If you live in the middle of a metropolitan, a highway, or near roads with regular sights of heavy traffic, it is a certainty that traffic pollution has massively reduced the quality of air in your surrounding.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, people living, working, or going to school in heavy traffic neighborhoods are more at the risk of short and long-term health issues. They are more likely to suffer from conditions such as asthma, breathing issues, reduced lung functions, cardiovascular conditions in adults, and impaired lung development in children.
One of the ways people try to mitigate the impact of traffic pollution on their surroundings is by using air purifiers. However, it raises the question: do air purifiers work for traffic pollution?
Let’s discuss, in detail, the efficiency of air purifiers against traffic pollution.
The efficiency of Air Purifiers Against Traffic Pollution
Traffic pollution is caused by numerous elements such as brake and tire debris, smoke, road dust, exhaust fumes. These particles contaminate the air we breathe in and cause serious health hazards. The more dangerous emissions of traffic include hazardous and often fatal gases like Nitrogen Oxide, Sulfur dioxide, Carbon monoxide, and ozone.
Air purifiers can eliminate some of these hazards while being completely inefficient against others. We have listed below the advantages and limitations of air purifiers for traffic pollution.
Advantages of using air purifiers for traffic pollution
- HEPA air purifiers filter out contaminants as small as 0.3 microns, which covers most of the dust and smoke particles produced in the air as a result of traffic pollution
- The use of air purifiers combined with carbon filters has shown significant improvement in the quality of air in the places affected by traffic pollution
Limitations of air purifiers for traffic pollution
- Air purifiers individually do not possess the ability to eliminate any kind of hazardous gas emitted by vehicles
- Although they can filter out some particles, they are entirely inefficient against others
Additional Ways to Mitigate Air Pollution
Apart from using air purifiers, you can also take some additional measures to mitigate air pollution in your surroundings:
- Close the windows and doors during peak traffic hours
- Regularly dust and vacuum your living space
- Keep your ventilation system in check
- Install carbon filters for hazardous gases
Conclusion
According to several studies, traffic pollutants impact an area as far away as 2000 feet. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you use air purifiers. They may not be as efficient against toxic gases, but they are definitely useful against other traffic pollutants.
For maximum impact, you should use air purifiers with activated carbon filters. It will significantly help against gases, if not wholly eliminate them.
