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Clean air is a new luxury in recent times. Though it is not completely possible to achieve that everywhere in today’s situation because of the high pollution and degradation levels, there are still ways to attain a healthier and safer environment around us.
Most of us believe that the air inside our homes is clean, but in reality, it is not. One of the major reasons that the air inside our homes is more polluted is that they do not have enough ventilation, at least not much compared to the outdoor environment.
Areas with no ventilation have more chances of trapping invisible pollutants1 like dirt and other dust particles, mostly found in our home environments.
The best way to deal with this is by getting an air purifier installed. Air purifier benefits are many, right from cleansing the air to helping us get proper sleep, they are advantageous in many ways.
1. Air Purifiers: How Do They Work?
Air purifiers come along with HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) Filters that purify the air we breathe by trapping the small dangerous airborne particles like pollen, pet dander, dust mites, and dirt. These particles can pose dangers to our health and sometimes even worsen pre-existing health conditions.
The filtering process is repeated continuously by the air purifiers several times an hour, giving us a healthy environment to breathe in.
The number of particles that are removed through the filter greatly depends on the air purifier we choose. While some of the filters can trap the particles that run through them, others neutralize them.
2. 8 Amazing Air Purifier Benefits
Here is a list of 8 amazing air purifier benefits and advantages we could get by installing them in our homes, offices, schools, and other places:
2.1. Cleanses Harmful Chemicals From Indoor Environments
Keeping our windows and doors closed can keep many pollutants at bay, but that does not stop external pollutants like carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide from entering our house. These types of gases2 are often found in areas where there is high vehicle traffic and can easily get into your homes.
A research study from the National Library of Medicine found that high exposure to Nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide PM increases dementia and Alzheimer’s in an individual.
But even if you don’t live in areas with heavy traffic, there are chances that the atmosphere could still be polluted with other toxic agents.
For example, household cleaners we use regularly contain chemical substances like chlorine, ammonia, and phthalates3. Exposure to small quantities of these chemicals is harmless but continuous exposure can lead to health issues like cancer, tumour, and many other disorders.
One of the main benefits includes cleansing these chemicals. A highly porous form of carbon is used in air purifiers, and this carbon filtering method makes sure to trap all the chemical contaminants and recycle fresh air.
Another way to stop these chemicals from entering our homes is to reduce the usage of such products.
2.2. Prevents The Transmission Of Airborne Diseases
Most airborne diseases like flu and cold are spread through tiny pathogens that float around in the air. Usually, when someone in the family gets flu, it’s very common for the others to get it as they are also breathing the same air that is infected with these viruses.
Air purifier benefits include reducing the transmission of these airborne diseases. The HEPA filters present in air purifiers capture these bacteria and viruses, therefore, removing the cause of these diseases and safeguarding your family.
If you live with older people, children, or people with a weak immune system4, then make sure to get an air purifier.
2.3. Eliminates Harmful Radon Gas
Radon gas is a colourless and odourless gas generated from the mixture of uranium in water, soil, and rock. It can be mostly found in our houses, schools, offices, and many other places as it enters through the cracks present in floors and walls.
All humans are at risk of being contaminated by radon gas if there are high levels of radon gas, then are even chances of death. A study found that about 21,000 deaths in the US every year are due to lung cancer caused by radon gas.
One of the major air purifiers benefits is that it reduces the dangers caused by air pollution. The HEPA and activated carbon filters present in air purifiers trap radon particles and radon gas, thereby protecting us from its dangerous effects.
2.4. Relieves Asthma Symptoms
As per the research done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in every 12 people has asthma. And, there are chances that you are at high priority public health risk when you are present in your home, as that is where most asthma triggers5 are found.
Some of those triggers are dust, dirt, carbon monoxide, smoke, cosmetics, and many other products.
Most household filters come along with HEPA filters, which are specifically designed to capture all the contaminants and pollutants to breathe fresh air. The HEPA filters contain multi-layered meshes, which are made up of fine threads of fibreglass.
It benefits us by removing all the dirt, dust, pollens, and pet dander floating around inside our home. Due to the high number of present triggers inside our home, an air purifier is needed compulsorily to clear the air of such triggers.
2.5. Aids In Better Sleep
A proper night’s sleep is essential for the overall well-being of our body. Lack of adequate sleep affects our productivity and leads to many other health problems in some instances.
