There is an increasing concern about air pollution levels both outdoors and indoors. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air can be five times as polluted as outdoor air. Since indoor air is not circulated as much as outside air, many airborne pollutants continue to thrive inside.
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Air purifiers can refresh stale air, reducing the chances of health issues caused by indoor pollutants, which can trigger respiratory infections, neurological problems, or aggravate symptoms in asthma sufferers. Quality air purifiers eliminate several types of indoor air pollutants, keeping us healthy.
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In this article, we discuss how air purifiers work and the benefits of using them.
Air purifiers with HEPA technology filters can remove 99.7 percent of the airborne particulate matter (PM) circulating in your home environment. Removing these pollutants can lead to several immediate and long term health benefits such as better sleep quality and increased life expectancy.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in 12 people have asthma. People living with asthma have inflamed bronchial tubes. Pollutants such as pet hair and dander, pollen, or dust mites irritate their airways, causing difficulty breathing.
Many breeds of dogs and cats shed throughout the year. When these pets scratch themselves they spread a lot of hair and dander which keeps circulating in the air. Even if you don't have pets, there are other triggering factors for asthma such as pollen and dust mites, even minor ones like shoes in the bedroom that bring in outdoor contaminants.
Pollen particles flow in with the breeze through open windows or they stick to your clothes when you are outside. These can settle on your furniture and even in your mattress. Accumulated allergens are one common health risk of old mattresses.
Dust mites are the most common indoor allergens, thriving in a humid environment. Lack of fresh air increases indoor humidity levels, providing the perfect breeding ground for dust mites. They feed on dead skin cells and multiply quickly in your bed, carpet, and other upholstered furniture.
And that's not to mention how bacteria in your bed can rapidly multiply.
Vacuuming your bed, carpet, and floors can eliminate these pollutants, but some of them remain suspended in the air. Breathing in the polluted air increases the chances of asthma attacks.
Most household air purifiers contain HEPA filters, designed to capture airbourne pollutants so you breathe clean air. HEPA filters comprise multi-layered meshes made of fine fiberglass threads, thinner than strands of hair. The pollens, dust mites, and pet dander floating in the home environment are trapped in these meshes so you enjoy clean air.
Some air purifiers include replaceable pre-filters for trapping larger particles, so the HEPA filters are preserved for capturing smaller pathogens. This system prolongs the efficiency of your air purifier. An efficient air purifier continues to keep your indoor air free of pollutants, reducing the chances of breathing difficulties caused by asthma.
Closing the doors and windows of our house does not mean we can shut off external pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide. These gases are commonly found in areas of high motor vehicle traffic and may get inside your homes. Research from the National Library of Medicine shows exposure to carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide PM increases the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
In short, outdoor air pollution determines how much indoor air pollution you are breathing in, within your bedroom and overall home. An air purifier can be an essential part of keeping these pollutants out of the home. A study found that high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters reduced the outdoor pollution making its way indoors by 23 percent.
Even if you don't live in large cities with high vehicular traffic, your home atmosphere could still be polluted with toxins from several cleaning agents. Many regular household cleaners contain toxic chemicals such as ammonia, chlorine, and phthalates. Exposure to these chemicals in small quantities may be harmless, but routine exposure can lead to serious health issues like a tumor, cancer, cardiovascular, or neurological disorders.
Air purifiers with activated carbon can cleanse these chemical contaminants, avoiding the risk of several health problems. A highly porous form of carbon is used in this carbon filtering method to trap chemicals, recycling fresh air back to the room.
Some chemicals such as gasoline, benzene, and formaldehyde break down at room temperature causing an off-gassing odor. These chemicals, called Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), are commonly found in paints, aerosol sprays, upholstered furniture, or air fresheners. The odor from VOCs can cause nausea, breathlessness, and even affect your cognitive functions.
show low VOC levels in ambient air improves productivity and performance. Air purifiers with HEPA and activated carbon filters are effective in trapping gases as well as particles, reducing pollutants in the indoor environment.
If you have guests coming over, you don't have to worry about the smoke or the odor of cooking oil and spices bothering them. And even if you're just by yourself, you don't have to worry about the smells that just come from living in a space, such as sweat or the small amounts of sulfur-containing compounds in a fart that escapes as you sleep.
No matter what, the air purifiers absorb all the smell, making your room fresh and clean.
Airborne diseases such as the common cold and flu are spread through tiny pathogens floating around. When one family member catches the flu, it's not uncommon for the rest of the family to get sick as well. This happens because everyone is breathing the same air that's infected with bacteria and viruses.
