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Look
for the Right Features When Choosing an Air Purifier for
Your Home.
Certified
Indoor Environmentalist Victoria Kamm states what a
consumer should look for before purchasing an indoor air
purifier for their home.
As
you are probably aware, the pollution level in American
homes has reached an alarming rate. The US Department of
Health recently stated that the air in American homes can
be as much as one-hundred times more polluted than the
air outside. The Centers for Disease Control has
identified this problem as one of the most concerning
stresses on human health and welfare.
This indoor pollution problem has gotten so threatening
that the American Lung Association (ALA), has issued
harsh warning for people spending more than eight hours a
day indoors, which includes over 94% of all Americans.
These warnings are targeted at children under twelve,
adults over 60, allergy and asthma sufferers, pet owners,
and smokers.
The indoor air pollution problem is clear and well
defined, what about the solutions? The truth is that most
Americans are very confused about what steps to take to
protect their families and themselves from this very real
problem.
There were so many companies offering so many different
solutions – what is the truth? After years of
discovery and research, the truth became quite clear. The
challenge then was conveying this message.
There are some simple truths to air filtration that you
must understand before you make an air purification
decision:
1. If The Unit Does Not Move Air it CANNOT CLEAN AIR
2. If Unit Has No Filters it CANNOT CLEAN AIR
3. H.E.P.A. Filtration is THE ONLY COMPLETE SOLUTION
These are the four most important factors to consider
when purchasing the indoor air quality product that will
protect you and your family. They are also the four
factors you must focus on when purchasing indoor air
quality products.
There are four basic categories of filtration systems:
1. electric spark ozone-creating systems
2. electrostatic filter systems
3. forced air flow-through systems
4. H.E.P.A. filtration systems.
Electric spark ozone-creating systems have no filters and
cause little or no air movement. Because there is no
filter, they rely on statically charging the air as to
draw particles to a metal collector plate. The
manufacturers brag about the fact that there is no filter
to replace needed, that also means that almost no harmful
particles are being captured. These units also move very
little or no air at all, which means they only affect the
air that happens to float past them. The manufactures
brag that they are silent, that also means they are
completely ineffective as a whole-house or even a one-room
solution. Many people, especially seniors and children
are allergic to the ozone gas that is created by these
units, some to a deadly level.
Electrostatic filter systems use electrostatic magnetism
that causes some pollutants to stick to, again, an
electrically charged metal plate. These units work very
much like electric spark units but do not create ozone
gas. Their effectiveness on most odors, bacteria and
viruses is almost nonexistent. These units also have a
metal plate that needs to be washed often. These units
move no air, therefore cleaning almost no air.
Forced air flow-through systems are certainly more
effective than the first two types we have discussed.
However, the filters these units use are quite
ineffective on many harmful particles and most bacteria
and viruses. Although they typically have fans, they are
generally far too weak to actually create enough air
exchanges per hour to effectively treat the air in the
average home.
H.E.P.A. filtration systems are the only systems
available that address all indoor air pollution issues
and effectively eradicate virtually all airborne threats.
H.E.P.A. (high efficiency particulate air), was designed
to purify the air in hospital operating rooms as well as
highly volatile medical and pharmaceutical laboratories.
Since its creation, H.E.P.A. has been the air filtration
system of choice areas that require complete purification.
H.E.P.A. is 99.97% efficient on particulate that is .03
microns or smaller, no other system can even come close.
H.E.P.A. is the best possible system. However, even H.E.P.A.
products have some differences. The systems should
include charcoal filtration to reduce odor and organic
chemicals. Cartridges should be sealed which increases
filtration and does not allow the particles to go back in
the air when you turn the unit off. And, even though the
systems must move air, look for one that is relatively
quiet.
If you are concerned about the air you breathe in your
home, make sure that you spend your hard earned dollars
on a product which will help you breathe purer air.
Victoria Kamm is a Certified Indoor Environmentalist
and a member of the Healthy House Products advisory board.
Related Articles:
IQAir Air Purifier: a Consumers
Digest Best Buy
Consumers Digest found the HealthPro Plus to be "ideal
for allergy sufferers" and praised its ability to
clean air in large spaces.
Sharp Plasmacluster™ Air
Purifiers
Sharp’s innovative Plasmacluster™ Ion Air
Purifiers clean air as well as remove odors, airborne
irritants, allergens and smoke, which can be bothersome
to consumers in their own home.
H.E.P.A.
Air Filtration Systems:
Return to
Home Improvement Index
James E.
Bohne, Jr., REALTOR®
Mobile: (801) 791-9579
Office: (801) 476-9500
Fax: (801) 476-9581
E-mail: j.e.bohne@att.net |
Crest
Realty Inc.
Equal Housing Opportunity.
Equal Opportunity Employer. |
Copyright © 2003,
James E. Bohne, Jr., All Rights Reserved
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