Air Purifiers: Help or Hazard?

Recent studies found out that indoor air is more polluted to outdoor air. Because of this, a lot of household uses air purifiers to help maintain the cleanliness of the air they breathe.

Although air purifiers don't absorb gases like cigarette odors, this device will remove contaminants and minute airborne particles that of soot, pollens, dust and smoke. Air purifiers uses different styles of air purification, but all promises the same thing: a cleaner air quality. One kind uses filter traps wherein air particles are broken down by size exclusion. Ionizer purifiers use charged electrical surfaces (usually needles) and produces electrically charged ions that attract airborne particles. Another one, called Activated Carbon, generates a process of changing contaminants from their gaseous phase to the solid phase, thus making it hard to remove particles of larger sizes. Ozone generators produce ozone that oxidizes harmful chemicals around. The latest in air purifying technology is the Photocatalytic Oxidation (PCO) that uses a short-wave ultraviolet light (UVC) that is able to completely oxidize and degrade organic contaminants and kill 99.9% of bacteria and viruses.

Ever since the product came out of the market, it has received a lot of positive reviews mainly because of its health benefits. Air purifiers are commonly marketed for giving relief for asthmatics. It targets asthma triggering irritant substances like dust and pollen by reducing the airborne contaminants present in the air. The product is also helpful for allergy sufferers like those with skin allergies (airborne) and allergic rhinitis. Allergens, the primary cause of allergies, like dust, are filtered to ensure the quality of air breathed.
If the house is allergen free, there is a big chance of reducing the irritation and effect of respiratory difficulties. Air cleaners play a role in helping to control or reduce the amount of allergens, indoor or outdoor. Second hand smoke, the smoke exhaled by the smoker and inhaled by the people around, is one of the most common factors of a polluted indoor air. By using air filter, smoke is removed from the air using the techniques of HEPA filter.

On the other hand, reports have surfaced about the supposed disadvantages of using air filters. Complaints like headaches, nose bleeding, coughing, pain chests, eye irritation and breathing difficulty are reported, among with its questioned effectiveness in removing particles. The iconic air purifiers, for instance, produces ozone, a major component of smog, which is an allergen. People with asthma, and even healthy people, may develop respiratory diseases according to one study.

It should be remembered that the any respiratory illnesses should not only be relied upon air purification systems, sue to the fact that these products are merely helping devices for prevention. Medical advices should still be asked especially on serious cases. There should be preventive measures to be done like trying to smoke inside the house, groom pets' furs and getting rid of possible allergen carrying stuff like dust books. Consumers should make sure in finding the right, appropriate and legal products to ensure a healthier and better living.