Air purifiers with HEPA filters capture these bacteria and viruses. When you remove the cause of airborne diseases, you safeguard yourself and your family from them. If you live with elderly people, children, or anyone with a weakened immune system, air purifiers are a must to safeguard your health and sleep during the flu season.
Indoor allergens such as bacteria, fungi, and dust mites can trigger allergies or hay fever. Hay fever causes a runny nose and can last up to several weeks. Frequent sneezing, coughing, nose congestion, watery eyes, or sore throat are some common allergic symptoms, disrupting your sleep.
Lack of adequate sleep causes daytime drowsiness, affecting your productivity the next morning. To avoid these sleep disruptions, it's best to use HEPA air purifiers because they filter out most allergens from your room. Cleaner air gives you a better night's sleep.
It can even make maintaining your mattress easier, too. Allergens and fungi can settle into the mattress and cause unpleasant smells that require you to deodorize your mattress with a coat of baking soda or another odor neutralizer. Preventing those from ever reaching your mattress saves you work in the long run.
The breakdown of naturally-occurring radioactive elements such as uranium found in certain building materials produces radon gas. Radon is a colorless and odorless gas, emitting from building materials like rocks, soil, and granite.
Watch out for cracks on the floor, walls, or plasterwork. The carcinogenic radon gas leaks into your environment through these cracks. Radon gas damages the cell linings of the lungs, leading to cancer. A EPA assessment indicates there could be as many as 21,000 deaths annually in the US related to lung cancer caused by radon gas.
To reduce the risk of radon pollution, use air purifiers. HEPA and activated carbon filters can trap radon particles and radon gas, protecting you from its harmful effects.
Asbestos roofing materials or insulation pipes were common from the s to the s. If you live in an old house or work in an old commercial building you may be exposed to asbestos particles. With age, these buildings shed materials spreading asbestos dust in the ambient air.
If you breathe in asbestos particles, they can cause a lung disease marked by tissue scarring. Swelling in the neck or face, loss of appetite, and difficulty swallowing are some symptoms of asbestosis. This disease also increases the risk of lung cancer.
To protect yourself from asbestosis, use HEPA air purifiers that capture asbestos particles.
Mold thrives in areas with high humidity levels, poor ventilation, and stagnant air, making bedrooms, with their often reduced airflow and warmth, susceptible to mold issues. If you want to avoid mold in the bedroom, an air purifier can be a helpful protective measure.
Mold reproduces by releasing spores into the air, and these microscopic particles can easily find their way into various corners of the home, including the bedroom. High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, commonly found in quality air purifiers, can effectively capture mold spores and prevent them from circulating in the air. This reduces the likelihood of mold settling on surfaces and proliferating, such as where you store books in the bedroom.
Air purifiers equipped with built-in dehumidifiers can help regulate humidity levels in the bedroom. By removing excess moisture from the air, they create an environment less conducive to mold development. This is particularly beneficial in regions where high humidity is a common issue.
Indoor air pollution can affect your cardiac, respiratory, and even neurological systems. Chemicals and gases from common household products can accumulate in your lungs. In fact, the airborne particles are so small that they penetrate the blood-brain barrier, impacting your brain and cognitive functions.
A good air purifier traps even the fine particles providing you with better air quality.
Air purifiers contain one or more filters and a fan. The fan (or sometimes a system of internal fans) sucks in air, and that air then passes through the inside filters. These filters trap pollutants such as dust, pollen, and bacteria, and disperse clean air back into the room. This filtering process maintains healthy air circulation indoors.
See also our guide to sleeping with a fan on for better health.
While most air purifiers contain HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters, some air purifiers include other types of filters such as activated carbon or UV light. Certain technologically advanced air purifiers include a combination of two or three types of filters. In this section, we discuss the different types of air purifiers and how they work:
When buying an air purifier, it's crucial to check certain factors such as its HEPA filtration and ACH ratings. To reap the maximum benefits from your air purifier and avoid certain negative effects, consider the following factors:
Different air purifiers are designed to clean the air in rooms of specific sizes. Check with the customer service representatives of various brands about the compatible room size. Air purifiers are most effective when they are compatible with your room size. To save on energy bills, buy a model meant to be effective in a slightly bigger room. That way, the air purifier continues to be effective even at a lower setting.
Most air purifiers with HEPA filters produce noise ranging from 35 to 70 decibels. The noise level depends on your operational settings. To avoid sleep disruptions due to noise, opt for air purifiers which are effective even set to a lower noise level.
