Allergy elimination in ambient air is possible with proper air filtration and purification. Understanding what is in the air will help with the proper selection of an air filtration/purification system.
Airborne allergens are microbes (fungi and pollen) or materials from microbes and other organisms (cats, dogs, roaches, other insects), and Volatile Organic Compounds. These microbes are carried in the air either naturally or by manmade air systems. Most often these allergens cause respiratory irritation or disease but are also known to cause eye and ear infections due to prolonged allergy symptoms. Allergy elimination can help atopic individuals maintain better health.
Allergy elimination in the indoor environment is essential; estimates say we spend 90% of our time indoors. The indoor environment is filled with many allergens such as dust mites, dander, volatile organic compounds and fungal spores. One of the most prevalent, fungal spores, exist outside but often do not cause respiratory problems until they make their way indoors where moisture, heat, and darkness can encourage growth, in-turn producing more concentrated levels of these fungal spores. Fungal spores can cause allergies, respiratory infection and even death.
Pollen spores are plant seedlings most often from common trees like oak, elm, mulberries, and hackberries. These trees are known to release massive amounts of pollen. The seedlings circulate in the air and can find their way into our indoor environment. Many people have seasonal allergies because of these small pollen spores.
Dust mites are another recognized allergen that usually presents themselves in areas with sizable amounts of dust. Carpet, mattresses, upholstered furniture, and pillows, are huge dust collectors. Add to these moisture and warmth and the dust mites thrive. The majority of dust mites will settle out of the air until disturbed by walking, and changing linen. After 15 to 35 minutes they once again will fall to the tables, chairs, or floors only to be re-circulated in the air. Dust mites are known to be one of the leading causes of asthma throughout the world. The allergic reaction itself is thought to be from much smaller particulate matter of various sizes and shapes. Storage mites from areas that store or produce cereal or grains also create allergic reactions in some individuals. The mite excreta or body parts along with many products found in dust and storage are allergens as well. Greenhouse workers and fruit growers experience exposure to spider mites which are a known occupational hazard.
Another insect in particular that can cause allergies is the Cockroach. Inner-city children suffer more from cockroach allergens than dust mite allergens. The allergen from these unwanted insects is the excreta and body parts and often become airborne and inhaled.
Dander is made up of particles of dead skin or hair most often from animals. This can include dogs, cats, birds, hamsters, mice, horses, rabbits and many others. The most common dander that irritates the respiratory system of atopic individuals is cat dander. This respiratory irritant is constantly airborne and found virtually everywhere. Cat dander is carried on clothing and then shed in public places. Therefore cat dander is even found in the dust of homes where no cats reside. Particles of cat dander are extremely small and can be inhaled deep into the lungs and therefore are a major cause of allergic asthma.
Most filtration systems trap these allergens in their filtration process only to re-circulate when the filter is changed. The fungi spores can multiply regardless and ridding a building of these irritants can be a very difficult task. Killing the spores is the ideal process to significantly improve the ambient air.
The recognized technology that does destroy airborne allergens, as well as pathogens, volatile organic compounds and chemically active compounds is photocatalytic oxidation. Zandair™ uses this technology in their ZANDAIR™air filtration/ purification products and can assist you with allergy elimination.