in indoor air pollutants.
Contributions to Breathing Problems
Understanding what might trigger a breathing problem is the first step in better controlling the problem. It's not enough to avoid smoky bars or dusty work environments. You need to determine what air pollutants may be present in your home, and take the necessary steps to remove them. Cleaning your indoor air to remove as many pollutants as possible makes it that much easier for someone with COPD to breathe.
Pollen
Pollens originate from plants; if you have plants in your house, you more than likely have pollen in the air. Even if you don’t have plants, you can’t help but have pollen from outside air. Those with seasonal allergies experience the discomfort of sneezing, watery eyes, coughing, shortness of breath, dizziness, lethargy, fever and digestive problems.
TrueCLEANAir™ solutions can effectively filter the small pollen particles that contribute to these allergic conditions.
Mold
Mold is a microscopic fungus that grows in damp conditions found in kitchens, bathrooms, basements, and homes that have moist air. Mold can trigger asthmatic and allergic reactions. If your air smells musty, it most likely contains mold spores.
Mold can cause damage to nearly any home surface, including walls, furniture, carpentry, drapes as well as personal belongings. Let untreated, mold damage may require expensive replacement. At the very least, it is aesthetically unattractive.
It is impossible to get rid of all mold and mold spores indoors; some mold spores will be found floating through the air and in house dust. However, the mold spores will not grow if moisture is not present. The key to controlling indoor mold is moisture control, to repair any leaky faucets and pipes and through house-wide dehumidification.
Bacteria and Viruses
Bacteria and viruses are carried by people, animals, soil and plant debris. In other words, just about anything that moves in from outside into your house. Central heating and cooling systems are potential breeding grounds for these bacteria and viruses in circulating contaminated air throughout your house.
By controlling the relative humidity level in a home, the growth of bacteria and viruses can be minimized. A relative humidity of between 30 to 50 percent is generally recommended. TrueCLEANAir™ can test your air to determine your relative humidity and design a system solution that either humidifies the indoor air if it is too dry, or dehumidifies it if it is too moist.
Volatile Organic Compounds
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are gases emitted from a variety of chemicals, that can affect your immediate as well as long-term health. Concentrations of many VOCs are consistently higher indoors (up to ten times higher) than outdoors. VOCs are emitted by a wide array of household products, including paints and lacquers, paint strippers, cleaning supplies, pesticides, building materials, furnishings, office equipment such as copiers and printers, glues and adhesives, permanent markers, and photographic solutions.All of these products can release organic compounds not only while you are using them, but even while they are in storage.
TrueCLEANAir™ solutions can effectively filter the small VOC particles in your air, contribute to adverse health affects over both the long- and short-term life.
Dust
Well, there’s no getting away from dust, is there? Common, ordinary household dust has been show to be a major source of allergens such as fungi, dust mites, animal dander and a variety of chemical contaminants. Dusting your home moves the dust around, and can help create more dust. A central vacuum system, let alone a portable vacuum, cannot eliminate the dust you breath and can serve as the means to further distribute it throughout your home.
Dust also hosts mold. spores that can damage nearly any home surface, including walls, furniture, carpentry, drapes as well as personal belongings. Let untreated, mold damage may require expensive replacement. At the very least, it is aesthetically unattractive
TrueCLEANAir™ solutions effectively filter the small particles in dust that can contribute to adverse health affects over both the long- and short-term.
Dust Mites
Dust mites thrive in the home environment. They feed on organic detritus, particularly flakes of shed human skin that easily flourish in the stable household. A common cause of asthma and allergies, the guts of dust mites contain enzymes that persist in their feces and are primary contributors to persistent wheezing. The eight-legged body of a dust mite is just barely visible against a dark background in a normal light. Dust mites flourish best in, couches, carpets, rugs, toys and curtains.
While there are chemical solutions to remove a dust mite problem, the cure can sometimes just as easily further contribute to an indoor air quality issue. A TrueCLEANAir™ solution filters the air and gets rid of pesky creatures and keep them out of the air you breathe.