Over the years I have been on a journey to learn more about how to better support my body’s needs. Through extensive research, and even genetic testing and hair analysis, I have discovered allergies, intolerances, and deficiencies I had no idea existed. However, some reactions were a bit more obvious, I just didn’t know what the sources were.
A few months ago, I opted in for a hair analysis that would indicate whether or not I have certain environmental allergies. Lo’ and behold, I’m allergic to dogs, grass, tree pollen, house dust, smoke, many strong fragrances (especially chemical based ones), and much more.
Unfortunately, I am exposed to each of these allergens on a daily basis. The next door neighbors smoke cigarettes, I own a dog, and I live in Southern California which means there are tons of allergens in the air all year round. On top of that, I also have asthma.
Needless to say, I have chronic allergies and breathing issues that have prompted me to look into a solution for better air quality.
The Amazing Health Benefits of Using an Air Purifier
recently, I came across a piece of information that states that air quality within the home is worse than the air quality outside.
Say what now?
Evidently, this is because many homes do not have proper ventilation systems in place that use good filters. When my husband and I bought our current house, we were shocked to find out that there were no filters at all and that we were just re-circulating dust and other particulates throughout our home.
The solution aside from getting some proper air duct filters? A great air purifier!
I had heard of the many health benefits of having an air purifier in your home as they can definitely take the edge off of allergies and other respiratory conditions.
Many studies have shown that air purifiers can significantly reduce harmful contaminants from the air like dust mites, airborne bacteria, mold and pollen spores, and pet dander. For sensitive individuals, young children, and the elderly, these harmful airborne particulates can increase common upper respiratory conditions and illnesses. (source)
It is said that the air quality inside most homes and buildings are actually worse and more polluted than air conditions outside. One study discovered that a single home in Arizona had almost 590 airborne substances!
These can be created by gas releasing material like mattresses, treated wood furniture, gas stoves, fireplaces, space heaters, chemicals used for cleaning, ionic appliances, and aerosol-based beauty products. Other substances included general pollution like carbon monoxide from passerby traffic, pollen, spores, chemicals, dust, etc.
Using a HEPA air purifier will greatly reduce these indoor air pollutants.
I have had my Levoit Air Purifier for only a week and I can already feel such a huge difference, especially at night. Despite my best efforts to vacuum and dust regularly, my allergies would never go away completely especially since my husband and I own a dog and we live fairly close to the freeway. Spores in the air from pollinating trees and grasses are another allergen I had trouble dealing with on a daily basis.
In fact, I used to literally wake myself up sneezing because my allergies were so bad. However, since using an air purifier, I haven’t had a single issue while asleep. It’s been amazing!
Here’s what having an air purifier in your home can do for your health:
1. Control unwanted odors in the home like smoke, lingering cooking smells, pet odors (especially great for cat box odors), kitchen garbage odors, etc.
I love cooking but I don’t like smelling last night’s spaghetti sauce for the next week. It’s one of the reasons I stopped making my own bone broth because I couldn’t stand the lingering smell of chicken soup in every surface of the house.
Using an air purifier can help absorb these smells along with any other smell you find bothersome.
2. Filters mold spores out of the air – It is known that mold can be extremely detrimental to your health and can aggravate respiratory conditions like asthma, sinusitis, and hay fever.
Mold is also dangerous for those with compromised immune systems or those who suffer from more serious respiratory conditions like COPD, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and pneumonia.
3. Removes other asthma and allergen triggers from the air like dry skin cells, second-hand smoke, household cleaners, asbestos particles (commonly found in home built before the 1980s), radon gas, fumes (this is a big one for me since we are remodeling our home), volatile organic compounds, dust, and other pollutants.
This is because many asthma triggers are found trapped within the home. A good air purifier will help filter out microscopic impurities.
Other things you can do to help mitigate the allergens is to use hypoallergenic materials in the home, get rid of carpet, and properly humidify the air to help kill off dust mites.
One of my main concerns since buying a new home is dealing with the amount of volatile organic compounds in the air produced by furniture, paint, and the cleaning products we have needed to use to deep clean the house.
Air purifiers can trap these particles and greatly improve the air quality in your home.
If you live in an urban area, an air purifier can help drastically reduce the number of pollutants in the air in your home.
4. Having a true HEPA filter air purifier does not produce ozone as a byproduct like Ionic air cleaners do. Ozone is a known lung irritant that causes coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, irritated throat and sinuses, and can exacerbate existing lung ailments like asthma and allergies.
HEPA filters actually remove allergens and impurities while Ionic air cleaners only cause particles to drop from the air onto their surroundings which means that the allergens are not actually removed from the environment.
5. Clean air within the home helps protect young children, the elderly, and those who are chronically ill from respiratory conditions.
Infants and toddlers are at higher risk of breathing in pollutants because they tend to hover near the ground where small children spend most of there time.
Using an air purifier will help eliminate these threats and provide clean air for those with weaker immune systems.
In essence, a good air purifier can keep the air indoors much cleaner and healthier to breathe no matter if you have preexisting respiratory conditions or not.
The Home Air Purifier I Recommend
So, which air purifier should you buy?
Well, that depends on your budget, the space of your home or the room you want to purify, and the type of filter you want.
I’ve got a pretty big space that needs good air quality, so I opt for the big guns like Levoit’s 710 sq foot air purifier for my living, dining, and kitchen area.
It effectively removes cooking odors, dust, mold spores, pet dander…and my favorite, the smell of our dog’s prescription canned food. THAT stuff is foul and I am so so glad that this filter saves me from its stinky smell.
I’m sure that once I get pregnant I will love this heavy hitter of an air purifier even more.
For smaller spaces like my office and bedroom, I opt for a smaller version that takes up little space yet still packs a punch against those pollutants and allergens.
Having both asthma and allergies, I can say with considerable reassurance that I have thoroughly enjoyed the benefits of my smaller Levoit Air Purifier.
Here’s what the Levoit Air Purifiers can do:
1. It has TRUE HEPA technology meaning that it eliminates up to 99.97% of dust, mold spores, odors, pet dander, pollen, and smoke particles as small as .3 microns.
2. Can alleviate allergies and nasal stuffiness caused by allergens in the air.
3. Has a 3-stage filtration system that includes a HEPA filter, a fine preliminary filter, and an activated carbon filter which reduces allergens, pet odors, smoke, cooking smells, etc. from the home.
4. Has a 3-speed fan – high, medium, and low. The fan speed will automatically adjust according to current air quality.
5. Operates quietly – even while sleeping at night!
6. Includes a nightlight function with two brightness settings.
7. Covers from 129-710 square feet depending on the model.
8. Releases no harmful substances or ozone (which, unfortunately, many air purifiers, especially ionic versions, do).
9. Compact and sleek in appearance.
Even the smallest version is an excellent air purifier for smoke, dust, pet and kitchen odors, and more!
You may also enjoy reading:
How to Naturally Treat Seasonal Allergies
Natural Remedies for Asthma
Herbal Remedies for Dry Sinus
Essential Oils for Treating Hay Fever Naturally
SOS Allergy Nasal Inhaler
Seasonal Allergy Blend – Three Different Ways!
