The Benefits of Air Purifiers and Filters
by Michele Kadison
Not too long ago it was sufficient to dust the furniture, wash the floors, and bathe your pets, to boast that you then had a clean home. Today things have changed as the quality of our air has become polluted with too great a range of irritants. From pollen to other air-borne elements and allergens, as well as the chemical detritus left over from so many toxic household products, we are breathing air that is laden with pollutants.
For this reason air purifiers and air filters have become important tools in assuring the cleanliness of our air in both home and office. These systems have become a boon to those with allergies, asthma, and chronic respiratory problems as well as babies, the elderly, and anyone wishing to breathe healthily. Because air purifiers and filters remove smoke, smog, pet dander, bacteria, mold, and other foreign matter that lingers in the air, they are considered essential by those who recognize the positive impact they have on health.
Air purifiers and filters come in many sizes, from portable to sizes commensurate with varying room dimensions. An air purifier functions by drawing the air inside a room to the base of the unit where it is then pushed upwards through a mesh filter. As the air pushes up, pollutants are extracted and sealed inside the unit before the air continues to its next stop. This subsequent phase is where the air enters into a cleaning cell where it is then ionized, whereby small dust particles and other types of similar debris are removed. From here it goes to an activated charcoal filter, which deodorizes the air before it is released back into the room cleaned and purified.
Air filters also come in many different dimensions and are generally made of paper, foam, synthetic fabric, or cotton. Some filters, such as those used for HVAC (heating-ventilation-and air-conditioning)are made of fiberglass. Often air filters are used on devices that need clean air to function well, such as vehicles, computers, and other units with exhaust systems. Using no more energy than a light bulb, air filter systems filter out many allergens including dust and small irritants. One of the most effective household air filter systems is a universal air filter, or UAF, which includes a filter, a fan guard, and an air-flow enclosure.
If you want to keep yourself and the people around you healthy, you will want to make sure that the air inside your home and office is as irritant-free as possible. Investing in an air purifier or air filter system is an investment in cleaner lungs along with a more conscious lifestyle.
