So you've tried every medication to alleviate your allergies, you've swept, dusted and scrubbed incessantly, and still your symptoms persist? A commonly overlooked step in the quest for effective allergy and asthma management is an assessment of the air in your home.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air pollution is one of the top five environmental risks to public health. Indoor air can be up to 100 times more polluted than the air outside, chock full of allergens like dust, pollen, bacteria, pet dander and mold - all floating around in the air you breathe and invisible to the naked eye.

These allergens can cause dry or watery eyes, skin irritation, congestion, stuffy nose, wheezing and bouts of coughing. And when respiratory health is an issue, relief can't come fast enough.

One way to ensure that the air is comfortable and healthy in every room is through a whole-home air cleaner that can be installed by a professional on any central heating, ventilating and air conditioning system. These air cleaners work to permanently trap contaminants and move clean air through the entire home, 24 hours a day, rather than the very limited areas that are affected by portable air cleaners.

When considering the frequent maintenance and electricity bills that accompany portable units, it may not be surprising that a recent consumer survey found only one out of three portable users were very satisfied with their unit. Superior effectiveness and energy efficiency make whole-home air cleaners an attractive alternative to portables, operating silently and out of sight and requiring only periodic maintenance.

A popular model is the Aprilaire Model 5000 electronic air cleaner, which achieved 99% efficiency against airborne particles in a recent standard industry test conducted by LMS Technologies Inc. The Model 5000 captures and kills virtually all contaminants, including those that most affect personal health - viruses, bacteria, spores and allergens. The captured particles are permanently trapped with absolutely no chance of being reintroduced into the air stream and back into the home.

To learn more about the benefits of whole-home air cleaners visit www.aprilaire.com.

Sponsored by Aprilaire