Tips for Buying an Air Purifier

indoor air lungs Mar 21, 2017

Updated: You may be interested to read Which air purifier I use for my family.

 

While researching tips for choosing a new water filter, I also started to gather information on selecting the best air purifiers. Just like water filters, I found this subject to be complicated and time consuming!  With so many options on the market for consumers, it can be difficult to choose the best fit.  For those searching for an air purifier to use in their home, below are a few questions that can help narrow your search more quickly.

Questions to Consider:

What Contaminants Need To Be Filtered?  Air purifiers do their work by circulating air through a filter, which may only address some pollutants, or may be capable of handling many at once.  So in order to choose the right filter, one should consider what contaminants need to be absorbed out of the indoor environment.  Does a member of your family have allergies, or are you more concerned with lowering VOC levels in your home?  The table below can help you narrow down what filters are best for your situation.

 

What is Filtered Out

Description

 

HEPA

Dust, pet & human dander, allergens.

HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters are the most recognized and reliable air filtration technology, capable of trapping particles down to 0.3 microns in size, 99.97% of the time.  They are highly recommended by allergists due to their effectiveness.

HEPA Filter

Carbon

VOCs from household items, odors from humans, pets, cooking, etc.

Carbon filters absorb and retain a wide variety of chemicals, and work well under a wide range of temperature and humidity levels.  They are not as effective as HEPA filters for removing particles larger than 0.3 microns.

carbon

Ozone Generators

Some indoor air pollutants.

Examples of ozone generators are “filterless” purifiers.  The EPA does not consider ozone generators effective in controlling indoor air pollutants, and note that they are not always safe – ozone is a lung irritant that can cause adverse health effects.

ozone-generator-uv-pro

 

How Big is the Space?  Air purifiers are equipped to filter a finite amount of space, so the size of the area needs to be considered.  Generally speaking, one filtration unit wouldn't be very effective in purifying the air in an entire home, so consider the space dimensions of the rooms you want to purify.  Since we all spend so much time in our living room and bedroom (about 1/3 of our lives is spent sleeping!) those are  two high impact areas to focus on for filtering.  If someone in the family has allergies, you may want to consider purifying the kitchens and bathrooms as well.

Will I Find the Noise to Be Disruptive?  A common complaint of air purifiers is that they can be noisy, and the more powerfully they purify, the louder they become.  Consider a unit with a slightly larger capacity than necessary, so it can run on a lower setting, or investigate one of the more state-of-the-art filters that specifically address noise issues.

What Do Experts Recommend? When speaking to experts, most recommended a HEPA with an added carbon filter to take care of an array of pollutants in the home.  As situations become more unique and the pollutants more specific, different filters should be investigated.  The technology for air purifiers is always improving. Current state-of-the-art models allow for noise control, interchangeable filters (based on what particulates need to be removed,) and auto-adjusting capabilities based on contaminant detection.

In addition to air purifiers, a helpful way to detox air is to  eliminate the source of a pollutant (for instance, a formaldehyde-emitting rug,) which is often more effective than trying to remove its aftereffects.  Including more plants in your indoor air can also improve air quality. You can read more from a prior post: Indoor air pollution ranked as one of the top 5 threats to public health. Plants are an effective solution!

Additional resources are below:

EPA's Guide to Air Cleaners in the Home

CDC Indoor Environmental Quality  

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Ruan Living simplifies a nontoxic lifestyle through its Practical Nontoxic Living podcast, free detox workshops, online D-Tox Academy, and transformative 40-Day Home Detox. It aims to help you avoid toxic chemicals, heavy metals, and electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from what you buy, own, and do— without compromising your joy and convenience. Ruan was founded by Sophia Ruan Gushée, author of the bestselling critically acclaimed book A to Z of D-Toxing: The Ultimate Guide to Reducing Your Toxic Exposures and several detox workbooks. A graduate of Brown University and Columbia Business School, Sophia has served on the Brown University School of Public Health Advisory Council and Well+Good Council. A popular nontoxic living speaker, consultant, and teacher, Sophia lives in New York City with her husband and three daughters. Her passion for empowering others to enjoy nontoxic living began with the birth of her first daughter in 2007. Everything she creates is a love letter to her children and for the healthiest, brightest future possible. You can learn more here: Sophia’s Impact.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only. This information is provided “as is” without warranty.

It is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice. We do not offer medical advice, course of treatment, diagnosis, or any other opinion on your conditions or treatment options. To the extent that this article features the advice of physicians or medical practitioners, the views expressed are the views of the cited expert and do not necessarily represent the views of Ruan Living.

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