| More and more people seem to be suffering from | | | | levels too, which has the effect of eliminating |
| allergies in the West. It is uncertain precisely why | | | | smells and killing some bacteria. However, for a |
| people are becoming sensitized to everyday | | | | longterm answer, you will need to consult a |
| items, which only troubled a very small | | | | professional to clear up the source of the mold, |
| percentage of mankind for tens of thousands of | | | | which is usually dampness caused by leaking pipes |
| years. Some people say it is because our world is | | | | or damp brickwork, caused by a bridged cavity |
| so clean, so clinical, that our bodies have forgotten | | | | wall. |
| how to cope with a bit of dirt and others point to | | | | Second-hand tobacco smoke is unpleasant |
| the increased amount of air pollution. So could air | | | | enough, but it can bring about an allergic reaction |
| purifiers be the solution? | | | | too. If this is the source of your problem, you |
| If you have an allergic reaction, the first thing to | | | | could try one of the liquid air purifiers. This type |
| do is to work out which substance you are allergic | | | | of air purifier is very effective at its job. Some air |
| to. This is not easy to do on your own, so you | | | | purifiers purport to kill viruses too, but beware of |
| will almost certainly need some professional | | | | such claims. The claim is usually based on the use |
| medical assistance. Or you could start by trying to | | | | of ultraviolet light, but any UV light producing less |
| eliminate dust from your house and see if that | | | | than 24,000 microwatts of UVGI is unlikely to be |
| helps. You would start to do this by cleaning or | | | | effective. |
| replacing any filters you already have on the air | | | | Unfortunately, there is no one total solution to the |
| conditioning and central heating and then turning | | | | problem of air pollution, because there are so |
| the appropriate one on. Clean the vacuum | | | | many sorts of particles that cause allergies. |
| cleaner's filter too and replace the bag, if it has | | | | Carpets can be a major cause of allergens, as |
| one. Then vacuum the house thoroughly from top | | | | can all fabrics, especially if you own pets. Fleas, |
| to bottom. | | | | their larvae and house mites love carpets, curtains |
| If this does not work, you may be allergic to | | | | and upholstery, so you have to steam clean |
| pollen, mold or tobacco smoke, if there is a | | | | these at least once a year and spray them with a |
| smoker in the house, or maybe environmental | | | | long-lasting insecticide containing permethrin or |
| pollution from cars or and near-by industry. Try | | | | remove the carpets altogether and get leather |
| fitting an electrostatic furnace filter and running | | | | furniture. |
| your heating or cooling system 24 hours a day to | | | | It is best to know which allergy you are fighting, |
| see if that clears it up. The filters can eliminate | | | | but if you carry out the cleaning methods outlined |
| 90% of household dust and some other allergens. | | | | above and use one of the ozone producing air |
| The majority of airborne mold particles can be | | | | purifiers, you will have gone a very long way to |
| removed from your air by the use of specialist air | | | | purifying the air in your home and defeating |
| purifiers. These air purifiers usually raise the ozone | | | | allergies. |