Did you know that indoor air is often more polluted than outdoor air? And unfortunately for people with allergies, pollen from trees, grasses and herbaceous plants can easily enter in our living room, in our kitchen, even in our bedroom. To limit their presence and prevent the occurrence of allergic symptoms, many brands praise the merits of their air purifiers. But What is it really ? Insight from Dr Jean-Marie Nguyen, allergist at Bicêtre Hospital and member of the association Asthma and Allergies.
Indoor pollution, the invisible enemy!
Did you think you were safe from pollution within the walls of your home? This is actually far from the case! Our interiors are even more polluted than the air we breathe outside. In question ? Activities such as cleaning, cooking, painting, DIY, the presence of new furniture or the use of scented candles and essential oils. Not to mention smoking, the presence of pets, dust mites and / or mold. And when spring comes, pollens are happy to add to the list pollutants and allergens harmful to our health.
Cigarette smoke, dust, dust mites, pollen, cat or dog hair… Recap of the most common indoor allergens and pollutants
At home, we are potentially exposed to many pollutants and allergens:
- chemical pollutants : volatile organic compounds (VOC), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), phthalates, benzene, etc.
- bio-contaminants : molds, household allergens from dust mites, pets and cockroaches, pollens, etc.
- and physical pollutants : particles and fibers (asbestos, artificial mineral fibres), etc.
Result ? Our physical — and mental — health often takes a hit. On the program: irritation of the respiratory tract, sneezing, watery eyes, etc. In some cases, contact with these allergens and pollutants can even be responsible for breathing difficulties and allergic asthma.
In video: “Where does indoor air pollution come from?”
What is an air purifier? What is it used for ?
An air purifier is a device designed to “purify” the surrounding air by eliminating contaminants such as airborne particles, allergens, bacteria and sometimes odors. In other words, it must ensure that the air in your interior be healthier.
Most of the time, these are filter air purifiers. Concretely, this type of device sucks in air, which then passes through one or more filters to remove impurities. The most commonly used filter is the HEPA filter (High Efficiency Particulate Air), designed to capture fine particles and allergens from the air.
There are several types of air purifiers
Filter air purifiers are most common and effective for removing contaminants from the air. But there are other types of devices capable of eliminating pollutants and allergens to varying degrees:
- Ionization air purifiers, which “stick” to particles in suspension in the air and amalgamate them. The latter are thus sucked up by the device or fall on the floor and furniture. It is then necessary vacuum them with a vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA filter. This process mainly targets chemical particles, but some brands also claim the germicidal action of their devices.
- Ultraviolet air purifiers, which contain tubes that emit UVC radiation. This ultraviolet light destroys bacteria and viruses by blocking the replication of their genetic material.
- Photocatalytic air purifiers, which involves passing air through a filter lined with titanium dioxide tubes. Objective ? Destroy polluting substances under the effect of UVC radiation to transform them into water vapor and carbon dioxide.
Please note: some air purifiers are also equipped with activated carbon filters to eliminate odors. To learn more regarding these different types of devices, see the article below.
Pollen allergy: is it really useful to have an air purifier?
“It is difficult to answer this question, as current studies are contradictory, says Dr. Nguyen. In my opinion, there is no risk in using an air purifier to eliminate any pollen present at home in spring or summer. But Do not rely solely on this device! Several ‘anti-allergy’ measures exist and must be implemented in parallel.
To go in the direction of Dr Nguyen, we can quote a study carried out by the organization of German consumers Stiftung Warentest and relayed byUFC What To Choose in May 2020 (source 1). Scientists from across the Rhine have tested many filter air purifiers, six of which were marketed in France. They were interested in their effectiveness once morest pollen, cigarette smoke and formaldehydea carcinogenic gas by inhalation very representative of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Contrary to what one might think, the results concerning pollens are rather encouraging. German tests have shown that air purifiers eliminated on average 90% of the pollen grains present in a room of 16 m². And the test involved large quantities: 2 million pollen particles per m³ of air. For more details, see the link to the dedicated article in the sources field below.
Faced with a pollen allergy, the air purifier with a filter would therefore prove to be rather useful in addition to regular aeration and ventilation measures, provided that the filters are changed regularly and that it is placed in the appropriate rooms that are not not too big”, specifies the allergist.
How to get rid of pollen allergy other than with such a device?
If you are allergic to pollen, an air purifier can help you limit the damage in your interior, but you should not miss a few simple gestures:
- close your windows during the dayventilate your accommodation only in the evening and create drafts, but avoid sleeping with the window open;
- limit outdoor activities (walks, camping, picnics, etc.) when the pollen concentration is highest (usually in the early morning and evening);
- by car, roll up the windows closed and, if possible, use a recirculated air system;
- avoid physical exertion and outdoor sports during pollution peaks;
- wear a hat and sunglasses outdoors (to prevent pollen or stinging fruit hairs from coming into contact with your eyes);
- avoid drying your laundry outside and clean your clothes regularly to get rid of any pollen;
- wash your hair regularly to remove pollen (preferably before going to bed);
- choose single-use contact lenses (disposable at the end of the day), rather than monthly or fortnightly lenses;
- and keep up to date with the RNSA pollen alerts (National Aerobiological Surveillance Network).
To find out more regarding respiratory allergies, visit the association’s website Asthma & Allergies. Its main objectives? Inform and support asthmatic or allergic patients, parents, as well as doctors and health professionals. You can also contact their green number: 0800 19 20 21 (free call).
