Air Quality Tips For Your Patients

1. Control the source of allergens as much as possible. Keep surfaces clean, don't let dust accumulate. Don't open the windows on days where the pollen count is really high, but consider using an air conditioning unit to maintain comfort.
2. Use an air purifier to help trap allergens in the filters, helping to make the air in an enclosed area fresher and cleaner. True HEPA Allergen Remover air purifiers capture up to 99.97% of microscopic particles (0.3 microns) that pass through the filters.
3. Familiarize yourself with different allergens and their sources. Most pollen is a serious issue in the springtime, but there are also summer pollens (grasses)fall pollens (ragweed, thistle and fall flowers) and winter pollens (Christmas trees and foliage) that can be present in the home. Limit your exposure to these allergens as much as possible. Plan your landscaping to minimize pollen levels: plant shrubs and trees several feet away from your house, plant low ground covers instead of grass and avoid flowering plants. Remove fall leaves before they get wet and can get moldy and keep gutters and drain pipes clear of leaves that can become moldy.
4. As much as you love them, it's important to keep pets out of your sleeping area. Pet dander is a serious allergen for many people. Keep pets groomed and bathed regularly to help reduce pet hair/fur and dander. Don't let pets on sofas and chairs where their hair/fur and dander can linger behind and vacuum area rugs and carpet on a regular basis. During high pollen season, remember to wipe down your pet (including their paws) when they come in from outdoors.
5. Maintain your air purifiers and air conditioners according to the manufacturers recommended cleaning schedule. A general rule for air conditioners is to vacuum the coils every two weeks and change or clean the filter every two to three months. Air purifiers should be checked every three months to change or clean the pre-filter and check the primary filter. The primary filter should be changed based on the individual unit's recommended maintenance schedule.
6. The best type of installed heating system for allergy/asthma sufferers is an Electrical Heating System because they do not require an oil or gas-run furnace that emits pollutants. If you have a forced air system, it's important to properly maintain the system. Check to ensure that the furnace is properly vented outside of your home, use a high-performance furnace filter that captures small particles to help keep them from being blown through the ducts into your home (look for those that can trap over 95% of really small particles). Usually these furnace filters should be changed approximately every 3 months. If you live in a dry climate or where there is higher pollution, you may want to consider changing your furnace filters more frequently.
7. Mold and dirt can accumulate in duct work. Consider hiring a reputable duct-cleaning service that does not clean with chemicals to keep your duct work clean.
8. Eliminate wallpaper in your home and use low allergen, low VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint on the walls in your home.
9. Limit area rugs and choose low VOC hard surface flooring options over wall-to-wall carpeting. Carpeting and rugs can hold allergens such as dust, pollen, smoke and mold that can become airborne when you walk on them. If you can't replace your carpet right away, make sure you vacuum with a vacuum cleaner that has a HEPA filter and a canister that can be emptied after each use. Keep carpeting and heavy drapery out of the bedroom.
10. Control excess moisture in the home. Damp air in a basement can lead to mold. Mold develops and thrives in warm, moist areas and is usually found in the form of black mildew in bathroom tile grout and shower curtains. When this mold releases spores into the air and is inhaled, the spores can cause inflammation and irritation. It's important to control humidity levels in these moisture prone areas. Maintain humidity levels between 40 and 60 percent. You can use a hygrometer to measure the humidity level in your home. Make sure you don't have leaks from washing machines and dishwashers or from leaky water pipes. Caulk and seal any basement wall leaks from the rain. Use a dehumidifier to help reduce excess moisture in the home and use a portable air purifier to help reduce mold spores that may already be present.