History of Air Purifiers and Air Filters

Home air purifying systems are all the rage these days. While they may seem to be a modern-day trend, they've really been in use for hundreds of years in one way or another.

Ever since the Industrial Revolution in the 1700 and 1800's, scientists have acknowledged the need for cleaner air, and have been working to find ways to combat the pollutants we are voluntarily putting into our air and lungs.

In 1832, two brothers; John and Charles Dean - developed a mask for firefighters that would help them be able to more safely fight fires despite dangerous smoke fumes. And, in 1854, John Stenhouse introduced a mask that used carbon filters for divers and coal miners as a way to protect them against the polluted air they encountered on a daily basis.

Then in the 1930's and 1940's the US Atomic Energy Commission developed a new type of air filter that could absorb dangerous radioactive dust in the event of an atomic bombing. Although this first HEPA filter was not effective for protecting anyone from radiation, it was soon found to be highly effective in providing protection against mustard gas, chlorine gas, and flamethrowers during World War II. Today, this highly effective filter is used in millions of American homes and businesses to remove nearly 100% of the pollen, dust and other allergens from the air we breathe.

By the late 1960's people worldwide were beginning to feel the ill effects of smog and pollutants in our nation's cities, making more research into additional air purification systems necessary. Within 10 years, home air cleaners had ht the consumer market.

By the mid 1990's, reports began to surface that the indoor air pollution was growing worse, and in some cases could be as much as five times higher than outdoor air pollution, causing a frenzy among scared consumers looking for better and less expensive ways to clean the air in their homes.

Today, there are a myriad of air purification methods available. While most tout a high effectiveness rating, many scientists argue that many of these so-called cleaning methods have never been proven to scientifically absorb and purify anything.

While the renowned HEPA filter remains the best-selling and most highly effective air filter on the market, many advocates still claim that newer ionic air purification systems are both easier to use, and more effective than other models and brands on the market today. They are, however, without controversy, as many critics complain that they add more dangerous ozone to the atmosphere, which may negate any benefits they may offer.

As the quest for cleaner air continues, many consumers anxiously await the next wave of air purifying systems now under development.