| What are the common household air pollutants? | | | | chemicals, gases and odors. The carbon is |
| Before you decide which air purifier to buy, you | | | | activated and treated with oxygen, the pores in |
| have to recognize the different kinds of indoor | | | | the carbon will then open up and they absorb the |
| pollutants so that you can effectively eliminate all | | | | gases and odors from the air. Similar to the HEPA |
| of them. One of the pollutants is classified under | | | | air purifier, the larger the filter surface, the better |
| the airborne particles. They include pet dander, | | | | results produced. Electrostatic filters work by |
| dust mite allergen, pollen, cigarette smoke or | | | | attracting pollutants and trapping them on the |
| mold. All of these are commonly found in most | | | | collector plates. These plates must be cleaned |
| households and they are the main causes of | | | | regularly so as to maintain its effectiveness. One |
| allergy, asthma attacks or other breathing | | | | disadvantage of such filters is that they emit |
| problems. There are also various household odors | | | | ozone which is harmful for people with asthma or |
| and gases such as pesticides and cooking odors | | | | allergies. Charged media filters work the same |
| that contribute to the indoor air pollution. Volatiles | | | | way as an electrostatic filter. The difference is |
| Organic Compounds (VOCs) are another group of | | | | that charged media filters collect the particles on |
| contaminants found in household very often. | | | | fiber filters instead of plates. When compared with |
| Cleaning supplies, disinfectants, paints, glues and | | | | a HEPA air purifier, these filters have to be |
| adhesives are all part of the VOCs. They are able | | | | replaced more frequently as they lose their |
| to cause irritation, headache, nausea or even | | | | efficiency quite fast. |
| more severe health conditions such as asthma | | | | Where and how should you use your air purifier? |
| attack. Viruses and bacteria are micro-organisms | | | | If you are of those who suffer from allergies or |
| that will make a person fall ill. All of the above | | | | asthma, the recommended place to put the |
| pollutants should be eliminated from the air and | | | | purifier is your bedroom because when you are |
| surroundings using air purifiers. | | | | at home, the place where you spend most of |
| What are the different types of air purifier filters? | | | | your time will be the bedroom. If you keep pets |
| Different kind of purifiers comes with different air | | | | at home, you may consider leaving the purifier at |
| filters. HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Arresting) | | | | the area where your pets hang out often. Avoid |
| purifiers use HEPA filters and they are well-liked | | | | placing the purifier at an isolated corner of your |
| by many. They can remove an extremely large | | | | home. This defeats the purpose of the air cleaner. |
| amount of very small particles such as pollen, | | | | The air cleaner should be somewhere with more |
| animal dander, mold or dust. Activated carbon | | | | air flow and it should be switched on at all times |
| filters are usually used together with the other | | | | for best results. |
| filters in a unit. They are good for absorbing | | | | |