Allergen of the Month: Ragweed
As part of our ongoing Allergy of the Month series, today we’re looking at the notorious fall allergen, ragweed.
Ragweed, or Ambrosia psilostachya, is much less “food of the gods” and more eye-watering, sneezing and coughing. You might already be familiar with ragweed if you suffer from fall allergies, and as the fall allergy season is beginning to ramp up, we’re helping everyone brush up on their knowledge of this unsavory plant.
Fast Facts:
• Up to ½ of all cases of pollen-related allergic rhinitis in North America are caused by ragweed
• There are 17 different species of ragweed in the US and most are common in rural areas of the East and Midwest
• A simple ragweed plant can release ~1 billion grains of pollen over the course of one ragweed season
• An itchy throat, runny nose, and itchy, watery eyes are all symptoms of an allergic reaction to ragweed
When to Expect Ragweed Allergies
Late summer and early fall are prime ragweed allergy season. If you’ve been told by a doctor in the past that you’re suffering from hay fever, it might be due to ragweed. Ragweed pollen is transported by the wind, and particles are at their lowest concentration around 6:00 a.m., reaching peak concentration in the air around midday. Ragweed pollen can remain airborne for days at a time, but rain can help remove it from the air.
How to Prevent Exposure to Ragweed
The short answer is, you really can’t. While you can consult with your doctor and take over the counter or prescription medications to combat symptoms of allergies, it’s challenging to avoid ragweed altogether. To limit your exposure, try some of these tips:
• Check pollen counts before you make outdoor plans. If there are high concentrations of ragweed pollen in the air, avoid outdoor activities such as picnics and outdoor sports. Instead, opt for a trip to the movies or an indoor game.
• Keep your windows closed during allergy season, both at home and in your car, to avoid letting pollen into your home.
• Keep in mind that ragweed pollen can travel into your home on your clothes, in your hair, or on your pet. Changing your clothes after being outside, showering, and washing your hands after petting an animal that has been outside are a few ways to cut down on ragweed pollen in your home.
• Use an air purifier with a HEPA filter. An air purifier like Airmega can help reduce the number of allergens in your home, and its HEPA air filters trap 99.97 percent of particles.
Find out more about how Airmega can help keep your home allergy free here, and if you were experiencing major allergies last month, this may be why.
Disclaimers
1 Airmega air purifiers have been proven to trap dust, pollen, dander in the air based on KCL(Korea Conformity Laboratories) testing. They have been tested according to the Korea Air Cleaning Association standard (SPS-KACA 002-132:2022 Modified) to measure the 0.01㎛ size of particle removal rate. It was tested on maximum airflow speed in normal room temperature and humidity conditions. The performance may vary in the actual living environment of customers. Tested with Airmega Aim, 50, 100, 150, Tower AP-1216L, Mighty AP-1512HH, MightyS AP-1512HHS, 200M, Icon, 230, 240, 250, 250S, 300, 300S, 350, 400, 400S, 450, ProX
2Our HEPA filter complies with IEST-RP-CC007 standards at speed level 1 as tested by SGS (Société Générale de Surveillance). SGS's test report only reflects SGS's evaluation of the sample and does not reflect the evaluation of the batch of goods from which the sample was taken. Tested with Airmega 100, 150, 160, Mighty AP-1512HH, MightyS AP-1512HHS, 200M, 230, 240, 250, 250S, 250 Art, 300, 300S, 350, 400, 400S, 450, ProX
3 Tested by KCL(Korea Conformity Laboratories) according to JEM 1467: 2015 condition, the concentration of acetic acid was proven to be reduced up to 99.5% in 60 minutes. Results may vary depending on actual environment. Tested with Airmega 150, Mighty AP-1512HH, 200M
4 Tested by KCL(Korea Conformity Laboratories) according to SPS-KACA002-132:2022, showed result of over 99.5% removal rate of common household gases including Ammonia, Acetaldehyde, Acetic acid, Formaldehyde, Toluene, Benzene, Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) within 30 minutes. Results may vary in different environments and not all odors or gas particles may be removed. Tested with Airmega MightyS AP-1512HHS, 250S, 300S, 400S, 350, 450
5 Test conducted using Coway Allergen filter media (5×5 cm) placed in a polyethylene bag. The allergen solution and sample were immersed in 2 mL of phosphate buffer (100 ng/mL) prior to the reaction and heat-sealed to specimen size. The reaction was maintained at 4°C for 24 hours. Nichinichi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. conducted the test using ELISA to measure allergen concentration. Results may vary in actual product usage environments. Tested with Airmega Mighty AP-1512HH, 200M
6 Removal rates of Ammonia (NH₃) and Hydrogen Sulfide (H₂S) were tested in a 1 m³ chamber under EL608:2023 conditions for 30 minutes. Gas Detector Tubes were used for measurement, and testing was conducted by KCL (Korea Conformity Laboratories). Results may vary in actual product usage environments. Tested with Airmega Mighty AP-1512HH, 200M
7 Reduction rates of Naphthalene, Sulfur Dioxide, and Nitrogen Dioxide were tested using the Airmega Mighty AP-1512HH in 1㎥ chamber, following JEM-1467:2015 standards. Tests were conducted by Intertek. Actual performance may vary depending on the living environment. Tested with Airmega Mighty AP-1512HH, 200M
9 Tested by KCL(Korea Conformity Laboratories) according to SPS-KACA002-132:2022. The test was conducted with Methyl mercaptan, Isovaleraldehyde, Isovaleric acid in a 1.0±0.1 m³ chamber with a test time of 60 minutes at (24±4)°C and (46±10)% Relative Humidity. A removal ratio of over 99.5% was achieved. Results may vary depending on the actual usage environment. Tested with Airmega 350, 450
10 Tested by the Guangzhou Institute of Microbiology, exposed the filter media to protein solutions for 24 hours under ISO 4333-2022 standard. The results showed strong reduction performance: >99.79% for pollen, >99.60% for dog allergen, >99.90% for cat allergen, and >99.80% for dust mites matter allergen. Actual results may vary depending on room size, airflow, and pollutant levels. Tested with Airmega 350, 450
11 Tested by KCL(Korea Conformity Laboratories) according to SPS-KACA002-132:2022. The test was conducted in a 1.0±0.1 m³ chamber for 60 minutes at (24±4)°C and (46±10)% Relative Humidity. A removal ratio of >99.5% was achieved for Formaldehyde and Toluene in 60 minutes. Results may vary depending on the actual usage environment. Tested with Airmega 350, 450
12 Tested by Intertek. The evaluation was conducted against designated test materials: Sulfur dioxide, Nitrogen dioxide, and Naphthalene. The test was performed in a sealed 1.0×1.0×1.0 m (1.0 m³) odor chamber at a test room temperature of (23±2)°C (measured between 23.6∼23.9°C) and a test room humidity of (45±5)% R.H. (measured between 40∼48)% Relative Humidity. It met the odor removal rate of ≥99.9% for Sulfur dioxide, Nitrogen dioxide, and Naphthalene. Results may vary depending on the actual usage environment. Tested with Airmega 350, 450
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