Are Air Purifiers Good for You?: Here Are Some Pros and Cons

Are Air Purifiers Good for You?: Here Are Some Pros and Cons

Air is the most important gas considering its usefulness to all living things, human beings included. Although available all around us, it can contain pollutants such as aerosol (dust and pollen) and smoke. Are Air Purifiers Good?

These pollutants can be harmful to health and make allergic persons uncomfortable.

There have been various inventions to help rid of these pollutants environment, but considering the increase in population and industrial actions, there are more pollutants in the air around us than ever. One of the solutions invented so far is the air purifier which makes use of carbon filters, ionizers, or HEPA filters. Is it worth it? How can you choose the best HEPA air purifier? Below are the pros and cons to help you decide.

What are air purifiers and how do they work?

Simply put, an air purifier is a device that sanitizes the air in a room. Its components include a fan that sucks in air and filters that cleanse the sucked air. The filters in the air purifier trap the pollutants and other particles in the air after which purified air is circulated into the living space. It can remove pollutants as small as 0.3 microns from the air with almost 99% effectiveness.visit here

Pros

Prevents Pneumonia

Quality air prevents a lot of diseases. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), air pollution within households doubles the risk of childhood pneumonia. Air purifier helps to get rid of these pollutants with the help of its filters.

Reduces symptoms of asthma and allergens

Inflamed bronchial tubes are typical for asthmatic patients. Pollutants like pet dander and pollen make irritate the airways and thus result in difficulty breathing. They can also trigger adverse immune responses in the form of allergies. Although a thorough cleaning of the room may get rid of most pet dander, some may still be present on surfaces of furniture and therefore still pose a threat. Air purifiers can help reduce them and relieve the symptoms of asthma.

Reduces harmful chemicals

People living in areas with high vehicular movements are at risk of being exposed to harmful chemicals like carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide. Scientists have linked these chemicals to health conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The risk of exposure to these harmful gases is not completely eliminated for people living in areas with lower vehicle traffic. However, air purifiers with HEPA filters can significantly eliminate their presence in the circulating air in a living room.

Eliminates unpleasant odor

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as benzene and gasoline may make a room uncomfortable. They are usually found in furniture and air fresheners. They could cause nausea. Air purifiers can reduce their presence in the air. Reduction of these compounds can improve productivity, according to a 2016 study.

Improves sleep and reduces airborne diseases

Removal of pollutants from the air in a room reduces the risk of being exposed to airborne diseases such as the flu. Aside from that, quality air can significantly improve the quality of sleep. Moreover, sleep is better enjoyed in the absence of sickness.

Cons

There are not many cons when it comes to the use of air purifiers as the pros are numerous.

  • The quality of air recirculated to the living room by air purifier is dependent on the filter used. For instance, HEPA filters are fantastic for trapping pollutants such as pollen. To effectively trap VOCs, an air purifier with a carbon filter may perform better. 
  • The size of a room will determine the size of the air purifier to get and this might be quite expensive (but worth it, if within budget).
  • They require routine house cleaning for effective functioning.

How to improve air quality of a room in addition/without an air purifier

  • Clean floor coverings and fabric in a room at least once every week.
  • Avoid smoking inside the home.
  • Be deliberate about the kind of cleaning agents used at home. Nontoxic ones may be considered.
  • Use allergy-proof covers for pillows and mattress
  • Effective drainage around the house is important. Stagnant water should be tackled and removed.
  • Pets may be kept out of the bedroom, especially for people who are allergic to animal dander.

Things to consider when buying an air purifier

  • Budget

Air purifiers come in different sizes and designs. It is important to let one’s budget decide the best for the home. If the budget at hand cannot finance the need, it can always be delayed and attended to later.

  • Maintenance cost

Air purifiers require their filters changed from time to time for optimal performance. It is important to inquire about the cost of the maintenance and factor it in when deciding on which one to choose.

  • Noise

In the process of getting rid of air pollution in a room, noise pollution shouldn’t be allowed to thrive instead. The noise from an air purifier should be minimal and barely noticeable.