There are many well-known effects of air pollution, including its potential to trigger asthma attacks and even increase the risk for cardiovascular conditions. However, there are also many, many effects of air pollution that few people are aware of. Included in this list is the potential of some forms of air pollution to cause premature aging, especially of skin. It may come as a surprise that something like gases and particles in the air around you could wrinkle your skin early, but it is one of the many demonstrated effects of air pollution.
 What Types of Air Pollution Cause Premature Aging?
One of the most common household causes of premature aging is the presence of cigarette smoke. It is well known that actively smoking can cause skin to sag and wrinkle early, but secondhand smoke is also a contributing factor to premature aging. However, cigarette smoke is far from the only type of air pollution that causes skin to lose its elasticity earlier than it should. Exhaust from vehicles, too, has been shown to have a cumulative effect on skin. Unlike cigarette smoke, very few people have the option of simply avoiding this form of air pollution, making its effects very widespread. Biological contaminants, such as dust and airborne bacteria, can also have an effect on premature aging, though to a lesser degree than harsh chemical pollutants.
Industrial pollution is also a serious culprit in premature aging, though this type of air pollution affects only those who live in cities with certain kinds of industrial facilities. Though emissions regulations on factories have helped to significantly reduce the effects of industrial air pollution in the United States, the United Kingdom and many other developed countries, there is still a certain amount of air pollution released by any major industrial process. Long-term exposure to industrial air pollution can cause premature aging, as well as a host of other pollution-related conditions that are much more severe, medically speaking.
 What Should You do to Protect Yourself
Protecting yourself from all forms of air pollution is virtually impossible in the modern world. Take, for example, vehicular pollution. No matter how much you try to avoid it, you will sometimes have to be outdoors in areas where vehicles are operating nearby. The key, then, is limiting exposure as much as possible to prevent the cumulative effects that come with long-term exposure to air pollution. One of the best and easiest ways to do this is to control the quality of the air in your home or apartment, where you spend much of your time every day. In order to do this, you will need a home air purifier.
In order to absorb the particles and gases that can cause premature aging, a combination HEPA and VOC air purifier is needed. These air purifiers use two different systems to remove multiple types of impurities from the air. HEPA systems eliminate particulate matter, while carbon or charcoal VOC systems remove organic gases, such as the hydrocarbon by-products produced by industrial processes and engine exhaust, by filtering them through a layer of chemically treated carbon filter material. Using an air purifier with both of these filtration systems will remove the majority of pollutants that cause premature aging from the air in your home.
Another option for protecting yourself comes in the form of specialized probiotic purification systems, a technology only recently introduced to the market. These probiotic systems, though they will not remove particles or gases from the air like normal filtration systems, introduce beneficial probiotics that diminish the resources of organic contaminants, thus preventing premature aging from biological sources like dust mite waste and pet dander. Ideally, using both a standard filtration system and a probiotic system will give you the best results in preventing premature aging with air purification technology.
 Conclusion
Air pollution can cause premature aging in a variety of ways, and there is no realistic way to completely avoid exposure to airborne pollutants. However, with air purification technology, you can drastically reduce your exposure by keeping your home pollution free. If you want to prevent premature aging, consider upgrading the air in your home with a high-quality air purification system.
Have questions about what air purifier is best for removing air pollution in your home? Don’t worry, we’re here to help. Feel free to contact us, and we’ll guide you through the process of picking out the ideal air purification system for your needs.