Air purifiers filter house dust, fine dust, mold spores, bacteria and the like out of indoor air, but their use is not always sensible. Read here for whom and when the device is worthwhile.
At a Glance
- Air purifiers filter pollen, mold spores, fine dust and house dust, odors, and bacteria and viruses from the air.
- For allergy sufferers, asthmatics and people living in areas with high levels of fine dust, an air purifier is useful for their health.
- High-quality air purifiers have HEPA filters of classes H13 or H14 installed. Their mode of operation is similar to that of sieves. Because of the replaceable filters, HEPA systems clean thoroughly and so air purifiers are useful for allergies. HEPA filters also remove particles such as dust from the air, but less efficiently.
- Air purifiers are often equated with air scrubbers and ionizers. However, the way they work differs greatly.
- Air scrubbers wash and humidify the air with water, thereby reducing indoor air pollution. Some combination devices combine the function of air scrubbers and air purifiers.
- There are combinations of air purifiers and dehumidifiers, humidifiers and oil diffusers.
- Ionizers are chemical purifiers in which ions bind the pollutants. Their use has disadvantages, however, as allergy sufferers in particular can be sensitive to the by-product ozone. Ionizers are also less useful in smokers' households.
FAQ
Let's answer the most frequently asked questions about air purifiers with a help of the moaablogs.org website owner. This resource has lists of the best air purifiers for home use, commercial and industrial areas, for both small and large spaces. These air cleaners remove airborne pollutants such as dust, pollen, cigarette smoke, chemicals, toxins, VOCs, viruses, bacteria, mold, germs, and many other irritants.
For which pollutants and particles are air purifiers useful?
Across all age groups, asthma and allergies have been on the rise for years. Medical experts identify air pollution as the most common cause. Air purifiers do not cure the diseases, but they do reduce the pollution and thus the symptoms. But pollutants also enter your home from outside. In addition, there are chemicals such as formaldehyde, toluenes and benzenes. Therefore, there are many reasons to get an air purifier. For the following pollutants, an air purifier may make sense to purchase.
Are air purifiers useful against pollen?
Those who suffer from a pollen allergy have to deal with continuous rhinitis, itching, burning eyes and more problems, especially in spring and summer. Pollen levels are often higher indoors than outdoors. Air filters with highly efficient HEPA filters remove even the smallest particles from the air and significantly reduce the allergen density, so they are definitely a sensible purchase. Pay attention to the appropriate room size. However, the air filters do not eliminate pollen completely - only those that are suspended in the air, not those that lie on the bed, for example. Allergy sufferers with severe symptoms should therefore not only rely on an air purifier, but also rely on other living tips for allergy sufferers.
Are air purifiers useful for mold?
In the case of mold infestation in the home, fungal spores burden the respiratory tract and the immune system. Here, too, the use of air purifiers proves to be useful. The best air purifiers filter out over 99 percent of mold spores from the air. However, they do not eliminate the cause of mold. Therefore, you should still be sure to remove mold.
Are air purifiers useful against house dust?
House dust consists of organic parts like skin flakes and inorganic parts like textile fibers. House dust mites are tiny animals that feed on the organic parts. Approximately 10 percent of Germans suffer from house dust allergy. Their immune system overreacts to certain proteins in the mite excrement. The consequences are headaches, irritating cough and, in the worst case, asthma.
Air purifiers remove dust indoors and reduce its transport via air vortices. However, they are powerless against dust on objects. Allergy and asthma sufferers should therefore damp mop floors and clean textiles more often. However, air cleaners can still be a useful addition. For example, when you re-make your bed, the dust that is stirred up puts the device into high gear.
Are air purifiers useful against fine dust?
Fine dust is generated during combustion processes. The main generators are considered to be motor vehicles, industrial plants, power plants and heating systems. Depending on their diameter, fine aerosols are divided into PM10 (maximum diameter of 10 micron), PM2.5 (maximum diameter of 2.5 micron) and ultrafine particles (less than 0.1 micron). In comparison, most bacteria reach a size of 0.5 to 6 micron.
Fine particulate matter accumulates in the bronchial tubes and lungs, causing respiratory and cardiovascular disease. Studies from the past years show that especially in closed rooms the concentration is higher than in the outside air.
