| Many people don't know how an air purifier can | | | | HEPA air purifier may be another way to do so. |
| benefit them. Airborne pollutants are often invisible | | | | Another study commissioned by two US |
| and scentless, so it's not immediately apparent | | | | government agencies looked at asthma amongst |
| that there may be a problem with one's indoor air | | | | children in urban settings. Families were given |
| quality. That's precisely why air purifiers are so | | | | HEPA air purifiers and instructed in other ways to |
| important; they help protect against pollutants | | | | reduce household asthma triggers. After two |
| that can't be seen, but that may cause issues | | | | years, the results of the study showed that |
| later in life. | | | | these interventions significantly reduced the |
| Poor Indoor Air Quality | | | | number of asthma symptoms in asthmatic |
| The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) | | | | children. By using an air purifier and being vigilant |
| estimates that indoor air pollution is two to | | | | about a child's triggers, parents can help limit their |
| five-times worse than the pollution found outside. | | | | children's respiratory problems. |
| In fact, one of the three recommendations that | | | | Protect Against Viruses |
| the EPA gives for reducing indoor air pollution is to | | | | Global pandemics like the 2009 swine flu have |
| buy an air purifier. People are often surprised to | | | | made people more aware of the risks of viruses |
| learn that the inside of their homes is polluted; | | | | and the possible ways to prevent illness. In the |
| they may think that by keeping doors and | | | | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's |
| windows closed, they reduce the pollutants that | | | | report, "Interim Guidance for Infection Control for |
| can seep in. Instead, this may actually trap | | | | Care of Patients with Confirmed or Suspected |
| pollutants inside. People bring in pollutants when | | | | Swine Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infection in a |
| they come and go. When combined with the | | | | Healthcare Setting," the CDC recommends the |
| home's own sources of pollution, indoor air quality | | | | use of portable HEPA air filters to help limit the |
| can quickly become problematic, often leading to | | | | spread of the virus in medical settings. HEPA |
| health issues. Allergy sufferers and asthmatics feel | | | | filters remove 99.97% of airborne particles.3 |
| the effects most strongly. Their symptoms may | | | | microns and above, including viruses and bacteria. |
| often be triggered by irritants in the air - including | | | | While no studies have determined the |
| pollen, dust, mold, cigarette smoke, and so on - | | | | effectiveness of HEPA filters outside healthcare |
| which can be miserable to experience. There are | | | | settings, it's reasonable to believe they may also |
| also more subtle health effects that may be | | | | help in people's homes. |
| unknown to people who don't suffer from allergies | | | | Versatility |
| or asthma. | | | | Air purifiers are quite versatile. They can be used |
| Improved Indoor Air Quality May Improve Health | | | | in many locations - the home, office, and even in |
| A Danish study published in the American Journal | | | | the car. They can also remove many different |
| of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, "Indoor | | | | airborne pollutants, from allergens like pollen, |
| Particles Affect Vascular Function in the Aged," | | | | dander, and dust to airborne chemicals like volatile |
| found that high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) | | | | organic compounds (VOCs), gases, and cigarette |
| purifiers improved people's microvascular function | | | | smoke. Some air purifiers allow people to target |
| by 8.1% after just two days. The researchers | | | | specific pollutants - ammonia, VOCs, etc. - by |
| concluded that HEPA purifiers may be another | | | | including specific types of filters. Filters also last |
| way to reduce cardiovascular risk. Heart disease is | | | | for long periods, perhaps even 3 to 5 years, so |
| a leading cause of death in the United States and | | | | people don't have to worry with constantly |
| doctors often suggest weight loss and exercise to | | | | replacing them. |
| lower the risk of getting heart disease; using a | | | | |