Many people look forward to spring flowers and warm weather in Georgia and Alabama. For allergy sufferers, spring is the season when the worst symptoms strike. Rhinitis and other seasonal allergies are primarily triggered by airborne pollen that’s released by trees and grass. Because these plants rely on wind for pollination, their pollen particles are especially small and widespread, even finding their way into your indoor air.
Tree Pollen and Allergies
According to Clinical Reviews in Allergy and Immunology, 10 percent of study participants displayed allergic reactions after tree pollen skin tests. Allergy symptoms can be triggered by many evergreen and deciduous tree species, including maple, birch, cedar, juniper, oak, elm, willow, sycamore, ash, mulberry and others. Once the trees bloom, they release millions of pollen spores each day.
These particles have no problem getting inside homes through windows, doors and natural air exchange. Even when your house is tightly sealed and the air conditioner is running, pollen will still find its way indoors. The best strategy is to find effective ways for removing airborne particles.
Removing Pollen from Indoor Air
Tree pollen ranges in size from 5 to 1,000 microns depending on the species. Larger particles are easily captured in standard fiberglass air filters. Pleated filters with MERV 8 ratings can capture smaller pollen particles as well as mold spores, dust and pet dander. At Watley Heating & Air Conditioning, we offer a number of products and services that provide relief to allergy sufferers.
If you’re one of the 60 million Americans who has been diagnosed with seasonal allergies, additional air purification equipment can help remove irritants. Air cleaners that are installed in the ductwork remove and trap most particles, which can improve air quality significantly. Ventilation, dehumidification and air purification can work together to improve indoor air quality and reduce allergy symptoms. By killing 99.9 percent of airborne allergens, whole-house purification systems can reduce the sneezing and irritation that allergy sufferers experience.
Check out our indoor air quality solutions, or call 706-561-6718 to learn more about the products and services we offer for allergy sufferers. We look forward to helping you breathe easier.
