In recent years, Australians have become well-versed in the importance of air quality, specifically indoor air quality. After all, Australians spend the majority of their time indoors, it only makes sense that the air we breathe is kept clean and healthy for ourselves and our loved ones.
In brief, you need an air purifier to clean your indoor air of dust, allergens, pollutants and other impurities that cannot be seen with the naked eye. However, the technology used is far more sophisticated than just cleaning the air. In this blog post, we delve into the role of air purifiers in Australia and how you can choose the right unit to suit your needs.
Air quality in Australia
Australians typically have a strong awareness of environmental issues, including the significance of air quality. We have an understanding that the air we breathe directly impacts our health, well-being and overall quality of life. With this in mind, it’s clear why ensuring the air in our homes is clean is a smart choice to make.
Like many regions around the world, Australia also faces challenges to air quality and if outdoor air is polluted, it inadvertently has an effect on indoor air quality. Urbanisation, industrial activities, traffic emissions and natural phenomena like bushfires play a role in the presence of pollutants in our air. These pollutants include particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, pet dander, pollen and other allergens that compromise indoor air quality.
Health effects of poor indoor air quality
Exposure to poor indoor air quality affects our health negatively, especially the respiratory system. In fact, the US Environmental Protection Agency reports that indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air, which is of added concern considering Australians spend 90% of their time indoors, be it at home, school, work or even for leisure.
The following are some health effects of exposure to polluted air.
- Allergy symptoms
- Wheezing
- Coughing
- Eye, nose and throat irritation
- Worsening asthma symptoms
Long-term exposure to certain air pollutants has been linked to cancer, respiratory diseases, heart diseases and cognitive deficits. The World Health Organisation estimates around 3.8 million people worldwide die from illnesses attributed to harmful indoor air.
Role of air purifiers
With all the challenges posed by poor indoor air quality, air purifiers emerge as an efficient and powerful tool to combat air pollutants and create a healthier living environment.
Ionmax air purifiers are designed to filter and clean the air of up to 99.97% of airborne pollutants as large as 0.3 microns, this includes dust, pet dander, viruses, bacteria and other particles.
Ionmax air purifiers are also equipped with a multitude of other features, including a UV light that kills bacteria and viruses that are trapped in the filter for added security and safety, a negative ioniser, a mechanism that releases negative ions into the air to help remove dust particles and give you that after rain fresh air smell. Selected units come with mobile pairing for easy remote control and indoor air quality to monitor to better understand the indoor air quality in your home.
Ionmax air purifiers are, of course, also fitted with high-grade HEPA filters for tiny airborne particles, activated carbon filters to neutralise odours, and pre-filters to ensure large dust and hair particles do not end up in the unit.
The upcoming sections will explain why the benefits of Ionmax units and other everyday tips you could employ to improve overall indoor air quality in your home.
Benefits of air purifiers for Australian homes
As mentioned above, the Australian climate brings about various unique challenges to indoor air quality. Apart from pollution, our country’s unique climate may require different tools to improve air quality at different times of the year. For example, Ionmax dehumidifiers are popular during rainy seasons, flooding and other humid seasons to help remove moisture from the air and get rid of moisture issues, including mould, mildew and water damage.
The benefits of air purifiers for Australian homes are the removal of PM10 and PM2.5, the reduction of indoor odours, the elimination of VOCs, the mitigation of bushfire smoke pollution, and support for asthma and allergy management, among other benefits.
Removal of particulate matter
With Ionmax being equipped with HEPA filters, they are able to remove dangerous particulate matter from the air, including pollen, pet dander, smoke particles, mould spores and other particles that are caused by pollution and even daily human activities.
Particulate matter has been linked to a variety of different diseases, including heart disease.
Mitigation of indoor odours
Indoor odours come from pets, cooking, household cleaning agents, and other everyday sources that can dampen the comfort of your home. Indoor odours are neutralised by air purifiers with activated carbon filters or titanium dioxide filters like the ones used by Ionmax assist in absorbing and neutralising odours, leaving your living space smelling fresh and clean.
Mitigation of bushfire smoke pollution
Australia is no stranger to bushfires. They are caused by a multitude of different reasons, including natural and manmade causes. But no matter the source, what’s certain is that it creates hazardous air quality conditions that can find their way to your home and wreak havoc. Fortunately, air purifiers mitigate bushfire smoke pollution by efficiently capturing smoke particles and filtering out harmful pollutants, providing a safer haven within your home.
Asthma support
There are about 2.7 million Australians living with asthma which makes up 34% of the total burden of diseases caused by respiratory issues. With that being said, investing in air purifiers help reduce a patient’s exposure to common allergy triggers, including dust mites, pollen, pet dander and more. Ionmax dehumidifiers are also Sensitive Choice approved for having potential benefits to asthma sufferers.
Other tips to improve indoor air quality
While air purifiers play a crucial role in enhancing indoor air quality, there are additional steps that one can take in order to create a healthier environment within your Australian home.
Keep your home clean
Regular cleaning of your home is crucial to reducing the buildup of allergens and pollutants. By regularly wiping down surfaces, mopping floors and vacuuming carpets and other rugs, you will be able to reduce the chances of these particles floating back into the air and inhaling them. Do also pay attention to areas that are prone to moisture buildup, like bathrooms, kitchens and basements. Promptly address any water damage, as it can lead to the growth of mould and mildew.
Control humidity levels
Uncontrolled moisture levels can bring about an unwanted growth of mould and mildew. Mould will eventually spread by releasing spores into the air, which can cause detrimental respiratory diseases if one is exposed to them. Dehumidifiers are efficient ways to control humidity levels.
LEARN MORE: Choosing the right dehumidifier
LEARN MORE: How to reduce humidity levels without a dehumidifier
Ventilate your home
A little bit of ventilation goes a long way! So long as there is no clear outdoor air pollution happening, such as bushfires or nearby construction, opening up a window or door periodically will help promote a healthy exchange of air. This is especially useful during cooking. Other ways to ventilate your home include using HVAC systems.
Embrace natural air purifiers
House plants offer their own air-purifying properties. Peace lilies, spider plants and snake plants can help remove toxins and enhance indoor air quality. Other natural air purifiers include activated charcoal or bamboo charcoal bags that help absorb odours and impurities.
Summary
Air quality is a significant concern in Australia, and air purifiers are a worthy investment to combat the issue of poor indoor air quality as they are efficient at capturing and removing allergens, dust, pollutants and other harmful particles. Alongside air purifiers, implementing other tips to improve air quality in your home are improving ventilation, regular cleaning, controlling humidity levels and using natural air purifiers like indoor plants.
Browse through Ionmax’s wide catalogue of air treatment devices to find the best air purifiers and dehumidifiers for Australian homes!
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general reference only. Please seek advice from professionals according to your needs.
Ionmax Australia
Founded in 2003, Ionmax Australia has received numerous awards and accolades for its innovative products and commitment to customer satisfaction. Ionmax dehumidifiers and air purifiers have been recognised for their effectiveness in reducing indoor air pollutants and improving air quality. The company is committed to researching and developing new and improved products that meet the needs and expectations of its customers, making it a trusted name in households across Australia and beyond.
