The quality of indoor air significantly impacts people’s well-being, as they have started to spend more time indoors, primarily in their homes or workplaces. Better indoor air quality reduces pathogens' potential transmission while alleviating allergy symptoms and enhancing respiratory conditions.
Being aware of your local air quality index can provide crucial insights into the severity of air quality issues in your area. Additionally, recognizing the symptoms of subpar air quality, such as eye, nose, and throat irritation, along with persistent headaches and fatigue, empowers you to take informed actions for your well-being.1
Indoor air can be much more polluted than outdoor air, which is a surprising and concerning fact because indoor air doesn't circulate as much, allowing pollutants to build up. Consequently, the need for air purifiers is growing due to increasing health concerns and rising air pollution levels.1
How Do Air Purifiers Work?
Air purifiers are equipped with a set of filters and a powerful fan that draws in the surrounding air. This air is then meticulously filtered to capture and remove impurities, ensuring that only clean, purified air is released back into the environment. Among the various filter types employed in air purifiers are the High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter, ionizers, activated carbon filters, and more. These filters work harmoniously to create an environment where the air you breathe is consistently pure and free from harmful particles and contaminants.
For example, the Forbes FAP 7000, one of the reasonably priced air purifiers, is a perfect blend of intelligent technology and powerful performance. It comes with Advanced HEPA 11 (which traps 99.5% of fine particles), indicates PM 2.5 numbers, shows the colour indicator and controls odour with an activated carbon filter.
Benefits of an Air Purifier
Air purifiers offer several benefits for improving indoor air quality and overall well-being.
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Relief from Asthma Symptoms
Asthma often worsens when exposed to airborne irritants such as dust, pollen, smoke, or pet dander.2 These irritants can trigger asthma attacks, leading to breathing difficulties, chest tightness, coughing, and wheezing.3
In such cases, air purifiers for home benefit individuals with asthma. These devices effectively remove common asthma triggers from the air, creating an environment that promotes improved respiratory health. Using high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, air purifiers can capture and trap tiny airborne particles. This filtration process significantly reduces the presence of irritants in the indoor air, providing relief to people with asthma.
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Enhanced Respiratory Health
Airborne pollutants not only affect those with existing respiratory conditions but can also harm the respiratory health of healthy individuals. Prolonged exposure to indoor air pollution can lead to throat irritation, coughing, and even long-term health issues. Air purifiers can play a crucial role in preventing these problems by continuously cleaning the air.4
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Better Sleep Quality
Clean air is essential for a good night's sleep.5 Poor indoor air quality can lead to sleep disturbances, such as snoring, congestion, and difficulty breathing. Air purifiers in bedrooms can create a conducive environment for restful sleep by removing allergens and pollutants that can disrupt sleep patterns.
When the air in your bedroom is clean and free of irritants, you're more likely to breathe easily and enjoy deeper, uninterrupted sleep. This improved sleep quality can positively impact your overall health and well-being, leading to increased energy levels and better daytime performance.
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Helps with Allergens and Pet Dander
Airborne irritants, such as dust, microbial contaminants like mould spores and bacteria, tobacco smoke, pesticides, disinfectants, pet hair, and dander, can potentially aggravate our respiratory systems. Dust and dust mite allergies are particularly concerning as they are a leading trigger for asthma attacks, making mitigation a preferred choice for managing symptoms. Additionally, pet dander is a primary trigger for many individuals with asthma and allergies.6
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Neutralises Unpleasant Odours
Unpleasant odours from cooking, cigarette smoke, pets, or household chemicals can linger in indoor spaces, making the environment less enjoyable. Air purifiers equipped with activated carbon filters are highly effective at reducing these odours and trapping carbon particles, leaving your home smelling fresh and clean.
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Reduces Harmful Chemicals
Many people deal with indoor contaminants in their homes, and outdoor pollutants can find their way inside, especially in crowded areas, affecting their health.
Living in areas with high air pollution, like near busy roads or airports, can worsen respiratory problems and make us more susceptible to illnesses.8 This is where air purifiers come in. They work by pulling in dirty air, passing it through filters, and then releasing clean air. If you use chemical cleaners or have appliances that emit harmful substances like ozone, an air purifier can reduce the amount of these pollutants you breathe in, making the air you breathe healthier.
Forbes PRO 1000H, with its 6 distinct stages of purification and SWISS HEPA 13, eliminates 99.97% of viruses and allergens. Moreover, it comes with Patented Duotron Technology, which eliminates positively charged ions and kills bacteria, providing rejuvenating air.
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Reduces the Chances of Airborne Diseases
Air purifiers help prevent airborne diseases by removing harmful pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses, from the air. They typically use High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters that can capture particles as small as 0.3 microns, including many disease-carrying microbes.
As contaminated air is drawn into the purifier, these pathogens are trapped in the filter, preventing them from circulating indoors. By reducing the concentration of airborne pathogens, air purifiers lower the risk of disease transmission, especially in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces.7 They provide an additional layer of protection, particularly valuable during flu seasons and in homes with individuals who have weakened immune systems.
Why are air purifiers gaining importance?
