Allergens and respiratory problems
Allergens increasingly affect people's daily lives due to continously challenging and ever changing outdoor conditions enhanced by climate change, prologed allergy season and significant geographical shifts in allergenic species.
Respiratory problems and allergies affect many people
Large part of population is affected by allergy - hay fever and asthma - becoming increasingly common worldwide. Common respiratory problems include sneezing, running nose, itchy and stuffy nose, shortness of breath.
It significantly influences daily lives, leading to discomfort and impacting health of people. Allergens and also pollutants have even more stronger impact on vulnerable populations, such as children, elderly and individuals with compromised immune systems.
Managining and reducing symptoms starts with identification and staying away or indoors from specific allergens. Using centralised mechanical ventilation with high-efficiency particulate air filters and prevention with windows closed in buildings can reduce allergen exposure indoors.
Symptoms and causes
- An allergen is a biological or chemical substance that causes an allergic reaction. An allergy is an immune system response to substances, known as allergens, that are usually harmless but can trigger an allergic reaction in some individuals.
- Common allergens include pollen (from plants or trees), dust mites (microscopic creatures), mould spores (a type of fungus), animal fur in homes, and certain chemicals.
- It is unclear why some people develop allergies and others do not; it can be attributed to genetic factors causing predisposition and an amount of exposures.
Did you know these facts about pollen?
- The size of pollen particles is determined by the plant or tree species that produces it. Smaller pollen grains, typically from weeds, trees, and grasses, can be as small as 2.5 microns and others as large as 200 microns or more.
- A micron (µm) is one-millionth of a meter, a unit of measurement much smaller than a human hair, which is roughly 50-70 microns wide.
- If one can see pollen floating in the air, it is pretty significant, likely around 60 microns or more.
Facts about allergies from the World Allergy Organisation
Worldwide, about 400 million people suffer from hay fever, with rates in Europe reaching up to 40%, while in the U.S., they are around 30%.
Alarmingly, the number of people affected by airborne allergens could likely double over the next 50 years due to climate change.
According to the World Allergy Organisation, allergies (or allergic rhinitis) currently affect between 10% and 30% of all adults (67 million) worldwide and up to 40% of children (14 million).
- Allergic asthma is a breathing condition in which the airways tighten when you inhale an allergen. Common allergens include pollen, dander and mould spores. This type of asthma is very common in both children and adults.
- Symptoms of allergic asthma can include shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, stuffy nose, itchy eyes and a rash.
- Hay fever is a common allergy that causes sneezing, coughing and itchy eyes. Seasonal allergens like pollen and grass, or year-round triggers like dust mites and animal fur, can trigger an allergic reaction.
The World Allergy Organisation (WAO) is an international umbrella organisation whose members consist of 115 regional and national allergology and clinical immunology societies from around the world.
Airborne allergens extend to an all-year challenge
Pollen and other allergens go from seasonal to all-year-round. We are witnessing a clear shift in the airborne allergens being more aggressive every year. What was once a seasonal problem has become an almost continuous challenge, with increasingly more severe effects on people. We used to know when irritation from pollen was about to happen as it was a seasonal issue, but nowadays, airborne allergens are bothering us all year round. And with these changes comes a constant exposure to allergies, as people can no longer 'escape' by staying indoors and waiting it out. There are strategies improve indoor environmental quality in response to extended pollen seasons.
Read our Update&Insight 'Airborne allergens extend to an all-year challenge'
Allergy in buildings
Critical situation with allergens worldwide
- In many countries, the hay fever season is starting earlier, lasting longer and producing higher pollen loads.
- And there are predictions that rising temperatures will cause a major increase in severity over time.
- Environmental health scientists are seeing plants associated with allergies migrating northward and creating geographical shifts, for example, towards Northern locations, and many more places.
Allergy control begins in buildings
- Many people with allergies stay indoors when pollen counts are high, and allergy-resilient homes can reduce indoor allergens.
- To prevent outdoor air pollution from entering a building, air filters in mechanical ventilation systems can clean the airflow into and within a building and limit exposure to allergens.
- Quality building ventilation is vital to living and working in a clean, comfortable space.
Mechanical ventilation
Ventilation and allergies are interconnected
- By providing fresh air, ventilation can significantly prevent and reduce several of the most common and bothersome allergies.
- Properly selected and maintained air filters in mechanical ventilation systems can capture pollen particles (typically 10–100 microns).
Key steps and maintenance
- Adequate cleaning and maintenance, practical shaping of the interior to facilitate cleaning and maintenance.
- Adequate periodical monitoring of the indoor air quality parameters.
- Appropriate training of people who are responsible for management, maintenance and cleaning.
Access to information on respiratory allergies
- Access to testing, specialized care, treatment and medications.
- Supporting patients’ empowerment and guided self-management measures.
Breathe better, learn better – How ventilation systems keep pollen out in schools in Sweden
Using mechanical ventilation in Swedish schools for decades showcases reliable results and healthy air for children – protecting them from airborne allergens. Let's face it, pollen intensity and allergy potency are alarmingly increasing worldwide, largely due to climate changes – causing additional exposure for people of all ages. Future projections indicate a doubling of allergy sufferers, extended pollen seasons and significant geographical shifts in allergenic species. Is there a missed opportunity? Europe lacks the broader adoption of mechanical systems and is thereby missing out on the proven benefits of controlled indoor climate.
Read our Update&Insight 'Breathe better, learn better – How ventilation systems keep pollen out in schools in Sweden'
Respiratory problems in connection to humidity levels indoors
Optimal humidity in buildings is no longer exclusively a feel-good factor – it can directly impact people's health, comfort, well-being and performance.
- High and low relative humidity levels had a deleterious and costly effect on the health and productivity of the building's occupants.
- This is concerning viruses, fungi, respiratory infections, allergies, asthma, and ozone.
- High humidity facilitates the growth of fungi (mould) and bacteria that can cause respiratory problems and allergic reactions.
- And it can make a person feel tired and sluggish.
Outdoor air quality index available for air pollution
Did you know that an outdoor air quality index is available to indicate the current air pollution and inform people about potential health risks? An air quality index (AQI) is an indicator developed by government agencies to communicate to the public about possible health problems connected to air pollution. It aims at the high-risk parts of our population, such as children, the elderly and individuals with respiratory or cardiovascular health issues. Still, as more people are affected by allergies, it can help many.
Different countries have an air quality index corresponding to national air quality standards. For example, the European Air Quality Index (EAQI) by the European Environment Agency (EEA) monitors the air quality in Europe. The parameters monitored are carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O3), sulphur dioxide (SO2), and particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10).
So, could we have the indoor air quality index? It would show us what the indoor environment is like in buildings, tell us the levels of temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, other pollutants, and other parameters in a building, and suggest other indoor parameters that should be accessible to everyone. In that way, we could evaluate the indoor environment in buildings, as indoor air quality affects our well-being, productivity, and health in the short and long term.
You will never know just how much you value your breath until you can't breathe.Unknown about asthma