Air purifiers have become critical devices for ensuring that the air people breathe indoors is clean and safe. This article identifies various categories of air pollutants and, based on different tests and studies, how effective an
air purifier can be against them. Thus, you will learn the advantages and limitations of these devices in enhancing the air quality of your home.
Effectiveness of Air Purifiers Against Particular Pollutants
Generally, High-Efficiency Particulate Air Filters, or HEPA filters, are regarded as highly efficient mechanisms for filtering particulate matter from an airborne medium.
They trap at least 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns in diameter and are thus capable of capturing both PM2.5 and PM10 particles:
- 5 (Fine Particulate Matter): Fine particulate matter is less than 2.5 microns and might reach the deepest ends of the lungs, creating severe health problems, from respiratory problems to cardiovascular diseases and even cancer. HEPA filters have impressive capture capability against these fine particles, thus reducing them tremendously from indoor air.
- PM10 (Coarse Particulate Matter): These are dust, pollen, and mold spores less than 10 microns in diameter. While PM10 particles are more significant and thus more often irritating the nose, throat, and lungs, HEPA filters work very well against them and improve general air quality.
This means that, with a HEPA filter installed in an air purifier, there could be an appreciable reduction of PM2.5 and PM10 particles indoors, thus giving one cleaner and safer air to breathe.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Volatile Organic Compounds, or simply VOCs, are a group of chemicals characterized by their easy evaporation into the air at room temperature.
The most common contributors of VOCs come from household products, including paints, varnishes, cleaning supplies, and adhesives. Long-term exposure to VOCs may present health complications, such as headaches, nausea, respiratory troubles, and even liver or kidney damage.
The effectiveness of activated carbon filters in removing VOCs from the air lies in their porous structure and large surface, which allows them to adsorb these gaseous pollutants. Benefits of activated carbon filters:
- Adsorption Process: Activated carbon filters work by adsorbing VOCs, which means the molecules stick to the surface of the carbon material. This process traps VOCs, preventing their circulation in the indoor air.
- Wide Range of VOCs: From formaldehyde and benzene to toluene and many more, activated carbon filters can capture this constituent, making it imperative in air purifiers, especially in places with high chemical pollution.
The air purifiers' inclusion of the activated carbon filter reduces the VOC levels to a minimum and ensures a much cleaner and healthier indoor environment.
Gaseous Pollutants
Specific Technologies and Their Effectiveness Against Gasses (Carbon Monoxide and Nitrogen Dioxide) Gaseous pollutants, such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide, have harmful health effects on the human body. The primary sources are cooking and heating systems:
- Carbon Monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that is often Fatal in High Concentrations. It binds with hemoglobin in the blood, reducing oxygen-carrying capacity. This can cause headaches, dizziness, and, in the worst cases, death. Air purifiers fitted with an activated carbon filter absorb these molecules, mitigating the levels of CO indoors.
- Nitrogen Dioxide: NO2 is always an irritating gas that affects the lungs and can provoke asthma. It is also emitted by domestic heaters and cookers, particularly gas stoves. Similar to CO, NO2 can also be adsorbed by activated carbon filters, thereby minimizing its quantity in indoor air.
Some air purifiers include technologies like photoelectrochemical oxidation or catalytic oxidation to remove gaseous pollutants more effectively. Such technologies break down gases into less harmful substances, protecting you from indoor air pollution.
Contaminants
Mold spores, bacteria, and viruses in closed indoor environments pose a severe health hazard.
- Mold Spores: Mold spores trigger allergic reactions and respiratory problems. HEPA filters can catch these spores before they are allowed to propagate further and settle on indoor surfaces.
- Bacteria: Airborne bacteria can cause infections and aid in the spread of diseases. HEPA filters catch bacteria, while UV-C light can destroy bacteria DNA so that it is harmless.
- Viruses: Viruses are smaller compared to bacteria and, in most instances, can be harder to catch. Nevertheless, HEPA filters manage to catch larger particles laden with viruses, and UV-C light inactivates many viruses by breaking their genetic material.
HEPA filters and UV-C light provide robust protection against a wide variety of biological contaminants, ensuring cleaner and healthier air in indoor environments.
Air purifiers are characterized as being the keystone to indoor air quality improvement because of their fight against various pollutants, including particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, gaseous pollutants, and biological contaminants. From HEPA filters to activated carbon filters and UV-C light, air purifiers eliminate a lot of adverse substances in the air to make it healthy to live. Knowing which particulate pollutants every kind of air purifier can accommodate will help you make the right decision toward ensuring clean and safe air in your home. Acquire a suitable air purifier for optimal health and well-being for your family.
By Chris Bates
