With the beauty of Spring comes the beginning of the “hay fever” season. According to MedicineNet.com, hay fever affects 30% of Americans and over $1 billion is spent to treat the symptoms. Millions of work and school days are lost because of the discomfort of this disorder. In 2011, AAFA listed Louisville as the second city in their Spring Allergy Capitals’ list. The billion dollar question is, what are we allergic to and how do we prevent hay fever?
If you are a typical allergy sufferer with sneezing, watery eyes, runny nose, nasal congestion or headaches, the best possible way to avoid hay fever is to avoid the allergens that cause your symptoms to begin with. Easier said than done, right? It is not possible to avoid breathing.
And what about allergens that aren’t seasonally related, such as dust, tobacco smoke, pet dander or chemical vapors from gas ovens, space heaters, water heaters, furnaces, carpets, fireplaces, garages, cleaning products, furniture, paint, etc.? EPA studies indicate indoor air pollution is two to five times higher than outdoor levels because it is recycled over and over, trapping dust, pollen, smoke, mold, pet dander and more. Many of the particles polluting the air in your home are so small that you don’t even see them, but they can have a big impact on your family’s health and quality of life.
What can you do?
It is possible to remove airborne contaminants with a Fresh-Aire UV APCO. The APCO unit is installed in the ductwork of the central air system. As the air is circulated, mold, germs, and viruses are sterilized by a UV light and airborne microbes and volatile organic compounds (odor molecules) are captured. Scientific studies have shown that UV light can kill 99.9% of microbes after 24 hours.
Enjoy your Spring this year and keep your family’s health in mind by being aware of the quality of your indoor air. Maeser has indoor air-quality technicians that have the expertise to diagnose and remove air quality problems so you and your family can enjoy clean air and a healthy indoor environment.
http://www.medicinenet.com/hay_fever/article.htm
http://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-03-2011/worst-cities-for-spring-allergies.html
Maeser Master Services / Joni Crume
