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New York Times
30-06-2025
- Health
- New York Times
Do I Really Need an Air Purifier?
The air we breathe isn't always clean and refreshing. Nearly half of Americans, or roughly 156 million people, are living with unsafe levels of air pollution, the American Lung Association found in April. And about a quarter, or 81 million, have seasonal allergic reactions to pollen from trees, grasses and weeds, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Air purifiers can help in many cases. But does everyone need to have this gadget? Take a deep breath and read on. What to look for Air purifiers vary in size, from sleek desktop models to larger units that resemble portable heaters. But they all work in pretty much the same way. The machine pulls in air, which then passes through a filter. 'It's the same material that's in masks,' said Linsey C. Marr, an environmental engineer at Virginia Tech. 'The filters have very small fibers and small spaces in between them, so the particles have a tough time getting through that, and they end up getting trapped.' The most effective filters have what's called high-efficiency particulate air certification. Better known as HEPA filters, they can capture up to 99.97 percent of common particle pollutants like mold, dust, pet dander, pollen and smoke. Air purifiers are also rated by their clean air delivery rate, or CADR, which is based on how much air they can move per minute. 'The higher the CADR, the more particles the air cleaner can filter and the larger the area it can serve,' according to an air purifier guide from the Environmental Protection Agency. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
The Guardian
13-05-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Antihistamines, masks and showers: how to manage seasonal allergies
Allergy season is always rough, and it has only been getting worse. Warming global temperatures and an increasing number of extreme weather events have made the pollen season in North America 20 days longer than it was in 1990, according to one 2021 study. 'Pollen seasons are effectively year-round in some parts of the country,' says Melanie Carver, the chief mission officer at the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. In the US and UK, seasonal allergies – also known as allergic rhinitis or hay fever – are usually triggered by tree pollen in the spring, grass pollen in the summer and weed pollen in the fall. About 26% of adults in both countries have a seasonal allergy, as do about 19% of children in the US and 10-15% of children in the UK. As pollen seasons continue to get longer and more severe, how does one best manage allergies? We asked experts. Common symptoms of pollen allergies include itchy, watery eyes, an itchy and runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion and/or post-nasal drip (when mucus runs from the back of your nose down the throat), headaches, sore throat, coughing, wheezing and trouble breathing, says Dr Arveen Bhasin, an allergist-immunologist at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. It's possible to develop allergies at any time. 'It's not uncommon for adults that have never experienced them before to find themselves managing seasonal allergies for the first time later in life,' says Carver. Moving to a new environment and encountering different foliage can trigger pollen allergies. It usually takes two years to develop sensitivities to particular allergens, says Dr Payel Gupta, a spokesperson for the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, and the medical director for allergy and immunology at Tono Health. A number of over-the-counter medications can help manage allergy symptoms, says Bhasin. These include decongestants, antihistamine pills, nasal sprays and eye drops. In order for these medications to work, says Bhasin, you have to be proactive and start your regimen at least two weeks before pollen season. Bhasin notes that antihistamines can lose efficacy over time. If a medication 'is not consistently controlling symptoms', you 'may have developed tolerance' to it, she says. Additionally, nasal sprays need to be used regularly to be of any help. Bhasin says she often sees patients discontinue using nasal sprays after three to five days because they don't seem to be working, but it takes 10-14 days of consistent use for these sprays to reach maximum efficacy. Experts caution that when overused, decongestants can cause a rebound effect, where nasal congestion worsens. 'Do not use them for more than three days,' says Carver, and check with your doctor before using if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, thyroid disease, glaucoma or trouble urinating. Sign up to Well Actually Practical advice, expert insights and answers to your questions about how to live a good life after newsletter promotion 'I really don't understand why [decongestants] are over the counter, but they are,' says Gupta. 'So people have to be careful.' Lifestyle changes can reduce your exposure to pollen. Inflammation and irritation are caused by pollen sitting on the surface of your skin or inside your nose and eyes, explains Gupta. People spend as much as 90% of their time indoors, so it's important to be mindful of how much pollen you are bringing inside, says Carver. At home, keep windows closed and the air conditioning running so that clean air can circulate. Make sure to regularly change air filters as well. When pollen counts are especially high, Carver suggests wearing a mask outside. And always remove your shoes, shower and change into a fresh set of clothes when you get home, experts say. Air purifiers are also helpful, says Gupta, but getting one that is the right size for your space is important. The strength of a purifier is based on the square footage of a room, she explains. If you have tried all the above and are still struggling with allergy symptoms, see an allergist. 'There are so many ways we can help you feel more comfortable,' says Gupta. When over-the-counter drugs are not helping, allergists may prescribe allergy immunotherapy, meaning allergy shots or sublingual treatment (medicated drops that go under the tongue). These can help with longer-term control and relief, says Carter.
