Top Quality Air Purifiers and Healthy Home Solutions that You Can Trust

For the last two months, there has been intense speculation about the link between COVID-19 and air quality improvements in major cities. One of our April blog posts focused on these air quality improvements, and now new data shown that they were, in fact, linked to the COVID shutdowns. Thanks to satellite imaging, scientists have ruled out weather as the cause of these changes, effectively proving that the shutdowns associated with COVID-19 significantly reduced global emissions and air pollution levels.  

COVID-19 and Air Pollution: A New Analysis

  The new analysis was conducted by the European Space Agency using a specialized satellite that can track levels of gases in the atmosphere with state-of-the-art imaging technology. Using this satellite, scientists compared current levels of nitrogen dioxide, a common component of air pollution, to the levels measured at the same time last year. The data were then compared to a computer-generated model predicting what those levels would have looked like in the absence of the COVID-19 shutdowns. This step helped the team to rule out the effects of weather conditions on the results, since nitrogen dioxide can be washed out by rain or spread out by winds.   The results of this comparison confirmed that the air quality improvements we've seen in recent months were largely the result of the lockdowns. Reductions in nitrogen dioxide of between 20 and 75 percent were measured over the same period last year. Even adjusting for weather conditions, the models strongly suggest that the reduction in commercial activity and travel over the last few months has improved air quality.   Aside from environmental benefits, this improved air quality may help to reduce the severity of the pandemic itself. Exposure to air pollution has been identified as a potential risk factor for severe COVID-19 symptoms. With air quality improving, it's possible that fewer vulnerable people will develop severe forms of the disease.   The effects of COVID-19 on air quality may also provide a useful road map for pollution control going forward. Many scientists have been surprised by how quickly air quality has improved worldwide, suggesting that major changes to emissions could result in short-term as well as long-term benefits.   With that said, other effects of air pollution may take longer to mitigate. Even as global emissions have gone down, the alarming signs of global warming have continued more or less at the same pace as before the lockdowns. Most notably, a heat wave in Siberia has recently resulted in the region's first recorded 100-degree day.   Given the rapid improvements seen in the wake of the shutdowns, though, it is clear that emission reductions can have real-time impacts on air quality and pollution levels. By reducing emissions now, we can greatly improve the quality of the air we breathe both for ourselves and for future generations.

With spring almost over and summer about to start, you may have noticed that your allergies have been especially bad this year. Allergies may be low on your radar amid the global COVID-19 pandemic, but they can still be a serious annoyance. Here's what you need to know about why allergy season 2020 has been so bad and how you can protect yourself with a home air purifier.  

Why Is Allergy Season 2020 Worse Than Most?

  The reason for the worsening allergies this season is that two pollen seasons are overlapping in an unusual way. Ordinarily, tree pollen saturates the air in April and May. By June, trees finish their pollination, and grasses begin theirs. This leads to a steady pollen level throughout the spring and early summer, producing a normal allergy season.   This year, though, the dynamic is a bit different. Cool weather and rains lasted longer into the spring than usual in many parts of the United States this year. As a result, the pollination season for trees began later than normal. This has meant an overlap between tree pollen and grass pollen season that has led to more severe allergies for many people.  

How to Reduce Your Allergy Symptoms

  If you're suffering from allergies but don't want to deal with the fog and tiredness that come with antihistamine medications, there are several steps you can take to limit your exposure to this season's excessive pollen. For starters, keep pollen out of your home by closing the windows and using the air conditioning system to circulate air. This will keep your home comfortable without allowing pollen in. You can also limit your time spent outside by exercising indoors and only going out when it's absolutely necessary.   If you want to be especially careful, you might even consider changing your clothes and shoes and taking a shower whenever you come in from outside. This will keep pollen from spreading inside your home and get it off of your skin and hair before it can cause an allergic reaction. This step may be unnecessary for mild allergy sufferers, but it's a good idea if you or someone you live with suffers from severe allergies, asthma, COPD or other respiratory illnesses.   Finally, you can protect yourself with a high-quality HEPA air purifier. The fine filter material in a HEPA purifier can easily capture grains of pollen, removing them from the air in your home. By capturing pollen before it has a chance to cause an allergy flare-up, you can reduce your overall symptoms during the heavy allergy season of 2020. Some of our top recommendations for allergy control include the Amaircare 3000 HEPA, Airpura I600, Austin Air Allergy Machine and Rabbit Air Minus A2.   Have questions about how an air purifier can help relieve your allergy symptoms or which model you should be using? We're here to help! Feel free to contact us with your questions, and we'll be happy to provide you with answers and personalized product recommendations based on your unique needs and the size of your home.

