Not sure where to start?
Try these collections:

","empty_cart_collections",[480],"residential-solutions","recent_products_enabled","recent_products_heading","Recently viewed","recent_products_limit","show_recent_products_vendor","show_recent_products_price",{"_29":488,"_36":489,"_10":488},"search-drawer",{},{"_29":491,"_31":492,"_63":519,"_36":520,"_10":491},"cookie-banner",{"_365":493,"_40":500,"_509":510,"_514":515},{"_29":365,"_36":494},{"_365":495,"_496":497,"_498":499,"_47":39,"_48":49},"We use cookies","heading_size","text-lg-2xl","heading_tag","h2",{"_29":40,"_36":501},{"_40":502,"_503":504,"_505":354,"_506":507,"_508":45,"_47":39,"_48":49},"

This site uses cookies for better user experience and analytics.

","text_size","text-base","text_max_size","text_font","body","secondary_color","spacing",{"_29":509,"_36":511},{"_244":143,"_512":513},"height_mobile",12,"buttons",{"_29":514,"_36":516},{"_413":517,"_417":518},"Accept","Decline",[365,40,509,514],{"_521":522,"_523":471,"_524":74,"_525":526,"_527":209,"_528":115,"_529":85,"_530":115,"_531":209,"_532":43},"mode","enabled","delay","text_alignment","content_position","left-0","color_drawer_text","color_drawer_background","color_drawer_highlight","color_drawer_button_text","color_drawer_button_background","color_drawer_button_gradient",{"_29":534,"_31":535,"_63":567,"_36":568,"_10":534},"mobile-dock",{"_536":537,"_543":544,"_547":548,"_552":553,"_557":558,"_562":563},"mobile-dock-0",{"_29":538,"_36":539},"home",{"_540":43,"_541":542},"custom_icon","title","Home","mobile-dock-1",{"_29":337,"_36":545},{"_540":43,"_541":546},"Menu","mobile-dock-2",{"_29":549,"_36":550},"search",{"_540":43,"_541":551},"Search","mobile-dock-3",{"_29":42,"_36":554},{"_540":43,"_541":206,"_42":555,"_556":45},"shopify://collections/all","external","mobile-dock-4",{"_29":559,"_36":560},"cart",{"_540":43,"_541":561},"Cart","mobile-dock-5",{"_29":564,"_36":565},"account",{"_540":43,"_541":566},"Account",[536,543,547,552,557,562],{"_79":117,"_81":115,"_83":43,"_353":569,"_355":569,"_444":53,"_89":53},8,"headerMenu",{"_10":572,"_573":574},"gid://shopify/Menu/210335301931","items",[575,608,625,665,695,724],{"_10":576,"_577":578,"_541":99,"_29":579,"_246":580,"_573":581},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/489746366763","tags",[],"HTTP","https://www.iqair.com/world-air-quality",[582,586,590,594,598,603],{"_10":583,"_577":584,"_541":108,"_29":579,"_246":585},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/767569789302",[],"https://www.iqair.com/us/earth",{"_10":587,"_577":588,"_541":589,"_29":579,"_246":138},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/767570182518",[],"Live Air Quality Ranking",{"_10":591,"_577":592,"_541":593,"_29":579,"_246":127},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/767570149750",[],"Live Air Quality Map",{"_10":595,"_577":596,"_541":597,"_29":579,"_246":150},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/767570215286",[],"Historical PM 2.5 Data",{"_10":599,"_577":600,"_541":601,"_29":579,"_246":602},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/767570248054",[],"Air Quality API","https://www.iqair.com/air-quality-monitors/api",{"_10":604,"_577":605,"_541":606,"_29":579,"_246":607},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/798951735670",[],"Air Quality App","https://www.iqair.com/air-quality-monitors/air-quality-app",{"_10":609,"_577":610,"_541":169,"_29":579,"_246":611,"_573":612},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/764204614006",[],"https://www.iqair.com/air-quality-monitors",[613,617,621],{"_10":614,"_577":615,"_541":170,"_29":579,"_246":616},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/767590236534",[],"https://www.iqair.com/measure-air-quality",{"_10":618,"_577":619,"_541":173,"_29":579,"_246":620},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/767589581174",[],"https://www.iqair.com/improve-air-quality",{"_10":622,"_577":623,"_541":175,"_29":579,"_246":624},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/767590269302",[],"https://www.iqair.com/community-air-quality-monitoring",{"_10":626,"_577":627,"_541":180,"_29":579,"_246":628,"_573":629},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/764204646774",[],"https://www.iqair.com/newsroom",[630,635,640,645,650,655,660],{"_10":631,"_577":632,"_541":633,"_29":579,"_246":634},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/767598592374",[],"Air Quality News","https://www.iqair.com/newsroom?tag=Air%20Quality",{"_10":636,"_577":637,"_541":638,"_29":579,"_246":639},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/767598625142",[],"Climate","https://www.iqair.com/newsroom?tag=Climate",{"_10":641,"_577":642,"_541":643,"_29":579,"_246":644},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/767598657910",[],"Community","https://www.iqair.com/newsroom?tag=Community",{"_10":646,"_577":647,"_541":648,"_29":579,"_246":649},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/767598690678",[],"Featured Contributor","https://www.iqair.com/newsroom?tag=Featured%20Contributor",{"_10":651,"_577":652,"_541":653,"_29":579,"_246":654},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/767598723446",[],"Health and Wellness","https://www.iqair.com/newsroom?tag=Health%20and%20Wellness",{"_10":656,"_577":657,"_541":658,"_29":579,"_246":659},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/767598756214",[],"Resources","https://www.iqair.com/newsroom?tag=Resources",{"_10":661,"_577":662,"_541":663,"_29":579,"_246":664},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/767598788982",[],"Wildfire","https://www.iqair.com/newsroom?tag=Wildfire",{"_10":666,"_577":667,"_541":185,"_29":579,"_246":668,"_573":669},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/489746399531",[],"https://www.iqair.com/about-iqair/our-causes",[670,674,678,682,686,690],{"_10":671,"_577":672,"_541":673,"_29":579,"_246":668},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/767593349494",[],"Climate Justice ",{"_10":675,"_577":676,"_541":188,"_29":579,"_246":677},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/767593382262",[],"https://www.iqair.com/about-iqair/our-causes#section-timeline_XBCMEg",{"_10":679,"_577":680,"_541":190,"_29":579,"_246":681},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/767593316726",[],"https://www.iqair.com/schools4earth",{"_10":683,"_577":684,"_541":191,"_29":579,"_246":685},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/767594135926",[],"https://www.iqair.com/about-iqair/ESG-initiatives",{"_10":687,"_577":688,"_541":192,"_29":579,"_246":689},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/767594168694",[],"https://www.iqairfoundation.org",{"_10":691,"_577":692,"_541":693,"_29":579,"_246":694},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/806048858486",[],"Public-Private Partnerships","https://www.iqair.com/how-iqair-partners-with-cities",{"_10":696,"_577":697,"_541":202,"_29":579,"_246":698,"_573":699},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/794165248374",[],"https://www.iqair.com/support",[700,705,710,714,719],{"_10":701,"_577":702,"_541":703,"_29":579,"_246":704},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/794165281142",[],"Warranty Registration","https://www.iqair.com/support/warranty",{"_10":706,"_577":707,"_541":708,"_29":579,"_246":709},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/794165313910",[],"Knowledge Base","https://www.iqair.com/support/knowledge-base",{"_10":711,"_577":712,"_541":713,"_29":579,"_246":698},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/794165346678",[],"Product Support",{"_10":715,"_577":716,"_541":717,"_29":579,"_246":718},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/794165379446",[],"User Guide Videos","https://www.iqair.com/start",{"_10":720,"_577":721,"_541":722,"_29":579,"_246":723},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/794179699062",[],"Contact Support","https://www.iqair.com/support/contact-us",{"_10":725,"_577":726,"_541":206,"_29":579,"_246":727,"_573":728},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/764201402742",[],"https://www.iqair.com/products/air-purifiers",[729,732,736,740,745,749],{"_10":730,"_577":731,"_541":211,"_29":579,"_246":727},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/767600623990",[],{"_10":733,"_577":734,"_541":207,"_29":579,"_246":735},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/767600656758",[],"https://www.iqair.com/products/air-quality-monitors",{"_10":737,"_577":738,"_541":277,"_29":579,"_246":739},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/767600689526",[],"https://www.iqair.com/products/residential-solutions/kn95-ffp2-face-mask?Quantity=12+Pack",{"_10":741,"_577":742,"_541":743,"_29":579,"_246":744},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/767600722294",[],"Replacement Filters","https://www.iqair.com/products/replacement-filters",{"_10":746,"_577":747,"_541":748,"_29":579,"_246":607},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/767600787830",[],"IQAir AirVisual App",{"_10":750,"_577":751,"_541":752,"_29":579,"_246":753},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/794347274614",[],"For Organisations","https://www.iqair.com/commercial-air-purifiers","footerMenu",{"_10":756,"_573":757},"gid://shopify/Menu/210335334699",[758,795,813,855,887,916,939],{"_10":759,"_577":760,"_541":384,"_29":579,"_246":761,"_573":762},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/779353784694",[],"https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com#",[763,768,772,777,782,785,790],{"_10":764,"_577":765,"_541":766,"_29":579,"_246":767},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/779355193718",[],"About us","https://www.iqair.com/about-iqair",{"_10":769,"_577":770,"_541":771,"_29":579,"_246":723},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/779360403830",[],"Contact us",{"_10":773,"_577":774,"_541":775,"_29":579,"_246":776},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/779360436598",[],"Careers","https://jobs.iqair.com/",{"_10":778,"_577":779,"_541":780,"_29":579,"_246":781},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/800711639414",[],"Media Inquiries","https://www.iqair.com/media-contact",{"_10":783,"_577":784,"_541":192,"_29":579,"_246":193},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/800711672182",[],{"_10":786,"_577":787,"_541":788,"_29":579,"_246":789},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/779355226486",[],"Awards and Partnerships","https://www.iqair.com/about-iqair/awards-partnerships",{"_10":791,"_577":792,"_541":793,"_29":579,"_246":794},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/779360338294",[],"Experience Center","https://www.iqair.com/experience-center",{"_10":796,"_577":797,"_541":202,"_29":579,"_246":761,"_573":798},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/779353915766",[],[799,802,805,808],{"_10":800,"_577":801,"_541":713,"_29":579,"_246":698},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/779361026422",[],{"_10":803,"_577":804,"_541":703,"_29":579,"_246":704},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/779361091958",[],{"_10":806,"_577":807,"_541":708,"_29":579,"_246":709},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/779361124726",[],{"_10":809,"_577":810,"_541":811,"_29":579,"_246":812},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/800711704950",[],"Return Policy","https://www.iqair.com/us/support/iqair-warranty-coverage",{"_10":814,"_577":815,"_541":180,"_29":579,"_246":761,"_573":816},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/780153651574",[],[817,820,823,827,831,835,840,845,850],{"_10":818,"_577":819,"_541":633,"_29":579,"_246":634},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/780153684342",[],{"_10":821,"_577":822,"_541":643,"_29":579,"_246":644},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/780153717110",[],{"_10":824,"_577":825,"_541":826,"_29":579,"_246":659},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/780153749878",[],"Air Quality Resources",{"_10":828,"_577":829,"_541":830,"_29":579,"_246":649},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/780153782646",[],"Featured Contributors",{"_10":832,"_577":833,"_541":653,"_29":579,"_246":834},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/780153815414",[],"https://www.iqair.com/newsroom?tag=Health%20And%20Wellness",{"_10":836,"_577":837,"_541":838,"_29":579,"_246":839},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/780153848182",[],"Success Stories","https://www.iqair.com/newsroom?tag=Success%20Stories",{"_10":841,"_577":842,"_541":843,"_29":579,"_246":844},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/780153880950",[],"Awards and Reviews","https://www.iqair.com/newsroom?tag=Awards%20And%20Reviews",{"_10":846,"_577":847,"_541":848,"_29":579,"_246":849},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/800711737718",[],"Press Releases","https://www.iqair.com/newsroom?tag=Press%20Releases",{"_10":851,"_577":852,"_541":853,"_29":579,"_246":854},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/800711770486",[],"Air Cleaning Technology","https://www.iqair.com/newsroom?tag=Air%20Cleaning%20Technology",{"_10":856,"_577":857,"_541":858,"_29":579,"_246":761,"_573":859},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/780153389430",[],"For Organizations",[860,863,868,872,877,882],{"_10":861,"_577":862,"_541":311,"_29":579,"_246":753},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/780153422198",[],{"_10":864,"_577":865,"_541":866,"_29":579,"_246":867},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/780153454966",[],"Request a Bid","https://www.iqair.com/commercial/request-a-bid",{"_10":869,"_577":870,"_541":871,"_29":579,"_246":723},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/780153487734",[],"Chat with an Expert",{"_10":873,"_577":874,"_541":875,"_29":579,"_246":876},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/780153520502",[],"Clean Air Facility","https://www.iqair.com/commercial-applications/clean-air-facilities",{"_10":878,"_577":879,"_541":880,"_29":579,"_246":881},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/780153553270",[],"Clean Air School","https://www.iqair.com/commercial-applications/clean-air-school",{"_10":883,"_577":884,"_541":885,"_29":579,"_246":886},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/780153586038",[],"Dashboard","https://www.iqair.com/commercial-air-quality-monitors/enterprise-dashboard",{"_10":888,"_577":889,"_541":390,"_29":579,"_246":761,"_573":890},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/779353850230",[],[891,894,899,903,907,912],{"_10":892,"_577":893,"_541":606,"_29":579,"_246":607},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/779360797046",[],{"_10":895,"_577":896,"_541":897,"_29":579,"_246":898},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/779355292022",[],"AirVisual Platform","https://www.iqair.com/us/commercial-air-quality-monitors/airvisual-platform",{"_10":900,"_577":901,"_541":902,"_29":579,"_246":150},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/779360698742",[],"Historical Air Quality Data",{"_10":904,"_577":905,"_541":906,"_29":579,"_246":138},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/779360731510",[],"Live AQI⁺ City Ranking",{"_10":908,"_577":909,"_541":910,"_29":579,"_246":911},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/779360764278",[],"World Air Quality Report","https://www.iqair.com/world-air-quality-report",{"_10":913,"_577":914,"_541":915,"_29":579,"_246":580},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/779360829814",[],"World Air Quality",{"_10":917,"_577":918,"_541":919,"_29":579,"_246":761,"_573":920},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/779353817462",[],"Shop Our Products",[921,925,929,932,935],{"_10":922,"_577":923,"_541":924,"_29":579,"_246":727},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/779360633206",[],"About IQAir Air Purifiers",{"_10":926,"_577":927,"_541":277,"_29":579,"_246":928},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/779360534902",[],"https://www.iqair.com/commercial-face-masks",{"_10":930,"_577":931,"_541":207,"_29":579,"_246":735},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/779355259254",[],{"_10":933,"_577":934,"_541":743,"_29":579,"_246":744},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/779360502134",[],{"_10":936,"_577":937,"_541":938,"_29":579,"_246":727},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/779360469366",[],"Shop All Air Purifiers",{"_10":940,"_577":941,"_541":942,"_29":579,"_246":761,"_573":943},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/792389091702",[],"Shop Our Solutions",[944,949,954,959,964,969,974],{"_10":945,"_577":946,"_541":947,"_29":579,"_246":948},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/792390140278",[],"Air Purifiers for Asthma","https://www.iqair.com/products/air-purifiers-for-asthma",{"_10":950,"_577":951,"_541":952,"_29":579,"_246":953},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/792390173046",[],"Air Purifiers for Mold","https://www.iqair.com/products/air-purifiers-for-mold",{"_10":955,"_577":956,"_541":957,"_29":579,"_246":958},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/792390205814",[],"Air Purifiers for Smoke","https://www.iqair.com/products/air-purifiers-for-cigarette-smoke",{"_10":960,"_577":961,"_541":962,"_29":579,"_246":963},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/792390238582",[],"Air Purifiers for Pets","https://www.iqair.com/products/air-purifiers-for-pets",{"_10":965,"_577":966,"_541":967,"_29":579,"_246":968},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/792390271350",[],"Air Purifiers for Dust","https://www.iqair.com/products/air-purifiers-for-dust",{"_10":970,"_577":971,"_541":972,"_29":579,"_246":973},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/792390304118",[],"Air Purifiers for Odor","https://www.iqair.com/products/air-purifiers-for-odor",{"_10":975,"_577":976,"_541":977,"_29":579,"_246":978},"gid://shopify/MenuItem/792390336886",[],"Air Purifiers for Wildfire Smoke","https://www.iqair.com/air-purifiers-for-wildfire-smoke","giftWrappingMenu","seo",{"_541":982,"_983":984,"_985":986,"_246":987,"_988":989,"_1026":-7},"IQAir | First in Air Quality","description","IQAir is the world’s leading innovator of Indoor Air Quality solutions. Our passion is to help people live longer, healthier lives by creating the most ...","handle","@airvisual","https://iqair-website.vercel.app/newsroom?tag=Allergies+And+Asthma","jsonLd",{"_990":991,"_992":993,"_12":994,"_373":995,"_996":997,"_1006":1007,"_246":987,"_1019":1020},"@context","https://schema.org","@type","Organization","IQAir","https://www.iqair.com/dl/web/logos/ic-logo-iq-air-blue.svg","sameAs",[998,999,1000,1001,1002,1003,1004,1005],"https://www.facebook.com/iqair","https://twitter.com/IQAir","https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-iqair-group","https://www.instagram.com/iqair/","https://www.youtube.com/IQAir","https://www.pinterest.com/IQAir/","https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.airvisual&hl=en_US&gl=US","https://apps.apple.com/us/app/iqair-airvisual-air-quality/id1048912974","contactPoint",[1008,1016],{"_992":1009,"_1010":1011,"_1012":1013,"_1014":1015},"ContactPoint","telephone","+1-866-488-1918","contactType","customer service","areaServed","US",{"_992":1009,"_1010":1017,"_1012":1013,"_1014":1018},"+86-400-108-5117","CN","potentialAction",{"_992":1021,"_1022":1023,"_1024":1025},"SearchAction","target","https://iqair-website.vercel.app/search-results?q={search_term}","query","required name='search_term'","robots","requestInfo",{"_1029":1030,"_1043":1044},"userPreferences",{"_1031":1032,"_1041":1015,"_1042":-7},"units",{"_1033":1034,"_1035":1036,"_1037":1038,"_1039":1040},"distance","kilometer","temperature","celsius","pressure","millibar","system","metric","AQI","timezone","userLocation",{"_18":1015,"_1045":1046,"_1047":1048,"_1049":1050,"_1042":1051,"_1052":1053,"_1054":1055},"countryName","United States","countryRegion","OH","city","Columbus","America/New_York","lat",39.9587,"lng",-82.9987,["P",1056],"ENV",{"_1059":1060,"_1061":1062,"_1063":1064,"_1065":1066,"_1067":1068,"_1069":1070,"_1071":1072,"_1073":1074,"_1075":-7,"_1076":1077,"_1078":1079,"_1080":1081,"_1082":1083,"_1084":-7,"_1085":1086},"MODE","production","GOOGLE_TAG_MANAGER_ID","GTM-PPQMD6","FACEBOOK_LOGIN_APP_ID","398656046993675","GOOGLE_LOGIN_CLIENT_ID","351521898-5bj7u78k0elfc3pod2gkejvfnju8hncf.apps.googleusercontent.com","APPLE_LOGIN_CLIENT_ID","4235W294QP.com.airvisual.airvisual","PUBLIC_STORE_DOMAIN","iqair-global-eur.myshopify.com","PUBLIC_SHOP_ID","67740598571","IQAIR_DASHBOARD_DOMAIN","dashboard.iqair.com","WAF_SDK","CUSTOM_EMBEDDABLE_MAP_CONSTANTS_HOST","https://www.airvisual.com","AIRVISUAL_CDN_DOMAIN","https://cdn.airvisual.net","AIRVISUAL_OSM_DOMAIN","https://osm.airvisual.net","AIRVISUAL_WIND_URL","https://website-api.airvisual.com/prod/current-wind-surface-level-gfs-1.0.json","AIRVISUAL_EARTH_URL","VERCEL","1",["P",1087],"consent",{"_1090":1091,"_1092":1093},"checkoutDomain","shop-gl-eur.iqair.com","storefrontAccessToken","cc75eb5159fc569ed0c0f968a231755c","selectedLocale",{"_1096":1097,"_1098":1099,"_1100":1101,"_1102":17,"_1103":1104,"_1105":43},"label","International","language","EN","country","DE","currency","flag","/dl/assets/svg/ic-worlwide.svg","pathPrefix","userAgent","Mozilla/5.0 AppleWebKit/537.36 (KHTML, like Gecko; compatible; ClaudeBot/1.0; +claudebot@anthropic.com)","dismissedCountryBanner","requestOrigin","https://iqair-website.vercel.app","routes/$(locale)",{},"routes/$(locale).newsroom._index",{"_1115":1116,"_1344":1345,"_980":1346,"_1350":1351},"blog",{"_541":1117,"_980":1118,"_1119":1120},"IQAir News",{"_541":-5,"_983":-5},"articles",{"_1121":1122,"_1336":1337},"nodes",[1123,1149,1167,1184,1201,1220,1237,1252,1270,1286,1304,1320],{"_1124":1125,"_1126":1127,"_1115":1129,"_1131":1132,"_1133":1132,"_1134":1135,"_1136":1137,"_985":1138,"_10":1139,"_1140":1141,"_1142":-5,"_1143":1144,"_577":1145,"_541":1147,"_1148":-5},"__typename","Article","author",{"_12":1128},"IQAir Staff Writers",{"_985":1130},"news","excerpt","A clean home for the holidays not only means surfaces free of dust, dirt, and grime, but a house filled with good indoor air quality.","excerptHtml","content","We all want to make a good impression, and presenting a clean home is challenging any time of the year. And when the holiday season comes around, special circumstances arise. When prepping homes, most consider only the cleanliness of surfaces like tabletops, counters, or floors, ensuring they are free of dust, dirt, and grime. Read on for 7 essential tips for handling holiday housecleaning and indoor air quality challenges. 1. Be mindful of entries and departures—guests bring more than food and presents. Like it or not, with the arrival of guests comes the arrival of dirt and dust. Household dust includes airborne particles blown in from outdoors, dead skin cells and hair from people and pets, dust mite bodies and droppings, tracked-in soil, and pollen (1). So, during the holidays, when opening doors for guests’ entrances and exits, dust comes in with the wind. Also, sources of dust cross the threshold on guests’ shoes and clothing. And since every guest has skin and hair, this tool adds to the dusty buildup. Solutions: To reduce dust, start by placing mats in front of every door. Encourage guests to remove their shoes at the door. Not only will guests be more comfortable, but your home will stay cleaner for your guests as well. If the air is polluted outdoors, don’t open the door for guests until all goodbyes have been said. Hanging around with the door wide open invites more contaminants into your home. 2. More time indoors, more indoor air pollutants. Dust With chillier outdoor temperatures, we, along with our guests and our pets, tend to be indoors more, shedding skin cells and hair. This is why household dust tends to increase during the holidays. Plus, our heaters are operating more often. Radiant heating systems don’t make much of mess in your house, but central, forced-air systems can add to the dust in the air and on surfaces. Wood stoves, which can certainly warm us up, not only create dust and ash, but the smoke from them can produce buildups of soot on surfaces. The common cold, flu and other viruses Keep in mind, the quality of your indoor air can also affect whether you or your guests contract and spread cold, the flu and other viruses. And while there is no cure for a cold, research does show that once you have a cold, the quality of the air you breathe has a significant effect on the severity of your symptoms. As you gear up for your holiday festivities, here are a few things you can do to deal with the increased time indoors and make sure your air is a clean as possible (2): Replace or clean your HVAC air filters regularly (at least every 3 months but more often if needed). Use portable electric heaters where reasonable. Use wood stoves that include a HEPA filter. Consider acquiring a whole-house air purifier system that works with your HVAC system to ensure every room has clean indoor air quality. 3. Fireplace: not be such a hot idea. Fireplaces, even fully gas-burning models, can significantly increase the number of airborne contaminants in your home. Firewood smoke in particular has been linked to strokes, heart disease, and lung cancer (3) (4). And like a wood stove, firewood smoke can stain household surfaces. Wood-burning fireplaces also create dust and ash that not only make a mess, they can also irritate airways and exacerbate asthma and allergy symptoms. Solutions The best way to prevent a fireplace from sullying your house and harming your indoor air quality and the health of you and your loved ones is to not use it. But if that is not practical: Use an air purifier in the room where the fireplace is For wood-burning fireplaces (5): Use wood, preferably hardwood, that was split, dried, and covered for at least six months. Install heat-proof glass doors. Regularly clean your fireplace’s interior to remove the dust and ash, while wearing a high-quality protective face mask to avoid breathing in these harmful particles. Make sure your air purifier is specifically designed to remove smoke and odors from the air. 4. Avoid burning candles, scented or not. Lighted candles are a common way to enhance the atmosphere during special holiday gatherings, but they create housecleaning issues much like a fireplace, and can add volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and ultrafine particles to your air. Scented candles, which usually use synthetic fragrances and dyes, can emit VOCs even when they are not lit (6). Solutions Use unscented candles to enhance your décor; maintain clean indoor air quality by not lighting them. To fill your house with wonderful holiday scents without adding contaminants to the air: Simmer fragrant spices like cinnamon sticks, cloves, and nutmeg in a pot of water. Diffuse essential oils (try to avoid fragrance oils that contain artificial ingredients). Place containers of potpourri around your home. 5. Prevent mold and pollen buildup. Planning on buying a holiday tree from a tree lot? You might want to reconsider. Besides the clutter from falling needles, these trees can add mold and pollen to household surfaces and produce indoor air quality that is inhospitable to those with allergies and asthma. After the trees are cut, they are tightly bundled, creating an environment for the growth of up to 50 types of mold, which have been found to increase the typical presence of mold spores in indoor air by more than six times in less than two weeks (7) (8). The trees can also be a source of pollen, which, besides being another allergen and asthma trigger, is an ingredient in dust. Paradoxically, it is not the tree’s own pollen grains but grains like ragweed pollen that settled on the tree and grass pollen that got stuck to the tree’s sap and is released when the sap dries out. Solutions To prevent Christmas trees from adding to an untidy home and unhealthy air: Use a reusable, artificial tree If you do buy a tree from a lot: Consider placing the tree outdoors within view from inside If that is not feasible: Clean and wipe the trunk of your tree thoroughly with water and bleach before you bring it into the house. Use a leaf blower to remove as many pollen grains as possible before bringing the tree indoors. Put the tree up later and get rid of it sooner. Cut the tree yourself, bypassing the storage and transportation conditions that promote mold growth. Use a high-performance room air purifier in the same room as the tree to help create good indoor air quality. 6. Cook with care. Who doesn’t love a holiday feast? But be careful—with increased cooking activities comes more grease and smoke stains. And gas stoves can add dangerous particulates to the air, such as nitrogen dioxide, which has been linked to asthma in children (9). Solutions Use ventilation fans when you cook. If you have a gas oven and stove, use electric cooking appliances such as a small oven or microwave when possible, instead. Use a personal air purifier when cooking to ensure your personal breathing zone is safe. 7. Use smart cleaning techniques before, during, and after the festivities. The additional housecleaning chores caused by the increased activities and visitors around the holiday season can also harm indoor air quality. So it’s important to focus on methods of cleaning that actually clean your home’s surfaces while sparing the air around you and your guests. For instance, many cleaning solvents release harmful chemicals into the air, including ammonia, chlorine, perchloroethylene or “perc,” 2-butoxyethanol and sodium hydroxide, better known as lye (10). Try to avoid cleaning products that include these and use sparingly if they can’t be avoided. Also, take care when purchasing cleaning products labeled “green” or “natural” as they too can contain ingredients that are harmful to your health (11). You can always refer to the comprehensive “Safer Choice” list provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which includes cleaning products for home and vehicles (12). Finally, avoid improper dusting techniques that kick up and add more airborne dust to your breathing space that irritates eyes and airways and must be cleaned again once it settles. Solutions Use warm water and mild soap as a general household cleaning product. Instead of abrasive cleaners for scrubbing, use baking soda. For windows and other glass surfaces, use a mixture of vinegar and water. Avoid “dry-dusting,” and instead use a rag dampened with water. Rather than sweeping floors, which kicks up dust, use a vacuum with a HEPA filter that traps dust and dirt particles preventing them from returning to the air. Use a vacuum with a dusting attachment for items that are hard to dust like lampshades and drapes. Conclusion Maintaining a clean and healthy home, including good indoor air quality, might take a little extra work during the holidays. But in between the chores, you and your loved ones will better enjoy the festivities. A cleaner home means a healthier home, and after all, healthier holidays are happier holidays.","contentHtml","

We all want to make a good impression, and presenting a clean home is challenging any time of the year. And when the holiday season comes around, special circumstances arise.

When prepping homes, most consider only the cleanliness of surfaces like tabletops, counters, or floors, ensuring they are free of dust, dirt, and grime.

Read on for 7 essential tips for handling holiday housecleaning and indoor air quality challenges.

1. Be mindful of entries and departures—guests bring more than food and presents.

Like it or not, with the arrival of guests comes the arrival of dirt and dust.

Household dust includes airborne particles blown in from outdoors, dead skin cells and hair from people and pets, dust mite bodies and droppings, tracked-in soil, and pollen (1).

So, during the holidays, when opening doors for guests’ entrances and exits, dust comes in with the wind. Also, sources of dust cross the threshold on guests’ shoes and clothing. And since every guest has skin and hair, this tool adds to the dusty buildup.

Solutions:

To reduce dust, start by placing mats in front of every door.
Encourage guests to remove their shoes at the door. Not only will guests be more comfortable, but your home will stay cleaner for your guests as well.
If the air is polluted outdoors, don’t open the door for guests until all goodbyes have been said. Hanging around with the door wide open invites more contaminants into your home.

2. More time indoors, more indoor air pollutants.

Dust

With chillier outdoor temperatures, we, along with our guests and our pets, tend to be indoors more, shedding skin cells and hair. This is why household dust tends to increase during the holidays.

Plus, our heaters are operating more often. Radiant heating systems don’t make much of mess in your house, but central, forced-air systems can add to the dust in the air and on surfaces. Wood stoves, which can certainly warm us up, not only create dust and ash, but the smoke from them can produce buildups of soot on surfaces.

The common cold, flu and other viruses

Keep in mind, the quality of your indoor air can also affect whether you or your guests contract and spread cold, the flu and other viruses. And while there is no cure for a cold, research does show that once you have a cold, the quality of the air you breathe has a significant effect on the severity of your symptoms.

As you gear up for your holiday festivities, here are a few things you can do to deal with the increased time indoors and make sure your air is a clean as possible (2):

Replace or clean your HVAC air filters regularly (at least every 3 months but more often if needed).
Use portable electric heaters where reasonable.
Use wood stoves that include a HEPA filter.
Consider acquiring a whole-house air purifier system that works with your HVAC system to ensure every room has clean indoor air quality.

3. Fireplace: not be such a hot idea.

Fireplaces, even fully gas-burning models, can significantly increase the number of airborne contaminants in your home.

Firewood smoke in particular has been linked to strokes, heart disease, and lung cancer (3) (4).

And like a wood stove, firewood smoke can stain household surfaces. Wood-burning fireplaces also create dust and ash that not only make a mess, they can also irritate airways and exacerbate asthma and allergy symptoms.

Solutions

The best way to prevent a fireplace from sullying your house and harming your indoor air quality and the health of you and your loved ones is to not use it. But if that is not practical:

Use an air purifier in the room where the fireplace is

For wood-burning fireplaces (5):

Use wood, preferably hardwood, that was split, dried, and covered for at least six months.
Install heat-proof glass doors.
Regularly clean your fireplace’s interior to remove the dust and ash, while wearing a high-quality protective face mask to avoid breathing in these harmful particles.
Make sure your air purifier is specifically designed to remove smoke and odors from the air.

4. Avoid burning candles, scented or not.

Lighted candles are a common way to enhance the atmosphere during special holiday gatherings, but they create housecleaning issues much like a fireplace, and can add volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and ultrafine particles to your air.

Scented candles, which usually use synthetic fragrances and dyes, can emit VOCs even when they are not lit (6).

Solutions

Use unscented candles to enhance your décor; maintain clean indoor air quality by not lighting them.

To fill your house with wonderful holiday scents without adding contaminants to the air:

Simmer fragrant spices like cinnamon sticks, cloves, and nutmeg in a pot of water.
Diffuse essential oils (try to avoid fragrance oils that contain artificial ingredients).
Place containers of potpourri around your home.

5. Prevent mold and pollen buildup.

Planning on buying a holiday tree from a tree lot? You might want to reconsider. Besides the clutter from falling needles, these trees can add mold and pollen to household surfaces and produce indoor air quality that is inhospitable to those with allergies and asthma.

After the trees are cut, they are tightly bundled, creating an environment for the growth of up to 50 types of mold, which have been found to increase the typical presence of mold spores in indoor air by more than six times in less than two weeks (7) (8).

The trees can also be a source of pollen, which, besides being another allergen and asthma trigger, is an ingredient in dust. Paradoxically, it is not the tree’s own pollen grains but grains like ragweed pollen that settled on the tree and grass pollen that got stuck to the tree’s sap and is released when the sap dries out.

Solutions

To prevent Christmas trees from adding to an untidy home and unhealthy air:

Use a reusable, artificial tree

If you do buy a tree from a lot:

Consider placing the tree outdoors within view from inside

If that is not feasible:

Clean and wipe the trunk of your tree thoroughly with water and bleach before you bring it into the house.
Use a leaf blower to remove as many pollen grains as possible before bringing the tree indoors.
Put the tree up later and get rid of it sooner.
Cut the tree yourself, bypassing the storage and transportation conditions that promote mold growth.
Use a high-performance room air purifier in the same room as the tree to help create good indoor air quality.

6. Cook with care.

Who doesn’t love a holiday feast? But be careful—with increased cooking activities comes more grease and smoke stains. And gas stoves can add dangerous particulates to the air, such as nitrogen dioxide, which has been linked to asthma in children (9).

Solutions

Use ventilation fans when you cook.
If you have a gas oven and stove, use electric cooking appliances such as a small oven or microwave when possible, instead.
Use a personal air purifier when cooking to ensure your personal breathing zone is safe.

7. Use smart cleaning techniques before, during, and after the festivities.

The additional housecleaning chores caused by the increased activities and visitors around the holiday season can also harm indoor air quality. So it’s important to focus on methods of cleaning that actually clean your home’s surfaces while sparing the air around you and your guests.

For instance, many cleaning solvents release harmful chemicals into the air, including ammonia, chlorine, perchloroethylene or “perc,” 2-butoxyethanol and sodium hydroxide, better known as lye (10). Try to avoid cleaning products that include these and use sparingly if they can’t be avoided.

Also, take care when purchasing cleaning products labeled “green” or “natural” as they too can contain ingredients that are harmful to your health (11). You can always refer to the comprehensive “Safer Choice” list provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which includes cleaning products for home and vehicles (12).

Finally, avoid improper dusting techniques that kick up and add more airborne dust to your breathing space that irritates eyes and airways and must be cleaned again once it settles.

Solutions

Use warm water and mild soap as a general household cleaning product.
Instead of abrasive cleaners for scrubbing, use baking soda.
For windows and other glass surfaces, use a mixture of vinegar and water.
Avoid “dry-dusting,” and instead use a rag dampened with water.
Rather than sweeping floors, which kicks up dust, use a vacuum with a HEPA filter that traps dust and dirt particles preventing them from returning to the air.
Use a vacuum with a dusting attachment for items that are hard to dust like lampshades and drapes.

Conclusion

Maintaining a clean and healthy home, including good indoor air quality, might take a little extra work during the holidays. But in between the chores, you and your loved ones will better enjoy the festivities. A cleaner home means a healthier home, and after all, healthier holidays are happier holidays.

","7-holiday-cleaning-tips-for-a-healthier-home","gid://shopify/Article/606872305963","onlineStoreUrl","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/7-holiday-cleaning-tips-for-a-healthier-home","trackingParameters","publishedAt","2026-02-04T02:03:45Z",[390,1146,653],"Allergies and Asthma","7 holiday cleaning tips for a healthier home","image",{"_1124":1125,"_1126":1150,"_1115":1151,"_1131":1152,"_1133":1153,"_1134":1154,"_1136":1155,"_985":1156,"_10":1157,"_1140":1158,"_1142":-5,"_1143":1159,"_577":1160,"_541":1161,"_1148":1162},{"_12":1128},{"_985":1130},"Allergy sufferers can coexist with pets. It just takes a little planning, and probably a high-performance air purifier at home. Learn more.","

Allergy sufferers can coexist with pets. It just takes a little planning, and probably a high-performance air purifier at home. Learn more.

","Air purifiers can help with pet dander by removing the portion that becomes airborne—especially when they use high-efficiency mechanical filtration. But they are not a complete solution, because much of the allergen load settles onto surfaces and can be re-released into the air during normal activity. Most pet allergies are due to the effects of pet dander, which is present with all animals that have fur (or feathers). As many as 10 to 20 percent of all people with allergies have allergic reactions to cats and dogs, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (1). The good news: many allergy sufferers can coexist with pets. It just takes a little planning and the right mix of tools. Before you choose a strategy, it helps to understand what “pet dander” actually is—and what it isn’t. Pet hair itself is not an allergen It’s not the actual hair of the animal that causes the allergies; it’s the proteins in the attached dead skin that causes the problems. The dead skin is called “dander.” The dander contains the proteins that are considered “allergens.” What Pet Dander Is—and How It Moves Indoors Pet hair is easy to see, but pet allergens are typically carried on microscopic particles—including flakes of skin (“dander”), dried saliva, and dust. For cats, one of the best-studied allergens (Fel d 1) readily becomes airborne and is often carried on very small particles; research indicates a substantial portion can be associated with particles under 5 microns, which can stay suspended longer and travel farther indoors. That airborne behavior matters because it explains two things: Why symptoms can flare even when your pet isn’t nearby (allergens can circulate and settle throughout the home). Why filtration can help: high-efficiency particle filters are designed to capture tiny airborne particles before they settle. With that in mind, the role of an air purifier becomes clearer: it can reduce what’s floating in the air, but it won’t remove what’s already settled on surfaces. How air purifiers help control pet dander Because pet allergens can ride on airborne particles, the most helpful purifiers for pet dander are those built for high-efficiency particle removal. Medical-grade air purifiers are especially beneficial for individuals with severe allergies or asthma, as they offer superior filtration and air turnover rates. Air purifiers equipped with HyperHEPA filters are highly effective at capturing airborne pet dander, which is a major trigger for allergies. HyperHEPA filters from an air purifier like Atem Earth can trap particles as small as 0.003 microns with an efficiency of 99.5%, including the microscopic dander and allergen proteins shed by pets. This significantly reduces the concentration of allergens in the air, providing relief for allergy sufferers. For best results, place the air purifier in rooms where pets spend the most time, such as bedrooms or living areas. Regular maintenance, including replacing filters as recommended, ensures the air purifier continues to operate at peak efficiency. However, even strong filtration can feel inconsistent day to day—especially in homes with lots of soft surfaces and ongoing shedding. Perception vs. Reality: Why You May Still React (Even With an Air Purifier) Many people expect an air purifier to “solve” pet allergies quickly. In reality, improvements can be uneven because: Allergens don’t stay only in the air. Dander and allergen-carrying dust settle on floors, furniture, bedding, and fabrics, then get kicked back up when you walk, sit down, vacuum, or when pets move around. Odor and allergens aren’t the same thing. A room can smell fresher while allergen exposure remains significant (and vice versa). Placement and run time matter. Portable air cleaners are designed for a room/zone; they’re most effective when run consistently in the spaces where people and pets spend the most time. (EPA describes portable air cleaners as intended for single-room use and notes limits.) Health outcomes can vary. EPA summarizes that studies with portable HEPA air cleaners have found improvements in one or more allergy/asthma symptoms, but effects are not always large and not for every symptom—so expectations should be realistic. That’s why the best results usually come from combining air cleaning with surface cleaning and (when possible) whole-home filtration. Air Purifiers vs. Vacuums vs. HVAC Filters: What Each One Can (and Can’t) Do No single tool does it all—each one targets pet allergens at a different point in the cycle: Air purifiers (portable): reduce the airborne fraction in a specific room/area. Vacuuming & cleaning: remove allergens that have settled into carpets, upholstery, bedding, and floors (a major reservoir). (EPA notes many allergen particles settle rather quickly—why surface control matters.) HVAC filters: can reduce particles in recirculated air, but performance depends on the system, filter rating, and runtime.Next, it helps to understand what factors make allergen levels rise or fall in the first place. What’s Actually Driving Pet Allergen Levels in Your Home? Indoor pet allergen levels usually come down to four drivers: Shedding + allergen production: all furry pets produce allergens; there is no truly “allergen-free” cat or dog. (AAFA notes pet allergies are common and linked to pets with fur/feathers.) Resuspension: allergens settled in dust get stirred back into the air during daily activity. Room mixing: air movement spreads allergens beyond the room where the pet spends time (cat allergen is known to transfer via clothing and be found broadly). Insufficient filtration capacity: undersized purifiers or low-capacity filters may not keep up, especially in high-shedding homes. Once you identify which of these drivers is biggest in your home, you can choose the most effective combination of habits and tools. Other ways to mitigate pet-related allergensAir purification works best when you also reduce the allergen load at the source and on surfaces—especially in bedrooms and other high-time-spent rooms. There are many pet shampoos and solutions available that can help neutralize allergens and remove dander. Regularly vacuuming with a HEPA vacuum cleaner will also help control pet allergens and dander. Some breeds may shed less, but no cat or dog is truly allergen-free (allergen proteins can still spread throughout a home). Individual responses can vary widely. Recommended dogs breeds include (2): Afghan Hounds Bichon Frises Chinese Cresteds Coton de Tulears Hairless Peruvian Inca Orchids Irish Water Spaniels Lagotto Ramagnolos Maltese Poodles Portuguese Water Dogs Schnauzers (certain breeds) •Spanish Water Dogs Terriers (certain breeds) Xoloitzcuintli Recommended cat breeds include (3): Balinese Bengal Cornish Rex Devon Rex Siberian Sphynx Russian Blue Studies indicate dog ownership may actually help people avoid allergies.A study published in the Journal of Pediatrics reported that children with eczema benefit from living with a dog during infancy (4). Cat ownership, however, seemed to have a negative effect on children with cat allergies. Regardless of breed or background risk, the day-to-day setup of your home has the biggest impact on exposure. How to Use an Air Purifier Effectively for Pet Dander These steps help maximize airborne dander capture while reducing how often allergens get reintroduced into the air: Run it where it matters most: prioritize bedrooms and main living areas (portable air cleaners are intended for single rooms/areas). Keep airflow unobstructed: place the unit away from walls and bulky furniture so air can circulate. Use consistent runtime: continuous or long daily runtime is typically more effective than occasional use, since allergens are continuously introduced and re-aerosolized. Maintain filters on schedule: clogged filters reduce airflow and overall cleaning performance. Pair with surface control: wash bedding, clean soft furnishings, and vacuum regularly to reduce settled reservoirs. If symptoms are worse at night, start by improving the bedroom first: keep pets out (if possible), clean bedding, and run a properly sized purifier consistently. If you’re still struggling after optimizing one room, the next step is usually expanding coverage to the other rooms where your pet spends the most time. FAQ: Air Purifiers and Pet Dander Do air purifiers remove pet dander completely?They can reduce airborne dander and allergen-carrying particles, but they won’t remove what’s settled in carpets, bedding, or upholstery—so cleaning and source management still matter. Do “hypoallergenic” pets prevent allergies?Many people still react because allergens come from proteins in skin/saliva and can spread widely indoors, even when shedding seems minimal. Where should I place the purifier?Place it in the room where you spend the most time (often bedrooms/living rooms) since portable units are designed for single-room purification. Can an air purifier help allergy or asthma symptoms?Possibly. EPA notes multiple studies have found improvements in one or more allergy/asthma symptoms with portable HEPA air cleaners, though effects vary and are not universal. Is pet hair the main problem?Hair itself isn’t usually the allergen; allergens are typically proteins carried on microscopic particles like dander and dust, which can stay airborne and spread. Conclusion Air purifiers can help with pet dander—primarily by capturing airborne dander and allergen-carrying particles. They won’t remove allergens that have settled into carpets, bedding, or upholstery, so the best results come from pairing filtration with consistent cleaning and smart placement.Pet allergies don’t automatically mean you have to give up pets. With the right strategies, allergy sufferers and their pets can enjoy a more comfortable home environment.","

Air purifiers can help with pet dander by removing the portion that becomes airborne—especially when they use high-efficiency mechanical filtration. But they are not a complete solution, because much of the allergen load settles onto surfaces and can be re-released into the air during normal activity.

Most pet allergies are due to the effects of pet dander, which is present with all animals that have fur (or feathers). As many as 10 to 20 percent of all people with allergies have allergic reactions to cats and dogs, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (1).

The good news: many allergy sufferers can coexist with pets. It just takes a little planning and the right mix of tools.

Before you choose a strategy, it helps to understand what “pet dander” actually is—and what it isn’t.

$\"Airborne$

Pet hair itself is not an allergen

It’s not the actual hair of the animal that causes the allergies; it’s the proteins in the attached dead skin that causes the problems. The dead skin is called “dander.” The dander contains the proteins that are considered “allergens.”

What Pet Dander Is—and How It Moves Indoors

Pet hair is easy to see, but pet allergens are typically carried on microscopic particles—including flakes of skin (“dander”), dried saliva, and dust. For cats, one of the best-studied allergens (Fel d 1) readily becomes airborne and is often carried on very small particles; research indicates a substantial portion can be associated with particles under 5 microns, which can stay suspended longer and travel farther indoors.

That airborne behavior matters because it explains two things:

\nWhy symptoms can flare even when your pet isn’t nearby (allergens can circulate and settle throughout the home).
\nWhy filtration can help: high-efficiency particle filters are designed to capture tiny airborne particles before they settle.

With that in mind, the role of an air purifier becomes clearer: it can reduce what’s floating in the air, but it won’t remove what’s already settled on surfaces.

How air purifiers help control pet dander

Because pet allergens can ride on airborne particles, the most helpful purifiers for pet dander are those built for high-efficiency particle removal. Medical-grade air purifiers are especially beneficial for individuals with severe allergies or asthma, as they offer superior filtration and air turnover rates.

Air purifiers equipped with HyperHEPA filters are highly effective at capturing airborne pet dander, which is a major trigger for allergies. HyperHEPA filters from an air purifier like Atem Earth can trap particles as small as 0.003 microns with an efficiency of 99.5%, including the microscopic dander and allergen proteins shed by pets. This significantly reduces the concentration of allergens in the air, providing relief for allergy sufferers.

For best results, place the air purifier in rooms where pets spend the most time, such as bedrooms or living areas.

Regular maintenance, including replacing filters as recommended, ensures the air purifier continues to operate at peak efficiency.

However, even strong filtration can feel inconsistent day to day—especially in homes with lots of soft surfaces and ongoing shedding.

Perception vs. Reality: Why You May Still React (Even With an Air Purifier)

Many people expect an air purifier to “solve” pet allergies quickly. In reality, improvements can be uneven because:

\nAllergens don’t stay only in the air. Dander and allergen-carrying dust settle on floors, furniture, bedding, and fabrics, then get kicked back up when you walk, sit down, vacuum, or when pets move around.
\nOdor and allergens aren’t the same thing. A room can smell fresher while allergen exposure remains significant (and vice versa).
\nPlacement and run time matter. Portable air cleaners are designed for a room/zone; they’re most effective when run consistently in the spaces where people and pets spend the most time. (EPA describes portable air cleaners as intended for single-room use and notes limits.)
\nHealth outcomes can vary. EPA summarizes that studies with portable HEPA air cleaners have found improvements in one or more allergy/asthma symptoms, but effects are not always large and not for every symptom—so expectations should be realistic.

That’s why the best results usually come from combining air cleaning with surface cleaning and (when possible) whole-home filtration.

Air Purifiers vs. Vacuums vs. HVAC Filters: What Each One Can (and Can’t) Do

No single tool does it all—each one targets pet allergens at a different point in the cycle:

\nAir purifiers (portable): reduce the airborne fraction in a specific room/area.
\nVacuuming & cleaning: remove allergens that have settled into carpets, upholstery, bedding, and floors (a major reservoir). (EPA notes many allergen particles settle rather quickly—why surface control matters.)
\nHVAC filters: can reduce particles in recirculated air, but performance depends on the system, filter rating, and runtime.
Next, it helps to understand what factors make allergen levels rise or fall in the first place.
\n

What’s Actually Driving Pet Allergen Levels in Your Home?

