by MARSHALL BONE
Good air quality in your home can make you more comfortable and lead to better physical and mental health, especially for children and older adults. This article discusses the benefits of clean air and the surprising connection that may exist between some forms of air pollution and Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and other neurological conditions.
The Problem
Outdoor air may be filled with pollution from manufacturing, agriculture, wildfires, traffic, and other sources. When it enters your home, you might end up breathing it in. If that sounds dangerous, that’s because it is. To improve air quality, most homeowners depend on the air filters in their HVAC systems.
Indoor air quality issues that an HVAC air filter can address include spores, dust, fibers, allergens, and miscellaneous particles that are suspended in the air. It’s the miscellaneous particles that may be the worst since they could be anything from rock dust to toxic chemicals. These particles are very small, around 2.5 microns (PM25) and smaller, and go straight through most air filters.
Hiding in Plain Sight
It’s easy to understand why outdoor air may be unhealthy when you see smog, dust, and smoke. But indoor air may seem fine and still contain PM25 and smaller particulate pollution. Conditions that could be caused or made worse by exposure to indoor “stealth” bad air include:
- Asthma, sinusitis, rhinitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Depression & Schizophrenia
- Alzheimer’s disease & Dementia
- Elevated inflammation and blood pressure
- Increased danger of organ damage, heart attacks, and strokes
When PM25 particles enter your body, they may stay and accumulate. These particles may be composed of heavy metals, toxic elements, and dangerous chemical compounds. PM25 particles may cause inflammation, reduce lung function, and interfere with your central nervous system. Studies have found possible links between air pollution that contains PM25 particles and depression and neurologic disorders.
Removing as much PM25 contamination as you can from the air in your home is good preventative care. Having the right air filter in your HVAC system is a crucial step in achieving this goal.
Who Benefits from Better Air
Having a clean air filter that efficiently removes particulate pollution from the air benefits everyone in your home.
Children with ADHD, emotional challenges, and behavioral challenges may see a reduction in the frequency and severity of symptoms when you limit their exposure to PM25 airborne pollution. They may benefit from a reduction in respiratory disorders that affect attention, learning, and overall wellness.
Reducing the concentration of PM25 particles in the air may help elderly individuals who are in danger of Alzheimer’s or dementia. While this may not improve their immediate condition, it may help to prevent accelerated damage. Removing PM25 particles may reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks caused by inflammation and circulatory system damage. This makes good air quality especially important for older individuals.
The Right Clean Air Filters
The air filters in your home’s HVAC system are your first line of defense when it comes to removing pollutants from the air. If you want to reduce your exposure to PM25 contamination, this is where to begin.
High-efficiency particulate air filters, or HEPA filters, can trap PM25 particles and smaller ones. This type of high-performance filter is often found in buildings that offer healthcare services and is less common in residential settings. If your home HVAC system can use a HEPA filter, then change it regularly.
HVAC systems with industry-standard MERV filters are more common in residential and urban construction. MERV stands for “minimum efficiency reporting value” and is used to rate air filter performance. At the minimum, your home should have a MERV 8 air filter. This style of filter is 20% efficient at capturing particles that are 1-3 microns in size.
Many homes that can use a MERV 8 filter can also use more efficient filters, and if your system can use a MERV 13 filter, you will get a higher degree of air filtering efficiency. According to the EPA, MERV 13 filters can catch at least 50% of particles 0.3-1 micron in size, are 85% efficient at stopping 1-3 micron size particles, and 90% efficient (or more) at capturing particles 3-10 microns in size and larger.
Prevention Beats Treatment
Being able to breathe clean air is essential to a good quality of life. Particulate pollution is never healthy, and it is important to prevent it from getting inside your body. By using clean air filters designed to capture PM25 contamination and replacing them regularly, you provide a safer and healthier environment for yourself and your family.
Marshall Bone is a writer, copy strategist and all-around stylish guy who has been following trends in GQ for more than two decades. Voted best-dressed both his junior and senior year, Bone has continued this legacy and can be found covering various topics from men’s fashion to self care and grooming. He enjoys reading and is based in the greater Los Angeles area.