One of the most common questions people have when they decide to buy an air purifier is whether or not they should get a model that features a UV germicidal lamp. While these air purifiers are often seen as a better approach to killing mold spores, bacteria and even viruses, there are also certain drawbacks. Today, we'll look at the case for both UV and non-UV air purifiers so that you can choose the best unit for your needs.  

The Case for UV Air Purifiers

  The case in favor of UV air purifiers is fairly straightforward. High-intensity UV light kills viruses, bacteria and mold spores by disrupting chemical bonds in their DNA. Once neutralized by UV radiation, these pathogens lose the ability to cause disease in humans and effectively become inert solids.   When applied in an air purifier, this principle requires a special bulb that emits UV radiation. Typically, these bulbs emit a special type of ultraviolet light known as UVC, which represents the most germicidal range of wavelengths in the UV spectrum. To prevent harm to humans, the UV light emitted by these bulbs is carefully contained within the body of the air purifier. Air being pulled through the purifier is passed under the bulb, thus exposing any microorganisms in it to the UVC light. Through this simple mechanism, a UV air purifier can kill up to 99 percent of pathogens present in the air.  

The Case Against UV Germicidal Lamps

  After seeing the benefits of UV germicidal lamps, it would seem that there's an open and shut case in favor of UV. However, there are also some drawbacks to using UV bulbs in air purifiers. According to a report prepared by an environmental engineer working on behalf of Austin Air which we've reviewed, the addition of a UV bulb increases costs for both initial purchase and maintenance, and significant steps must be taken to ensure that airborne microorganisms are exposed to the light long enough to neutralize them. Because UV bulbs wear out fairly quickly, they also require continuous monitoring to ensure that they are effectively irradiating the air that passes through the air purifier.   UV air purifiers must also be carefully engineered to prevent insulated wiring or other plastic parts from being exposed to UV light. Because of the high-energy nature of UV radiation, it can cause plastics to deteriorate. This, in turn, can release chemical radicals into the air. Ironically, a poorly designed air purifier with a UV bulb could potentially result in more airborne contamination, rather than less.   Finally, there's a case to be made that HEPA filtration is enough to capture most microorganisms on its own. With a required efficiency of 99.97 percent of particles down to the 0.3 micron diameter, HEPA filters are actually capable of capturing most mold spores and bacteria quite effectively. Even small solid particles, such as viruses, can be captured by HEPA filters a majority of the time thanks to a phenomenon known as diffusion, which causes the tiniest particles to become trapped in a filter's fibers. As a result, UV lamps represent only an extra layer of protection beyond what HEPA filters are already capable of.  

So, Is a UV Air Purifier Worth It?

  This isn't a strictly yes or no question. For most customers, buying a UV air purifier is likely overkill, though it won't do any harm if you don't mind the added expense involved. If you're buying an air purifier for medical purposes or you have a compromised immune system, though, the added protection of a UV germicidal lamp could still be worth having.   If you do decide to go with a UV unit, be sure to buy from a trusted brand that is engineered to apply UV light safely and avoid chemical contaminants. Here at US Air Purifiers, you'll find a wide range of high-quality UV air purifiers that will meet your needs safely and reliably. If you're looking for more general protection, you can also browse our selection of HEPA air purifiers.   Still have questions about which type of air purifier is right for you? Don't worry, we're here to help! Feel free to contact us with your questions, and we'll be happy to provide you with answers and personalized product recommendations to help you find the perfect air purifier for your home or office.