Look for true HEPA filters, avoiding purifiers with 'HEPA like' or 'HEPA type' filters. True HEPA filters are the most efficient because they can capture minute pathogens. If you want to avoid odors and gases as well, try air purifiers with HEPA and activated carbon filters.
Many household products on the market claim to control allergens, but sometimes these claims are exaggerated. To help consumers make an informed decision, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America in association with Allergy Standards Limited (ASL) has created a certification program. Before certifying products, they run the products through many tests to ensure the air purifiers remove most of the harmful particles.
Once the home air purifiers clear all the tests covered under the program, they earn the 'asthma & allergy friendly®' mark. The certification assures you a quality product with superior air filtration abilities, perfect for allergy sufferers as well.
The air purifier's CADR specifies its overall cleaning speed for a particular size room. It shows the speed at which the purifier can filter dust, smoke, and pollen particles (three of the most common indoor air pollutants).
Smoke particles are the smallest and can range between 0.1 to 0.3 microns. Dust particles vary between 0.5 to 3 microns, while pollen particles are around 5 to 11 microns. High CADR indicates the filters can purify the air quickly.
CADR is measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM). For example, an air purifier with 400 CFM will purify the air in a 400 square feet room much faster than an air purifier with 300 CFM. On average, bedrooms are between 250 to 350 square feet in size. Air purifiers with CADR 300 to 400 should be perfect for average-sized rooms.
The CADR of air purifiers is based on standards set by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM).
The ACH rating shows the number of times per hour the entire volume of air in your room gets filtered. A higher ACH rating indicates better efficiency. If you are prone to allergies or asthma, it's best to opt for purifiers with at least a 4x or 5x ACH rating. That way, you ensure the indoor air is filtered at a faster rate. Frequent filtration reduces the chances of leaving behind pathogens in your indoor environment.
Some air purifiers generate ozone during the filtration process. Ozone gas can be damaging to your respiratory system. Before buying, check if the air purifier emits ozone gas.
On average, air purifiers are priced at around $150. There are others available at a higher or lower price, depending on the type of filters, maximum room size it can filter, and the brand. When buying an air purifier, you should factor in the maintenance cost as well.
The maintenance costs are dependent on how often you have to replace your filter. You should also factor your HEPA filter use in your energy bill. Some air purifiers, such as those with UV lights, include washable filters, but they need more watts to function. This may inflate your electricity bill. UV light air purifiers may not be as effective as HEPA air cleaners because many bacterias are UV-resistant.
HEPA air cleaners are energy-efficient, but the filters should be changed once in three months for optimum benefits. Generally, replacing filters cost around $100 per year. If you buy an air purifier with a combination of filters, you may spend more on changing filters. For example, if your air purifier contains HEPA and activated carbon filters, you will have to change both filters every 3 to 4 months, and that may end up costing you more than $100 per year.
To further improve your indoor air quality, follow some other steps such as regular cleaning, growing indoor plants, and maintaining proper ventilation. The following steps can further improve your indoor air quality.
Air purifiers are not the only air-cleaning devices worth considering by homeowners. There are other air cleaning devices and strategies that can be beneficial in bettering poor air quality.
One such device is a dehumidifier. Dehumidifiers help reduce excess moisture in the air, which can contribute to the growth of mold and mildew, and the proliferation of dust mites. By maintaining optimal humidity levels, usually between 30% and 50%, dehumidifiers can help prevent the growth of these allergens and improve overall air quality.
Another important device to consider is a ventilation system. Proper ventilation is crucial for allowing fresh outdoor air to circulate indoors and removing stale or polluted air.
Turn on the exhaust fans in the kitchen to dissipate smoke after cooking. The exhaust fan also dries up ambient air in the bathroom and laundry room, otherwise, humidity can lead to bacteria and allergen growth. Additionally, installing a whole-house ventilation system can help ensure a continuous flow of fresh air throughout the home.
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In certain cases, air filters can be used in conjunction with air conditioning or heating systems to remove larger particles and allergens from the air. These filters are typically installed in the HVAC system. You must regularly replace HVAC filters to maintain their effectiveness.
Adopting good cleaning habits and reducing potential sources of pollution can also contribute to cleaner indoor air. Regular vacuuming, dusting, and mopping can help remove dust, pet dander, and other particles from surfaces. Using non-toxic cleaning products is another important step to minimize indoor air pollution.
It's worth noting that the effectiveness of these devices and strategies may vary depending on individual circumstances, such as the size of the home, the specific air quality concerns, and the presence of certain pollutants. Consulting with professionals or experts in the field can provide personalized advice and guidance on the most suitable air-cleaning devices and strategies for a particular home.