Air purifiers include cleaner air, and cleaner air means a better night’s sleep. Air purifiers cleanse the air, but they produce a very calming sound compared to ocean waves or mountain winds, facilitating the person to get a deep and sound sleep.
2.6. Removes Unpleasant Smells
Chemical gases such as gasoline, benzene, and many other gases break down in the room, thereby emitting unpleasant odours. These chemicals, also called Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), are usually found in room fresheners, paints, and inks.
The unpleasant smell left by these Volatile organic compounds can result in breathlessness and nausea and can even sometimes affect our cognitive functions. Research studies have shown the lesser the level of VOCs in the air6, the more productivity and performance.
One of the major air purifiers benefits is that the HEPA and activated carbon filters present in them are very effective in trapping these gases and the other particles present in the air, thereby reducing the levels of pollutants in the air.
They make our home fresh and clean and take away the worries about any unpleasant odour present.
2.7. Eliminates Fumes And Pollutants
Urban areas are more prone to allergic diseases than other places; higher asthma and allergy rates in cities are testimonial.
The major reason behind this is the presence of high ozone levels, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, diesel exhaust particles, and many other hazardous pollutants in the air, which can pose severe dangers to our health.
One of the best ways to combat pollution, if you are residing in an urban area, is by ventilating your home well, and there is no better way to do it than air purifiers.
2.8. Clears Molds
The last one on the list is that it gets rid of moulds. Like allergens, moulds present inside our homes can be hazardous for people who have asthma and other lung ailments.
Air purifiers come equipped with filters that effectively get rid of mould particles present in the air. Air purifiers that come equipped with HEPA filters are the best in filtering unwanted air contaminants, and they also help maintain the humidity levels inside our homes.
3. Other Methods To Improve Air Quality
Air purifiers can be useless if one does not take other necessary steps to make their home a cleaner and safer place. Some of the other steps that are to be followed to enhance the air quality inside the home are:
- Vacuum the carpets, rugs, and other items regularly to prevent other allergens from building up.
- Planting more indoor plants as they act as natural air filters by causing a decrease in carbon dioxide levels inside our homes.
- Leaving the windows open for fresh air when the air purifiers are not in use.
- Bathing pets often
- Quit smoking inside the house.
4. Conclusion
Indoor air can be polluted, in fact, more polluted than outdoor air in some cases. If you are looking to create a safer environment for your family devoid of pollen, pet dander, mould spores, and other dangerous contaminants, then make sure to get the right air purifier for your home.
However, not all purifiers are effective for a longer period of time, and some may work only for a period of two to three months. Therefore, it is necessary to continuously check the air purifier indicators to change them and enjoy the air purifier benefits continuously.
Read here to know more.
5. Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Do Air Purifiers Really Work?
No purifier can capture all of the pollutants and particles that travel through a room, but depending on the type of filter used, they may capture many allergens and other unwanted substances. Many air purifiers feature HEPA filters that capture particles, including dust, pollen, and some mould spores.
Q2. Is It Good to Use an Air Purifier every day?
Since air pollution is a pervasive and continuous problem, it’s best to leave your air purifier on all day. There are no perceived drawbacks to keeping your unit running all the time, and if the filters are changed on time it can help to reduce pollutants in the home.
Q3. What Are the Disadvantages of Air Purifiers?
There aren’t a lot of downsides to having an air purifier in your home aside from the financial investment. Many ionizers, especially older models, can generate ozone when they are operating, which is known to exacerbate asthma.
- Grandjean, Philippe. Only one chance: how environmental pollution impairs brain development–and how to protect the brains of the next generation. Environmental Ethics and Scien, 2015. ↩︎
- Geldart, Derek. “Types of gas fluidization.” Powder technology 7.5 (1973): 285-292. ↩︎
- Hauser, Russ, and A. M. Calafat. “Phthalates and human health.” Occupational and environmental medicine 62.11 (2005): 806-818. ↩︎
- Forys, U. “Global analysis of Marchuk’s model in a case of weak immune system.” Mathematical and Computer Modelling 25.6 (1997): 97-106. ↩︎
- Vernon, Margaret K., et al. “What do we know about asthma triggers? A review of the literature.” Journal of Asthma 49.10 (2012): 991-998. ↩︎
- Lin, Y. S., P. P. Egeghy, and S. M. Rappaport. “Relationships between levels of volatile organic compounds in air and blood from the general population.” Journal of exposure science & environmental epidemiology 18.4 (2008): 421-429. ↩︎
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