Home HEPA Filtration for Asthma Sufferers

Asthma is a respiratory disease that can affect people at all stages of life. It is characterized by constriction and inflammation of the airways, or bronchioles, that pass air to the lungs. There is no cure for asthma, but careful management can reduce the incidence of symptoms and improve quality of life.
 
An important aspect of managing asthma is reducing exposure to allergens or irritants known to trigger symptoms. Avoiding triggers helps prevent the acute asthma symptoms associated with an asthma attack, including:
  • coughing
  • difficulty breathing
  • tightness of the chest
  • wheezing.
If improperly managed, asthma can cause permanent damage and narrowing of the bronchioles. Severe symptoms may require hospitalization. Maintaining indoor air quality is an important part of asthma management, which can be accomplished through air filtration with a HEPA filter.

HEPA Filters

HEPA stands for high-efficiency particulate air filter. By definition, a true HEPA filter is able to trap 99.97 percent of particles larger than 0.3 microns. HEPA filtration was initially developed for military, medical and industrial uses, and can be used to filter dangerous particles like lead and asbestos from the air. While HEPA-like filters work in a similar way to true HEPA filters, their filtration is not as efficient but they less expensive than true HEPA filters.

HEPA Filters and Asthma

As HEPA filters can filter out very small particles, they effectively remove allergens and other asthma triggers from the air. HEPA filters remove from the air:
  • dust
  • mold
  • pollen
  • smoke.
For these reasons, people with asthma way want to consider having a HEPA filter in their homes.

How HEPA Filtration Works

Fibers that are tightly knit make the HEPA system very efficient at filtering tiny particles from the air. Particles get caught when they cannot pass through the spaces between the fibers, and the smallest particles also get stuck to the many fibers that make up the filter. HEPA filters need a high velocity of air to pass air through the dense filter.
 
How often the filter is used, and the concentration of allergens in the environment, will determine how often the filter must be cleaned or changed in order to function properly. A pre-filter, used to filter out larger particles before they reach the HEPA filter, allows the HEPA filter to last longer.

Choosing a HEPA Filter

Many factors should be considered when purchasing a HEPA filter. Filters can be placed within the heating or air conditioning system in your home, which filters air in a larger area of the house than an individual room filter. This can be quite expensive. HEPA systems for individual rooms generally cost several hundred dollars. However, as HEPA filters can be very effective in filtering out allergens, it may be worthwhile to examine the costs and benefits of installing a HEPA system. It is also important to know the difference between true HEPA filters and HEPA-like filters, and to make sure you are getting the type of filter that is appropriate for your needs.
 
While no FDA standards for air filters are enforced, some filters have FDA approval as medical devices. These devices have been shown to be safe and to have a medical benefit. It is worthwhile to look into products with FDA approval when choosing a filtration system. Your doctor can also give you more information on choosing an appropriate air filter.

Other Considerations

HEPA filters are capable of filtering smoke particles from the air. However, in order to reduce symptoms, it is best to avoid tobacco smoke and secondhand smoke entirely by getting members of the household to quit smoking. Proper ventilation is also important for reducing indoor air pollution.
 
HEPA purifiers do not remove all allergens, because some of them do not remain in the air long enough to be filtered through the system. Keeping surfaces, such as tables, countertops and rugs, clean and free of allergens is also important. Allergens on these surfaces can be stirred up into the air upon contact. It is therefore important to vacuum the surfaces in the home as well to eliminate dust and other allergens that have settled on surfaces. HEPA vacuums can remove allergens from surfaces in the home, and are less likely than other vacuums to release these allergens back into the air. HEPA vacuums also help in reducing the irritants and allergens that may trigger asthma.
 
HEPA respirators are also available, but these are not necessary in a home setting. However, when emptying the bag from your vacuum cleaner, you should consider doing so outside and possibly wearing a mask if you find that dust and other allergens aggravate your asthma.
 
Resources
 
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. (n.d.). Air filters. Retrieved March 19, 2009, from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America Web site: http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9&sub=18&cont=222.
 
American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works. (2002). HEPA, HEPA, HEPA. Retrieve March 19, 2009, from the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works Web site: http://aic.stanford.edu/health/hepa.html.
 
Mayo Clinic. (2008). Asthma: Complications. Retrieved March 19, 2009, from the Mayo Clinic Web site: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/asthma/DS00021/DSECTION=complications.
 
YourTotalHealth (2007). HEPA filters. Retrieved March 19, 2009, from the YourTotalHealth Web site: http://yourtotalhealth.ivillage.com/hepa-filters.html.
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