Air Purifiers That Reduce Woodsmoke Allergies

Dangerous Pollutant

• According to the American Lung Association of Washington (ALAW), woodsmoke is one of the leading air pollutants in winter. They go on to state that this pollution has been directly linked to lung damage and even cancer. Small wonder, then, that air purifiers capable of filtering these small particles from the air are becoming increasingly popular in homes throughout the country. While you might think that any air purifier will do, the truth is that you need to know what to look for to be certain that the air you're breathing has been properly cleaned.

Features

• Woodsmoke particulates are among the smallest of all air pollutants. According to Burningissues.org, a nonprofit focused on clean air initiatives, regular purifiers and masks are not able to filter out the microscopic elements that cause so much harm to the lungs. When looking for an appropriate purifier, then, you'll want to look for the certifications and features that let you know the purifier does what you want. Burningissues.org states, "To protect yourself from woodsmoke, you need 3 stage air filters--that have a layer of zeolite in them." According to the website, Honeywell and Austin manufacture air purifiers that meet these standards. Additionally, Airpurifiers.com points out that Blueair manufactures an air purifier that can be supplemented with a woodsmoke qualified filter.

Considerations

• Woodsmoke purifiers are not cheap, but neither is the level of technological sophistication required for a machine to satisfactorily remove such infinitesimally microscopic particles. Don't make the mistake of thinking that a cheaper air purifier will work; these may be fine for pet allergies or general air purification, but for individuals with woodsmoke allergies or concerns about lung health, they simply won't get the job done. A $50 purifier that doesn't rectify your breathing problems in the home is a far worse value than a $200 or $300 one that allows you to breath freely again. Most urban and suburban locations will have local air quality retailers that can speak with you knowledgeably about the pros and cons between brands. Armed with knowledge about what is necessary for a purifier to filter woodsmoke from the air, you'll be able to have an intelligent conversation with the experts at your local store and make a decision that fits your home and situation.