- Most allergy sufferers use air purifiers to eliminate dust, pollen and pet dander from the air. Asthmatics also benefit from the use of air purifiers because of the removal of contaminants from the air that inhibit their breathing capabilities. Air purifiers have been shown to reduce the amount of cleaning needed in rooms by eliminating and trapping dust particles in their filters.
- Filter-based air purifiers normally use the HEPA filter, which traps about 99 percent of allergens. The HEPA filter is cleaned periodically, determined by the amount of dust in the room, and is replaced after the filter becomes less efficient. HEPA filters do not give off ozone or any other harmful byproducts. Be aware that products claiming to be HEPA-like are not true HEPA filters and will not function as well.
- By using an electrical charged surface, these purifiers generate gas ions. The ions then attach themselves to allergens or dust particles collecting them to an electrically charged plate and depositing them there. The ionizer air purifiers do generate ozone but the amount is small and well below the safety standard. But Dr. James Sublett, who was the co-chair for the 2007 ACAAI Healthy Indoor Environment conference, does not recommend the ionic air purifiers. He and other allergists do not believe the adequacy of the ionic air purifiers in effectively reducing dust and other pollutants.
- Air purifiers can be noisy and not visibly appealing. While the noise of an air purifier is not as loud as other household appliances, the constant noise can become annoying. Running the air purifier on a lower speed compared with the higher speed can help in reducing noise level. Energy consumption is another concern. Look for air purifiers with the Energy Star to help in lowering electrical cost.
- Ionic air purifiers produce ozone, although small in amounts. People who suffer from asthma are particularly at risk of an attack if the ozone level is high. Because this is an issue with asthma sufferers, purchasing an ionic air purifier might give them pause. Choosing one with a HEPA filter or other types of filters would eliminate the worry of creating ozone in the living area.