Indoor pet allergen levels usually come down to four drivers:

\nShedding + allergen production: all furry pets produce allergens; there is no truly “allergen-free” cat or dog. (AAFA notes pet allergies are common and linked to pets with fur/feathers.)
\nResuspension: allergens settled in dust get stirred back into the air during daily activity.
\nRoom mixing: air movement spreads allergens beyond the room where the pet spends time (cat allergen is known to transfer via clothing and be found broadly).
\nInsufficient filtration capacity: undersized purifiers or low-capacity filters may not keep up, especially in high-shedding homes.

Once you identify which of these drivers is biggest in your home, you can choose the most effective combination of habits and tools.

Other ways to mitigate pet-related allergens
Air purification works best when you also reduce the allergen load at the source and on surfaces—especially in bedrooms and other high-time-spent rooms. There are many pet shampoos and solutions available that can help neutralize allergens and remove dander. Regularly vacuuming with a HEPA vacuum cleaner will also help control pet allergens and dander.

Some breeds may shed less, but no cat or dog is truly allergen-free (allergen proteins can still spread throughout a home). Individual responses can vary widely.

Recommended dogs breeds include (2):

Afghan Hounds
Bichon Frises
Chinese Cresteds
Coton de Tulears
Hairless Peruvian Inca Orchids
Irish Water Spaniels
Lagotto Ramagnolos
Maltese
Poodles
Portuguese Water Dogs
Schnauzers (certain breeds)
•Spanish Water Dogs
Terriers (certain breeds)
Xoloitzcuintli

Recommended cat breeds include (3):

Balinese
Bengal
Cornish Rex
Devon Rex
\n
Siberian
Sphynx
Russian Blue

Studies indicate dog ownership may actually help people avoid allergies.
A study published in the Journal of Pediatrics reported that children with eczema benefit from living with a dog during infancy (4). Cat ownership, however, seemed to have a negative effect on children with cat allergies.

Regardless of breed or background risk, the day-to-day setup of your home has the biggest impact on exposure.

How to Use an Air Purifier Effectively for Pet Dander

These steps help maximize airborne dander capture while reducing how often allergens get reintroduced into the air:

\nRun it where it matters most: prioritize bedrooms and main living areas (portable air cleaners are intended for single rooms/areas).
\nKeep airflow unobstructed: place the unit away from walls and bulky furniture so air can circulate.
\nUse consistent runtime: continuous or long daily runtime is typically more effective than occasional use, since allergens are continuously introduced and re-aerosolized.
\nMaintain filters on schedule: clogged filters reduce airflow and overall cleaning performance.
\nPair with surface control: wash bedding, clean soft furnishings, and vacuum regularly to reduce settled reservoirs.

If symptoms are worse at night, start by improving the bedroom first: keep pets out (if possible), clean bedding, and run a properly sized purifier consistently. If you’re still struggling after optimizing one room, the next step is usually expanding coverage to the other rooms where your pet spends the most time.

FAQ: Air Purifiers and Pet Dander

Do air purifiers remove pet dander completely?
They can reduce airborne dander and allergen-carrying particles, but they won’t remove what’s settled in carpets, bedding, or upholstery—so cleaning and source management still matter.

Do “hypoallergenic” pets prevent allergies?
Many people still react because allergens come from proteins in skin/saliva and can spread widely indoors, even when shedding seems minimal.

Where should I place the purifier?
Place it in the room where you spend the most time (often bedrooms/living rooms) since portable units are designed for single-room purification.

Can an air purifier help allergy or asthma symptoms?
Possibly. EPA notes multiple studies have found improvements in one or more allergy/asthma symptoms with portable HEPA air cleaners, though effects vary and are not universal.

Is pet hair the main problem?
Hair itself isn’t usually the allergen; allergens are typically proteins carried on microscopic particles like dander and dust, which can stay airborne and spread.

Conclusion

Air purifiers can help with pet dander—primarily by capturing airborne dander and allergen-carrying particles. They won’t remove allergens that have settled into carpets, bedding, or upholstery, so the best results come from pairing filtration with consistent cleaning and smart placement.
Pet allergies don’t automatically mean you have to give up pets. With the right strategies, allergy sufferers and their pets can enjoy a more comfortable home environment.

","pet-owners-allergies-helped-air-purifier","gid://shopify/Article/606879973675","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/pet-owners-allergies-helped-air-purifier","2026-01-21T01:16:14Z",[1146],"Do air purifiers help with pet dander?",{"_10":1163,"_243":-5,"_246":1164,"_248":1165,"_244":1166},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/412309848438","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/PetDander_Article_Weekly_Desktop_f89413b5-8690-4bd9-8ee0-1db5d1e0e910.jpg?v=1770138369",2880,1500,{"_1124":1125,"_1126":1168,"_1115":1169,"_1131":1170,"_1133":1170,"_1134":1171,"_1136":1172,"_985":1173,"_10":1174,"_1140":1175,"_1142":-5,"_1143":1176,"_577":1177,"_541":1178,"_1148":1179},{"_12":1128},{"_985":1130},"HyperHEPA filters are the most effective air filters available. Learn why replacing them is the key to keeping your system at top performance.","At A Glance IQAir HyperHEPA filters need to be replaced about once every four years (based on running your system at speed 3 for 10 hours a day). This figure changes based on which filter you’re replacing and what system you have. Dirty filters can make your system’s motor work harder to squeeze air through increasingly smaller spaces, using more electricity and overworking your system components. Regularly changing your filters helps maintain peak airflow for maximum cubic foot per minute (CFM) coverage. Wondering how often you should change your IQAir filters? The short answer is that your IQAir HyperHEPA XE filters should be replaced about once every four years for maximum performance and efficiency. But there are a few factors you need to take into consideration that impact just how often you need to replace your IQAir system filters. First things first: How long do you run your system? Your exact filter life depends first and foremost on how often you run your system throughout the year. Here’s the typical breakdown for how often you need to replace each filter in your HealthPro Plus XE system if, theoretically, you run the system for 10 hours each day on speed 3: PreMax™ Coarse Particle Filter: ~12-18 months HyperHEPA Particle Filter: ~36-48 months V5-Cell™ Gas & Odor Filter: ~15-21 months If you’ve got a GC MultiGas system for gases and odors, the figures are a little bit different: GC HyperHEPA Pre-Filter: ~1 year GC Gas & Odor Cartridge Filters: ~2.5 years GC Post-Filter Sleeves: ~2.5 years You probably noticed that the GC MultiGas features a HyperHEPA pre-filter. So why is the filter life so drastically different? It’s simple: The GC HyperHEPA pre-filter is the first phase of the filtration system, meaning that it’s filtering out all the particles and pollutants of different sizes, including the coarse pollen, dust, and mold particles that are entering the system as well as all fine and ultrafine particles down to 0.003 microns; The HealthPro Plus HyperHEPA filter is the last phase of the filtration system, only filtering air that’s already traveled through the PreMax pre-filter and V5-Cell filter, which extend its lifespan because it’s only capturing the fine and ultrafine particles. Anyway, no need to worry about marking the exact replacement date on your calendar: your system will let you know right when you need to replace your filter with a filter life monitor that turns red when it’s time for replacement. For the Atem X, there are two filters to consider. Impactor (3x): The impactor removes coarse particles and is washable. Smart HyperHEPA HF (3x): ~36 months. Your system will let you know right when you need to replace your filter with a filter life monitor that turns red when it’s time to replace your filter. And remember, too, that most other filters become less efficient as they become loaded. IQAir technology is different—our filters become even more efficient over time, with minimal reductions in overall airflow, due to the build-up of filtered matter on the HyperHEPA fibers increasing the surface area of the HyperHEPA media. So you don’t need to fret that your filter is losing its performance as pollutants accumulate. If filter efficiency increases, why then do I need to replace my filters? 1. Dirty filters can raise your electricity bill and damage your system. The more junk clogging your filter, the harder it is for air to get through. That’s the basic idea behind the concept of pressure drop. The more junk clogging your filter, the harder it is for air to get through. Pressure drop refers to how much resistance the flow of dirty air encounters as it passes through filter media (in this case, HyperHEPA fibers) that make up your filter. The more densely packed the material is, and the more pollutant matter collects on the filter, the greater the pressure drop as air passes through the filter because there’s increasing resistance that constricts airflow. And this can translate into higher energy costs: higher pressure drop means that your system must work harder and use more electricity to move air through the filtration media. And as a filter fills up with dirt, dust, mold spores, dander, and numerous other particles, the pressure drop increases as there’s less space for air to pass through. This means that the longer you wait to replace a dirty filter, the more you may end up paying on your electricity bill. The longer you wait to replace a dirty filter, the more you can end up paying on your electricity bill. IQAir system are designed to be energy-efficient. Every element of an IQAir purifier, from the centrifugal fan to the 3D UltraSeal housing design, is meant to simultaneously make IQAir purifiers nearly 100% efficient in cleaning pollutants in the air while also minimizing electricity usage – so much so that our purifiers only use about the same amount of wattage as a light bulb (anywhere from 27 to 215 watts, depending on the fan speed). But the system must use more and more energy to squeeze air through a dirty filter, increasing your electricity use day by day until you replace your filter. Long-term use of oversaturated filters can cause stress on the system fan and motor, reducing the life of your air purifier. Furthermore, long-term use of oversaturated filters can cause stress on the system fan and motor. The extra stress on these components can damage them and ultimately lead to a premature breakdown of system components due to over-amping the purifier motor, which reduces the life of your purifier. 2. Less clean air comes out of a system with dirty filters. When filters are clogged with pollutants, air purifiers can’t produce as much clean air, making it hard for the purifier to keep up with new pollutants consistently being introduced into the air. And many air purifiers live and die by these principles, measured by both their cubic feet per minute (CFM) and Air Changes per Hour (ACH) ratings. CFM (or just airflow) refers to the volume of air your purifier can move through the system as well as how quickly it moves through the system. ACH refers to the how much air can be cleaned in a given space within an hour. These acronyms are basically industry terms for how well and how quickly your purifier pulls dirty air into the system, filters it, and pushes back out as purified air. This accomplishes two things: particulate matter is continuously removed, even as new pollutants get introduced into your air from various indoor and outdoor sources. clean air is continuously supplied back into the air. When your filters are clean, air can flow through the filter media unrestricted, allowing maximum CFM and ACH. When your filters get dirty, less clean air can be pushed out through the clogged filter media, lowering both your CFM and ACH ratings. When your filters get dirty, less clean air can be pushed out through the clogged filter media, lowering both your CFM and ACH ratings. And if the ACH decreases, you may not be keeping up with the introduction of new particulates in the room, and your indoor air will remain dirty even when your purifier is on. The Takeaway Regular filter replacement ensures that you get the most out of your air purifier and guarantee high long-term performance.","

At A Glance

IQAir HyperHEPA filters need to be replaced about once every four years (based on running your system at speed 3 for 10 hours a day). This figure changes based on which filter you’re replacing and what system you have.
Dirty filters can make your system’s motor work harder to squeeze air through increasingly smaller spaces, using more electricity and overworking your system components.
Regularly changing your filters helps maintain peak airflow for maximum cubic foot per minute (CFM) coverage.

Wondering how often you should change your IQAir filters?

The short answer is that your IQAir HyperHEPA XE filters should be replaced about once every four years for maximum performance and efficiency.

But there are a few factors you need to take into consideration that impact just how often you need to replace your IQAir system filters.

First things first: How long do you run your system?

Your exact filter life depends first and foremost on how often you run your system throughout the year.

Here’s the typical breakdown for how often you need to replace each filter in your HealthPro Plus XE system if, theoretically, you run the system for 10 hours each day on speed 3:

\nPreMax™ Coarse Particle Filter: ~12-18 months
\nHyperHEPA Particle Filter: ~36-48 months
\nV5-Cell™ Gas & Odor Filter: ~15-21 months

If you’ve got a GC MultiGas system for gases and odors, the figures are a little bit different:

\nGC HyperHEPA Pre-Filter: ~1 year
\nGC Gas & Odor Cartridge Filters: ~2.5 years
\nGC Post-Filter Sleeves: ~2.5 years

You probably noticed that the GC MultiGas features a HyperHEPA pre-filter. So why is the filter life so drastically different? It’s simple:

The GC HyperHEPA pre-filter is the first phase of the filtration system, meaning that it’s filtering out all the particles and pollutants of different sizes, including the coarse pollen, dust, and mold particles that are entering the system as well as all fine and ultrafine particles down to 0.003 microns;
The HealthPro Plus HyperHEPA filter is the last phase of the filtration system, only filtering air that’s already traveled through the PreMax pre-filter and V5-Cell filter, which extend its lifespan because it’s only capturing the fine and ultrafine particles.

Anyway, no need to worry about marking the exact replacement date on your calendar: your system will let you know right when you need to replace your filter with a filter life monitor that turns red when it’s time for replacement.

For the Atem X, there are two filters to consider.

\nImpactor (3x): The impactor removes coarse particles and is washable.
\nSmart HyperHEPA HF (3x): ~36 months.

Your system will let you know right when you need to replace your filter with a filter life monitor that turns red when it’s time to replace your filter.

And remember, too, that most other filters become less efficient as they become loaded. IQAir technology is different—our filters become even more efficient over time, with minimal reductions in overall airflow, due to the build-up of filtered matter on the HyperHEPA fibers increasing the surface area of the HyperHEPA media. So you don’t need to fret that your filter is losing its performance as pollutants accumulate.

If filter efficiency increases, why then do I need to replace my filters?

1. Dirty filters can raise your electricity bill and damage your system.

The more junk clogging your filter, the harder it is for air to get through. That’s the basic idea behind the concept of pressure drop.

The more junk clogging your filter, the harder it is for air to get through.

Pressure drop refers to how much resistance the flow of dirty air encounters as it passes through filter media (in this case, HyperHEPA fibers) that make up your filter. The more densely packed the material is, and the more pollutant matter collects on the filter, the greater the pressure drop as air passes through the filter because there’s increasing resistance that constricts airflow.

And this can translate into higher energy costs: higher pressure drop means that your system must work harder and use more electricity to move air through the filtration media. And as a filter fills up with dirt, dust, mold spores, dander, and numerous other particles, the pressure drop increases as there’s less space for air to pass through. This means that the longer you wait to replace a dirty filter, the more you may end up paying on your electricity bill.

The longer you wait to replace a dirty filter, the more you can end up paying on your electricity bill.

IQAir system are designed to be energy-efficient. Every element of an IQAir purifier, from the centrifugal fan to the 3D UltraSeal housing design, is meant to simultaneously make IQAir purifiers nearly 100% efficient in cleaning pollutants in the air while also minimizing electricity usage – so much so that our purifiers only use about the same amount of wattage as a light bulb (anywhere from 27 to 215 watts, depending on the fan speed).

But the system must use more and more energy to squeeze air through a dirty filter, increasing your electricity use day by day until you replace your filter.

Long-term use of oversaturated filters can cause stress on the system fan and motor, reducing the life of your air purifier.

Furthermore, long-term use of oversaturated filters can cause stress on the system fan and motor. The extra stress on these components can damage them and ultimately lead to a premature breakdown of system components due to over-amping the purifier motor, which reduces the life of your purifier.

2. Less clean air comes out of a system with dirty filters.

When filters are clogged with pollutants, air purifiers can’t produce as much clean air, making it hard for the purifier to keep up with new pollutants consistently being introduced into the air.

And many air purifiers live and die by these principles, measured by both their cubic feet per minute (CFM) and Air Changes per Hour (ACH) ratings.

CFM (or just airflow) refers to the volume of air your purifier can move through the system as well as how quickly it moves through the system. ACH refers to the how much air can be cleaned in a given space within an hour. These acronyms are basically industry terms for how well and how quickly your purifier pulls dirty air into the system, filters it, and pushes back out as purified air.

This accomplishes two things:

\nparticulate matter is continuously removed, even as new pollutants get introduced into your air from various indoor and outdoor sources.
\nclean air is continuously supplied back into the air.

When your filters are clean, air can flow through the filter media unrestricted, allowing maximum CFM and ACH.

When your filters get dirty, less clean air can be pushed out through the clogged filter media, lowering both your CFM and ACH ratings.

When your filters get dirty, less clean air can be pushed out through the clogged filter media, lowering both your CFM and ACH ratings.

And if the ACH decreases, you may not be keeping up with the introduction of new particulates in the room, and your indoor air will remain dirty even when your purifier is on.

The Takeaway

Regular filter replacement ensures that you get the most out of your air purifier and guarantee high long-term performance.

","how-long-do-iqair-filters-last","gid://shopify/Article/606883971371","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/how-long-do-iqair-filters-last","2026-01-02T18:08:59Z",[853,1146],"How long do IQAir filters last?",{"_10":1180,"_243":-5,"_246":1181,"_248":1182,"_244":1183},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/411379892598","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/AQL_HyperHEPA_efa45929-2bbd-4a1c-baac-16c9b4139249.webp?v=1767377926",1600,833,{"_1124":1125,"_1126":1185,"_1115":1186,"_1131":1187,"_1133":1187,"_1134":1188,"_1136":1189,"_985":1190,"_10":1191,"_1140":1192,"_1142":-5,"_1143":1193,"_577":1194,"_541":1196,"_1148":1197},{"_12":1128},{"_985":1130},"Christmas Tree Syndrome is an allergic reaction to mold on live, indoor Christmas trees. Learn more.","Christmas trees help set the holiday mood with twinkling lights, shiny ornaments, and the scent of pine. Christmas tree production is a global business; in 2021 there were 1,364 Christmas tree farms in Canada and 3,350 such farms in Germany (1)(2). In America, people buy approximately 25-30 million live Christmas trees each year to decorate their homes for the holidays (3). About 85% of those trees will be pre-cut weeks ahead of time – in most cases prior to when Americans celebrate Thanksgiving. The trees are cut, baled, and packed into refrigerated trucks to be delivered to a tree seller near your home. Moisture and the tight bundling of the trees supports an ideal environment for mold to grow. Unfortunately, along the way, moisture and the tight bundling of the trees supports an ideal environment for mold to grow. In many cases, once the tree gets into your home the mold on the tree begins reproducing, triggering an allergic reaction known as “Christmas tree syndrome.” According to the National Asthma Council of Australia, about 6% of the general population with allergies suffers from Christmas tree allergy symptoms that include (4): sneezing coughing congestion runny nose itchy nose and throat itchy or watery eyes dry, scaly skin Do you have a Christmas tree allergy? If you find yourself sneezing, coughing, or experiencing itchy eyes and throat soon after setting up your tree, then yes – you might have a Christmas tree allergy. This condition is often triggered by mold spores or pollen that the tree carries into your home. While pine pollen itself may not be a major concern during winter, other allergens such as ragweed or grass pollen, and even mold, can hitch a ride on your tree, leading to uncomfortable symptoms. Christmas trees and mold In one study, researchers closely measured mold counts in a room that contained a live Christmas tree. During the first three days that the tree was indoors, the count of mold spores in the air remained at about 800 spores per cubic meter of air. Starting on the fourth day, however, the spore counts began rising and eventually reached 5,000 mold spores in the air per cubic meter within two weeks (5). Counts higher than 700 spores per cubic meter are an indication that mold growth is occurring in an environment. Researchers examining 23 samples of bark and pine needles from Christmas trees found 53 different kinds of mold. In another study, researchers examining 23 samples of bark and pine needles from Christmas trees found 53 different kinds of mold. Many of the mold varieties found on the trees were those most likely to trigger allergies – including (6): Aspergillus. This type of mold is especially dangerous for individuals with compromised immune systems. Penicillium. The mold from which penicillin is made, it causes allergic reactions in some people. Cladosporium. A common mold that can cause skin infections and allergic symptoms. The World Health Organization considers indoor concentrations greater than 500 spores per cubic meter to be unacceptable. Although there is no single set of state or federal standards regarding acceptable indoor mold spore levels, the World Health Organization considers indoor concentrations greater than 500 spores per cubic meter to be unacceptable. At the very least, the elevated mold spore levels associated with live Christmas trees means that families with allergies should consider keeping a live tree indoors no more than a few days, especially if there are signs of increased allergies, which might be from Christmas tree syndrome. Pollen can also be a problem Pine pollen is not a major issue with Christmas tree allergy symptoms, because evergreen plants pollinate in the spring, not in early winter. However, the trees come into contact with allergens such as ragweed pollen and may carry it into the house where it can distress those with ragweed allergies. Ragweed is an invasive species of the Asteraceae family and Ambrosia genus of plants (7). Ragweed is not a single plant but a collection of between 17 and 20 different species in North America that typically have tall, skinny stems with green flower spikes that do not contain nectar and are not attractive to pollinators. Ragweed plants are prodigious producers of pollen – one plant can release up to one billion grains into the atmosphere – which can then travel hundreds of miles. Instead, ragweed pollen distribution is facilitated by the wind. And ragweed plants are prodigious producers of pollen – one plant can release up to one billion grains into the atmosphere – which can then travel hundreds of miles, though most of the pollen remains close to the plants that produced it (8). These plants are more prevalent in the Eastern and Midwestern U.S., particularly in rural areas. There, common sites for ragweed invasions are in fields and along roadsides and riverbanks. In urban areas, the plants often flourish in vacant lots since turfgrass and other cultivated species help prevent ragweed from taking hold. Seeds from ragweed species can remain dormant in the ground for decades before finally germinating. And ragweed is not the only member from this family of plants that can latch on to Christmas trees. Other members include: sage rabbit brush groundsel bush burweed marsh elder mugwort eupatorium Another allergen that a Christmas tree can be the source of in your house is grass pollen, which can stick to the tree’s sap during the spring. Then, when the tree is harvested and brought indoors, the sap dries out and the trapped pollen particles are released into the air. How do you prevent Christmas tree allergy? If you still cherish the idea of a live Christmas tree in your home for the holidays, take heart. You don’t have to suffer a Christmas tree rash. Here are a few simple steps you can take to reduce the likelihood that you or someone in your home will suffer from Christmas tree syndrome: Clean and wipe the trunk of your tree thoroughly with water and bleach before you bring it into the house. Use a leaf blower to remove as many pollen grains as possible before bringing the tree indoors. Get rid of the tree sooner. Mold spores increase the longer the tree is around. Consider removing the tree from your home the day after Christmas. Consider purchasing a self-cut tree. By cutting your tree yourself you bypass the storage and transportation conditions that promote mold growth. Use a high-performance room air purifier in the same room as the tree. Personal air purifiers can also help relieve the uncomfortable consequences of an allergic reaction By taking a few simple precautions such as these, you can make your holiday season decorative, delightful and, best of all, allergy free. If all else fails, consider switching to an artificial tree. It won’t fill your living room with the nostalgic scent of pine, but as long as you rinse any dust off of it thoroughly and don’t store it in a damp or humid place where mold can grow, it won’t trigger Christmas tree allergy symptoms either.","

Christmas trees help set the holiday mood with twinkling lights, shiny ornaments, and the scent of pine. Christmas tree production is a global business; in 2021 there were 1,364 Christmas tree farms in Canada and 3,350 such farms in Germany (1)(2). In America, people buy approximately 25-30 million live Christmas trees each year to decorate their homes for the holidays (3). About 85% of those trees will be pre-cut weeks ahead of time – in most cases prior to when Americans celebrate Thanksgiving. The trees are cut, baled, and packed into refrigerated trucks to be delivered to a tree seller near your home.

Moisture and the tight bundling of the trees supports an ideal environment for mold to grow.

Unfortunately, along the way, moisture and the tight bundling of the trees supports an ideal environment for mold to grow. In many cases, once the tree gets into your home the mold on the tree begins reproducing, triggering an allergic reaction known as “Christmas tree syndrome.” According to the National Asthma Council of Australia, about 6% of the general population with allergies suffers from Christmas tree allergy symptoms that include (4):

sneezing
coughing
congestion
runny nose
itchy nose and throat
itchy or watery eyes
dry, scaly skin

Do you have a Christmas tree allergy?

If you find yourself sneezing, coughing, or experiencing itchy eyes and throat soon after setting up your tree, then yes – you might have a Christmas tree allergy.

This condition is often triggered by mold spores or pollen that the tree carries into your home. While pine pollen itself may not be a major concern during winter, other allergens such as ragweed or grass pollen, and even mold, can hitch a ride on your tree, leading to uncomfortable symptoms.

Christmas trees and mold

In one study, researchers closely measured mold counts in a room that contained a live Christmas tree. During the first three days that the tree was indoors, the count of mold spores in the air remained at about 800 spores per cubic meter of air. Starting on the fourth day, however, the spore counts began rising and eventually reached 5,000 mold spores in the air per cubic meter within two weeks (5). Counts higher than 700 spores per cubic meter are an indication that mold growth is occurring in an environment.

Researchers examining 23 samples of bark and pine needles from Christmas trees found 53 different kinds of mold.

In another study, researchers examining 23 samples of bark and pine needles from Christmas trees found 53 different kinds of mold. Many of the mold varieties found on the trees were those most likely to trigger allergies – including (6):

\nAspergillus. This type of mold is especially dangerous for individuals with compromised immune systems.
\nPenicillium. The mold from which penicillin is made, it causes allergic reactions in some people.
\nCladosporium. A common mold that can cause skin infections and allergic symptoms.

The World Health Organization considers indoor concentrations greater than 500 spores per cubic meter to be unacceptable.

Although there is no single set of state or federal standards regarding acceptable indoor mold spore levels, the World Health Organization considers indoor concentrations greater than 500 spores per cubic meter to be unacceptable. At the very least, the elevated mold spore levels associated with live Christmas trees means that families with allergies should consider keeping a live tree indoors no more than a few days, especially if there are signs of increased allergies, which might be from Christmas tree syndrome.

Pollen can also be a problem

Pine pollen is not a major issue with Christmas tree allergy symptoms, because evergreen plants pollinate in the spring, not in early winter. However, the trees come into contact with allergens such as ragweed pollen and may carry it into the house where it can distress those with ragweed allergies.

Ragweed is an invasive species of the Asteraceae family and Ambrosia genus of plants (7). Ragweed is not a single plant but a collection of between 17 and 20 different species in North America that typically have tall, skinny stems with green flower spikes that do not contain nectar and are not attractive to pollinators.

Ragweed plants are prodigious producers of pollen – one plant can release up to one billion grains into the atmosphere – which can then travel hundreds of miles.

Instead, ragweed pollen distribution is facilitated by the wind. And ragweed plants are prodigious producers of pollen – one plant can release up to one billion grains into the atmosphere – which can then travel hundreds of miles, though most of the pollen remains close to the plants that produced it (8).

These plants are more prevalent in the Eastern and Midwestern U.S., particularly in rural areas. There, common sites for ragweed invasions are in fields and along roadsides and riverbanks. In urban areas, the plants often flourish in vacant lots since turfgrass and other cultivated species help prevent ragweed from taking hold.

Seeds from ragweed species can remain dormant in the ground for decades before finally germinating.

And ragweed is not the only member from this family of plants that can latch on to Christmas trees. Other members include:

sage
rabbit brush
groundsel bush
burweed marsh elder
mugwort
eupatorium

Another allergen that a Christmas tree can be the source of in your house is grass pollen, which can stick to the tree’s sap during the spring. Then, when the tree is harvested and brought indoors, the sap dries out and the trapped pollen particles are released into the air.

How do you prevent Christmas tree allergy?

If you still cherish the idea of a live Christmas tree in your home for the holidays, take heart. You don’t have to suffer a Christmas tree rash.

Here are a few simple steps you can take to reduce the likelihood that you or someone in your home will suffer from Christmas tree syndrome:

\nClean and wipe the trunk of your tree thoroughly with water and bleach before you bring it into the house.
\nUse a leaf blower to remove as many pollen grains as possible before bringing the tree indoors.
\nGet rid of the tree sooner. Mold spores increase the longer the tree is around. Consider removing the tree from your home the day after Christmas.
\nConsider purchasing a self-cut tree. By cutting your tree yourself you bypass the storage and transportation conditions that promote mold growth.
\nUse a high-performance room air purifier in the same room as the tree.
\nPersonal air purifiers can also help relieve the uncomfortable consequences of an allergic reaction

By taking a few simple precautions such as these, you can make your holiday season decorative, delightful and, best of all, allergy free. If all else fails, consider switching to an artificial tree. It won’t fill your living room with the nostalgic scent of pine, but as long as you rinse any dust off of it thoroughly and don’t store it in a damp or humid place where mold can grow, it won’t trigger Christmas tree allergy symptoms either.

","how-avoid-christmas-tree-syndrome","gid://shopify/Article/606869520683","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/how-avoid-christmas-tree-syndrome","2025-12-08T00:00:00Z",[1146,653,1195],"Molds","How to avoid \"Christmas tree syndrome\"",{"_10":1198,"_243":1199,"_246":1200,"_248":1165,"_244":1166},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/411595374966","Woman coughing next to christmas tree","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/XmasSyndrome_Desktop_844d5c46-128f-4d8c-9bf0-337169293a9c.jpg?v=1768236395",{"_1124":1125,"_1126":1202,"_1115":1203,"_1131":1204,"_1133":1205,"_1134":1206,"_1136":1207,"_985":1208,"_10":1209,"_1140":1210,"_1142":-5,"_1143":1211,"_577":1212,"_541":1213,"_1148":1214},{"_12":1128},{"_985":1130},"Learn how to improve winter air quality and winter allergies during the holiday season.","

Learn how to improve winter air quality and winter allergies during the holiday season.

","The holidays are often spent with our families and friends, giving us time to reflect on our lives together with gratitude. But the holidays also mean that more people are traveling and spending time together indoors, sometimes in small, cramped spaces. This can greatly increase the risk of poor indoor air quality from airborne pollutants and pathogens, triggering asthma and allergies as well as exposing you to viral and bacterial infections. However, there are steps you can take to help improve your air quality and reduce your risk of exposure to air pollution and airborne infections during the holidays. Here are eight invisible challenges to holiday air quality and how you can manage them. 1. Airborne viruses Unfortunately, many infections can easily spread in gatherings, including: the common cold the flu COVID-19 (a serious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus) measles tuberculosis (TB) While an air purifier alone isn’t recommended for avoiding airborne diseases, it’s important as a line of defense along with source control measures, such as social distancing and wearing a KN95/FFP2-certified mask (1). For example, the IQAir Mask is KN95/FFP2-certified and filters ≥95% of particles down to 0.3 microns. For on-the-go protection, it’s great for crowded indoor gatherings, airports, and public transportation. While no one is saying you should be alone on the holidays, take protective measures so that you don’t put family or friends in harm’s way given the increased risk of airborne infections like influenza and COVID-19 this winter. What you can do: When possible, use video chats for get-togethers rather than meeting in person. Consider using an Atem Desk personal air purifier as a center piece or near sofas and chairs in the living room. 2. Winter allergies Winter allergies can be problematic during the holidays. Pet dander, dust mites, molds, artificial scents, and indoor smoking can all contribute to miserable allergy symptoms and potentially trigger attacks in asthma sufferers (2). Pets can also react to some allergens, like dust mites. Addressing allergens in the home can help mitigate symptoms for both the allergy and asthma sufferers among your family and friends. What you can do: Regularly clean your home with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter vacuum. Clean pillows, beds, and mattresses. If you have a room air purifier, be sure you've replaced your filter. If allergies are severe, wearing an IQAir Mask can help reduce exposure to dust and allergens. 3. Traffic pollution Both cars and traffic are known to result in air pollution and could impact indoor air quality in homes near major roadways. Traffic air pollution is a major risk for pregnant women, increasing the risk of asthma and poor lung function (3). The Harvard Center for Risk Analysis found that pollution from traffic congestion kills 2,234 people in the U.S. every year. What you can do: Run an air purifier, if you live by highways. Invest in a car air purifier. To reduce air pollution, select vehicles that are fuel efficient, hybrid or electric vehicles. Make sure indoor air quality isn’t affected by outdoor traffic by using an indoor air quality monitor. Wear a KN95 mask while commuting or traveling through high-pollution areas to help reduce exposure to PM2.5 and ultrafine particles. 4. Cooking and cleaning With out-of-town guests and holiday celebrations taking place in the home, there’s bound to be an increase in household cleaning and cooking. All human activity in buildings, especially cooking and cleaning, can release particulates, gases, chemicals, and odors into the atmosphere, including (4): harmful cleaning chemicals found in air fresheners chlorine bleach furniture and floor polish rug and upholstery cleaners oven cleaners aerosol spray products detergents dishwashing liquid ammonia, found in many cleaners Charcoal briquets used for cooking or heating can also release particulates that are linked to heart and lung conditions (5). What you can do: Purchase green or eco-friendly cleaning products with few volatile organic compounds (VOCs), fragrances, irritants, and flammable ingredients. Use warm water and soap or baking soda as a safer cleaning solution. Avoid petroleum-based lighter fluids and self-lighting charcoal. Cook without grills or barbecues, if possible. Consider using recyclable wrapping paper; the paper can be recycled rather than tossed out after presents are unwrapped. You can also reuse gift bags rather than throwing them out. 5. Wood-burning fireplaces and stoves A crackling fire on a frosty night has traditionally been the preferred way to keep warm during long, cold winters, especially in regions where forms of indoor heating like furnaces aren’t available. But studies have determined that wood burning in fireplaces and stoves can result in extremely poor air quality (6). Wood fires are also connected to a range of health conditions (7) (8). The American Lung Association has found that health threats linked to wood burning can include (9): coughing wheezing asthma attacks heart attacks lung cancer premature death Wood-burning emissions also release particle pollution, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and VOCs as well as add carbon dioxide and methane to the atmosphere, both of which are major contributors to climate change (10). Despite regulatory efforts to curb wood stoves and fireplace use, wood burning is an essential means of heating homes in a number of regions around the world. Air pollution from wood burning is still a major concern even in Western countries where other types of heating are available. In the United States, for example, the Census Bureau found that ten counties with populations over 65,000 relied on wood for between 16.6 and 60.6 percent of their heating (11). An additional nine counties in Arizona, California, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington with populations under 65,000 also had similar percentages of wood-burning homes. What you can do: Try to find alternatives to burning wood. If you must burn wood, use wood that has been split, dried, and covered for six months. Use a HEPA filter in your fireplace, if possible. If you’re going to use a fireplace, use it sparingly with an air purifier running. Power your heating mechanisms, such as furnaces, with a clean, renewable resource when possible, like solar power. Find a fireplace video, put on some holiday music, and enjoy breathing fresh air. Try to maintain good airflow and ventilation. Monitor your indoor air quality. and stay up to date on your community’s air quality with an outdoor air quality monitor. 6. Scented candles & fragrances If you’re looking to brighten your holidays with scented candles or artificial fragrances, you may want to think again. Scented candles present hidden dangers even when they’re not lit. Many candles are made of paraffin wax and use synthetic fragrances and dyes. Paraffin is a petroleum byproduct. When burned, paraffin wax releases VOCs and ultrafine particles. Scented candles usually use synthetic fragrances and dyes that can emit VOCs whether the candle has been lit or not (12). Be careful with gift-giving as well. For some people, physical contact or inhalation of fragrance ingredients can cause an allergic reaction (13). What you can do: Simmer cinnamon sticks, cloves, and nutmeg in a pot of water on your stove. Diffuse essential oils (not fragrance oils that contain artificial ingredients). Consider using energy-efficient scented LED candles. Place potpourri bowls around your home. Avoid giving fragrance-heavy holiday gifts like lotions and perfumes. Choose either low-fragrance- or fragrance-free alternatives when possible. 7. Christmas tree syndrome Tightly-bound trees accumulate moisture and can become a breeding ground for molds. These molds enter your home when the tree is brought indoors and can spread mold spores as long as the tree remains indoors. This can result in “Christmas Tree Syndrome,” an allergic reaction caused by any of the 53 types of mold found on the bark and needles of Christmas trees. A 1970 study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that 7 percent of allergy sufferers were allergic to conifers (14). While an artificial tree may seem like a fool-proof solution, be aware that plastic decorations – and real trees, for that matter – can emit VOCs (15)(16). What you can do: If you plan to keep the tree, buy preventative medication for allergies. Put the tree up later in the season to reduce exposure time. Keep the tree in a cold area of the home to prevent mold growth. Place the tree outdoors within view from indoors. Decorate the house with ornaments and lights rather than with a tree. Use a room air purifier for allergies. If you’re especially sensitive, wear a mask when handling decorations or setting up the tree. 8. Indoor plants You may want to brighten your home with indoor plants for the holidays. You may have even heard that plants can clean your indoor air. But what’s the truth about plants and indoor air quality? Some popular research around this topic seems promising. A 1989 NASA report suggests that VOCs could be removed by plants in airtight laboratory conditions, finding that 10 to 90 percent of benzene, trichloroethylene, and formaldehyde was removed from the air within 24 hours. A 2017 study focused on ozone reduction suggested .9 to 9 percent of ozone was removed by a leaf surface area to room volume ratio of 0.06 m-1 (17). While these studies may seem like good news, there’s a problem. Our homes aren’t airtight. The air in many homes and offices completely swaps out at least once every hour. To get the same air cleaning power from a plant as in the 2017 study to keep up with this air turnover, you’d need 80 plants in a 500 square-foot room. And while plants can remove VOCs in small amounts, you’d need 1,000 plants in a 10x10x8-foot room to match the air filtration potential outlined in the NASA study (18). Introducing new plants into a home can also risk exposing both humans and pets to allergies, in particular if the plant is toxic to a cat or dog. What you can do: If safe for pets and animals, enjoy plants for their appearance. Grow plants outdoors for appearance, food, and seasoning. Use an air purifier for gases and odors rather than relying on indoor plants. Conclusion The holidays are meant for relaxation and time spent with family – addressing some of the holiday season’s biggest air quality challenges can allow you to put your feet up and enjoy the comforts of home without irritants, pollutants, or pathogens clouding your indoor air. You’ll breathe easier knowing that you’ve helped make your home cleaner and safer for your family members and loved ones.","

The holidays are often spent with our families and friends, giving us time to reflect on our lives together with gratitude.

But the holidays also mean that more people are traveling and spending time together indoors, sometimes in small, cramped spaces. This can greatly increase the risk of poor indoor air quality from airborne pollutants and pathogens, triggering asthma and allergies as well as exposing you to viral and bacterial infections.

However, there are steps you can take to help improve your air quality and reduce your risk of exposure to air pollution and airborne infections during the holidays. Here are eight invisible challenges to holiday air quality and how you can manage them.

1. Airborne viruses

Unfortunately, many infections can easily spread in gatherings, including:

the common cold
the flu
COVID-19 (a serious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus)
measles
tuberculosis (TB)

While an air purifier alone isn’t recommended for avoiding airborne diseases, it’s important as a line of defense along with source control measures, such as social distancing and wearing a KN95/FFP2-certified mask (1). For example, the IQAir Mask is KN95/FFP2-certified and filters ≥95% of particles down to 0.3 microns. For on-the-go protection, it’s great for crowded indoor gatherings, airports, and public transportation.

While no one is saying you should be alone on the holidays, take protective measures so that you don’t put family or friends in harm’s way given the increased risk of airborne infections like influenza and COVID-19 this winter.

What you can do:

When possible, use video chats for get-togethers rather than meeting in person.
Consider using an Atem Desk personal air purifier as a center piece or near sofas and chairs in the living room.

2. Winter allergies

Winter allergies can be problematic during the holidays. Pet dander, dust mites, molds, artificial scents, and indoor smoking can all contribute to miserable allergy symptoms and potentially trigger attacks in asthma sufferers (2).

Pets can also react to some allergens, like dust mites.

Addressing allergens in the home can help mitigate symptoms for both the allergy and asthma sufferers among your family and friends.

What you can do:

Regularly clean your home with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter vacuum.
Clean pillows, beds, and mattresses.
If you have a room air purifier, be sure you've replaced your filter.
If allergies are severe, wearing an IQAir Mask can help reduce exposure to dust and allergens.

3. Traffic pollution

Both cars and traffic are known to result in air pollution and could impact indoor air quality in homes near major roadways.

Traffic air pollution is a major risk for pregnant women, increasing the risk of asthma and poor lung function (3).

The Harvard Center for Risk Analysis found that pollution from traffic congestion kills 2,234 people in the U.S. every year.

What you can do:

Run an air purifier, if you live by highways.
Invest in a car air purifier.\n
To reduce air pollution, select vehicles that are fuel efficient, hybrid or electric vehicles.
Make sure indoor air quality isn’t affected by outdoor traffic by using an indoor air quality monitor.\n
Wear a KN95 mask while commuting or traveling through high-pollution areas to help reduce exposure to PM2.5 and ultrafine particles.
\n

4. Cooking and cleaning

With out-of-town guests and holiday celebrations taking place in the home, there’s bound to be an increase in household cleaning and cooking.

All human activity in buildings, especially cooking and cleaning, can release particulates, gases, chemicals, and odors into the atmosphere, including (4):

harmful cleaning chemicals found in air fresheners
chlorine bleach
furniture and floor polish
rug and upholstery cleaners
oven cleaners
aerosol spray products
detergents
dishwashing liquid
\nammonia, found in many cleaners

Charcoal briquets used for cooking or heating can also release particulates that are linked to heart and lung conditions (5).

What you can do:

Purchase green or eco-friendly cleaning products with few volatile organic compounds (VOCs), fragrances, irritants, and flammable ingredients.
Use warm water and soap or baking soda as a safer cleaning solution.
Avoid petroleum-based lighter fluids and self-lighting charcoal.
Cook without grills or barbecues, if possible.
Consider using recyclable wrapping paper; the paper can be recycled rather than tossed out after presents are unwrapped.
You can also reuse gift bags rather than throwing them out.

5. Wood-burning fireplaces and stoves

A crackling fire on a frosty night has traditionally been the preferred way to keep warm during long, cold winters, especially in regions where forms of indoor heating like furnaces aren’t available. But studies have determined that wood burning in fireplaces and stoves can result in extremely poor air quality (6).

Wood fires are also connected to a range of health conditions (7) (8). The American Lung Association has found that health threats linked to wood burning can include (9):

coughing
wheezing
asthma attacks
heart attacks
lung cancer
premature death

Wood-burning emissions also release particle pollution, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and VOCs as well as add carbon dioxide and methane to the atmosphere, both of which are major contributors to climate change (10).

Despite regulatory efforts to curb wood stoves and fireplace use, wood burning is an essential means of heating homes in a number of regions around the world.

Air pollution from wood burning is still a major concern even in Western countries where other types of heating are available. In the United States, for example, the Census Bureau found that ten counties with populations over 65,000 relied on wood for between 16.6 and 60.6 percent of their heating (11).

An additional nine counties in Arizona, California, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington with populations under 65,000 also had similar percentages of wood-burning homes.

What you can do:

Try to find alternatives to burning wood.
If you must burn wood, use wood that has been split, dried, and covered for six months.
Use a HEPA filter in your fireplace, if possible.
If you’re going to use a fireplace, use it sparingly with an air purifier running.
Power your heating mechanisms, such as furnaces, with a clean, renewable resource when possible, like solar power.
Find a fireplace video, put on some holiday music, and enjoy breathing fresh air.
Try to maintain good airflow and ventilation.
Monitor your indoor air quality. and stay up to date on your community’s air quality with an outdoor air quality monitor.

6. Scented candles & fragrances

If you’re looking to brighten your holidays with scented candles or artificial fragrances, you may want to think again. Scented candles present hidden dangers even when they’re not lit.

Many candles are made of paraffin wax and use synthetic fragrances and dyes. Paraffin is a petroleum byproduct. When burned, paraffin wax releases VOCs and ultrafine particles.

Scented candles usually use synthetic fragrances and dyes that can emit VOCs whether the candle has been lit or not (12).

Be careful with gift-giving as well. For some people, physical contact or inhalation of fragrance ingredients can cause an allergic reaction (13).

What you can do:

Simmer cinnamon sticks, cloves, and nutmeg in a pot of water on your stove.
Diffuse essential oils (not fragrance oils that contain artificial ingredients).
Consider using energy-efficient scented LED candles.
Place potpourri bowls around your home.
Avoid giving fragrance-heavy holiday gifts like lotions and perfumes.
Choose either low-fragrance- or fragrance-free alternatives when possible.

7. Christmas tree syndrome

Tightly-bound trees accumulate moisture and can become a breeding ground for molds. These molds enter your home when the tree is brought indoors and can spread mold spores as long as the tree remains indoors.

This can result in “Christmas Tree Syndrome,” an allergic reaction caused by any of the 53 types of mold found on the bark and needles of Christmas trees. A 1970 study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that 7 percent of allergy sufferers were allergic to conifers (14).

While an artificial tree may seem like a fool-proof solution, be aware that plastic decorations – and real trees, for that matter – can emit VOCs (15)(16).

What you can do:

If you plan to keep the tree, buy preventative medication for allergies.
Put the tree up later in the season to reduce exposure time.
Keep the tree in a cold area of the home to prevent mold growth.
Place the tree outdoors within view from indoors.
Decorate the house with ornaments and lights rather than with a tree.
Use a room air purifier for allergies.
If you’re especially sensitive, wear a mask when handling decorations or setting up the tree.

8. Indoor plants

You may want to brighten your home with indoor plants for the holidays. You may have even heard that plants can clean your indoor air. But what’s the truth about plants and indoor air quality?

Some popular research around this topic seems promising. A 1989 NASA report suggests that VOCs could be removed by plants in airtight laboratory conditions, finding that 10 to 90 percent of benzene, trichloroethylene, and formaldehyde was removed from the air within 24 hours. A 2017 study focused on ozone reduction suggested .9 to 9 percent of ozone was removed by a leaf surface area to room volume ratio of 0.06 m-1 (17).

While these studies may seem like good news, there’s a problem. Our homes aren’t airtight. The air in many homes and offices completely swaps out at least once every hour. To get the same air cleaning power from a plant as in the 2017 study to keep up with this air turnover, you’d need 80 plants in a 500 square-foot room. And while plants can remove VOCs in small amounts, you’d need 1,000 plants in a 10x10x8-foot room to match the air filtration potential outlined in the NASA study (18).

Introducing new plants into a home can also risk exposing both humans and pets to allergies, in particular if the plant is toxic to a cat or dog.

What you can do:

If safe for pets and animals, enjoy plants for their appearance.
Grow plants outdoors for appearance, food, and seasoning.
Use an air purifier for gases and odors rather than relying on indoor plants.

Conclusion

The holidays are meant for relaxation and time spent with family – addressing some of the holiday season’s biggest air quality challenges can allow you to put your feet up and enjoy the comforts of home without irritants, pollutants, or pathogens clouding your indoor air.

You’ll breathe easier knowing that you’ve helped make your home cleaner and safer for your family members and loved ones.

