Bioaerosols, or biological aerosols, are tiny airborne particles that are biological in nature. That means they either come from a living organism (such as dander from indoor pets or pollen from trees) or are living organisms themselves (such as bacteria and viruses). Indoor bioaerosols can come from many sources – a family member sneezing, kids tracking in dirt or food waste decomposing in the garbage bin. Also, when indoor humidity levels are too high, almost anything can become a breeding ground for bioaerosols like fungi and viruses.
Bioaerosols’ impact on your health
Indoor bioaerosols can have negative health effects, including respiratory problems and disease. Concentrations of pollen and pet dander can worsen symptoms for allergy and asthma sufferers, while fungal cells like mold can cause inflammatory responses and respiratory illness. Family members with compromised immune systems, such as infants and seniors, are particularly vulnerable.
Reducing indoor bioaerosols
Maintaining proper home humidity levels and installing filtration systems can help remove harmful bioaerosols and maintain healthy indoor air. Healthy Climate® whole-home dehumidifiers work with your heating and cooling system to reduce humidity levels throughout the entire house. This helps prevent the growth of mold and mildew – and makes your indoor air more comfortable, too.
The Healthy Climate® collection from Lennox also includes many whole-home filtration systems that significantly reduce bioaerosols such as allergens and bacteria throughout your home, without compromising the efficiency of your heating and cooling system. An advanced system like the PureAir™ air purification system can even remove germs, chemical odors and vapors from indoor air.
