Defeating Spring Allergies: Why Workplace Air Purification is Important

By Salomé Giao, 20 April, 2023

Dr Salomé Giao, Lead Scientist at Dyson for Business, says although conversations around air pollution and its health risks have been commonplace for years, indoor air quality deserves more attention.

Conversations around air pollution and the dangers and health risks attributed to it have been commonplace for several years now, with

There are many regulations in place to lessen the dangers associated with widely reported polluted outdoor air.

As an airborne allergen caused by pollen from trees and plants, the outdoor air is filled with these particles that cause harm to those that suffer from the allergy.

In comparison, its counterpart of indoor air quality (IAQ) has remained relatively underreported and under-researched.

In the UK, Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty, published an annual report in December 2022 highlighted the importance of prioritising IAQ pollution as an obvious next step after the improvements made to outdoor air pollution1.

With this in mind, keeping windows open to allow natural air flow through an indoor space is often the most common solution. However, this can come with its own risks and problems as outdoor air is not necessarily cleaner or more hygienic and can carry in allergens, especially as we head into warmer months and pollen begins to be released into the air. The issue therein lies with the particles in the air itself: viruses, pollutants, and allergens being amongst some of the main harmful particles2.

Moreover, the importance of ventilating indoor spaces to prevent the spread of disease has been emphasised over recent years which has led to the general public’s heightened awareness of the air circulating in their indoor spaces, whether communal or private.

With this in mind, keeping windows open to allow natural air flow through an indoor space is often the most common solution.

As we get into springtime, it signifies the start of days getting longer, the weather getting warmer, and of course flowers beginning to bloom - a time of year many look forward to. However, for the 26% of adults in the UK who are diagnosed with hay fever4, this means the start of allergy season. As an airborne allergen caused by pollen from trees and plants, the outdoor air is filled with these particles that cause harm to those that suffer from the allergy. In addition, 49% of people report experiencing hay fever symptoms5 - from itching noses and burning eyes, the symptoms are not only uncomfortable but can impact quality of life, affecting everyday life and lowering quality of sleep. Furthermore, hay fever is not just a once off: hay fever season usually lasts several months starting in March through to September6, and this year it has started earlier than ever in February7.

The issue therein lies with the particles in the air itself: viruses, pollutants, and allergens being amongst some of the main harmful particles2.

Therefore, simply opening a window and letting the outside air flow through an indoor space is not always the best answer.

As we come into the warmer months of the year, airborne allergens are more common and, as summer temperatures rise, so can pollution levels3.

Removing and destroying the particles themselves to purify the air is one of the most efficient solutions to tackle the problem. Air purifiers are amongst the best ways to trap and destroy the pollutants in indoor spaces we can't see whilst circulating clean air back out. HEPA filters can capture 99.95% of particles as small as 0.1 microns8, preventing them from leaking back into the air and the activated carbon in air purifiers can absorb gases, odours and chemicals9.

As we get into springtime, it signifies the start of days getting longer, the weather getting warmer, and of course flowers beginning to bloom – a time of year many look forward to.

However, for the 26% of adults in the UK who are diagnosed with hay fever4, this means the start of allergy season.

As an airborne allergen caused by pollen from trees and plants, the outdoor air is filled with these particles that cause harm to those that suffer from the allergy.

In addition, 49% of people report experiencing hay fever symptoms5 - from itching noses and burning eyes, the symptoms are not only uncomfortable but can impact quality of life, affecting everyday life and lowering quality of sleep.

Furthermore, hay fever is not just a once off: hay fever season usually lasts several months starting in March through to September6, and this year it has started earlier than ever in February7.

2 https://www.iqair.com/us/newsroom/10-most-harmful-air-pollutants-youre-breathing-everyday

3 https://schoolsweek.co.uk/tackle-hay-fever-in-your-school-with-dfe-approved-air-purification/

4 https://www.allergyuk.org/about-allergy/statistics-and-figures/

5 https://www.allergyuk.org/about-allergy/statistics-and-figures/

6 https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hay-fever/#:~:text=Hay%20fever%20is%20usually%20worse,count%20is%20at%20its%20highest.

7 https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/hay-fever-season-is-about-to-hit-the-uk-early-like-now_uk_63eca9dae4b07f036ba036a9

8 https://www.dyson.co.uk/air-treatment/purifiers/dyson-purifier-cool-auto-react/overview

9 https://www.dyson.co.uk/air-treatment/purifiers/dyson-purifier-cool-auto-react/overview

Alongside pollen and other allergens, particles such as bacteria, industrial emissions, chemical emissions, and other ultrafine particles can all be present in a wide range of indoor spaces; and the smaller the particle, the bigger the problem.

With a large majority of the population spending time in office buildings, education settings, care homes, and other shared indoor spaces, it is of vital importance that users of these facilities are not being negatively affected by the polluted indoor air.

Air purifiers are the most clear-cut way to trap most of these particles and replace them with clean air, ensuring the health and performance of those in the space.

It is important for businesses across all sectors to not only be aware of the issue but show that they are doing all they can to provide an adequate solution, signposting to its users that they are putting the health and safety of its customers first.

Referenes/Sources

1 https://www.gov.uk/government/news/we-can-and-should-go-further-to-reduce-air-pollution-says-chief-medical-officer