| Home air purifying systems are all the rage these | | | | pollutants in our nation's cities, making more |
| days. While they may seem to be a modern-day | | | | research into additional air purification systems |
| trend, they've really been in use for hundreds of | | | | necessary. Within 10 years, home air cleaners had |
| years in one way or another. | | | | ht the consumer market. |
| Ever since the Industrial Revolution in the 1700 | | | | By the mid 1990's, reports began to surface that |
| and 1800's, scientists have acknowledged the | | | | the indoor air pollution was growing worse, and in |
| need for cleaner air, and have been working to | | | | some cases could be as much as five times |
| find ways to combat the pollutants we are | | | | higher than outdoor air pollution, causing a frenzy |
| voluntarily putting into our air - and lungs. | | | | among scared consumers looking for better and |
| In 1832, two brothers - John and Charles Dean - | | | | less expensive ways to clean the air in their |
| developed a mask for firefighters that would help | | | | homes. |
| them be able to more safely fight fires despite | | | | Today, there are a myriad of air purification |
| dangerous smoke fumes. And, in 1854, John | | | | methods available. While most tout a high |
| Stenhouse introduced a mask that used carbon | | | | effectiveness rating, many scientists argue that |
| filters for divers and coal miners as a way to | | | | many of these so-called cleaning methods have |
| protect them against the polluted air they | | | | never been proven to scientifically absorb and |
| encountered on a daily basis. | | | | purify anything. |
| Then in the 1930's and 1940's the US Atomic | | | | While the renowned HEPA filter remains the |
| Energy Commission developed a new type of air | | | | best-selling and most highly effective air filter on |
| filter that could absorb dangerous radioactive dust | | | | the market, many advocates still claim that newer |
| in the event of an atomic bombing. Although this | | | | ionic air purification systems are both easier to |
| first HEPA filter was not effective for protecting | | | | use, and more effective than other models and |
| anyone from radiation, it was soon found to be | | | | brands on the market today. They are, however, |
| highly effective in providing protection against | | | | without controversy, as many critics complain |
| mustard gas, chlorine gas, and flamethrowers | | | | that they add more dangerous ozone to the |
| during World War II. Today, this highly effective | | | | atmosphere, which may negate any benefits they |
| filter is used in millions of American homes and | | | | may offer. |
| businesses to remove nearly 100% of the pollen, | | | | As the quest for cleaner air continues, many |
| dust and other allergens from the air we breathe. | | | | consumers anxiously await the next wave of air |
| By the late 1960's people worldwide were | | | | purifying systems now under development. |
| beginning to feel the ill effects of smog and | | | | |