| We hear so much today about how bad our | | | | particles to stick to each other. Eventually, they |
| indoor air is to breathe. Everyone is trying to sell | | | | become so big and heavy they fall to the floor. |
| us an air purifier. There are several different kinds | | | | They will also stick to walls, ceilings, or furniture. |
| of air purifiers out there. Each one claims to be | | | | These purifiers work well for particles but they do |
| the best. The all accuse the others of being | | | | not work well for chemicals and odors. They are |
| worthless. With all of this going on, who can you | | | | good for someone who is looking for allergy and |
| believe? | | | | asthma relief. |
| I decided to put together this guide to help you | | | | Electrostatic Precipitators |
| decide what kind of air purifier to buy. The secret | | | | Electrostatic precipitators work in much the same |
| that no one wants you to find out, is most air | | | | way as ionic air purifiers. Air passes over ionizing |
| purifiers work. They will remove what they are | | | | wires that charge the particles in the air. With |
| designed to remove. You have to ask yourself | | | | these filters, however, the charged particles then |
| "What do I want my air purifier to do?" Ask | | | | go over metal collector plates. These collector |
| yourself these questions to help you get started. | | | | plates attract the particles in the air and |
| - Do I have allergies, asthma, or other health | | | | permanently remove them. |
| problem? | | | | These filters do a good job of removing particles |
| - Do I need to get rid of mold, chemicals, or | | | | and smoke from the air. They are good for |
| odors? | | | | people with allergies and asthma. These filters |
| - Do I need to get rid of allergy causing particles? | | | | don't do a good job of removing chemicals and |
| - Do I just want to breathe cleaner air? | | | | odors, so if you need this, get a different filter. |
| These questions will help you decide what you | | | | UV Light |
| want your air purifier to do. Go ahead and answer | | | | A relative newcomer to air purifiers, UV light has |
| these questions. Write them down, I'll wait. | | | | been used for years in hospitals, doctor's offices, |
| You're back. Good. Now that you know what you | | | | and dentist offices to sterilize instruments. UV |
| want your air purifier to do, it is time to match | | | | light's main purpose is to kill biological organisms. It |
| your needs to the proper technology. I am listing | | | | can kill germs, bacteria, and viruses. The |
| the major kinds of air purifiers (in no particular | | | | organisms must pass through the light in order for |
| order) followed by a brief description. | | | | it to work, so these need to have a fan to move |
| HEPA Filters | | | | air through the machine. |
| HEPA filters are a type of media filter. It is made | | | | They do a great job of preventing disease and |
| by randomly arranging fibers (usually fiberglass) | | | | the spread of germs. They do a horrible job of |
| into a mat. The mat is then folded and pleated to | | | | removing particles, chemicals, and odors. UV light |
| the desired size. In many air purifiers, air will go | | | | is often used together with one or more of the |
| through several different layers of the mat. | | | | other technologies. Someone worried about |
| These types of filters are excellent for removing | | | | getting sick and wanting to kill the germs and |
| particles from the air. The particles removed are | | | | bacteria in the air will like this. |
| common allergens like pollen, dander, and dust. | | | | Ozone Generators |
| These filters can remove 99.97% of particles as | | | | Like the name says, ozone generators produce |
| small as 0.3 microns. A micron is one millionth of a | | | | ozone. This is a very controversial type of air |
| meter. For comparison, a hair on your head is | | | | purifier. On one hand, ozone does a good job of |
| about 80 microns. In order for these filters to | | | | removing odors. On the other hand, ozone can |
| work air must be forced through the filter so a | | | | damage your lungs if you breathe high |
| strong fan is a must. This kind of filter will work | | | | concentrations of it. The problem is that removing |
| great for allergy and asthma sufferers. | | | | odors from the air requires a high concentration |
| Activated Carbon | | | | of ozone. |
| Activated carbon in nothing more than specially | | | | These will remove odors, but not much else. |
| treated charcoal. After charcoal is created it is | | | | They do an awful job of removing particles, |
| treated with chemicals or steam under high | | | | chemicals, and biological organisms. The only |
| temperatures to activate it. This forms millions of | | | | people who will benefit from these are people |
| tiny holes and greatly increases the surface area. | | | | needing heavy duty odor removal. They are |
| This is what we want because the carbon is | | | | commonly used by bars, restaurants, and hotels |
| highly chemically reactive. A chemical reaction | | | | to remove smoke and food smells. |
| occurs between chemicals in the air and the | | | | This is important. If you decide to use one of |
| carbon permanently bonding the chemicals to the | | | | these, make sure to follow these two |
| carbon. | | | | recommendations. First, only use it in an |
| These filters are great at removing odors and | | | | unoccupied room. Second, air the room out |
| chemicals from the air. They are a good choice | | | | before using it. |
| for someone who needs smells removed from | | | | These are the six main types of air filters |
| their house. A person with Multiple Chemical | | | | available in room air purifiers. Many air purifiers |
| Sensitivities will also need an activated carbon filter | | | | combine one or more of these filters together. I |
| to remove all the chemicals in the air. | | | | think that for most of you reading this, a good |
| Ionic Filters or Negative Ion Generators | | | | quality combination HEPA and activated carbon air |
| Ionic air filters use electricity to charge air | | | | cleaner will work best. |
| molecules. The charged molecules are called ions, | | | | Whichever kind of air purifier you decide to buy, |
| hence the name "ionic." The ions are released into | | | | read as many reviews as possible. Try to find |
| the surrounding air. They travel around and collide | | | | unbiased, high quality ones. This will help you to |
| with other particles. The charge causes the | | | | decide on the best air purifier for you. |