Air purifiers have long been marketed to eliminate particles that cause allergies. But how accurate is this claim? Do air purifiers really help ease the symptoms of allergies? Keep reading as we help you figure out the answer with facts.
To really understand the effectiveness of air purifiers, let’s first find out how do they function.
How does an air purifier work?
An air purifier cleans out your indoor air by getting rid of pollutants and particles. Each air purifier comes with at least one filter and a fan. The fan brings in the air and circulates it. The captured air travels through the filter, and pollutants are separated from it. When the air is free of particles, the clean air then is sent back out.
Most filters are constructed from paper, mesh, or fiberglass. You’ll have to replace the filters regularly to ensure the efficiency of the air purifier.
Are air purifiers effective for allergies?
Air purifiers are devices that remove contaminants from your air that could contribute to your allergies. An air purifier cleans your air by eliminating common causes of allergy, such as dust particles, smoke, pet dander, pollen, bacteria, etc.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends the use of an air purifier to improve the quality of indoor air. Although no air purifier cleans the air entirely, it can eliminate and reduce the concentration of pollutants in your air significantly.
As per multiple scientific studies, air purifiers provide relief to people with severe asthma and allergy symptoms. When the air gets cleaned of allergens like dust mites, pollen, etc., the chances of allergic symptoms also decrease. Therefore, getting an air purifier for your indoor spaces is likely to provide relief from allergy symptoms.
However, do not expect your air purifier to be a cure-all. Even though it will eliminate air pollutants from your indoor space, it’s not effective against other issues like mold and musty smell. If the cause of allergies is mold development, then consider getting a dehumidifier instead.
How effective is a HEPA filter?
HEPA filters are specially designed to eliminate extremely fine particles from the air. They are required to filter out at least 99.97% of contaminants of 0.3 microns in diameter. This standard makes them effective against common allergens such as dust, pollen, and even mold.
Air purifiers with a HEPA filter are the answer to your allergen problems.They are more effective against tiny allergens than a regular air purifier. Therefore, they help reduce the severity of your allergy symptoms. However, to get the best air purifier for allergies, you’ll have to consider factors like the size of your room and the number of pollutants.
Air purifiers certainly help reduce the symptoms of allergies, but they have their limitations. An air purifier with a HEPA filter will be an excellent investment if you suffer from allergies.
