According to the World Health Organization, air pollution kills seven million people worldwide every year. That’s the reason, people are more concerned about their health than ever before. People believe that air is more polluted outdoor and less polluted indoor. However, the report from NCBI shows that indoor air pollution is 10 times worse than outdoor air pollution. This is when air purifiers are important. But the obvious question to you would be, Do Air Purifiers Really Work?
Let us start discussing what is an air purifier and how it works.
What is an Air Purifier?
An air purifier is a device that removes impurities from the air and improves indoor air quality. If you live in a large city, your home atmosphere can be polluted with toxins from several cleaning agents. In our house, the air may contain toxic chemicals such as ammonia, chlorine, and phthalates. In the short run, these toxic chemicals may not be harmful to our bodies. But in the long run, living in such an indoor environment can lead to serious health issues like a tumor, cancer, cardiovascular, or neurological disorders.
Air purifiers eliminate outside fumes and pollutants from the urban environment and deliver pure air. Primarily, it removes air pollutants, improves air quality, and purify the air. By removing harmful air pollutants, the device helps to prevent asthma or allergy problems related to air quality. Also, they eliminate radon gas which can cause lung cancer. Another great advantage of an air purifier is, it reduces carbon dioxide levels in your home.
Do Air Purifiers Really Work?
Though having multiple advantages, many customers do not prefer to own an air purifier believing that the air purifier does not work. Let us now discuss how does air purifier works.
How does Air Purifier Work?
The prime task of an air purifier is to sanitize air that may include pollutants, allergens, and toxins. It works differently than filters. The Filters only remove particles and on the other hand, purifiers can remove and sanitize particles too.
Of course, there are many types of particles that are removed by the air purifiers which totally depends on the type of purifier you choose. The pre-filter, HEPA filter, activated carbon filter, and photocatalytic air filter help to purify the air. Also, there is another option, a negative ion emitting air purifier, that attracts positive ion particles in the air so that they are neutralized.
Also read: What is HEPA Filter? Types of HEPA Filter
Are Water Purifiers Efficient?
Yes. Air purifiers are efficient. However, air purifiers do not remove or neutralize all aggravating particles in your home. It happens because there are many particles that sit on soft surfaces like carpeting, furniture, and bedding and hard surfaces like walls too.
The majority of the time, air purifiers may remove the following particles.
Allergens
These types of particles can create an adverse immune response. The response can be in the form of allergies or asthma. The most common airborne allergens are pollen, pet dander, and dust mites. The purifiers work efficiently with the help of high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter to trap airborne allergens.
Mould
For people with asthma and other lung-related problems, molds, which are indoor particles, become more dangerous. To some degree, air purifiers may work. However, filtration is even more effective to remove mold from the air. If you have an air purifier with a HEPA filter, you do not need to worry as it reduces humidity levels in your home.
Smoke
As the air purifiers include filters, they may also remove smoke in the air, including smoke from landscape fires and tobacco smoke.
Indoor Toxins
You may think that your home is the only source of airborne allergens and mold. However, airborne allergens are also found in cleaning products, personal care products, and more. These particles live in the air and they become harmful to our body. Air purifiers reduce such particles.
When the Air Purifiers Don’t Work
Air purifiers clean up your indoor air space. They work more efficiently when they are combined with a filter.
While buying the best air purifier, size also matters. A large air purifier is the best if you wish to get cleaner air for your entire home. If you do not own a large-sized air purifier, you may need to buy multiple smaller ones for each room. Air purifiers don’t remove the surface particles in your home. They just remove particles from the air.
By doing the following activities, you can prevent entering particles from your home.
- You should replace carpeting with vinyl or hardwood flooring.
- It is advisable to wash beddings in hot water once a week.
- Avoid smoking inside your house.
- It is better to change HVAC air filters every 30 to 90 days.
- Prefer using nontoxic cleaning products.
- Do consider ventilating your home by opening a window and running fans.
Conclusion
Air purifiers work and they purify the air and generate quality air. Air pollution can damage our health significantly. Therefore, if you live in a metro city or polluted area, an air purifier keeps your family healthy by offering clean air in your house.
Now, you know how immensely the air purifiers are helpful. Have you decided to buy an air purifier for your home or office? Do not forget to check the top 10 best purifiers based on your needs and budget.
Stay safe, stay healthy!
Also read: Best Air Cooler In India, Best Vacuum Cleaner In India