There are several reasons because of which the health of your family may be at risk. Air Pollution is the leading cause of respiratory diseases, asthma and lung cancer. Here’s how to tell whether you need an air purifier.
1. Outdoor Pollution & Smog
WHO estimates that around 7 million people die every year from exposure to fine particles in the polluted air and smog. These are called particulates. They penetrate deep into the lungs and cardiovascular system, causing diseases including stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and respiratory infections, including pneumonia.
The worst of this kind are microscopic and cannot be naturally filtered out by the body. The HEPA filter or High-Efficiency Particulate Air found in the top air purifiers has the technology to filter these out effectively.
2. Asthma & Respiratory diseases
It is highly recommended that people with asthma who live in the above-mentioned areas, not only have air purifiers but also wears a pollution mask when they step outdoors.
3. People with Pets
If you have pets at home, an air purifier could control the amount of dander in your house significantly.
4. Pregnancy
An alarming Harvard study revealed that women exposed to high particulate matter pollution during their third trimesters were twice as likely to deliver a child with autism.
In pregnant women, asthma can cause preeclampsia, a condition that causes elevated blood pressure and decreased the function of the liver and kidneys. Untreated asthma can cause your baby to suffer from lack of oxygen, leading to poor growth, premature birth, and low birth weight.
If you plan on starting or expanding a family, you may need to be careful with the air your breathe. Multiple studies have determined air pollution contributes to lower fertility rates in men and women.
5. Young Children
Children are more at risk from the effects of pollution because they have faster breathing rates and their lungs are still developing. Children aged between 8-10 years old, who lived in highly polluted parts of cities, had up to 10% less lung capacity than normal .
Brain development Air pollution exposure in pregnant women was found to harm brain development and contribute to behavioural and cognitive problems later in childhood.
Obesity and diabetes It’s possible that air pollution can be a catalyst for obesity and diabetes in young children. A recent study of children aged 8 to 15 who were exposed to higher levels of air pollution was also found to have a lower insulin sensitivity. As well as a decline in beta-cell function and a higher body mass index (BMI) at age 18.
6. Indoor Pollution
The composition of these products are out of your control and substitutes are few. Air purifiers will clean your bedroom room and keep you and your family safe from health issues caused by indoor pollution.
7. You Live Near Factory Smoke
Residential areas within a 5-6km radius of factories are prone to air pollution. Toxins released from the chimneys of big factories are one of the most fatal types of air pollution. These emissions include carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. Combustion creates these toxic pollutants. Ozone, for example, causes irritation to the respiratory system. It can aggravate existing conditions such as asthma and bronchitis. Carbon monoxide can adversely affect your cardiovascular and central nervous systems.
Considering buy an air purifier? Here is a further read to help you through specs to look for in an air purifier.