Tips for Better Breathing – Possibilities with Home Air Purifiers

If you are one of the thousands of nuclear defense or uranium workers who has been exposed to silica, beryllium or any number of other toxins commonly used in nuclear weapons production, breathing may be a challenge for you resulting from damage to your lungs. While such damage is irreversible, there are ways to slow down the progression of various lung diseases and relieve symptoms so you can improve your breathing and overall health. Purchasing an air purifier is a great first step.

How to Improve Indoor Air Quality

Air purifiers (also referred to as air filters, sanitizers or cleaners) are electronic machines that clean small particles of mold, dust, pollen, and other allergens from the air in a room. If you have an existing lung disease, particles like these can make your health worse by causing swelling in your lungs. Not only does this worsen coughing, breathing problems and congestion, but it can also be bad for your heart and blood pressure and even increase your chance of having a stroke.

Air Purifier Benefits

Air purifiers are designed to improve indoor air quality by removing harmful particles and circulating clean air. Specific benefits include:

• Reduced allergens. Air purifiers can remove allergens like dust, pollen, pet dander, and mold spores, which can help manage allergy symptoms and make your home a more comfortable place to live.
• Reduced risk of illness. Air purifiers can help reduce the risk of getting sick by removing airborne pollutants that can trigger asthma attacks, allergies and other health problems.
• Improved cardiovascular health. Better air quality can help improve cardiovascular health, including lowering blood pressure levels and heart rate.
• Improved sleep. Air purifiers in bedrooms can remove pollutants that disrupt sleep patterns, helping you breathe easier and sleep more deeply.
• Reduced odors. Air purifiers can filter smoke and odors from a room, including pet odors.

Types of Air Purifiers

The specific benefits of an air purifier depend on the type of purifier and filter used. Portable air purifiers are small enough to easily move from room to room. There are also whole-house purifiers that are part of your home’s furnace or central air conditioning system and filter air that passes through your home’s ducts.

Different air purifiers offer features like:

• High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) purifiers, which have pleated filters that trap tiny air particles. Some HEPA filters can get rid of more than 99% of the pollution in your home’s air.
• Electric cleaners, which use electrically charged plates to trap particles.
• Ionizers, which give off electrically charged ions. They attach to air particles in the room and make them cling to your curtains or shades, walls, or ceiling tiles so they’re not in the air.

If you or someone else in your household has serious lung problems, also consider the following:

• Particle size — Determine if the purifier can capture ultrafine particles, which are the most dangerous and can lodge in the lungs.
• Filter materials — Different materials can trap different things, such as pleated filters that last longer, polyester filters that trap dust, and activated carbon filters that help with odors.
• Ozone — Depending on the purification process, the purifier may release ozone (which is harmful to your respiratory system) back into the air during the filtration process.

Other Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality

There are a number of other simple steps you can take to breathe healthier air in your home, including:

• Regularly changing furnace filters according to manufacturer specifications.
• Using a dehumidifier to remove dampness in the home and help prevent mold buildup.
• Frequently dusting and vacuuming living spaces.
• Minimizing carpeting in the home, since it can trap unhealthy particles; floors can be cleaned more thoroughly.
• Using natural cleaning products to minimize exposure to harsh chemicals.
• Quitting smoking immediately and don’t allow others to smoke in your home or around you.

Cost Considerations when Choosing an Air Purifier

The cost of an air filtration system depends on the kind of system you choose. Costs typically range from $500 to $3,500 with systems that connect to your HVAC system running on the higher end of that range, especially after factoring in installation costs.

Portable air purifiers don’t require professional installation. Typically, you just need to plug them in. Initially their cost seems much lower, but you may require multiple units to maintain higher air quality throughout commonly used areas and especially in larger rooms. HEPA filters for portable units can be expensive. When factoring in filter replacements costs, a whole-house system might be a financially smarter choice. Plus, this option might help extend the life of your HVAC system.

Breathe Easier — Most Air Purification System Costs Covered by EEOICPA

Nuclear weapons and uranium workers who qualify for benefits under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA) may not realize that modifications to their homes and vehicles are covered, as long as the modifications are considered medically necessary to help manage a covered illness. If you have been diagnosed with a covered breathing illness, you could qualify for reimbursement for a whole-home air purification system under EEOICPA, assuming it has been prescribed by a treating physician. The addition of central air conditioning may also be covered since it helps to improve breathing.

Representatives at the Cold War Patriots Help Center can help you understand your EEOICPA benefits and answer your questions. Call (888) 903-8989 for more information.