How to keep indoor air fresh during a heatwave
The Met Office has forecasted warmer and higher temperatures over the coming days. Whilst many will be reaching for their fans, air purification experts, Blueair explain why you should also keep your indoor air quality in check in the case of a heatwave.
Climate change, with its longer, warmer and particularly drier summers, has a negative effect on the air quality in our homes and offices. Pollen, dust, and levels of toxic VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) in the indoor air peak during the summer. Blueair explains the top air pollutants during the summer:
Pollen
Due to climate change, the pollen season has become longer and more intense. Air pollution, known to exacerbate the effects of allergic rhinitis, or hay fever, is also on the rise globally. 49% of the UK now suffer with hay fever, according to AllergyUK. Quick relief and silent operation (that does not prevent a good night’s sleep) are key for pollen sufferers. As a result, the Blueair DustMagnet™ air purifier and Blue series air purifiers can remove 99.97% of pollen from the air making it a suitable choice for allergy sufferers. Both of these models are some of the most silent models on the market thanks to Blueair’s proprietary HEPASilent™ technology.
TVOCs (Toxic Volatile Organic Compounds)
Due to the increase of room temperature in summer, the release rate of toxic gases from chemicals in cleaning detergents, flooring, paint and other decorative materials will be accelerated. During the summer, a room can be up to seven times more polluted than it would be during the winter. The good news is that TVOCs, including formaldehyde in our homes and offices, can easily be removed. You can open windows and doors for ventilation and an air purifier certified for TVOC removal will make sure that the air in your home is safe and healthy. Blueair air purifiers effectively remove TVOCs from the air.
Dust
During the warm and dry summer months there is more dust in the air. Dust, as opposed to most other pollutants in the air, is visible to the eye. We are all familiar with city streets covered in dust during the non-rainy periods of the year – this dust will travel into our homes through ventilation systems, windows and doors, and will attach itself to our clothing and hair. These tiny airborne dust particles can easily be inhaled and travel deep into the lungs where they can cause respiratory illnesses. Children in particular are vulnerable to inhaling airborne particles, such as dust, as their lungs are still developing. Children are also more physically active and therefore inhale more pollutants in relation to their body weight.
Fresh and cool air required for a good night’s sleep
In a recent survey carried out by YouGov on behalf of Blueair, 65% of UK adults say cool and fresh air is key to improving sleep quality.
