It is an agreed fact that the quality of the air we breathe has a profound influence on one’s overall health with poor quality indoor air being associated with respiratory diseases, and allergies among other diseases. Air purifiers are useful in solving this problem as they have the ability to remove pollutants and allergens from the air thus making the indoor environment safe and suitable.
This article aims at exploring how air purifiers function, their benefits, their various types and how to purchase the right air purifier for use.
What Does an Air Purifier Do?
An air purifier can be described as an air cleaner equipment whose primary function is to clean indoor air and remove all the pollutants and contaminants from it. Here’s a detailed look at its primary functions:
- Removal of Airborne Particles: Removes impurities like dust, pollen and pet dander carried along by the airflow.
- Elimination of Smoke and Odors: Employ activated carbon filters to remove smoke and smells from cigarettes, cookery, pets, and household chemicals.
- Reduction of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Removes toxic substances emitted from objects like paints, cleaning materials, and furniture.
- Neutralization of Bacteria and Viruses: Some air purifiers contain UV-C light or HEPA filter that has the capability to either kill the bacteria and viruses or trap them.
- Mitigation of Mold Spores and Mildew: Can trap mold spores and may lessen humidity (in models designed for dehumidification).
- Improvement of Sleep Quality: Irritants in the air and decreases noise level, to provide a cleaner and quieter environment to sleep than it currently is.
- General Dust and Dirt Reduction: Purifies the air on a continuous basis by removing dust and dirt from the surrounding environment.
How an Air Purifier Works?
Knowledge of how air purifiers work is crucial in making simple decisions on the right one to use in the house or office. In this section, we will discuss the working of air purifiers and also look at the various types of air purifiers in the market. Each type harnesses different ways of cleaning the air and ensuring that the quality of air inside a living space or any room is enhanced.
With this understanding, you will be more capable of making the correct decision when it comes to purchasing an air purifier, one that serves its purpose of improving the quality of the indoor space air as well as the health of the occupants.
- HEPA Filters: HEPA filters are meant to trap very small particles from the air, so they are very good at filtering out allergens, dust and other particles.
- Activated Carbon Filters: These filters are specially designed to be able to suck in odors and chemical substances and therefore are well suited for families with pets, smokers, or those with chemical allergies.
- UV-C Light Purifiers: UV-C light air purifiers emit radiations that eliminate bacteria and viruses in the air ensuring that there is a shield against airborne diseases.
- Ionizers: Ionizers emit negative ions into the surrounding air, where these ions ‘capture’ positively charged particles such as dust and allergens and bring them down to the earth. But, they can generate ozone and this may be of worry to some individuals.
- Ozone Generators: Ozone generators emit ozone to eradicate smell, fungi and bacteria. However, they are a topic of debate given that exposure to ozone poses some risk to human health.
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Health Benefits of Air Purifiers
This article section will cover all the possible ways air purifiers help improve their users’ health in general and alleviate people’s suffering caused by allergies, in particular.
Allergy Relief
HEPA filteres air purifiers remove up to 99% of airborne particles that are as small as 0.3 µm from the air inside a home such as dust mites, pollen, pet shed skin, and mold spores. The removal of these allergens can prove a blessing to people who spend most of their time indoors especially during the periods of the year when they have to deal with seasonal allergies or allergic rhinitis.
Asthma Management
People with Asthma are very conscious of dust, smoke, and fumes since they have an effect on their breathing system. Since these triggers are expelled from the air, air filters can help people with asthma not get an attack or feel breathless.
Reduction of Harmful Chemicals
There are numerous types of Air pollutants that can be emitted from products such as cleaning products, paints, and furniture, including VOCs. The above poisonous chemicals can be neutralized by air purifiers which incorporate activated carbon filters therefore maintaining low concentration of the above chemicals in the house and keeping health risks away.
Improved Sleep Quality
Due to the effects of pollution reduction, individuals get better sleep at night without being interrupted by allergies or respiratory problems. An air purifier ensures that the air at night is clean and free from particles that lead to coughing or sneezing.
