Let’s face it: we’re no strangers to being holed up at home, Covid-19 or not. At the height of the pandemic, the fear of catching the disease has inevitably forced people to stay shuttered within the safe confines of their homes. Even as we ease most of our Covid-19 restrictions in the present day – going mask-off outdoors and relaxing social curbs – many of us have since adapted to our newly home-centric lives. Although this may have reduced our chances of exposure, the habit of staying indoors can actually spell more trouble than just cabin fever. And the culprit is often up in the air – literally.
Most people have the misconception that indoor air is less polluted than the outdoors, but the truth is that the air you breathe in at home is just as, if not more, contaminated even if it appears clean. Remember, a clean home isn’t always a safe home. Aside from common allergy-inducing pollutants like dust, pet dander and mold spores, germs and bacteria can also easily find their way into homes, especially if there are multiple people living in the household.
Whether you’re just heading out for groceries or sending your kid to school, chances are you and your family members will be picking up hidden germs throughout the day and transferring them onto surfaces in your home without even knowing it. Aside from surfaces, bacteria can also get into the air quickly when someone breathes, coughs or sneezes. This is referred to as airborne transmission, which is defined as “the spread of an infectious agent caused by the dissemination of aerosols”, as explained by WHO. These micro-sized droplets may carry a host of pathogen-causing bacteria, as well as other respiratory viruses such as the common flu and Covid-19 which can easily spread through aerosols. Typically, aerosols can remain airborne for hours and travel farther than conversational distances, increasing the risk of infection when inhaled by another person.
To make things worse, the chances of airborne transmission are said to be higher in enclosed spaces due to the lack of ventilation. Today’s modern homes are small and increasingly airtight, which prevents a supply of indoor air at a healthy level. As there’s limited airflow and movement to disperse the particles, germs and bacteria often have nowhere to go and continue to build up over time. This increases your risk of exposure if you were to repeatedly interact with an infected family member in close proximity over a prolonged period, even if they may not be displaying any obvious symptoms. It means that the more time you spend together indoors, the higher the risk of transmission.
The good news? There’s a simple solution to combating airborne transmission: daily disinfection. In addition to routine cleaning, it’s important to disinfect your home regularly to prevent germs and bacteria from spreading to other family members. To lessen the chances of indoor transmission, make use of BioCair’s aerial disinfection machines to eliminate airborne pathogens and reduce the threat of potential infections.
A high-quality aerial disinfection machine can eliminate 99.999% of bacteria, viruses, fungus and spores in the air, all while improving your indoor air quality for a healthier living space. These machines generate a form of dry-mist that not only targets airborne pathogens, but is also effective in killing germs that settle on nearby surfaces within a room – all within 60 seconds of contact. Best used in common spaces such as the living room or bedroom, it’s recommended to turn it on for an hour each day after coming home or before going to bed.
However, just like any other cleaning regime, consistent disinfection is needed to keep germs at bay. Making an effort to implement changes can help to ensure the safety of you and your family. By keeping the air at home safe, disinfected and germ-free, you can now enjoy your time indoors with your loved ones without any worry.