Live in an apartment or condo?

[Nomad]

I'm doing very informal research.

When I ordered an air purify awhile ago,  I became somewhat aware of people complaining that when they moved into an apart. or a condo, they started to have colds, stuffy nose...all sorts of related issues.  I just called the company to re-order the filter. I asked the guy if he has heard of this before. He immediately said "OH YES!"  He said when living in a small apart. or condo, it is imperative to relatively often open all the windows and get in circulation, plus use some sort of filteration/air purifier.  Hmmm.

This was also brought to my attention loud and clear as my husband has a relative in our own town who retired and sold his big house and moved into a small condo locally. This was probably 18 months ago. Ever since his move, he has had a runny nose or worse. I brought it to his attention once and suggested he get an air purifier, but I don't want to mention it again. Periodically, that runny nose gets a little worse and he has to take an anti biotic. I think he is not sure/confused about the correlation to the move, but to us it's rather obvious.

Does anyone else live in a small condo or apartment and hadissues with sinus or related issues worsen? Or know someone where this has happened?

I've read where environmental pollution can be multiple times worse than outdoor pollution and I suppose this can be exaggerated in a small, closed in space.

[Joe S.]

We have air purifiers in our home.

[irish]

I would think it depends on the type of heat. Places with electric heat generally don't share as much air exchange as places with forced air furnaces. Also, keeping a good air filter in the furnace helps. I would also add that many times people who live in condos and or apartments are older and don't keep a humidifier in their home. It is a lot of work for older people to take care of humidifiers and using distilled water is also work plus an additional expense.

When we live along we have to deal with only our own bodys bacteria. Obviously when we live in close proximity to others we are going to have more exposure to others bacteria. Awful thought isn't it. Irish

[gurs]

Hard to say on this one. Ive lived in 3 different condos in last 5 years, and my sinuses are pretty bad in them all.
I even had black mold in one of them. What seem to help was having your ducts cleaned, getting rid of all the carpeting and run air cleaners etc. Im actually looking into a furnace HVAC air cleaning system right now called the reme-halo, or there is another one. Its a UV light that is supposed to burn off bacteria,mold,viruses, etc. The heating cooling companies seem to charge a fortune, but you can buy them on line and hopefully find someone to install them. That's what im planning.

Gursie

[Nomad]

I read on-line about heating being an issue in particular, esp when no fresh air comes in.
Gurs...did you live in a house previously and were your sinus issues a little better at that time?
When I was shopping on-line for air purifiers, I noticed folks saying that very thing. They were in a home and ok, but suddenly when they moved to a condo, they had issues. I find it interesting.

[gurs]

I haven't lived in a house in many, many, years. It seems every year, I get sicker, and then my body just cant stand anything, including so many foods. The last condo had the black mold, luckily, the builder paid for me to leave and totally take apart and clean, filter, etc the inside. I think my sinsues were much better after that. I moved to this condo 6 months ago and seem to have many more sinus issues again. I also noticed more dust etc. I had my ducts cleaned, but didn't seem to do any good. Im going to def add some type of UV light air cleaner because I know they burn off mold, bacteria and help rid of VOC's.

Gursie

[Nomad]

Gurs please keep us updated on the UV light!
I'm going to check into that!
Also, consider opening up the windows on a regular basis and getting good circulation through the place on a regular basis. Even once a week.  And maybe one of the house plants known to clean the air. I do think there is something to the idea of indoor pollution being an issue and moreso in condos/apartments.

[lighthouse33]

Mom has COPD / emphysema.  She had so many breathing issues this spring.  We moved to an apartment last fall.

End of April, I purchased the GermGuardian AC5000E 3-in-1 True HEPA Air Purifier System with UV Sanitizer and Odor Reduction, 28-Inch Tower.  Her breathing is much better now.  When we do not run, it gets worse.  We have forced air furnaces here.

Every month, you clean the charcoal (black) filter with your vaccum cleaner hose and brush.  Every six to eight months you change the HEPA (white) filter.  It has an indicated light, for when it needs changing. 

I can tell it is working, the HEPA filter has brown spots on it in places.  Am thinking about purchasing a second one for my bedroom.