No, there is no evidence proving air purifiers can remove coronavirus. Usually, HEPA filters can trap particles as little as 0.3 microns, but the coronavirus is even smaller. Some air purifiers with UV lights can kill smaller pathogens but there are no specific studies showing they can destroy the novel coronavirus.
Yes, air purifiers help you sleep better by removing allergens from your indoor environment. Allergens can trigger sleep-disruptive symptoms in some people. Frequent coughing, sneezing, or difficulty breathing are some allergic reactions affecting your sleep quality. Air purifiers can decrease the chances of allergies by trapping the pollutants. You get better sleep in a clean and fresh environment. A good night's sleep also improves your mood and cognitive functions.
Most air purifiers take between 30 minutes to 2 hours to clean a room. The duration depends on the size of the room and the ACH rating of the air purifier. The ACH rating refers to the number of times per hour the entire volume of air in your room gets filtered. The most efficient air purifiers filter about 4 or 5 times every hour. It's best to keep the air purifier on whenever you are in the room.
Place the air purifier either in your living room or bedroom. The idea is to enjoy fresh air where you spend the most amount of time. Since the air purifiers are portable, they can be moved from room to room if needed.
Not all air purifiers are bad for you. Some ozone emitting air purifiers can be harmful. They cause shortness of breath, coughing, and chest pain. Exposure to higher levels of ozone can damage your respiratory system. Air purifiers with HEPA and activated carbon filters are generally safe for use.
Yes, air purifiers capture a high percentage of the airborne allergens and irritants flowing through the filters. In doing so, they refresh the indoor air quality. You get a generous supply of clean and fresh air. Using air purifiers is one of the many steps you can take to reduce indoor air pollution. Allowing cross ventilation and cleaning your floors, carpets, and upholstery are other steps to maintain a clean indoor environment.
The lack of ventilation in homes has spurred the demand for air purifiers. They decrease indoor air pollution levels, but their filters have a threshold. Some filters are effective for two to three months, while others can work for a longer period of time. Keep checking the air filter indicator so you change filters at the right time, and continue to enjoy a clean indoor environment.
1) You're perfectly healthy.
The problem with airborne pollutants is that we don't know exactly what effect they may have in the long term. Like cigarettes, lead and arsenic, government regulators have been slow to recognize the wide-ranging effects of airborne chemicals. In fact, only a quarter of the 82,000 chemicals in use in the U.S. have ever been tested for their effects on humans. As a result, an air purifier is now just as important as healthy eating and clean water to a healthier lifestyle.
2) You live in a home, apartment, trailer or any enclosed space.
The walls we use to shelter and protect us from the elements also trap airborne chemicals, gases, odor and particles. The EPA has found that our dwellings may contain air that is 2 to 5 times, even 100 times more polluted than outdoor air.
3) You have a new baby or are pregnant.
Preventing early chemical exposure is critical. Many researchers now believe that disease is an on-going process in the body that may take years to evolve from the earliest stage. Therefore a fetus or newborn exposed to a cancer-causing toxin early-on will have an increased chance of developing a disease later in life - simply because it will have more time to evolve.
4) You have children.
Your child's developing body doesn't work like yours does. Their metabolisms are immature and can't always excrete chemicals as efficiently as an adult, consequentially, they are more vulnerable to the effects of air pollution. Many children also suffer from allergies and asthma which are aggravated and possibly triggered by airborne particles and chemicals.
5) You're over the age of 60.
Let's face it our bodies don't work quite as efficiently as they used to. Having a constant flow of clean air is just like eating a balanced diet - it helps to maintain a healthy, active lifestyle and promote longevity.
6) You love your modern conveniences.
The irony is that many of the products we created to make our lives easier may be slowly eroding our health. Dry cleaning, plastics, flame retardants, non-stick surfaces, stain resistant fabrics, pesticides, chemical cleaning products, personal hygiene products, appliances and much more are all off-gassing chemicals and toxic dust into our homes. So keep your TV and couch and buy an air purifier.
Allergies are not only aggravated by airborne particles like dust, pollen and dander, but also by airborne chemicals from cleaning products, flooring and furniture. Only an air purifier with pounds of activated carbon and HEPA filtration can remove 99.97% of airborne particles and harmful airborne chemicals.
