The Environmental Protection Agency says the air indoors where we spend up to 90 percent of our time can be more polluted than even city smog. The first line of defense against airborne contaminants is to keep your house clean and well ventilated. Heating and cooling systems have air filters built into them to combat indoor pollutants. The filters trap dust and larger particles found in the air to keep them from circulating throughout your home. While the built-in air filters work to keep your HVAC system running at peak performance by removing some dust, mold, bacteria, and viruses, they are not enough to make your indoor air perfectly clean.
What Can an In-Unit Air Purifier Deliver?
There are two basic types of household air filters: media filters, which create a physical barrier that traps minute particles, and electronic filters, which use a high-voltage charge to attract and capture contaminants. A few filters combine both methods, and some include activated carbon elements to combat odor.
In-Unit air purifiers provide denser, stronger filters that effectively eliminate a wide variety of allergens and pollutants from the air. This produces fresher, healthier indoor air that neutralizes odors while encouraging better respiratory health. Air Purifiers are designed to eliminate:
- Large dust particles
- Mildew
- Mold
- Pet dander
- Pollen
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
Additional Indoor Pollutants
One of the more common indoor air pollutants is cigarette smoke. It causes residual gas and particles that linger in rooms with abundant fabric and carpeting. It can also cling to surfaces like walls, cabinets, glass tables, and mirrors and cause discoloration.
Electronic cigarettes deliver the same pollutants as tobacco smoke. E-cigarette smoke also contains volatile organic compounds, chemicals that can be traced to lung disease, and heavy metals.
Paraffin candles as well as candles with a metal insert usually contain a lot of chemicals. Soot from burning candles, especially scented candles, contributes to indoor ultrafine particles. Natural candles made of beeswax are recommended.
At a time when more people are working from a home office, it is important to add office machines like copiers, laser printers, craft materials, and graphic printers as a source of pollutants.
Household cleaners can cause skin irritation and inflame your nose, mouth, and lungs. They contain fumes that can trigger allergies and make breathing difficult for you if you have a lung condition. For people who suffer from allergies, asthma, and other respiratory conditions, a whole-house air purifier is undoubtedly worth the investment. The system helps reduce symptoms by removing antagonistic air pollutants, resulting in less frequent and less intense allergy or asthma attacks.
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