| Choosing an air purifier is a daunting task, especially if | | | | Choosing an air purifier with carbon measured in |
| it's your first. Many buyers are disappointed when the | | | | pounds narrows the list considerably, but raises the |
| product chosen does not seem to solve their particular | | | | price. |
| problem. | | | | Third, particles much smaller than the eye can see are |
| The air purifier industry is unregulated. There are really | | | | the real culprits. They pass through the lungs and get in |
| no standards, and what passes for standards is often | | | | the blood. Our technology grinds toxic materials into |
| self-serving. Many consumers are confused by the | | | | microscopic sizes, which build up invisibly in our living |
| many technologies available, and will try to select a | | | | space. Many air purifiers, including some selling for very |
| particular technology or brand right away. This may not | | | | high prices, do not remove these tiny particles from our |
| be the best approach. | | | | air. Quality construction is important; case, gaskets, |
| The following points are a suggested analytical | | | | seals, and precision fitting eliminate fine particle |
| framework. | | | | bypassing. |
| First, the new product should do no harm. Lots of | | | | Fourth, consider long term cost of ownership, not just |
| people are astonished to learn that many air cleaners | | | | initial purchase price. Some folks will take home an air |
| emit harmful gasses. Ozone is used as a fumigant by | | | | cleaner only to discover that replacement filters, |
| professional mold remediators. It oxidizes chemicals, | | | | needed frequently, cost almost as much as the |
| odors and microorganisms when pumped into closed | | | | machine. |
| rooms in high concentrations. | | | | This is called the cheap air purifier loss leader filter |
| Air purifiers have evolved which emit chronic ozone, at | | | | price ripoff. |
| lower levels. This has become popular, and many | | | | Filters should be independently replaceable. An all in |
| users like the fresh smell. Many also report improved | | | | one filter, with carbon and particle filtration combined, |
| allergy/asthma symptoms when using ozone emitting | | | | will need replacement when either media is clogged. |
| air purifiers. | | | | There are many models with average service lives |
| Ozone is a persistent chemical in indoor air, it | | | | under two years. Buying these "bargains" is false |
| accumulates and lasts for days, not hours or minutes | | | | economy. A quality purifier can last 10 or more years. |
| as is often claimed. While these oxidants may kill lung | | | | Along with filter costs, energy use can add up. Air |
| dwelling microorganisms and thus relieve some | | | | purifiers using over 100 Watts will add to the electric bill. |
| people's symptoms, long term exposure to airborne | | | | Fifth, many air purifiers produce noise levels too high |
| oxidants is seriously dangerous. | | | | for practical use. Some quiet models have air flow |
| Everyone knows at least one beautiful person whose | | | | rates to slow to do much cleaning. This is one big area |
| face has been ruined by a life of cigatette smoking. | | | | of consumer complaints. The noisy machine may clean |
| What causes those premature wrinkles, stiff, gray | | | | the air when running, but ends up turned off most of |
| looking skin, and aged eyes? | | | | the time. |
| Airborne oxidants! | | | | Bedroom noise levels need to be below about 34 |
| Ozone may have value as an alternative medical | | | | decibels (dBA). Again, many vendors will hide behind |
| therapy, but that is a whole seperate issue. Chronic | | | | assertions of "ultra-quiet" without being specific as to |
| administration of an experimental alternative medical | | | | noise. |
| technique to millions of unknowing consumers is a | | | | Sixth, who is the builder? Are they also the vendor? |
| dangerous fraud. Chronic ozone is not a suitable | | | | Manufacturers should have a track record, with many |
| method of air purification. | | | | units sold and a reputation for customer service. |
| Many cheaper air cleaners use glues and soft plastics | | | | Today, new brands are popping up, and many US |
| which outgass chemicals. | | | | vendors are just importers of Asian made equipment. |
| By elimination of ozone-prone and cheap plastic | | | | Will they be around when your chosen air purifier |
| models, the search is narrowed considerably. | | | | needs warranty service? |
| Second, many people see dust accumulation on | | | | Good air purifiers have warranties measured in years. |
| furniture and think of an air purifier as a means of | | | | A one year warranty is evidence of short product life |
| reducing it. While a properly sized room air purifier will | | | | or possibly financial distress. |
| certainly do this, visible dust and most odors are not | | | | There are several very successful air purification |
| the real health threats. Often toxic chemicals are | | | | products associated with multilevel marketing, scam |
| harmful at concentrations below our threshold of smell. | | | | marketing, or credit card ripoffs on returned |
| Serious gas and odor removal is a requirement if | | | | merchandise. Fortunately most of these disreputable |
| health benefits are expected. This raises the cost | | | | vendors are eliminated by guideline number one above: |
| considerably, so many air purifier vendors will try to | | | | most of their products are not ozone-free. |
| hide their product's shortcomings. The "Clean Air | | | | Last, is the air cleaner a good value? Is the product |
| Delivery Rate" (CADR) is one such subterfuge, it | | | | price supported by infomercial advertising, brand |
| focuses on larger dust-sized particles and completely | | | | building, and hype? Or does the product stand on its |
| ignores gas poisons. | | | | own merits, the result of a long term quality engineering |
| New technologies, such as photocatalytic oxidation, | | | | process? |
| show promise with chemicals, but the long standing | | | | Air purifier buyers can increase their odds of success |
| favorite is activated carbon. There needs to be lots of | | | | by following a plan in choosing an air purifier. |
| it, not just a coating sprayed on a foam prefilter. | | | | |