Protection Against Airborne Diseases
Employing air purifiers can go a long way in helping fight airborne illnesses due to the versatility of the air purifiers in trapping bacteria and viruses present in the air. This is especially appropriate when it comes to the spread of infection for instance the flu or cold within families or offices.
Key Considerations When Choosing an Air Purifier
When selecting an air purifier, consider the following factors:
- Filter Type: Choose a particular type of filter depending on the issue that you want to address (for instance, HEPA in the case of allergens or activated carbon in the case of odors).
- Room Size: Another consideration to make is to ascertain that the air purifier one intends to buy would be effective and appropriate for the size of the space in which it is going to be utilized. Almost every manufacturer gives information about the appropriate room size for the device, generally, it is given as a range, which is most suitable for an air purifier.
- Noise Level: If you plan to have the air purifier in the bedroom, it is advisable that it does not make any noise when operating so as to ensure that it does not interrupt your sleep.
- Maintenance: Just make sure that you know how often you will have to change these filters, and which will possibly involve some expenditure on your part. Some of the models have the filter as a washable one which may assist in bringing down the cost of maintenance in the long run.
- Additional Features: Some of the models possess some extra features such as an air quality sensor, an automatic operation mode etc, the possibility to run the device via application.
Considerations and Potential Side Effects of Air Purifiers
While air purifiers offer numerous benefits for improving indoor air quality and overall health, there are some potential side effects and considerations to keep in mind:
Ozone Emissions
There are some air purifiers for example those equipped with ionizer or ozone generator functions which can produce ozone as a by-product.
At high concentrations, ozone can be hazardous to human health and it directly affects the respiratory system by worsening the effects of respiratory diseases such as asthma. Some air purifiers generate ozone and it is recommended to opt for those that produce little or no ozone at all, or avoid ionizer and ozone generator function all together in confined areas.
Noise
Some of the models and settings may produce noise during operation depending on the type of air purifier used. Though most contemporary types are produced to be rather quiet, they might be annoying to some individuals, especially when used in bedrooms or other spaces where silence is valued.
Maintenance Requirements
One thing that the owners of these devices should understand is that they have regular time where they will have to do some maintenance to ensure all is well. This refers to the checking of the filters and replacing them in the manner described in the operations manual of the unit and also washing the unit to prevent accumulation of dust and mold. If the equipment’s maintenance is not done properly, the air purifier is less effective and poses some health risks.
Dry Air
One drawback that is worth mentioning is that air purifiers can help in reducing the humidity level in the rooms, the problem particularly noticeable in areas with low humidity. Low humidity is uncomfortable for many people, especially those with health conditions or those who have dry skin. Air purifying can also be complemented by humidifying, which will help ensure that the air’s moisture content is adequate.
Over-Reliance
Although air purifiers can enhance the quality of the air inside buildings, they should not be relied on to take the place of effective ventilation and practices such as regular cleaning and non- smoking inside houses. Dependence on air purifiers results in neglecting other important aspects of controlling indoor air quality.
Initial Off-Gassing
Some air purifiers, especially those using activated carbon filters, might produce a mild smell or off-gas at start-up. This is usually only in the initial days of operation and should fade away gradually after several days of operation. One of the ways to reduce the problem can be to let the air filter operate in a well – ventilated room for some time before venturing into the closed room.
Cost
Although acquiring and utilizing an air purifier may more be of an expense especially in terms of buying the actual device, filter replacement and power consumption. People should go further and consider the cost to continue maintaining it in the future before making a decision to buy it.
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Exploring Top Air Purifier Brands
Discover more about air purifiers and some of the top brands available in the market with detailed explanations on how they help in improving the quality of air.
Dyson Air Purifier
Dyson air purifiers reflect the modern technologies that are implemented into the perfect design with highly effective and innovative air circulation and filtration properties.
Pros
- High-performance filtration system.
- It has an innovative design with air multiplier technology.
Cons
- Premium price point.
- Replacement filters may be pricy.
Philips Air Purifier
Philips air purifiers are equipped with high-quality filter technologies and smart sensors for accurate air cleaning.
