With New Zealand standing as one of the global hotspots for asthma, affecting a sizable chunk of one in eight Kiwis1, the significance of managing this respiratory condition cannot be overstated. Given the daily hurdles asthma can pose, you might find yourself wondering, "Can an air purifier help with my asthma?"
Well, here's a breath of fresh air - they absolutely can! Venturing into the realm of improved indoor air quality is a great step towards improving in asthma symptoms, and that’s precisely where the our range of air purifiers excel.
Key Points Summary:
- Improving indoor air quality is crucial in managing asthma symptoms.
- Common indoor asthma triggers include dust mites, pollen, mould spores, pet dander, and tobacco smoke.
- Air purifiers help by filtering out harmful particles and circulating clean air.
- When selecting an air purifier for asthma, prioritise HEPA filters and a high Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR), while avoiding ionisers.
- Many manufacturers invest heavily in marketing their products as the ultimate solution for asthma sufferers. However, cutting through the spin reveals that what you actually need is very simple!
Common Asthma Triggers
Every one of us has our own set of triggers when it comes to asthma, but there are some common indoor problems which can cause it:
- Dust mites
- Pollen
- Mould spores
- Pet dander
- Tobacco smoke
Air Purifiers: Helping with Asthma Management
Air purifiers can be your best friend when it comes to alleviating asthma symptoms. They suck in room air, trap the harmful particles that could trigger your asthma, and leave you with clean air to breathe easy.
By reducing the asthma triggers indoors, an air purifier can lower the chances of asthma.
Selecting an Asthma-Friendly Air Purifier: What to Look For
When you’re on the hunt for an air purifier to help with asthma, there are a few key features that should top your checklist:
-
HEPA Filters: High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters can capture upwards of 99% of airborne particles down to 0.01 microns (and smaller!) including many common asthma triggers. At Snap Air, all our air purifiers come with HEPA filters.
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Powerful Performance: The Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) reflects how quickly an air purifier can clean the air in a given space. A higher CADR translates to effective purification in larger rooms.
- Avoid Ionisers/Negative Ion Generators: These can produce ozone, a respiratory irritant, as a byproduct. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cautions that even at low levels, ozone can cause chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath, and throat irritation2. Unfortunately a number of models sold here in New Zealand under fancy names like plasma generators carry these features. Best to steer clear of them, or if it's too late ensure the feature is turned off!
If you want to learn more about what matters when choosing an air purifier, check out our guide here!
Wrapping Up
Navigating through the range of advice and options for asthma management may initially seem overwhelming. Many manufacturers splash hefty sums to market their products as the (expensive) magic bullet for asthma sufferers.
However, at Snap Air, we believe in cutting through the spin to unearth what truly matters. ANY air purifier equipped with a genuine HEPA filter and a high CADR can be beneficial. Provided you steer clear of generating negative ions or housing an ioniser, which could potentially aggravate symptoms.
Investing in the right air purifier, like those offered here at Snap Air, is a great step towards healthy indoor air and effectively managing asthma symptoms.