You may not have to worry about being at higher risk for COVID-19 if you suffer from seasonal allergies or asthma, according to new research published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. This research contradicts earlier concerns that both allergies and asthma could increase the risk of severe COVID-19 symptoms. Here's what you need to know about this new research and the link between COVID-19 and allergies.

COVID-19 and Allergies/Asthma: Why Aren't They a Risk Factor?

  The new research referenced above built off of observations of COVID-19 from China. In large evaluations of severe COVID-19 cases, a number of different risk factors emerged that could increase a patient's risk of developing severe symptoms. Some of these risk factors included heart disease, COPD, high blood pressure and diabetes. What was notably lacking, though, was an observed association between asthma or severe allergies and COVID-19.   To find out why these common respiratory illnesses didn't correlate with higher COVID-19 risks. the researchers looked to the receptors to which the SARS-CoV-2 virus binds. As it turns out, the ACE2 receptor, the primary binding site for the virus, exhibits lower expression in people with asthma and allergies. As a result, these people are not more likely to develop severe COVID-19 symptoms.  

Why Are These Findings Surprising?

  While this is obviously good news for people who suffer from asthma or allergies, these findings were somewhat surprising. People with existing respiratory conditions are often especially vulnerable to viral respiratory infections. This has been a major concern of respiratory patients during the pandemic, since a range of existing conditions have been shown to increase the risk of severe COVID-19 cases.   In spite of these findings, it's important to keep them in perspective. Having asthma and allergies doesn't protect you against COVID-19, but your risks don't appear to be higher than the general population. Basic precautions, including social distancing, rigorous hand-washing, wearing a mask and properly disinfecting packages, mail and other items delivered to your house are still extremely important.    

Over the past two months, economic lockdowns put in place to slow the spread of COVID-19 have reduced air pollution worldwide. Now, another link between COVID-19 and air pollution has emerged, this time less positive. According to new research from Harvard, exposure to air pollution could be contributing to an increase in deaths from the disease. Here's what you need to know about this new research and how you can reduce your exposure to harmful air pollution.  

The Mortality Link Between COVID-19 and Air Pollution

  The new research from Harvard found a strong link between elevated air pollution levels and the risk of dying from COVID-19. Amazingly, an increase of just one part per billion (PPB) is correlated with an 8 percent increased risk of COVID-19 mortality. This research was conducted by evaluating air pollution data and mortality rates from more than 3,000 US counties.   At first glance, it might appear that the link is purely one of correlation. After all, COVID-19 mortality and high levels of air pollution are both strongly associated with high population density. The results of the study, however, corrected for a range of factors which included population density and still found that higher air pollution levels were associated with a higher risk of COVID-19 death.  

Does Anyone Know How Air Pollution Could Be Connected to COVID-19?

  The jury is still out on just how higher levels of air pollution could be impacting COVID-19 death rates. Existing research had already linked air pollution to reduced immune function, a fact which could be a potential link. Higher rates of other diseases associated with air pollution exposure could also increase a patient's risk of death when infected with COVID-19. As of now, though, more research is needed to establish how the connection between the two actually works.  

Can You Reduce Your Air Pollution Exposure?

  While controlling the spread of COVID-19 has proven extremely difficult, there are some practical steps you can take to limit your exposure to air pollution. First and foremost, it's important to use a combination HEPA and carbon air purifier to capture both the gaseous and solid elements of air pollution. Some of the units we recommend for dealing with common air pollution problems include:  

• Amaircare 3000 VOC
• Field Controls TRIO
• Austin Air HealthMate Plus
• AllerAir AirMedic Pro 5 Vocarb
• Airpura R600

  In addition to using proper air purification, you should also consider using your home's indoor ventilation system as often as possible, since leaving your windows open can allow pollution from outside to come indoors. Re-circulating air in your home can keep you safer from air pollution, outdoor pollen and other impurities introduced from the outside.   Have questions about how you can use a home air purifier to reduce your exposure to pollution? We're here to help! Feel free to contact us for answers and personalized product recommendations based on your unique needs.