398. The Big Sneeze
28 Jan 2026 · 8 min
This content was created by Derek Cole. This content was uploaded by Derek Cole. This is a podcast episode titled "398. The Big Sneeze" (published March 17, 2022). It features Derek Cole speaking with a second speaker (co‑host/producer) about an Associated Press article on how climate change is lengthening and intensifying pollen/allergy season. Derek explains implications for indoor air quality, HVAC treatment options (UV, ozone, filtration), promotes Simmons1Hour resources (newsletter, spring checklist, special offers, website), and closes with calls to share the episode and leave reviews.
Questions this episode answers
1990 to 2018.
Traditionally around St. Patrick's Day (March 17); now often around Valentine's Day (February 14).
90% of our time indoors.
Two to five times worse.
72 trillion allergens per day.
Chapters
So recently, recently an article came out of the Associated Press said actually apnews.com written by Seth Bornstein or Bornstein, but the title is the Big Sneeze. That's a great title, right? The biggest knees climate change to make pollen season nastier. What is he saying here? Well, the article goes on to say that climate change has already made allergy season longer and pollen accounts higher. But you have not sneezed anything yet. That's a direct quote. You ain't. I'm sorry, but you ain't seen. You ain't. You ain't sneezed nothing yet. Thank you. I'm gonna say it right. But the article goes on to say that a study a year ago from different researchers found that from 1990 to 2018, pollen has increased in algae season is starting earlier, with much of it because of climate change. Algus said that policies in the U.S. tend to start around St. Patrick's Day, which again is March 17th. And now often it starts around Valentine's day, which is February 14th. Quote. A new study found that algae season would stretch even longer and the total amount of pollen would skyrocket. How long and how much depends on particular pollen and location and how much greenhouse gas emissions are put into the air. So. Or what? The article is saying that algae, you know, pollen season. Algae season is going to start sooner, be more intense, and last longer. So what. I mean, what can we do about it? What, what can you do about it at home? And I'll link up this article in the show notes or in the notes here so you can read for yourself. But we know on the latest study says that we spend 90% of our time indoors. So 90% of our time indoors. And the EPA has already said that indoor air is two to five times worse than outdoor air. Obviously, when you talk about pollen, you talk about what's outside. So what we're breathing inside is still worse than what's outside. The only way to start controlling what you're breathing inside is to take what's outside and bring it into your system. See, the good thing about the business we're doing in H Vac is that all of the air in the home is going to travel through that system at one time or another. So it's best to treat the air as it comes through. We don't want to focus on treating all of the air in the home at one time because that would be a problem. You want to treat it as it comes through. So as those particles or germs or bacterias, as those Things are coming through, you want to treat them when they're in that space of the H VAC system. It could be the duct system or the actual unit itself is where you want to treat those at. But we have products that are all natural products like UV products like ozone, which is just a spectrum of light, which is uvv. You know, we're not doing anything artificial. We're using spectrums of light just like it is outside. Outside you have ozone present, you have UV present. The amount ozone is first of all, ozone, like everything at the wrong levels, it's dangerous. But the amount of ozone that comes out of your grills at home when we treat there. In the HvG system, the amount of ozone is less than what you breathe outside. So if you can breathe outside, you'll be fine. But the only way to start gaining control and start treating these algaes or pollen or particles is with the indoor air quality. It does a couple things. First of all, you know, we talk about iq. We mainly talk about protecting the equipment. Your H VAC system is one of the largest investments energy users in your home for appliances.
So you want to protect it.
And the way to protect it is by using products like UV to keep it clean, keep the coal clean, keep the blow wheel from having a cake of dirt does have proper filtration. So you can stop that dirt and dust before it comes on the unit. That way it runs as efficient as possible. The other good side of that is that it has indirect quality benefits. You know, breathing in less dirt, less dust, less germs, less bacteria is only going to benefit you. It's not going to cause a problem. So you're benefiting the unit and you're benefiting yourself as well. So it's a win, win situation. There's. There is nothing like having, you know, start gaining control of these 72 trillion allergens that enter your home every day. 72 trillion allergens into your home every day. So you can either have it start controlling you or you can start controlling them. And the way to do that is indirectly. So the first step I would take is to go to our website Simmons one hour Comm. Sign up for our newsletter. We always give a free premium gift when you sign up right online there. I think this time of year we're doing the spring checklist. 10 checks you can do yourself to get ready for the warmer months. That is right there. That is free or do is all you have to do is in your email. You'll be taken right to the download and you'll be also taken to some special offers you can take advantage of if you want to, but that is the first thing to make sure your unit is clean, is ready for the spring, for the summer, and going forward. But you know, pollen season isn't going away, it's actually lasting longer and becoming more intense, according to this article. So it's only going to get worse. It's not getting better. So now is a good time to learn and start thinking about what can I do differently in my home because I'm spending 90% of my time indoors and the EPA tells us indoor air is worse than outside air. So what can we start doing to start controlling and changing what's happening the House.
Okay, I hope you enjoyed this episode.
Of the Derek Cole Podcast.
Tell some people about this episode. It's on each of us really, to spread the better ways to be healthier and more comfortable in our homes and workspaces. I'm asking you to be the dealer of positive and life changing messages in your circle of influence. Take a screenshot right now and share the screenshot and the link to this episode with three of your friends today. Share on social Media Use the hashtag Healthy Home. That's Healthy Home. We are always giving away shout outs prizes to our community.
If you would like to help me.
Personally then please rate and review on Apple podcast. Give us some stars. Leave a review because that stuff actually does help and I read all the comments. So my last thought for today please remember you deserve better air at home and and greater comfort at home. Don't settle for being uncomfortable for your heating air every single month. We are so thankful for having you here in our community and be sure to go deeper with us@simmons1hour.com.
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