airfree.com

Common Microorganisms Found in the Air

Post-Blog-28.04.2020_800x600_2

One of the most common tools that horror movies use to scare audiences is the fear of the unknown. They know you’re afraid that anything could be lurking in the dark, so they use it.

As it turns out, it isn’t only the dark that holds a danger. There are likely to be thousands or millions of tiny living beings floating in your air as we speak.

These beings are called microorganisms because they’re microscopic, or too small to see. Despite their small size, these common microorganisms found in the air can be dangerous to your family’s health.

The Most Common Microorganisms found in the Air

There are many types of tiny organisms that could be in your air, and it’s impossible to name them all. The most common ones fall into four categories, though.

Bacteria

Bacteria are single-celled organisms that come in many forms. Some of them can be hazardous to your health.

These organisms can float around in your air for weeks in some cases. Not only will you breathe them in, but they’ll get into your food, onto your skin, and anywhere else you can imagine.

While some bacteria are harmless, others can lead to serious infections, so it’s critical to limit their numbers as much as possible.

Viruses

There is one virus on everyone’s minds right now: COVID-19. As much of a threat as that virus is, it isn’t the only one to worry about.

There are over 200 types of viruses that are known to infect humans. Different ones can live in the air and on surfaces for varying amounts of time.

When you take in a virus from the air, it can cause a respiratory illness like a cold or the flu.

Fungi

Everyone knows the dangers of mold, but it’s only of many types of fungi that can be harmful in your air. In fact, there are 144,000 known species of fungi, though not all of them are health hazards.

While fungi grow on surfaces, the reproductive spores will also break off and travel through the air. Those spores can settle on surfaces and grow new colonies of fungi.

More concerningly, you can breathe in those spores which could make you sick when they reach your lungs. This can lead to respiratory illnesses like pneumonia, especially for people who already have respiratory issues.

Mite Allergens

Mites are tiny organisms that are in the spider family. These little critters release allergens, primarily through their feces.

Unfortunately, those allergens become airborne and get into your body in various ways. They can lead to allergic symptoms like asthma, sneezing, and coughing.

How to Protect Yourself from Common Microorganisms found in the Air

If your skin is crawling at the idea of what might be in your air right now, you aren’t alone. The good news is that you can take action with a high-quality air purifier. These purifiers get rid of threats you can’t see, keeping you and your family healthier.

To start removing the common microorganisms above from your air, shop our home air purifiers today. Check out more of our blogs for other tips on keeping your air safe.

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Pinterest