","8-hidden-holiday-air-quality-challenges-and-how-to-handle-them","gid://shopify/Article/606871945515","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/8-hidden-holiday-air-quality-challenges-and-how-to-handle-them","2025-10-27T04:00:00Z",[390,1146,653],"8 Hidden holiday air quality challenges and how to handle them",{"_10":1215,"_243":1216,"_246":1217,"_248":1218,"_244":1219},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/409676841334","Woman in holiday setting sneezing","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/AQL_8HolidayChallenges_Desk2_568274ef-1b21-46d8-a2f3-f0be49125189.jpg?v=1761577136",800,450,{"_1124":1125,"_1126":1221,"_1115":1222,"_1131":1223,"_1133":1224,"_1134":1225,"_1136":1226,"_985":1227,"_10":1228,"_1140":1229,"_1142":-5,"_1143":1230,"_577":1231,"_541":1232,"_1148":1233},{"_12":1128},{"_985":1130},"Fall air quality issues can make daily life a challenge. Learn more.","Fall air quality issues can make daily life a challenge. Learn more.","Autumn brings cooler temperatures and seasonal delights, but it also introduces unique air quality challenges. From allergens to wildfire smoke, these fall-specific concerns can affect everyone, especially those with seasonal allergies. How is the air in autumn? Autumn is a transitional season marked by fluctuating weather conditions that can significantly impact air quality. As temperatures drop, humidity levels shift, and winds increase, which can stir up allergens, pollutants, and particulates. These factors make autumn a particularly volatile air quality season—fall air quality today could easily change tomorrow.Fall air quality can also vary locally. In some locales, fall often sees a continuation of summer's wildfire activity, and with that comes wildfire smoke. In other locations, cool, damp weather typical of autumn can promote the growth of mould, particularly on outdoor surfaces like fallen leaves and decaying vegetation, further affecting air quality. Autumn allergens, dust mites, and wildfire smoke are serious air quality concerns that effect all people. Fall seasonal allergies are allergic responses, typically, to one or more of the following: ragweed and flower allergens dust mites wildfires scented candles and holiday decorations pumpkin mould Read on for a deeper look at these top 5 fall air quality concerns and learn how to breathe cleaner air throughout the season. 1. Ragweed, flowers and pollen Ragweed Ragweed is the main allergen that aggravates people with fall seasonal allergies (1). Ragweed is native to North America and is an invasive species in Europe. When the body encounters ragweed pollen, it treats the allergen as a threat. The body’s immune system creates a reaction – the chemical histamine – that enters the bloodstream. This reaction can be helpful in fighting harmful invaders, like parasites. However, when histamines are created in reaction to an allergen like ragweed, they result in a non-helpful allergic reaction. Ragweed pollen allergy symptoms are similar to common pollen reactions, including: sneezing runny nose or congestion headache eye and throat irritation aggravated symptoms for people with asthma Climate change is impacting ragweed habitat, creating worsening conditions for people with ragweed pollen allergies. Climate change is impacting ragweed habitat, creating worsening conditions for people with ragweed pollen allergies. A 2015 study published in Nature Climate Change anticipates that concentrations of airborne ragweed pollen in Europe will be around four times higher than current estimates by 2050 (2). Two-thirds of the anticipated ragweed pollen concentration increase can be attributed to projected climate and land-use changes in northern and eastern Europe, as well as an increase in production in currently established areas of southern Europe. All hope is not lost; despite these expected increases in overall pollen, there are steps that can be taken to alleviate allergy symptoms. On heavy ragweed pollen days, consider staying indoors when possible. There are other ways to prevent symptoms as well, such as: washing bedding with soap and hot water keeping windows and doors closed removing shoes before entering a home vacuuming regularly Flowers Decorative fall flowers can also be a problem for people with allergies. Apart from ragweed, one of the most common problematic autumn flowers is the Chrysanthemum, which can spread pollen. A 2002 study published in Allergy surveyed and tested Dutch greenhouse workers to find out whether nasal inflammations, or rhinitis, were work-related symptoms (3). The study found that about 57 percent of symptoms were work-related, and that about 20 percent of workers were affected by flowers in the Chrysanthemum family. One of the most common problematic autumn flowers for people with allergies is the Chrysanthemum. Tip: Certain brightly colored flowers, like roses, produce less airborne pollen, because they are able to attract birds and bees more directly without needing to release pollen (4). Some other tips for reducing pollen count include: Avoid planting near windows and sitting areas. Garden after it rains or in the late afternoon. Don’t overwater the garden, as this may result in unintentional mould growth. But ragweed and pollen aren’t the only fall culprits. Let’s look at another common element, dust mites, becomes particularly problematic in autumn. 2. Dust mites Autumn is a time of year that’s particularly favorable for dust mites. Dust mite allergens tend to peak between May and October, the dust mite’s breeding season (5). Like ragweed, inhaled dust mite bodies and waste can cause an allergic reaction in the body. Measuring only 250 microns in diameter, dust mites are commonly found in many parts of the home, including (6) (7): bedding carpets curtains upholstered furniture dirty air ducts You can manage dust mite allergens by keeping humidity below 50 percent, cleaning and replacing mattresses and pillows, and installing a whole-house air purifier into an existing HVAC system. There are even more dust mite control strategies for pet owners to consider like keeping pets out of the bedroom and purchasing washable pet toys. 3. Wildfires Human-created climate change is creating global conditions for longer, more intense wildfire and brush fire seasons. Summer wildfires now commonly continue well into autumn and even winter, especially if heatwaves and dry conditions persist in a region. Human-created climate change is creating global conditions for longer, more intense wildfire and brush fire season. Wildfires don’t just pose a threat to the local community. Wildfire smoke contains many pollutants, including: ultrafine particles PM2.5 PM10 carbon monoxide carbon dioxide nitrogen oxides volatile organic compounds (VOCs) When wildfire smoke affects air quality, avoid going outdoors and close doors and windows. If going outdoors is unavoidable, wearing a pollution mask can be an effective means of managing airborne pollutant inhalation. 4. Scented candles and holiday decorations Fun holiday decorations can liven up a living space. But some decorations can also pose indoor pollutant concerns. Polyethylene vinyl acetate (PEVA) plastic, sometimes used to make holiday decorations, has been positioned as an alternative to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) because it is chlorine-free. However, a 2014 study published in the Journal of Toxicological Sciences found that both PVC and PEVA VOCs off-gassing were harmful to freshwater worms, and therefore, PEVA is not a safe alternative to PVC (8). Another potential source of indoor air pollutants in the fall can be scented candles. Some scented candles Some scented candles can be a source of VOCs, including formaldehyde. A 2013 study published in Environmental Science and Pollution Research noted the presence of several aldehyde emissions –including formaldehyde – in scented candles, as opposed to non-scented candles (9) (10). Try to avoid holiday decorations made of either PVC or PEVA plastics. Instead of lighting scented candles, consider making a potpourri out of dried berries, flower, fruit rinds, spices, wood chips and essential oils. Looking for relief from seasonal allergens and asthma triggers?Explore our high-performance air purifiers CLICK HERE 5. Mouldy pumpkins Pumpkins are often used as decorations for both Halloween and Thanksgiving. But as they grow older and mould develops, old pumpkins pose a health hazard (11). Moulds can reproduce wherever there is moisture, including in old pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns. Moulds can reproduce wherever there is moisture, including in old pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns. Allergenic moulds can trigger an allergic reaction in some people. Rotting pumpkins can grow several common moulds, including species of Caldosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Alternaria – all four of which are considered allergenic moulds. Some species of Aspergillus can be pathogenic, meaning that they can cause an infection in a healthy human. A few species of Aspergillus and Penicillium moulds are toxigenic; they can create chemical metabolic byproducts called mycotoxins. Mycotoxins can result in a toxic response in people. When pumpkins or jack-o-lanterns begin to show signs of rot, be sure to throw them out promptly. Conclusion Though certain allergens and airborne pollutants may be more pressing in autumn, it’s possible to reduce their impact and take back control over one’s quality of life any time of year. When autumn begins, that’s the perfect time to change the air filters in your HVAC and air purifiers. Over time, filtration can become clogged with particles and pollutants. Changing older filters offers many benefits, including: increasing equipment efficiency lowering energy costs extending the life of your air cleaning technology Monitoring your indoor and outdoor air quality will help in identifying issues before they affect quality of life. When air quality is degraded, running an air purifier will help create a safe space in the home for easier breathing and cleaner air. For better air directly affecting personal breathing space, a desk or car air purifier can also be beneficial. Just as autumn brings its unique charm, it also presents unique air quality challenges. By staying proactive, you can ensure that this fall, the air you breathe is as crisp and clean as the season itself.","

Autumn brings cooler temperatures and seasonal delights, but it also introduces unique air quality challenges. From allergens to wildfire smoke, these fall-specific concerns can affect everyone, especially those with seasonal allergies.

How is the air in autumn?

Autumn is a transitional season marked by fluctuating weather conditions that can significantly impact air quality. As temperatures drop, humidity levels shift, and winds increase, which can stir up allergens, pollutants, and particulates.

These factors make autumn a particularly volatile air quality season—fall air quality today could easily change tomorrow.

Fall air quality can also vary locally. In some locales, fall often sees a continuation of summer's wildfire activity, and with that comes wildfire smoke. In other locations, cool, damp weather typical of autumn can promote the growth of mould, particularly on outdoor surfaces like fallen leaves and decaying vegetation, further affecting air quality.

Autumn allergens, dust mites, and wildfire smoke are serious air quality concerns that effect all people.

$\"Airborne$

Fall seasonal allergies are allergic responses, typically, to one or more of the following:

ragweed and flower allergens
dust mites
wildfires
scented candles and holiday decorations
pumpkin mould

Read on for a deeper look at these top 5 fall air quality concerns and learn how to breathe cleaner air throughout the season.

1. Ragweed, flowers and pollen

Ragweed

Ragweed is the main allergen that aggravates people with fall seasonal allergies (1). Ragweed is native to North America and is an invasive species in Europe.

When the body encounters ragweed pollen, it treats the allergen as a threat. The body’s immune system creates a reaction – the chemical histamine – that enters the bloodstream. This reaction can be helpful in fighting harmful invaders, like parasites.

However, when histamines are created in reaction to an allergen like ragweed, they result in a non-helpful allergic reaction. Ragweed pollen allergy symptoms are similar to common pollen reactions, including:

sneezing
runny nose or congestion
headache
eye and throat irritation
aggravated symptoms for people with asthma

Climate change is impacting ragweed habitat, creating worsening conditions for people with ragweed pollen allergies.

Climate change is impacting ragweed habitat, creating worsening conditions for people with ragweed pollen allergies. A 2015 study published in Nature Climate Change anticipates that concentrations of airborne ragweed pollen in Europe will be around four times higher than current estimates by 2050 (2).

Two-thirds of the anticipated ragweed pollen concentration increase can be attributed to projected climate and land-use changes in northern and eastern Europe, as well as an increase in production in currently established areas of southern Europe. All hope is not lost; despite these expected increases in overall pollen, there are steps that can be taken to alleviate allergy symptoms.

On heavy ragweed pollen days, consider staying indoors when possible. There are other ways to prevent symptoms as well, such as:

washing bedding with soap and hot water
keeping windows and doors closed
removing shoes before entering a home
vacuuming regularly

Flowers

Decorative fall flowers can also be a problem for people with allergies. Apart from ragweed, one of the most common problematic autumn flowers is the Chrysanthemum, which can spread pollen. A 2002 study published in Allergy surveyed and tested Dutch greenhouse workers to find out whether nasal inflammations, or rhinitis, were work-related symptoms (3). The study found that about 57 percent of symptoms were work-related, and that about 20 percent of workers were affected by flowers in the Chrysanthemum family.

One of the most common problematic autumn flowers for people with allergies is the Chrysanthemum.

Tip: Certain brightly colored flowers, like roses, produce less airborne pollen, because they are able to attract birds and bees more directly without needing to release pollen (4).

Some other tips for reducing pollen count include:

Avoid planting near windows and sitting areas.
Garden after it rains or in the late afternoon. Don’t overwater the garden, as this may result in unintentional mould growth.

But ragweed and pollen aren’t the only fall culprits. Let’s look at another common element, dust mites, becomes particularly problematic in autumn.

2. Dust mites

Autumn is a time of year that’s particularly favorable for dust mites. Dust mite allergens tend to peak between May and October, the dust mite’s breeding season (5). Like ragweed, inhaled dust mite bodies and waste can cause an allergic reaction in the body.

Measuring only 250 microns in diameter, dust mites are commonly found in many parts of the home, including (6) (7):

bedding
carpets
curtains
upholstered furniture
dirty air ducts

You can manage dust mite allergens by keeping humidity below 50 percent, cleaning and replacing mattresses and pillows, and installing a whole-house air purifier into an existing HVAC system. There are even more dust mite control strategies for pet owners to consider like keeping pets out of the bedroom and purchasing washable pet toys.

3. Wildfires

Human-created climate change is creating global conditions for longer, more intense wildfire and brush fire seasons. Summer wildfires now commonly continue well into autumn and even winter, especially if heatwaves and dry conditions persist in a region.

Human-created climate change is creating global conditions for longer, more intense wildfire and brush fire season.

Wildfires don’t just pose a threat to the local community. Wildfire smoke contains many pollutants, including:

When wildfire smoke affects air quality, avoid going outdoors and close doors and windows. If going outdoors is unavoidable, wearing a pollution mask can be an effective means of managing airborne pollutant inhalation.

4. Scented candles and holiday decorations

Fun holiday decorations can liven up a living space. But some decorations can also pose indoor pollutant concerns.

Polyethylene vinyl acetate (PEVA) plastic, sometimes used to make holiday decorations, has been positioned as an alternative to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) because it is chlorine-free. However, a 2014 study published in the Journal of Toxicological Sciences found that both PVC and PEVA VOCs off-gassing were harmful to freshwater worms, and therefore, PEVA is not a safe alternative to PVC (8).

Another potential source of indoor air pollutants in the fall can be scented candles. Some scented candles Some scented candles can be a source of VOCs, including formaldehyde. A 2013 study published in Environmental Science and Pollution Research noted the presence of several aldehyde emissions –including formaldehyde – in scented candles, as opposed to non-scented candles (9) (10).

Try to avoid holiday decorations made of either PVC or PEVA plastics. Instead of lighting scented candles, consider making a potpourri out of dried berries, flower, fruit rinds, spices, wood chips and essential oils.

Looking for relief from seasonal allergens and asthma triggers?
Explore our high-performance air purifiers

CLICK HERE

\n
5. Mouldy pumpkins\n

Pumpkins are often used as decorations for both Halloween and Thanksgiving. But as they grow older and mould develops, old pumpkins pose a health hazard (11).

Moulds can reproduce wherever there is moisture, including in old pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns.

Moulds can reproduce wherever there is moisture, including in old pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns. Allergenic moulds can trigger an allergic reaction in some people. Rotting pumpkins can grow several common moulds, including species of Caldosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Alternaria – all four of which are considered allergenic moulds.

Some species of Aspergillus can be pathogenic, meaning that they can cause an infection in a healthy human. A few species of Aspergillus and Penicillium moulds are toxigenic; they can create chemical metabolic byproducts called mycotoxins. Mycotoxins can result in a toxic response in people.

When pumpkins or jack-o-lanterns begin to show signs of rot, be sure to throw them out promptly.

Conclusion

Though certain allergens and airborne pollutants may be more pressing in autumn, it’s possible to reduce their impact and take back control over one’s quality of life any time of year.

When autumn begins, that’s the perfect time to change the air filters in your HVAC and air purifiers. Over time, filtration can become clogged with particles and pollutants. Changing older filters offers many benefits, including:

increasing equipment efficiency
lowering energy costs
extending the life of your air cleaning technology

Monitoring your indoor and outdoor air quality will help in identifying issues before they affect quality of life. When air quality is degraded, running an air purifier will help create a safe space in the home for easier breathing and cleaner air. For better air directly affecting personal breathing space, a desk or car air purifier can also be beneficial.

Just as autumn brings its unique charm, it also presents unique air quality challenges. By staying proactive, you can ensure that this fall, the air you breathe is as crisp and clean as the season itself.

","fall-air-quality","gid://shopify/Article/606899765547","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/fall-air-quality","2024-09-30T03:00:00Z",[1146,638,653],"5 Fall air quality concerns you need to know",{"_10":1234,"_243":1235,"_246":1236,"_248":1165,"_244":1166},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/406415475062","Pollen falling off tree branch","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/FallAQI_Desktop_A_e8ec2dcc-05cb-456f-9d50-dc54a8e851fd.jpg?v=1752056951",{"_1124":1125,"_1126":1238,"_1115":1239,"_1131":1240,"_1133":1240,"_1134":1241,"_1136":1242,"_985":1243,"_10":1244,"_1140":1245,"_1142":-5,"_1143":1246,"_577":1247,"_541":1248,"_1148":1249},{"_12":1128},{"_985":1130},"College campuses can have terrible air pollution. Here are some tips on how to keep your air clean and your mind sharp for top college performance.","Clean air = top grades Learning new subjects, making new friends, setting good college habits, and staying up late nights to make sure you stay on top (or at least as close as you can get!) of every class – college can be a vibrant, transformative time in your life. But lurking in the background is an immense and invisible threat to your college success: air pollution. And even more disturbing is just how damaging dirty air can be to your grades – air pollution can increase the number of mistakes you make on tests by up to 150 percent(1). Air pollution can increase the number of mistakes you make on tests by up to 150 percent. But it doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom in your college dorm room. Even if your college is in the middle of a polluted city or a region where pollutants are easily trapped, you can do plenty to minimize your exposure and protect your important investment: you. Whether this is your first semester, or you are returning to your studies, read on for some back-to-school advice that’s sure to help you breathe a little easier. Here are eight ways that you can help ensure you have the cleanest air on campus through back to school, healthy dorm living choices. Get your friends, roommates, and fellow students involved, too. 1. Starting college? Keep an eye on your air quality. Pollution can build up both indoors and out – libraries, classrooms, dorms, cafeterias, common areas, and pretty much everywhere else. And being indoors doesn’t necessarily shield you from poor outdoor air quality. Pollution can seep in through windows, doors, and other cracks in school buildings, especially older structures that weren’t built to be as airtight as modern, energy-efficient facilities. But just when you think you’re free from pollution in a brand-new building, think again: a 2017 study from researchers at the University of Galati in Romania found that levels of formaldehyde, a compound commonly found in new homes and buildings (and deemed carcinogenic by the World Health Organization), are often 30 percent higher in newer, airtight, “green” buildings than older, less airtight buildings (2).And because these buildings are designed to be so sealed up, any outdoor pollutants that do come in through temporarily opened windows or doors can get stuck there indefinitely. But how can you tell if your indoor air quality inside is good or bad? You can always stay updated with real time air quality data, using the AirVisual App. You can even get a 5-day air quality forecast so you can plan ahead accordingly. You can also use an air quality monitor like the AirVisual Pro by IQAir to view real-time indoor and outdoor air quality readings as well as 72-hour air quality history and forecasting to help minimize your exposure to airborne pollutants. Knowledge is power – if indoor gases and pollutants build up, you’ll know that you need to open your windows to let in some fresh air. If outdoor pollutant levels are high, you’ll know to shut your windows and doors to preserve clean indoor air. And if you have to cross campus or walk around university property when pollution is heavy, consider wearing an air pollution mask that’s KN95-rated to protect you from at least 95% of airborne particle pollutants during those time where you simply can’t avoid outdoor pollution. 2. Avoid areas with heavy vehicle traffic. Bus stops, school shuttle stops, urban campuses, and campuses close to highways have higher concentrations of common exhaust pollutants. Vehicle emissions are nothing to mess with. Car exhaust contains ultra fine particles (UFPs), tiny pollutants smaller than 0.1 microns that can get directly into your bloodstream and increase your risk of artery plaque build-up that can lead to serious conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)(3). UFPs can even break through the blood-brain barrier and create stress responses throughout the body, which can ultimately have dangerous neurological effects (4). Car exhaust contains ultra fine particles, which can get directly into your bloodstream and lead to serious cardiac conditions like COPD. That’s just the tip of the polluted iceberg. Vehicle exhaust is also known to contain nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, and sulfur dioxide, all of which can harm your overall health (5). Don’t linger around these areas if you can help it or any longer than you need to. If you’re waiting for a ride, stand as far away from the road as possible. And try to hang out further into campus, away from major roadways and traffic (this may be more challenging on an urban campus). 3. Avoid designated smoking areas (and smoking!). Many schools are now tobacco-free, banning all forms of tobacco and nicotine products. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), nearly 2,100 campuses in the United States now prohibit smoking of any kind, more than triple the number of schools that did so 2012 (6). But that doesn’t mean you won’t run into clouds of smoke behind buildings, just outside campus, or in the dorm rooms of the incorrigible ne'er-do-wells. The only way you can really do to avoid tobacco smoke is to stay away from smokers and any areas designated for people who smoke. That doesn’t mean you have to renounce your smoker friends or travel around campus in a gas mask. Just let your friends know that you’d prefer they not smoke around you. Feel free to walk away when the people around you light up. Secondhand smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, and 69 of them are known to cause cancer (7). Secondhand smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, and 69 of them are known to cause cancer. And don’t give in to the pressure to smoke yourself – inhaling tobacco smoke exposes you to over 4,000 chemicals that can trigger allergies and asthma symptoms as well as increase your risk of throat, heart, and lung cancer (8). Vaping isn’t much better. In addition to the kinds of chemicals found in smoke, vapor smoke can contain chemicals released by the devices themselves, which can cause inflammation that’s been linked to asthma, stroke, heart disease, and diabetes (9). 4. Choose an air dorm room air purifier. The cleaner the air, the clearer your mind, and the better you’ll perform on assignments and tests. And this isn’t just blowing hot air: the numbers don’t lie. In 2012, a research team measured the effects of ambient air pollution on the performance of students on a certification exam and found that even minor changes in both PM2.5 and carbon monoxide (CO) levels in ambient air could result in significant decreases in test scores (10). A 2012 study found that even minor changes in both PM2.5 and carbon monoxide (CO) levels could result in significant decreases in test scores. Specifically, this study illustrated that even a 10-point increase in PM2.5 levels dropped a person’s score by half a percent. For example, if normal PM2.5 levels are around a 25, considered Good on the Air Quality Index (AQI), and increase on a given day to 105, considered Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, the change in air quality could, all else being equal, result in a potential score of 91 percent on a test (an A-) dropping to an 87 percent (a B+). And as a college student, you understand that huge disparities like that could end up being the difference between giving the valedictorian speech at graduation and just having your name called out for your diploma. How do you mitigate such enormous effects? Among your back to school dorm essentials should be an air purifier. Use a personal air purifier like the AtemDesk to create a personal breathing zone free of 99 percent of pollutants. Atem Desk filters pollutants as small as 0.003 microns, including mold, pollen, and other indoor pollutants common in school buildings. Even if the AQI jumps one day, the Atem shields you from these effects with a clean air bubble so that your test scores don’t budge one bit because of air quality. Its sleek, compact design and optimized diffusion design make it ideal for tight dorm room spaces, too, where every square foot needs to be utilized to its fullest extent. If you need a quiet air purifier for dorm living, it’s perfect. And Atem is flexible for your unpredictable college lifestyle. – Using accessories like a convertible Atem Car air purifier kit to mount your Atem to your vehicle interior, you never have to be without clean air on campus or off and the perfect air purifier for college students. 5. Be proactive about your allergies or asthma treatment. Whether you’re staying close to home or going away for college, take ownership of your medical treatment by scheduling regular doctor’s visits, taking prescriptions, and getting routine physicals to make sure you’re staying healthy. Use this opportunity to build relationships with your health providers as an adult. While you’re starting college, you’ll be exposed to new environments, new experiences, and new levels of stress that can trigger symptoms. Communicate these changes to your doctor to keep them up to date about your symptoms, allowing your doctor to give you the best possible treatment for your asthma or allergies. And most importantly, learn what specific triggers exist on your college campus or in your college dorm room so that you can limit your exposure to them and preserve your best health and top performance of your hardest classes and biggest new challenges. 6. Locate treatment centers near your school. Find your campus health center as soon as you can. Almost every university has at least one center fully staffed with nurses and healthcare professionals who can help you with non-emergency treatments, medications, physical examinations, and other basic health needs. Then, find local urgent care and hospital facilities in case you need immediate, specialized treatment for severe allergies and asthma. Some universities are located near world-class facilities with doctors and researchers considered the best in their field. Don’t hesitate to take advantage of these resources. Some universities are located near world-class medical facilities with doctors and researchers considered the best in their field. Don’t hesitate to take advantage of these resources. And if you haven’t already, look into long-term treatments for asthma and allergies, such as immunotherapy (getting shots to make you more resistant to allergens) and fitness plans that may help prevent symptoms and minimize your risk of more serious respiratory conditions later in life. 7. Work with your doctor to create an action plan. If you haven't already, create an action plan to help with severe or life-threatening symptoms. An action plan (or management plan) is a written plan that you create with your doctor to help control your asthma or allergies (11). The goal of this action plan is to reduce or prevent flare-ups and emergency department visits. Keep your action plan with you in written form wherever you go so that others in your vicinity will know how to help you in case immediate action must be taken. In any case, be ready for emergencies. Be sure to carry emergency medicine with you at all times, such as your inhaler or EpiPen. Emergency room visits are not only financially draining but also emotionally and physically draining. Hopefully, your action plan can prevent such emergencies from taking place. 8. Discuss your action plan with those around you. Don’t be a stranger: you’re going to meet tons of people during your college days. Some of your college friends may stick around for years – and if they know how to recognize and react to your symptoms, they may just save your life. Tell your close friends, roommates, and classmates about your allergies or asthma so that they can help you out during an attack. Tell your close friends, roommates, and classmates about your allergies or asthma so that they can help you out during an attack. It can be harrowing to suddenly have trouble breathing or feel heavy head or chest pressure when you’re trying to remember info for a test, take lecture notes, or run from class to class. But having a buddy or two nearby to help you manage your symptoms and get help from campus medical staff. Enlist your friends to help keep your allergies or asthma under control, allowing you to stay focused on what matters: your maintaining great college habits and achieving school success. Just remember: Clean air = clear mind. You’ll face plenty of challenges when starting college, but air pollution shouldn’t be one of them. Get ahead of your class by taking clean air into your own hands. By changing just a few college habits, being proactive about your health, and choosing the best smart air purifier for students, you can remove some of the most daunting obstacles from your journey. Make sure that the 25,000 breaths you take every day in still your body with the strength and knowledge to excel.","

Clean air = top grades

Learning new subjects, making new friends, setting good college habits, and staying up late nights to make sure you stay on top (or at least as close as you can get!) of every class – college can be a vibrant, transformative time in your life.

But lurking in the background is an immense and invisible threat to your college success: air pollution. And even more disturbing is just how damaging dirty air can be to your grades – air pollution can increase the number of mistakes you make on tests by up to 150 percent(1).

Air pollution can increase the number of mistakes you make on tests by up to 150 percent.

But it doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom in your college dorm room. Even if your college is in the middle of a polluted city or a region where pollutants are easily trapped, you can do plenty to minimize your exposure and protect your important investment: you. Whether this is your first semester, or you are returning to your studies, read on for some back-to-school advice that’s sure to help you breathe a little easier.

Here are eight ways that you can help ensure you have the cleanest air on campus through back to school, healthy dorm living choices. Get your friends, roommates, and fellow students involved, too.

1. Starting college? Keep an eye on your air quality.

Pollution can build up both indoors and out – libraries, classrooms, dorms, cafeterias, common areas, and pretty much everywhere else. And being indoors doesn’t necessarily shield you from poor outdoor air quality. Pollution can seep in through windows, doors, and other cracks in school buildings, especially older structures that weren’t built to be as airtight as modern, energy-efficient facilities.

But just when you think you’re free from pollution in a brand-new building, think again: a 2017 study from researchers at the University of Galati in Romania found that levels of formaldehyde, a compound commonly found in new homes and buildings (and deemed carcinogenic by the World Health Organization), are often 30 percent higher in newer, airtight, “green” buildings than older, less airtight buildings (2).And because these buildings are designed to be so sealed up, any outdoor pollutants that do come in through temporarily opened windows or doors can get stuck there indefinitely.

But how can you tell if your indoor air quality inside is good or bad?

You can always stay updated with real time air quality data, using the AirVisual App. You can even get a 5-day air quality forecast so you can plan ahead accordingly.

You can also use an air quality monitor like the AirVisual Pro by IQAir to view real-time indoor and outdoor air quality readings as well as 72-hour air quality history and forecasting to help minimize your exposure to airborne pollutants.

Knowledge is power – if indoor gases and pollutants build up, you’ll know that you need to open your windows to let in some fresh air. If outdoor pollutant levels are high, you’ll know to shut your windows and doors to preserve clean indoor air.

And if you have to cross campus or walk around university property when pollution is heavy, consider wearing an air pollution mask that’s KN95-rated to protect you from at least 95% of airborne particle pollutants during those time where you simply can’t avoid outdoor pollution.

2. Avoid areas with heavy vehicle traffic.

Bus stops, school shuttle stops, urban campuses, and campuses close to highways have higher concentrations of common exhaust pollutants. Vehicle emissions are nothing to mess with.

Car exhaust contains ultra fine particles (UFPs), tiny pollutants smaller than 0.1 microns that can get directly into your bloodstream and increase your risk of artery plaque build-up that can lead to serious conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)(3). UFPs can even break through the blood-brain barrier and create stress responses throughout the body, which can ultimately have dangerous neurological effects (4).

Car exhaust contains ultra fine particles, which can get directly into your bloodstream and lead to serious cardiac conditions like COPD.

That’s just the tip of the polluted iceberg. Vehicle exhaust is also known to contain nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, and sulfur dioxide, all of which can harm your overall health (5).

Don’t linger around these areas if you can help it or any longer than you need to. If you’re waiting for a ride, stand as far away from the road as possible. And try to hang out further into campus, away from major roadways and traffic (this may be more challenging on an urban campus).

3. Avoid designated smoking areas (and smoking!).

Many schools are now tobacco-free, banning all forms of tobacco and nicotine products. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), nearly 2,100 campuses in the United States now prohibit smoking of any kind, more than triple the number of schools that did so 2012 (6).

But that doesn’t mean you won’t run into clouds of smoke behind buildings, just outside campus, or in the dorm rooms of the incorrigible ne'er-do-wells. The only way you can really do to avoid tobacco smoke is to stay away from smokers and any areas designated for people who smoke.

That doesn’t mean you have to renounce your smoker friends or travel around campus in a gas mask. Just let your friends know that you’d prefer they not smoke around you. Feel free to walk away when the people around you light up. Secondhand smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, and 69 of them are known to cause cancer (7).

Secondhand smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, and 69 of them are known to cause cancer.

And don’t give in to the pressure to smoke yourself – inhaling tobacco smoke exposes you to over 4,000 chemicals that can trigger allergies and asthma symptoms as well as increase your risk of throat, heart, and lung cancer (8).

Vaping isn’t much better. In addition to the kinds of chemicals found in smoke, vapor smoke can contain chemicals released by the devices themselves, which can cause inflammation that’s been linked to asthma, stroke, heart disease, and diabetes (9).

4. Choose an air dorm room air purifier.

The cleaner the air, the clearer your mind, and the better you’ll perform on assignments and tests. And this isn’t just blowing hot air: the numbers don’t lie.

In 2012, a research team measured the effects of ambient air pollution on the performance of students on a certification exam and found that even minor changes in both PM2.5 and carbon monoxide (CO) levels in ambient air could result in significant decreases in test scores (10).

A 2012 study found that even minor changes in both PM2.5 and carbon monoxide (CO) levels could result in significant decreases in test scores.

Specifically, this study illustrated that even a 10-point increase in PM2.5 levels dropped a person’s score by half a percent. For example, if normal PM2.5 levels are around a 25, considered Good on the Air Quality Index (AQI), and increase on a given day to 105, considered Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups, the change in air quality could, all else being equal, result in a potential score of 91 percent on a test (an A-) dropping to an 87 percent (a B+).

And as a college student, you understand that huge disparities like that could end up being the difference between giving the valedictorian speech at graduation and just having your name called out for your diploma.

How do you mitigate such enormous effects? Among your back to school dorm essentials should be an air purifier. Use a personal air purifier like the AtemDesk to create a personal breathing zone free of 99 percent of pollutants. Atem Desk filters pollutants as small as 0.003 microns, including mold, pollen, and other indoor pollutants common in school buildings. Even if the AQI jumps one day, the Atem shields you from these effects with a clean air bubble so that your test scores don’t budge one bit because of air quality. Its sleek, compact design and optimized diffusion design make it ideal for tight dorm room spaces, too, where every square foot needs to be utilized to its fullest extent. If you need a quiet air purifier for dorm living, it’s perfect.

And Atem is flexible for your unpredictable college lifestyle. – Using accessories like a convertible Atem Car air purifier kit to mount your Atem to your vehicle interior, you never have to be without clean air on campus or off and the perfect air purifier for college students.

5. Be proactive about your allergies or asthma treatment.

Whether you’re staying close to home or going away for college, take ownership of your medical treatment by scheduling regular doctor’s visits, taking prescriptions, and getting routine physicals to make sure you’re staying healthy.

Use this opportunity to build relationships with your health providers as an adult. While you’re starting college, you’ll be exposed to new environments, new experiences, and new levels of stress that can trigger symptoms. Communicate these changes to your doctor to keep them up to date about your symptoms, allowing your doctor to give you the best possible treatment for your asthma or allergies.

And most importantly, learn what specific triggers exist on your college campus or in your college dorm room so that you can limit your exposure to them and preserve your best health and top performance of your hardest classes and biggest new challenges.

6. Locate treatment centers near your school.

Find your campus health center as soon as you can. Almost every university has at least one center fully staffed with nurses and healthcare professionals who can help you with non-emergency treatments, medications, physical examinations, and other basic health needs. Then, find local urgent care and hospital facilities in case you need immediate, specialized treatment for severe allergies and asthma.

Some universities are located near world-class facilities with doctors and researchers considered the best in their field. Don’t hesitate to take advantage of these resources.

Some universities are located near world-class medical facilities with doctors and researchers considered the best in their field. Don’t hesitate to take advantage of these resources.

And if you haven’t already, look into long-term treatments for asthma and allergies, such as immunotherapy (getting shots to make you more resistant to allergens) and fitness plans that may help prevent symptoms and minimize your risk of more serious respiratory conditions later in life.

7. Work with your doctor to create an action plan.

If you haven't already, create an action plan to help with severe or life-threatening symptoms. An action plan (or management plan) is a written plan that you create with your doctor to help control your asthma or allergies (11). The goal of this action plan is to reduce or prevent flare-ups and emergency department visits. Keep your action plan with you in written form wherever you go so that others in your vicinity will know how to help you in case immediate action must be taken.

In any case, be ready for emergencies. Be sure to carry emergency medicine with you at all times, such as your inhaler or EpiPen. Emergency room visits are not only financially draining but also emotionally and physically draining. Hopefully, your action plan can prevent such emergencies from taking place.

8. Discuss your action plan with those around you.

Don’t be a stranger: you’re going to meet tons of people during your college days. Some of your college friends may stick around for years – and if they know how to recognize and react to your symptoms, they may just save your life.

Tell your close friends, roommates, and classmates about your allergies or asthma so that they can help you out during an attack.

Tell your close friends, roommates, and classmates about your allergies or asthma so that they can help you out during an attack.

It can be harrowing to suddenly have trouble breathing or feel heavy head or chest pressure when you’re trying to remember info for a test, take lecture notes, or run from class to class.

But having a buddy or two nearby to help you manage your symptoms and get help from campus medical staff. Enlist your friends to help keep your allergies or asthma under control, allowing you to stay focused on what matters: your maintaining great college habits and achieving school success.

Just remember: Clean air = clear mind.

You’ll face plenty of challenges when starting college, but air pollution shouldn’t be one of them. Get ahead of your class by taking clean air into your own hands. By changing just a few college habits, being proactive about your health, and choosing the best smart air purifier for students, you can remove some of the most daunting obstacles from your journey. Make sure that the 25,000 breaths you take every day in still your body with the strength and knowledge to excel.

","good-air-quality-habits-of-highly-effective-college-students","gid://shopify/Article/606883381547","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/good-air-quality-habits-of-highly-effective-college-students","2024-05-01T07:00:00Z",[390,1146,653],"8 Clean air habits of highly effective college students",{"_10":1250,"_243":-5,"_246":1251,"_248":1182,"_244":1183},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/406992683382","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/BTS_College_081423_Desktop_7846ddc2-45dc-4329-9409-819ff7fdbcb2.webp?v=1754075866",{"_1124":1125,"_1126":1253,"_1115":1254,"_1131":1255,"_1133":1256,"_1134":1257,"_1136":1258,"_985":1259,"_10":1260,"_1140":1261,"_1142":-5,"_1143":1262,"_577":1263,"_541":1265,"_1148":1266},{"_12":1128},{"_985":1130},"School buildings often trigger allergies & asthma. Learn how you can help improve indoor air quality in schools.","School buildings often trigger allergies & asthma. Learn how you can help improve indoor air quality in schools.","School buildings and college dorms are often common places for asthma and allergy triggers. Children are particularly vulnerable to these harmful pollutants. Parents and college students need to think about back-to-school dorm room essentials for removing pollutants. Improving indoor air quality in schools is an important measure for preventing asthma and allergy flare-ups among students. According to recommendations published in Health Promotion Perspectives, when schools actively filter PM2.5, or fine particle pollution, they can reduce the incidence of asthma from 16 percent to 13 percent (1). The “September Asthma Epidemic” or “Asthma Peak Week” is a trend that lands more people – especially children – in the hospital for asthma attacks in September than any other month (2). During that time, mold counts are higher as fallen leaves are gathered. Children return to school and are exposed to more respiratory illnesses and asthma triggers. So it's important to plan carefully when planning for school essentials. Sources of poor indoor air quality in schools There are several sources of air pollution in schools and college dorms. These sources can differ depending on the age of the school building. Newer school buildings may be tightly sealed and lack sufficient ventilation. Using synthetic building materials and furniture that off-gas chemicals, such as formaldehyde, can also be a problem. Many schools are located dangerously close to heavily-trafficked roads and freeways. Air pollution near schools can include particulate matter from vehicles. PM2.5, PM10, and PM1 or ultrafine particulates can all pose a threat to children's health. Airborne pollutant sources in schools include (3): mold dust volatile organic compounds (VOCs) radon lead asbestos PCBs pesticides smoke College students may need to invest in an air purifier for mold in dorm living situations. Regardless, it is important to plan think ahead when sending kids back to school. Animal-free doesn’t mean animal allergen-free Animal allergens can be present in environments where there are no animals. In a 2008 study published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, researchers found that cat and dog allergens were present in virtually every U.S. home surveyed (4). Pet allergens were found to be transported by clothing. This is particularly problematic for sensitized children who do not have pets at home. A 2005 study published in Allergy also found that human hair can transport pet allergens among schoolchildren (5). Dust mite allergens in schools Dust mites are close relatives of ticks and spiders. They thrive on soft surfaces in households, such as: mattresses bedding upholstered furniture carpets drapes and curtains Dust mite droppings and their decomposing bodies are a major allergen affecting people with allergies and asthma. Dust mite allergens are present in many schools and daycare facilities. A 2009 study in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that dust mite allergens are present in many schools and daycare facilities (6). Reported levels are often similar or slightly lower than in corresponding local homes. Carpeting and upholstered furnishings are important reservoirs and sources of exposure in schools and daycare centers, particularly in humid regions. For older students who are headed to college, air purifiers can help with these issues. And air purifiers for kids' study rooms can help at home. Cockroach and rodent allergens in schools Cockroach and rodent allergens are commonly detected in inner-city and rural schools. A 1996 study published in Clinical & Experimental Allergy found that detectable levels of cockroach allergen were found in 65 percent of vacuumed dust samples from classrooms (7). A study found mice allergens in 99.5 percent of school samples. A 2017 study published in JAMA Pediatrics found mice allergens in 99.5 percent of school samples (8).Children exposed to mouse allergens in schools experienced more asthma symptoms and lower lung function after adjusting for variation in exposures at home. Airborne cockroach and mouse allergens are also found in airborne samples. Not surprisingly, the highest levels of these allergens are usually where there is food (9). Dustless chalk can trigger milk allergies Chalk dust is a common classroom allergen and asthma trigger. Many school teachers are now opting for dustless chalk. Casein is a milk protein often used in low-powder chalk. Milk-allergic children who inhale low-powder chalk particles with casein can suffer asthma attacks and other respiratory (10). Traffic-related air pollution In the U.S. alone, almost 8,000 public schools are within 500 feet of highways, truck routes and other traffic-heavy roads (11). In the United Kingdom, there were 2,200 schools and nurseries near heavily polluted roads in 2017. In Montreal, Canada, 127 elementary and secondary schools were within 150 meters of busy roads as of 2019 (12)(13). Vehicle exhaust is the largest source of traffic-related air pollution. Other sources include dust from brakes, tires, and the road surface. The most common traffic pollutants include: particulate matter nitrogen oxides carbon monoxide volatile organic compounds (VOCs) Carcinogenic VOCs in traffic-related air pollution include formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and benzene. How parents can help at school Questions parents can ask their school administrators include: Are the HVAC systems being properly inspected and maintained? Are there regular moisture and mold inspections? Is dust being removed daily with a damp cloth? Is the school being vacuumed using a HEPA filter daily? Are the cleaning products used safe? Are the building materials and furniture releasing harmful chemicals? Is food being properly stored? Is an optimal humidity level (between 30 and 50 percent) being maintained? Are there school-ready air purifiers on the premises? Parents should visit their child's school to find out what trigger sources are present. Parents can also talk to the school about what they can do to limit allergens, such as keeping windows shut on high pollen days or limiting carpets in the classroom. Parents should visit their child's school to find out what trigger sources are present. Parents can also suggest a classroom project to identify trigger sources and get students involved in recognizing what contributes to good indoor air quality. Plan for clean air when creating your school shopping list. For college students, finding the best air purifier for dorm rooms will help reduce exposure to airborne pollutants. Even a small HEPA air purifier for dorm life could make a huge difference if placed at a desk or beside a bed. Other steps parents can take Before school starts, schedule an appointment with your child’s physician or board-certified allergist. Have a fully documented asthma plan: Develop your child’s plan with the physician or board-certified allergist. Each plan is specific to each child. Never rely on home remedies for allergies and asthma, unless your doctor says it’s okay. If your child’s asthma is severe, ensure there’s a peak flow meter available. Be sure your child and the school staff are comfortable using it. Ensure there’s an up-to-date rescue albuterol inhaler at the school. If your child has exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB), let the school know they need to use their albuterol inhaler before exercise. Download an air quality app and track local air quality. Consider getting an air quality monitor for your child’s classroom. Connect it to the school’s Wi-Fi and check the air quality from your phone or desktop. The takeaway Although you can’t completely control allergens and asthma triggers outside your home, you can take steps to keep your child as safe as possible. By actively monitoring air quality, asking school administrators to take proactive actions, and getting an air purifier for college students, parents can help minimize asthma and allergy flare-ups for their children.","

School buildings and college dorms are often common places for asthma and allergy triggers. Children are particularly vulnerable to these harmful pollutants. Parents and college students need to think about back-to-school dorm room essentials for removing pollutants.

Improving indoor air quality in schools is an important measure for preventing asthma and allergy flare-ups among students. According to recommendations published in Health Promotion Perspectives, when schools actively filter PM2.5, or fine particle pollution, they can reduce the incidence of asthma from 16 percent to 13 percent (1).

The “September Asthma Epidemic” or “Asthma Peak Week” is a trend that lands more people – especially children – in the hospital for asthma attacks in September than any other month (2). During that time, mold counts are higher as fallen leaves are gathered. Children return to school and are exposed to more respiratory illnesses and asthma triggers. So it's important to plan carefully when planning for school essentials.

Sources of poor indoor air quality in schools

There are several sources of air pollution in schools and college dorms. These sources can differ depending on the age of the school building.

Newer school buildings may be tightly sealed and lack sufficient ventilation. Using synthetic building materials and furniture that off-gas chemicals, such as formaldehyde, can also be a problem.

Many schools are located dangerously close to heavily-trafficked roads and freeways. Air pollution near schools can include particulate matter from vehicles. PM2.5, PM10, and PM1 or ultrafine particulates can all pose a threat to children's health.

Airborne pollutant sources in schools include (3):

mold
dust
volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
radon
lead
asbestos
PCBs
pesticides
smoke

College students may need to invest in an air purifier for mold in dorm living situations. Regardless, it is important to plan think ahead when sending kids back to school.

Animal-free doesn’t mean animal allergen-free

Animal allergens can be present in environments where there are no animals.

In a 2008 study published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, researchers found that cat and dog allergens were present in virtually every U.S. home surveyed (4). Pet allergens were found to be transported by clothing. This is particularly problematic for sensitized children who do not have pets at home.

A 2005 study published in Allergy also found that human hair can transport pet allergens among schoolchildren (5).

Dust mite allergens in schools

Dust mites are close relatives of ticks and spiders. They thrive on soft surfaces in households, such as:

mattresses
bedding
upholstered furniture
carpets
drapes and curtains

Dust mite droppings and their decomposing bodies are a major allergen affecting people with allergies and asthma.

Dust mite allergens are present in many schools and daycare facilities.

A 2009 study in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that dust mite allergens are present in many schools and daycare facilities (6). Reported levels are often similar or slightly lower than in corresponding local homes.

Carpeting and upholstered furnishings are important reservoirs and sources of exposure in schools and daycare centers, particularly in humid regions.

For older students who are headed to college, air purifiers can help with these issues. And air purifiers for kids' study rooms can help at home.

Cockroach and rodent allergens in schools

Cockroach and rodent allergens are commonly detected in inner-city and rural schools. A 1996 study published in Clinical & Experimental Allergy found that detectable levels of cockroach allergen were found in 65 percent of vacuumed dust samples from classrooms (7).

A study found mice allergens in 99.5 percent of school samples.

A 2017 study published in JAMA Pediatrics found mice allergens in 99.5 percent of school samples (8).Children exposed to mouse allergens in schools experienced more asthma symptoms and lower lung function after adjusting for variation in exposures at home.

Airborne cockroach and mouse allergens are also found in airborne samples. Not surprisingly, the highest levels of these allergens are usually where there is food (9).

Dustless chalk can trigger milk allergies

Chalk dust is a common classroom allergen and asthma trigger. Many school teachers are now opting for dustless chalk.

Casein is a milk protein often used in low-powder chalk. Milk-allergic children who inhale low-powder chalk particles with casein can suffer asthma attacks and other respiratory (10).

Traffic-related air pollution

In the U.S. alone, almost 8,000 public schools are within 500 feet of highways, truck routes and other traffic-heavy roads (11). In the United Kingdom, there were 2,200 schools and nurseries near heavily polluted roads in 2017. In Montreal, Canada, 127 elementary and secondary schools were within 150 meters of busy roads as of 2019 (12)(13).

Vehicle exhaust is the largest source of traffic-related air pollution. Other sources include dust from brakes, tires, and the road surface.

The most common traffic pollutants include:

particulate matter
nitrogen oxides
carbon monoxide
volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

Carcinogenic VOCs in traffic-related air pollution include formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and benzene.

How parents can help at school

Questions parents can ask their school administrators include:

Are the HVAC systems being properly inspected and maintained?
Are there regular moisture and mold inspections?
Is dust being removed daily with a damp cloth?
Is the school being vacuumed using a HEPA filter daily?
Are the cleaning products used safe?
Are the building materials and furniture releasing harmful chemicals?
Is food being properly stored?
Is an optimal humidity level (between 30 and 50 percent) being maintained?
Are there school-ready air purifiers on the premises?

Parents should visit their child's school to find out what trigger sources are present. Parents can also talk to the school about what they can do to limit allergens, such as keeping windows shut on high pollen days or limiting carpets in the classroom.

Parents should visit their child's school to find out what trigger sources are present.

Parents can also suggest a classroom project to identify trigger sources and get students involved in recognizing what contributes to good indoor air quality. Plan for clean air when creating your school shopping list.

For college students, finding the best air purifier for dorm rooms will help reduce exposure to airborne pollutants. Even a small HEPA air purifier for dorm life could make a huge difference if placed at a desk or beside a bed.

Other steps parents can take

Before school starts, schedule an appointment with your child’s physician or board-certified allergist.
Have a fully documented asthma plan: Develop your child’s plan with the physician or board-certified allergist. Each plan is specific to each child.
Never rely on home remedies for allergies and asthma, unless your doctor says it’s okay.
If your child’s asthma is severe, ensure there’s a peak flow meter available. Be sure your child and the school staff are comfortable using it.
Ensure there’s an up-to-date rescue albuterol inhaler at the school.
If your child has exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB), let the school know they need to use their albuterol inhaler before exercise.
Download an air quality app and track local air quality.
Consider getting an air quality monitor for your child’s classroom. Connect it to the school’s Wi-Fi and check the air quality from your phone or desktop.

The takeaway

Although you can’t completely control allergens and asthma triggers outside your home, you can take steps to keep your child as safe as possible. By actively monitoring air quality, asking school administrators to take proactive actions, and getting an air purifier for college students, parents can help minimize asthma and allergy flare-ups for their children.

