Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) has become a growing concern for many people since the beginning of the pandemic. But it has been an issue that we rarely if ever talk about, but little do most people think that it is an issue that is even worth discussing. Here are a few things about our indoor air quality.
According to the American Lung Association, up to 90% of our time is spent indoors and many times that time indoors is in our own homes. Having good indoor air quality is very important not only from a sanitary and aesthetic standpoint as many people don't like the look of dust settling on the items in their home but is also from the standpoint of health. Did you know that poor Indoor Air Quality has been linked to symptoms like headaches, fatigue, trouble concentrating, and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and lungs? Even some specific diseases have been linked to poor IAQ such as asthma being linked to damp indoor environments.
According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI), it is estimated that 34.1 million Americans have been diagnosed with asthma by a health expert, and nearly 70 percent of asthmatics also have allergies. AAAAI estimates that the number of people with asthma will grow by more than 100 million worldwide by 2025. Without proper ventilation and filtration, allergens and irritants fill in the environment, putting the occupants of the dwelling or office at risk.
Here are some other facts that you may have not considered that can contribute to poor IAQ
- Dust mites are found in 4 out of 5 American homes and are one of the top contributors of dust production and they feed on dead skin cells. Because of this they tend to live in the places we spend the most time or come in contact with the most, mattresses, couches, pillows, stuffed toys, blankets, clothes etc.
- Specific contaminates from things such, mold, certain cleaning chemicals
airborne pathogens, and dust from construction or renovations can contribute to poor indoor air quality.
What can be done to help?
There are many things that can be done to remedy against indoor air quality, one of those things that can be done is establishing a consistent cleaning routine. The other is investing in a quality and powerful vacuum system with a sealed HEPA system. A vacuum that uses a high-quality cellulose fabric like self-sealing bag is the best way to trap the dirt and allergens. Another thing that can be done is cleaning your air ducts and improving your airflow.
Using a quality vacuum and purifier with S class sealed HEPA filtration can help improve the indoor air quality in your home. A vacuum that is built to meet to strict HEPA standards, is able to trap particles 75 times smaller than a human hair, including 99.97 percent of dust mites, pet dander, molds and pollen. Sealed HEPA systems capture, and trap harmful contaminants often found inside the home or office.
Bag and filter media material make all the difference not just in the performance of the machine, but in the machines ability to filter out dust, allergens, pet dander and other air pollutants that contribute to poor indoor air quality. There are three basic levels of media material available: Standard, Allergen and HEPA, which is the highest level of filtration. Selecting the right vacuum is critical to the end results of the emissions and air quality level you desire to achieve.
Vacuums that to not use bags often times will not create the proper seal necessary to achieve 99.7 percent efficiency in filtration. The reason is because these machines do not have the membrane a bag creates that protects the machine and the quality of your air. A bag serves as the first line of defense against dust mites, pet dander, molds and pollen. The main reason a bagless vacuum does not trap these pollutants is because without this layer of protection they are unable to make a proper seal. The only exception to this would be a central vacuum system where all the dirt, debris allergens, and pathogens are sucked out of the home into one location which generally is going to be a garage or utility room and the unit is vented outside. Just as well, gaskets and seals on the bagless central vacuum systems are generally higher quality than a traditional bagless vacuum cleaner, which create a tighter seal than most other bagless vacuum cleaners.
A vacuum that cleans the floor does not necessarily mean that it cleans the air. People today especially after the pandemic are becoming more aware than ever that if a vacuum doesn’t have proper filtration, it blows dust and irritants back into the air. The carpet may be visibly cleaner, but indoor air quality gets worse over time.
This is also why bagless machines do not last more than a few years despite what their warranty claims say. Because now this machine is not sealed it allows dirt to get into the internals that make the vacuum work and cause the internal components such as the motor (or motors), sensors, or switches to fail. Because these pollutants are 75 times smaller than the tip of a human hair, they are easily able to make their way past the gaskets on the are on the bagless chamber and the seals on the HEPA filter installed on some bagless models.
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