National Study Finds that Filter-Based Air Purifiers are Better
According to a study by a national consumer’s group, air purifiers that incorporate a fabric filter (like High Efficiency Particle Air – HEPA – filters) are superior to other air cleaners when it comes to removing dust and smoke from the air. Unlike ionizing, electrostatic, and ozone generating air cleaners, these types of air purifiers do not emit ozone, a gas that can cause major irritation in individuals suffering from asthma and is known to be harmful to the body.
Although ozone provides the Earth with a protective layer that shields humanity from damaging ultraviolet rays, it has been proven to worsen asthma symptoms and cause respiratory problems in otherwise healthy individuals. In addition to causing harm by itself, ozone can also react with common household products to produce even more dangerous chemicals. For example, ozone, when mixed with some cleaner and air fresheners, has been known to create the chemicals formaldehyde and acrolein, the former a carcinogen and the latter a toxic irritant.
The study tested whole-home purification units, furnace filters, 27 portable air purification units, and two ozone generators for their December issue.
Out of the portable units tested, the study found that the models that rated the highest cleaned more efficiently at their lowest setting than some of the other models did at their highest setting. Out of the air purifiers tested, the Whirlpool Whispure AP45030S ranked highest followed by the Kenmore Progressive 83202.
The study tested professionally installed whole-home air purifiers that did not produce ozone. Out of these, the Lennox Healthy Climate HC16 with a non-HEPA filtration system and no ozone emissions.
Out of the furnace filters tested, 3M Filtrete 1700 and 3M Filtrete Ultra Allergen Reduction 1250 ranked highest. These relatively inexpensive filters (ranging between $16 and $20) provide better dust and allergen removal than their lower-priced competitors. They are not, however, the best at smoke removal.
Researchers in the study rated both ozone generators as “Not Acceptable”. These types of purifiers claim to clean the air by producing and releasing large amounts of ozone into the air of a home. The EcoQuest Fresh Air and the EdenPure Area were the two models tested in the study and both released enough ozone in their lowest setting to exceed the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s limits for levels of ozone emitted from medical devices. The ozone limits for these kinds of products are 50 parts per billion (ppb). At its normal and high settings, the EcoQuest produced 110 to 350 ppb and researchers measured 4300 ppb at its “away” setting. Depending on the setting, the EdenPure produced 650 to 990 ppb.
Electrostatic precipitators, a very popular type of air cleaner, also produce small amounts of ozone. These types of air cleaners attract particles by creating an electric charge on airborne dust and allergens and collect them on charged metal plates. Although these units produce amounts of ozone less than the 50 ppb limit, study specialists still recommend that consumers refrain from purchasing these units and use only air purifiers with filters that do not produce ozone since even small amounts of the gas can cause respiratory issues in sensitive individuals.
Although the Consumers Union is pushing the Consumer Product Safety Commission to set limits for ozone produced by air purifiers, there are currently no set standards for levels of ozone generated by non-medical devices. The Air Resource Board in California recently took matters into their own hands and banned the sale of any non-industrial air cleaner that emits any kind of ozone.
In addition to choosing the right air purifier for the home, individuals must take other measures to improve indoor air quality. A few of the recommendations put forth by the Environmental Protection Agency and the American Lung Association includes:
- Regular sweeping, dusting and cleaning
- Venting moist areas such as bathrooms and kitchens
- Removing carpeting
- And containing pets
Resource Article: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,216178.shtml?amp;cid=1123198571&ei=5sYvR9C-HpKE0gHvjcS_DQ