","a-parents-complete-guide-to-managing-asthma-and-allergies-at-school","gid://shopify/Article/606883479851","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/a-parents-complete-guide-to-managing-asthma-and-allergies-at-school","2024-04-15T07:00:00Z",[390,1146,1264],"Parents","A parent’s complete guide to managing asthma and allergies at school",{"_10":1267,"_243":1268,"_246":1269,"_248":1182,"_244":1183},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/408040210806","Children in classroom","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/AQL_BTS_Kids_v2_1_a79d9829-b39a-4634-b68e-962d5835e56f.webp?v=1757448178",{"_1124":1125,"_1126":1271,"_1115":1272,"_1131":1273,"_1133":1273,"_1134":1274,"_1136":1275,"_985":1276,"_10":1277,"_1140":1278,"_1142":-5,"_1143":1279,"_577":1280,"_541":1281,"_1148":1282},{"_12":1128},{"_985":1130},"See our 6 simple tips to keep the air clean to make your next date night a healthy one.","When planning for date night this Valentine’s Day, whether it’s a quiet night in or a romantic adventure out on the town, most people consider only what’s for dinner, which movie is playing, and perhaps what type of valentine gift is most appropriate. However, the gift of good health is the most romantic one of all, especially considering this is the time of year when the air is still crisp and everyone seems to be getting sick. Love is in the air! Read on for 6 essential clean air tips that are sure to make any outing healthier, more enjoyable, and ultimately more romantic. Tip 1. Flowers are great, but choose wisely Remember that some flowers have a drawback for people with allergies, asthma, or multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS): pollen and fragrance. To avoid triggering allergies or asthma in the person you are giving flowers to, choose options that do not release significant amounts of pollen into the air. There are many flower options that are better for people with these conditions, as they produce less pollen: Better Choices: begonias day lilies petunias roses tulips Worse Choices: daisies chrysanthemums sunflowers baby’s breath (single-flower variety) marigolds foxgloves Those who suffer from MCS often find floral fragrance problematic, causing headaches, fatigue, rashes, and other unpleasant symptoms. Even lightly scented flowers can trigger a reaction. In this case, giving the wrong flowers may not be the best of date night ideas. All flowers emit a scent – volatile organic compounds or VOCs – to attract birds and insects for pollination. So, when choosing flowers, it’s better to choose less fragrant varieties. There are several flowers that should be either preferred or avoided for people with MCS: Better choices (less fragrant) tulips dahlias sunflowers hibiscus least fragrant rose varieties (such as cherry parfait) Worse choices (more fragrant) jasmine gardenias hyacinth lilac baby's breath daisies lilies - Stargazer, Casablanca, and lily of the valley highly fragrant rose varieties (such as amoretto) And if you are the recipient of flowers and have allergies or suffer from MCS, you can still enjoy them in your home while protecting yourself from negative effects. Consider running an air purifier for allergies. If you have been diagnosed with MCS, you may want to turn on an air purifier for MCS. Tip 2. Optimise air quality in the car Car rides to and from date night destinations are great opportunities to chat and get to know each other better, but beware: pollutant levels are often higher inside vehicles, as cars take in emissions from surrounding vehicles and recirculate them. Pollutant levels are often higher inside vehicles. Vehicle exhaust is a combination of dangerous pollutants, including: nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and ultrafine particles, which is the most numerous of airborne particles and also the most dangerous to your health. And avoiding pollutants is one of the most important date night ideas. Solutions Maintain a safe distance from vehicles in front of you, particularly diesel trucks. When you’re in traffic or at a stop sign or light, close your windows, keep some distance from the vehicle in front of you, and put your air on recirculate. Opt for less crowded roads with fewer traffic lights, even if it takes a bit longer. Attempt to avoid rush hour traffic on busy roads or highways during peak hours. Avoid car air fresheners or deodorisers. They are full of harmful VOCs and make your air quality worse – not better. Improve air quality in your car by using a car air purifier with HyperHEPA Plus particle filtration technology to trap ultrafine particles and capture airborne pollutants in your car interior. Tip 3. Enjoy romantic home-cooked meals together but cook with care Everyone loves a romantic dinner for two. It’s one of the classic date night ideas. But be careful - gas stoves can add dangerous pollutants to the air, such as nitrogen dioxide, which can be harmful to inhale (1). Solutions Use ventilation fans when you cook. If you have a gas oven and stove, use electric cooking appliances such as a small oven or microwave when possible instead Use a personal air purifier when cooking to ensure your personal breathing zone is safe Tip 4. Avoid burning candles, scented or not Lighted candles are a common way to enhance an amorous atmosphere, but they can add volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and ultrafine particles to your air. In fact, scented candles, which usually use artificial fragrances and dyes, can emit VOCs even when unlit (2). Solutions To fill your house with alluring scents without adding contaminants to the air: Simmer fragrant spices like cinnamon sticks, cloves, and nutmeg in a pot of water Diffuse essential oils (try to avoid fragrance oils that contain artificial ingredients) Place containers of potpourri around your home Tip 5. Using your fire place might not be the hottest of date ideas It’s true, fire places create a romantic atmosphere and many people enjoy cuddling up with their partner next to a burning fire. But fire places, even gas-burning models, can significantly increase the number of airborne contaminants in your home. Firewood smoke in particular has been linked to strokes, heart disease, and lung cancer (3) (4). And wood-burning fire places also create dust and ash that not only make a mess, but they can also irritate airways and provoke asthma and allergy symptoms. Solutions The best way to prevent a fire place from harming your indoor air quality is to not use it. But if that isn’t possible: Use an air purifier in the room where the fire place is For wood-burning fire places (5): Use wood, preferably hardwood, that was split, dried, and covered for at least six months Regularly clean your fire place’s interior to remove the dust and ash while wearing a high-quality protective face mask to avoid breathing in these harmful particles Make sure your air purifier is specifically designed to remove smoke and odors from the air Firewood smoke has been linked to strokes, heart disease, and lung cancer. Tip 6. Take necessary precautions at large-scale gatherings Most of us enjoy a night out at the theatre. When it comes to fun date ideas, going to see a movie or attending a concert is common. However, large-scale events with lots of attendees can be problematic. During the winter months, it’s possible for multiple illnesses to be prevalent at the same time, such as the flu, Covid-19, and RSV. And with flu and RSV risks colliding with reduced COVID-19 immunisation and with many not keeping up on boosters, there is an amplified need to be attentive to prevention strategies. Not to worry, though, you can still be prepared and stay safe during a big night out in public: Practice social distancing by maintaining six feet or greater distance between yourself and others in public when possible Keep up on vaccinations and stay on top of timely vaccination booster shots Wear a mask; ideally, a K95 / N95 / FFP2 respirator in especially congested public spaces Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching the eyes, nose, and mouth. Conclusion Maintaining good indoor air quality for date nights might not seem like the most romantic prospect. But, after using a little extra foresight and putting in some effort, you and your loved one will be equipped to better enjoy your time together. After all, healthier date night ideas create more enjoyable date nights. And when love is in the air (instead of harmful pollutants), the greatest Valentine’s gifts of all are good health and peace of mind.","

When planning for date night this Valentine’s Day, whether it’s a quiet night in or a romantic adventure out on the town, most people consider only what’s for dinner, which movie is playing, and perhaps what type of valentine gift is most appropriate.

However, the gift of good health is the most romantic one of all, especially considering this is the time of year when the air is still crisp and everyone seems to be getting sick.

Love is in the air! Read on for 6 essential clean air tips that are sure to make any outing healthier, more enjoyable, and ultimately more romantic.

Tip 1. Flowers are great, but choose wisely

Remember that some flowers have a drawback for people with allergies, asthma, or multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS): pollen and fragrance.

To avoid triggering allergies or asthma in the person you are giving flowers to, choose options that do not release significant amounts of pollen into the air. There are many flower options that are better for people with these conditions, as they produce less pollen:

Better Choices:

begonias
day lilies
petunias
roses
tulips

Worse Choices:

daisies
chrysanthemums
sunflowers
baby’s breath (single-flower variety)
marigolds
foxgloves

Those who suffer from MCS often find floral fragrance problematic, causing headaches, fatigue, rashes, and other unpleasant symptoms. Even lightly scented flowers can trigger a reaction. In this case, giving the wrong flowers may not be the best of date night ideas.

All flowers emit a scent – volatile organic compounds or VOCs – to attract birds and insects for pollination. So, when choosing flowers, it’s better to choose less fragrant varieties. There are several flowers that should be either preferred or avoided for people with MCS:

Better choices (less fragrant)

tulips
dahlias
sunflowers
hibiscus
least fragrant rose varieties (such as cherry parfait)

Worse choices (more fragrant)

jasmine
gardenias
hyacinth
lilac
baby's breath
daisies
lilies - Stargazer, Casablanca, and lily of the valley
highly fragrant rose varieties (such as amoretto)

And if you are the recipient of flowers and have allergies or suffer from MCS, you can still enjoy them in your home while protecting yourself from negative effects.

Consider running an air purifier for allergies.\n
If you have been diagnosed with MCS, you may want to turn on an air purifier for MCS.\n

Tip 2. Optimise air quality in the car

Car rides to and from date night destinations are great opportunities to chat and get to know each other better, but beware: pollutant levels are often higher inside vehicles, as cars take in emissions from surrounding vehicles and recirculate them.

Pollutant levels are often higher inside vehicles.

Vehicle exhaust is a combination of dangerous pollutants, including: nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and ultrafine particles, which is the most numerous of airborne particles and also the most dangerous to your health. And avoiding pollutants is one of the most important date night ideas.

Solutions

\nMaintain a safe distance from vehicles in front of you, particularly diesel trucks.
\nWhen you’re in traffic or at a stop sign or light, close your windows, keep some distance from the vehicle in front of you, and put your air on recirculate.
\nOpt for less crowded roads with fewer traffic lights, even if it takes a bit longer. Attempt to avoid rush hour traffic on busy roads or highways during peak hours.
\nAvoid car air fresheners or deodorisers. They are full of harmful VOCs and make your air quality worse – not better.
\nImprove air quality in your car by using a car air purifier with HyperHEPA Plus particle filtration technology to trap ultrafine particles and capture airborne pollutants in your car interior.

Tip 3. Enjoy romantic home-cooked meals together but cook with care

Everyone loves a romantic dinner for two. It’s one of the classic date night ideas. But be careful - gas stoves can add dangerous pollutants to the air, such as nitrogen dioxide, which can be harmful to inhale (1).

Solutions

Use ventilation fans when you cook.
If you have a gas oven and stove, use electric cooking appliances such as a small oven or microwave when possible instead
Use a personal air purifier when cooking to ensure your personal breathing zone is safe

Tip 4. Avoid burning candles, scented or not

Lighted candles are a common way to enhance an amorous atmosphere, but they can add volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and ultrafine particles to your air.

In fact, scented candles, which usually use artificial fragrances and dyes, can emit VOCs even when unlit (2).

Solutions

To fill your house with alluring scents without adding contaminants to the air:

Simmer fragrant spices like cinnamon sticks, cloves, and nutmeg in a pot of water
Diffuse essential oils (try to avoid fragrance oils that contain artificial ingredients)
Place containers of potpourri around your home

Tip 5. Using your fire place might not be the hottest of date ideas

It’s true, fire places create a romantic atmosphere and many people enjoy cuddling up with their partner next to a burning fire.

But fire places, even gas-burning models, can significantly increase the number of airborne contaminants in your home.

Firewood smoke in particular has been linked to strokes, heart disease, and lung cancer (3) (4).

And wood-burning fire places also create dust and ash that not only make a mess, but they can also irritate airways and provoke asthma and allergy symptoms.

Solutions

The best way to prevent a fire place from harming your indoor air quality is to not use it. But if that isn’t possible:

Use an air purifier in the room where the fire place is

For wood-burning fire places (5):

Use wood, preferably hardwood, that was split, dried, and covered for at least six months
Regularly clean your fire place’s interior to remove the dust and ash while wearing a high-quality protective face mask to avoid breathing in these harmful particles
Make sure your air purifier is specifically designed to remove smoke and odors from the air

Firewood smoke has been linked to strokes, heart disease, and lung cancer.

Tip 6. Take necessary precautions at large-scale gatherings

Most of us enjoy a night out at the theatre. When it comes to fun date ideas, going to see a movie or attending a concert is common. However, large-scale events with lots of attendees can be problematic.

During the winter months, it’s possible for multiple illnesses to be prevalent at the same time, such as the flu, Covid-19, and RSV. And with flu and RSV risks colliding with reduced COVID-19 immunisation and with many not keeping up on boosters, there is an amplified need to be attentive to prevention strategies.

Not to worry, though, you can still be prepared and stay safe during a big night out in public:

\nPractice social distancing by maintaining six feet or greater distance between yourself and others in public when possible
\nKeep up on vaccinations and stay on top of timely vaccination booster shots
\nWear a mask; ideally, a K95 / N95 / FFP2 respirator in especially congested public spaces
\nWash your hands frequently and avoid touching the eyes, nose, and mouth.

Conclusion

Maintaining good indoor air quality for date nights might not seem like the most romantic prospect. But, after using a little extra foresight and putting in some effort, you and your loved one will be equipped to better enjoy your time together. After all, healthier date night ideas create more enjoyable date nights. And when love is in the air (instead of harmful pollutants), the greatest Valentine’s gifts of all are good health and peace of mind.

","6-clean-air-tips-for-your-next-date-night","gid://shopify/Article/607118131499","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/6-clean-air-tips-for-your-next-date-night","2024-02-05T23:00:00Z",[390,1146,653],"Date Night Ideas: 6 Clean Air Tips for a Healthier Evening",{"_10":1283,"_243":1284,"_246":1285,"_248":1165,"_244":1166},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/406803448182","Couple embracing near heart-shaped flowers","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/AQL_DateNightCleanAirTips_Desk_6f7d8df3-2a73-429f-81f3-7e94a1ba62fa.jpg?v=1753435354",{"_1124":1125,"_1126":1287,"_1115":1288,"_1131":1289,"_1133":1289,"_1134":1290,"_1136":1291,"_985":1292,"_10":1293,"_1140":1294,"_1142":-5,"_1143":1295,"_577":1296,"_541":1297,"_1148":1298},{"_12":1128},{"_985":1130},"Classroom learning environments are facing new realities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn how to help keep students safe and learn their best.","Doing back-to-school shopping will now be like never before as students go back into classrooms and face new challenges in learning safely and successfully. Clean air is critical to helping prevent infections in classrooms – but clean air also has many benefits that can improve learning outcomes by reducing airborne pollutants like allergens, asthma triggers, and particle pollutants like PM2.5 that can cause long-term harm to your child’s health. And school-ready air purifiers can prove to be clean air essentials for back-to-school planning. Here are 7 tips to help keep children safe, healthy, and high performing using clean air in classrooms and for planning those back-to-school dorm room essentials for college students. 7 Tips to help keep your child safe in the classroom Here are 7 tips to help your child stay safe in the classroom during the school year: 1. Send your child to school equipped to take precautions. Make sure they have a clean mask, hand sanitizer, and personal, reusable water bottle to reduce contact with possibly contaminated surfaces. 2. Urge your children to follow guidelines for social distancing. Many schools no longer allow students to sit in close proximity to each other in the classroom or anywhere on campus. Help your child understand that staying apart from others helps keep them safe from becoming sick. 3. Make sure your child knows good hygiene practices by heart. Go over washing your hands for 20 seconds, coughing or sneezing into a tissue or elbow, and using hand sanitizer whenever they touch a shared surface or blow their nose. 4. DO NOT send your child to school with a fever or flu-like symptoms. COVID-19 and other airborne infections spread easily among children and can be more dangerous if your child is sick with any other illnesses. 5. Contact your child’s pediatrician right away if they have any COVID-19 symptoms, such as coughing, fever, or shortness of breath. Immediate treatment for COVID-19 can help stop the virus from spreading and can prevent long-term health complications. 6. Help your child learn how to communicate with teachers about their health, anxiety, and stress. Your child may feel uncomfortable in a classroom with new rules and fresh fears about getting sick. Help them feel comfortable expressing their feelings and asking for help when they need it. 7. Work with school administration and staff to learn how you can help. Make sure the school clearly displays appropriate COVID-19 guidelines where anyone entering the campus can see. Share concerns about your child or their environment with teachers and administrators. Empower your child and school staff to help address bullying or stigma around COVID-19 precautions If your child is especially at risk for severe COVID-19 symptoms, you might consider sending your child to class with a personal air purifier. Access to clean air in their immediate environment, such as their desk in class, can help protect your child from airborne infections, allergens, asthma triggers, and harmful particles. Atem Desk removes up to 99% of pollutants down to 0.003 microns and can be equipped with accessories, such as a carrying case and portable power bank, that can help your child have access to clean air throughout the school day. It’s also a compact air purifier for students living on campus. Why should I be concerned about indoor air quality? Going back to the classroom can face your family and your child with a great deal of uncertainty. In addition to COVID-19, many schools experience major indoor air quality issues (1). Older school facilities are especially a problem, as many have fallen into disrepair and are built of old materials that can pose a huge air quality risk (2). Even newer school facilities can be problematic, using building materials and indoor furnishings that off gas formaldehyde and chemicals into indoor air (3). And don’t forget dorm room, where back-to-school healthy dorm living is a concern. No matter the age or state of repair of your school, indoor air can be filled with pollutants from numerous indoor and outdoor sources, including (4) (5) (6): dust pollen from plants and trees that seeps indoors mold growing in moist areas particulate matter from vehicle pollution and factory emissions bacteria growing on dirty surfaces virus material that can survive on some surfaces for up to 72 hours gases from appliances like stoves, oven, and stovetop burners chemicals used in household cleaners pet dander If left uncontrolled, indoor air pollutants can have two major effects on your child’s learning. First, many indoor air pollutants can trigger allergies and asthma. Mold and dampness alone can increase episodes of severe allergy and asthma symptoms by up to 50% (7). Mold and dampness can increase instances of severe allergy and asthma symptoms by up to 50%. Research suggests that allergies and asthma can have a huge impact on your child’s ability to learn (8) (9) (10) (11): a 1993 study suggested that asthma is linked to physical and psychological effects that can make it harder for children to perform on school work a 2016 study in Norway found that minor increases in pollen levels can reduce individual test scores up to 2.5%, with decreases even higher for students with pollen allergies a 2017 study in Sweden found that common pollutants like pet dander and dust from cleaning can worsen asthma symptoms and increase anxiety about symptoms in children that causes them to lose focus on school a 2019 study illustrated a link between missing school because of asthma and poor learning outcomes that get worse as you get older, especially if you live in dense, urban areas with high levels of pollution Second, indoor air pollution can put stress on your child’s brain that limits their cognitive function and ability to focus. Indoor air pollution can put stress on your child’s brain that limits their cognitive function and ability to focus. Here are some recent studies that link indoor air quality and learning outcomes (12) (13) (14) (15): a 2018 study found that ultrafine particles (UFPs) from smoke and car exhaust can go straight into your central nervous system, causing brain damage throughout your life a 2018 study using air quality data in China found that minor changes in particulate pollution levels can drastically impact verbal and math scores in children over 10, with verbal tests affected significantly more than math tests a 2018 review suggests that air pollution causes children to be born with lower IQs, and certain pollutants cause specific cognitive impairments: for example, PM2.5 lowers verbal learning, while nitrogen dioxide (NO2) lowers short-term memory a 2019 study found that short-term exposure to PM2.5 from common indoor sources like candles can significantly reduce cognitive performance on tests involving memory, attention, and language Indoor air pollution, especially PM2.5, can also cause immune system responses that make your child more susceptible to bacterial and viral infections, including COVID-19. Indoor air pollution can cause immune system responses that make your child more susceptible to bacterial and viral infections, including COVID-19. The takeaway Millions of children and teachers going back into classrooms following an unprecedented global pandemic may not know exactly what to expect. Make sure that among their school essentials are air purifiers for kids’ rooms and air purifiers for school safety. Take precautions to help keep your child safe, healthy, and focused on their learning in the classroom. And be sure to choose the best air purifier for college dorm rooms. Work with your child’s teachers and other parents to decide how best to help protect your child and ensure their ongoing success.","

Doing back-to-school shopping will now be like never before as students go back into classrooms and face new challenges in learning safely and successfully.

Clean air is critical to helping prevent infections in classrooms – but clean air also has many benefits that can improve learning outcomes by reducing airborne pollutants like allergens, asthma triggers, and particle pollutants like PM2.5 that can cause long-term harm to your child’s health. And school-ready air purifiers can prove to be clean air essentials for back-to-school planning.

Here are 7 tips to help keep children safe, healthy, and high performing using clean air in classrooms and for planning those back-to-school dorm room essentials for college students.

7 Tips to help keep your child safe in the classroom

Here are 7 tips to help your child stay safe in the classroom during the school year:

1. Send your child to school equipped to take precautions. Make sure they have a clean mask, hand sanitizer, and personal, reusable water bottle to reduce contact with possibly contaminated surfaces.

2. Urge your children to follow guidelines for social distancing. Many schools no longer allow students to sit in close proximity to each other in the classroom or anywhere on campus. Help your child understand that staying apart from others helps keep them safe from becoming sick.

3. Make sure your child knows good hygiene practices by heart. Go over washing your hands for 20 seconds, coughing or sneezing into a tissue or elbow, and using hand sanitizer whenever they touch a shared surface or blow their nose.

4. DO NOT send your child to school with a fever or flu-like symptoms. COVID-19 and other airborne infections spread easily among children and can be more dangerous if your child is sick with any other illnesses.

5. Contact your child’s pediatrician right away if they have any COVID-19 symptoms, such as coughing, fever, or shortness of breath. Immediate treatment for COVID-19 can help stop the virus from spreading and can prevent long-term health complications.

6. Help your child learn how to communicate with teachers about their health, anxiety, and stress. Your child may feel uncomfortable in a classroom with new rules and fresh fears about getting sick. Help them feel comfortable expressing their feelings and asking for help when they need it.

7. Work with school administration and staff to learn how you can help. Make sure the school clearly displays appropriate COVID-19 guidelines where anyone entering the campus can see. Share concerns about your child or their environment with teachers and administrators. Empower your child and school staff to help address bullying or stigma around COVID-19 precautions

If your child is especially at risk for severe COVID-19 symptoms, you might consider sending your child to class with a personal air purifier. Access to clean air in their immediate environment, such as their desk in class, can help protect your child from airborne infections, allergens, asthma triggers, and harmful particles.

Atem Desk removes up to 99% of pollutants down to 0.003 microns and can be equipped with accessories, such as a carrying case and portable power bank, that can help your child have access to clean air throughout the school day. It’s also a compact air purifier for students living on campus.

Why should I be concerned about indoor air quality?

Going back to the classroom can face your family and your child with a great deal of uncertainty.

In addition to COVID-19, many schools experience major indoor air quality issues (1).

Older school facilities are especially a problem, as many have fallen into disrepair and are built of old materials that can pose a huge air quality risk (2).

Even newer school facilities can be problematic, using building materials and indoor furnishings that off gas formaldehyde and chemicals into indoor air (3). And don’t forget dorm room, where back-to-school healthy dorm living is a concern.

No matter the age or state of repair of your school, indoor air can be filled with pollutants from numerous indoor and outdoor sources, including (4) (5) (6):

dust
\npollen from plants and trees that seeps indoors
\nmold growing in moist areas
particulate matter from vehicle pollution and factory emissions
bacteria growing on dirty surfaces
virus material that can survive on some surfaces for up to 72 hours
gases from appliances like stoves, oven, and stovetop burners\n
chemicals used in household cleaners
pet dander

If left uncontrolled, indoor air pollutants can have two major effects on your child’s learning.

First, many indoor air pollutants can trigger allergies and asthma. Mold and dampness alone can increase episodes of severe allergy and asthma symptoms by up to 50% (7).

Mold and dampness can increase instances of severe allergy and asthma symptoms by up to 50%.

Research suggests that allergies and asthma can have a huge impact on your child’s ability to learn (8) (9) (10) (11):

a 1993 study suggested that asthma is linked to physical and psychological effects that can make it harder for children to perform on school work
a 2016 study in Norway found that minor increases in pollen levels can reduce individual test scores up to 2.5%, with decreases even higher for students with pollen allergies
a 2017 study in Sweden found that common pollutants like pet dander and dust from cleaning can worsen asthma symptoms and increase anxiety about symptoms in children that causes them to lose focus on school
a 2019 study illustrated a link between missing school because of asthma and poor learning outcomes that get worse as you get older, especially if you live in dense, urban areas with high levels of pollution

Second, indoor air pollution can put stress on your child’s brain that limits their cognitive function and ability to focus.

Indoor air pollution can put stress on your child’s brain that limits their cognitive function and ability to focus.

Here are some recent studies that link indoor air quality and learning outcomes (12) (13) (14) (15):

a 2018 study found that ultrafine particles (UFPs) from smoke and car exhaust can go straight into your central nervous system, causing brain damage throughout your life
a 2018 study using air quality data in China found that minor changes in particulate pollution levels can drastically impact verbal and math scores in children over 10, with verbal tests affected significantly more than math tests
a 2018 review suggests that air pollution causes children to be born with lower IQs, and certain pollutants cause specific cognitive impairments: for example, PM2.5 lowers verbal learning, while nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) lowers short-term memory\n
a 2019 study found that short-term exposure to PM2.5 from common indoor sources like candles can significantly reduce cognitive performance on tests involving memory, attention, and language

Indoor air pollution, especially PM2.5, can also cause immune system responses that make your child more susceptible to bacterial and viral infections, including COVID-19.

Indoor air pollution can cause immune system responses that make your child more susceptible to bacterial and viral infections, including COVID-19.

The takeaway

Millions of children and teachers going back into classrooms following an unprecedented global pandemic may not know exactly what to expect. Make sure that among their school essentials are air purifiers for kids’ rooms and air purifiers for school safety.

Take precautions to help keep your child safe, healthy, and focused on their learning in the classroom. And be sure to choose the best air purifier for college dorm rooms.

Work with your child’s teachers and other parents to decide how best to help protect your child and ensure their ongoing success.

","7-back-to-school-clean-air-tips-for-classrooms","gid://shopify/Article/606888591659","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/7-back-to-school-clean-air-tips-for-classrooms","2024-01-20T08:00:00Z",[1146,653],"7 Back to School Clean Air Tips for Classrooms",{"_10":1299,"_243":1300,"_246":1301,"_248":1302,"_244":1303},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/408040145270","girl in class with laptop","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/BTS_CAI_GirlComp_Desktop_520x500_41a66537-7798-44d1-89eb-04564ef35c26.jpg?v=1757447406",520,271,{"_1124":1125,"_1126":1305,"_1115":1306,"_1131":1307,"_1133":1307,"_1134":1308,"_1136":1309,"_985":1310,"_10":1311,"_1140":1312,"_1142":-5,"_1143":1313,"_577":1314,"_541":1315,"_1148":1316},{"_12":1128},{"_985":1130},"Gathering in front of a roaring fireplace with family and friends and spending time with family pets are just a few of the memories you look forward to making this holiday season. But many holiday traditions can affect your Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), trigg","Most of us enjoy gathering in front of a roaring fireplace with family, friends, and pets during the holiday season. Unfortunately, many holiday traditions like these can affect your indoor air quality, triggering allergies and asthma. What causes winter allergies? Many particles and chemicals in your home can trigger allergy and asthma symptoms. The biggest culprits of holiday allergies include fireplace smoke, mold, artificial scents, pet dander, and dust mites. Fireplaces Smoke from wood-burning fireplaces contains tiny, harmful particles that can be inhaled and absorbed into your lungs and bloodstream. This smoke can be just as harmful as smoke from cigarettes or cigars. Even breathing in a little wood smoke can cause headaches, coughing, wheezing and eye irritation. Wood smoke can significantly increase the number of particles in your home and cause health problems that last long after holidays are over. The effects of particles from wood smoke and other solid fuels are linked to 4 million premature deaths each year. Smoke can make heart and lung conditions worse and has been linked to strokes, heart disease, and lung cancer. Christmas trees Mold grows rapidly on moist, tightly packed Christmas trees after they’re cut, bundled, and shipped to tree sellers, where they often sit for weeks. Then, mold spores can spread as soon as you bring your tree inside. Christmas trees have been found to host over 50 types of mold, and their spores sometimes increase in concentration by over 600% in less than two weeks. This can cause an allergic reaction known as “Christmas Tree Syndrome,” which results in symptoms like: Coughing, sneezing and wheezing Runny, itchy or stuffy nose Dry, itchy or flaky skin Red, itchy or watery eyes Christmas trees have been found to host over 50 types of mold, and their spores sometimes increase in concentration by over 600% in less than two weeks. Christmas Tree Syndrome can be an even bigger problem in homes already filled with mold. Mold in older homes or homes in damp climates increase your risk of allergy and asthma symptoms by nearly 50%. Scented products Pine, pumpkin spice or cinnamon scents can make your home smell cozy and inviting. But many candles and air fresheners contain artificial fragrances and chemicals. When burned, scented candles can release formaldehyde, limonene and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These VOCs can make you dizzy and give you headaches or symptoms of allergies and asthma. Many air fresheners also use phthalates, which increase your risk of liver, kidney and reproductive conditions. Candles and air fresheners can also trigger symptoms of idiopathic environmental intolerances (IEI) is a medical condition in which your body is highly sensitive to chemicals in substances like fragrances, tobacco and cleaning supplies. With IEI, your body might react with symptoms like: Sore throat or cough Sinus and eye irritation Wheezing and fatigue Pet dander Dander from dogs, cats, birds or other furry animals can trigger allergic reactions. Pet dander is full of microscopic particles like dust, urine, saliva and dead skin. These particles can cause symptoms of allergies and asthma, such as coughing, sneezing, eye irritation, and skin rashes. Even dogs or cats advertised as “non-allergenic” still produce some dander that can irritate your allergies. Pet dander can stick to clothes, furniture, and carpets for a long time, causing symptoms long after you’ve been exposed to a pet. Dust mites Dust mites are tiny spider-like creatures that live on beds, carpets, and curtains in bedrooms and hotels. Dust mites eat dead skin flakes from you and your pets, and they thrive and multiply throughout the year when it’s warm and humid. Living dust mites don’t cause allergies, but their droppings can be inhaled, immediately causing allergy and asthma symptoms like wheezing and a runny nose. Dead dust mite bodies that become airborne can also trigger allergies. Dust mite bodies and droppings stick around in your mattress and pillows, too, and can cause allergy and asthma symptoms throughout the year. Turning on your HVAC system can stir up and spread mite droppings and bodies throughout your home, making symptoms worse. What can I do to prevent winter allergies during the holidays? Monitor indoor air quality with the AirVisual Pro by IQAir. Don’t burn wood in your home. If you do use firewood, make sure it’s been split, dried and covered for at least six months. If possible, use a wood stove with a HEPA filter. Open windows and use fans to ventilate your home when you cook, clean or burn candles. Clean your home regularly with a HEPA vacuum to keep allergens under control. Use an air purifier: Use an air purifier for allergens. The IQAir HealthPro Plus can stop allergens before you have a reaction. Use a special air purifier for MCS. The IQAir GC MultiGas can help you reduce chemicals in your home that trigger symptoms of MCS. Create a pure air breathing zone. The Atem Personal Air Purifier gives you pure, allergen-free air directly in homes without air purification systems. Winter allergies don’t have to make your holidays miserable. Put these tips into practice to keep your home inviting and healthy so that you and your family can enjoy the season.","

Most of us enjoy gathering in front of a roaring fireplace with family, friends, and pets during the holiday season. Unfortunately, many holiday traditions like these can affect your indoor air quality, triggering allergies and asthma.

What causes winter allergies?

Many particles and chemicals in your home can trigger allergy and asthma symptoms. The biggest culprits of holiday allergies include fireplace smoke, mold, artificial scents, pet dander, and dust mites.

Fireplaces

Smoke from wood-burning fireplaces contains tiny, harmful particles that can be inhaled and absorbed into your lungs and bloodstream. This smoke can be just as harmful as smoke from cigarettes or cigars. Even breathing in a little wood smoke can cause headaches, coughing, wheezing and eye irritation.

Wood smoke can significantly increase the number of particles in your home and cause health problems that last long after holidays are over. The effects of particles from wood smoke and other solid fuels are linked to 4 million premature deaths each year. Smoke can make heart and lung conditions worse and has been linked to strokes, heart disease, and lung cancer.

Christmas trees

Mold grows rapidly on moist, tightly packed Christmas trees after they’re cut, bundled, and shipped to tree sellers, where they often sit for weeks. Then, mold spores can spread as soon as you bring your tree inside.

Christmas trees have been found to host over 50 types of mold, and their spores sometimes increase in concentration by over 600% in less than two weeks. This can cause an allergic reaction known as “Christmas Tree Syndrome,” which results in symptoms like:

Coughing, sneezing and wheezing
Runny, itchy or stuffy nose
Dry, itchy or flaky skin
Red, itchy or watery eyes

Christmas trees have been found to host over 50 types of mold, and their spores sometimes increase in concentration by over 600% in less than two weeks.

Christmas Tree Syndrome can be an even bigger problem in homes already filled with mold. Mold in older homes or homes in damp climates increase your risk of allergy and asthma symptoms by nearly 50%.

Scented products

Pine, pumpkin spice or cinnamon scents can make your home smell cozy and inviting. But many candles and air fresheners contain artificial fragrances and chemicals.

When burned, scented candles can release formaldehyde, limonene and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These VOCs can make you dizzy and give you headaches or symptoms of allergies and asthma. Many air fresheners also use phthalates, which increase your risk of liver, kidney and reproductive conditions.

Candles and air fresheners can also trigger symptoms of idiopathic environmental intolerances (IEI) is a medical condition in which your body is highly sensitive to chemicals in substances like fragrances, tobacco and cleaning supplies. With IEI, your body might react with symptoms like:

Sore throat or cough
Sinus and eye irritation
Wheezing and fatigue

Pet dander

Dander from dogs, cats, birds or other furry animals can trigger allergic reactions. Pet dander is full of microscopic particles like dust, urine, saliva and dead skin. These particles can cause symptoms of allergies and asthma, such as coughing, sneezing, eye irritation, and skin rashes.

Even dogs or cats advertised as “non-allergenic” still produce some dander that can irritate your allergies. Pet dander can stick to clothes, furniture, and carpets for a long time, causing symptoms long after you’ve been exposed to a pet.

Dust mites

Dust mites are tiny spider-like creatures that live on beds, carpets, and curtains in bedrooms and hotels. Dust mites eat dead skin flakes from you and your pets, and they thrive and multiply throughout the year when it’s warm and humid. Living dust mites don’t cause allergies, but their droppings can be inhaled, immediately causing allergy and asthma symptoms like wheezing and a runny nose.

Dead dust mite bodies that become airborne can also trigger allergies. Dust mite bodies and droppings stick around in your mattress and pillows, too, and can cause allergy and asthma symptoms throughout the year. Turning on your HVAC system can stir up and spread mite droppings and bodies throughout your home, making symptoms worse.

What can I do to prevent winter allergies during the holidays?

\nMonitor indoor air quality with the AirVisual Pro by IQAir.
\nDon’t burn wood in your home. If you do use firewood, make sure it’s been split, dried and covered for at least six months. If possible, use a wood stove with a HEPA filter.
\nOpen windows and use fans to ventilate your home when you cook, clean or burn candles.
\nClean your home regularly with a HEPA vacuum to keep allergens under control.
\nUse an air purifier:\n
- \nUse an air purifier for allergens. The IQAir HealthPro Plus can stop allergens before you have a reaction.
- \nUse a special air purifier for MCS. The IQAir GC MultiGas can help you reduce chemicals in your home that trigger symptoms of MCS.
- \nCreate a pure air breathing zone. The Atem Personal Air Purifier gives you pure, allergen-free air directly in homes without air purification systems.
\n

Winter allergies don’t have to make your holidays miserable. Put these tips into practice to keep your home inviting and healthy so that you and your family can enjoy the season.

","help-prevent-winter-allergies-during-the-holidays","gid://shopify/Article/606882660651","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/help-prevent-winter-allergies-during-the-holidays","2023-10-10T15:13:02Z",[390,1146,653],"What causes winter allergies and how to prevent them",{"_10":1317,"_243":1318,"_246":1319,"_248":1165,"_244":1166},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/405599093110","woman suffering winter allergies","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/120617_holiday_iaq_d99ef780-3b43-48d6-9db4-684392d3443b.jpg?v=1749210300",{"_1124":1125,"_1126":1321,"_1115":1322,"_1131":1323,"_1133":1323,"_1134":1324,"_1136":1325,"_985":1326,"_10":1327,"_1140":1328,"_1142":-5,"_1143":1329,"_577":1330,"_541":1331,"_1148":1332},{"_12":1128},{"_985":1130},"Stay ahead of allergies with IQAir's AirVisual platform, now enhanced to feature real-time pollen data.","IQAir’s AirVisual platform, the leading air quality platform, is excited to announce the addition of a new feature: Pollen Data. With this enhancement, users gain valuable, real-time insights on pollen levels, empowering them to effectively manage allergies. According to experts, approximately 15% of people suffer from pollen allergies, highlighting the significance and relevance of this new feature. The Pollen Data feature includes the following key highlights: Pollen Level Rating: AirVisual introduces a comprehensive pollen level rating system (0 – 4) that allows users to quickly assess local pollen severity. Pollen Types: Users gain valuable insights into the type of pollen in the air, accessing categorizations such as weeds, grasses, and trees. Real-time Daily Data & Alerts: Users access real-time pollen data, with customizable alerts. 3-day Forecast: 3-day pollen forecast allows users to anticipate changes in pollen activity and take proactive measures to mitigate allergies. \"We are thrilled to introduce Pollen Data to our users,\" said Frank Hammes, Global CEO at IQAir. \"This feature will provide valuable insights into pollen levels and types, enabling users to better manage their allergies. IQAir’s mission is to empower individuals to breathe cleaner air, and now that Pollen Data is available on IQAir’s AirVisual platform, we are closer to achieving that goal.\"","

IQAir’s AirVisual platform, the leading air quality platform, is excited to announce the addition of a new feature: Pollen Data. With this enhancement, users gain valuable, real-time insights on pollen levels, empowering them to effectively manage allergies.

According to experts, approximately 15% of people suffer from pollen allergies, highlighting the significance and relevance of this new feature.

The Pollen Data feature includes the following key highlights:

\nPollen Level Rating: AirVisual introduces a comprehensive pollen level rating system (0 – 4) that allows users to quickly assess local pollen severity.
\nPollen Types: Users gain valuable insights into the type of pollen in the air, accessing categorizations such as weeds, grasses, and trees.

$\"Los$

\nReal-time Daily Data & Alerts: Users access real-time pollen data, with customizable alerts.
\n3-day Forecast: 3-day pollen forecast allows users to anticipate changes in pollen activity and take proactive measures to mitigate allergies.

$\"Los$

\"We are thrilled to introduce Pollen Data to our users,\" said Frank Hammes, Global CEO at IQAir. \"This feature will provide valuable insights into pollen levels and types, enabling users to better manage their allergies. IQAir’s mission is to empower individuals to breathe cleaner air, and now that Pollen Data is available on IQAir’s AirVisual platform, we are closer to achieving that goal.\"

","airvisual-pollen-data","gid://shopify/Article/606875222315","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/airvisual-pollen-data","2023-07-20T15:14:25Z",[1146,653,848],"AirVisual now includes pollen data",{"_10":1333,"_243":1334,"_246":1335,"_248":1165,"_244":1166},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/406875177334","Woman holding dandelions in hand outside","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/AQL_Pollen_D_70b5da62-5987-4b4e-ad77-4509b8c17d90.jpg?v=1753776560","pageInfo",{"_1338":45,"_1339":53,"_1340":1341,"_1342":1343},"hasPreviousPage","hasNextPage","endCursor","eyJsYXN0X2lkIjo2MDY4NzUyMjIzMTUsImxhc3RfdmFsdWUiOjE2ODk4NjYwNjUwMDAsIm9mZnNldCI6MTF9","startCursor","eyJsYXN0X2lkIjo2MDY4NzIzMDU5NjMsImxhc3RfdmFsdWUiOjE3NzAxNzA2MjUwMDAsIm9mZnNldCI6MH0=","selectedTag","Allergies And Asthma",{"_541":1347,"_983":43,"_246":987,"_988":1348},"IQAir News - Allergies And Asthma",{"_990":991,"_992":1349,"_12":1347,"_983":43,"_246":987},"Blog","categorizedArticles",{"_1352":1353,"_1390":1391,"_1480":1481,"_1547":1548,"_1616":1617},"featured",[1354,1373],{"_1124":1125,"_1126":1355,"_1115":1356,"_1131":1357,"_1133":1358,"_1134":1359,"_1136":1360,"_985":1361,"_10":1362,"_1140":1363,"_1142":-5,"_1143":1364,"_577":1365,"_541":1367,"_1148":1368},{"_12":1128},{"_985":1130},"See how Cameroon’s campus-based air quality monitoring is helping students, teachers, and communities make invisible pollution visible.","

See how Cameroon’s campus-based air quality monitoring is helping students, teachers, and communities make invisible pollution visible.

","In Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon, students at Franky Comprehensive Secondary School now have access to something most schools in the country have never had before: real-time air quality data from their own campus. Franky Comprehensive Secondary School is home to Cameroon’s first campus-based real-time air quality monitoring station. This is an important step in a country where public access to pollution data has long been limited. At the time of installation, the station was among a small number of sites in Cameroon providing real-time air quality data—and the first to be installed on a school campus. Why a school was the right place to begin Air pollution is often discussed at the level of cities, countries, or global health reports. But for children, it is also deeply local. It affects the air they breathe on the way to school, during outdoor activities, and throughout the school day. That local reality is one reason the project began on a campus. The installation was carried out through a partnership involving Franky Comprehensive Secondary School and Global Youth Strategy on Air Pollution and Climate Health (GYS). According to Elvis Ndikum, founder and chair of GYS, schools are one of the most effective places to build long-term public awareness around respiratory health. Discussing asthma prevalence among adolescents, he points to air pollution as an environmental hazard that is often overlooked, even though children are especially vulnerable to its effects. Turning invisible pollution into something students can see The AirVisual Outdoor monitor installed at Franky Comprehensive Secondary School provides real-time measurements of PM2.5, PM10, PM1, temperature, and humidity. The campus’s station profile data can be viewed online on IQAir’s live air quality map and mobile app, allowing students, staff, families, and the wider community to follow local air conditions throughout the day. That kind of visibility changes the role air quality plays in school and community life. When students see PM2.5 levels rise on hazy days and drop again after rainfall, air pollution stops being abstract. It becomes something observable and immediate—something that helps explain why some days feel different than others, and why health protection might need to change with conditions. For many students, this may be the first time local air quality has felt tangible. It also creates a local baseline of publicly visible air quality data—something that can support awareness now and stronger health and policy conversations over time. Filling a major monitoring gap in Cameroon Cameroon has a population of roughly 29 million people, yet public access to real-time air quality monitoring has historically been very limited. That makes it harder for communities to understand exposure risks, for researchers to build evidence, and for decision-makers to respond effectively. In that context, the new campus station is significant far beyond the school itself. It adds a new source of publicly visible data in a country where monitoring coverage remains sparse—and where limited data can make pollution risks harder to quantify and address. The project shows how local organizations and educational institutions can help close critical data gaps—not only by hosting equipment, but by making air quality part of community awareness. In doing so, the project helps build a stronger culture of attention around air quality and respiratory health. The local partnership driving the project The project’s strength lies in its core collaborative partnership. GYS helps position air pollution not just as an environmental topic, but as a youth and public-health issue. Franky Comprehensive Secondary School provides a place where monitoring can directly support awareness, learning, and daily decision-making. Together, they have created a model that shows what school-based air quality visibility can look like in practice, connecting local public-health awareness with broader efforts to expand access to air quality data. A first step with wider meaning The station at Franky Comprehensive Secondary School is an important first step, but its significance lies in what it could lead to next. As more schools gain access to monitoring, the benefits can extend outward: stronger awareness, more localized data, better public understanding, and a clearer picture of air quality over time. For Cameroon, this project shows that even a single campus installation can begin to shift how communities understand the air around them. That matters because the first step in responding to air pollution is often the same everywhere: making local conditions visible. Conclusion Cameroon’s first campus air quality monitor shows how local leadership can turn air pollution from an unseen risk into something communities can observe, understand, and respond to. The installation is part of IQAir’s Schools4Earth initiative to expand access to air quality monitoring in educational communities. Through Schools4Earth, IQAir supports school-based monitoring projects that help students and teachers understand local air quality conditions while contributing to broader public visibility. In Cameroon, that framework helped support a project already rooted in local health awareness and community engagement. At Franky Comprehensive Secondary School, students and teachers now have access to real-time air quality information in a setting where that knowledge can shape awareness early and locally. The project highlights the role schools can play not only in education, but also in building the public-health visibility that stronger air quality action requires.","

In Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon, students at Franky Comprehensive Secondary School now have access to something most schools in the country have never had before: real-time air quality data from their own campus.

Franky Comprehensive Secondary School is home to Cameroon’s first campus-based real-time air quality monitoring station. This is an important step in a country where public access to pollution data has long been limited. At the time of installation, the station was among a small number of sites in Cameroon providing real-time air quality data—and the first to be installed on a school campus.

Why a school was the right place to begin

Air pollution is often discussed at the level of cities, countries, or global health reports. But for children, it is also deeply local. It affects the air they breathe on the way to school, during outdoor activities, and throughout the school day. That local reality is one reason the project began on a campus.

The installation was carried out through a partnership involving Franky Comprehensive Secondary School and Global Youth Strategy on Air Pollution and Climate Health (GYS).

According to Elvis Ndikum, founder and chair of GYS, schools are one of the most effective places to build long-term public awareness around respiratory health. Discussing asthma prevalence among adolescents, he points to air pollution as an environmental hazard that is often overlooked, even though children are especially vulnerable to its effects.

Turning invisible pollution into something students can see

The AirVisual Outdoor monitor installed at Franky Comprehensive Secondary School provides real-time measurements of PM2.5, PM10, PM1, temperature, and humidity.

The campus’s station profile data can be viewed online on IQAir’s live air quality map and mobile app, allowing students, staff, families, and the wider community to follow local air conditions throughout the day.

That kind of visibility changes the role air quality plays in school and community life. When students see PM2.5 levels rise on hazy days and drop again after rainfall, air pollution stops being abstract. It becomes something observable and immediate—something that helps explain why some days feel different than others, and why health protection might need to change with conditions.

For many students, this may be the first time local air quality has felt tangible. It also creates a local baseline of publicly visible air quality data—something that can support awareness now and stronger health and policy conversations over time.

Filling a major monitoring gap in Cameroon

Cameroon has a population of roughly 29 million people, yet public access to real-time air quality monitoring has historically been very limited. That makes it harder for communities to understand exposure risks, for researchers to build evidence, and for decision-makers to respond effectively.

In that context, the new campus station is significant far beyond the school itself. It adds a new source of publicly visible data in a country where monitoring coverage remains sparse—and where limited data can make pollution risks harder to quantify and address.

The project shows how local organizations and educational institutions can help close critical data gaps—not only by hosting equipment, but by making air quality part of community awareness. In doing so, the project helps build a stronger culture of attention around air quality and respiratory health.

The local partnership driving the project

The project’s strength lies in its core collaborative partnership. GYS helps position air pollution not just as an environmental topic, but as a youth and public-health issue. Franky Comprehensive Secondary School provides a place where monitoring can directly support awareness, learning, and daily decision-making. Together, they have created a model that shows what school-based air quality visibility can look like in practice, connecting local public-health awareness with broader efforts to expand access to air quality data.

A first step with wider meaning

The station at Franky Comprehensive Secondary School is an important first step, but its significance lies in what it could lead to next.

As more schools gain access to monitoring, the benefits can extend outward: stronger awareness, more localized data, better public understanding, and a clearer picture of air quality over time. For Cameroon, this project shows that even a single campus installation can begin to shift how communities understand the air around them.

That matters because the first step in responding to air pollution is often the same everywhere: making local conditions visible.

Conclusion

Cameroon’s first campus air quality monitor shows how local leadership can turn air pollution from an unseen risk into something communities can observe, understand, and respond to.

The installation is part of IQAir’s Schools4Earth initiative to expand access to air quality monitoring in educational communities. Through Schools4Earth, IQAir supports school-based monitoring projects that help students and teachers understand local air quality conditions while contributing to broader public visibility. In Cameroon, that framework helped support a project already rooted in local health awareness and community engagement.

At Franky Comprehensive Secondary School, students and teachers now have access to real-time air quality information in a setting where that knowledge can shape awareness early and locally. The project highlights the role schools can play not only in education, but also in building the public-health visibility that stronger air quality action requires.

","revealing-the-invisible-campus-air-quality-monitoring-cameroon","gid://shopify/Article/1000900952438","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/revealing-the-invisible-campus-air-quality-monitoring-cameroon","2026-04-22T17:38:02Z",[643,1366,648],"Featured articles","Revealing the Invisible: Campus air quality monitoring in Cameroon",{"_10":1369,"_243":-5,"_246":1370,"_248":1371,"_244":1372},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/414739464566","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/A_88a6fab2-72f4-4a7d-89e3-e1e4587baadc.jpg?v=1776879489",839,674,{"_1124":1125,"_1126":1374,"_1115":1375,"_1131":1376,"_1133":1377,"_1134":1378,"_1136":1379,"_985":1380,"_10":1381,"_1140":1382,"_1142":-5,"_1143":1383,"_577":1384,"_541":1385,"_1148":1386},{"_12":1128},{"_985":1130},"Find out whether running an air purifier all day is necessary, safe, and worth it for cleaner indoor air.","

Find out whether running an air purifier all day is necessary, safe, and worth it for cleaner indoor air.

