Nobody really enjoys Spring Cleaning but it is more important for our health than we think. Those who suffer from asthma & allergies may find spring cleaning necessary to help alleviate discomfort during the season. If you or someone in your home has asthma and/or allergies, the following tips can help make spring cleaning a more pleasant experience. 

Reduce Indoor Allergens:

1.    Air Filters. Keeping these clean is an important step in controlling your asthma and allergy triggers. Before you make any changes to your indoor home environment or purchase any air filtration products, be sure to speak with a doctor who knows your personal medical history and current condition. Five basic types of single-room air filters are:

·         Mechanical filters (for example, fan-driven HEPA filters). These force air through a special mesh that traps particles including allergens like pollen, pet dander and dust mites. They also capture irritant particles like tobacco smoke. The fans in these types of devices produce ozone byproduct and are usually within the acceptable level. Make sure to ask for proof from the manufacturer that their product is within the acceptable level of ozone byproduct. 

·         Electronic filters (for example, ion-type cleaners). These use electrical charges to attract and deposit allergens and irritants. If the device contains collecting plates, the particles are captured within the system. The ion-chargers in these types of filters produce ozone byproduct, more than fans in mechanical filters but may still be within the acceptable level. Make sure to ask for proof from the manufacturer that their product is within the acceptable level of ozone byproduct. 

·         Hybrid filters. These contain the elements of both mechanical and electronic filters.  

·         Gas phase filters. These remove odors and non-particulate pollution like cooking gas, gasses given off by paint or building materials, and perfume. They cannot remove allergenic particles. 

·         Ozone generators [not recommended - these types of “filters” are not reliable since their ozone levels usually exceed acceptable levels]. Although ozone technically clears the air of some particles, most groups do not recommend these. (Note: these are not ion-type filters; see “Electronic Filters” above.) These devices all exceed the acceptable level for ozone.  

2. Control dust mites. Keep surfaces in the home clean and uncluttered. Bare floors and walls are best, particularly in the bedroom where you spend one-third of your time. If you must have carpet, throw rugs that can be washed or low-pile carpets are better.
   
   The single most important method is to put zippered allergen impermeable or plastic covers on all pillows, mattresses and box springs. Encasing mattresses works better than air cleaners to reduce allergy symptoms. Every week, wash bedding, uncovered pillows and stuffed toys in hot water (130 degree F.) to kill mites. 
3. Vacuum once or twice weekly. Keep in mind, however, that vacuuming will not get to dust mites deep in carpets and mattresses. Vacuuming also puts dust in the air. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter or special double filter bags if possible. If you have allergies, wear a dust mask while doing housework. Use a damp or treated cloth for dusting. Leave the house for several hours after cleaning it. 
4. Prevent animal dander. Most doctors suggest that people allergic to animal dander not keep household pets with feathers or fur. If you decide to keep a pet, ban it from the bedroom and keep the door closed. Cover vents with dense material, like cheesecloth. Because animal allergens are sticky, you need to remove the animal's favorite furniture and replace wall-to-wall carpet with bare floors or at least a low-pile carpet. A better option is to choose a pet without fur or feathers. Some people, however, have also been known to be allergic to lizards (such as the iguana). 
5. Prevent entry of pollen by keeping windows and doors closed.   Air conditioning in warm weather is best and also helps control dust mites by reducing humidity. Change filters often in window units. 
6. Avoid mold spores. Reduce moisture around the bathroom, kitchen and other water areas of the home. Dehumidifiers will help reduce both mold and dust mites. Limit yourself to a few house plants. Fix all leaks and other causes of damp areas. Clean moldy surfaces. Rid the yard of moldy firewood and piles of leaves and weeds. 
7. Control cockroaches. Do not leave food or garbage uncovered. Use poison baits, boric acid and traps rather than chemical agents that can irritate rhinitis and asthma.

Outdoor Tips:

Spring is also a great time to enhance your landscape, but this is not always easy for individuals with allergies. Having allergies can make working in the yard impossible – but  with these suggestions for limiting your exposure and reducing pollen, you can make garden time easier. 

Allergies cannot be cured. But the symptoms of the allergy can be reduced by avoiding contact with the allergen.  Limit outdoor activity during pollination periods and these outdoor suggestions can help.

• When working outdoors, wear a NIOSH-approved face mask, hat, glasses, gloves and a long-sleeve shirt to reduce skin and nose contact with pollen.
• Since wood chips or mulch can retain moisture and encourage molds to grow, use gravel, oyster shell or special plant groundcovers (vinca or pachysandra) instead.
• Ask a family member who doesn't have allergies to mow lawns and weed flower beds.
• Keep grass cut low (2 inches high) to help keep stems of pollen from reaching high into the wind.
• Be cautious about using hedges since their branches easily collect dust, mold and pollen (if you do have hedges, keep them pruned and thin).
• Keep the windows in the house closed while mowing and for a few hours afterwards.
• Limit your gardening to cool or cloudy days and in the late afternoon or evening when pollen concentration in the air is generally lower.
• Immediately shower and change your clothes when you go back indoors and make sure to wash your hair to remove allergens trapped there.

Pollen is a very fine powder released by trees, weeds and grasses. It is carried to another plant of the same kind to fertilize the forerunner of new seeds, which is called pollination. Pollen counts are important to more than 35 million Americans who get hay fever because they are allergic to pollen. There is a strategic way to reduce the release of billions of pollen grains into the wind. “Friendly” plants are ones that rely on insects for cross-pollination, which are known to have pollen grains that are much heavier and don’t travel through the air quite as easily.

Garden Foes

• Grasses - Bermuda, Fescue, Johnson, June, Orchard, Perennial Rye, Redtop, Salt Grass, Sweet Vernal, Timothy.
• Shrubs - Cypress, Juniper.
• Trees - Alder, Ash, Aspen, Beech, Birch, Box Elder, Cedar, Cottonwood, Elm, Hickory, Maple, Mulberry, Oak, Olive, Palm, Pecan, Pine, Poplar, Sycamore, Walnut, Willow.
• Weeds - Poison Ivy/Oak/Sumac, Cocklebur, Pigweed, Ragweed, Russian Thistle, Sagebrush.

Garden Friends

• Flowering Plants - Begonia, Cactus, Chenille, Clematis, Columbine, Crocus, Daffodil, Daisy, Dusty Miller, Geranium, Hosta, Impatiens, Iris, Lily, Pansy, Periwinkle, Petunia, Phlox, Fose, Salvia, Snapdragon, Sunflower, Thrift, Tulip, Verbena, Zinnia.
• Grasses - St. Augustine
• Shrubs - Azalea, Boxwood, English Yew, Hibiscus, Hydrangea, Viburnum.
• Trees - Apple, Cherry, Chinese Fan Palm, Fern Pine, Dogwood, English Holly, Hardy Rubber Tree, Magnolia, Pear, Plum, Red Maple.

For more information, please visit www.healthmattersatwork.org.