Pros
- HEPA and activated carbon filters to ensure overall purification of the air
- Some of the great features include auto mode and Air quality sensors.
Cons
- Certain models may generate some level of noise at, for example, high fan speeds
- They may have a higher initial cost compared to other brands.
Honeywell Air Purifier
Honeywell air purifiers are regarded as very reliable and efficient in effectively cleaning the air in different rooms and spaces as it has a variety of models available in the market.
Pros
- HEPA filters to effectively capture 99 percent of airborne particles.
- It has variable speeds and pre-set timer options for versatile usage.
Cons
- It is not as advanced as other brands in the market, in terms of smart features.
- In some models, bulky design is incorporated and this may kill spaces.
Levoit Air Purifier
Levoit air purifiers offer a simple yet effective design with sophisticated and easy-to-navigate controls and a high-quality filtration system for enhancing room air quality.
Pros
- Usually very quiet meaning that it can be used in bedrooms and offices.
- High durability and impressive performance, they are affordable as well.
Cons
- Less coverage area than in the larger models.
- Some users may prefer more advanced features
Winix Air Purifier
Winix air purifiers use HEPA filtration combined with PlasmaWave to eliminate particles and bad odors circulating in the air.
Pros
- PlasmaWave technology is effective in odor elimination.
- Energy efficiency with low power consumption.
Cons
- A bit of effort may be needed at the time of installation and replacement of filters.
- Lack of access to replacement filters in some markets.
Jasper Air Purifier
Jasper air purifiers are user-friendly, providing straightforward controls and powerful cleaning abilities to boost indoor air quality.
Pros
- Built to fit in small spaces due to its small size.
- HEPA and activated carbon filters for multi-stage air cleaning.
Cons
- Smaller effective coverage area as compared to the bigger models.
- May not possess as numerous features as those found in more sophisticated models.
Membrane Solutions Air Purifier
Membrane Solutions air purifiers are designed to offer high filtration efficiency and ease of use in solving air pollution problems to enhance indoor air quality.
Pros
- Efficient and complete clean air provision by multi-stage filtration.
- Low noise levels that make them ideal for use in bedrooms.
Cons
- Limited availability compared to more well-known brands.
- May have fewer features as compared to other models.
Ubreathe Air Purifier
Ubreathe air purifiers are stylish and efficient and can be used to add a beautiful and functional touch to any home.
Pros
- This design can be described as trendy and fitting for modern homes and apartments.
- High efficiency in the removal of allergens and pollutants with the help of the HEPA filters.
Cons
- Expensive in relation to some other brands in the market.
- Restricted distribution in particular areas can be a problem.
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References
- Vijayan, V. K., Paramesh, H., Salvi, S. S., & Dalal, A. A. (2015). Enhancing indoor air quality -The air filter advantage. Lung India : official organ of Indian Chest Society, 32(5), 473–479. https://doi.org/10.4103/0970-2113.164174
- Yoda, Y., Tamura, K., Adachi, S., Otani, N., Nakayama, S. F., & Shima, M. (2020). Effects of the Use of Air Purifier on Indoor Environment and Respiratory System among Healthy Adults. International journal of environmental research and public health, 17(10), 3687. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17103687
- Dubey, S., Rohra, H., & Taneja, A. (2021). Assessing effectiveness of air purifiers (HEPA) for controlling indoor particulate pollution. Heliyon, 7(9), e07976. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07976
- Aldekheel, M., Altuwayjiri, A., Tohidi, R., Jalali Farahani, V., & Sioutas, C. (2022). The Role of Portable Air Purifiers and Effective Ventilation in Improving Indoor Air Quality in University Classrooms. International journal of environmental research and public health, 19(21), 14558. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192114558
- Park, K. H., Sim, D. W., Lee, S. C., Moon, S., Choe, E., Shin, H., Kim, S. R., Lee, J. H., Park, H. H., Huh, D., & Park, J. W. (2020). Effects of Air Purifiers on Patients with Allergic Rhinitis: a Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, and Placebo-Controlled Study. Yonsei medical journal, 61(8), 689–697. https://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2020.61.8.689