Air Purifiers FAQ

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, air pollution is among the top 5 environmental health risks. The ideal way to deal with air pollutants in your home is to circulate air from the outside through your home. However, in many places the air outside is as bad as or worse than the air inside. An air purifier is the next best thing for maintaining the quality of the air you breathe in your home. There are several types of air purifiers on the market.

Function

The goal of an air purifier is to remove as many pollutants from the air as possible. There are two types of pollutants found in our air: particulate and gaseous. Particulate pollutants include dust, pollen, mold, bacterias and dander. Gaseous pollutants include those emitted from paint, cleaning products, pesticides and gas stoves. Some air purifiers are installed in the duct work of your home, while others can be used in a specific room.

Types

Mechanical air filters and electronic air cleaners remove particles from the air. The filter in mechanical air filters traps particles as they float through it and can be safely disposed of and replaced when the filter is full. Electronic air cleaners use electrostatic attraction to trap airborne particles. Gas-phase filters use a sorbent material to absorb pollutants in the air. There are three types of air purifiers that destroy pollutants through UV light. A UVGI (ultraviolet germicidal irridation) cleaner and a PCO (photocatalytic oxidation) cleaner both use a UV lamp to destroy pollutants. A special cleaner known as an ozone generator uses ozone gas to destroy the pollutants, but is not recommended for use since ozone is a lung irritant and may be unsafe.

Health Effects

People with allergies may notice their symptoms ease with an air purifier as it removes allergens from the air. It depends on the sensitivity of the person and the size of the airborne particles. Large particles may not be filtered, and sensitive people still may notice that their allergies persist even with the use of an air purifier.

Considerations

The EPA suggests you consider the drawbacks of an air purifier before buying one for your home. With an in-duct air cleaner, there are requirements that must be followed in the installation process. Consider the cost of running an air purifier, including buying the purifier and new filters, plus the electricity to power it. Certain portable air purifiers may be too noisy to leave in the room with you, especially if you like peace and quiet. Finally, an air purifier does not eliminate the odor of pollutants, nor will it catch all particles in the air.

Efficiency

If you decide to buy an in-duct air purifier, consider the filter rating. The efficiency rating is known as the minimum efficiency reporting value, or MERV. The lowest filter rating is 1, the highest is 20. The higher the number, the more likely a filter is to catch airborne particles that pass through it. Check the filter types your unit can handle. It may not be able to use more efficient filters, and you should stick with the manufacturer's recommendations. Electric air cleaners do not have a standard to compare them against. They are good for small particles, but not against larger pollutants.

References

• Air Purifiers

Resources

• Check the Consumer Reports review on air purifiers