| People are often very skeptical about investing in | | | | unit that uses an activated carbon filter can be |
| an air purifier. Thoughts like, "Is indoor air really | | | | used. Air cleaners without such special features do |
| unhealthy?" are but natural. When in doubt it is | | | | not remove gaseous pollutants and neither do |
| best to turn to the experts. The U.S. | | | | they reduce their harmful effects. Electronic air |
| Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] suggests | | | | purifiers reduce cigarette smoke, but they do not |
| that indoor air is one of the worst environmental | | | | eliminate the odor. To get rid of dust and pollen, a |
| health problems today. As per them, close to | | | | mechanical filtration system that traps large |
| 50% of all illnesses are either caused or | | | | particles, like the HEPA filter, can be installed. |
| aggravated by indoor air. | | | | These filters are effective only against airborne |
| Why is indoor air proving to be such a hazard? | | | | particles, so allergens that settle on surfaces |
| The answer lies in the ventilation of your | | | | remain neglected. |
| apartment. In order to conserve energy or to | | | | What things should one consider while choosing |
| protect one self against exorbitant electricity bills, | | | | one unit over another? With the overwhelming |
| most indoor spaces are tightly insulated and have | | | | variety of units available, the best advice would |
| poor ventilation. This means that a large volume | | | | be to pick a unit of a hybrid variety. This will help |
| of air present in the room is stale and burgeoning | | | | to target several pollutants at the same time. You |
| with aerial bacteria that multiply over time. | | | | must match the purifier to the size of the room. |
| This is when the next question pops up, "how to | | | | The Clean Air Delivery Rate ((CADR) shows how |
| protect oneself against this?" The solution is the | | | | many cubic feet of air the unit can clean per |
| use of air purifiers which will ensure that a variety | | | | minute. The replacement parts should not be very |
| of pollutants like smoke, dust, pollen, animal | | | | expensive and the noise level of the unit must |
| dander and odors are removed. Fixtures like filters | | | | also be taken into account. |
| and ozone emitters in the air purifiers are meant | | | | One must remember that no gadget is foolproof |
| for this purpose. | | | | and each one has its own limitations and |
| Are they effective? Yes and no. That is, air | | | | drawbacks. It can never be cent percent |
| purifiers are material specific, which makes them | | | | effective. In this light, it's equally important to |
| effective against some allergens and ineffective | | | | control the source of pollution too. |
| towards others. In order to get rid of odors, a | | | | |