Air Purifiers: A Simple Guide

Are you looking to beat allergies or dust? Or maybe you want to reduce secondhand smoke in your apartment. Whatever the case is, you’ve come to the right place.

According to the World Health Organization, more than 4 million people die each year from indoor air pollution. Smoking or being exposed to secondhand smoke contributes to many of these cases. That’s why it may be a good idea to invest in an air purifier for smoke removal.

Air Purifiers: A Simple Guide

Common Sources of Indoor Air Pollution

• Fumes from cleaning supplies, furniture, and carpeting (chemical gas)

• Dust from the forced-air heating and air conditioning system

• Pets and dust mites create dander and other allergies, as does dust pollen

• High humidity, water or mould spores, mould and mildew

• Smoking

• Vehicle emissions near a highway or garage

• Radon

• Printers

• Cooking

• Gasoline, paint and other off-gassing chemicals

Types of Air Purifiers

• HEPA Technology Air Purifier

HEPA stands for High-Efficiency Particulate Air. One thing to note about HEPA air filters is that they’re incredibly effective in capturing particles of almost every size. They can capture viruses, bacteria, pollen, PM2.5, allergens, and more. HEPA air filters are the most valuable and essential component of any air purifier.

HEPA air purifiers are the most effective at trapping airborne particles compared to other purifiers, yet they do not remove odours, chemicals or gases. Thus, most HEPA air purifiers have some level of activated carbon-based material to absorb odours and chemicals not caught by the HEPA filter.

• Activated Carbon Air Purifier

Activated carbon has unique properties that enable it to remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs), odours, and other gaseous pollutants from the air. Carbon air filters trap gas molecules on a bed of charcoal. They are also frequently used to remove odours from the air, such as the smell of cigarette smoke. This type of air purifier is good for smoke removal or reduction.

Also, air purifiers with activated carbon filters are especially beneficial to people with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) as they absorb formaldehyde, which is found in carpet, wood panelling, and furniture upholstery. Perfumes and chemicals in household cleaning items are also removed, making the environment much more breathable and pure, primarily for people with asthma, babies, children, and the elderly.

• UV Air Purifier

UV air purifiers are built to use ultraviolet light (UV-C light) to inactivate airborne pathogens and microorganisms like mould, bacteria and viruses. The technology is also referred to as UV germicidal irradiation or UVGI air purifiers.

Although UV technology is effective at killing viruses and bacteria, it is best used with a filter system along with lamps.

Also Read – Best Desktop air Purifier for office

• Negative Ion Air Purifier

Negative Ion air purifiers use high voltage to give an electrical charge to either the particles that move through the ionizer or to molecules in the air. These charged molecules are called ions, and the ions then stick to particles. The result is particles with an electrical charge. The process of using an electrical charge to generate ions creates ozone gas. Ozone gas is usually used to sterilize indoor areas.

• Ozone Air Purifier

An ozone air purifier can only remove certain pollutants in the air. Unfortunately, these are not recommended because they can possibly cause damage to your lungs.

That’s about all! Hopefully, this article has helped you learn more about air purifiers, their different types, and what they do.