","In most cases, yes. If your goal is to reduce all and any exposure to air pollution, running an air purifier throughout the day is the most effective approach. That’s because indoor air pollution is not a one-time event. Dust settles and gets stirred up again, cooking releases particles and gases, outdoor pollution seeps indoors, and people and pets continuously add new pollutants to the air. Running your air purifier continuously is one of the most effective ways to reduce many common airborne pollutants, including dust, allergens, smoke particles, some airborne microbes carried in droplets or aerosols, and—if the purifier includes the right gas-phase media—certain odors and VOCs. Modern air purifiers are generally designed for continuous operation. Many models also include quieter settings, automatic modes, or smart sensors that help balance air cleaning with energy use and noise. Why continuous operation is best for air quality Indoor air can contain higher concentrations of pollutants than outdoor air, due to poor ventilation, off-gassing from furniture and cleaning products, pet dander, and outdoor pollution seeping indoors. Even after you clean a room once, new pollutants keep entering and forming—so turning a purifier off for long stretches often means you’re letting the room “reload.” Unlike intermittent use, which allows pollutants to accumulate between cycles, all-day operation ensures that contaminants like PM2.5 – particulate matter measuring 2.5 microns in diameter or smaller – are constantly filtered out, providing consistent protection. This is especially true in urban areas, near busy roads, or during wildfire and high-pollution events. Energy, noise, and maintenance considerations Running an air purifier all day does use electricity, but many modern units are designed to do so efficiently—especially on lower or auto settings. In real life, operating cost depends on the model, fan speed, and how many hours per day it runs. Noise also matters. Most high-quality purifiers are quiet enough for everyday use on lower settings, which is why many people run them continuously in bedrooms, living rooms, and home offices. During smoke events or high-pollution periods, a higher fan speed may be worth the extra sound because it helps reduce particle levels more quickly. Continuous use can also mean filters load faster. That’s normal. The tradeoff is straightforward: more run time usually means cleaner air, but also more consistent maintenance. The best approach is to follow the manufacturer’s replacement guidance or filter-life indicator rather than guessing. When you might adjust your approach While all-day use is ideal, there are a few scenarios where you might adjust: Low-pollution periods: If outdoor air quality is excellent and your home is well-ventilated, you can run the purifier intermittently or use an automated mode to conserve energy. Unoccupied rooms: If a room is rarely used, you can turn the purifier off or set it to a lower fan speed. Budget constraints: If energy use is a concern, prioritize the rooms where you spend the most time—especially bedrooms and main living spaces—and use lower or automatic settings when pollution levels are lower. Best practices for all-day air purifier use For best results, place your air purifier where air can move freely around it and avoid blocking it with furniture or walls. In bedrooms, many people prefer to place the unit a few feet from the bed, so the airflow isn’t directed straight at them. If your air purifier has an automatic or smart mode, use it. These settings can raise fan speed when pollution increases and lower it when air is cleaner, helping balance performance, noise, and energy use. During wildfire smoke or heavy outdoor pollution, keep windows and doors closed so you’re not constantly pulling new contaminants into the room. And to maintain performance over time, replace filters according to the manufacturer’s guidance or the system’s filter-life indicator. Frequently Asked Questions Is it safe to run an air purifier all day?Yes, most modern filtration-based air purifiers are designed for continuous operation. Choose a model that does not intentionally generate ozone, keep airflow unobstructed, and follow routine maintenance guidance to keep performance steady. Will running an air purifier all day increase my electricity bill?The impact is usually minimal. Energy-efficient air purifiers often cost only a few dollars per month to run continuously, and automatic or smart modes can further reduce energy use by lowering fan speed as needed. Can I run an air purifier in my bedroom overnight?Yes. Many people run air purifiers overnight, often on a lower or quieter setting. Place the unit a few feet from the bed to avoid direct airflow and minimize noise disruption. Do I need to run an air purifier if I have good ventilation?Even with good ventilation, indoor air can still contain pollutants from cooking, cleaning, pets, and outdoor sources. An air purifier adds an extra layer of protection, especially in urban or high-traffic areas. Conclusion If you want your indoor air to stay cleaner, it usually makes sense to leave your air purifier on throughout the day. Indoor pollution is constantly entering, forming, and being stirred back into the air—even when a room looks clean. For most households, the best strategy is simple: run the purifier consistently, place it well, maintain the filters, and increase fan speed during smoke, traffic, or other high-pollution periods. Clean air is easiest to maintain when you treat it as an ongoing condition—not a one-time fix.","

In most cases, yes. If your goal is to reduce all and any exposure to air pollution, running an air purifier throughout the day is the most effective approach.

That’s because indoor air pollution is not a one-time event. Dust settles and gets stirred up again, cooking releases particles and gases, outdoor pollution seeps indoors, and people and pets continuously add new pollutants to the air. Running your air purifier continuously is one of the most effective ways to reduce many common airborne pollutants, including dust, allergens, smoke particles, some airborne microbes carried in droplets or aerosols, and—if the purifier includes the right gas-phase media—certain odors and VOCs.

Modern air purifiers are generally designed for continuous operation. Many models also include quieter settings, automatic modes, or smart sensors that help balance air cleaning with energy use and noise.

Why continuous operation is best for air quality

Indoor air can contain higher concentrations of pollutants than outdoor air, due to poor ventilation, off-gassing from furniture and cleaning products, pet dander, and outdoor pollution seeping indoors. Even after you clean a room once, new pollutants keep entering and forming—so turning a purifier off for long stretches often means you’re letting the room “reload.”

Unlike intermittent use, which allows pollutants to accumulate between cycles, all-day operation ensures that contaminants like PM2.5 – particulate matter measuring 2.5 microns in diameter or smaller – are constantly filtered out, providing consistent protection. This is especially true in urban areas, near busy roads, or during wildfire and high-pollution events.

Energy, noise, and maintenance considerations

Running an air purifier all day does use electricity, but many modern units are designed to do so efficiently—especially on lower or auto settings. In real life, operating cost depends on the model, fan speed, and how many hours per day it runs.

Noise also matters. Most high-quality purifiers are quiet enough for everyday use on lower settings, which is why many people run them continuously in bedrooms, living rooms, and home offices. During smoke events or high-pollution periods, a higher fan speed may be worth the extra sound because it helps reduce particle levels more quickly.

Continuous use can also mean filters load faster. That’s normal. The tradeoff is straightforward: more run time usually means cleaner air, but also more consistent maintenance. The best approach is to follow the manufacturer’s replacement guidance or filter-life indicator rather than guessing.

When you might adjust your approach

While all-day use is ideal, there are a few scenarios where you might adjust:

\nLow-pollution periods: If outdoor air quality is excellent and your home is well-ventilated, you can run the purifier intermittently or use an automated mode to conserve energy.
\nUnoccupied rooms: If a room is rarely used, you can turn the purifier off or set it to a lower fan speed.
\nBudget constraints: If energy use is a concern, prioritize the rooms where you spend the most time—especially bedrooms and main living spaces—and use lower or automatic settings when pollution levels are lower.
\n

Best practices for all-day air purifier use

For best results, place your air purifier where air can move freely around it and avoid blocking it with furniture or walls. In bedrooms, many people prefer to place the unit a few feet from the bed, so the airflow isn’t directed straight at them.

If your air purifier has an automatic or smart mode, use it. These settings can raise fan speed when pollution increases and lower it when air is cleaner, helping balance performance, noise, and energy use.

During wildfire smoke or heavy outdoor pollution, keep windows and doors closed so you’re not constantly pulling new contaminants into the room. And to maintain performance over time, replace filters according to the manufacturer’s guidance or the system’s filter-life indicator.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it safe to run an air purifier all day?
Yes, most modern filtration-based air purifiers are designed for continuous operation. Choose a model that does not intentionally generate ozone, keep airflow unobstructed, and follow routine maintenance guidance to keep performance steady.

Will running an air purifier all day increase my electricity bill?
The impact is usually minimal. Energy-efficient air purifiers often cost only a few dollars per month to run continuously, and automatic or smart modes can further reduce energy use by lowering fan speed as needed.

Can I run an air purifier in my bedroom overnight?
Yes. Many people run air purifiers overnight, often on a lower or quieter setting. Place the unit a few feet from the bed to avoid direct airflow and minimize noise disruption.

Do I need to run an air purifier if I have good ventilation?
Even with good ventilation, indoor air can still contain pollutants from cooking, cleaning, pets, and outdoor sources. An air purifier adds an extra layer of protection, especially in urban or high-traffic areas.

Conclusion

If you want your indoor air to stay cleaner, it usually makes sense to leave your air purifier on throughout the day. Indoor pollution is constantly entering, forming, and being stirred back into the air—even when a room looks clean.

For most households, the best strategy is simple: run the purifier consistently, place it well, maintain the filters, and increase fan speed during smoke, traffic, or other high-pollution periods. Clean air is easiest to maintain when you treat it as an ongoing condition—not a one-time fix.

","should-you-leave-an-air-purifier-on-all-day","gid://shopify/Article/1000802746742","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/should-you-leave-an-air-purifier-on-all-day","2026-04-21T06:00:00Z",[853,1366],"Should you leave an air purifier on all day?",{"_10":1387,"_243":1388,"_246":1389,"_248":1165,"_244":1166},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/414733304182","Air purifer in living room","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/ShouldYouLeaveAirPurifierOn_Desk_3056c115-415f-48a5-a861-e48d89427895.jpg?v=1776870059","latest",[1392,1410,1427,1443,1459,1475],{"_1124":1125,"_1126":1393,"_1115":1394,"_1131":1395,"_1133":1396,"_1134":1397,"_1136":1398,"_985":1399,"_10":1400,"_1140":1401,"_1142":-5,"_1143":1402,"_577":1403,"_541":1405,"_1148":1406},{"_12":1128},{"_985":1130},"Find out more about the Pineland Road Fire and its impact on communities in southern Georgia.","

Find out more about the Pineland Road Fire and its impact on communities in southern Georgia.

","What is the name and location of the wildfire? As of April 23, 2026, the Pineland Road Fire is burning in southern Georgia across Clinch and Echols regions. The fire is located approximately 5 miles west of Colon Road and Mud Camp Pineland Road, near Highway 441 and close to the Suwannee River at the boundary between the two regions (1). Which cities or areas are affected by the wildfire? The cities and areas affected by the Pineland Road Fire include: Colon Echols region Fargo Highway area Needmore Regions near Headlight Road Regions near Tiger Lake Road Regions near Will Rewis Road and Barnes Road What is the current containment status of the Pineland Road Fire? As of April 23, 2026, the Pineland Road Fire has burned approximately 30,477 acres and is about 10% contained. Firefighting crews continue suppression efforts under challenging conditions, including drought, low humidity, and strong winds (2). Are there any evacuation orders or alerts in place? Evacuation alerts remain in place for residents living near Highway 441 between Headlight Road and Tiger Lake Road, as well as areas east of Will Rewis Road and Barnes Road. While no mandatory evacuation order has been issued, officials have urged residents to stay prepared to leave quickly if conditions worsen. Emergency alerts have advised residents to monitor updates, prepare essential items, and follow instructions from local authorities as fire behavior may shift rapidly (3). How can I protect myself from wildfire smoke? Always plan ahead to protect yourself from wildfire smoke. Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts. Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode. Run a high-performance air purifier to filter wildfire smoke. Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data. Stay indoors; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask. As of April 23, 2026, this fire is 10% contained.","

What is the name and location of the wildfire?

As of April 23, 2026, the Pineland Road Fire is burning in southern Georgia across Clinch and Echols regions.

The fire is located approximately 5 miles west of Colon Road and Mud Camp Pineland Road, near Highway 441 and close to the Suwannee River at the boundary between the two regions (1).

Which cities or areas are affected by the wildfire?

The cities and areas affected by the Pineland Road Fire include:

Colon
Echols region
Fargo Highway area
Needmore
Regions near Headlight Road
Regions near Tiger Lake Road
Regions near Will Rewis Road and Barnes Road

What is the current containment status of the Pineland Road Fire?

As of April 23, 2026, the Pineland Road Fire has burned approximately 30,477 acres and is about 10% contained.

Firefighting crews continue suppression efforts under challenging conditions, including drought, low humidity, and strong winds (2).

Are there any evacuation orders or alerts in place?

Evacuation alerts remain in place for residents living near Highway 441 between Headlight Road and Tiger Lake Road, as well as areas east of Will Rewis Road and Barnes Road.

While no mandatory evacuation order has been issued, officials have urged residents to stay prepared to leave quickly if conditions worsen.

Emergency alerts have advised residents to monitor updates, prepare essential items, and follow instructions from local authorities as fire behavior may shift rapidly (3).

How can I protect myself from wildfire smoke?

Always plan ahead to protect yourself from wildfire smoke.

\nGet a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts.
Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
Run a high-performance air purifier to filter wildfire smoke.
Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
Stay indoors; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.\n

As of April 23, 2026, this fire is 10% contained.

","wildfire-map-spotlight-pineland-road-fire-georgia","gid://shopify/Article/1001134391670","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/wildfire-map-spotlight-pineland-road-fire-georgia","2026-04-23T14:45:46Z",[390,638,663,1404],"Wildfires","Wildfire Map Spotlight: Pineland Road Fire, Georgia",{"_10":1407,"_243":1408,"_246":1409,"_248":1371,"_244":1372},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/414782783862","Wildfire engulfs a dense forest","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/Wildfire9Desktop_dcac3133-2442-4e61-a2e3-e93717d6b653.jpg?v=1776955719",{"_1124":1125,"_1126":1411,"_1115":1412,"_1131":1413,"_1133":1414,"_1134":1415,"_1136":1416,"_985":1417,"_10":1418,"_1140":1419,"_1142":-5,"_1143":1420,"_577":1421,"_541":1422,"_1148":1423},{"_12":1128},{"_985":1130},"Find out more about the extreme heatwave affecting multiple regions across India as temperatures continue to rise across the country.","

Find out more about the extreme heatwave affecting multiple regions across India as temperatures continue to rise across the country.

","Why is there a heatwave in India? As of April 23, 2026, India is experiencing widespread extreme heat across northern, central, and eastern regions, with Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi reporting dangerously high temperatures (1). According to recent reports, 19 of the world’s 20 hottest cities are currently located in India. Among the hardest-hit locations are Bhagalpur in Bihar, Talcher in Odisha, Asansol in West Bengal, and Medinipur in West Bengal. The current heatwave is being fueled by a combination of weather and climate factors. Strong pre-monsoon solar heating is rapidly warming land surfaces. Cloudless skies are also allowing prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. Reduced winter snowfall across the Himalayas and parts of Eurasia has also contributed to higher temperatures by reducing natural cooling effects. At the same time, hot and dry northwesterly winds are suppressing rainfall across large parts of the country. Shifting Pacific Ocean patterns and ENSO-neutral conditions are further weakening cooling weather systems, allowing extreme temperatures to persist for longer periods. Areas near the Himalayan region are also experiencing abnormal warming due to reduced snow cover, while eastern plains near Nepal’s Lumbini region are facing similar extreme heat conditions (2). How long will the heatwave last? The current heat event began intensifying after April 20, 2026, as temperatures rose sharply across multiple regions. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), heatwave conditions are expected to continue through at least April 26 to April 27 in several states. Some areas may not experience meaningful relief until later in the month as pre-monsoon weather activity increases. Heatwave conditions are expected to persist across: Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana through April 24–25 West Uttar Pradesh through April 23–25 East Uttar Pradesh through April 22–26 Rajasthan through April 24–26 Madhya Pradesh through April 23–26 Vidarbha and Chhattisgarh through April 24–27 Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal through April 22–23 Southern coastal regions, including Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and coastal Karnataka, are also expected to experience prolonged hot and humid weather conditions (3). Are there any alerts in place? The India Meteorological Department has issued multiple heat-related alerts across affected regions as temperatures continue to rise. Yellow alerts remain in place in several states where heat exposure poses moderate health risks, particularly for children, older adults, and individuals with existing medical conditions. Orange alerts have also been issued in areas facing a higher risk of heat-related illness due to prolonged exposure. Delhi remains under a yellow alert through April 24, while severe heat advisories continue across Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and parts of eastern India. At this time, no evacuation orders or emergency shelters have been reported in connection with the heatwave. Health officials are advising residents to take precautions, including staying hydrated, limiting outdoor activity during peak afternoon hours, wearing lightweight clothing, and recognizing signs of heat exhaustion or heatstroke. Officials have also warned about unusually warm nighttime temperatures in Delhi, Haryana, Odisha, and Konkan. These warmer nights may increase health risks by limiting the body’s ability to recover from prolonged daytime heat exposure (4).","

Why is there a heatwave in India?

As of April 23, 2026, India is experiencing widespread extreme heat across northern, central, and eastern regions, with Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi reporting dangerously high temperatures (1).

According to recent reports, 19 of the world’s 20 hottest cities are currently located in India. Among the hardest-hit locations are Bhagalpur in Bihar, Talcher in Odisha, Asansol in West Bengal, and Medinipur in West Bengal.

The current heatwave is being fueled by a combination of weather and climate factors. Strong pre-monsoon solar heating is rapidly warming land surfaces. Cloudless skies are also allowing prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.

Reduced winter snowfall across the Himalayas and parts of Eurasia has also contributed to higher temperatures by reducing natural cooling effects. At the same time, hot and dry northwesterly winds are suppressing rainfall across large parts of the country.

Shifting Pacific Ocean patterns and ENSO-neutral conditions are further weakening cooling weather systems, allowing extreme temperatures to persist for longer periods.

Areas near the Himalayan region are also experiencing abnormal warming due to reduced snow cover, while eastern plains near Nepal’s Lumbini region are facing similar extreme heat conditions (2).

How long will the heatwave last?

The current heat event began intensifying after April 20, 2026, as temperatures rose sharply across multiple regions.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), heatwave conditions are expected to continue through at least April 26 to April 27 in several states. Some areas may not experience meaningful relief until later in the month as pre-monsoon weather activity increases.

Heatwave conditions are expected to persist across:

\nDelhi, Punjab, and Haryana through April 24–25
West Uttar Pradesh through April 23–25
East Uttar Pradesh through April 22–26
\nRajasthan through April 24–26
\nMadhya Pradesh through April 23–26
Vidarbha and Chhattisgarh through April 24–27
\nBihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal through April 22–23

Southern coastal regions, including Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and coastal Karnataka, are also expected to experience prolonged hot and humid weather conditions (3).

Are there any alerts in place?

The India Meteorological Department has issued multiple heat-related alerts across affected regions as temperatures continue to rise.

Yellow alerts remain in place in several states where heat exposure poses moderate health risks, particularly for children, older adults, and individuals with existing medical conditions.

Orange alerts have also been issued in areas facing a higher risk of heat-related illness due to prolonged exposure.

Delhi remains under a yellow alert through April 24, while severe heat advisories continue across Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, and parts of eastern India.

At this time, no evacuation orders or emergency shelters have been reported in connection with the heatwave.

Health officials are advising residents to take precautions, including staying hydrated, limiting outdoor activity during peak afternoon hours, wearing lightweight clothing, and recognizing signs of heat exhaustion or heatstroke.

Officials have also warned about unusually warm nighttime temperatures in Delhi, Haryana, Odisha, and Konkan. These warmer nights may increase health risks by limiting the body’s ability to recover from prolonged daytime heat exposure (4).

","heatwave-map-spotlight-northern-central-and-eastern-india","gid://shopify/Article/1001168863606","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/heatwave-map-spotlight-northern-central-and-eastern-india","2026-04-23T09:16:54Z",[390,638],"Heatwave Map Spotlight: Northern, Central, and Eastern India",{"_10":1424,"_243":1425,"_246":1426,"_248":1165,"_244":1166},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/414755193206","A man wipes sweat from his face under the scorching sun.","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/Heatwave2Desktop_201f1ef3-3ac0-4fcd-86f6-216c4a5b07b3.jpg?v=1776936733",{"_1124":1125,"_1126":1428,"_1115":1429,"_1131":1430,"_1133":1431,"_1134":1432,"_1136":1433,"_985":1434,"_10":1435,"_1140":1436,"_1142":-5,"_1143":1437,"_577":1438,"_541":1439,"_1148":1440},{"_12":1128},{"_985":1130},"Wildfires spread across Brantley County in Georgia, burning structures and causing road closures. Learn more about what is causing the Georgia wildfires.","

Wildfires spread across Brantley County in Georgia, burning structures and causing road closures. Learn more about what is causing the Georgia wildfires.

","What is the name and location of the wildfire? On April 23, 2026, the Brantley Highway 82 Fire is burning in southeastern region of Georgia, neighboring the northern Florida border. The fire is located just off U.S. Highway 82 near the Brantley County line, bordering Glynn County and spreading into Camden County (1)(2). Which cities or areas are affected by the wildfire? The Brantley Highway 82 wildfire has spread across multiple highways, neighborhoods, and communities, including (3)(4): Atkinson Waynesville Happy Hollow U.S. Highway 82 area, from Nahunta to Post Road Highway 110 West, near Camden County line Highway 259, near Camden County line What is the current containment status of the Brantley Highway 82 Fire? On April 23, 2026, the Brantley Highway 82 Fires has burned approximately 4,438 acres and is about 15% contained. Brantley County, Glynn County, and Effingham County Fire Rescue teams have been working together to contain the wildfire and stop the spread to neighboring communities. Glynn County issued a temporary outdoor burn ban, prohibiting outdoor fires ignited by residents such as fireworks and bonfire pits, to prevent additional wildfires (5)(6). Are there any evacuation orders or alerts in place? Mandatory evacuation orders for several neighborhoods and communities have been issued all throughout Brantley County, including Happy Hollow, Hawks Landing, and Drury Court. Those needing to evacuate are directed to use Highway 32 for safety. Various neighboring cities are on wildfire watch as winds continue to carry smoke throughout the state. On April 22, 2026, all Brantley County schools will be closed due to the wildfire breaching containment. Shelters are open to the public through various churches in the Nahunta and Hortense region, providing food and water to locals in need. Residents in neighboring cities on wildfire watch alert are advised to stay indoors, keep windows closed, and monitor fire updates and alerts (7). How can I protect myself from wildfire smoke? Always plan ahead to protect yourself from wildfire smoke. Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts. Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode. Run a high-performance air purifier to filter wildfire smoke. Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data. Stay indoors; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask. On April 23, 2026, this fire is 15% contained.","

What is the name and location of the wildfire?

On April 23, 2026, the Brantley Highway 82 Fire is burning in southeastern region of Georgia, neighboring the northern Florida border.

The fire is located just off U.S. Highway 82 near the Brantley County line, bordering Glynn County and spreading into Camden County (1)(2).

Which cities or areas are affected by the wildfire?

The Brantley Highway 82 wildfire has spread across multiple highways, neighborhoods, and communities, including (3)(4):

Atkinson
Waynesville
Happy Hollow
U.S. Highway 82 area, from Nahunta to Post Road
Highway 110 West, near Camden County line
Highway 259, near Camden County line

What is the current containment status of the Brantley Highway 82 Fire?

On April 23, 2026, the Brantley Highway 82 Fires has burned approximately 4,438 acres and is about 15% contained.

Brantley County, Glynn County, and Effingham County Fire Rescue teams have been working together to contain the wildfire and stop the spread to neighboring communities. Glynn County issued a temporary outdoor burn ban, prohibiting outdoor fires ignited by residents such as fireworks and bonfire pits, to prevent additional wildfires (5)(6).

Are there any evacuation orders or alerts in place?

Mandatory evacuation orders for several neighborhoods and communities have been issued all throughout Brantley County, including Happy Hollow, Hawks Landing, and Drury Court. Those needing to evacuate are directed to use Highway 32 for safety. Various neighboring cities are on wildfire watch as winds continue to carry smoke throughout the state.

On April 22, 2026, all Brantley County schools will be closed due to the wildfire breaching containment. Shelters are open to the public through various churches in the Nahunta and Hortense region, providing food and water to locals in need. Residents in neighboring cities on wildfire watch alert are advised to stay indoors, keep windows closed, and monitor fire updates and alerts (7).

How can I protect myself from wildfire smoke?

Always plan ahead to protect yourself from wildfire smoke.

\nGet a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts.
Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
Run a high-performance air purifier to filter wildfire smoke.
Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
Stay indoors; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.\n

On April 23, 2026, this fire is 15% contained.

","wildfire-map-spotlight-brantley-highway-82-fire-georgia","gid://shopify/Article/1001165488502","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/wildfire-map-spotlight-brantley-highway-82-fire-georgia","2026-04-23T06:05:05Z",[390,638,1404],"Wildfire Map Spotlight: Brantley Highway 82 Fire, Georgia",{"_10":1441,"_243":-5,"_246":1442,"_248":1165,"_244":1166},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/414749032822","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/Wildfire2Desktop_ed8add4d-09ce-4de8-8f3b-6bac79756680.jpg?v=1776924308",{"_1124":1125,"_1126":1444,"_1115":1445,"_1131":1446,"_1133":1447,"_1134":1448,"_1136":1449,"_985":1450,"_10":1451,"_1140":1452,"_1142":-5,"_1143":1453,"_577":1454,"_541":1455,"_1148":1456},{"_12":1128},{"_985":1130},"China grapples with unhealthy air pollution, affecting major cities and public health. Learn more about the impacted regions, underlying causes, and expected improvements.","

China grapples with unhealthy air pollution, affecting major cities and public health. Learn more about the impacted regions, underlying causes, and expected improvements.

","Is the air quality good in China? As of April 23, 2026, air quality in China remains poor, with some of the major cities experiencing air quality in the \"unhealthy\" range and high PM2.5 concentrations, posing serious health risks to residents, especially children and the elderly. By 1:30 PM (Chinese Standard Time, GMT+8), several urban centers have recorded AQI readings between 100 and 200, prompting health warnings. Residents are advised to limit outdoor activity, keep windows closed, wear masks when outside, and use air purifiers indoors. While conditions remain poor, China’s average PM2.5 concentration in 2025 was 29.6 µg/m3, equivalent to an AQI of 87, classified as \"moderate\". This level is nearly 5.92 times higher than the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m3, placing China among the world’s 20 most polluted countries in 2025. Air quality map of China and neighboring countries as of 1:30 PM (CST) on April 23, 2026. Source: IQAir. Which cities are affected by bad air quality in China? As of April 23, 2026, several major cities across China are reporting poor air quality. Some of the affected cities include: Aksu Beijing Jinchang Kashgar Lanzhou Puer Yinchuan Air quality conditions can change rapidly throughout the day. For a complete, real-time overview of pollution levels nationwide, see China's air quality map. Beijing ranked among the most polluted major cities globally, as of 1:30 PM (CST) on April 23, 2026. Source: IQAir. When will the air quality improve in China? With spring now underway, the end of the coal-fired heating season should bring some relief, as heating-related emissions begin to ease. However, March and April bring their own challenge: this period has the highest frequency of sand and dust weather, with storms primarily originating from Mongolia, capable of spiking PM10 concentrations several fold. More sustained improvement is expected by late April to May, as warmer temperatures, stronger winds, and spring rainfall help disperse pollutants. Lasting progress still depends on continued emission controls and cleaner energy adoption (1). What is causing poor air quality in China? The root causes of air pollution in China include dependence on fossil fuels, coal combustion, biomass burning, traffic and waste incineration emission, industrial pollution, and soil dust, with coal and other fossil fuels exploited despite renewable investments (2). In spring (March-May), pollution persists due to frequent dust storms from the Gobi Desert, Taklimakan Desert, and Inner Mongolian Plateau, causing sudden PM10 spikes. Higher temperature and humidity levels rise, and winds contribute to the smog by carrying pollutants from industrialized regions. Resuspended road dust from construction and urbanization, and transboundary pollution also contribute. Meteorological conditions favor the mobilization and transport of dust in spring (3). How can I protect myself from poor air quality? Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts. Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode. Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data. Stay indoors when air quality is poor; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask. Run a high-performance air purifier to filter particles, gases, and other pollutants.","

Is the air quality good in China?

As of April 23, 2026, air quality in China remains poor, with some of the major cities experiencing air quality in the \"unhealthy\" range and high PM2.5 concentrations, posing serious health risks to residents, especially children and the elderly.

By 1:30 PM (Chinese Standard Time, GMT+8), several urban centers have recorded AQI readings between 100 and 200, prompting health warnings. Residents are advised to limit outdoor activity, keep windows closed, wear masks when outside, and use air purifiers indoors.

While conditions remain poor, China’s average PM2.5 concentration in 2025 was 29.6 µg/m3, equivalent to an AQI of 87, classified as \"moderate\". This level is nearly 5.92 times higher than the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m3, placing China among the world’s 20 most polluted countries in 2025.

$\"\"$ Air quality map of China and neighboring countries as of 1:30 PM (CST) on April 23, 2026. Source: IQAir.

Which cities are affected by bad air quality in China?

As of April 23, 2026, several major cities across China are reporting poor air quality. Some of the affected cities include:

Aksu
Beijing
Jinchang
Kashgar
Lanzhou
Puer
Yinchuan

Air quality conditions can change rapidly throughout the day. For a complete, real-time overview of pollution levels nationwide, see China's air quality map.

$\"\"$ Beijing ranked among the most polluted major cities globally, as of 1:30 PM (CST) on April 23, 2026. Source: IQAir.

When will the air quality improve in China?

With spring now underway, the end of the coal-fired heating season should bring some relief, as heating-related emissions begin to ease. However, March and April bring their own challenge: this period has the highest frequency of sand and dust weather, with storms primarily originating from Mongolia, capable of spiking PM10 concentrations several fold.

More sustained improvement is expected by late April to May, as warmer temperatures, stronger winds, and spring rainfall help disperse pollutants. Lasting progress still depends on continued emission controls and cleaner energy adoption (1).

What is causing poor air quality in China?

The root causes of air pollution in China include dependence on fossil fuels, coal combustion, biomass burning, traffic and waste incineration emission, industrial pollution, and soil dust, with coal and other fossil fuels exploited despite renewable investments (2).

In spring (March-May), pollution persists due to frequent dust storms from the Gobi Desert, Taklimakan Desert, and Inner Mongolian Plateau, causing sudden PM10 spikes. Higher temperature and humidity levels rise, and winds contribute to the smog by carrying pollutants from industrialized regions.

Resuspended road dust from construction and urbanization, and transboundary pollution also contribute. Meteorological conditions favor the mobilization and transport of dust in spring (3).

How can I protect myself from poor air quality?

\nGet a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts.
Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
Stay indoors when air quality is poor; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.\n
Run a high-performance air purifier to filter particles, gases, and other pollutants.

","china-air-quality-alert","gid://shopify/Article/999656948086","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/china-air-quality-alert","2026-04-23T05:30:23Z",[390,638],"China Air Quality Alert",{"_10":1457,"_243":-5,"_246":1458,"_248":1165,"_244":1166},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/414748639606","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/BeijingDesktop_bc51c3b5-6b87-4b64-b0ee-e36d75f0f16e.jpg?v=1776922227",{"_1124":1125,"_1126":1460,"_1115":1461,"_1131":1462,"_1133":1463,"_1134":1464,"_1136":1465,"_985":1466,"_10":1467,"_1140":1468,"_1142":-5,"_1143":1469,"_577":1470,"_541":1471,"_1148":1472},{"_12":1128},{"_985":1130},"Pakistan grapples with unhealthy air pollution, affecting major cities and public health. Learn more about the impacted regions, underlying causes, and expected improvements.","

Pakistan grapples with unhealthy air pollution, affecting major cities and public health. Learn more about the impacted regions, underlying causes, and expected improvements.

","Is the air quality good in Pakistan? As of April 23, 2026, air quality in some parts of Pakistan remains poor, with major cities experiencing \"unhealthy\" to \"hazardous\" levels and high PM2.5 concentrations, posing health risks to residents, especially children and the elderly. By 9:30 AM (Pakistan Standard Time, GMT+5), some urban centers have recorded AQI readings between 100 and 400, prompting health warnings. Residents are advised to limit outdoor activity, keep windows closed, wear masks when outside, and use air purifiers indoors. While conditions remain poor, Pakistan’s average PM2.5 concentration in 2025 was 67.3 µg/m3, equivalent to an AQI of 156, classified as “unhealthy.” This level is nearly 14 times higher than the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m3, making Pakistan the most polluted country. Air quality map of Pakistan and neighboring countries, as of 9:30 AM (PST) on April 23, 2026. Source: IQAir. Which cities are affected by bad air quality in Pakistan? As of April 23, 2026, several major cities across Pakistan are reporting poor air quality. Some of the affected cities include: Bahawalpur Faisalabad Khanewal Lahore Sargodha Air quality conditions can change rapidly throughout the day. For a complete, real-time overview of pollution levels nationwide, see Pakistan's air quality map. Lahore ranked among the world's most polluted major cities as of 9:30 AM (PST) on April 23, 2026. Source: IQAir. When will the air quality improve in Pakistan? Short-term improvements depend on weather. Wind, rain, and stronger mixing can lower concentrations within days. In spring (March-May), as temperatures increase, hot air rises and cooler air sinks, easing pollution. However, early spring may still have stagnant air, low winds, and high temperatures trapping pollutants like PM2.5. Full relief comes with the monsoon season (June-September), which washes away pollutants (1). Lasting improvement requires policy action and seasonal controls. Without those, severe episodes are likely to recur (2). What is causing poor air quality in Pakistan? The root causes of air pollution in Pakistan include industrial emissions, vehicular exhausts, agricultural practices like overuse of fertilizers and crop residue burning, biomass and waste burning, domestic fires, and urbanization (3). In spring (March-May), pollution persists due to resuspended road dust from construction and urbanization, high temperatures accompanied by little wind and stagnant air trapping particulate matter, and high density of pollen particles and allergens. Residual effects from winter stubble burning and transboundary pollution from neighboring regions also contribute (4). How can I protect myself from poor air quality? Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts. Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode. Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data. Stay indoors when air quality is poor; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask. Run a high-performance air purifier to filter particles, gases, and other pollutants.","

Is the air quality good in Pakistan?

As of April 23, 2026, air quality in some parts of Pakistan remains poor, with major cities experiencing \"unhealthy\" to \"hazardous \" levels and high PM2.5 concentrations, posing health risks to residents, especially children and the elderly.

By 9:30 AM (Pakistan Standard Time, GMT+5), some urban centers have recorded AQI readings between 100 and 400, prompting health warnings. Residents are advised to limit outdoor activity, keep windows closed, wear masks when outside, and use air purifiers indoors.

While conditions remain poor, Pakistan’s average PM2.5 concentration in 2025 was 67.3 µg/m³, equivalent to an AQI of 156, classified as “unhealthy.” This level is nearly 14 times higher than the WHO annual guideline of 5 µg/m³, making Pakistan the most polluted country.

$\"\"$ Air quality map of Pakistan and neighboring countries, as of 9:30 AM (PST) on April 23, 2026. Source: IQAir.

Which cities are affected by bad air quality in Pakistan?

As of April 23, 2026, several major cities across Pakistan are reporting poor air quality. Some of the affected cities include:

Air quality conditions can change rapidly throughout the day. For a complete, real-time overview of pollution levels nationwide, see Pakistan's air quality map.

$\"\"$ Lahore ranked among the world's most polluted major cities as of 9:30 AM (PST) on April 23, 2026. Source: IQAir.

When will the air quality improve in Pakistan?

Short-term improvements depend on weather. Wind, rain, and stronger mixing can lower concentrations within days. In spring (March-May), as temperatures increase, hot air rises and cooler air sinks, easing pollution. However, early spring may still have stagnant air, low winds, and high temperatures trapping pollutants like PM2.5.

Full relief comes with the monsoon season (June-September), which washes away pollutants (1). Lasting improvement requires policy action and seasonal controls. Without those, severe episodes are likely to recur (2).

What is causing poor air quality in Pakistan?

The root causes of air pollution in Pakistan include industrial emissions, vehicular exhausts, agricultural practices like overuse of fertilizers and crop residue burning, biomass and waste burning, domestic fires, and urbanization (3).

In spring (March-May), pollution persists due to resuspended road dust from construction and urbanization, high temperatures accompanied by little wind and stagnant air trapping particulate matter, and high density of pollen particles and allergens. Residual effects from winter stubble burning and transboundary pollution from neighboring regions also contribute (4).

How can I protect myself from poor air quality?

\nGet a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts.
Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
Stay indoors when air quality is poor; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.\n
Run a high-performance air purifier to filter particles, gases, and other pollutants.

","pakistan-air-quality-alert","gid://shopify/Article/999612154230","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/pakistan-air-quality-alert","2026-04-23T04:47:45Z",[390,638],"Pakistan Air Quality Alert",{"_10":1473,"_243":-5,"_246":1474,"_248":1165,"_244":1166},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/414748574070","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/KarachiDesktop_70cc289d-1db1-4ffd-bd39-08c257f5ab21.jpg?v=1776919669",{"_1124":1125,"_1126":1476,"_1115":1477,"_1131":1357,"_1133":1358,"_1134":1359,"_1136":1360,"_985":1361,"_10":1362,"_1140":1363,"_1142":-5,"_1143":1364,"_577":1478,"_541":1367,"_1148":1479},{"_12":1128},{"_985":1130},[643,1366,648],{"_10":1369,"_243":-5,"_246":1370,"_248":1371,"_244":1372},"popular",[1482,1499,1515,1531],{"_1124":1125,"_1126":1483,"_1115":1484,"_1131":1485,"_1133":1485,"_1134":1486,"_1136":1487,"_985":1488,"_10":1489,"_1140":1490,"_1142":-5,"_1143":1491,"_577":1492,"_541":1494,"_1148":1495},{"_12":1128},{"_985":1130},"Learn why wildfire smoke poses a health risk to people living far downwind and what you can do to help protect yourself.","When considering the dangers of wildfires, thoughts of fleeing your home while a raging wildfire rapidly approaches can easily consume your imagination. However, the number one cause of death from fires is smoke inhalation. The primary cause of death from wildfires is smoke inhalation. 50 to 80 percent of fire deaths are from smoke inhalation. Inhaling smoke damages your body in one or both of the following ways: by robbing it of oxygen through particulate matter irritation Smoke inhalation is particularly dangerous because you may not show symptoms until 24 to 48 hours after exposure. 50–80 percent of fire deaths are from smoke inhalation.1 Read on to learn how to help protect the health of yourself and your loved ones, and learn some wildfire smoke safety tips to rest assured that you’ve taken the necessary wildfire safety precautions to reduce the consequences of toxic wildfire smoke. What’s in wildfire smoke? Wildfire smoke is a mixture of thousands of individual compounds, including harmful particles and gases that pose a severe health risk to anyone (including pets) nearby and downwind from a fire. Wildfire smoke often contains: water vapor particulate matter trace minerals carbon dioxide carbon monoxide nitrogen oxides hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxide compounds that contribute to elevated ozone (O3) levels volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including acrolein and formaldehyde (potent respiratory irritants) Wildfire smoke often contains fine (PM2.5) and ultrafine particles that can be absorbed directly into your blood stream and reach any organ or area of your body. Pictured: The typical contents of wildfire smoke, including ultrafine particles (≤ 0.3 microns), PM2.5 (2.5-10 microns), acrolein, PM10 (> 10 microns), formaldehyde, carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides, and hydrocarbons. Source: IQAir Wildfire smoke composition depends upon multiple factors, including: the types of wood and vegetation burning the moisture content the fire temperature wind conditions other weather-related influences The primary pollutant threatening the health of those nearby and downwind of a wildfire is particulate matter. Wildfire smoke often contains fine (or PM2.5) and ultrafine particles. These tiny airborne particles are the most dangerous to your health. Fine particles (smaller than 2.5 microns) penetrate deeply into your lungs. The most dangerous are ultrafine particles (smaller than 0.1 microns), which represent 90% of all airborne particles. These particles are tiny and can be absorbed directly into your bloodstream. Once in your blood, they can reach any organ or area of your body. Clean the air with high-performance air filtration Learn more about our wildfire smoke air purifiers Click here Wildfire smoke and at-risk populations Most healthy adults will recover from smoke exposure. However, certain individuals are more at risk for severe health consequences, including:2 Young children. Children whose lungs are still developing are considered more vulnerable, regardless of whether they have a pre-existing condition. Pregnant women. Wildfire smoke inhalation puts pregnant women and their unborn children at a higher risk than the general population. Older adults. This population is at-risk due to an increased rate of pre-existing heart and lung disease. Anyone with a respiratory disease. Individuals with emphysema, chronic bronchitis, COPD, asthma, or another respiratory disease are at-risk. Individuals with heart disease. Circulatory diseases include high blood pressure, vascular diseases, heart failure, and cerebrovascular conditions. These conditions make sufferers susceptible to heart attacks, transient chest pain, heart failure, stroke, and sudden death from cardiac arrhythmia. Young children, pregnant women, older adults, and people with respiratory and cardiovascular pre-existing conditions may find that they experience more severe symptoms and find it harder to breathe.3 The full impact of wildfire smoke is not yet fully understood. A 2017 review in Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology found that there are still important study opportunities for exploring the long-term health implications of smoke exposure, smoke exposure recovery, and additional smoke inhalation health impacts for children.4 Exposure to smoke can be dangerous simply due to the microorganisms within the smoke. A 2020 study in Science magazine noted that microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungal spores, comprise some of the particulate matter found in smoke.5 The study theorizes that infectious disease may be spread as bacteria and fungi become part of smoke’s particulate composition. Microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungal spores, comprise some of the particulate matter found in smoke, and infectious disease may be spread as they become part of the smoke’s particulate composition. How wildfire smoke behaves Many factors affect wildfire smoke behavior, such as: weather geographical terrain the stage of the fire wind Use the live, interactive air quality map below to see how weather, wind, and location can impact the behavior of wildfire smoke near you. Windy conditions generally cause smoke to mix with larger volumes of air to lower smoke concentrations. However, strong winds also can spread fires more quickly, causing larger fires with greater impact. Regional weather can be the dominant determinant in how a fire behaves as well as how smoke affects surrounding areas. However, regional weather systems can spread fires quickly and result in larger fires with more smoke generated, creating the potential for even greater impacts. Strong regional weather systems can also dominate a fire’s behavior for days and be the determining factor of where and how smoke will affect an area. Smoke can travel for miles beyond its source. In 2020, smoke from wildfires in the Western United States drifted for nearly 5,000 miles, eventually being detected in Europe. Smoke can travel for miles beyond its source. In 2020, smoke from wildfires in the western United States drifted for nearly 5,000 miles, eventually being detected in Europe.6 Wildfire safety tips Wildfire smoke events can occur seemingly without warning. But there are steps you can take to prepare yourself using appropriate safety precautions for wildfires. Keep the air clean in your home. Keep windows and doors closed closed and seal off any openings to the outside, including vents, to help prevent outdoor smoke from getting in. When using an air conditioner, be sure to set it to re-circulate and close the fresh-air intake. Filter the air when ventilating the space. An air purifier for wildfire smoke, will help remove smoke particles of all sizes down to 0.003 microns from the indoor air and help control ozone levels. This is critical if you live in an urban area downwind (even remotely) from wildfires. Stay indoors as much as possible. This tactic is most useful in buildings that effectively stop outdoor air from getting inside. If you need to travel by car to leave or evacuate an area affected by wildfire smoke, use a car air purifier to help keep your vehicle interior air clean as you pass through smoky or polluted areas. You can also use a portable, personal air purifier to access clean air where other air filtration systems are not available. Wear a mask outdoors. Only use an air pollution mask with an N95, KN95, N100, or FFP2 rating to help. Avoid activities that further pollute the indoor air. Avoid burning candles, using the fireplace, or even vacuuming unless you own a high-performance HEPA vacuum cleaner. All of these activities can otherwise become additional sources of indoor air pollutants. Monitor your indoor air quality. Use an air quality monitor to track levels of indoor pollutants like PM2.5 and CO2 from smoke and other indoor pollution sources. Take action if indoor air pollutants rise to dangerous levels by running an air purifier, circulating fresh air through your HVAC system, or leaving your home temporarily if indoor air becomes unsafe to breathe or your home is threatened by wildfire. Use an air quality monitoring app to keep track of pollutants in your environment. The AirVisual app displays real-time hyperlocal data from over 80,000 sensors around the world. The app also tracks up to six key wildfire pollutants, such as PM2.5, CO2, and NO2, so that you have the best picture of your local air quality during a wildfire and can take action to help protect your health. Wildfires are increasing in frequency and intensity. Wildfire smoke can negatively affect your health, even if you’re far away from the actual fire. Learn to protect the health of yourself and your family, and rest assured that you’ve taken the necessary precautions. During a wildfire, it’s also important to monitor your local air quality to see how wildfire smoke will affect your outdoor air. The takeaway Wildfires are increasing in frequency and intensity. Wildfire smoke can negatively affect your health, even if you’re far away from the actual fire. And while wildfire smoke may be a warning sign of imminent fires, smoke also delivers its own set of risks for people living miles beyond the source. Though smoke pollutants carried on the wind may be invisible, their impacts are felt by those most at risk. Smoke pollutants pose health threats that range from irritation and cough to more serious respiratory and cardiac risks. By helping control smoke pollutants that threaten our indoor air quality through monitoring and air purification, it's possible to help manage wildfire smoke health risks.","

When considering the dangers of wildfires, thoughts of fleeing your home while a raging wildfire rapidly approaches can easily consume your imagination. However, the number one cause of death from fires is smoke inhalation.

The primary cause of death from wildfires is smoke inhalation. 50 to 80 percent of fire deaths are from smoke inhalation.

Inhaling smoke damages your body in one or both of the following ways:

by robbing it of oxygen
through particulate matter irritation

Smoke inhalation is particularly dangerous because you may not show symptoms until 24 to 48 hours after exposure. 50–80 percent of fire deaths are from smoke inhalation.¹

Read on to learn how to help protect the health of yourself and your loved ones, and learn some wildfire smoke safety tips to rest assured that you’ve taken the necessary wildfire safety precautions to reduce the consequences of toxic wildfire smoke.

What’s in wildfire smoke?

Wildfire smoke is a mixture of thousands of individual compounds, including harmful particles and gases that pose a severe health risk to anyone (including pets) nearby and downwind from a fire.

Wildfire smoke often contains:

\n
water vapor
\n
\n
particulate matter
\n
\n
trace minerals
\n
\n
carbon dioxide
\n
\n
carbon monoxide
\n
\n
nitrogen oxides
\n
\n
hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxide compounds that contribute to elevated ozone (O₃) levels
\n
\n
volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including acrolein and formaldehyde (potent respiratory irritants)
\n

Wildfire smoke often contains fine (PM2.5) and ultrafine particles that can be absorbed directly into your blood stream and reach any organ or area of your body.

$\"What's$

Pictured: The typical contents of wildfire smoke, including ultrafine particles (≤ 0.3 microns), PM2.5 (2.5-10 microns), acrolein, PM10 (> 10 microns), formaldehyde, carbon dioxide (CO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides, and hydrocarbons. Source: IQAir

Wildfire smoke composition depends upon multiple factors, including:

\n
the types of wood and vegetation burning
\n

\n
the moisture content
\n
\n
the fire temperature
\n
\n
wind conditions
\n
\n
other weather-related influences
\n

The primary pollutant threatening the health of those nearby and downwind of a wildfire is particulate matter. Wildfire smoke often contains fine (or PM2.5) and ultrafine particles. These tiny airborne particles are the most dangerous to your health.

Fine particles (smaller than 2.5 microns) penetrate deeply into your lungs.

The most dangerous are ultrafine particles (smaller than 0.1 microns), which represent 90% of all airborne particles. These particles are tiny and can be absorbed directly into your bloodstream. Once in your blood, they can reach any organ or area of your body.

\n \n

\n\n

Clean the air with high-performance air filtration
Learn more about our wildfire smoke air purifiers

\n\n

Click here

Wildfire smoke and at-risk populations

Most healthy adults will recover from smoke exposure. However, certain individuals are more at risk for severe health consequences, including:²

\n
Young children. Children whose lungs are still developing are considered more vulnerable, regardless of whether they have a pre-existing condition.
\n
\n
Pregnant women. Wildfire smoke inhalation puts pregnant women and their unborn children at a higher risk than the general population.
\n
\n
Older adults. This population is at-risk due to an increased rate of pre-existing heart and lung disease.
\n
\n
Anyone with a respiratory disease. Individuals with emphysema, chronic bronchitis, COPD, asthma, or another respiratory disease are at-risk.
\n
\n
Individuals with heart disease. Circulatory diseases include high blood pressure, vascular diseases, heart failure, and cerebrovascular conditions. These conditions make sufferers susceptible to heart attacks, transient chest pain, heart failure, stroke, and sudden death from cardiac arrhythmia.
\n

Young children, pregnant women, older adults, and people with respiratory and cardiovascular pre-existing conditions may find that they experience more severe symptoms and find it harder to breathe.³

The full impact of wildfire smoke is not yet fully understood. A 2017 review in Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology found that there are still important study opportunities for exploring the long-term health implications of smoke exposure, smoke exposure recovery, and additional smoke inhalation health impacts for children.⁴

Exposure to smoke can be dangerous simply due to the microorganisms within the smoke. A 2020 study in Science magazine noted that microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungal spores, comprise some of the particulate matter found in smoke.⁵ The study theorizes that infectious disease may be spread as bacteria and fungi become part of smoke’s particulate composition.

 Microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungal spores, comprise some of the particulate matter found in smoke, and infectious disease may be spread as they become part of the smoke’s particulate composition.

How wildfire smoke behaves

Many factors affect wildfire smoke behavior, such as:

\n
weather
\n
\n
geographical terrain
\n
\n
the stage of the fire
\n
\n
wind
\n

Use the live, interactive air quality map below to see how weather, wind, and location can impact the behavior of wildfire smoke near you.

$\"placeholder$

Windy conditions generally cause smoke to mix with larger volumes of air to lower smoke concentrations. However, strong winds also can spread fires more quickly, causing larger fires with greater impact.

