Filtered air purifiers and other air cleaners like UV and Ionic air purifier models claim to rid the air of air-born allergens that can wreak havoc on your health, but do they really work and is an air purifier for you?
Not all air purifiers are made equal, and each person’s needs and wants are different. To find out if an air purifier is for you, there are some things you should know.
The Truth About Air Purifiers
The EPA, American Lung Association and independent groups that have done extensive research on many different brands of air purifiers all say the majority of people can do just fine without an air purifier. In fact, studies have shown that regular dusting, ventilating and vacuuming, as well as not smoking in the house can reduce more airborne allergens than air purifiers. Even washing and brushing your pets (including cats) can significantly reduce the amount of pet hair and dander that is released into your air, possibly eliminating the need for an air purifier.
One major cause of allergens is dust mites and their eggs and droppings. These are not airborne particles, though, so air purifiers will not pick them up. Although some HEPA filter type units work on viruses and other germs, most air purifiers do not remove them. For these reasons, regular cleaning like the methods listed above are much more effective than air purifiers. While people with severe asthma and allergies can benefit from air purifiers, they don’t benefit from the purifiers alone. In fact, most reviews from reputable sources say you must combine regular cleaning to make the purifiers as effective as possible.
There are alternatives to air purifiers that may work just as well or better. One alternative is a whole-house furnace filter, which costs about $15 and removes dust, dust mites, mold spores, pet dander, pollen, bacteria, viruses, smoke and other contaminants in the air. These filters simply replace a regular furnace filter if you have forced-air heating or cooling. Other alternatives include household plants, oscillating and ceiling fans and bamboo charcoal air purifiers.
Drawbacks to Air Purifiers
One alternative that is not recommended is scented candles, air freshener, scented carpet powder or other fragranced products that claim to do what activated carbon in a quality air purifier is supposed to do — deal with odors and make your air smell cleaner. They will make the air smell cleaner briefly, but the smell does not last and the chemicals you spray into your home can make allergies and other breathing and medical issues worse. And speaking of making matters worse, some air purifiers emit ozone, a lung irritant that can turn toxic, especially for children and the elderly and adults that have medical issues.
Another drawback to home air purifiers that some people may not be able to handle is their cost. Some air purifiers are cheaper than others, but many, especially the more effective ones, have the extra cost of replacement filters or parts and all must be maintained regularly in order for them to continue working properly.
Air purifiers, especially HEPA air purifiers, do work to one degree or another and top brands like Honeywell, IQAir, Blueair and Austin Air can be a big help if an allergy is your issue, but to make them truly effective you must do regular cleaning in your home. If you already keep a clean, well-dusted household, but are not sure if you can afford the cost of even the cheapest air purifier, there are alternatives and air purifiers may not be right for you.