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Our homes are meant to be an escape from the stresses of the outside world, but unfortunately, they can have the opposite effect—they could be making us sick. Because the typical American spends 65 percent of their time at home, we’re breathing in as much as two-to-five times the concentration of air pollutants we normally breathe outdoors. Long story short: Our lungs are not happy, according to multiple studies. But all hope is not lost. Having an air purifier, such as the Dyson Pure Hot + Cool, in your house can combat unwanted dust mites and dander, two major culprits, in a snap. 

According to Clifford W. Bassett, M.D., founder and medical director of Allergy and Asthma Care of NY and author of The New Allergy Solution, you want to buy a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) purifier for maximum benefits. “HEPA portable air purifiers can help to decrease the level of indoor air pollutants, such as several volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and tobacco smoke,” he says. “They may also capture common allergens, including pet dander (especially after house dust is disturbed), pollen (from outdoor air), mold spores, and dust particles from indoor air at 99.97 percent efficiency.”

However, relying solely on this device won’t solve all your indoor pollution problems. Marc Goldstein, M.D., chief of allergy and immunology at Pennsylvania Hospital and medical adviser at Curist, says that while “using an air purifier in the home does decrease airborne allergens, the scientific research up to this point does not consistently show that just using an air purifier (without the other interventions like washing bedding, mattress covers, and walls, etc.) will reduce symptoms.”

But, hey, you have to start somewhere, and an air purifier could not only improve the quality of the air but the quality of your life, as it can reduce indoor airborne allergens and pollutants. This is what really happens to your body when you incorporate one into your daily routine: 

After One Day

According to Bassett’s The New Allergy Solution, “If an allergen is small enough, it becomes easily airborne when the ambient air in the space is ‘disturbed.’ After 15 minutes of disturbance in the home (due to sweeping, etc.), much of house dust has already settled, while 10 to 20 percent of the really small particles remain airborne.”

Enter the air purifier. Those of you with furry friends, take note: Even though you may not be able to get rid of every single indoor pollutant with the gadget, Goldstein says that “some studies have shown a dramatic decrease in airborne pet allergen after one day in noncarpeted bedrooms with one or more cats present” when you use one at home. He continues by saying that people can even experience improved breathing and fewer days without asthma symptoms when they begin to treat the air on a daily basis.

“Air purifiers definitely play an important part in an overall plan to improve the quality of life for people with allergies and asthma.”

After One Week

While the benefits you may experience can be generally similar between one day and one week, a Harvard Homes for Health study states once you ventilate your home on a daily basis—using a Dyson Pure Hot + Cool and opening your windows is a good start—you’ll begin to notice fewer “sick building” symptoms, such as headaches and nose irritations.

Plus, when you purify the air in your bedroom with a HEPA filtration system, Goldstein says that “several studies have shown a significant reduction in airborne pet allergens and small particulate pollutants. It may even contribute to a reduction of respiratory symptoms from asthma and allergies and improve sleep quality, as well.” 

After One Month

Over time, the device might just be life changing. Goldstein claims that in his experience, a lot of people report showing reduced allergy symptoms, reduced nasal congestion, and better sleep. “Air purifiers definitely play an important part in an overall plan to improve the quality of life for people with allergies and asthma,” he adds. “More longitudinal studies over months have shown a significant reduction in airborne allergens (99 percent) and small particle pollutants to up to 90 percent.” Now you can rest easy—your air purifier has your back. Or, we should say, your lungs. 

The opinions and claims in this article are Domino’s. None of the above content or statements were provided by Dyson.