Dust mites, in general, do not bite people and animals but these minute beings present a bigger hazard. They feed on dead skin flakes and as a result, their residue causes allergic reactions in humans. Although they can’t be totally annihilated, there are effective ways that can help in reducing their number inside our homes.
Aside from cleaning your house regularly and changing your beds and bedding once or twice a week, you can buy air purifying systems to purify the air and keep dust mites at a minimum. You may consider using the following air filters to lessen the existence of mites in your house, particularly in the bedroom.
Hepa Air Filters
HEPA or High-Efficiency Particulate Air filter was originally developed to get rid of radioactive dust elements from the air to protect the respiratory systems of soldiers. Nowadays, they are mostly used in homes to filter air with the capability to trap 95% of up to 0.1-micron tiny particles and more than 99% airborne particles of up to 0.3 microns. If air pollutants are inhaled, our body’s natural defense system gets more susceptible to minute particles even to as small as 0.5 microns. Because of Hepa air filters capacity to get rid of almost all air contaminants, doctors and allergists highly recommended them to homeowners. Dust mites feces usually range from 0.5 – 50 microns. In addition, if you want to remove cigarette smoke, fumes, and chemical particles inside your home, include an activated carbon filter to capture these allergens as well.
Activated Carbon Air Filters
Activated carbon purifiers consist of tiny and absorbent pores, which react chemically to contaminants the moment they go through the filter. The contaminants then bond with the carbon and this is where they get trapped. This type of air purifier is effective in eliminating odors, smoke, gases, and chemicals from the air and is rarely used on its own to purify the air. Most of the time activated carbon air filters are used in combination with other air filters.
UV Light Air Filters
As the name implies, this type of air purifier makes use of ultraviolet light that consists of electromagnetic radiation, which destroys bacteria as well as some other pathogens, by way of breaking its molecular bond with its DNA. An ultraviolet air filter can kill air particles without using actual filtration. Instead, UV light rays are used to remove the particles when they pass through. This type of purifier is effective in killing viruses, yeasts, molds, and bacteria that persist in the air. However, just like the activated carbon air purifier, the UV light air purifier can’t eliminate allergens and dust by itself alone. Air purifiers with UV light are mostly used in hospitals, day cares, laboratories, and kitchens because they are effective in preventing illnesses and diseases. They can work effectively in eliminating dust mites and allergens when combined with other types of air purifiers. A warning though, there are some UV air filters that produce ozone when killing bacteria and can cause serious health problem when not properly dispersed. Be sure to buy a UV filter that does not generate ozone and read and follow all directions carefully.
This ends our 4-part series. Watch for another exciting series coming soon!