Air purifiers remove dust, smoke, bad smells, harmful chemicals, viruses, pollen, and pet dander. They provide fresh and clean air, which is essential considering the rise of pollution in the world.
They're not just used at home. Businesses have also accepted air purifiers as a necessity and use them to ensure clean and healthy indoor air.
Air purifiers are gaining importance due to several key factors:
Rising Air Pollution: Increasing outdoor air pollution levels have made it essential to clean indoor air, where people spend a significant amount of time.
Health Concerns: Growing awareness of the health risks associated with poor indoor air quality has driven the demand for air purifiers. They help reduce the risk of respiratory issues, allergies, and infections. 9
Climate Change: More frequent wildfires and changing weather patterns have worsened air quality in many regions, making air purifiers necessary for protection.
Pandemic Awareness: The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of indoor air quality in preventing the spread of airborne viruses, increasing the adoption of air purifiers.
Technological Advances: Improved and affordable air purification technologies have made these devices more accessible and practical, further emphasizing their importance in maintaining a healthy living environment.
How to Choose an Air Purifier?
While choosing the best air purifier for home or commercial use, consider the following factors:
Room Size: Determine the square footage of the room where you plan to use the purifier.
Type of Contaminants: Identify specific pollutants you want to target (e.g., allergens, smoke, odours, or microbes).
Filtration Technology: Look for HEPA filters for allergens, activated carbon for odours, and UV-C or photocatalytic filters for microbes.
Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR): Check the CADR rating to ensure the purifier can handle your room size and pollutant load.
Noise Level: Consider noise levels, especially if you plan to use an air purifier in the bedroom or other quiet spaces.
Accessories: Look for air purifiers with accessories. Eureka Forbes offers accessories like lung filters and composite carbon filters.
Lastly, research reputable brands and read user reviews for insights into performance and durability.
Air Purifier FAQs
How long does it take for an air purifier to properly clean a room?
The time it takes for an air purifier to clean a room depends on several factors, including the purifier's capacity, room size, and the initial air quality. For optimal results, it's essential to choose an air purifier size suitable for your room's dimensions and consider the purifier's air flow to determine its effectiveness in a specific space.
Are air purifiers good for you?
Yes, there are multiple health benefits of air purifiers. They help remove airborne pollutants, allergens, and pathogens, improving indoor air quality. This can lead to fewer allergy symptoms, better respiratory health, and reduced exposure to harmful particles. However, their effectiveness depends on factors like the type of purifier, filter quality, and room size, so choosing the right one for your specific needs is essential.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to choose an air purifier and the advantages of an air purifier, you are well-equipped to make an informed decision when purchasing an air purifier for your home or commercial space.
Whether it's for improving indoor air quality, alleviating allergy symptoms, or creating a healthier living or working environment, your decision to invest in the right air purifier can have a significant and positive impact on your overall well-being.
Ready to buy the best air purifier? Discover Eureka Forbes' selection of state-of-the-art air purifiers and select the one that best suits your needs, securing a healthier living space.
References
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Indoor air quality | US EPA. (2023, July 14). US EPA. https://www.epa.gov/report-environment/indoor-air-quality/ Accessed on 16/02/2024.
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Mudge, L. (2022, November 3). Six benefits of an air purifier. livescience.com. https://www.livescience.com/six-benefits-of-an-air-purifier/ Accessed on 16/02/2024.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Asthma triggers. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/asthma/triggers.html/ Accessed on 16/02/2024.
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Raju, S., Siddharthan, T., & McCormack, M. C. (2020). Indoor air pollution and respiratory health. Clinics in Chest Medicine, 41(4), 825–843. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ccm.2020.08.014/ Accessed on 16/02/2024.
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Yu, H., Chen, P., Gordon, S. P., Yu, M., & Wang, Y. (2019). The Association between Air Pollution and Sleep Duration: A Cohort Study of Freshmen at a University in Beijing, China. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(18), 3362. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16183362/ Accessed on 16/02/2024.
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Ling, M., & Long, A. A. (2010). Pet dander and difficult-to-control asthma: Therapeutic options. Allergy and Asthma Proceedings, 31(5), 385–391. https://doi.org/10.2500/aap.2010.31.3390/ Accessed on 16/02/2024
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Wang, C. C., Prather, K. A., Sznitman, J., Jimenez, J. L., Lakdawala, S. S., Tufekci, Z., & Marr, L. C. Airborne transmission of respiratory viruses. Science (New York, N.y.), 373(6558). https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abd9149/ Accessed on 16/02/2024
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Research on near roadway and other near source air pollution | US EPA. (2023, November 27). US EPA. https://www.epa.gov/air-research/research-near-roadway-and-other-near-source-air-pollution#:~:text=Living%20and%20working%20near%20sources%20of%20air%20pollution,asthma%2C%203%20cardiovascular%20disease%20and%204%20premature%20death./ Accessed on 16/02/2024.
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Sublett, J. L. (2011). Effectiveness of Air Filters and Air Cleaners in Allergic Respiratory Diseases: A Review of the Recent Literature. Current Allergy and Asthma Reports, 11(5), 395-402. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11882-011-0208-5/ Accessed on 16/02/2024
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