![]() ![]() They may remove some of the airborne mold particles, but they don’t eliminate mold. ![]() What does the research say?Īccording to the EPA, portable air cleaners do not resolve a mold problem. Symptoms might include sneezing, throat and nose irritation, runny nose, and red or itchy eyes. Inhaling these spores or touching mold can trigger a mold allergy. Mold reproduces by producing spores, which become airborne. Its presence indicates a problem with excess moisture. Mold is a fungal growth that forms and spreads on various kinds of damp surfaces. Research shows that mold can be especially harmful for people with asthma and other lung conditions, especially in children. It also said evidence failed to show that air cleaners significantly reduced airborne animal allergens or pollen. One research review concluded that air cleaners have little meaningful effect on dust mite allergens because these allergens ride on larger particles that quickly settle to surfaces and are not caught by air cleaners. One study cited a number of reports that HEPA air purifiers can benefit people with varied allergies by reducing the concentration of indoor allergens, including pollen, house dust-mite (HDM) allergens, and dog dander.īut not all research agrees, especially when it comes to dust mites and animal dander. Research shows that between 30% to 60% of children with asthma are sensitized to dust mites, and their symptoms worsen with exposure. Dust mites: microscopic-sized mites that feed on human shed skin and thrive in humid environments.Cockroaches: cockroaches shed allergens, chitin, endotoxins, and other substances during their lifetime.Animal dander from involuntary infestations, like rats or mice: similar to dander from pets, but usually much more concentrated and uncontrollable.Pet dander: microscopic skin flakes shed by animals with fur or feathers, like cats, dogs, and birds.Pollen: an outdoor allergen that can enter indoor spaces via doors, windows, and other ventilation.Some of the most common allergens found in indoor spaces like your home and schools include: According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, 8 of every 10 people in the United States are exposed to dust mites, and 6 of every 10 are exposed to cat or dog dander. AllergensĪllergens are substances that can trigger symptoms in people with allergies, asthma, or respiratory conditions. Let’s take a look at the various contaminants you might be dealing with in your home and see how air purifiers might be able to help. Air purifiers in general are effective in removing airborne fine PM. Fine PM, the term for the smaller PM 2.5 particles, cause the most health concerns because they can penetrate human airways and enter the lung air sacs. PM 10 larger particles that are 10 microns in diameter or lessĪ micron is a unit of length equal to one-millionth of a meter.PM 2.5 particles that are 2.5 microns in diameter or less, or.PMs refer to airborne particles, which are usually classified as either Most contaminants are collectively described as particulate matter, or simply PMs. What household contaminants should concern me? You can choose a device with the right CADR for the contaminants you are targeting. These correspond to small-, medium-, and large-sized particles, respectively. Some air cleaners specify CADRs according to the three specific types of pollutants: tobacco The general rule is that the CADR of your air cleaner should be equal to at least two-thirds of the room’s area.įor wildfire smoke, the CADR should be higher, equal to the number of square feet of the room you are trying to clean. This is the amount of clean air your device will re-circulate. You want a filter that is at least MERV 13.Īnother important variable is the clean air delivery rate (CADR). This is usually expressed as a rating from MERV 12 to MERV 17. The effectiveness of a HEPA filter depends on how tightly bound the fibers are. Generally speaking, this type of particle includes pollen, dust, moisture, bacteria, viruses, and dirt. Your best choice to filter particles is a device with a HEPA filter, which is designed to collect at least 99.5% of particles in the air that are 3 microns or less in size. Probably the most important variable in an air purifier is the filter. To choose wisely, you have to know both the dimensions of the area you want to clean, the capabilities of the particular air purifier you’re considering, and what contaminants you’re targeting.īefore investing in an air purifier, you may want to invest in an air quality home test to determine what contaminants you have in your home. clean air delivery rate (CADR), or the amount of clean air they deliverĪll these variables are important in your consideration of a portable air purifier.how well they collect pollutants from indoor air (expressed as a percentage efficiency rate).how much air they draw through the filter (expressed in cubic feet per minute). ![]()
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