Regional weather can be the dominant determinant in how a fire behaves as well as how smoke affects surrounding areas. However, regional weather systems can spread fires quickly and result in larger fires with more smoke generated, creating the potential for even greater impacts.

Strong regional weather systems can also dominate a fire’s behavior for days and be the determining factor of where and how smoke will affect an area.

Smoke can travel for miles beyond its source. In 2020, smoke from wildfires in the Western United States drifted for nearly 5,000 miles, eventually being detected in Europe.

Smoke can travel for miles beyond its source. In 2020, smoke from wildfires in the western United States drifted for nearly 5,000 miles, eventually being detected in Europe.⁶

Wildfire safety tips

Wildfire smoke events can occur seemingly without warning. But there are steps you can take to prepare yourself using appropriate safety precautions for wildfires.

\n
Keep the air clean in your home. Keep windows and doors closed closed and seal off any openings to the outside, including vents, to help prevent outdoor smoke from getting in. When using an air conditioner, be sure to set it to re-circulate and close the fresh-air intake. Filter the air when ventilating the space. An air purifier for wildfire smoke, will help remove smoke particles of all sizes down to 0.003 microns from the indoor air and help control ozone levels. This is critical if you live in an urban area downwind (even remotely) from wildfires.
\n
\n
Stay indoors as much as possible. This tactic is most useful in buildings that effectively stop outdoor air from getting inside. If you need to travel by car to leave or evacuate an area affected by wildfire smoke, use a car air purifier to help keep your vehicle interior air clean as you pass through smoky or polluted areas. You can also use a portable, personal air purifier to access clean air where other air filtration systems are not available.
\n
\n
Wear a mask outdoors. Only use an air pollution mask with an N95, KN95, N100, or FFP2 rating to help.
\n
\n
Avoid activities that further pollute the indoor air. Avoid burning candles, using the fireplace, or even vacuuming unless you own a high-performance HEPA vacuum cleaner. All of these activities can otherwise become additional sources of indoor air pollutants.
\n
\n
Monitor your indoor air quality. Use an air quality monitor to track levels of indoor pollutants like PM2.5 and CO₂ from smoke and other indoor pollution sources. Take action if indoor air pollutants rise to dangerous levels by running an air purifier, circulating fresh air through your HVAC system, or leaving your home temporarily if indoor air becomes unsafe to breathe or your home is threatened by wildfire.
\n
\n
Use an air quality monitoring app to keep track of pollutants in your environment. The AirVisual app displays real-time hyperlocal data from over 80,000 sensors around the world. The app also tracks up to six key wildfire pollutants, such as PM2.5, CO₂, and NO₂, so that you have the best picture of your local air quality during a wildfire and can take action to help protect your health.
\n

$\"Google$ $\"App$ $\"Android\"$

Wildfires are increasing in frequency and intensity. Wildfire smoke can negatively affect your health, even if you’re far away from the actual fire. Learn to protect the health of yourself and your family, and rest assured that you’ve taken the necessary precautions.

During a wildfire, it’s also important to monitor your local air quality to see how wildfire smoke will affect your outdoor air.

The takeaway

Wildfires are increasing in frequency and intensity. Wildfire smoke can negatively affect your health, even if you’re far away from the actual fire. And while wildfire smoke may be a warning sign of imminent fires, smoke also delivers its own set of risks for people living miles beyond the source.

Though smoke pollutants carried on the wind may be invisible, their impacts are felt by those most at risk. Smoke pollutants pose health threats that range from irritation and cough to more serious respiratory and cardiac risks.

By helping control smoke pollutants that threaten our indoor air quality through monitoring and air purification, it's possible to help manage wildfire smoke health risks.

","how-to-protect-yourself-from-wildfire-smoke","gid://shopify/Article/606869291307","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/how-to-protect-yourself-from-wildfire-smoke","2025-07-01T20:46:00Z",[390,638,1493,1404],"Popular articles","How to protect yourself from wildfire smoke",{"_10":1496,"_243":1497,"_246":1498,"_248":1165,"_244":1166},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/406601138550","Wildfire at night in hills","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/AQL_21_WildfireDesktop_a_790d6d55-874f-4c95-bff8-11655661a476.jpg?v=1752702197",{"_1124":1125,"_1126":1500,"_1115":1501,"_1131":1502,"_1133":1502,"_1134":1503,"_1136":1504,"_985":1505,"_10":1506,"_1140":1507,"_1142":-5,"_1143":1508,"_577":1509,"_541":1510,"_1148":1511},{"_12":1128},{"_985":1130},"How can you know what air purifier manufacturers to trust? Let's look more critically at air purification.","The home air purifier market has undergone many shifts and starts in its decades-long history as an affordable solution for indoor air quality. Along with those shifts have been seemingly ground breaking advancements in filtration technologies that may seem like the next revolution in air purification. But not all air purifiers safely clean the air. Not all air purifiers safely clean the air. Let's take an evidence-based approach to the industry and separate the fact from the fiction. What should I look for in an air purifier? Before we examine the various air purifiers on the market with a critical eye, it’s essential to have a solid understanding of what does make a good air purifier. 1. HEPA filters are the standard for the industry. What is a HEPA filter? High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters capture airborne particles from moving air using a dense, random arrangement of fibers. HEPA filters use the physics of particles moving through air to yank them out of the air flow. Their operation is simple but extremely effective, and HEPA filters are now standard issue for almost every air purifier on the market. But it wasn’t always that way. Air purifiers have been around for well over a century. The first air purification systems appeared in the 1850s in charcoal-based masks used by coal miners. They were designed to keep toxic dust out of their lungs. The technology was so successful that, less than twenty years later, respirators were added to these types of masks to protect firefighters from breathing in smoke chemicals and pollutants (1). Beginning in the 1940s, the United States Atomic Energy Commission started experimenting with high-efficiency particulate arrestance, better known now as HEPA, as a method of shielding soldiers from atomic radiation on World War II battlefields (2). HEPA filters did nothing to filter radiation particles, but researchers quickly learned that HEPA filters could filter out many harmful pollutants. In 1963, Manfred and Klaus Hammes, the founders of IQAir, introduced the world’s first residential air filter based on HEPA technology, helping reduce indoor pollution as well as chronic asthma symptoms. Not long after, HEPA became so widespread that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) required that all filters sold under the name “HEPA” must filter at least 99.97% of airborne particles down to 0.3 microns (3). Since then, HEPA air purification has become the standard for the air purification industry. HEPA is now thrown around as a generic term for air filters, but HEPA filters continue to filter 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns. The HyperHEPA filter builds upon the HEPA model to create even more efficient filtration systems. Many manufacturers, including IQAir, have built upon the HEPA model to create even more efficient filtration systems. IQAir’s patented HyperHEPAfilter is one such filter. HyperHEPA filters remove 99.5% of particles down to 0.003 microns, which are 100 times smaller than the DOE’s required 0.3-micron particle size. 2. Not all air purifier designs are created equal. All air purifier manufacturers know that their filters need to live up to this HEPA standard. But long-standing, strict guidelines around air filters can provide a false sense of security in HEPA. To advertise an air purifier as HEPA, it only needs to contain HEPA paper, the paper used to construct a HEPA filter. Whether the air purifier’s Total System Efficiency meets HEPA requirements is another story. In fact, most HEPA air purifiers are not tested for total efficiency (4). The hidden factor at work here is leakage. Despite the high efficiency of many HEPA filters, the housing designs of many air purifiers are not airtight. This means that dirty, unfiltered air passes around the HEPA filter through tiny openings, cracks, and space around the frame of the HEPA filter itself or between the frame and the purifier housing (5). So even though many air purifiers claim that their HEPA filters remove nearly 100% of particles from the air that passes through them, they’re only telling part of the story. In some cases, the actual efficiency of the whole air purifier design, with leakage considered, is closer to 80% or less (6). Even though many air purifiers claim that their HEPA filters remove nearly 100% of particles from the air that passes through them, the actual efficiency of the whole air purifier design, with leakage considered, is closer to 80% or less. Some air purifier manufacturers have resolved this issue with designs that are built to minimize or eliminate leakage. IQAir uses patented 3D UltraSeal knife-edge-in-groove sealing between the filter frame and the purifier housing to guarantee the full efficiency of our HyperHEPA filtration media. 3. Concerned about gas and odors? Go beyond HEPA. While HyperHEPA filters are great at getting particles out of the air, they do NOT take gases and odors out of the air. Unlike particles, the molecules that comprise gases, odors, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are not solid and will float through even the densest HyperHEPA filters. That’s where activated carbon filters come in. How do these filters work? It’s simpler than you might think: Chunks of carbon material (like charcoal) are exposed to high concentrations of oxygen. Countless pores open on the carbon surface, increasing the carbon surface area enormously. At this point, a pound of activated carbon can have the same surface area as 100 football fields. Several pounds of activated carbon are arranged in a flat “bed” and packaged in a proprietary filter design (such as IQAir’s V5 Cell gas and odor control filter). Air passes through the activated carbon bed. Gas, chemical, and VOC molecules are adsorbed into the carbon pores, meaning that they chemically bond to the extensive charcoal surface area. Activated carbon adsorption is the go-to method of filtration for gases as well as chemical pollutants from vehicle emissions and combustion processes (7)(8). Activated carbon adsorption is the go-to method of filtration for gases as well as chemical pollutants from vehicle emissions and combustion processes. Some air purifiers are designed to maximize activated carbon in case you’re more concerned about, for example, gases from cooking or odors from pets than about particle pollution in your home. IQAir’s GC MultiGas is built for such a purpose—while carbon filters generally use a few pounds of carbon, the GC MultiGas contains 12 pounds of activated carbon as well as impregnated alumina, providing well over 1200 football fields worth of surface area for gas and VOC molecules to adsorb to. The takeaway Now you know that the elements of a good air purifier are: HyperHEPA media for particle filtration No system leakage due to sealed filter and purifier housing Activated carbon for gas and odor filtration But we're not done yet. Just as important to know is what not to look for in an air purifier. What should I avoid in an air purifier? When considering air purifiers, some people wonder about their effectiveness and even potential risks. Question often arise, such as \"Do air purifiers work?\" or \"Are air purifiers effective?\" The answer is that while some air cleaning methods can remove particles and pollutants from the air, their capabilities are often limited. But it's not just about effectiveness. People also ask, \"Are air purifiers bad for you?\" This concern arises from potential hidden costs to your health. It's important to be aware of inefficiencies and any potential risks associated with the air purifier you're considering before making a purchase. So, if you're in the market for an air purifier, remember to ask yourself whether it will be effective at removing pollutants and particles from the air, and whether it poses any risks to your health. Ionizer air purifiers Ionizers are purported to purify air by sending out negatively charged ions (anions) that attract positively charged pollution particles (cations), causing them to leave the air and stick to surfaces like ceilings, walls, and furniture. Many popular air purifiers use ionization technology, also called negative ionization, as a central component of their operation. Research suggests that ionizers can help stop potentially infectious molds and bacteria from spreading in sterile environments like dental clinics and hospitals (9)(10). But there are two critical downsides to ionization (11)(12): Ionizer air purifiersdon’t get rid of pollutants. Particles charged by negative ions aren’t removed from the air—they merely stick to surfaces nearby. This includes surfaces inside your airways, such as your windpipe and alveoli, the sacs of air in your lungs. Pollutant build-up can cause heart, lung, and other respiratory conditions. Ionizer air purifierscan generate harmful ozone. Ionizers produce ozone (O3) that can build up to dangerous levels indoors. At even low levels, indoor ozone can irritate your airways, trigger asthma attacks, damage your olfactory bulb (the organ that helps your brain process odors), and even be fatal at high concentrations. Indoor ozone can irritate your airways, trigger asthma attacks, damage your olfactory bulb, and even be fatal at high concentrations. Verdict Don't buy an ionizer air purifier.They don’t remove particles from the air, and the ozone they produce can have harmful side effects, even if the purifier claims that they only charge the particles “a little bit.” Ozone Generators It’s worth saying again: ozone is TERRIBLE for you, especially indoor ozone build-up. The health concerns are serious enough that in 2017, California banned the use of ozonehome air purifiers (13). Ozone generators use a process called corona discharge to release ozone molecules into the air. When an ozone molecule intermingles with a particle or gas molecule, an ozone atom clings to the other molecule and blows it up in a process known as oxidation. Oxidation in the atmosphere after a lightning strike is also what makes the air smell so distinct after a thunderstorm. However, ozone generators do little to clean air and are quite bad for you. Here’s just a short (and far from complete) list of reasons why (14)(15)(16)(17)(18): Ozone can take years to fully clear even a small room of gases. Ozone reactions can introduce ultrafine particles (UFPs) into the air.UFPs can get into your lungs and your bloodstream, causing heart disease and even stunting lung development in children. Indoor ozone levels can rise five to ten times above recommended limits,which range from 0.05 to 0.1 parts per million (ppm), because of a lack of ventilation and in combination with outdoor ozone that seeps indoors.To put this in perspective, those who are sensitive to ozone, such as children, people with asthma, and pets, start experiencing health effects at only 0.01 ppm. Even a “safe” ozone generator that emits a small amount of ozone can quickly trigger potentially life-threatening ailments like asthma attacks. Verdict Don’t buy an ozone generator. They’re NOT air purifiers. Not only do they fail to clean your air, they hurt you and the most vulnerable in your home: your children and your pets. UV Light Purifiers Ultraviolet (UV) light is often used to disinfect equipment in hospitals and prevent the spread of harmful strains of bacteria and viruses (19)(20). One of the most common UV purification methods is called ultraviolet germicidal irradiation, or UVGI. In UVGI, intense UV lights are shined on bacteria and viruses, damaging their DNA beyond repair. Bacterial cells and viruses then shut themselves down because they can no longer function. This is called apoptosis, or programmed cell death, which effectively destroys their ability to cause infections (21). But UV air purification isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Here’s why(22) (23) (24) (25) (26): Bacteria and viruses need to be exposed to UV light for a certain amount of timebefore they’re rendered harmless: some strains need to be treated with UV for several hours in direct UV light before they’re destroyed.Home UV air purifiers don’t shine UV light on them long enough to be genuinely useful. Some bacteria can come back to life and become infectious again even after being disinfected by UV light. UV lights do nothing for pollutant particles.Air treated with UV light can still be full of harmful particulate matter, like PM10 and PM2.5. Many UV air purifiers produce ozone. UV light can burn your skin and damage your eyes. Sure, most UV purifiers block the light from shining out of the purifier, but even brief UV exposure can cause permanent skin and eye damage as well as cancer. Air treated with UV light can still be full of harmful particulate matter. Verdict Don’t buy a UV light air purifier. UV light somewhat disinfects but doesn’t purify air, and research shows that UV’s disinfection potential for air may be exaggerated. What do I do now? At this point, you should feel like you have a good sense of what’s fact and what’s fiction when it comes to a truly effective air purification system. So, what should you do now, armed with your knowledge of what makes a good air purifier? You have a multitude of options for maximizing your indoor air quality: Get a HyperHEPA air purifier. Patented HyperHEPA filtration technology removes 99.5% of pollutant particles down to 0.003 microns, the smallest particles in existence. Use advanced gas-phase filtration. Patented V5 Cell gas and odor control filters, used in HealthPro Series air purifiers, eliminateharmful chemicals and compounds with five pounds of activated carbon. The GC MultiGas features 12 pounds of activated carbon and impregnated alumina to help protect you against indoor gases and chemicals, in addition to our powerful HyperHEPA particle filtration. Use a personal air purifier. Atem Series personal air purifiers are equipped with HyperHEPA filtration technology and a PureJet diffuser that instantly blankets you in clean air. They’re sleek, compact, and portable, allowing you to breathe virtually pure air anytime, anywhere. Install a whole-house air purifier. Your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system at home uses outdoor air to heat and cool your home, so even with an indoor air purifier, your air still might become polluted by outdoor particulates on days with poor air quality. The PerfectPro Series whole-house air purifier is equipped with the most powerful HyperHEPA filters available for a residential air purification systems. It fits seamlessly into your existing HVAC system, ensuring that air entering your home is always up to the highest possible standard of quality. Still not sure? Read about some of the misconceptions that surround air purification technology. Use our Help Me Choose tool to see what air purifier may work best for your indoor air quality needs. The most capable air purification technology is always backed by evidence-based facts and science. When it comes to choosing the best air purifier, science has got your back.","

The home air purifier market has undergone many shifts and starts in its decades-long history as an affordable solution for indoor air quality. Along with those shifts have been seemingly ground breaking advancements in filtration technologies that may seem like the next revolution in air purification.

But not all air purifiers safely clean the air.

Not all air purifiers safely clean the air.

Let's take an evidence-based approach to the industry and separate the fact from the fiction.

What should I look for in an air purifier?

Before we examine the various air purifiers on the market with a critical eye, it’s essential to have a solid understanding of what does make a good air purifier.

$\"Air$

1. HEPA filters are the standard for the industry.

What is a HEPA filter?

High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters capture airborne particles from moving air using a dense, random arrangement of fibers. HEPA filters use the physics of particles moving through air to yank them out of the air flow. Their operation is simple but extremely effective, and HEPA filters are now standard issue for almost every air purifier on the market.

But it wasn’t always that way.

Air purifiers have been around for well over a century. The first air purification systems appeared in the 1850s in charcoal-based masks used by coal miners. They were designed to keep toxic dust out of their lungs. The technology was so successful that, less than twenty years later, respirators were added to these types of masks to protect firefighters from breathing in smoke chemicals and pollutants (1).

Beginning in the 1940s, the United States Atomic Energy Commission started experimenting with high-efficiency particulate arrestance, better known now as HEPA, as a method of shielding soldiers from atomic radiation on World War II battlefields (2).

HEPA filters did nothing to filter radiation particles, but researchers quickly learned that HEPA filters could filter out many harmful pollutants.

In 1963, Manfred and Klaus Hammes, the founders of IQAir, introduced the world’s first residential air filter based on HEPA technology, helping reduce indoor pollution as well as chronic asthma symptoms. Not long after, HEPA became so widespread that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) required that all filters sold under the name “HEPA” must filter at least 99.97% of airborne particles down to 0.3 microns (3).

Since then, HEPA air purification has become the standard for the air purification industry. HEPA is now thrown around as a generic term for air filters, but HEPA filters continue to filter 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns.

The HyperHEPA filter builds upon the HEPA model to create even more efficient filtration systems.

Many manufacturers, including IQAir, have built upon the HEPA model to create even more efficient filtration systems. IQAir’s patented HyperHEPAfilter is one such filter. HyperHEPA filters remove 99.5% of particles down to 0.003 microns, which are 100 times smaller than the DOE’s required 0.3-micron particle size.

2. Not all air purifier designs are created equal.

All air purifier manufacturers know that their filters need to live up to this HEPA standard. But long-standing, strict guidelines around air filters can provide a false sense of security in HEPA.

To advertise an air purifier as HEPA, it only needs to contain HEPA paper, the paper used to construct a HEPA filter. Whether the air purifier’s Total System Efficiency meets HEPA requirements is another story. In fact, most HEPA air purifiers are not tested for total efficiency (4).

The hidden factor at work here is leakage. Despite the high efficiency of many HEPA filters, the housing designs of many air purifiers are not airtight. This means that dirty, unfiltered air passes around the HEPA filter through tiny openings, cracks, and space around the frame of the HEPA filter itself or between the frame and the purifier housing (5).

So even though many air purifiers claim that their HEPA filters remove nearly 100% of particles from the air that passes through them, they’re only telling part of the story. In some cases, the actual efficiency of the whole air purifier design, with leakage considered, is closer to 80% or less (6).

Even though many air purifiers claim that their HEPA filters remove nearly 100% of particles from the air that passes through them, the actual efficiency of the whole air purifier design, with leakage considered, is closer to 80% or less.

Some air purifier manufacturers have resolved this issue with designs that are built to minimize or eliminate leakage. IQAir uses patented 3D UltraSeal knife-edge-in-groove sealing between the filter frame and the purifier housing to guarantee the full efficiency of our HyperHEPA filtration media.

3. Concerned about gas and odors? Go beyond HEPA.

While HyperHEPA filters are great at getting particles out of the air, they do NOT take gases and odors out of the air.

Unlike particles, the molecules that comprise gases, odors, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are not solid and will float through even the densest HyperHEPA filters. That’s where activated carbon filters come in.

How do these filters work? It’s simpler than you might think:

Chunks of carbon material (like charcoal) are exposed to high concentrations of oxygen.
Countless pores open on the carbon surface, increasing the carbon surface area enormously. At this point, a pound of activated carbon can have the same surface area as 100 football fields.
Several pounds of activated carbon are arranged in a flat “bed” and packaged in a proprietary filter design (such as IQAir’s V5 Cell gas and odor control filter).
Air passes through the activated carbon bed.
Gas, chemical, and VOC molecules are adsorbed into the carbon pores, meaning that they chemically bond to the extensive charcoal surface area.

Activated carbon adsorption is the go-to method of filtration for gases as well as chemical pollutants from vehicle emissions and combustion processes (7)(8).

Activated carbon adsorption is the go-to method of filtration for gases as well as chemical pollutants from vehicle emissions and combustion processes.

Some air purifiers are designed to maximize activated carbon in case you’re more concerned about, for example, gases from cooking or odors from pets than about particle pollution in your home. IQAir’s GC MultiGas is built for such a purpose—while carbon filters generally use a few pounds of carbon, the GC MultiGas contains 12 pounds of activated carbon as well as impregnated alumina, providing well over 1200 football fields worth of surface area for gas and VOC molecules to adsorb to.

The takeaway

Now you know that the elements of a good air purifier are:

\nHyperHEPA media for particle filtration
\nNo system leakage due to sealed filter and purifier housing
\nActivated carbon for gas and odor filtration

But we're not done yet. Just as important to know is what not to look for in an air purifier.

What should I avoid in an air purifier?

When considering air purifiers, some people wonder about their effectiveness and even potential risks. Question often arise, such as \"Do air purifiers work?\" or \"Are air purifiers effective?\" The answer is that while some air cleaning methods can remove particles and pollutants from the air, their capabilities are often limited.

But it's not just about effectiveness. People also ask, \"Are air purifiers bad for you?\" This concern arises from potential hidden costs to your health. It's important to be aware of inefficiencies and any potential risks associated with the air purifier you're considering before making a purchase.

So, if you're in the market for an air purifier, remember to ask yourself whether it will be effective at removing pollutants and particles from the air, and whether it poses any risks to your health.

Ionizer air purifiers

Ionizers are purported to purify air by sending out negatively charged ions (anions) that attract positively charged pollution particles (cations), causing them to leave the air and stick to surfaces like ceilings, walls, and furniture.

Many popular air purifiers use ionization technology, also called negative ionization, as a central component of their operation. Research suggests that ionizers can help stop potentially infectious molds and bacteria from spreading in sterile environments like dental clinics and hospitals (9)(10).

But there are two critical downsides to ionization (11)(12):

\nIonizer air purifiersdon’t get rid of pollutants. Particles charged by negative ions aren’t removed from the air—they merely stick to surfaces nearby. This includes surfaces inside your airways, such as your windpipe and alveoli, the sacs of air in your lungs. Pollutant build-up can cause heart, lung, and other respiratory conditions.
\nIonizer air purifierscan generate harmful ozone. Ionizers produce ozone (O3) that can build up to dangerous levels indoors. At even low levels, indoor ozone can irritate your airways, trigger asthma attacks, damage your olfactory bulb (the organ that helps your brain process odors), and even be fatal at high concentrations. \n

Indoor ozone can irritate your airways, trigger asthma attacks, damage your olfactory bulb, and even be fatal at high concentrations.

Verdict

Don't buy an ionizer air purifier.They don’t remove particles from the air, and the ozone they produce can have harmful side effects, even if the purifier claims that they only charge the particles “a little bit.”

Ozone Generators

It’s worth saying again: ozone is TERRIBLE for you, especially indoor ozone build-up. The health concerns are serious enough that in 2017, California banned the use of ozonehome air purifiers (13).

Ozone generators use a process called corona discharge to release ozone molecules into the air. When an ozone molecule intermingles with a particle or gas molecule, an ozone atom clings to the other molecule and blows it up in a process known as oxidation. Oxidation in the atmosphere after a lightning strike is also what makes the air smell so distinct after a thunderstorm.

However, ozone generators do little to clean air and are quite bad for you. Here’s just a short (and far from complete) list of reasons why (14)(15)(16)(17)(18):

\nOzone can take years to fully clear even a small room of gases.
\nOzone reactions can introduce ultrafine particles (UFPs) into the air.UFPs can get into your lungs and your bloodstream, causing heart disease and even stunting lung development in children.
\nIndoor ozone levels can rise five to ten times above recommended limits,which range from 0.05 to 0.1 parts per million (ppm), because of a lack of ventilation and in combination with outdoor ozone that seeps indoors.To put this in perspective, those who are sensitive to ozone, such as children, people with asthma, and pets, start experiencing health effects at only 0.01 ppm. Even a “safe” ozone generator that emits a small amount of ozone can quickly trigger potentially life-threatening ailments like asthma attacks.

Verdict

Don’t buy an ozone generator. They’re NOT air purifiers. Not only do they fail to clean your air, they hurt you and the most vulnerable in your home: your children and your pets.

UV Light Purifiers

Ultraviolet (UV) light is often used to disinfect equipment in hospitals and prevent the spread of harmful strains of bacteria and viruses (19)(20).

One of the most common UV purification methods is called ultraviolet germicidal irradiation, or UVGI.

In UVGI, intense UV lights are shined on bacteria and viruses, damaging their DNA beyond repair. Bacterial cells and viruses then shut themselves down because they can no longer function. This is called apoptosis, or programmed cell death, which effectively destroys their ability to cause infections (21).

But UV air purification isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Here’s why(22) (23) (24) (25) (26):

\nBacteria and viruses need to be exposed to UV light for a certain amount of timebefore they’re rendered harmless: some strains need to be treated with UV for several hours in direct UV light before they’re destroyed.Home UV air purifiers don’t shine UV light on them long enough to be genuinely useful.
\nSome bacteria can come back to life and become infectious again even after being disinfected by UV light.
\nUV lights do nothing for pollutant particles.Air treated with UV light can still be full of harmful particulate matter, like PM10 and PM2.5.
Many UV air purifiers produce ozone.
\nUV light can burn your skin and damage your eyes. Sure, most UV purifiers block the light from shining out of the purifier, but even brief UV exposure can cause permanent skin and eye damage as well as cancer.

Air treated with UV light can still be full of harmful particulate matter.

Verdict

Don’t buy a UV light air purifier. UV light somewhat disinfects but doesn’t purify air, and research shows that UV’s disinfection potential for air may be exaggerated.

What do I do now?

At this point, you should feel like you have a good sense of what’s fact and what’s fiction when it comes to a truly effective air purification system.

So, what should you do now, armed with your knowledge of what makes a good air purifier? You have a multitude of options for maximizing your indoor air quality:

\nGet a HyperHEPA air purifier. Patented HyperHEPA filtration technology removes 99.5% of pollutant particles down to 0.003 microns, the smallest particles in existence.
\nUse advanced gas-phase filtration.\n
- Patented V5 Cell gas and odor control filters, used in HealthPro Series air purifiers, eliminateharmful chemicals and compounds with five pounds of activated carbon.
- The GC MultiGas features 12 pounds of activated carbon and impregnated alumina to help protect you against indoor gases and chemicals, in addition to our powerful HyperHEPA particle filtration.
\n
\nUse a personal air purifier. Atem Series personal air purifiers are equipped with HyperHEPA filtration technology and a PureJet diffuser that instantly blankets you in clean air. They’re sleek, compact, and portable, allowing you to breathe virtually pure air anytime, anywhere.
\nInstall a whole-house air purifier. Your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system at home uses outdoor air to heat and cool your home, so even with an indoor air purifier, your air still might become polluted by outdoor particulates on days with poor air quality. The PerfectPro Series whole-house air purifier is equipped with the most powerful HyperHEPA filters available for a residential air purification systems. It fits seamlessly into your existing HVAC system, ensuring that air entering your home is always up to the highest possible standard of quality.

Still not sure? Read about some of the misconceptions that surround air purification technology. Use our Help Me Choose tool to see what air purifier may work best for your indoor air quality needs.

The most capable air purification technology is always backed by evidence-based facts and science. When it comes to choosing the best air purifier, science has got your back.

","do-air-purifiers-work-air-purifier-myths-and-facts-debunked","gid://shopify/Article/606869193003","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/do-air-purifiers-work-air-purifier-myths-and-facts-debunked","2022-01-02T14:14:32Z",[853,653,1493],"Do air purifiers work? Air purifier myths and facts debunked",{"_10":1512,"_243":1513,"_246":1514,"_248":1165,"_244":1166},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/408358224246","Close-up of what appears to be a room air purifier with some plants in the background (another indoor air purifying tool that has been shown to be ineffective in improving indoor air quality).","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/AQL_misconceptions-about-air-purifiers_5058ed72-2e8d-4b0f-9570-93510f9f1f89.jpg?v=1758212336",{"_1124":1125,"_1126":1516,"_1115":1517,"_1131":1518,"_1133":1518,"_1134":1519,"_1136":1520,"_985":1521,"_10":1522,"_1140":1523,"_1142":-5,"_1143":1524,"_577":1525,"_541":1526,"_1148":1527},{"_12":1128},{"_985":1130},"They look great on your nightstand, but are they worth their salt as air purifiers? Learn more.","Himalayan salt lamps DO NOT purify indoor air.These trendy little lamps consist of a light bulb placed inside a chunk of pink Himalayan salt. They’re easily recognized by their hand-carved, often stylized shapes and dim, pinkish glow they emit when light shines through them.They’ve been gaining popularity for years, mostly because their distinct color and unique appearance make them attractive objects for interior decoration, and their glow can add a pleasing atmosphere to a room.But their recent rise in popularity as “natural” air purifiers should trouble you.A host of (often misleading) studies supporting the use of salt in treating respiratory conditions have escalated demand for these little pink things, especially within the well-primed alternative medicine market, full of people who may already be seeking home remedies for all sorts of health conditions and indoor environmental issues when modern medicine hasn’t seemed to help.And you shouldn’t buy a Himalayan salt lamp to purify your air for one major reason: they’re negative ionizers, and negative ionization is one of the most absurd air purification myths ever devised.Why are Himalayan salt lamps bad for air quality?Again, two words: negative ionization.If you ever hear the words “ionization” (in one form or another) and “air purification” in the same sentence, you should run in the opposite direction.In the context of air purification, negative ionization happens when negatively charged particles attach themselves, or “charge,” pollutant particles in the air, effectively removing them from ambient air by causing them to stick to nearby surfaces.This phenomenon also occurs in nature – know that distinct smell in the air after a thunderstorm? That’s the result of “atmospheric space charge” as air ions are generated by the electric fields of storms.1 Many air purifiers and purification devices sold in stores, including Himalayan salt lamps and a variety of “air ionizers,” artificially produce high voltage to achieve this same effect.The problem with negative ionization, though, is that it doesn’t actually remove pollutants from your indoor air – it just causes the particles to adhere themselves to nearby surfaces, where they’re easily stirred up by indoor activities like dusting, vacuuming, and ventilation.Charged particles can also stick to your respiratory tract, where charged particles can settle in your windpipe and lungs and cause even more harm that if they’d just remained in the air. Studies show that these particles can penetrate deep into your respiratory system and cause both heart and lung conditions.2The average, nightstand-sized Himalayan salt lamp generates only a small number of negative ions into the air, so you may not notice any tangible change in your air quality or health, at least immediately. But these lamps can be huge: you can buy salt lamps that weight up to 300 pounds for thousands of dollars, and their ionization effects may have a more noticeable effect on your air, especially if you live in an airtight, energy-efficient home in which indoor pollutants have a much harder time getting out.And negative ionizers have another dark secret: they can also create indoor ozone (O3).There are two main types of ozone: Stratospheric ozone: Alayer of ozone occurs naturally several miles up in the atmosphere, where it protects the surface of the earth (and people’s skin) from ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Tropospheric ozone: Also called ground-level ozone or smog, ground-level ozone tends to develop when heat from sunlight reacts with chemicals near the ground, many of which are produced by emissions from vehicle exhaust and factory smoke. Negative ionization can generate tropospheric ozone indoors. While stratospheric ozone has no interaction with us in the lower atmosphere, ground-level ozone is far more harmful when it builds up to high levels. And perhaps one of the starkest examples of ground-level ozone is one that millions of us know very well – the smog that forms in major cities during rush hour.If you live near a freeway, dense urban center, or even at a high elevation where you can see the area around an urban area. A few hours or less after rush hour begins and the sun begins to rise, you’ll start to notice a visible layer of haze build up. This is ground-level ozone, and even though it’s a typical feature of modern life, extensive research shows that it causes a plethora of immediate symptoms, including: Coughing Wheezing Trouble breathing Stuffy nose Dizziness Tingling in arms and legs Fever3,4 Further research suggests that ozone is also responsible for long-term health problems, such as asthma, heart disease, and lung disease. Emerging studies on rats also suggest that ozone could cause seizures and blindness.So even though you may not get rush-hour levels of ozone in your home from a salt lamp, indoor ozone buildup can indeed cause some disruptive health effects if you don’t follow best practices for good Indoor Air Quality.So what’s so special about Himalayan salt?So how did someone come up with the idea that Himalayan salt lamps have any health effects at all?The story stretches back millennia. Truly authentic Himalayan salt comes from the Khewra salt reserves in the Punjab region of Pakistan. Salt mined here is thought to be millions of years old and contain numerous minerals.Salt lamps have been proposed for use in treatments for conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) because of their purported therapeutic effects on your respiratory system. This treatment even has a clinical term: halotherapy, based on an ages-old respiratory treatment technique known as speleotherapy. First used in Eastern Europe, speleotherapy consists of spending time in a salt cave, where four environmental conditions are thought to help reduce symptoms of respiratory illness:5 Stable air temperature Moderate to high humidity Presence of aerosol elements, such as sodium, potassium, and magnesium Lack of airborne pollutants Halotherapy takes the notion that salt cave environments are good for respiratory health by having people inhale small amounts of salt particles that are released into the ambient air of a controlled room to “reproduce” a salt cave’s microclimate. But there’s no conclusive evidence that either speleotherapy or halotherapy actually relieve respiratory symptoms.6Take the claims with a grain of...well, saltSo here’s the takeaway: We’re not saying you shouldn’t get a Himalayan salt lamp. Their dim glow can be quite soothing at night when you’re trying to fall asleep.But they don’t purify air. And “air purifiers” that emits ions and ozone may make your indoor air quality worse, introduce new health problems, and exacerbate existing ones.You can take many precautions to monitorand keep your indoor air clean, but buying a salt lamp isn’t one of them. Try these proven methods instead: Be aware of your indoor air quality. The AirVisual Series consists of portable air quality monitors that use cutting-edge laser technology to give you real-time measurements of key pollutants, including particulate matter. AirVisual Series also provides 72-hour historical and forecast data so that you can know exactly when and why your indoor air quality changes. Control sources of poor indoor air quality. If you’re thinking about buying a salt lamp to purify your air, chances are that you do have air quality issues that you may be able to do something about. The first step to improving your indoor indoor air quality is source control.This means eliminating individual sources of pollution or reducing their emissions. Regularly clean your HVAC system ducts. Install a whole-house air purifier into your HVAC system to reduce indoor pollutants by up to 95%. Replace water-damaged areas of your home to prevent mold and dust mites. Keep paints, solvents, and other chemicals in well-ventilated areas. Ventilate your home. Let in fresh air regularly to lower the concentrations of indoor air pollutants. This is especially important if you live in an airtight, energy-efficient home in which indoor pollutants have nowhere to go and thus build up to dangerous levels. Open doors and windows when outdoor air quality is good. Use a range hood for your stove to capture gases and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from cooking. Use an air purifier with HyperHEPA technology. The IQAir HealthPro Plusis the best air purifier for even the smallest pollutant particles, removing up to 99.5% of particulates down to 0.003 microns, like viruses and ultrafine particles from vehicle exhaust. The Atempersonal air purifier can also provide pure, pollutant-free air directly into your personal breathing zone. Sure, a salt lamp can be a nice accessory and bring some calm into your home. But there’s plenty you can do to actually keep your indoor air clean and bring yourself some peace of mind knowing that your home is a clean air sanctuary.","

Himalayan salt lamps DO NOT purify indoor air.

These trendy little lamps consist of a light bulb placed inside a chunk of pink Himalayan salt. They’re easily recognized by their hand-carved, often stylized shapes and dim, pinkish glow they emit when light shines through them.

They’ve been gaining popularity for years, mostly because their distinct color and unique appearance make them attractive objects for interior decoration, and their glow can add a pleasing atmosphere to a room.

But their recent rise in popularity as “natural” air purifiers should trouble you.

A host of (often misleading) studies supporting the use of salt in treating respiratory conditions have escalated demand for these little pink things, especially within the well-primed alternative medicine market, full of people who may already be seeking home remedies for all sorts of health conditions and indoor environmental issues when modern medicine hasn’t seemed to help.

And you shouldn’t buy a Himalayan salt lamp to purify your air for one major reason: they’re negative ionizers, and negative ionization is one of the most absurd air purification myths ever devised.

Why are Himalayan salt lamps bad for air quality?

Again, two words: negative ionization.

If you ever hear the words “ionization” (in one form or another) and “air purification” in the same sentence, you should run in the opposite direction.

In the context of air purification, negative ionization happens when negatively charged particles attach themselves, or “charge,” pollutant particles in the air, effectively removing them from ambient air by causing them to stick to nearby surfaces.

This phenomenon also occurs in nature – know that distinct smell in the air after a thunderstorm? That’s the result of “atmospheric space charge” as air ions are generated by the electric fields of storms.¹ Many air purifiers and purification devices sold in stores, including Himalayan salt lamps and a variety of “air ionizers,” artificially produce high voltage to achieve this same effect.

The problem with negative ionization, though, is that it doesn’t actually remove pollutants from your indoor air – it just causes the particles to adhere themselves to nearby surfaces, where they’re easily stirred up by indoor activities like dusting, vacuuming, and ventilation.

Charged particles can also stick to your respiratory tract, where charged particles can settle in your windpipe and lungs and cause even more harm that if they’d just remained in the air. Studies show that these particles can penetrate deep into your respiratory system and cause both heart and lung conditions.²

The average, nightstand-sized Himalayan salt lamp generates only a small number of negative ions into the air, so you may not notice any tangible change in your air quality or health, at least immediately. But these lamps can be huge: you can buy salt lamps that weight up to 300 pounds for thousands of dollars, and their ionization effects may have a more noticeable effect on your air, especially if you live in an airtight, energy-efficient home in which indoor pollutants have a much harder time getting out.

And negative ionizers have another dark secret: they can also create indoor ozone (O₃).

There are two main types of ozone:

\nStratospheric ozone: Alayer of ozone occurs naturally several miles up in the atmosphere, where it protects the surface of the earth (and people’s skin) from ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.
\nTropospheric ozone: Also called ground-level ozone or smog, ground-level ozone tends to develop when heat from sunlight reacts with chemicals near the ground, many of which are produced by emissions from vehicle exhaust and factory smoke.

Negative ionization can generate tropospheric ozone indoors. While stratospheric ozone has no interaction with us in the lower atmosphere, ground-level ozone is far more harmful when it builds up to high levels. And perhaps one of the starkest examples of ground-level ozone is one that millions of us know very well – the smog that forms in major cities during rush hour.

If you live near a freeway, dense urban center, or even at a high elevation where you can see the area around an urban area. A few hours or less after rush hour begins and the sun begins to rise, you’ll start to notice a visible layer of haze build up. This is ground-level ozone, and even though it’s a typical feature of modern life, extensive research shows that it causes a plethora of immediate symptoms, including:

Coughing
Wheezing
Trouble breathing
Stuffy nose
Dizziness
Tingling in arms and legs
Fever^3,4\n

Further research suggests that ozone is also responsible for long-term health problems, such as asthma, heart disease, and lung disease. Emerging studies on rats also suggest that ozone could cause seizures and blindness.

So even though you may not get rush-hour levels of ozone in your home from a salt lamp, indoor ozone buildup can indeed cause some disruptive health effects if you don’t follow best practices for good Indoor Air Quality.

So what’s so special about Himalayan salt?

So how did someone come up with the idea that Himalayan salt lamps have any health effects at all?

The story stretches back millennia. Truly authentic Himalayan salt comes from the Khewra salt reserves in the Punjab region of Pakistan. Salt mined here is thought to be millions of years old and contain numerous minerals.

Salt lamps have been proposed for use in treatments for conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) because of their purported therapeutic effects on your respiratory system. This treatment even has a clinical term: halotherapy, based on an ages-old respiratory treatment technique known as speleotherapy. First used in Eastern Europe, speleotherapy consists of spending time in a salt cave, where four environmental conditions are thought to help reduce symptoms of respiratory illness:⁵

Stable air temperature
Moderate to high humidity
Presence of aerosol elements, such as sodium, potassium, and magnesium
Lack of airborne pollutants

Halotherapy takes the notion that salt cave environments are good for respiratory health by having people inhale small amounts of salt particles that are released into the ambient air of a controlled room to “reproduce” a salt cave’s microclimate. But there’s no conclusive evidence that either speleotherapy or halotherapy actually relieve respiratory symptoms.⁶

Take the claims with a grain of...well, salt

So here’s the takeaway: We’re not saying you shouldn’t get a Himalayan salt lamp. Their dim glow can be quite soothing at night when you’re trying to fall asleep.

But they don’t purify air. And “air purifiers” that emits ions and ozone may make your indoor air quality worse, introduce new health problems, and exacerbate existing ones.

You can take many precautions to monitorand keep your indoor air clean, but buying a salt lamp isn’t one of them. Try these proven methods instead:

\nBe aware of your indoor air quality. The AirVisual Series consists of portable air quality monitors that use cutting-edge laser technology to give you real-time measurements of key pollutants, including particulate matter. AirVisual Series also provides 72-hour historical and forecast data so that you can know exactly when and why your indoor air quality changes.
\nControl sources of poor indoor air quality. If you’re thinking about buying a salt lamp to purify your air, chances are that you do have air quality issues that you may be able to do something about. The first step to improving your indoor indoor air quality is source control.This means eliminating individual sources of pollution or reducing their emissions.\n\n\t
- Regularly clean your HVAC system ducts. Install a whole-house air purifier into your HVAC system to reduce indoor pollutants by up to 95%.
- Replace water-damaged areas of your home to prevent mold and dust mites.
- Keep paints, solvents, and other chemicals in well-ventilated areas.
\n\n\t
\nVentilate your home. Let in fresh air regularly to lower the concentrations of indoor air pollutants. This is especially important if you live in an airtight, energy-efficient home in which indoor pollutants have nowhere to go and thus build up to dangerous levels.\n\n\t
- Open doors and windows when outdoor air quality is good.
- Use a range hood for your stove to capture gases and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from cooking.
\n\n\t
\nUse an air purifier with HyperHEPA technology. The IQAir HealthPro Plusis the best air purifier for even the smallest pollutant particles, removing up to 99.5% of particulates down to 0.003 microns, like viruses and ultrafine particles from vehicle exhaust. The Atempersonal air purifier can also provide pure, pollutant-free air directly into your personal breathing zone.

Sure, a salt lamp can be a nice accessory and bring some calm into your home. But there’s plenty you can do to actually keep your indoor air clean and bring yourself some peace of mind knowing that your home is a clean air sanctuary.
\n\n

","himalayan-salt-lamp-debunked","gid://shopify/Article/606869356843","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/himalayan-salt-lamp-debunked","2019-06-17T13:49:29Z",[390,653,1493],"Himalayan salt lamps: Worth their salt?",{"_10":1528,"_243":1529,"_246":1530,"_248":1165,"_244":1166},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/406288400758","Why are Himalayan salt lamps bad for air quality?","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/AQL_HimalayanSalt_061419_750_ebdb5244-3cb4-49a7-b887-47de5134ba96.jpg?v=1751543557",{"_1124":1125,"_1126":1532,"_1115":1533,"_1131":1534,"_1133":1534,"_1134":1535,"_1136":1536,"_985":1537,"_10":1538,"_1140":1539,"_1142":-5,"_1143":1540,"_577":1541,"_541":1542,"_1148":1543},{"_12":1128},{"_985":1130},"Learn more how scented candles release harmful chemicals into the air — even when unlit — and can harm your health.","Are scented candles bad for you?Burning a scented candle is a popular way to create a pleasant ambiance at home. Scents such aslavender, jasmine, and sandalwood can be relaxing and invigorating. During the holidays, many people find the warm glow and aroma of pine, gingerbread, or cinnamon makes a room feel more festive.Unfortunately, most mass-produced scented candles can have a negative impact on indoor air quality. From the wax to the wick to the fragrance itself, the average scented candle can release harmful chemicals into the air — even when unlit.From the wax to the wick to the fragrance itself, the average scented candle can release harmful chemicals into the air — even when unlit.So while you and your family may enjoy the fragrance of scented candles in your home, they may be harmful to your health. Read on to learn why some candles are bad for you.Paraffin waxAre paraffin wax candles safe? In what way can wax be harmful?According to a 2017 study in the International Journal of Tropical Disease and Health, paraffin candles emit pollutants that can threaten human health and shouldn’t be burned in enclosed areas (1).Most candles are made from paraffin, a petroleum byproduct. To create paraffin wax candles, petroleum waste is chemically bleached, deodorized, and made into wax. When burned, paraffin wax can release toxicvolatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air, including known carcinogens like: alkenes acetone benzene toluene These are the same chemicals found in diesel fuel emissions and are known to cause allergies, asthma attacks, and skin problems.A 2005 study published by the University of South Florida showed that candles made of paraffin wax emit low levels of benzene even when they are not lit (2).Is burning candles bad for you?In addition to releasing toxic chemicals, burning paraffin wax produces soot composed of particulate matter such as, PM2.5 and ultrafine particles that can remain suspended in the air for hours. According to the University of South Florida study, ultrafine soot particles are similar to diesel exhaust in both their size and composition. They penetrate deeply into the lungs and are absorbed into the blood stream (3).A 2000 study conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency showed that soot emissions from candles are significantly higher after wax breakthrough occurs and when a candle is smoldering (4).Ultrafine particles are associated with severe health issues, including: allergies asthma COPD (5) respiratory tract infections heart attacks strokes cancer So, are candles bad for your health? Not all candles produce the same amount of air pollutants. A 2002 study published in theJournal of the American Oil Chemists’ Society found that soywax, much like beeswax candles, burned at a significantly lower rate and resulted in less soot than paraffin candles (6).Chemical fragrancesAnother problem with scented candles is that the chemicals they use to create a pleasing aroma are generally far from wholesome.Most scented candles use synthetic fragrances and dyes that give off dangerous VOCs even at room temperature.Most scented candles use synthetic fragrances and dyes that give off dangerous VOCs even at room temperature. Commonly emitted VOCs related to the scent in candles include (7): formaldehyde petroleum distillates limonene alcohol esters These harmful chemicals can cause health problems, such as: headaches dizziness allergy symptoms asthma attacks respiratory tract infections cancer Cored wicksMany candles have cored wicks made from cotton that are wrapped around a metal support. The design helps keep the wick from falling over into the wax. This is especially useful for scented candles because the fragrance oils soften the wax and allow non-cored wicks to go limp.Are candles toxic? If they have lead in them, possibly. Lead was once commonly used in cored candlewicks — especially in candles imported from overseas. However, after determining that these wicks could present a lead poisoning hazard to young children, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission banned the manufacture and sale of all candles with lead-core wicks in 2003 (8). Zinc and tin have been used as a substitute since the ban.All metal-core wicks release trace amounts of heavy metals into the air when they are burned.However, all metal-core wicks release trace amounts of heavy metals into the air when they are burned. Wicks with zinc and tin cores can still release small amounts of lead particles (9,10).Safer alternativesTo limit soot stains and poor air quality in your home, you should avoid or restrict the use of candles (11).If you still crave the pleasant ambiance and aroma of scented candles, here are safer ways to scent the air: Use essential oils for fragrance.Essential oils can be placed in a diffuser or in bathwater to create a desired aroma. Simmer spices.Place spices such as cinnamon sticks, cloves, and nutmeg in a pot of water and let it simmer on the stove. Create potpourri.Dried items such as flowers, berries, fruit rinds, wood chips, and spices can be placed in bowls or fabric bags and placed around your home. The takeawayLighting scented candles may seem like a relaxing way to enjoy your home. But burning scented candles releases VOC pollutants and worsens your home’s indoor air quality. Although fragrances from safer alternatives like essential oils can be pleasant, trulyclean air smells like nothing at all.","

Are scented candles bad for you?

Burning a scented candle is a popular way to create a pleasant ambiance at home. Scents such aslavender, jasmine, and sandalwood can be relaxing and invigorating. During the holidays, many people find the warm glow and aroma of pine, gingerbread, or cinnamon makes a room feel more festive.

