Breathe Clean Air: Building and Maintaining an Allergy-Friendly Home This Fall

31/10/2024

For many, autumn brings to mind cozy sweaters, pumpkin spice lattes, and colorful foliage. But for allergy sufferers, it can be a season of sniffles, sneezes, and itchy eyes. Whether you're a homeowner looking to improve your indoor air quality or a builder seeking to create healthier homes, understanding fall allergy triggers and how to combat them is extremely important, especially for the most vulnerable.

The Autumn Allergy Culprits

While spring is notorious for pollen, fall has its own set of allergy triggers:

• Ragweed: This is the biggest offender, releasing pollen from late summer to November.
• Mold: Damp leaves and decaying vegetation create the perfect environment for mold spores to thrive.
• Dust Mites: These microscopic creatures love the warm, humid conditions found in homes, especially in bedding and furniture.
• Pet Dander: As we spend more time indoors cuddling up with our furry friends indoors, pet dander becomes more concentrated in the air.

Additionally, this is the time of year we tend to start spending less time outside and more time indoors, where, according to the EPA, air can be up to five times more contaminated. With Americans spending 90 percent of their time indoors, unhealthy air inside a home can pose health risks particularly for children, seniors and people with asthma.

The effects of these health problems are much bigger than just a run on allergy medicines and tissues. Studies link poor air quality to lower levels of work productivity and absenteeism, as well as lower attention spans in classrooms. Even more alarming, the World Health Organization has found that 3.8 million people a year die prematurely from illnesses attributable to household air pollution such as pneumonia, stroke and heart disease.

Simple Strategies for an Allergy-Friendly Home

Here are a few practical steps that homeowners can take to minimize allergens:

• Regular Cleaning: Frequent dusting, vacuuming, and mopping are essential to remove dust mites, pollen and pet dander. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to trap even the smallest particles.
• Ventilation: Improve airflow by opening windows on dry, low-pollen days. Use exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms to remove moisture and reduce mold growth.
• Bedding & Soft Furnishings: Wash bedding weekly in hot water (at least 130°F) to kill dust mites. Consider using allergen-proof covers for mattresses, pillows, and box springs. Choose washable curtains and blinds over heavy drapes that trap dust.
• Flooring: Opt for hard surface flooring like hardwood or tile, which are easier to keep clean than carpets. If you prefer carpet, choose low-pile options and vacuum regularly.
• Humidity Control: Maintain a humidity level below 50 percent to discourage mold growth. Use a dehumidifier in damp areas like basements and bathrooms.
• Pet Management: Bathe pets regularly to reduce dander and limit their access to bedrooms and furniture.
• Take your shoes off before entering your home and don’t wear your “outside” clothes to bed.

Building with Allergy-Friendly Materials

For builders, consider these strategies during construction:

• Proper Ventilation: Design homes with effective ventilation systems to ensure continuous airflow and moisture control.
• Moisture Barriers: Install moisture barriers in walls and floors to prevent mold growth.
• Hard Surface Flooring: Recommend hard surface flooring options to clients or suggest low-pile carpets with anti-allergen treatments.
• Air Filtration: Install high-quality air filters in HVAC systems to trap allergens.

The Power of CERTIFED asthma & allergy friendly® Products

Whether you’re a homeowner or builder use CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly® products, including laundry detergents, appliances, and building materials. This certification, offered by Allergy Standards Limited (ASL) in partnership with the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), means a product has been rigorously tested to ensure it:

• Reduces or removes allergens: Products are designed to minimize allergens like dust mites, pet dander, and mold.
• Emits low VOCs: Products release minimal volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can irritate airways.
• Is easy to clean: Products are designed for easy cleaning to maintain a healthy environment.

Visit allergystandards.com for a list of certified products and participating manufacturers. Look for the certification mark on product packaging and websites.

Knauf’s Performance+™ portfolio of insulation is CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly®, is formaldehyde-free, and boasts extremely low VOC emissions.

Our homes aren’t just structures; they are spaces in which we thrive. By prioritizing indoor air quality and opting for healthier materials like CERTIFIED asthma & allergy friendly® insulation, bedding, and more, you are building a foundation for healthier lives. Embrace the season and breathe easy knowing you’ve taken steps to create an allergy-friendly haven.