Air Purifier Help is dedicated to providing consumers with up to date detailed information on the usefulness, effectiveness, and health benefits of Air Purifiers. 

Air Purifiers – What they are and What they do

An air purifier is a device designed and marketed to remove allergens, odors, and pollutants from the air. Usually sold to homeowners, these small devices easily blend into any home, bedroom, or office while providing air purification.

Air purifiers range in size, function, price, and style, but most claim to help reduce particles that cause symptoms in allergy sufferers and individuals with respiratory problems. Some air purifiers, especially those that come equipped with a High Efficiency Particle Air (HEPA) filter, are ideal for individuals who are allergic to tiny air particles such as pollen, smoke, mold, and dander. Some air purifiers even filter out bacteria and other microorganisms.

Tiny particles and allergens can accumulate in carpets and upholstery and most allergy suffers should regularly vacuum and clean their surroundings. Since cleaning can sometimes cause even more particles to become airborne, air purifiers can help reduce the overall amount of indoor air pollutants. Although air purifiers are not the only solution to ease allergic suffering, they do provide one more way to help increase indoor air quality in the home.

Lots of air purifiers use more than one technique to purify the air. The combination of air purification techniques not only helps to provide even better air quality, but allows manufacturers to target specific allergens and particles by designing unique purification systems targeted towards specific particle sizes and types.

Different techniques are:

  • Filters – filters physically trap particles in a dense mesh of fibers. Filters can differ greatly on their efficiency and effectiveness and vary based on fiber type and size. HEPA filters are some of the most well known types of filters and remove at least 99.97% of particles measuring 0.3 micrometers from the air. They trap larger particles and can even trap particles measuring 0.01 micrometers. HEPA simply refers to the type of filter and is not a brand. These filters are usually paired with course filters or carbon filters that need to be cleaned or replaced on a frequent basis.
  • Activated Carbon – a cost effective way to help increase filtration when paired with regular filters. Activated carbon usually comes in porous sheets and reacts with volatile chemicals on a molecular level to remove them from the air. This substance is best known for its ability to remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs), odors, and chemicals from the air.
  • Ultraviolet light (UVC) and Photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) – Both use ultraviolet light to sterilize the air and kill 99.9% of airborne viruses and bacteria. These technologies do not remove particles from the air and must be paired with regular filtration systems in order to effectively remove most allergens and organisms.
  • Electrostatic precipitation and Ionizing purifiers– Good in smaller spaces, these devices use static electricity and charged particles to collect air pollutants. By charging air particles, ionizing purifiers collects these particles using charged metal plates. Ionizing and electrostatic purifiers do produce some ozone as a by-product. Although these levels of ozone are very small, it should be noted that ozone is considered a toxic gas.
  • Ozone generators – These types of “air purifiers” produce ozone at significant levels, most of which are considered unsafe. Although some commercial industries use ozone to treat spaces after flooding or fire, most of these are used when human exposure is limited. Ozone reacts with airborne particles and oxidizes many types of chemicals.

When purchasing an air purifier, it’s important to take into account the variety of differences between the different kinds. Although consumers must determine what kind of air purifier (HEPA versus Electrostatic, for example) they would like to buy, they must also consider noise levels, room specifications, and potential by-products of the device. Ozone is not the only potentially hazardous by-product as hydroxyl radicals and nitrogen oxides have also been known to come from ionizing air purifiers.

Consider noise level as well. Most purifiers come with a decibel (dB) reading and, although most air purifiers are relatively quiet, consumers must consider that most air purifiers run most of the time.

Not all air purifiers are created equal. The Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy recommend air purifiers with HEPA filters that are graded and designed for the desired space. Look at the specifications of the unit. Most air purifiers come with a reading for the optimal square footage of air that they can clean. Compare this to the desired room in which the air purifier will be placed.

Due to the ozone production of ionizing air purifiers and ozone generators, Consumer Reports has advised against the purchase of these products. Although the amount of ozone generated from some of these units is minimal, ozone is still considered a toxic gas under any condition. Ironically enough, individuals who suffer from allergies and asthma are more likely to feel the ill effects of ozone than otherwise healthy individuals.

Furthermore, due to increased studies of toxic ozone, the California Air Resources Board announced in September of 2007 that it will ban the sale of all ozone-producing units, including ionizing air purifiers. This will include units sold over the internet and through word of mouth.

Research is key in determining the best air purifier for your needs. If you know your allergy or the odor or particles you wish to remove from your home, it can be easier to narrow choices based on the best air purifier for the particle size and type. If you are simply looking for a quality air purifier with no specific allergen in mind, consider the EPA’s recommendation of HEPA filters and choose a unit that meets the noise levels and space requirements of your home.