Allergies hurt productivity at work: Study

Allergies can be more than a simple nuisance, experts warn.

A Middle Eastern survey on allergies warned that ignoring persistent allergy symptoms can lead to longer term conditions and affect work productivity and academic performance.

Nasal allergies caused by dust and other environmental pollution are on the rise and have a detrimental impact on people’s lives and the economy, according to the Allergies in the Middle East survey, which covered five countries: the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Lebanon and Iran.

The pharmaceutical company Takeda carried out the study, which included 7,411 households, out of which 501 agreed to participate in a more in-depth survey.

The researchers hoped to raise awareness about indoor air quality issues that could make things worse, among them closed environments in big buildings that are improperly ventilated, high levels of dust, environmental pollution from industries and humidity.

The survey participants complained about nasal congestion, headaches, watery eyes and sleep disruption.
During bad times, their work rate fell between 25 to 40 percent, they indicated.

Source: The National

Keep your home and office allergen-free

Allergies can not only hurt work productivity, they can also affect your quality of life and lead to fatigue and depression, especially if sleep is disrupted.

AirMedic air purifiers: Superior design for particle,
allergen, chemical and odor control.

That’s why it is a good idea for those with asthma and allergies to keep a powerful, portable air purifier with HEPA and activated carbon in their home and/or office.

Most people prefer having an air purifier in the bedroom where it removes a wide range of indoor air contaminants, including dust and tiny particles, mold spores, chemicals and odors that may irritate nasal passages and interrupt sleep.

AllerAir’s air purifiers for allergy and asthma feature the safest and most effective air filters to help keep your air allergen-free.

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Study shows the high costs of colds in North America

The cost of colds and the flu weighs heavily on Canadian
and US workers, a new study shows.

A Canadian study on the impact of colds and flu on school absenteeism, the workplace and the economy found that the costs are staggering.

In the first study of its kind, the researchers reviewed published clinical trials, studies and research projects from more than 300 researchers. 

The report with the title "Why the Common Cold and Flu Matter" pointed out the following highlights.

• 1/3 of Canadian adults have a sore throat, cold or flu in any given month. More common in women than men.  
• 2/3 of Canadian adults experiencing the first signs of a cold or flu used some type of self-treatment. Women were more likely to self treat and also consult a doctor as compared to men.  
• 1/5 of Canadian adults ignore symptoms altogether  
• Cough/cold remedies are the second most commonly used medications in Canada.  
• Canadians spend more than $300 million a year on over-the-counter cold and flu treatments and prescription antibiotics which, for the most part, neither "...ameliorate symptoms nor change the course of the illnesses."

The researchers say prevention can make a big difference in reducing the impact of colds and the flu.

While children in schools and daycare easily spread infections and colds, adults are also to blame, the study found, as many continue to go to work when they are sick and the spreading diseases lead to much greater productivity losses and increased costs for companies.

In fact, 83% of participants in a U.S. survey on work and illness say they continued to attend work or school while experiencing symptoms of an influenza-like illness. 

This behavior adds up to a significant economic cost as researchers cite direct costs due to lost productivity from colds at $25 billion in the U.S. 

Taking into consideration both indirect (lost productivity) and direct (doctor visits and medicine) costs, of colds, the figure in the U.S. annually is $40 billion.

Improve IAQ at home and at work for better results

Air purifiers for the home and office:
4000, 5000 and 6000 Series

AllerAir’s carbon + HEPA airpurifiers provide a simple and cost-effective solution to better indoor air at home, in school and at the office.

Choose an air purifier with UV germicidal filtration (like a 5000 Exec UV) for enhanced protection from biological contaminants such as viruses, bacteria and mold mycotoxins.

The powerful air purifiers are easy to use, portable and effective in removing a wide range of indoor air pollutants, including chemicals, VOCs, gases, fumes, odors, particles, pollen, dust and pathogens.

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Insomnia, productivity and indoor air quality

Sleep disorders result in lost productivity, study shows.

Sleep problems are costing the US workforce dearly.

In a recent national survey conducted by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, researchers estimate that insomnia and related sleep disorders cost the US workforce $63.2 billion a year in lost productivity.

The survey revealed that about 23 percent of US workers suffer from insomnia, and that it affects more women than men.

The average US workers is losing about 11.3 days, or $2,280 in lost productivity every year because of sleep disorders, the study shows.

"We were shocked by the enormous impact insomnia has on the average person's life," said lead author Ronald C. Kessler, Ph.D.

"It's an underappreciated problem. Americans are not missing work because of insomnia. They are still going to their jobs but accomplishing less because they're tired. In an information-based economy, it's difficult to find a condition that has a greater effect on productivity."

Because insomnia is not considered an illness – the kind that results in lost days at work – employers tend to ignore its consequences, he added. "Can U.S. employers afford not to address insomnia in workplace?"

Cleaner air for better sleep

People experience sleeping problems for a variety of reasons – but indoor air pollution does not have to be one of them. A portable air purifier is the quickest, safest and most effective way to provide cleaner air in the bedroom and beyond.

Not every air purifier is the same, however. A HEPA-only air filter will remove airborne particles only, but it will leave harmful chemicals and irritating odors behind.

A complete air filtration system from AllerAir removes common household chemicals, gases, odors, dust, dust mites and particles with a powerful activated carbon + HEPA filter combination.

AllerAir's most popular air purifiers for the bedroom include:

• 5000 Series 
• AirMedic Series 
• AirTube Series

Contact AllerAir for more information and a personalized recommendation.