| What do you think? How can you get the best air | | | | lung membranes into the blood stream and act as |
| purifier for yourself and your family? Should you | | | | toxins systemically. Particles in this size range are |
| trust your brother-in-law who knows everything? | | | | linked to increased heart disease, heart attack and |
| Should you buy the same one I chose, an Allerair | | | | stroke. If your health concerns are greater than |
| 5000 MCS? Or is it the one that best suits your | | | | simple allergies then your best air purifier is one |
| circumstances, your health needs and your | | | | with a demonstrated ability to remove ultra-fine |
| budget? | | | | particulates. While many air purifiers remove larger |
| Unfortunately, many consumers buy air purifiers | | | | allergenic particles they may be poor performers |
| based upon well intentioned but misguided advice | | | | at removing these smaller, more dangerous |
| because they don't understand what they really | | | | particles. |
| need. Do you have a clear idea of what you | | | | The idea that there is a single best air purifier for |
| need? Most people who buy air purifiers expect a | | | | everyone is a myth. Every air purifier is an |
| health benefit. But what level of performance is | | | | exercise in balancing competing demands. You |
| needed to deliver a real health benefit? | | | | must choose the best air purifier for your needs |
| Consider this, particles in the 2.5 to 10 micron | | | | based on the balance you wish to strike. |
| range are usually trapped in your nose and throat | | | | Certain air purifiers give you very high air flow but |
| causing sinus irritation and allergies. If what you | | | | may sacrifice gas and odor removal to accomplish |
| need is an air purifier for allergies then how | | | | it. Some tackle odors exceptionally well but the |
| effectively will your air purifier remove these | | | | dense activated carbon filter reduces the total air |
| particles? How many times will it cycle your room | | | | flow. Others balance both needs but at a greater |
| air each hour? A minimum of four air changes is | | | | cost and usually more noise because of a more |
| best. | | | | powerful fan. Some air purifiers perform |
| Particles smaller than 2.5 micron, especially smaller | | | | acceptably well and at a reasonable price but |
| than 0.1 micron, are lung penetrating particles. | | | | without extras you may want. |
| These are the most damaging of all and are a | | | | Once you have a clear health goal in mind you can |
| serious health threat for everyone but especially | | | | begin to rate air purifiers as to how well they |
| people with asthma, COPD, emphysema, MCS or | | | | meet your need and how much value they deliver |
| other breathing ailments. | | | | for your budget. Two resources I have found |
| The smallest of these particles can cross through | | | | very helpful are (achoo! |