Is An Indoor Air Purifier Really Necessary?

Indoor air purifier equipment can make an enormous difference to the quality of the air in any domestic or commercial building, giving those with a dust allergy immediate relief and removing a highly significant risk factor from everyone. There has been plenty of discussion about the polluted state of the air in the outdoor environment, largely to the exclusion of any meaningful debate about the quality of indoor air. In reality, the problems inside are far worse than outdoors, because there are likely to be no natural cleansers of indoor air.

There are a very few people who may not need internal air purification. These are the people who live in mild climates where the windows are usually open, and who have plenty of plant life to absorb impurities. These people will not need to invest in purification equipment unless there are special reasons why they should, for example a smoker in the family. Most people will be in a situation where they would benefit greatly from air purification, even if there are no obvious risk factors present. Modern furnishing and building materials give off gases and there is always dust in the atmosphere.

The hardest task is to know exactly which type of purifier is going to get the best result for you in your specific environment. Some manufacturers use highly descriptive names to demonstrate exactly which situation the purifier is suitable for, such as rooms where smoking takes place or rooms which are occupied by allergy sufferers. In the absence of any specific directions, there is always the government approved HEPA classification, which guarantees the unit as being effective against over 99% or particles larger than .3 microns. This will mean the unit will be effective against the mites which aggravate allergies, even if it does not completely eliminate all pollution.

Air Pollution

There are also specific types of indoor air purifier which have other capabilities, such as the ability to ionize the air or add moisture. Ionic purifiers are a controversial topic, as there is still no definitive scientific study to demonstrate whether or not they are safe. They are often sold as being safe, but the government has made it clear that no-one knows for sure. The ozone gas which is created is dangerous at high concentrations, so the possibility that consistent lower concentrations could be dangerous cannot be ruled out. Humidifiers are safe, and are recommended for exceptionally dry environments.

The budget you have available for an air purifier is also a vitally important consideration, and there are some misconceptions here. The cheapest model to buy will not always be the cheapest to run, or work out cheapest in the long run. In many cases, the cheapest model will be progressively more expensive as the filters will need to be changed more often. There are many models from the most reputable manufacturers in the industry which are cheap to buy and cheap to run without being of low quality, so these are the machines to look at if you are looking for a good all round buy.

Air Quality

The great need for this product has ensured that finding an indoor air purifier which can do the job is easier than ever before. There are several major manufacturers who are competing for your business in an ever growing market, and they have all produced a variety of machines for all needs. The Internet comes in useful here, as you can directly compare the specifications and prices of different machines, as well as reading independent reviews which can help you make up your mind. You can also compare the prices of the filters you will need for your indoor air purifier.

Written by .

 

 

 

Air Quality News:

 

Updated air quality law likely for Butte
An updated air quality ordinance is being proposed in Butte-Silver Bow to reflect the latest federal emissions standards...


Air quality improves; warning lifted
Thanks to the weather system that brought some snow to Helena Monday night and Tuesday morning, the Lewis and Clark City-County Health Department upgraded the air quality to good condition from poor, allowing individuals to resume use of non-EPA-certified wood-burning stoves...


Air pollution tied to stroke, memory loss: study
REUTERS - Living in a crowded city or near a busy highway where the air quality is poor might lead to a higher chance of stroke or memory loss, according to two U.S. studies. Both reports appeared in the Archives of Internal Medicine, with one finding a higher risk of stroke among Boston-area residents after days where the air quality was "moderate" as opposed to "good," especially when traffic ...

Helena air quality improves
Helenans went to bed last night to poor air quality, but by Tuesday morning it was back to normal...


Westland To Get Air-Quality Testing; Wednesday Classes Canceled
UPDATED: Classes are canceled for Westland High School tomorrow while officials investigate the strong odor at the building.      ..


L&C County issues air-quality warning; inversion blamed
An inversion hanging over the Helena Valley led the Lewis and Clark City-County Health Department to declare poor air quality Monday afternoon, meaning that non-EPA-approved stoves within the county's Air Quality Protection District are subject to penalty if burning continues...


Index of air quality in the world's major cities: February 13
Daily air quality index of some of the world's major cities on February 13, using data from AirNow, CITEAIR, and the American Embassy in Beijing...


Inversion causing poor air quality in Helena
An inversion hanging over the Helena Valley led the Lewis and Clark City-County Health Department to declare poor air quality Monday afternoon, meaning that non-EPA-approved stoves within the countys Air Quality Protection District are subject to penalty if burning continues...


 

share