ARTICLE: HOW DOES AIR QUALITY AFFECT OUR HEALTH?

(Published August 28, 2019)

These days we hear so much about “Air Quality” that even our daily weather forecast makes mention of it­―but how important is it, really?

According to the Mayo Clinic, the air we breathe can have a dramatic effect on our health. Poor air quality can lead to a variety of respiratory symptoms, especially, “if you have asthma, diabetes, or heart or lung conditions” (Laskowski, 2017).

Pollen, dust, dirt, soot, smoke and other airborne substances―when breathed in―are common culprits for short-term eye, nose, and throat irritation. These pesky particulates can exacerbate the effects of asthma, increase mucus production, and cause respiratory infections. Over time, exposure to poor air quality can lead to breathing problems, lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, and even a shortened life expectancy.

You might think you’re safe indoors. Think again.

Airborne particulates such as pet dander, dust, mold, and smoke circulating within our homes can also be cause for concern. Luckily, we can avoid the respiratory effects of poor air quality indoors with frequent wipe-downs of hard surfaces and vacuuming carpets to rid the area of dust and animal dander; utilizing (and frequently replacing) the home’s air filter via the forced-air heating and cooling systems; limiting smoking and burning candles; and investing in an air purifier for commonly occupied spaces.

But what if you’re one of the millions each year who rely on a CPAP, BiPAP, or APAP machine to sleep?  Those who do will spend around 121 days each year breathing-in their machine’s unique microbe cocktail. 

Fortunately, cleaning solutions such as CleanSmart Disinfectant Spray for CPAP can quickly and safely eliminate 99.9% of viruses and bacteria that affect air quality―even those that make you sick! 

If poor air quality is a concern for you, becoming aware of “bad air” and fixing what you can through small changes to your cleaning routine should help you breathe a little easier.