| Treat the problem - not the symptoms | | | | normally provide information that will help you to |
| Using an air purifier around your home can | | | | determine the size of the unit you need based on |
| dramatically reduce your allergy symptoms. I | | | | the size of the room that trying to treat, so |
| always look forward to fall but it's a mixed | | | | make sure you buy a unit that is large enough for |
| blessing because like many Americans who suffer | | | | the job. |
| from allergies I don't look forward to the | | | | If you want to get the most bang for your buck |
| sneezing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. Most | | | | then remember to keep these tips in mind. |
| people take all types of drugs and search for | | | | Portable Units - Things to look for: |
| other remedies trying to deal with the season | | | | Size and weight: Portable filters are available that |
| that it hits them with a vengeance every year. If | | | | weight as little as three pounds, and can be |
| you had allergies last year, there's a pretty good | | | | carried in a suitcase for an overnight trip. |
| chance you will this year as well. You really need | | | | Effectiveness: How effective is the unit in cleaning |
| to try and fix the problem - pollutants - not the | | | | the air. You can find units that advertise removing |
| symptom - sneezing and wheezing. | | | | from 90 to 99.9 percent of all micro organisms |
| HEPA - your best choice | | | | and pollutants. |
| If you know specifically what pollutant you are | | | | Types of pollutants removed: Some technologies |
| reacting to - ragweed for example- it' s easier to | | | | are more effective in removing specific pollutants- |
| fix the problem But even if you don't, you just | | | | make sure you know which type of pollutant you |
| know that you have a difficult time breathing | | | | are going after. What are you concerned with - is |
| during certain parts of the year, use of an air | | | | it smoke, micro organisms, or even bacteria and |
| cleaner can help. Most allergy doctors recommend | | | | mold spores? |
| HEPA allergy air purifiers. | | | | How quiet is it - some units make no noise at all, |
| How to choose an air cleaner | | | | others with large fans can be pretty noisy. |
| If you are like me and just dread certain times of | | | | Maintenance required - some units require that |
| the year because of all the air pollutants flying | | | | you change filters frequently to keep the unit at |
| around you may be considering buying an air filter | | | | maximum operating efficiency |
| system for your home or office, or even for | | | | Air cleaners to avoid |
| your car. The good news is that there are | | | | Ozone generators - Air purifiers are designed to |
| devices on the market that will remove most of | | | | produce ozone have been advised against by the |
| the particles in the air and considerably reduce | | | | EPA and the American Lung Association. People |
| your aggravation. Unfortunately, they don't make | | | | with respiratory diseases such as asthma or |
| one yet, or at least I haven't been able to find it, | | | | emphysema should absolutely avoid using these |
| that will completely eliminate all the pollutants. | | | | devises. It is also strongly recommend that these |
| You will have several options when you begin to | | | | units not be used if there are elderly people or |
| look from portable air cleaners and you can | | | | children in the home. Not only do these units fail |
| expect to spend between $100-$300 and more | | | | to provide any type of health benefit they don't |
| for portable units. All air units unit are rated by | | | | do an effective job of removing odors or |
| their ability to remove contaminants from the air | | | | pollutants. Ozone can react with the organic |
| - it's usually measured by what is called clean air | | | | material that makes up your body and cause |
| delivery rate, or CADR. The higher the CADR | | | | potentially harmful consequences. Small amounts |
| rating a unit has the more efficient the unit will be | | | | can cause shortness of breath and chest pain as |
| at removing pollutants. You will usually find a | | | | well as may result in worsening respiratory |
| separate rating for individual types of pollutants | | | | diseases such as asthma. Bottom line - best to |
| such as dust or pollen. The manufacture will | | | | avoid. |