| A Real Breathe of Fresh Air!
Human flesh is the most common form of dust in the air, and makes
up the bulk of what’s known as “indoor air pollution”. So far, over 350
different types of indoor air pollution have been identified. Some common ones
include pet dander, viruses, moulds, pollen, cleaning chemicals, and solvents
from furniture, construction, and clothes.
Experts say that when children are exposed to large quantities
of this dust at an early age there is a spike in the instances of asthma and
allergies.
In fact, indoor air quality has become a hot topic over the
past couple years with the discovery of “sick building syndrome”. This is a term
used to describe the effects that moulds, viruses, and gases have on people who
spend all their time in offices or otherwise indoors, and is responsible for all
kinds of maladies.
Ultimately, the only real cure for sick building syndrome is a
good dose of clean, fresh air. Barring that, there are many different air
filtration and air purification devices on the market these days, each meant to
eliminate the threat that indoor air pollution poses.
These are the best air purifiers available for your home or
business. Make no mistake about it. They are made by a company with years of
experience, that specializes in air purification. Unlike the infomercial company
heavily marketing an inferior product, or the vacuum cleaner company that
decided to 'get into the air purifier business'.
What types of particulate does an air purifier filter?
An air purifier filters dust, smoke, pollen, pet dander, mold
spores, and other airborne particulate as small as 0.3 microns.
How does an air purifier work?
Dirty air is drawn into the air purifier through the inlet
grill. Some of the units have a washable pre-filter that traps larger airborne
particles. Air then passes through the carbon filter with help reduce odors and
captures larger particles. The air then passes through the HEPA filter made of
tightly woven fibers. Some units have electronic ionizers which further assist
in particle removal. The fan then redistributes the filtered air throughout the
room.
What is the difference between
an air filter and an air purifier?
Hopefully, this article will clear that up for you.
The basic home or office air filter is simply a panel that
fits over the intake of the buildings furnace or air vents. Simple ones are made
from fibreglass or polyester, and allow for the passage of air but trap large
particles of dust.
These filters are often placed in front of fans because the
large particles of dust can accumulate over time and eventually clog up the
machinery. These basic filters serve no real protection, but they do protect the
machinery from burning out.
Some types of filter can be washed and reused, but the
majority of them are meant to be thrown away after they become too dirty to use
anymore. Then they are simply replaced with a new one.
The problem with these basic filters is, of course, that they
are meant to mainly protect the furnace or air conditioner that they are used
on. They may collect dust and smoke, and pollen (also good if you want to live
an allergy-free lifestyle), but they do nothing against harmful moulds and
bacteria. They are equally useless against airborne viruses.
Generally, basic filters are not recommended for someone in
the market for a serious home air filter
Before you buy a home air purifier
Indoor air pollution problem is a growing concern of more and
more people. Not just out of curiosity. Fatigue,
headaches, asthma, allergies, breathing difficulties, irritation of eyes, nose,
and throat, high blood pressure, heart problems, poor mental performance -
coming from various indoor air pollution factors - all cry for attention.
There are reasons why the indoor air quality problem has grown
in last decades. First, due to energy conservation
initiatives of the 1970s, new buildings are much more air tight, blocking the
natural home ventilation of the incoming outdoor air. Without enough attention
to ventilation, the air tight buildings conserve and accumulate carbon monoxide,
radon, and other pollutants.
Another enemy of the indoor air quality in your room or home
is those many newly-introduced synthetic materials - used in construction,
carpeting, insulation, pressed wood furniture and so on. They are cheaper than
the natural materials. Yet, in the buildings, they keep releasing formaldehyde
and other toxic gases. Given the abundance of such materials in new homes,
exposure to formaldehyde becomes a real health threat. |
