The average American breathes 3,400 gallons of air each day, making ambient air pollution a major environmental problem. – American Lung Association.

Air pollution contributes to lung disease, including respiratory tract infections, asthma and lung cancer. Lung disease claims more than 349,000 lives in America every year and is the third leading cause of death in the United States. The death rate for lung disease continues to increase faster than almost every other major disease. – American Lung Association.

There are an estimated 42.6 million Americans living with hay fever and/or asthma. 87 percent of American homeowners are not aware that pollution may be worse inside their homes than outdoors. – American Lung Association.

Asthma is the most common serious chronic disease of childhood and accounts for one-third of all pediatric emergency room visits, more than 200,000 hospitalizations (ranking third among children under 15) and 14.7 million missed school days annually. – Environmental Protection Agency — Asthma

Facts

Exposure to dust mites can cause asthma. Ozone and particle pollution can cause asthma attacks. Dust mites, molds, cockroaches, pet dander and secondhand smoke trigger asthma attacks. – Environmental Protection Agency—Asthma.

Facts

One out of six people who suffer from allergies do so because of the direct relationship to the fungi and bacteria in air duct systems. – Total Health and Better Health Magazine.

Children breathe in 50 percent more air per pound of body weight than adults do. – EPA Web Site - Indoor Environments Division.

Millions of children and adults with lung disease in this country are exposed to levels of ozone and particle air pollution that could potentially make them sick. – American Lung Association Controlling exposure to indoor allergens and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) could prevent 65 percent of asthma cases among elementary school-age children. By controlling biological contaminants (e.g., dust mites and cat allergens), asthma cases could be reduced by 55 to 60 percent. – American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

Three most important methods of improving indoor air quality are source removal, air cleaning and increased ventilation. – U. S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“(Air purifier/cleaners) are effective at removing particles from the air. There is some evidence that the good ones reduce the symptoms of allergies.” – Dr. Norman Edelman, chief medical officer for the American Lung Association.