| A very effective way to manage allergy | | | | While they are no miracle cure, these devices do |
| symptoms is to reduce the amount of allergens | | | | work as advertised. They do reduce the amount |
| present. For those who suffer from allergies | | | | of dust, smoke and other small particles in the air, |
| caused by airborne allergens, a home or car air | | | | sometimes substantially. One key to their |
| purifier can help do just that. | | | | effectiveness is getting one the appropriate size |
| There are many different types of air purifiers on | | | | for your room. A 10 x 15 foot room is on the |
| the market, some more effective than others. | | | | outer edge of size for a moderate or small |
| Many home air purifiers produce ozone. Ozone is | | | | purifier. Any room larger will require a full-sized air |
| just an oxygen molecule (two oxygen atoms | | | | home purifier. |
| bonded together) with an extra oxygen atom | | | | One important addition to many quality home air |
| alongside. Since the oxygen molecule is fairly | | | | purifiers is a HEPA filter. High Energy Particulate |
| stable, the third atom tends to get knocked off | | | | Air filters do more than attach particles to plates |
| easily. When that happens it becomes what is | | | | electrically where careless handling can actually put |
| called a free radical, and it is electrically charged. | | | | the particles back into the air. HEPA filters are |
| Those charged oxygen atoms can harm the lungs. | | | | specially designed to actually trap particles |
| They carry energy and, because it is oxygen, | | | | permanently. |
| readily participate in lots of biochemical reactions. | | | | Some are washable, others are not. Some are |
| Those reactions aren't always beneficial. In | | | | designed to last the lifetime of the device (usually |
| extreme cases, they can increase the odds of | | | | 3-10 years), others will have to be replaced after |
| lung and skin cancer. For some, asthma | | | | 1-2 years or so. Prices vary considerably and the |
| symptoms can be worsened by exposure to | | | | higher-priced models don't necessarily have |
| large amounts of ozone. | | | | lifetime HEPA filters. |
| But the amounts produced by the average home | | | | Noise is another important factor in judging a |
| air purifier are much lower than these dangerous | | | | home air purifier. Some crackle and pop as a |
| levels. At most, some truly sensitive people can | | | | result of the electrical activity. Others have fans |
| smell a hint of ozone in the air. The purpose of | | | | that can be heard easily above the computer in |
| the ozone is to combine with potentially harmful | | | | the home office. Good ones are so quiet you'll |
| particulates in the air and then move them to the | | | | barely notice them. |
| walls or back to the air purifier. | | | | A good filter in a home air condition/heating unit is |
| Many good home air purifiers do their good work | | | | a must to keep dust and other particles reduced. |
| by creating a low intensity electric charge on | | | | But a home air purifier unit allows for a higher |
| metal plates. The purifier then uses a fan to | | | | level of air cleaning, concentrated in an area like |
| move air around and the dust, animal dander and | | | | the bedroom or home office. If you spend large |
| other particulates in the air get attracted to the | | | | amounts of time there - and who doesn't? - they |
| plates. The plates are then cleaned off, usually | | | | can help reduce certain allergens. |
| about once per week. | | | | |