Unfortunately, most mass-produced scented candles can have a negative impact on indoor air quality. From the wax to the wick to the fragrance itself, the average scented candle can release harmful chemicals into the air — even when unlit.

From the wax to the wick to the fragrance itself, the average scented candle can release harmful chemicals into the air — even when unlit.

So while you and your family may enjoy the fragrance of scented candles in your home, they may be harmful to your health. Read on to learn why some candles are bad for you.

Paraffin wax

Are paraffin wax candles safe? In what way can wax be harmful?

According to a 2017 study in the International Journal of Tropical Disease and Health, paraffin candles emit pollutants that can threaten human health and shouldn’t be burned in enclosed areas (1).

Most candles are made from paraffin, a petroleum byproduct. To create paraffin wax candles, petroleum waste is chemically bleached, deodorized, and made into wax. When burned, paraffin wax can release toxicvolatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air, including known carcinogens like:

alkenes
acetone
benzene
toluene

These are the same chemicals found in diesel fuel emissions and are known to cause allergies, asthma attacks, and skin problems.

A 2005 study published by the University of South Florida showed that candles made of paraffin wax emit low levels of benzene even when they are not lit (2).

Is burning candles bad for you?

In addition to releasing toxic chemicals, burning paraffin wax produces soot composed of particulate matter such as, PM2.5 and ultrafine particles that can remain suspended in the air for hours. According to the University of South Florida study, ultrafine soot particles are similar to diesel exhaust in both their size and composition. They penetrate deeply into the lungs and are absorbed into the blood stream (3).

A 2000 study conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency showed that soot emissions from candles are significantly higher after wax breakthrough occurs and when a candle is smoldering (4).

Ultrafine particles are associated with severe health issues, including:

allergies
asthma
COPD (5)
respiratory tract infections
heart attacks
strokes
cancer

So, are candles bad for your health? Not all candles produce the same amount of air pollutants. A 2002 study published in theJournal of the American Oil Chemists’ Society found that soywax, much like beeswax candles, burned at a significantly lower rate and resulted in less soot than paraffin candles (6).

Chemical fragrances

Another problem with scented candles is that the chemicals they use to create a pleasing aroma are generally far from wholesome.

Most scented candles use synthetic fragrances and dyes that give off dangerous VOCs even at room temperature.

Most scented candles use synthetic fragrances and dyes that give off dangerous VOCs even at room temperature. Commonly emitted VOCs related to the scent in candles include (7):

formaldehyde
petroleum distillates
limonene
alcohol
esters

These harmful chemicals can cause health problems, such as:

headaches
dizziness
allergy symptoms
asthma attacks
respiratory tract infections
cancer
\n\n\t

Cored wicks

Many candles have cored wicks made from cotton that are wrapped around a metal support. The design helps keep the wick from falling over into the wax. This is especially useful for scented candles because the fragrance oils soften the wax and allow non-cored wicks to go limp.

Are candles toxic? If they have lead in them, possibly. Lead was once commonly used in cored candlewicks — especially in candles imported from overseas. However, after determining that these wicks could present a lead poisoning hazard to young children, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission banned the manufacture and sale of all candles with lead-core wicks in 2003 (8). Zinc and tin have been used as a substitute since the ban.

All metal-core wicks release trace amounts of heavy metals into the air when they are burned.

However, all metal-core wicks release trace amounts of heavy metals into the air when they are burned. Wicks with zinc and tin cores can still release small amounts of lead particles (9,10).

Safer alternatives

To limit soot stains and poor air quality in your home, you should avoid or restrict the use of candles (11).

If you still crave the pleasant ambiance and aroma of scented candles, here are safer ways to scent the air:

\nUse essential oils for fragrance.Essential oils can be placed in a diffuser or in bathwater to create a desired aroma.
\nSimmer spices.Place spices such as cinnamon sticks, cloves, and nutmeg in a pot of water and let it simmer on the stove.
\nCreate potpourri.Dried items such as flowers, berries, fruit rinds, wood chips, and spices can be placed in bowls or fabric bags and placed around your home.

The takeaway

Lighting scented candles may seem like a relaxing way to enjoy your home. But burning scented candles releases VOC pollutants and worsens your home’s indoor air quality. Although fragrances from safer alternatives like essential oils can be pleasant, trulyclean air smells like nothing at all.

","hidden-dangers-scented-candles","gid://shopify/Article/606869127467","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/hidden-dangers-scented-candles","2016-12-04T22:35:53Z",[653,1493],"The hidden dangers of scented candles",{"_10":1544,"_243":1545,"_246":1546,"_248":1165,"_244":1166},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/405721284982","Two lit candles","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/49_scented_desktop_RE_3518d342-9492-4308-82e5-ee4111074a17.jpg?v=1749633010","successStories",[1549,1566,1583,1598],{"_1124":1125,"_1126":1550,"_1115":1551,"_1131":1552,"_1133":1553,"_1134":1554,"_1136":1555,"_985":1556,"_10":1557,"_1140":1558,"_1142":-5,"_1143":1559,"_577":1560,"_541":1561,"_1148":1562},{"_12":1128},{"_985":1130},"Discover how Tedy Mwendwa's air quality monitoring project in Nairobi is bridging critical gaps in Africa's air quality data. Learn more.","

Discover how Tedy Mwendwa's air quality monitoring project in Nairobi is bridging critical gaps in Africa's air quality data. Learn more.

","“Every day, I witness the severe impact of poor air quality on my community,” Tedy Mwendwa explained. “Using my expertise in electrical engineering, I felt compelled to create change.” In the heart of Africa, amidst bustling cities and vibrant rural landscapes, Mwendwa is pioneering a movement for cleaner air in Kenya. With a professional foundation in electrical engineering and a passion for environmental stewardship, Mwendwa's deployment of a low-cost air quality sensor in Kenya’s capital city, Nairobi, marks a pivotal step in revealing and addressing pollution and bridging critical gaps in Africa’s air quality data. Nairobi's leap towards cleaner air In late 2021, Mwendwa established an air quality station. Set up along one of Nairobi’s busy thoroughfares, the station gathers data on pollutants from sources like vehicular exhaust and biomass burning. \"It's about leveraging technology to unveil the hidden dangers of pollution.” “It's about leveraging technology to unveil the hidden dangers of pollution,” Mwendwa said. “Empowering our community with this data is crucial for driving action and advocating for sustainable solutions. Without data, we remain in the dark.” Local expertise, global resources drive innovation Building on the foundation of community-driven air monitoring, the project has taken a step forward. It now hosts East Africa’s first Monster Aerosol System (a platform that houses advanced aerosol analyzers), featuring a Time-of-Flight Aerosol Chemical Speciation Monitor (TOF-ACSM). This technology provides real-time, high-resolution data on airborne particles—including nitrates, ammonium, and chlorides—uncovering the chemical fingerprints of pollution with unprecedented precision. Paired with a black carbon monitor, the system offers a comprehensive view of airborne composition and sources. These reference-grade instruments build on the project’s original IQAir AirVisual Outdoor monitor—pairing community-level, real-time data with laboratory-grade chemical insight. The TOF-ACSM will help identify pollution sources—from mineral dust kicked up by unpaved roads and construction to organic aerosols tied to biomass burning and traffic emissions. It will also track seasonal and daily shifts in air quality, influenced by weather patterns and human activity. The initiative is expanding further with the deployment of GRIMM EDM 180 reference monitors across Nairobi, replacing older equipment to deliver faster, more accurate readings with minimal maintenance. In collaboration with the Kenya National Highways Authority (KENHA), these monitors will be placed along major highways and construction zones, ensuring data reflects the realities of urban life. These advancements are part of the NBO-CHEM Project (Nairobi Aerosol Chemistry and Monitoring Initiative), an effort funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and led by Prof. Daniel M. Westervelt, Dr. Godwin Opinde, and Tedy Mwendwa. By combining local expertise with state-of-the-art scientific resources, the project aims to transform how we understand air pollution in East Africa. The challenge of air quality monitoring in Africa The new additions to the project are heartening developments towards advancing air quality understanding in East Africa. Yet, despite the increasing efforts to monitor air quality globally, Africa remains one of the most underrepresented continents in terms of air quality data. According to the 2024 World Air Quality Report, there is only one monitoring station for every 3.7 million people. While coverage has expanded to include more African countries in recent years, there are still vast areas without sufficient data. For example, countries like Niger and Sudan remain without publicly available monitoring data.Air pollution is a major health threat, causing an estimated seven million premature deaths worldwide each year. Without accurate data, it is challenging to address the sources and impacts of air pollution effectively. Grassroots efforts like Mwendwa's are crucial in filling these data gaps, providing models for further projects and inspiring broader initiatives. Harnessing technology for a healthier tomorrow Utilizing an AirVisual Outdoor air quality monitor, Mwendwa’s station gathers critical real-time data. “The AirVisual sensor was easy to deploy and requires little maintenance, even in our somewhat extreme conditions with limited resources,” he said.The project, though small, is already making a difference in the community. “By sharing a link to the AirVisual Platform and using the app, we can easily get our data to students nationwide, enabling them to conduct their own research on pollution,” he said. The data has also been used to inform parents with small children of the effects of poor air quality. \"They need to understand that this data can help give them a better life,\" Mwendwa said. Cultivating environmental consciousness Mwendwa envisions a future where air quality stations span Africa, fostering a culture of environmental awareness and proactive health management. “The data my station is gathering empowers students to conduct community research, highlighting pollution's impact and fostering greater understanding,” he said. “This awareness can significantly influence the general population.\"Mwendwa plans further collaborations with local governments, communities, and international bodies, with this initial project laying a foundation for sustainable environmental policies and practices. “Our goal is to illuminate the unseen threats of pollution through technology,” he said. “Providing our community, and beyond, with this data, equips them to advocate for sustainable solutions essential for a healthier future. Without data, we are navigating blindly.” “Providing our community with this data equips them to advocate for sustainable solutions essential for a healthier future.” Conclusion From a low-cost sensor to a full NBO-CHEM reference hybrid network, Mwendwa’s project shows how local leadership and modern tools can accelerate Kenya’s clean-air progress. The project is an invitation to communities and policymakers to engage in a similar quest for healthier environments.Mwendwa's efforts symbolize more than geographic growth—they embody the momentum of a global movement dedicated to clean air. His work exemplifies uniting technology, data, and collective engagement to tackle one of our era's most pressing challenges.Achieving cleaner air is a communal endeavor, demanding innovation and cooperation. Mwendwa's project is a rallying cry to all, inviting participation in crafting a healthier, sustainable future for generations to come.","

“Every day, I witness the severe impact of poor air quality on my community,” Tedy Mwendwa explained. “Using my expertise in electrical engineering, I felt compelled to create change.”

In the heart of Africa, amidst bustling cities and vibrant rural landscapes, Mwendwa is pioneering a movement for cleaner air in Kenya. With a professional foundation in electrical engineering and a passion for environmental stewardship, Mwendwa's deployment of a low-cost air quality sensor in Kenya’s capital city, Nairobi, marks a pivotal step in revealing and addressing pollution and bridging critical gaps in Africa’s air quality data.

Nairobi's leap towards cleaner air

In late 2021, Mwendwa established an air quality station. Set up along one of Nairobi’s busy thoroughfares, the station gathers data on pollutants from sources like vehicular exhaust and biomass burning.

\"It's about leveraging technology to unveil the hidden dangers of pollution.”

“It's about leveraging technology to unveil the hidden dangers of pollution,” Mwendwa said. “Empowering our community with this data is crucial for driving action and advocating for sustainable solutions. Without data, we remain in the dark.”

Local expertise, global resources drive innovation

Building on the foundation of community-driven air monitoring, the project has taken a step forward. It now hosts East Africa’s first Monster Aerosol System (a platform that houses advanced aerosol analyzers), featuring a Time-of-Flight Aerosol Chemical Speciation Monitor (TOF-ACSM). This technology provides real-time, high-resolution data on airborne particles—including nitrates, ammonium, and chlorides—uncovering the chemical fingerprints of pollution with unprecedented precision. Paired with a black carbon monitor, the system offers a comprehensive view of airborne composition and sources. These reference-grade instruments build on the project’s original IQAir AirVisual Outdoor monitor—pairing community-level, real-time data with laboratory-grade chemical insight.

The TOF-ACSM will help identify pollution sources—from mineral dust kicked up by unpaved roads and construction to organic aerosols tied to biomass burning and traffic emissions. It will also track seasonal and daily shifts in air quality, influenced by weather patterns and human activity.

The initiative is expanding further with the deployment of GRIMM EDM 180 reference monitors across Nairobi, replacing older equipment to deliver faster, more accurate readings with minimal maintenance. In collaboration with the Kenya National Highways Authority (KENHA), these monitors will be placed along major highways and construction zones, ensuring data reflects the realities of urban life.

These advancements are part of the NBO-CHEM Project (Nairobi Aerosol Chemistry and Monitoring Initiative), an effort funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and led by Prof. Daniel M. Westervelt, Dr. Godwin Opinde, and Tedy Mwendwa.

By combining local expertise with state-of-the-art scientific resources, the project aims to transform how we understand air pollution in East Africa.

The challenge of air quality monitoring in Africa

The new additions to the project are heartening developments towards advancing air quality understanding in East Africa. Yet, despite the increasing efforts to monitor air quality globally, Africa remains one of the most underrepresented continents in terms of air quality data. According to the 2024 World Air Quality Report , there is only one monitoring station for every 3.7 million people.

While coverage has expanded to include more African countries in recent years, there are still vast areas without sufficient data. For example, countries like Niger and Sudan remain without publicly available monitoring data.

Air pollution is a major health threat, causing an estimated seven million premature deaths worldwide each year. Without accurate data, it is challenging to address the sources and impacts of air pollution effectively. Grassroots efforts like Mwendwa's are crucial in filling these data gaps, providing models for further projects and inspiring broader initiatives.

Harnessing technology for a healthier tomorrow

Utilizing an AirVisual Outdoor air quality monitor, Mwendwa’s station gathers critical real-time data. “The AirVisual sensor was easy to deploy and requires little maintenance, even in our somewhat extreme conditions with limited resources,” he said.

The project, though small, is already making a difference in the community. “By sharing a link to the AirVisual Platform and using the app, we can easily get our data to students nationwide, enabling them to conduct their own research on pollution,” he said. The data has also been used to inform parents with small children of the effects of poor air quality. \"They need to understand that this data can help give them a better life,\" Mwendwa said.

Cultivating environmental consciousness

Mwendwa envisions a future where air quality stations span Africa, fostering a culture of environmental awareness and proactive health management. “The data my station is gathering empowers students to conduct community research, highlighting pollution's impact and fostering greater understanding,” he said. “This awareness can significantly influence the general population.\"

Mwendwa plans further collaborations with local governments, communities, and international bodies, with this initial project laying a foundation for sustainable environmental policies and practices. “Our goal is to illuminate the unseen threats of pollution through technology,” he said. “Providing our community, and beyond, with this data, equips them to advocate for sustainable solutions essential for a healthier future. Without data, we are navigating blindly.”

“Providing our community with this data equips them to advocate for sustainable solutions essential for a healthier future.”

Conclusion

From a low-cost sensor to a full NBO-CHEM reference hybrid network, Mwendwa’s project shows how local leadership and modern tools can accelerate Kenya’s clean-air progress. The project is an invitation to communities and policymakers to engage in a similar quest for healthier environments.

Mwendwa's efforts symbolize more than geographic growth—they embody the momentum of a global movement dedicated to clean air. His work exemplifies uniting technology, data, and collective engagement to tackle one of our era's most pressing challenges.

Achieving cleaner air is a communal endeavor, demanding innovation and cooperation. Mwendwa's project is a rallying cry to all, inviting participation in crafting a healthier, sustainable future for generations to come.

","revealing-the-invisible-kenya","gid://shopify/Article/607976751403","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/revealing-the-invisible-kenya","2025-12-01T04:00:00Z",[648,838],"Revealing the Invisible: Boosting air quality awareness in Kenya",{"_10":1563,"_243":1564,"_246":1565,"_248":1165,"_244":1166},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/411421278582","Nairobi-city-smog","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/AQL_Revamp_Kenya_Clean_Air_Desktop_4f1dd00b-baa3-4e27-9eed-3acd42f2faae.jpg?v=1767630558",{"_1124":1125,"_1126":1567,"_1115":1568,"_1131":1569,"_1133":1570,"_1134":1571,"_1136":1572,"_985":1573,"_10":1574,"_1140":1575,"_1142":-5,"_1143":1576,"_577":1577,"_541":1578,"_1148":1579},{"_12":1128},{"_985":1130},"WWF Pakistan is tackling air pollution with IQAir. Learn how real-time data is driving change across the country.","

WWF Pakistan is tackling air pollution with IQAir. Learn how real-time data is driving change across the country.

","In Pakistan, severe air pollution silently impacts public health and well-being nationwide. Yet, due to a dire lack of air quality data, air quality monitors, and public awareness, the scale of the threat remains largely unseen. In 2024, Pakistan was the third most polluted country in the world, with an average PM2.5 concentration of 73.7 μg/m3 and exceeding the World Health Organization’s recommended annual guideline of 5 μg/m3 by 14.7 times. Numerous cities experienced poor air quality, with high average PM2.5 concentrations measured for Islamabad (52.4 μg/m3), Rawalpindi (65.8 μg/m3), Faisalabad (88.8 μg/m3), Peshawar (91.0 μg/m3), and Lahore (102.1 μg/m3) – all exceeding the WHO recommended guideline by ten times or more. Recognizing the urgency of this crisis, WWF-Pakistan has taken significant steps to address air pollution using IQAir’s air quality monitoring technology. WWF-Pakistan has successfully deployed stations across Pakistan and published data to IQAir’s AirVisual platform, establishing the country’s largest air quality monitoring network. With this initiative, WWF-Pakistan is transforming how the country understands and confronts this invisible threat. \"We have successfully reached the goal of installing AirVisual Outdoor sensors in 15 of our offices across Pakistan,\" said WWF-Pakistan’s Research Officer, Muhammad Huzaifa who led this initiative in Pakistan. As of now, WWF-Pakistan has air monitoring stations located in key regions like Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, Multan, and Peshawar. They provide real-time data that is accessible to both policymakers and the public. \"We are excited to say that we’ve published the data from these stations to IQAir’s platform, where communities can see their local air quality in real-time.” Why Pakistan Needs Reliable Air Quality Data Pakistan's urban centers, such as Lahore, Peshawar and Karachi, frequently grapple with thick layers of smog. While this is a visible reminder of air pollution, the more dangerous pollutants often remain unseen and unmonitored. One of the greatest challenges in Pakistan has been the need for more reliable, public air quality data. \"Our air quality network provides crucial air quality data in some of Pakistan’s most polluted regions and are often ranked among the top 10 most polluted cities in the world\" Huzaifa explained. WWF-Pakistan, the nation’s largest environmental organization, has been addressing critical environmental issues since 1970. Originally focused on protecting wildlife and ecosystems, the organization’s scope has broadened to include tackling climate change, protecting vulnerable habitats, and securing vital resources like freshwater. Now, through their air quality monitoring initiative, they are addressing one of the most pressing health and environmental crises facing Pakistan. “Unfortunately, there is little public air quality data available,” Huzaifa noted. “This information vacuum has left policymakers and citizens unprepared to tackle the pollution crisis.” WWF-Pakistan’s initiative helps fill this gap, ensuring the public has access to real-time, localized air quality data. With real-time data now available, citizens, governments, and policymakers can work together to implement solutions, reduce pollution and improve health outcomes across the country. Building Pakistan's National Air Quality Network WWF-Pakistan’s initiative, which involves installing air quality sensors in key cities across the country, marks a critical step in Pakistan’s battle against air pollution. By coordinating 15 monitoring stations under one national initiative, WWF-Pakistan now operates the country’s largest organized air quality monitoring network, making real-time data accessible to both citizens and policymakers. Partnering with IQAir adds both credibility and precision to the project. \"IQAir's AirVisual air quality monitors are globally recognized for their accuracy and ability to track even the smallest fluctuations in air quality,\" said Huzaifa. \"IQAir's technology is built to withstand all sorts of weather and having it in place ensures that people will trust the data.\" This transparency is essential for mobilizing both community efforts and policy interventions, as reliable information is crucial to driving meaningful change. Using Air Quality Data to Combat Pollution in Pakistan With the sensors online and data flowing into the IQAir platform, WWF-Pakistan's live contributor profile showcases the impact of their work, allowing anyone to monitor air quality in real-time. This transparency empowers citizens and policymakers alike to take informed action, using reliable data to drive meaningful change across the country. Explore WWF-Pakistan’s profile to see the live data from their monitoring stations across Pakistan. \"Data isn’t just a tool for awareness—it’s the foundation for meaningful action,\" Nazifa Butt, Director Climate Action and Sustainability WWF-Pakistan emphasized. “Now that we have the data, we have something to report and base our decisions on.” Nazifa emphasized the importance of storytelling. “We’re going to have to tell two parts of the story,” she explained, pointing out how data can not only expose alarming trends but also inspire communities to push for change—through policies, advocacy, and local initiatives. With 18,800 followers across its national network, WWF-Pakistan is sharing that data every day with citizens who urgently need real-time air quality information to help protect themselves from pollution. Pakistan's Long-Term Pollution Solutions WWF-Pakistan envisions a future where every region of the country has access to real-time, accurate air quality data. \"Each sensor we deploy is a step closer to a healthier, more sustainable Pakistan,\" Nazifa explained. By providing access to this data, WWF-Pakistan aims to foster a culture of proactive health management, where individuals and communities can take the steps necessary to protect themselves from pollution. The air quality data being gathered is more than just numbers—it’s a lifeline for communities struggling with the dangers of polluted air. “Our initiative is laying the foundation for a National Clean Air Research Centre,\" Huzaifa said. \"This will be a hub for research and data-driven policies, enabling us to tackle pollution with innovative strategies.\" “Each sensor we deploy is a step closer to a healthier, more sustainable Pakistan.” In October 2024, WWF-Pakistan warned that Lahore’s air quality posed a terrible threat to public health, recommending a number of changes to government policy including helping farmers manage crop waste, expanding mass transit, and improving zoning laws to reduce industrial pollution away from residents. It also noted that low-cost air quality monitoring systems could be used to uncover air pollution hotspots along traffic routes. Armed with that information, governments could restrict heavy transport vehicles or develop alternate routes to avoid congestion (1). Beyond their air quality monitoring project, the WWF-Pakistan team oversees more than 60 active environmental protection initiatives in FY 2025 across the country, ranging from clean water access and forest preservation to sustainable infrastructure development. These efforts, working in tandem with the air quality monitoring network, are all part of WWF's broader mission to protect the planet's natural environment and create a future where both people and nature can thrive in harmony. Conclusion WWF-Pakistan's initiative is a testament to the transformative power of air quality data, technology, and collective will in addressing one of today’s most pressing challenges. And by increasing the footprint of air quality monitors across the country, innovative solutions to persistent pollution problems can be put into play. As this vital work advances, it invites everyone to contribute to the cause—because in the fight for clean air, every voice and every action matters. “This initiative,” Nazifa said, “lays the foundation for what we envision as Pakistan’s future air quality innovation hub. It will serve as a hub for developing strategies and methods to tackle air pollution, aligning efforts across governmental and non-governmental sectors, both locally and internationally, in the fight against climate change.”","

In Pakistan, severe air pollution silently impacts public health and well-being nationwide. Yet, due to a dire lack of air quality data, air quality monitors, and public awareness, the scale of the threat remains largely unseen.

In 2024, Pakistan was the third most polluted country in the world, with an average PM2.5 concentration of 73.7 μg/m3 and exceeding the World Health Organization’s recommended annual guideline of 5 μg/m3 by 14.7 times. Numerous cities experienced poor air quality, with high average PM2.5 concentrations measured for Islamabad (52.4 μg/m3), Rawalpindi (65.8 μg/m3), Faisalabad (88.8 μg/m3), Peshawar (91.0 μg/m3), and Lahore (102.1 μg/m3) – all exceeding the WHO recommended guideline by ten times or more.

Recognizing the urgency of this crisis, WWF-Pakistan has taken significant steps to address air pollution using IQAir’s air quality monitoring technology. WWF-Pakistan has successfully deployed stations across Pakistan and published data to IQAir’s AirVisual platform, establishing the country’s largest air quality monitoring network. With this initiative, WWF-Pakistan is transforming how the country understands and confronts this invisible threat.

\"We have successfully reached the goal of installing AirVisual Outdoor sensors in 15 of our offices across Pakistan,\" said WWF-Pakistan’s Research Officer, Muhammad Huzaifa who led this initiative in Pakistan.

As of now, WWF-Pakistan has air monitoring stations located in key regions like Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, Multan, and Peshawar. They provide real-time data that is accessible to both policymakers and the public. \"We are excited to say that we’ve published the data from these stations to IQAir’s platform, where communities can see their local air quality in real-time.”

Why Pakistan Needs Reliable Air Quality Data

Pakistan's urban centers, such as Lahore, Peshawar and Karachi, frequently grapple with thick layers of smog. While this is a visible reminder of air pollution, the more dangerous pollutants often remain unseen and unmonitored. One of the greatest challenges in Pakistan has been the need for more reliable, public air quality data.

\"Our air quality network provides crucial air quality data in some of Pakistan’s most polluted regions and are often ranked among the top 10 most polluted cities in the world\" Huzaifa explained.

WWF-Pakistan, the nation’s largest environmental organization, has been addressing critical environmental issues since 1970. Originally focused on protecting wildlife and ecosystems, the organization’s scope has broadened to include tackling climate change, protecting vulnerable habitats, and securing vital resources like freshwater. Now, through their air quality monitoring initiative, they are addressing one of the most pressing health and environmental crises facing Pakistan.

“Unfortunately, there is little public air quality data available,” Huzaifa noted. “This information vacuum has left policymakers and citizens unprepared to tackle the pollution crisis.” WWF-Pakistan’s initiative helps fill this gap, ensuring the public has access to real-time, localized air quality data.

With real-time data now available, citizens, governments, and policymakers can work together to implement solutions, reduce pollution and improve health outcomes across the country.

Building Pakistan's National Air Quality Network

WWF-Pakistan’s initiative, which involves installing air quality sensors in key cities across the country, marks a critical step in Pakistan’s battle against air pollution. By coordinating 15 monitoring stations under one national initiative, WWF-Pakistan now operates the country’s largest organized air quality monitoring network, making real-time data accessible to both citizens and policymakers.

Partnering with IQAir adds both credibility and precision to the project. \"IQAir's AirVisual air quality monitors are globally recognized for their accuracy and ability to track even the smallest fluctuations in air quality,\" said Huzaifa. \"IQAir's technology is built to withstand all sorts of weather and having it in place ensures that people will trust the data.\" This transparency is essential for mobilizing both community efforts and policy interventions, as reliable information is crucial to driving meaningful change.

Using Air Quality Data to Combat Pollution in Pakistan

With the sensors online and data flowing into the IQAir platform, WWF-Pakistan's live contributor profile showcases the impact of their work, allowing anyone to monitor air quality in real-time. This transparency empowers citizens and policymakers alike to take informed action, using reliable data to drive meaningful change across the country. Explore WWF-Pakistan’s profile to see the live data from their monitoring stations across Pakistan.

\"Data isn’t just a tool for awareness—it’s the foundation for meaningful action,\" Nazifa Butt, Director Climate Action and Sustainability WWF-Pakistan emphasized. “Now that we have the data, we have something to report and base our decisions on.”

Nazifa emphasized the importance of storytelling. “We’re going to have to tell two parts of the story,” she explained, pointing out how data can not only expose alarming trends but also inspire communities to push for change—through policies, advocacy, and local initiatives.

With 18,800 followers across its national network, WWF-Pakistan is sharing that data every day with citizens who urgently need real-time air quality information to help protect themselves from pollution.

Pakistan's Long-Term Pollution Solutions

WWF-Pakistan envisions a future where every region of the country has access to real-time, accurate air quality data.

\"Each sensor we deploy is a step closer to a healthier, more sustainable Pakistan,\" Nazifa explained. By providing access to this data, WWF-Pakistan aims to foster a culture of proactive health management, where individuals and communities can take the steps necessary to protect themselves from pollution.

The air quality data being gathered is more than just numbers—it’s a lifeline for communities struggling with the dangers of polluted air. “Our initiative is laying the foundation for a National Clean Air Research Centre,\" Huzaifa said. \"This will be a hub for research and data-driven policies, enabling us to tackle pollution with innovative strategies.\"

“Each sensor we deploy is a step closer to a healthier, more sustainable Pakistan.”

In October 2024, WWF-Pakistan warned that Lahore’s air quality posed a terrible threat to public health, recommending a number of changes to government policy including helping farmers manage crop waste, expanding mass transit, and improving zoning laws to reduce industrial pollution away from residents.

It also noted that low-cost air quality monitoring systems could be used to uncover air pollution hotspots along traffic routes. Armed with that information, governments could restrict heavy transport vehicles or develop alternate routes to avoid congestion (1).

Beyond their air quality monitoring project, the WWF-Pakistan team oversees more than 60 active environmental protection initiatives in FY 2025 across the country, ranging from clean water access and forest preservation to sustainable infrastructure development. These efforts, working in tandem with the air quality monitoring network, are all part of WWF's broader mission to protect the planet's natural environment and create a future where both people and nature can thrive in harmony.

Conclusion

WWF-Pakistan's initiative is a testament to the transformative power of air quality data, technology, and collective will in addressing one of today’s most pressing challenges. And by increasing the footprint of air quality monitors across the country, innovative solutions to persistent pollution problems can be put into play.

As this vital work advances, it invites everyone to contribute to the cause—because in the fight for clean air, every voice and every action matters.

“This initiative,” Nazifa said, “lays the foundation for what we envision as Pakistan’s future air quality innovation hub. It will serve as a hub for developing strategies and methods to tackle air pollution, aligning efforts across governmental and non-governmental sectors, both locally and internationally, in the fight against climate change.”

","revealing-the-invisible-wwf-pakistan","gid://shopify/Article/997495079286","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/revealing-the-invisible-wwf-pakistan","2025-11-12T17:43:03Z",[643,648,838],"Revealing the Invisible: WWF-Pakistan’s mission for clean air",{"_10":1580,"_243":1581,"_246":1582,"_248":1165,"_244":1166},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/410126352758","WWF Team standing Next to Solar Panel","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/AQL_PakistanContributor_Desk_A_a18d7b5d-29f7-4e70-ad5d-e0c4f15aebc6.jpg?v=1762969386",{"_1124":1125,"_1126":1584,"_1115":1585,"_1131":43,"_1133":43,"_1134":1586,"_1136":1587,"_985":1588,"_10":1589,"_1140":1590,"_1142":-5,"_1143":1591,"_577":1592,"_541":1593,"_1148":1594},{"_12":1128},{"_985":1130},"In the slender West African nation of Gambia, Dr. Sunkaru Touray of Permian Health Lung Institute is leading an unprecedented initiative to illuminate the invisible dangers of air pollution through the strategic deployment of low-cost air quality monitors. A vision born from necessity Dr. Touray, a pulmonologist and critical care physician originally from Kartong, The Gambia, was profoundly affected by the respiratory issues he encountered while practicing in New Mexico. These issues, often linked to hydrocarbon exposure and environmental pollutants, spurred him to address similar problems in Gambia, where air quality data is scarce. \"There's a significant data gap in Africa when it comes to understanding our air,\" Dr. Touray noted. Recognizing the parallels between New Mexico and Gambia, Dr. Touray envisioned the Permian Health Clean Air Initiative. This initiative aims not only to collect data but to empower Gambians with knowledge, enabling them to make informed decisions about their health and advocate for cleaner air. “There’s a significant data gap in Africa when it comes to understanding our air.” –Dr. Sunkaru Touray, Founder, Permian Health The journey of Permian Health Permian Health's mission is clear: to democratize access to air quality data in Gambia by installing low-cost air quality monitors throughout the country. The team selected IQAir’s AirVisual outdoor monitors for this critical work. “These devices are proven to be reliable, user-friendly, and can operate on solar power,” Dr. Touray said. “They also have 4G LTE connectivity,” which make the monitors ideally suited for Gambia's diverse environments—from the bustling streets of Banjul to the rural countryside. \"The goal,\" Dr. Touray explained, \"is not just to collect data but to empower our communities with knowledge so they can make informed decisions about their health and advocate for cleaner air.\" Highlighting areas of concern: Brikama’s air quality Brikama stands as a poignant example of the challenges faced across Gambia. Known for its bustling markets and as a hub for both commerce and community life, the town also grapples with air quality issues that pose risks to its residents. By placing monitors in strategic locations, including the busy highway through Brikama, Permian Health is mapping pollution levels and raising awareness among the local population about the air they breathe daily—while simultaneously acting as a testament to the potential of grassroots air monitoring networks in challenging regions. Dr. Touray said, \"As we look to the future, the lessons learned from Brikama will inform our expansion strategies to other regions facing similar challenges. Our success in achieving nationwide coverage, with Brikama as a keystone in our network, exemplifies the scalable model of Permian Health Clean Air Initiative.” “The goal is not to just collect the data but to empower our communities with knowledge so they can make informed decisions about their health.” Local feedback has been largely positive. According to Dr. Touray, real-time access to air quality monitor information has improved local understanding of the dangers of poor air quality, especially during the dry, dusty Harmattan season typically experienced from November to March. Permian Health has collaborated with local groups such as the Brikama Nema Diaspora Group (BRIND) and Karamie’s Health clinic to install sensors in key areas, allowing residents and medical professionals to access real-time air quality data. Pioneering work on the ground To date, the Permian Health air quality network has grown to 14 sensors, achieving nationwide coverage with an air quality sensor in all regions of The Gambia—proof of the project's rapid scalability and success. The project has successfully installed air quality monitors in various locations, including urban areas and industrial sites. These monitors provide real-time data on pollutants like PM2.5, which pose the greatest threat to human health, offering invaluable insights into the air pollution across different regions of Gambia. \"We have sensors in the most densely populated areas,” Dr. Touray said. \"Through the process of collecting PM 2.5 data in Gambia and identifying pollution hotspots, we educate the public about air quality and its impact on public health—and also communicate the importance of installing air quality sensors as a means to make a change.\" This foundational work sets the stage for enhanced accuracy and credibility in air quality monitoring, as underscored by a pivotal development in the project's journey. “The recent addition of a reference-grade monitor donated by MetOne marks a significant leap in our capacity for precision and validation of the data collected by our existing sensor network,” Dr. Touray said. However, maintaining and expanding the network can be impeded by dust accumulation on solar panels during the Harmattan season, unreliable power supplies, and other issues. ‘While we have made significant progress in addressing some of these challenges, connectivity and maintenance in remote areas remain ongoing hurdles in our efforts to maintain and expand the sensor network efficiently,’ Dr. Touray explained. Uniting minds and garnering accolades To raise awareness about their work, Permian Health has created a promotional video which serves as a powerful tool to inform and engage the public about their project. A key milestone for the project was the establishment of the first air quality conference in Gambia, bringing together stakeholders from the government, academia, and civil society to discuss the findings and implications of the collected data. \"This conference was a pivotal moment for us, marking the beginning of a national conversation on air quality,\" reflects Dr. Touray. This national conversation is already making a policy impact. The Ministry of Health has issued public health advisories several times since the air quality sensors were deployed, raising air quality awareness in communities around the country. Dr. Touray emphasizes the importance of partnering with the Gambian government to leverage their data for national air quality standards and planning. \"Working closely with governmental bodies is crucial for our success,\" Dr. Touray notes, highlighting his strong connections within the National Environment Agency, which have been supportive of their endeavors. With the NEA, Permian Health was able to release their first air quality report based on initial installations. This sets the table for future updates from newly installed sensors. Additionally, the project's recent recognition by the Energy Policy Institute of the University of Chicago with an Air Quality Award underscores the global acknowledgment of their impactful work. This prestigious award will enable Permian Health to scale their network further. Currently, there are 22 low-cost sensors deployed, and Gambia will, for the first time ever, have a reference monitor to assist in enhancing air quality monitoring and assessment. Hopes for the Future Thanks to their recent Air Quality award, Permian Health acquired an additional 10 sensors, bringing the total to 26 sensors across The Gambia. Six new sensors have been deployed to NEA headquarters, two major health centers with support from the Ministry of Health, and in housing developments in partnership with Gambia’s largest real estate company, TAF Africa Global. The remaining sensors will be deployed to the National Stadium, Gambia International Airport, the Seaport in Banjul, and a major intersection as soon as final government approvals are processed. Dr. Touray envisions a future where every Gambian has access to air quality information, enabling them to protect themselves and their families from air pollution. Furthermore, he hopes to leverage the data collected to advocate for stronger environmental policies and regulations in Gambia. “We’re not just collecting data for the sake of it. We want to drive change.” \"We're not just collecting data for the sake of it. We want to drive change,\" says Dr. Touray. \"Our ultimate goal is for Gambia to set national air quality standards, informed by the comprehensive data we've gathered.\" A key step toward this goal is the second Clean Air Conference, which Permian Health is organizing in partnership with the NEA. The event will bring together stakeholders, including officials from the ministries of Health, Environment, Transport, and Education, to develop a national air quality work plan. According to Dr. Touray, Permian Health is conducting an inventory assessment to determine the key sources of pollution, such as waste burning, reliance on charcoal and firewood for cooking, and transport-related emissions. \"Looking ahead, we aim to strengthen our collaboration with the NEA and the Ministry of Health, to expand and maintain our sensor network.\" \"We plan to enhance public awareness campaigns, especially during high-risk periods, to better inform the community about air quality concerns. We would also like to engage more with local TV stations for them to display air quality and weather information from our network. Conclusion Dr. Sunkaru Touray's work with Permian Health exemplifies innovative activism. The project not only addresses air quality data gaps but also empowers communities to tackle air pollution—an issue that transcends borders. Dr. Touray's mission goes beyond air quality monitoring; it's about transforming the quality of public health around the world.","

In the slender West African nation of Gambia, Dr. Sunkaru Touray of Permian Health Lung Institute is leading an unprecedented initiative to illuminate the invisible dangers of air pollution through the strategic deployment of low-cost air quality monitors.

A vision born from necessity

Dr. Touray, a pulmonologist and critical care physician originally from Kartong, The Gambia, was profoundly affected by the respiratory issues he encountered while practicing in New Mexico. These issues, often linked to hydrocarbon exposure and environmental pollutants, spurred him to address similar problems in Gambia, where air quality data is scarce. \"There's a significant data gap in Africa when it comes to understanding our air,\" Dr. Touray noted.

Recognizing the parallels between New Mexico and Gambia, Dr. Touray envisioned the Permian Health Clean Air Initiative. This initiative aims not only to collect data but to empower Gambians with knowledge, enabling them to make informed decisions about their health and advocate for cleaner air.

\n
“There’s a significant data gap in Africa when it comes to understanding our air.”
\n
–Dr. Sunkaru Touray, Founder, Permian Health
\n

The journey of Permian Health

Permian Health's mission is clear: to democratize access to air quality data in Gambia by installing low-cost air quality monitors throughout the country. The team selected IQAir’s AirVisual outdoor monitors for this critical work. “These devices are proven to be reliable, user-friendly, and can operate on solar power,” Dr. Touray said. “They also have 4G LTE connectivity,” which make the monitors ideally suited for Gambia's diverse environments—from the bustling streets of Banjul to the rural countryside.

\"The goal,\" Dr. Touray explained, \"is not just to collect data but to empower our communities with knowledge so they can make informed decisions about their health and advocate for cleaner air.\"

Highlighting areas of concern: Brikama’s air quality

Brikama stands as a poignant example of the challenges faced across Gambia. Known for its bustling markets and as a hub for both commerce and community life, the town also grapples with air quality issues that pose risks to its residents. By placing monitors in strategic locations, including the busy highway through Brikama, Permian Health is mapping pollution levels and raising awareness among the local population about the air they breathe daily—while simultaneously acting as a testament to the potential of grassroots air monitoring networks in challenging regions.

$\"\"$

Dr. Touray said, \"As we look to the future, the lessons learned from Brikama will inform our expansion strategies to other regions facing similar challenges. Our success in achieving nationwide coverage, with Brikama as a keystone in our network, exemplifies the scalable model of Permian Health Clean Air Initiative.”

\n
“The goal is not to just collect the data but to empower our communities with knowledge so they can make informed decisions about their health.”
\n

Local feedback has been largely positive. According to Dr. Touray, real-time access to air quality monitor information has improved local understanding of the dangers of poor air quality, especially during the dry, dusty Harmattan season typically experienced from November to March.

Permian Health has collaborated with local groups such as the Brikama Nema Diaspora Group (BRIND) and Karamie’s Health clinic to install sensors in key areas, allowing residents and medical professionals to access real-time air quality data.

Pioneering work on the ground

To date, the Permian Health air quality network has grown to 14 sensors, achieving nationwide coverage with an air quality sensor in all regions of The Gambia—proof of the project's rapid scalability and success. The project has successfully installed air quality monitors in various locations, including urban areas and industrial sites. These monitors provide real-time data on pollutants like PM2.5, which pose the greatest threat to human health, offering invaluable insights into the air pollution across different regions of Gambia. \"We have sensors in the most densely populated areas,” Dr. Touray said. \"Through the process of collecting PM 2.5 data in Gambia and identifying pollution hotspots, we educate the public about air quality and its impact on public health—and also communicate the importance of installing air quality sensors as a means to make a change.\"

This foundational work sets the stage for enhanced accuracy and credibility in air quality monitoring, as underscored by a pivotal development in the project's journey. “The recent addition of a reference-grade monitor donated by MetOne marks a significant leap in our capacity for precision and validation of the data collected by our existing sensor network,” Dr. Touray said.

However, maintaining and expanding the network can be impeded by dust accumulation on solar panels during the Harmattan season, unreliable power supplies, and other issues.

‘While we have made significant progress in addressing some of these challenges, connectivity and maintenance in remote areas remain ongoing hurdles in our efforts to maintain and expand the sensor network efficiently,’ Dr. Touray explained.

Uniting minds and garnering accolades

To raise awareness about their work, Permian Health has created a promotional video which serves as a powerful tool to inform and engage the public about their project.

A key milestone for the project was the establishment of the first air quality conference in Gambia, bringing together stakeholders from the government, academia, and civil society to discuss the findings and implications of the collected data.

\"This conference was a pivotal moment for us, marking the beginning of a national conversation on air quality,\" reflects Dr. Touray.

This national conversation is already making a policy impact. The Ministry of Health has issued public health advisories several times since the air quality sensors were deployed, raising air quality awareness in communities around the country.

Dr. Touray emphasizes the importance of partnering with the Gambian government to leverage their data for national air quality standards and planning. \"Working closely with governmental bodies is crucial for our success,\" Dr. Touray notes, highlighting his strong connections within the National Environment Agency, which have been supportive of their endeavors.

With the NEA, Permian Health was able to release their first air quality report based on initial installations. This sets the table for future updates from newly installed sensors.

Additionally, the project's recent recognition by the Energy Policy Institute of the University of Chicago with an Air Quality Award underscores the global acknowledgment of their impactful work. This prestigious award will enable Permian Health to scale their network further.

Currently, there are 22 low-cost sensors deployed, and Gambia will, for the first time ever, have a reference monitor to assist in enhancing air quality monitoring and assessment.

Hopes for the Future

Thanks to their recent Air Quality award, Permian Health acquired an additional 10 sensors, bringing the total to 26 sensors across The Gambia.

$\"\"$

Six new sensors have been deployed to NEA headquarters, two major health centers with support from the Ministry of Health, and in housing developments in partnership with Gambia’s largest real estate company, TAF Africa Global. The remaining sensors will be deployed to the National Stadium, Gambia International Airport, the Seaport in Banjul, and a major intersection as soon as final government approvals are processed.

Dr. Touray envisions a future where every Gambian has access to air quality information, enabling them to protect themselves and their families from air pollution. Furthermore, he hopes to leverage the data collected to advocate for stronger environmental policies and regulations in Gambia.

\n
“We’re not just collecting data for the sake of it. We want to drive change.”
\n

\"We're not just collecting data for the sake of it. We want to drive change,\" says Dr. Touray. \"Our ultimate goal is for Gambia to set national air quality standards, informed by the comprehensive data we've gathered.\"

A key step toward this goal is the second Clean Air Conference, which Permian Health is organizing in partnership with the NEA. The event will bring together stakeholders, including officials from the ministries of Health, Environment, Transport, and Education, to develop a national air quality work plan.

According to Dr. Touray, Permian Health is conducting an inventory assessment to determine the key sources of pollution, such as waste burning, reliance on charcoal and firewood for cooking, and transport-related emissions. \"Looking ahead, we aim to strengthen our collaboration with the NEA and the Ministry of Health, to expand and maintain our sensor network.\"

\"We plan to enhance public awareness campaigns, especially during high-risk periods, to better inform the community about air quality concerns. We would also like to engage more with local TV stations for them to display air quality and weather information from our network.

Conclusion

Dr. Sunkaru Touray's work with Permian Health exemplifies innovative activism. The project not only addresses air quality data gaps but also empowers communities to tackle air pollution—an issue that transcends borders.

Dr. Touray's mission goes beyond air quality monitoring; it's about transforming the quality of public health around the world.

","permian-health-air-quality-crusade-in-gambia","gid://shopify/Article/998083264886","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/permian-health-air-quality-crusade-in-gambia","2025-03-24T10:03:00Z",[643,648,838],"Revealing the Invisible: Permian Health’s air quality crusade in Gambia",{"_10":1595,"_243":1596,"_246":1597,"_248":1165,"_244":1166},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/407094034806","Man working on pole","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/PermianHealth_Desk_A_82dc4964-aaa3-4053-96ec-1d5218eb3bd9.jpg?v=1754470616",{"_1124":1125,"_1126":1599,"_1115":1600,"_1131":1601,"_1133":1602,"_1134":1603,"_1136":1604,"_985":1605,"_10":1606,"_1140":1607,"_1142":-5,"_1143":1608,"_577":1609,"_541":1611,"_1148":1612},{"_12":1128},{"_985":1130},"A kitten rescue in Ontario needed a powerful clean air solution fast – and found it. Learn more about the essential role of clean air in shelters.","

A kitten rescue in Ontario needed a powerful clean air solution fast – and found it. Learn more about the essential role of clean air in shelters.

","Nestled in a small town near Cornwall, Canada, Tiny but Mighty Kitten Rescue serves as a lifeline for abandoned and vulnerable kittens (1). For nearly eight years, rescue founder Mellissa has worked tirelessly to save and nurture the most fragile feline lives in the region. Yet despite Mellissa’s dedication to maintaining a clean environment for those in her care, animal rescues must always contend with a formidable health challenge. Poor air quality impacts both kittens and the humans who care for them. Thanks to advanced air purification technology, the rescue now breathes easier—literally and figuratively. Mission built on compassion Mellissa’s journey to creating Tiny but Mighty began with heartbreak. As a volunteer at her local animal shelter, she learned of the euthanasia of kittens deemed too young to care for. Unwilling to accept this outcome, she founded her own kitten-focused rescue in 2017. “I had so many dreams about saving these kittens. Something told me to just do it myself—start my own rescue.” “I had so many dreams about saving these kittens. They wouldn’t let up,” Mellissa shared. “Something told me to just do it myself—start my own rescue.” Mellissa provides a safe space for kittens to grow and thrive until they find their carefully screened forever homes. Today, the rescue operates solely on donations and community support. “It’s such an incredible community. People do come through to support what I’m doing, so it’s incredible.” But running a rescue isn’t without its challenges, and one significant one she uncovered was air quality. Nova the kitten enjoying toys at the Tiny but Mighty Kitten Rescue. Good air quality: Essential in animal rescues Caring for kittens in any enclosed environment presents unique challenges. Despite her meticulous cleaning habits, Mellissa found air quality to be a problem. “The dust is crazy. The kittens will go in their litter box and sneeze.” There would still be dust, odors, and allergens in the space “even though I use 99% dust-free litter.” Mellissa explained. “It’s great compared to some I’ve tried, but the dust is crazy. The kittens will go in their litter box and make little sneezes.” This poor air quality not only affected visitors but also had potential health implications for the kittens and Mellissa herself. Dust mites, microscopic creatures that feed on animal’s dead skin, can cause year-round allergic reactions in both cats and humans, including sneezing, runny and itchy noses, watery eyes, and even rashes. Components of pet dander can also act as an allergen, triggering similar reactions. Determined to find a solution to her dust problem, she began her search for an air purifier that could meet the rescue’s unique needs. Life changing air cleaning solution Determined to tackle the persistent dust and allergens, Mellissa sought an air purifier that could truly meet the unique demands of her rescue. After years of frustration with a previous model, she knew she needed a solution that could handle constant activity, fine dust particles, and odors effectively. Mellissa recalled, “The dust was still spreading throughout the house, and I thought, ‘this is just not enough.’” That’s when Mellissa’s father suggested looking into IQAir’s HealthPro Plus XE. Intrigued by its reputation for advanced filtration capabilities, Mellissa decided to give it a try—and the results were immediate and noticeable. The HealthPro Plus XE is equipped with HyperHEPA filtration, capable of capturing particles as small as 0.003 microns—100 times smaller than most air purifiers can filter. This efficiency, proven to remove particles far smaller than bacteria or viruses, combined with gas-phase filtration to eliminate odors, made it an ideal solution for the rescue’s air quality challenges. “The kittens aren’t sneezing anymore. The air purifier has had a huge impact,” Mellissa shared. The HealthPro Plus XE at work next to Leia the cat. Not only did she see a dramatic improvement in the air quality for the kittens, but visitors also noticed the difference. The previously lingering food and litter odors were gone. “I definitely don’t smell that anymore,” Mellissa said. “I’m really impressed.” “The kittens aren’t sneezing anymore. The air purifier has had a huge impact.” When it comes to daily use, Mellissa has found a setup that works perfectly for the rescue’s needs. During cleaning, she runs the fan at its highest setting, ensuring dust and particles are quickly filtered out. For everyday operation, she adjusts the fan to levels 2 or 3, which run quietly enough not to disturb the kittens at night. Looking ahead For Mellissa, clean air ensures a brighter future for Tiny but Mighty Kitten Rescue. She intends to continue providing even more kittens with a safe haven before transitioning to loving homes. The cleaner air and lack of odor in the rescue has already improved adoption visits, a critical step in finding forever homes for the kittens. Mellissa emphasizes her desire to address the root cause of ownerless kittens—unspayed and neutered animals in the population. She hopes to get the word out to more pet owners about the crucial role of spaying and neutering their animals. As she warns, “the cat overpopulation is so crazy here. Spay and neuter your cats, spay and neuter your dogs to help lower those populations.” Conclusion Tiny but Mighty Kitten Rescue’s story underscores the profound difference clean air technology can make in transforming lives—both human and animal. For Mellissa, investing in air purification wasn’t just about solving a nuisance; it was about creating a healthier, more inviting space where kittens could thrive and visitors could feel comfortable. By addressing the often-overlooked issue of air quality, she has set a powerful example for other rescues, shelters, and even individual pet owners facing similar challenges.","

Nestled in a small town near Cornwall, Canada, Tiny but Mighty Kitten Rescue serves as a lifeline for abandoned and vulnerable kittens (1). For nearly eight years, rescue founder Mellissa has worked tirelessly to save and nurture the most fragile feline lives in the region.