Because your respiratory system is already compromised, an air cleaner is a must-have tool in any treatment program. An air cleaner with a HEPA filter can trap 99.97% of all allergens, while a deep-bed carbon filter will remove airborne chemicals, gases and odors which may also aggravate or trigger an attack.
9) You live near a major road or industrial facility.
Heavy traffic and factory emissions generate dangerous fine particles which penetrate deep into the body. Research has shown that short-term exposure to elevated levels of this type of pollution is associated with a higher risk of death from heart problems. Prolonged exposure actually reduces overall life expectancy by 1.8 to 3.1 years.
Both forest fires and active volcanoes (like those in Hawaii), create serious air quality problems that involve not only fine particles, but chemicals, gases and odors as well. Only an air purifier with pounds of activated carbon and HEPA filtration can offer the serious protection required for these specific types of airborne pollutants.
11) You're a less than perfect housekeeper.
Dust is not only an irritant, but is one of the main exposure roots for airborne chemicals. An air cleaner helps to prevent the accumulation of dust on surfaces and can also trap airborne mold spores, bacteria, viruses and even pet odors.
12) You're a diligent housekeeper.
Even many of the cleanest homes have poor indoor air quality. That's because most of the materials and products found in our homes today off-gas small amounts of chemicals. These can't be dusted away or removed with an air freshener.
13) You have a garden, lawn or trees on your property.
Gardens, mulches, trees and even lawns can be sources for mold spores. These airborne spores easily make their way into your home and can trigger an allergic reaction and aggravate asthma.
14) You have a compromised immune system.
When the immune system is weakened by illness or certain medical treatments, it may not be able to rid the body of toxic pollutants as effectively. People with compromised immune systems are also at a greater risk for severe complications from infections and viruses.
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Besides the penetrating odor that smoke leaves behind, cigarette smoke also contains more than 4,000 chemical compounds and at least 11 known human carcinogens. Only an air cleaner with many pounds of activated carbon can effectively trap these complex chemicals and odors.
17) You have pets.
An air cleaner will not only remove airborne pet hair, dander and odor but will also help protect your pets from indoor air pollution. Like children, our pets are naturally more susceptible to the effects of poor indoor air. They tend to spend more time indoors and are also closer to the floor where dust, toxins and airborne chemicals collect.
18) You have water damage.
Unsightly water stains may not be the only consequence of household water damage. Chances are you also have mold. Many people are unaware that mold releases both particles and chemical mycotoxins into the air. Depending on the level of exposure, the health effects of mold can range from allergic reactions to serious illness.
19) You're moving into a new home. LEED
Many of the materials and furnishings that go into a newly constructed home off-gas small amounts of chemicals into the air and will continue to do so for years. In the past homes were more porous and allowed for more natural ventilation. Newly constructed homes are air-tight allowing more air pollution to stay inside the home.
20) You're planning renovations. LEED
Renovations can be chaotic, and they can also introduce many pollutants into the air. Materials such as paint, new carpeting, flooring, wall-coverings, wood products, glues and varnishes all off-gas chemicals which may have serious short and long term health consequences.
21) You use art materials.
From the seasoned professional to a budding child painter, anyone using art materials is exposing themselves, and those sharing their workspace, to airborne toxins and suspected carcinogens.
22) Your building has odor problems.
Smoke and cooking odors are common complaints in apartment and condo complexes. While there may not be much you can do about your neighbors, an air cleaner can offer fresher cleaner air in your dwelling, protecting both you and your belongings from the effects of second hand smoke and odors.
23) You have a home office.
Many people are unaware that computers, printers, and fax machines all off-gas low levels of chemicals which can easily be inhaled.
24) Your living space is located on the upper levels of a business
In many urban areas, even the best living spaces are sometimes located over businesses. This often means sharing more than a building, but also air quality problems which may include odors, chemicals, gases and particles.
25) You live in an agricultural area.
Exposure to pesticides commonly used on crops have been linked to serious health problems including infertility, Parkinson's disease, birth defects, premature birth and asthma.
26) You have an attached garage.
Attached garages are one of the leading contributors to poor indoor air quality. Pollution from cars, other fuel-burning engines, stored paints, solvents, fertilizers and pesticides can all seep into your living area from an attached garage exposing you and your family to potential carcinogens.
27) You suffer from flu-like symptoms, fatigue or eye irritations.
All these symptoms may be caused or aggravated by airborne particles, chemicals, gases and odors.
28) You have a fireplace or wood stove.
While the warmth and ambiance of a roaring fire can be appealing, wood smoke pollutants seriously compromise indoor air quality and can cause breathing difficulties and other health problems even at relatively low levels.
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