Home air purifiers are becoming more common, owing in part to concerns about air quality. Although your home is intended to provide shelter, many of us spend much more time indoors than previous generations. As a result, you could be exposed to more indoor particles and toxins, which may cause or worsen lung-related diseases.
Despite their claims, some of the best air purifiers for smoke removal are a safe way to eliminate indoor pollutants. But is that true? The short response is, to some extent, yes. Continue reading to learn how these devices operate and if they are worth considering for your home.
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How Do Air Purifiers Work?
Air purifiers operate primarily by sanitizing the air, which can contain pollutants, allergens, and toxins. They are the polar opposite of essential oil diffusers and humidifiers, all of which add pollutants to the indoor air. Air purifiers operate differently than filters. Purifiers can sanitize particles, while filters only eliminate them.
The precise particles extracted by an air purifier are essentially determined by the model you choose. Some models include filters to capture particles as air passes through them, while others can neutralize particles in the air without filtering them first.
Are they effective? The short answer is yes. Although, an air purifier is unlikely to kill or neutralize all irritants in your home. This is because many particles can settle on soft surfaces like furniture, bedding, and carpeting, as well as hard surfaces like your walls. An air purifier can be used along with a filter and other techniques to help remove the particles mentioned below.
Allergens
Allergens are compounds that can cause adverse immune reactions, such as allergies or asthma. Pollen, pet dander, and dust mites are some of the most prevalent allergens in the air. An air purifier can be used in combination with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, best known for trapping airborne allergens.
Mould
Indoor mould spores, like allergens, can be particularly harmful to people with asthma and other lung conditions. Air purifiers can help to some extent, but filtration is much more efficient at removing mould from the air. An air purifier with a HEPA filter would be ideal, as would lowering humidity levels in your home.
Smoke
Filter-equipped air purifiers can also eliminate smoke from the air, such as smoke from forest fires and cigarettes. But, despite their use, air purifiers cannot stop the odour of smoke, and there may still be instances of smoke stains on walls and ceilings.
Indoor toxins
Your home may not be the source of only the airborne allergens and mould, but of indoor pollutants from cleaning products, personal care products etc. These particles can be toxic to your body if they remain in the air. Air purifiers can trap toxins, so the easiest way to get rid of them is to minimize using them in the first place.
Although allergy and asthma medications can help reduce symptoms and avoid reactions, air purifiers can help remove the cause of your symptoms in the first place. There is a possibility that with continued use, you will have fewer allergic reactions and asthma symptoms.
According to research, some of the best air purifiers for smoke removal can help eliminate harmful particles from indoor environments, such as allergens, smoke, and mould. Nonetheless, air purifiers perform best when combined with adequate filtration and house cleaning techniques. An air purifier may not improve indoor air quality on its own, but it can help.