| Asthma is a disease that consists of two main | | | | particles can include pollen and dust particles, which are |
| components. These components are constriction and | | | | the main cause of asthma attacks among sufferers. If |
| inflammation, both of which occur in the lung | | | | indoor air pollutants are not removed from the air, they |
| passageways. Constriction is when the airways | | | | can circulate an indoor room with no escape. The |
| narrow because muscles tighten around them and | | | | pollutants are then breathed in and can cause a |
| inflammation is when the airways get irritated and start | | | | severe or minor asthmatic attack. With an air purifier, |
| to swell. When both of these actions occur together, | | | | these particles and pollutants are absorbed and cannot |
| they cause the symptoms of asthma such as difficulty | | | | be circulated throughout the air. |
| breathing and swelling of the lungs. A person | | | | What is a 'HEPA' filter? |
| experiencing an asthmatic attack has difficulty catching | | | | A 'HEPA' filter is a kind of mechanical filter that means |
| his or her breath and is usually coughing or wheezing in | | | | it's a " high-efficiency particulate air" filter. HEPA was |
| order to try to breathe. | | | | invented during World War II to prevent the escape of |
| Asthmatic attacks can occur at any time. Some can | | | | radioactive particles from laboratories. To qualify as a |
| be severe and some can simply seem like a shortness | | | | true HEPA filter, it must be able to capture at least |
| of breath. Due to this characteristic of the disease, | | | | 99.97% percent of all particles 0.3 microns in diameter, |
| some people are still unaware that they have asthma | | | | or larger, that enter it. |
| and need to treat it. If asthma goes untreated, a | | | | In a 1990 review of indoor air pollutants, published by |
| person may experience a decrease in lung function. | | | | The American Thoracic Society, it was stated that air |
| The disease makes a person's lungs work harder and | | | | purifiers containing the HEPA filter are able to remove |
| without help or treatment from an outside source, a | | | | a significant amount of particles from indoor air, making |
| person suffering from asthma will have weaker lungs. | | | | the air cleaner and safer to breathe. Asthmatics who |
| Air Purifiers can help. | | | | use an air purifier in their home are less likely to have |
| There are many contaminants in the air that can be | | | | an asthma attack since the pollutants that trigger the |
| asthma triggers. Some of the contaminants include pet | | | | attacks are no longer present in the indoor air they are |
| dander, allergens, pollen, dust or chemicals. When these | | | | breathing. |
| substances are breathed in, asthmatics are sometimes | | | | There is no known cure for asthma and people |
| affected and can experience difficulty breathing. An | | | | diagnosed with the disease will have to deal with it for |
| asthmatic affected by seasonal allergies may also find | | | | the rest of their lives. However, with the help of air |
| that response to the allergies can lead to an asthmatic | | | | purifiers, people are finding their asthma attacks are |
| attack. The toxins found in indoor air can easily be | | | | becoming a scarce occurrence instead of a daily |
| filtered out of the air indoors with an air purifier. | | | | struggle. By eliminating particles in the air that trigger |
| There are simple things that can be done to prevent | | | | attacks, air purifiers are helping people with asthma to |
| asthmatic attacks such as keeping pets outside, not | | | | cope with their daily lives. Asthma may be an |
| smoking tobacco products in the home or dusting all | | | | uncomfortable disease but people are finding relief in |
| furniture as much as possible. However, air purifiers | | | | the use of air purifiers. |
| are proven to be the most effective way to keep | | | | Ozone generators [not recommended - these types |
| indoor air clean and safe. Most air purifiers are proven | | | | of "filters" are not reliable since their ozone levels |
| to remove 99.7% of all particles found in indoor air. | | | | usually exceed acceptable levels]. Although ozone |
| Chemical fumes, tobacco smoke and dust can be | | | | technically clears the air of some particles, most |
| absorbed into the filter of an air purifier. With these | | | | groups do not recommend these. (Note: these are not |
| contaminants no longer present in the air, the probability | | | | ion-type filters; see "Electronic Filters" above.) These |
| of an asthma attack is very low for the sufferer. | | | | devices all exceed the acceptable level for ozone. |
| The High Efficiency Particulate Air Filters, or HEPA | | | | If you have concerns about any air filter you own or |
| filters, that are used in air purifiers are effective in | | | | are planning to buy, remember to talk to your doctor |
| absorbing most toxins in indoor air that can be related | | | | first, to find out if air filtration -- and what type -- is best |
| to asthma attacks. They are able to remove 99.7% of | | | | for you. |
| all particles that are 0.03 microns and larger. These | | | | |