5 Pollutants Responsible For 95% of Toddler Allergies

Respiratory symptoms from a pollutant in the home environment is one of the most common causes of indoor related toddler allergies and may affect millions of children throughout the United States and abroad. It is paramount to understand these five airborne pollutants and their effect on allergies, asthma and other indoor related illnesses.

Mold (fungi). Allergic reactions to mold particles are one of the most common causes of indoor related illnesses in the home. Mold can grow on hundreds of surfaces in the home that has organic matter present. The time that it takes for a mold spore to grow is according to the relative humidity levels in the home. Homes which have a fungi problem will have both alive and dead mold spores present in the indoor environment. Unfortunately, the body can not detect whether a spore is alive or dead and respiratory illness symptoms can result from the exposure to both.

Dust mites. These microscopic creatures can wreak havoc on the health and well-being of children and adults who have an allergic sensitivity to them. Dust mites may be found in bedding, carpeting and furniture where there is a build up of human skin cells, animal dander and house dust. When these mites are allowed to multiple to large populations they can cause serious respiratory illness even when allergies are not present.

Insect parts and droppings. Another common organic pollutant found in the home are droppings and body parts from pests. Many humans with or without allergies have an allergy to the protein found in body parts and droppings from insect pests. When an insect dies in the home, their body will start to decay and turn to dust within 3-4 weeks only to eventually become airborne for the occupants to breathe in.

Bacteria. Bacteria is the fastest growing organism on earth and can multiple by thousands every few hour given the right conditions. The most common source of bacteria growth in the home is the vacuum cleaner bag. Millions of bacteria particles can grow between uses only to become airborne as the vacuum is operated. Bacteria particles are also found commonly in bathrooms and kitchens where the conditions are ideal for them to populate.

Pollen. Each time a door or window is opened allows pollen to enter the indoor environment. If a central air system is running during the opening of a door, then pollen may be sucked into the indoors. Over time, an enormous amount of pollen can build up indoors and can actually be a greater concentration than the outdoors.

A child will breathe in thousands of cubic feet of particles every hour. Particles which are below 10 microns in size will stay in the lungs for the body to have to process. When the body breathes in many indoor microscopic particles then a child may start to exhibit respiratory illnesses such as allergies or asthma. It is important to understand the methods available to control or eliminate these airborne pollutants in the home and make the home environment a haven for a child which suffers from allergy or asthma.