Efficient air purifiers with filter systems reduce fine dust pollution indoors by up to 50 percent. However, they by no means eliminate all particles. They are also powerless against gaseous compounds such as nitrogen oxides. However, if you live on a main road or near an industrial area, an air purifier still makes sense.
Do air purifiers really kill viruses and bacteria?
While the diameter of the most common bacteria is between 0.5 and 7 microns, viruses are on average a hundred times smaller. Therefore, even the most efficient air purifiers with a filtration system are not a magic bullet against pathogens. They may be able to reduce the concentration of viruses in the air somewhat, but they cannot kill all pathogens. The effect of air purifiers is also limited when it comes to bacteria. Some bacteria get caught in the filters, but just as many slip through.
Do air purifiers help against the spread of Covid-19?
According to the FDA, anyone who wants to curb the spread of corona viruses indoors must use air purifiers with a pre-filter and HEPA filter that is at least class H13. This class must be guaranteed across all performance levels. In addition, a threefold air flow per hour is necessary. For this, pay attention to the room size and the manufacturer's specification in cubic feet per hour (CFM). And the best results are to be expected when an air purifier can deliver 4 air changes per hour or more.
Air purifier vs. air scrubber vs. ionizer: What is better? What can do harm?
Not all air purifiers are the same. Devices on the market differ in how they work and, accordingly, their ability to remove pollutants and tiny, harmful particles like pollen. Some models carry disadvantages. As an alternative to an air purifier, you can use an air scrubber or ionizer. However, their mode of action is different, and with the latter you need to be careful.
Air purifier with HEPA filter: the most effective way of air purification
The abbreviation HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter. The filters consist of close-meshed mats of glass fibers or cellulose layered on top of each other. Unlike a screen, where the mesh size remains the same, the meshes of the different layers vary in size.
In air purifiers with HEPA filters, a fan circulates the air in the room, which is drawn in by a nozzle. Small particles moving with the air flow stick to the fibers due to the diffusion effect or the barrier effect. Particles with a larger mass, in turn, exhibit greater inertia. Therefore, sooner or later they collide with the meshes. HEPA filters are divided into classes from 1 to 17 depending on their efficiency. Class H13 filters remove more than 99.95 percent of particles larger than 0.1 microns from the air.
HEPA air purifiers are useful in any home with elevated pollutant levels. HEPA filters mechanically remove pollutants as well as harmful particles such as pollen, mold and dust, and do not use harmful chemicals. This means that there are no side effects. Many air purifiers with HEPA filters also have activated carbon filters installed, which additionally remove unpleasant odors and gases. You need to replace both types of filters every six months at the latest. Often, the filters can also be cleaned.
Air scrubbers: useful for cleaning and humidification
Air scrubbers also clean the air mechanically. However, unlike air purifiers, they do not require an air filter. Inside them rotate discs, on the surface of which there is water. A fan sucks in the air that flows over the discs. The dirt particles remain in the water.
The advantage of air scrubbers is the simultaneous increase in humidity. They are especially useful in winter in heated rooms to maintain a healthy humidity level. On the other hand, they are not as effective as air purifiers with HEPA filters when it comes to the smallest particles. So, they are more suitable for cases where air purification is not a priority. However, there are also air scrubbers with HEPA filters.
Ionizers: Less useful for allergy sufferers and smokers
An ionizer is a chemical air purifier. The device creates negatively charged ions that attract the positively charged pollutants in the air. Heavy molecules are formed that sink to the ground or adhere to a metal plate in the device. Ionizers do not have filters. Compared to air purifiers and air scrubbers, they are more compact and often cheaper.
Their major disadvantage is the formation of ozone due to the ionization of oxygen in the air. Ozone breaks down odor molecules and kills bacteria. However, at too high a concentration, it irritates mucous membranes and causes headaches. High-quality ionizers produce little ozone, but asthmatics and allergy sufferers should still choose other devices for air purification. Ionizers are not recommended for the removal of pet hair. Ionizers are also unsuitable for smokers who want to get rid of cigarette smoke. This is because ozone combines with the decomposition products of tobacco and forms aerosols that are harmful to your health.
