Facts on Indoor Air Purifiers

Types

• Air purifiers are categorized as mechanical filter units, which capture particles in a filter; electronic air cleaners, which trap particles using an electrical field; and ion generators, which use static charges to remove pollutants, according to the EPA. Some air cleaners use a substance, such as carbon, to remove gases from the air.

Benefits

• An effective air purifier can decrease the amount of airborne allergens and particles in a home. Units designed to remove gaseous pollutants may reduce the levels of specific gases in the home, according to the EPA.

Considerations

• The effectiveness of an air cleaner depends on how much pollution it can remove and how much air flows through the unit. Air purifiers with higher clean air delivery rates are more effective at removing pollutants.

Misconceptions

• No air purifier will remove all pollutants from indoor air, according to the EPA, and they may not prevent health problems from pollutants.

Warning

• Some air purifiers are designed to clean air by producing ozone. Ozone is a known lung irritant, according to the EPA, and the federal government has not approved ozone generators for use around people.