How indoor air quality impacts allergy and asthma sufferers

If you live with allergies or asthma, your home should offer relief, not make symptoms worse. But according to the EPA, indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than the air outside. Pet dander, mold spores, pollen — it all builds up fast, especially in tightly sealed, energy-efficient homes.

These irritants don't just trigger flare-ups. Some, like PM2.5, bypass your body's defenses entirely.

Improving indoor air quality isn't just about comfort. It's a critical part of managing respiratory health. This blog explores the most common triggers, the mistakes that make symptoms worse and how Panasonic's ERVs and nanoe™ X technology help clear the air — day and night.

Understanding indoor air pollutants that trigger allergies and asthma

Every breath you take indoors carries a complex mix of microscopic passengers. For allergy and asthma sufferers, as well as those with sensitive respiratory systems, knowing these culprits is the first step toward reclaiming control.

Below is a closer look at the most common indoor pollutants and why they matter:

• Pollen enters on shoes, clothing and pets. Indoors it mingles with other particulates, prolonging seasonal misery long after you've closed the windows.
• Mold spores thrive in damp bathrooms, basements and HVAC drip pans. Once airborne, they latch onto moist airway surfaces and provoke powerful allergic reactions. "Mold spores are looking to rehydrate," says Ken Nelson, Panasonic Group Sales Manager and ventilation expert, "and the best place to rehydrate is a person's lungs or throat where you have high humidity and good temperature."
• Pet dander, the protein-rich flakes of skin and saliva shed by cats and dogs, stays suspended for hours and can induce immediate sneezing, itching and bronchial constriction.
• Dust mites live in bedding, upholstery and carpets. Their waste particles become aerosolized, driving year-round allergy symptoms and nighttime asthma flare-ups.
• VOCs (volatile organic compounds) from paints, cleaning products and air fresheners irritate the lining of the nose, throat and lungs, often triggering coughing, wheezing and eye irritation.
• PM2.5 — ultrafine particles produced by cooking, candle smoke and wood-burning — penetrate deep into lung tissue and can enter the bloodstream, provoking inflammation that worsens asthma over time. Nelson notes, "PM2.5 is a different animal… it has kind of a whole different effect. It's not necessarily an immediate allergy trigger, but it's like walking up a hill — it's wearing your body out."

Avoiding common mistakes in managing indoor air quality

Good intentions can backfire when you're chasing cleaner air. One of the most frequent missteps is masking odors with scented candles, plug-ins or aerosol sprays — products that release a fresh fragrance along with a cocktail of VOCs.

"Anything that adds a smell into your airstream is not the best solution," warns Nelson. "If there's smoke, there's particulates." Another error is relying solely on open windows for ventilation. While fresh breezes feel reassuring, they usher in pollen, outdoor smoke and humidity spikes that can aggravate symptoms.

Skipping routine filter changes, choosing bargain HVAC filters that miss smaller particles and ignoring exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms round out the list of pitfalls that quietly undermine respiratory health.

Fortunately, simple adjustments can make a dramatic difference. Consider the following roadmap to healthier indoor air:

• Vacuum carpets, rugs and upholstered furniture weekly with a HEPA-equipped machine to capture dust mites, pet dander and fine particles.
• Launder bedding, curtains and washable slipcovers in hot water (130°F) every seven days to kill dust mites and remove allergens.
• Choose low-VOC or fragrance-free cleaners, paints and personal care items to reduce chemical irritants at the source.
• Run kitchen range hoods and bathroom exhaust fans for at least 20 minutes after cooking or showering to remove moisture and combustion by-products.
• Install high-efficiency HVAC filters (MERV 13 or greater) and replace them every one to three months based on household activity.
• Maintain relative humidity between 40 and 55 percent using dehumidifiers, humidifiers or whole-home ventilation systems as needed.
• Use portable air cleaners with true HEPA filters in bedrooms and high-traffic living areas for an extra layer of particulate removal.
• Schedule annual HVAC inspections to ensure ducts are intact, condensate lines are clear and mechanical ventilation is balanced.

By shifting from quick fixes to evidence-based practices, you lay the groundwork for sustainable respiratory relief. The next step is pairing these habits with technology purposely engineered to capture pollutants, balance humidity and neutralize allergens — solutions Panasonic Eco Systems has refined for decades.

Panasonic Eco Systems for better indoor air quality

You've tackled everyday habits. Now it's time for technology that works around the clock. Panasonic Eco Systems engineers two complementary innovations — energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) and nanoe™ X air-purification technology — that give allergy and asthma sufferers a measurable edge.

Panasonic ERVs deliver fresh, filtered air 24/7 without sacrificing energy efficiency. A dedicated supply fan draws outdoor air through a high-performance filter that captures pollen, dust and PM2.5 before that air ever reaches your living spaces. Simultaneously, an exhaust fan removes stale indoor air laden with VOCs, humidity and airborne allergens.

Where ERVs focus on dilution and filtration, nanoe™ X technology neutralizes what slips through. Embedded in select Panasonic ductless heat pumps, air purifiers and ceiling-mounted units, the system generates trillions of hydroxyl radicals — highly reactive molecules found in nature — within a special nano-atomizing device. Nelson explains, "As air passes by the hydroxyl radical, whatever is alive becomes neutralized and redistributed back into the air." This includes allergens like pet dander, mold spores and certain bacteria.

Together, Panasonic's ERV and nanoe™ X solutions form a two-tier defense: continuous ventilation and filtration to keep pollutant levels low, plus active neutralization of residual allergens to soothe irritated airways.

Empowering your home with cleaner air

Taking control of indoor air quality is one of the most impactful steps you can take for lasting respiratory health. When you reduce pollutants, balance humidity and neutralize allergens, you give your immune system a break and create a space where deeper sleep, clearer breathing and higher energy become the norm — not the exception. For households managing allergies or asthma, that difference can mean fewer medication adjustments, less time sidelined by flare-ups and a renewed sense of comfort in every room.

Panasonic makes this transformation achievable. By combining an ERV's continuous, balanced ventilation with nanoe™ X technology's targeted allergen neutralization, you equip your home with a comprehensive, science-backed defense against the very triggers that compromise your family's well-being.

Learn more about Panasonic air quality solutions and find the right product for your home.