Air purifiers and their usage are surprisingly controversial. On one side of the argument, you hear that they are uniformly unnecessary. On the other side, you have a host of different choices and valid reasons to use each one. If you decide that using an air purifier will be beneficial for you and your family, research your options and choose an effective, efficient model that works for your price point.
Reason 1: Indoor Air Pollution
Indoor air pollution is a very real problem. The World Health Organization estimates that more than 3 billion people are affected by indoor air pollution as a result of biomass fuels (like wood), coal and cooking/heating the home with an open fire. The most exaggerated cases of health effects from indoor pollution are in impoverished areas, but the air in all of our homes could contain harmful levels of smoke, particles, dust or carbon monoxide. Asthma and allergy sufferers may experience relief from some of their symptoms with the use of an air purifier. Additional usage includes infectious disease wards in hospitals and by people living in hazardous areas (like those living around Ground Zero in New York).
Sources of Indoor Air Pollution
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identifies indoor air quality as being directly related to potential polluting sources such as gases and particles being released into the air. Sources include combustible materials (such as wood, kerosene, oil, coal or gas), building materials and furniture (which can contain traces of asbestos or formaldehyde), tobacco products, cleaning products, radon, pesticides and central cooling/heating systems. Increasing ventilation can be a helpful step in reducing harmful levels of pollutants. Using the right air purifier can provide additional protection and lessen allergic reactions to certain airborne substances.
Reason 2: Allergy Relief
Allergy relief goes beyond simply taking medication. Reducing your home's allergens can go a long way to improving your symptoms. In this case, an air purifier works to remove the larger particulates in the air (such as pollen) with a pre-filter and the smaller allergy-producing particulates (like mold, dander, dust mites, bacteria and/or fumes) with a HEPA filter. An additional ultraviolet feature can be helpful in destroying some of the smallest offenders, such as smoke, soot, smog, germs and cat dander.
Types of Air Purifiers
Air purifiers (also known as air cleaners) are either portable systems or are central filtration systems (as part of the heating, ventilation and cooling system). There are five main types of air purifiers available: mechanical filters (which pass air through a surface to remove particulates from the air), HEPA filters (reputed for efficiency for eliminating small particulates), electronic air cleaners (which work by generating negative ions to remove particulates from the air), hybrid filters and gas phase filters (which can be attached to air cleaners to filter out specific odors or gases).
Warning
Both the American Lung Association and the EPA warn against choosing a model that generates ozone. Ozone has been linked to health risks and respiratory distress, even in small doses.
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