Having an air purifier at home can be beneficial in many ways. Research has shown that air purifiers can help remove harmful particles from indoor spaces, such as allergens, smoke, and mold. Not all air purifiers are bad for you, however; some emit ozone which can be harmful and cause shortness of breath, cough, and chest pain. Exposure to higher levels of ozone can damage the respiratory system.
Air purifiers with HEPA and activated carbon filters are generally safe to use and are the best way to clean indoor air, which can be polluted and filled with trigger particles such as pollen and dust. They also help maintain a healthy environment by eliminating pet dander, mold spores, ragweed and more. In Auto (similar to medium; the air does not contain a particle counter to adjust to air conditions, but instead asks you to enter the approximate size of your room, after which the machine chooses a fan speed that Molekule deems appropriate), the air performed worse, reducing particles by 0.3 microns at only 18.0% (ambient) and 26.4% (clean). In Silent, it performed even worse, reducing 0.3 micron particles by 6.5% (ambient) and 7.2% (clean). And in Dark plus Auto, with its primary PECO purification system turned off and its fan at the equivalent of a medium setting, it reduced them by 21.3% (ambient) and 18.0% (clean).Interestingly, those numbers closely reflect our results in automatic configuration with the PECO system activated, suggesting the possibility that the Molekule Air depends mainly on its physical prefilter, not its patented PECO mechanism, to remove particles. Experts agree that ozone is harmful to health and certain regulatory bodies have taken action on this issue by banning air purifiers that generate ozone in some places.
These products generate significant amounts of ozone that can cause long-term damage to olfactory cells and lungs if inhaled. Even more worrying is that symptoms can go away after repeated chronic exposure, making people unaware of the damage being done to their respiratory systems. But even small amounts of ozone can be harmful; a Canadian study found that measurable bronchial reactivity can occur at ozone concentrations as low as 0.35 parts per million. Ozone can even react to common household cleaners such as terpenes (which are more commonly known in pine and citrus fragrances) to form formaldehyde - a Group 1 human carcinogen. Mechanical filtration is another type of air purifier which draws in air that is mechanically forced through filters that remove particles in the air. Learn more about Purifans for homes, school classrooms, office areas, waiting rooms, hairdressers and nail salons, nursing homes, day care centers, restaurants, bars and clubs, cigar bars, gyms, pet stores, liquor stores, retail stores, convenience stores and anywhere you want to filter and deodorize the air to make it healthier for employees, customers, visitors, school-age children or teachers. The fan (or sometimes an internal fan system) draws in the air and that air passes through the internal filters.
If the air quality is poor and you don't have an air purifier an HVAC filter attached to a box fan is better than nothing. When used in conjunction with other practices recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention operating an air purifier can be part of a plan to protect yourself and your family from airborne pollutants. This prevents air from bypassing the filter around the edges and ensures that virtually all of the air drawn through the machine leaks HEPA - a design that is likely to contribute to excellent performance. These ionized air molecules then bind to airborne particles giving them a charge which encourages them to bind together creating larger particles which may be easier to filter or large enough to deposit in air. Keep in mind that portable air purifiers are primarily designed to purify the air in a single room so you may need to invest in additional units for other rooms. There are also a few types of these including HVAC filters portable air purifiers and ceiling mounted air purifiers. An efficient air purifier keeps indoor air free of pollutants reducing the chances of breathing difficulties caused by asthma.
