There is growing evidence to suggest that indoor air pollution affects all aspects of our health. From the time we are born, all the way through our lives.
Perhaps you’re thinking about starting a family? Maybe you’re enjoying your golden years? Or it could be you’re looking to improve your overall health and wellbeing. Wherever you are in life, the pollutants in your home are affecting your health, in ways you may not realize.
Protection at birth and before.
Are you planning to start a family sometime soon? Perhaps you’re already looking forward to baby’s arrival. In recent years, there have been numerous studies highlighting air pollutants as a major risk factor for moms-to-be and newborns. It can cause decreased fertility or, in some cases, even total infertility. It has been linked to pre-eclampsia, a condition that can lead to pre-term birth and under developed lungs in newborns. Pollution affects a baby’s development in the womb, causing them to be born small and continue to grow at a slower rate. It can also increase the risk of babies being born with high blood pressure and increase the number of still births by 51%.
Keep your family safe.
And it’s not just new babies that are at risk. As children grow, exposure to indoor pollutants can increase their chances of contracting viral infections. It also compromises lung function in otherwise healthy children. More and more, we are hearing that indoor pollutants are linked to an increased BMI and may be the reason why so many children are struggling with obesity. Pollutants in the home are also responsible for childhood diseases such as allergic rhinitis, asthma, allergic conjunctivitis, eczema and dermatitis. And the risks don’t just affect babies and young children. Teenagers exposed to high levels of indoor pollutants are more likely to suffer from mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety and psychosis.
Protection in senior years.
Indoor pollutants also pose a significant threat to the older generation. They cause elevated blood pressure and insulin resistance, a condition that is linked to Type 2 Diabetes. Exposure to high levels of indoor pollutants can also create an imbalance within the nervous system, leading to a hardening of the arteries, angina and heart arrhythmias. All of which are potentially fatal. Pollution also increases our chances of developing certain cancers, particularly lung cancer and cancer of the mouth and throat.
More recently indoor pollutants have been associated with reduced cognitive and judgement skills for older people. They are also thought to cause depression and impaired memory in the elderly and have been linked to diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
Overall Health and Wellbeing
Pollutants in the home can affect our health in ways we don’t even realize. Recent studies show that exposure to indoor pollutants causes inflammation in the brain that can lead to overeating. It also has a profound effect on our skin, causing dryness, irritation, puffiness, age spots, wrinkles, acne and premature skin aging. Air pollutants can also cause headaches and migraines, drowsiness, poor concentration, loss of attention and nausea.
Pollutants and allergens in the bedroom often prevent us from getting the good night’s sleep we need. Sleep is vital and when we don’t get enough, our health suffers. By removing the pollutants from the bedroom, we can enjoy healthy, uninterrupted sleep. Sleep that helps fight infection and strengthens our immune system.
Perhaps you don’t have any specific health concerns, such as allergies or asthma, and are simply looking to improve the overall quality of air in your home. If that’s the case, the Austin Air HealthMate may be right for you. However, if you are looking for a more comprehensive system, the Austin Air Bedroom Machine, with its 5-stage filtration, may be what you need.