Yet despite Mellissa’s dedication to maintaining a clean environment for those in her care, animal rescues must always contend with a formidable health challenge. Poor air quality impacts both kittens and the humans who care for them.

Thanks to advanced air purification technology, the rescue now breathes easier—literally and figuratively.

Mission built on compassion

Mellissa’s journey to creating Tiny but Mighty began with heartbreak. As a volunteer at her local animal shelter, she learned of the euthanasia of kittens deemed too young to care for. Unwilling to accept this outcome, she founded her own kitten-focused rescue in 2017.

“I had so many dreams about saving these kittens. Something told me to just do it myself—start my own rescue.”

“I had so many dreams about saving these kittens. They wouldn’t let up,” Mellissa shared. “Something told me to just do it myself—start my own rescue.”

Mellissa provides a safe space for kittens to grow and thrive until they find their carefully screened forever homes. Today, the rescue operates solely on donations and community support. “It’s such an incredible community. People do come through to support what I’m doing, so it’s incredible.”

But running a rescue isn’t without its challenges, and one significant one she uncovered was air quality.

Nova the kitten enjoying toys at the Tiny but Mighty Kitten Rescue.

Good air quality: Essential in animal rescues

Caring for kittens in any enclosed environment presents unique challenges. Despite her meticulous cleaning habits, Mellissa found air quality to be a problem.

“The dust is crazy. The kittens will go in their litter box and sneeze.”

There would still be dust, odors, and allergens in the space “even though I use 99% dust-free litter.” Mellissa explained. “It’s great compared to some I’ve tried, but the dust is crazy. The kittens will go in their litter box and make little sneezes.”

This poor air quality not only affected visitors but also had potential health implications for the kittens and Mellissa herself. Dust mites, microscopic creatures that feed on animal’s dead skin, can cause year-round allergic reactions in both cats and humans, including sneezing, runny and itchy noses, watery eyes, and even rashes.

Components of pet dander can also act as an allergen, triggering similar reactions.

Determined to find a solution to her dust problem, she began her search for an air purifier that could meet the rescue’s unique needs.

Life changing air cleaning solution

Determined to tackle the persistent dust and allergens, Mellissa sought an air purifier that could truly meet the unique demands of her rescue. After years of frustration with a previous model, she knew she needed a solution that could handle constant activity, fine dust particles, and odors effectively.

Mellissa recalled, “The dust was still spreading throughout the house, and I thought, ‘this is just not enough.’”

That’s when Mellissa’s father suggested looking into IQAir’s HealthPro Plus XE. Intrigued by its reputation for advanced filtration capabilities, Mellissa decided to give it a try—and the results were immediate and noticeable.

The HealthPro Plus XE is equipped with HyperHEPA filtration, capable of capturing particles as small as 0.003 microns—100 times smaller than most air purifiers can filter. This efficiency, proven to remove particles far smaller than bacteria or viruses, combined with gas-phase filtration to eliminate odors, made it an ideal solution for the rescue’s air quality challenges.

“The kittens aren’t sneezing anymore. The air purifier has had a huge impact,” Mellissa shared.

$\"\"$

The HealthPro Plus XE at work next to Leia the cat.

Not only did she see a dramatic improvement in the air quality for the kittens, but visitors also noticed the difference. The previously lingering food and litter odors were gone. “I definitely don’t smell that anymore,” Mellissa said. “I’m really impressed.”

“The kittens aren’t sneezing anymore. The air purifier has had a huge impact.”

When it comes to daily use, Mellissa has found a setup that works perfectly for the rescue’s needs. During cleaning, she runs the fan at its highest setting, ensuring dust and particles are quickly filtered out. For everyday operation, she adjusts the fan to levels 2 or 3, which run quietly enough not to disturb the kittens at night.

Looking ahead

For Mellissa, clean air ensures a brighter future for Tiny but Mighty Kitten Rescue. She intends to continue providing even more kittens with a safe haven before transitioning to loving homes.

The cleaner air and lack of odor in the rescue has already improved adoption visits, a critical step in finding forever homes for the kittens.

Mellissa emphasizes her desire to address the root cause of ownerless kittens—unspayed and neutered animals in the population. She hopes to get the word out to more pet owners about the crucial role of spaying and neutering their animals. As she warns, “the cat overpopulation is so crazy here. Spay and neuter your cats, spay and neuter your dogs to help lower those populations.”

Conclusion

Tiny but Mighty Kitten Rescue’s story underscores the profound difference clean air technology can make in transforming lives—both human and animal.

For Mellissa, investing in air purification wasn’t just about solving a nuisance; it was about creating a healthier, more inviting space where kittens could thrive and visitors could feel comfortable. By addressing the often-overlooked issue of air quality, she has set a powerful example for other rescues, shelters, and even individual pet owners facing similar challenges.

","cleaner-air-healthier-kittens-iqair-supports-tiny-but-mighty-rescue","gid://shopify/Article/997882986870","https://shop-gl-eur.iqair.com/blogs/news/cleaner-air-healthier-kittens-iqair-supports-tiny-but-mighty-rescue","2025-01-27T04:00:00Z",[1610,838],"Pets","Cleaner air, healthier kittens: Tiny but Mighty Kitten Rescue",{"_10":1613,"_243":1614,"_246":1615,"_248":1302,"_244":1303},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/396322505078","Cat resting next to air purifier.","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/KittenRescue_Desk_520x500_b51e6557-89fd-41e0-a21b-816616233043.jpg?v=1739826680","geoSpotlight",{"_1618":1619,"_2118":2119},"spotlightItems",[1620,1980,2109],{"_12":1621,"_1622":1623,"_1624":1625,"_29":1626,"_1627":1628,"_1631":1632,"_1130":1633,"_10":1638,"_985":1639,"_1640":1641},"Ben Avon AQI Alert","range",75,"markerIconUrl","https://cdn.airvisual.net/assets/marker-images/generic.png","autoGenCustomMarker","location",[1629,1630],-80.0821377,40.5051586,"timestamp","2026-03-23T06:04:25.107Z",{"_246":1634,"_541":1635,"_1636":1637},"https://www.iqair.com/us/newsroom/unhealthy-for-sensitive-groups","Ben Avon has \"Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups\" air quality. See the map and health recommendations.","thumbnail","https://www.iqair.com/dl/app/notifications/Notification_Daily_AQI_Face_03_Orange@3x.png","autoGenCustomMarker:city-5bc822e841fdcdf1939e7d23","unhealthy-for-sensitive-groups","article",{"_541":1642,"_985":1639,"_1131":1643,"_1134":1644,"_1136":1645,"_1143":1646,"_577":1647,"_1126":1648,"_1148":1649,"_980":1653,"_1656":-5,"_1657":-5,"_1658":1659,"_1662":-5,"_1663":-5,"_1664":1665},"When air quality is \"Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups\"","Learn about the risks of this AQI range and protect the vulnerable from potential hazards.","Understanding the \"Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups\" AQI Range An Air Quality Index (AQI) between 101-150 is deemed \"Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.\" Sensitive groups include: Children The Elderly Pregnant People People with cardiac and pulmonary diseases .recommendations-container { border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; border-radius: 12px; background-color: #f9fafb; padding: 24px; color: #111827; font-family: sans-serif; } .recommendations-table { width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; text-align: center; } .recommendations-table th, .recommendations-table td { border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 16px; vertical-align: middle; } .recommendations-title { color: #499fbc; font-weight: bold; font-size: 1.5em; } .recommendation-subheading { font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold; margin: 10px 0; } .recommendation-block { display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; gap: 8px; justify-content: center; padding: 16px 0; } .recommendation-block img { max-width: 50px; height: auto; } .recommendation-text { font-size: 18px; text-align: center; } /* Responsive styling */ @media (max-width: 768px) { .recommendations-table, .recommendations-table thead, .recommendations-table tbody, .recommendations-table tr, .recommendations-table td, .recommendations-table th { display: block; width: 100%; } .recommendations-table tr { margin-bottom: 20px; } .recommendations-table td, .recommendations-table th { text-align: center; border: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #ccc; } .recommendation-block { flex-direction: column; align-items: center; } .recommendation-text { font-size: 16px; } .recommendation-block img { max-width: 40px; } } HEALTH RECOMMENDATIONS How to protect from Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups pollution Wear a mask outdoors and indoorsGET A MASK Run an air purifierGET AN AIR PURIFIER Close your windows to avoid dirty outdoor airGET A MONITOR Reduce outdoor exercise Protective Measures for Sensitive Groups When air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups, everyone is at risk for eye, skin, and throat irritation, as well as respiratory problems. The public should greatly reduce outdoor exertion. While the broader population might still be largely unaffected, sensitive groups are at much greater health risk and should be very cautious. They should avoid all outdoor activity. How can I protect myself when air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups? Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts and consistently monitor your air quality. Help increase the amount of ground-level monitors by becoming an air quality contributor. Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data. Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode. Sensitive groups should stay indoors; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask. Run a high-performance air purifier to filter pollutants, particles, gases, and other contaminants","

Understanding the \"Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups\" AQI Range

An Air Quality Index (AQI) between 101-150 is deemed \"Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups.\" Sensitive groups include:

Children
The Elderly
Pregnant People
People with cardiac and pulmonary diseases

\n\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

HEALTH RECOMMENDATIONS
How to protect from Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups pollution
\n \n $\"Mask$ \n Wear a mask outdoors and indoors GET A MASK\n \n \n	\n \n $\"Air$ \n Run an air purifier GET AN AIR PURIFIER\n \n \n
\n \n $\"Monitor$ \n Close your windows to avoid dirty outdoor air GET A MONITOR\n \n \n	\n \n $\"Exercise$ \n Reduce outdoor exercise \n \n

Protective Measures for Sensitive Groups

When air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups, everyone is at risk for eye, skin, and throat irritation, as well as respiratory problems. The public should greatly reduce outdoor exertion.

While the broader population might still be largely unaffected, sensitive groups are at much greater health risk and should be very cautious. They should avoid all outdoor activity.

How can I protect myself when air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups?

Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts and consistently monitor your air quality.
Help increase the amount of ground-level monitors by becoming an air quality contributor. Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
Sensitive groups should stay indoors; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask.
Run a high-performance air purifier to filter pollutants, particles, gases, and other contaminants

","2026-01-07T16:17:33Z",[390,1404],{"_12":1128},{"_10":1650,"_243":1651,"_246":1652,"_248":1165,"_244":1166},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/411473314166","Unhealthy Sensitive Group (US AQI)","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/AQI_Sensitive_Desk_dfa4750d-35bf-4001-b3e6-f4c7c735671c.jpg?v=1767802843",{"_983":1654,"_541":1655},"How to protect yourself against \"Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups\" air quality levels.","When air quality is \"Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups | IQAir","articleResources","aboutIQAir","relatedArticles",{"_1660":1661},"value","[\"what-pollution-measures-should-i-watch-out-for\",\"how-to-protect-yourself-from-wildfire-smoke\",\"which-molds-are-most-dangerous-to-my-health\"]","mobileImage","voiceifyAudio","relatedProducts",{"_1660":1666},{"_1121":1667},[1668,1856],{"_1124":1669,"_10":1670,"_985":1671,"_541":1672,"_983":1673,"_1674":1675,"_1676":211,"_1677":1678,"_1142":-5,"_1679":53,"_1680":1681,"_1685":1686,"_1693":1694,"_1698":1699,"_1131":1743,"_1745":-5,"_1746":1747,"_1749":1750,"_1752":1753,"_1755":1756,"_1758":-5,"_1759":1760,"_1766":1767,"_1770":1771,"_1810":1811,"_1846":1847,"_1850":1851},"Product","gid://shopify/Product/8927570526507","healthpro-plus","HealthPro 250 | Room Air Purifier","Award-winning, medical-grade & gas/odor filtration for medium to large rooms. IQAir's top-selling room air purifier, featuring advanced HyperHEPA filtration for particles of all sizes and V5-Cell filtration for gases and odors. Excellent for allergens, bacteria¹, dust, viruses² and VOCs. The HealthPro Plus XE model includes smart air monitoring, WiFi app integration, energy-efficient fan, and real-time PM2.5 measurement. Covers up to 1125 sq. ft.","descriptionHtml","

Award-winning, medical-grade & gas/odor filtration for medium to large rooms.

IQAir's top-selling room air purifier, featuring advanced HyperHEPA filtration for particles of all sizes and V5-Cell filtration for gases and odors. Excellent for allergens, bacteria¹, dust, viruses² and VOCs. The HealthPro Plus XE model includes smart air monitoring, WiFi app integration, energy-efficient fan, and real-time PM2.5 measurement. Covers up to 1125 sq. ft.

","productType","vendor","IQAir AG","availableForSale","featuredImage",{"_243":-5,"_244":1682,"_10":1683,"_246":1684,"_248":1682},1164,"gid://shopify/ProductImage/82609009099126","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/files/HP_250_NE_hero.png?v=1772833090","priceRange",{"_1687":1688,"_1691":1692},"minVariantPrice",{"_1689":1690,"_16":17},"amount","1399.0","maxVariantPrice",{"_1689":1690,"_16":17},"compareAtPriceRange",{"_1687":1695,"_1691":1697},{"_1689":1696,"_16":17},"0.0",{"_1689":1696,"_16":17},"selectedOrFirstAvailableVariant",{"_1679":53,"_1700":1701,"_1702":43,"_1703":1704,"_1709":1710,"_1716":-5,"_10":1717,"_1148":1718,"_1720":1721,"_1722":1723,"_1724":1725,"_1729":1730,"_541":1728,"_1731":-5,"_1732":1733,"_1735":1736,"_1738":-5,"_1739":-5,"_1740":1741},"quantityAvailable",24,"barcode","quantityRule",{"_1705":1706,"_1707":-5,"_1708":1706},"increment",1,"maximum","minimum","unitPriceMeasurement",{"_1711":-5,"_1712":-5,"_1713":119,"_1714":-5,"_1715":119},"measuredType","quantityUnit","quantityValue","referenceUnit","referenceValue","compareAtPrice","gid://shopify/ProductVariant/55480279204214",{"_1124":1719,"_10":1683,"_246":1684,"_243":-5,"_248":1682,"_244":1682},"Image","price",{"_1689":1690,"_16":17},"product",{"_541":1672,"_985":1671,"_10":1670},"selectedOptions",[1726],{"_12":1727,"_1660":1728},"Style","UK Plug Type G","sku","1BC.EA0.EDG","unitPrice","quantityPriceBreaks",{"_1121":1734},[],"defaultMarkets",{"_1660":1737},"[\"Qatar - QA\",\"United Arab Emirates - AE\",\"Saudi Arabia - SA\"]","hideForMarkets","gangMedia","sellingPlanAllocations",{"_1121":1742},[],{"_1660":1744},"Height: 71 x Width: 38 x Depth: 41 cm, Room size: Medium to large, up to 92 m²","countdown","unavailableForSaleMiddleEast",{"_1660":1748},"[\"Palestine - PS\",\"Sudan - SD\",\"Syria - SY\",\"Tunisia - TN\"]","unavailableForSaleAsiaPacific",{"_1660":1751},"[\"Australia - AU\",\"Bangladesh - BD\",\"Bhutan - BT\",\"Brunei - BN\",\"Cambodia - KH\",\"India - IN\",\"Indonesia - ID\",\"Japan - JP\",\"Laos - LA\",\"Malaysia - MY\",\"Mongolia - MN\",\"Nepal - NP\",\"New Zealand - NZ\",\"Pakistan - PK\",\"Philippines - PH\",\"Singapore - SG\",\"South Korea - KR\",\"Sri Lanka - LK\",\"Taiwan - TW\",\"Thailand - TH\",\"Vietnam - VN\",\"China - CN\",\"Hong Kong SAR - HK\"]","unavailableForSaleEurope",{"_1660":1754},"[\"Azerbaijan - AZ\",\"Belarus - BY\",\"Kyrgyzstan - KG\",\"Türkiye - TR\",\"Ukraine - UA\",\"United Kingdom - GB\",\"Uzbekistan - UZ\",\"Russia - RU\",\"Armenia - AM\"]","unavailableForSaleAmericas",{"_1660":1757},"[\"Argentina - AR\",\"Bolivia - BO\",\"Brazil - BR\",\"Chile - CL\",\"Colombia - CO\",\"Costa Rica - CR\",\"Ecuador - EC\",\"El Salvador - SV\",\"Grenada - GD\",\"Peru - PE\",\"Canada - CA\",\"United States - US\",\"Mexico - MX\",\"Curacao - CW\",\"Dominican Republic - DO\",\"Guatemala - GT\",\"Honduras - HN\",\"Nicaragua - NI\",\"Panama - PA\",\"Paraguay - PY\",\"Uruguay - UY\",\"Venezuela - VE\",\"Anguilla - AI\",\"Antigua and Barbuda - AG\",\"Bahamas - BS\",\"Belize - BZ\",\"Bermuda - BM\",\"British Virgin Islands - VG\",\"Cayman Islands - KY\",\"Dominica - DM\",\"Guyana - GY\",\"Jamaica - JM\",\"Montserrat - MS\",\"Saint Kitts and Nevis - KN\",\"Suriname - SR\",\"Saint Lucia - LC\",\"Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - VC\",\"Trinidad and Tobago - TT\",\"Turks and Caicos Islands - TC\",\"Barbados - BB\"]","unavailableForSaleAfrica","ctaButton",{"_1761":1762},"reference",{"_1096":1763,"_246":1765},{"_1660":1764},"CONTACT A DEALER",{"_1660":723},"images",{"_1121":1768},[1769],{"_10":1683,"_243":-5,"_244":1682,"_248":1682,"_246":1684},"variants",{"_1121":1772},[1773,1786],{"_1679":53,"_1700":1701,"_1702":43,"_1703":1774,"_1709":1775,"_1716":-5,"_10":1717,"_1148":1776,"_1720":1777,"_1722":1778,"_1724":1779,"_1729":1730,"_541":1728,"_1731":-5,"_1732":1781,"_1735":1783,"_1738":-5,"_1739":-5,"_1740":1784},{"_1705":1706,"_1707":-5,"_1708":1706},{"_1711":-5,"_1712":-5,"_1713":119,"_1714":-5,"_1715":119},{"_1124":1719,"_10":1683,"_246":1684,"_243":-5,"_248":1682,"_244":1682},{"_1689":1690,"_16":17},{"_541":1672,"_985":1671,"_10":1670},[1780],{"_12":1727,"_1660":1728},{"_1121":1782},[],{"_1660":1737},{"_1121":1785},[],{"_1679":53,"_1700":1787,"_1702":1788,"_1703":1789,"_1709":1790,"_1716":-5,"_10":1791,"_1148":1792,"_1720":1796,"_1722":1797,"_1724":1798,"_1729":1801,"_541":1800,"_1731":-5,"_1732":1802,"_1735":1804,"_1738":1806,"_1739":-5,"_1740":1808},34,"7640145092114",{"_1705":1706,"_1707":-5,"_1708":1706},{"_1711":-5,"_1712":-5,"_1713":119,"_1714":-5,"_1715":119},"gid://shopify/ProductVariant/55893897838966",{"_1124":1719,"_10":1793,"_246":1794,"_243":1795,"_248":309,"_244":309},"gid://shopify/ProductImage/43625793749291","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/products/2-HealthPro250-Plus1940x1940.jpg?v=1772833090","IQAir HealthPro 250 air purifier for smoke, allergens, and ultrafine particles",{"_1689":1690,"_16":17},{"_541":1672,"_985":1671,"_10":1670},[1799],{"_12":1727,"_1660":1800},"EU Plug Type C","1BC.EA0.EAG",{"_1121":1803},[],{"_1660":1805},"[\"France - FR\",\"Austria - AT\",\"Belgium - BE\",\"Croatia - HR\",\"Czechia - CZ\",\"Denmark - DK\",\"Estonia - EE\",\"Finland - FI\",\"Germany - DE\",\"Greece - GR\",\"Hungary - HU\",\"Ireland - IE\",\"Italy - IT\",\"Latvia - LV\",\"Liechtenstein - LI\",\"Lithuania - LT\",\"Luxembourg - LU\",\"Monaco - MC\",\"Netherlands - NL\",\"Norway - NO\",\"Poland - PL\",\"Portugal - PT\",\"Romania - RO\",\"Slovakia - SK\",\"Slovenia - SI\",\"Spain - ES\",\"Sweden - SE\",\"Switzerland - CH\"]",{"_1660":1807},"[\"United Arab Emirates - AE\",\"Saudi Arabia - SA\",\"Qatar - QA\"]",{"_1121":1809},[],"options",[1812],{"_12":1727,"_1813":1814},"optionValues",[1815,1831],{"_12":1728,"_1816":1817,"_1830":-5},"firstSelectableVariant",{"_1679":53,"_1700":1701,"_1702":43,"_1703":1818,"_1709":1819,"_1716":-5,"_10":1717,"_1148":1820,"_1720":1821,"_1722":1822,"_1724":1823,"_1729":1730,"_541":1728,"_1731":-5,"_1732":1825,"_1735":1827,"_1738":-5,"_1739":-5,"_1740":1828},{"_1705":1706,"_1707":-5,"_1708":1706},{"_1711":-5,"_1712":-5,"_1713":119,"_1714":-5,"_1715":119},{"_1124":1719,"_10":1683,"_246":1684,"_243":-5,"_248":1682,"_244":1682},{"_1689":1690,"_16":17},{"_541":1672,"_985":1671,"_10":1670},[1824],{"_12":1727,"_1660":1728},{"_1121":1826},[],{"_1660":1737},{"_1121":1829},[],"swatch",{"_12":1800,"_1816":1832,"_1830":-5},{"_1679":53,"_1700":1787,"_1702":1788,"_1703":1833,"_1709":1834,"_1716":-5,"_10":1791,"_1148":1835,"_1720":1836,"_1722":1837,"_1724":1838,"_1729":1801,"_541":1800,"_1731":-5,"_1732":1840,"_1735":1842,"_1738":1843,"_1739":-5,"_1740":1844},{"_1705":1706,"_1707":-5,"_1708":1706},{"_1711":-5,"_1712":-5,"_1713":119,"_1714":-5,"_1715":119},{"_1124":1719,"_10":1793,"_246":1794,"_243":1795,"_248":309,"_244":309},{"_1689":1690,"_16":17},{"_541":1672,"_985":1671,"_10":1670},[1839],{"_12":1727,"_1660":1800},{"_1121":1841},[],{"_1660":1805},{"_1660":1807},{"_1121":1845},[],"primaryCollection",{"_1761":1848},{"_985":1849},"air-purifiers","collections",{"_1121":1852},[1853],{"_10":1854,"_985":1855,"_541":311},"gid://shopify/Collection/462285635883","business-solutions",{"_1124":1669,"_10":1857,"_985":282,"_541":1858,"_983":1859,"_1674":1860,"_1676":1861,"_1677":1862,"_1142":-5,"_1679":53,"_1680":1863,"_1685":1867,"_1693":1872,"_1698":1875,"_1131":1898,"_1745":-5,"_1746":1900,"_1749":-5,"_1752":1902,"_1755":1904,"_1758":1906,"_1759":1908,"_1766":1912,"_1770":1915,"_1810":1946,"_1846":1975,"_1850":1977},"gid://shopify/Product/8917546565931","KN95/FFP2 Face Mask","High-performance, comfortable mask with tight seal for better protection. IQAir Mask redefines what wearing a protective KN95/FFP2 mask should feel like. Engineered to not only provide superior reduction for a wide range of airborne pollutants, but also designed to provide the most comfortable wearing experience ever. Valveless, medical-grade, all-day protection KN95-certified air pollution mask filters 95% of particles down to 0.3 microns, PM2.5, PM1, PM10, and other common particulates.","

High-performance, comfortable mask with tight seal for better protection.

IQAir Mask redefines what wearing a protective KN95/FFP2 mask should feel like. Engineered to not only provide superior reduction for a wide range of airborne pollutants, but also designed to provide the most comfortable wearing experience ever. Valveless, medical-grade, all-day protection KN95-certified air pollution mask filters 95% of particles down to 0.3 microns, PM2.5, PM1, PM10, and other common particulates.

","Mask","IQAir Global USD",{"_243":-5,"_244":1864,"_10":1865,"_246":1866,"_248":1864},1080,"gid://shopify/ProductImage/82996784038262","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/files/IQAirFFP2FaceMask_4b89063b-7c04-4d7f-ba8c-5bf744bfe874.png?v=1775755908",{"_1687":1868,"_1691":1870},{"_1689":1869,"_16":17},"69.0",{"_1689":1871,"_16":17},"299.0",{"_1687":1873,"_1691":1874},{"_1689":1696,"_16":17},{"_1689":1696,"_16":17},{"_1679":53,"_1700":1876,"_1702":1877,"_1703":1878,"_1709":1879,"_1716":-5,"_10":1880,"_1148":1881,"_1720":1887,"_1722":1888,"_1724":1889,"_1729":1893,"_541":1892,"_1731":-5,"_1732":1894,"_1735":-5,"_1738":-5,"_1739":-5,"_1740":1896},713,"7640145097843",{"_1705":1706,"_1707":-5,"_1708":1706},{"_1711":-5,"_1712":-5,"_1713":119,"_1714":-5,"_1715":119},"gid://shopify/ProductVariant/47574937501995",{"_1124":1719,"_10":1882,"_246":1883,"_243":1884,"_248":1885,"_244":1886},"gid://shopify/ProductImage/83207755792758","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/files/KN95-100pack2.jpg?v=1776719813","IQAir Mask Adult",679,560,{"_1689":1869,"_16":17},{"_541":1858,"_985":282,"_10":1857},[1890],{"_12":1891,"_1660":1892},"Quantity","12 Pack","299.F0.0L.15",{"_1121":1895},[],{"_1121":1897},[],{"_1660":1899},"High-performance, comfortable mask with tight seal for better protection.",{"_1660":1901},"[\"Palestine - PS\"]",{"_1660":1903},"[\"Russia - RU\"]",{"_1660":1905},"[\"United States - US\",\"Canada - CA\",\"Mexico - MX\"]",{"_1660":1907},"[\"Mali - ML\"]",{"_1761":1909},{"_1096":1910,"_246":1911},{"_1660":1764},{"_1660":723},{"_1121":1913},[1914],{"_10":1865,"_243":-5,"_244":1864,"_248":1864,"_246":1866},{"_1121":1916},[1917,1929],{"_1679":53,"_1700":1876,"_1702":1877,"_1703":1918,"_1709":1919,"_1716":-5,"_10":1880,"_1148":1920,"_1720":1921,"_1722":1922,"_1724":1923,"_1729":1893,"_541":1892,"_1731":-5,"_1732":1925,"_1735":-5,"_1738":-5,"_1739":-5,"_1740":1927},{"_1705":1706,"_1707":-5,"_1708":1706},{"_1711":-5,"_1712":-5,"_1713":119,"_1714":-5,"_1715":119},{"_1124":1719,"_10":1882,"_246":1883,"_243":1884,"_248":1885,"_244":1886},{"_1689":1869,"_16":17},{"_541":1858,"_985":282,"_10":1857},[1924],{"_12":1891,"_1660":1892},{"_1121":1926},[],{"_1121":1928},[],{"_1679":53,"_1700":1930,"_1702":1931,"_1703":1932,"_1709":1933,"_1716":-5,"_10":1934,"_1148":1935,"_1720":1936,"_1722":1937,"_1724":1938,"_1729":1941,"_541":1940,"_1731":-5,"_1732":1942,"_1735":-5,"_1738":-5,"_1739":-5,"_1740":1944},10,"7640145097515",{"_1705":1706,"_1707":-5,"_1708":1706},{"_1711":-5,"_1712":-5,"_1713":119,"_1714":-5,"_1715":119},"gid://shopify/ProductVariant/47963561689387",{"_1124":1719,"_10":1882,"_246":1883,"_243":1884,"_248":1885,"_244":1886},{"_1689":1871,"_16":17},{"_541":1858,"_985":282,"_10":1857},[1939],{"_12":1891,"_1660":1940},"60 Pack","298.FL.0A.25",{"_1121":1943},[],{"_1121":1945},[],[1947],{"_12":1891,"_1813":1948},[1949,1962],{"_12":1892,"_1816":1950,"_1830":-5},{"_1679":53,"_1700":1876,"_1702":1877,"_1703":1951,"_1709":1952,"_1716":-5,"_10":1880,"_1148":1953,"_1720":1954,"_1722":1955,"_1724":1956,"_1729":1893,"_541":1892,"_1731":-5,"_1732":1958,"_1735":-5,"_1738":-5,"_1739":-5,"_1740":1960},{"_1705":1706,"_1707":-5,"_1708":1706},{"_1711":-5,"_1712":-5,"_1713":119,"_1714":-5,"_1715":119},{"_1124":1719,"_10":1882,"_246":1883,"_243":1884,"_248":1885,"_244":1886},{"_1689":1869,"_16":17},{"_541":1858,"_985":282,"_10":1857},[1957],{"_12":1891,"_1660":1892},{"_1121":1959},[],{"_1121":1961},[],{"_12":1940,"_1816":1963,"_1830":-5},{"_1679":53,"_1700":1930,"_1702":1931,"_1703":1964,"_1709":1965,"_1716":-5,"_10":1934,"_1148":1966,"_1720":1967,"_1722":1968,"_1724":1969,"_1729":1941,"_541":1940,"_1731":-5,"_1732":1971,"_1735":-5,"_1738":-5,"_1739":-5,"_1740":1973},{"_1705":1706,"_1707":-5,"_1708":1706},{"_1711":-5,"_1712":-5,"_1713":119,"_1714":-5,"_1715":119},{"_1124":1719,"_10":1882,"_246":1883,"_243":1884,"_248":1885,"_244":1886},{"_1689":1871,"_16":17},{"_541":1858,"_985":282,"_10":1857},[1970],{"_12":1891,"_1660":1940},{"_1121":1972},[],{"_1121":1974},[],{"_1761":1976},{"_985":1849},{"_1121":1978},[1979],{"_10":1854,"_985":1855,"_541":311},{"_12":1981,"_1622":1623,"_1624":1625,"_29":1626,"_1627":1982,"_1631":1985,"_1130":1986,"_10":1990,"_985":1991,"_1640":1992},"Green Hills AQI Alert",[1983,1984],-80.3053539,40.1154183,"2025-11-19T00:14:37.485Z",{"_246":1987,"_541":1988,"_1636":1989},"https://www.iqair.com/us/newsroom/hazardous-air-quality","Green Hills has \"hazardous\" air quality. See the map and health recommendations.","https://www.iqair.com/dl/app/notifications/Notification_Daily_AQI_Face_06_Maroon@3x.png","autoGenCustomMarker:city-656d711bb9a8cf89b45f3946","hazardous-air-quality",{"_541":1993,"_985":1991,"_1131":1994,"_1134":1995,"_1136":1996,"_1143":1997,"_577":1998,"_1126":1999,"_1148":2000,"_980":2004,"_1656":-5,"_1657":-5,"_1658":2006,"_1662":-5,"_1663":-5,"_1664":2007},"When air quality is \"Hazardous\"","When the AQI enters the hazardous range, it's time to take serious precautions.","Grasping the Severity of Hazardous AQI An Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeding 300 is termed \"Hazardous.\" At this extreme, there's a health warning of emergency conditions. The entire population is likely to be severely affected. .recommendations-container { border: 1px solid #e5e7eb; border-radius: 12px; background-color: #f9fafb; padding: 24px; color: #111827; font-family: sans-serif; } .recommendations-table { width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; text-align: center; } .recommendations-table th, .recommendations-table td { border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 16px; vertical-align: middle; } .recommendations-title { color: #499fbc; font-weight: bold; font-size: 1.5em; } .recommendation-subheading { font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold; margin: 10px 0; } .recommendation-block { display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; gap: 8px; justify-content: center; padding: 16px 0; } .recommendation-block img { max-width: 50px; height: auto; } .recommendation-text { font-size: 18px; text-align: center; } /* Responsive styling */ @media (max-width: 768px) { .recommendations-table, .recommendations-table thead, .recommendations-table tbody, .recommendations-table tr, .recommendations-table td, .recommendations-table th { display: block; width: 100%; } .recommendations-table tr { margin-bottom: 20px; } .recommendations-table td, .recommendations-table th { text-align: center; border: none; border-bottom: 1px solid #ccc; } .recommendation-block { flex-direction: column; align-items: center; } .recommendation-text { font-size: 16px; } .recommendation-block img { max-width: 40px; } } HEALTH RECOMMENDATIONS How to protect from Hazardous pollution Wear a mask outdoors and indoorsGET A MASK Run an air purifierGET AN AIR PURIFIER Close your windows to avoid dirty outdoor airGET A MONITOR Avoid outdoor exercise Protective Measures for Hazardous Air Quality When air quality is hazardous, everyone is at high risk of experiencing strong irritation and negative health effects that could trigger respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses. Avoid exercise and remain indoors. Avoid outdoor exercise. It is advisable to wear a pollution mask outdoors and indoors as well. Air purifiers should be turned on. Heed every local health advisory, and ensure homes are sealed effectively against the polluted air. Join the movement! Get a monitor and contribute to air quality data in your city BECOME A CONTRIBUTOR How can I protect myself when air quality is hazardous? Get a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts and consistently monitor your air quality. Help increase the amount of ground-level monitors by becoming an air quality contributor. Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data. Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode. Stay indoors; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask. Note that “Hazardous” pollution levels require a mask even when indoors.Run a high-performance air purifier to filter pollutants, particles, gases, and other contaminants. How to best protect from air pollution? Reduce your air pollution exposure Face Mask Air Purifier Air quality monitors /* Ensure full-width container */ .container { width: 100%; } /* Responsive styles */ @media (max-width: 768px) { /* Stack images vertically on smaller screens */ table { width: 100%; display: block; } table tr { display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; } table td { width: 100%; padding: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 20px; } table td img { max-width: 100%; height: auto; } /* Adjust h3 and p for smaller screens */ h3 { font-size: 1.5em; } p { font-size: 1.1em; } }","

Grasping the Severity of Hazardous AQI

An Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeding 300 is termed \"Hazardous.\" At this extreme, there's a health warning of emergency conditions. The entire population is likely to be severely affected.

\n\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

HEALTH RECOMMENDATIONS
How to protect from Hazardous pollution
\n \n $\"Mask$ \n Wear a mask outdoors and indoors GET A MASK\n \n \n	\n \n $\"Air$ \n Run an air purifier GET AN AIR PURIFIER\n \n \n
\n \n $\"Monitor$ \n Close your windows to avoid dirty outdoor air GET A MONITOR\n \n \n	\n \n $\"Exercise$ \n Avoid outdoor exercise \n \n

\n

Protective Measures for Hazardous Air Quality

When air quality is hazardous, everyone is at high risk of experiencing strong irritation and negative health effects that could trigger respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses.

Avoid exercise and remain indoors. Avoid outdoor exercise. It is advisable to wear a pollution mask outdoors and indoors as well. Air purifiers should be turned on. Heed every local health advisory, and ensure homes are sealed effectively against the polluted air.

Join the movement!

Get a monitor and contribute to air quality data in your city

BECOME A CONTRIBUTOR

How can I protect myself when air quality is hazardous?

\nGet a free air quality app for real-time air quality alerts and forecasts and consistently monitor your air quality.
Help increase the amount of ground-level monitors by becoming an air quality contributor. Contribute to your community’s outdoor air quality data.
Shut doors and windows and set the HVAC to recirculate mode.
Stay indoors; if you do need to go outdoors, wear a KN95/FFP2 mask. Note that “Hazardous” pollution levels require a mask even when indoors.Run a high-performance air purifier to filter pollutants, particles, gases, and other contaminants.

How to best protect from air pollution?

Reduce your air pollution exposure

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

\n $\"Mask\"$ \n

Face Mask

\n $\"HPP\"$ \n

Air Purifier

\n $\"AV$ \n

Air quality monitors

\n","2023-02-15T21:30:33Z",[390,1404],{"_12":1128},{"_10":2001,"_243":2002,"_246":2003,"_248":1165,"_244":1166},"gid://shopify/ArticleImage/406775595382","Hazardous AQI","https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0677/4059/8571/articles/AQI_Haardous_Desktop_081523_EN_efbe7946-cda2-417a-b347-007876a5a4df.jpg?v=1753346479",{"_983":2005,"_541":-5},"How to protect yourself against \"Hazardous\" air quality levels",{"_1660":1661},{"_1660":2008},{"_1121":2009},[2010],{"_1124":1669,"_10":1670,"_985":1671,"_541":1672,"_983":1673,"_1674":1675,"_1676":211,"_1677":1678,"_1142":-5,"_1679":53,"_1680":2011,"_1685":2012,"_1693":2015,"_1698":2018,"_1131":2031,"_1745":-5,"_1746":2032,"_1749":2033,"_1752":2034,"_1755":2035,"_1758":-5,"_1759":2036,"_1766":2040,"_1770":2043,"_1810":2072,"_1846":2104,"_1850":2106},{"_243":-5,"_244":1682,"_10":1683,"_246":1684,"_248":1682},{"_1687":2013,"_1691":2014},{"_1689":1690,"_16":17},{"_1689":1690,"_16":17},{"_1687":2016,"_1691":2017},{"_1689":1696,"_16":17},{"_1689":1696,"_16":17},{"_1679":53,"_1700":1701,"_1702":43,"_1703":2019,"_1709":2020,"_1716":-5,"_10":1717,"_1148":2021,"_1720":2022,"_1722":2023,"_1724":2024,"_1729":1730,"_541":1728,"_1731":-5,"_1732":2026,"_1735":2028,"_1738":-5,"_1739":-5,"_1740":2029},{"_1705":1706,"_1707":-5,"_1708":1706},{"_1711":-5,"_1712":-5,"_1713":119,"_1714":-5,"_1715":119},{"_1124":1719,"_10":1683,"_246":1684,"_243":-5,"_248":1682,"_244":1682},{"_1689":1690,"_16":17},{"_541":1672,"_985":1671,"_10":1670},[2025],{"_12":1727,"_1660":1728},{"_1121":2027},[],{"_1660":1737},{"_1121":2030},[],{"_1660":1744},{"_1660":1748},{"_1660":1751},{"_1660":1754},{"_1660":1757},{"_1761":2037},{"_1096":2038,"_246":2039},{"_1660":1764},{"_1660":723},{"_1121":2041},[2042],{"_10":1683,"_243":-5,"_244":1682,"_248":1682,"_246":1684},{"_1121":2044},[2045,2058],{"_1679":53,"_1700":1701,"_1702":43,"_1703":2046,"_1709":2047,"_1716":-5,"_10":1717,"_1148":2048,"_1720":2049,"_1722":2050,"_1724":2051,"_1729":1730,"_541":1728,"_1731":-5,"_1732":2053,"_1735":2055,"_1738":-5,"_1739":-5,"_1740":2056},{"_1705":1706,"_1707":-5,"_1708":1706},{"_1711":-5,"_1712":-5,"_1713":119,"_1714":-5,"_1715":119},{"_1124":1719,"_10":1683,"_246":1684,"_243":-5,"_248":1682,"_244":1682},{"_1689":1690,"_16":17},{"_541":1672,"_985":1671,"_10":1670},[2052],{"_12":1727,"_1660":1728},{"_1121":2054},[],{"_1660":1737},{"_1121":2057},[],{"_1679":53,"_1700":1787,"_1702":1788,"_1703":2059,"_1709":2060,"_1716":-5,"_10":1791,"_1148":2061,"_1720":2062,"_1722":2063,"_1724":2064,"_1729":1801,"_541":1800,"_1731":-5,"_1732":2066,"_1735":2068,"_1738":2069,"_1739":-5,"_1740":2070},{"_1705":1706,"_1707":-5,"_1708":1706},{"_1711":-5,"_1712":-5,"_1713":119,"_1714":-5,"_1715":119},{"_1124":1719,"_10":1793,"_246":1794,"_243":1795,"_248":309,"_244":309},{"_1689":1690,"_16":17},{"_541":1672,"_985":1671,"_10":1670},[2065],{"_12":1727,"_1660":1800},{"_1121":2067},[],{"_1660":1805},{"_1660":1807},{"_1121":2071},[],[2073],{"_12":1727,"_1813":2074},[2075,2089],{"_12":1728,"_1816":2076,"_1830":-5},{"_1679":53,"_1700":1701,"_1702":43,"_1703":2077,"_1709":2078,"_1716":-5,"_10":1717,"_1148":2079,"_1720":2080,"_1722":2081,"_1724":2082,"_1729":1730,"_541":1728,"_1731":-5,"_1732":2084,"_1735":2086,"_1738":-5,"_1739":-5,"_1740":2087},{"_1705":1706,"_1707":-5,"_1708":1706},{"_1711":-5,"_1712":-5,"_1713":119,"_1714":-5,"_1715":119},{"_1124":1719,"_10":1683,"_246":1684,"_243":-5,"_248":1682,"_244":1682},{"_1689":1690,"_16":17},{"_541":1672,"_985":1671,"_10":1670},[2083],{"_12":1727,"_1660":1728},{"_1121":2085},[],{"_1660":1737},{"_1121":2088},[],{"_12":1800,"_1816":2090,"_1830":-5},{"_1679":53,"_1700":1787,"_1702":1788,"_1703":2091,"_1709":2092,"_1716":-5,"_10":1791,"_1148":2093,"_1720":2094,"_1722":2095,"_1724":2096,"_1729":1801,"_541":1800,"_1731":-5,"_1732":2098,"_1735":2100,"_1738":2101,"_1739":-5,"_1740":2102},{"_1705":1706,"_1707":-5,"_1708":1706},{"_1711":-5,"_1712":-5,"_1713":119,"_1714":-5,"_1715":119},{"_1124":1719,"_10":1793,"_246":1794,"_243":1795,"_248":309,"_244":309},{"_1689":1690,"_16":17},{"_541":1672,"_985":1671,"_10":1670},[2097],{"_12":1727,"_1660":1800},{"_1121":2099},[],{"_1660":1805},{"_1660":1807},{"_1121":2103},[],{"_1761":2105},{"_985":1849},{"_1121":2107},[2108],{"_10":1854,"_985":1855,"_541":311},{"_12":2110,"_1622":1623,"_1624":1625,"_29":1626,"_1627":2111,"_1631":2114,"_1130":2115,"_10":2117,"_985":1991,"_1640":1992},"Winchester AQI Alert",[2112,2113],-84.1905856,38.0023639,"2025-12-25T22:19:00.241Z",{"_246":1987,"_541":2116,"_1636":1989},"Winchester has \"hazardous\" air quality. See the map and health recommendations.","autoGenCustomMarker:city-5bc822ae41fdcdf1939e65f0","meta",{"_2120":2121,"_2122":1930,"_2123":2124,"_1627":2125,"_2129":2130},"bbox","-87.100537,36.793399,-78.896863,43.124001","zoomLevel","radiusKm",350,{"_2126":2127,"_1052":1053,"_2128":1055},"source","cloudfront","lon","markerCount",3,"actionData","errors"]

1. Be mindful of entries and departures—guests bring more than food and presents.

2. More time indoors, more indoor air pollutants.

Dust

The common cold, flu and other viruses

3. Fireplace: not be such a hot idea.

Solutions

4. Avoid burning candles, scented or not.

Solutions

5. Prevent mold and pollen buildup.

Solutions

6. Cook with care.

Solutions

7. Use smart cleaning techniques before, during, and after the festivities.

Solutions

Conclusion

Pet hair itself is not an allergen

What Pet Dander Is—and How It Moves Indoors

How air purifiers help control pet dander

Perception vs. Reality: Why You May Still React (Even With an Air Purifier)

Air Purifiers vs. Vacuums vs. HVAC Filters: What Each One Can (and Can’t) Do

What’s Actually Driving Pet Allergen Levels in Your Home?

How to Use an Air Purifier Effectively for Pet Dander

FAQ: Air Purifiers and Pet Dander

Conclusion

At A Glance

First things first: How long do you run your system?

1. Dirty filters can raise your electricity bill and damage your system.

2. Less clean air comes out of a system with dirty filters.

The Takeaway

Do you have a Christmas tree allergy?

Christmas trees and mold

Pollen can also be a problem

How do you prevent Christmas tree allergy?

1. Airborne viruses

2. Winter allergies

3. Traffic pollution

4. Cooking and cleaning

5. Wood-burning fireplaces and stoves

6. Scented candles & fragrances

7. Christmas tree syndrome

8. Indoor plants

Conclusion

How is the air in autumn?

1. Ragweed, flowers and pollen

2. Dust mites

3. Wildfires

4. Scented candles and holiday decorations

\n5. Mouldy pumpkins\n

Conclusion

Clean air = top grades

1. Starting college? Keep an eye on your air quality.

2. Avoid areas with heavy vehicle traffic.

3. Avoid designated smoking areas (and smoking!).

4. Choose an air dorm room air purifier.

5. Be proactive about your allergies or asthma treatment.

6. Locate treatment centers near your school.

7. Work with your doctor to create an action plan.

8. Discuss your action plan with those around you.

Just remember: Clean air = clear mind.

Sources of poor indoor air quality in schools

Animal-free doesn’t mean animal allergen-free

Dust mite allergens in schools

Cockroach and rodent allergens in schools

Dustless chalk can trigger milk allergies

Traffic-related air pollution

How parents can help at school

Other steps parents can take

The takeaway

Tip 1. Flowers are great, but choose wisely

Worse choices (more fragrant)

Tip 2. Optimise air quality in the car

Tip 3. Enjoy romantic home-cooked meals together but cook with care

Tip 4. Avoid burning candles, scented or not

Tip 5. Using your fire place might not be the hottest of date ideas

Tip 6. Take necessary precautions at large-scale gatherings

Conclusion

7 Tips to help keep your child safe in the classroom

Why should I be concerned about indoor air quality?

The takeaway

What causes winter allergies?

\n
5. Mouldy pumpkins\n

Allergies and asthma

Trending topics

7 holiday cleaning tips for a healthier home

Do air purifiers help with pet dander?

How long do IQAir filters last?

How to avoid "Christmas tree syndrome"

8 Hidden holiday air quality challenges and how to handle them

5 Fall air quality concerns you need to know

8 Clean air habits of highly effective college students

A parent’s complete guide to managing asthma and allergies at school

Date Night Ideas: 6 Clean Air Tips for a Healthier Evening

7 Back to School Clean Air Tips for Classrooms

What causes winter allergies and how to prevent them

AirVisual now includes pollen data

Connect With IQAir