Are air purifiers safe for your health

Indoor air contains a huge amount of hazardous chemicals compared to the air outside. Every person would agree that a home should be a place that feels great to come home to. Therefore, for a home that feels heavenly, it’s time to invest in a good air purifier. But wait – are air purifiers safe? Let’s find out.

Why air purifiers are good for your health

Improving indoor air quality starts with minimizing sources of pollutants. They include cigarette smoke, dust, and pet dander. However, the atmosphere in your home or office might be less than pure and clean. From reducing asthma and allergy triggers to preventing contamination of deadly substances, air purifiers can be extremely beneficial.

1. Relieve asthma

Air purifiers help to clear the air of asthma triggers that are found inside homes and offices. Other ways a person can reduce asthma triggers in their home include using hypoallergenic bedding, having hardwood floors, or dehumidifying the air, which can kill dust mites.

2. Ease allergy symptoms

What triggers can increase allergy symptoms? Carbon monoxide, household cleaners, air-freshening sprays, smoke from cooking, paint products, cosmetics, perfumes, and hairsprays. With the help of an air purifier, you can trap all these allergens.

3. Eliminate dust and odor

When you inhale dust, pollen, or pet odor, your body reacts to produce the allergy antibody. Allergic reactions come with this response too. Air purifiers can reduce pet odor, and dust which can decrease the chance of allergy symptoms.

4. Trap smoke

Secondhand smoke is dangerous for children because their lungs are still developing. Plus, their respiratory rates are higher than an adult’s. But, you should also take into account that elderly people are at a higher risk of getting dementia if they are exposed to secondhand smoke. Air purifiers can remove smoke by using a HEPA filter and activated carbon.

5. Prevent lung disease

Breathing in tobacco smoke can result in the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and heart disease too. It can cause serious health issues, such as asthma, bronchitis, and dementia. The delicate respiratory systems of children and the elderly make them at higher risk of developing health problems from exposure to tobacco smoke. Air purifiers with HEPA filters are ideal for removing smoke.

6. Protect from illness

Air purifiers can improve respiratory conditions as they reduce the number of hazardous elements in the air, thus decreasing the pollutants that are inhaled.

7. Extract airborne asbestos particles

Asbestos is a mineral that was once popular in building materials. But now it is considered deadly and can cause lung diseases like mesothelioma. However, asbestos products are still around today for practical reasons. Removing them requires professional help and air purifiers to prevent inhaling the airborne particles.

8. Boost your mood

Due to the clean air that you are breathing with an air purifier, you will become less agitated and maintain a more positive mood and even temper.

9. Improve sleep

Contaminated air disturbs a healthy sleep schedule because the polluted air can make you feel uncomfortable and may even smell. The clean air that air purifiers produce and the relaxing sounds that they make can ease people to rest and have a good night’s sleep.

10. Reduce stress

It has been proven that those who breathe unpolluted air are less stressed than those who breathe polluted air. When breathing in purified or clean air, your cortisol levels will decrease, which will lessen stress and allows you to relax. This can improve your productivity, which will also reduce your stress.

Note: to get more info about the benefits of air purifiers you can read our article ‘Air Purifiers: types and benefits’

Why do people think air purifiers cause sickness

The best and safest air purifiers have filters that do not produce ozone. Such types do not cause symptoms of sickness, headaches, or other irritants. Air purifiers with filters are safe and won’t cause sickness or issues from their use. They prevent sickness and make the air around you safer and healthier to breathe. They’re proven to be effective. The most reliable air purifiers are those that use true HEPA filters.
Ozone generators are a poor choice and really harmful. Additionally, they’re not nearly as effective as filter-based purifiers. Ionizers are generally a good way to effectively combat airborne germs that cause illnesses. However, like others, they’re not good for efficient and thorough air cleaning. Ideally, for the best health protection buy a true HEPA filter-based purifier.

Common air pollutants in our home

There are two kinds of indoor home pollutants:

  1. The first group is the particulate matter: pollen, dust, debris, hair, pet dander, smoke, molds, bacteria, viruses, and other tiny organisms. Newer homes may contain airborne particles related to new carpet or building materials. Sometimes pollutants are brought in from outdoors. A great example is smokers who bring smoke particles inside your home on their clothes, hair, or dirt and plant particles from other places.
  2. The second group contains gaseous pollutants. This group includes contaminants in fuels, medicine, perfume, cosmetics, plastics, and other products used for things like cleaning, cooking, or maintenance.

How do air purifiers work and do they have health risks

An air purifier is a great device that cleans indoor air either by removing or destroying the pollutants. An air purifier works by drawing in dirty, contaminated air which is then filtered before it escapes back into the room. Let’s talk about the most common types of air purifiers.

1. HEPA filter purifiers

A HEPA filter is an extremely dense filter. The material traps microscopic particles in the air passing through it. They’re highly effective at cleaning the air. Moreover, purifiers with true HEPA filters don’t have any undesirable side effects unlike other methods used. Often a HEPA filter is used along with a pre-filter and an activated carbon filter.

2. Electronic air cleaners

Electronic air cleaners work by generating charged particles. These particles then can cling to particulates in the air as well as neutralize germs, too. A well-designed unit collects the foreign matter in a filter or on a plate. Electronic air cleaners draw air into an ionization section where particles are electrically charged.

3. Ozone generators

Ozone generators produce heavy amounts of ozone molecules by using a high voltage device to split oxygen molecules. These can bond to particles in the air and may give the impression of fresh air being generated. They don’t permanently trap particulates in the air as filter-based types do.
Unfortunately, ozone can exacerbate symptoms in asthma sufferers, cause shortness of breath and throat irritation, and even lower the body’s ability to ward off respiratory infections.

4. UV air purifiers

UV cleaners are intended for the destruction of molds, viruses, and airborne bacteria. However, many of these biological pollutants produce higher levels of UV radiation than is provided by most UVGI cleaners designed for home use. Dead or inactivated microorganisms can still trigger allergies and respiratory problems.

Everything about air purifiers: most common questions

It may come as a surprise, but not all air purifiers are created equal! Therefore, people often have a lot of questions. The Geniani team will answer the top 3 questions about an air purifier.

1. Do air purifiers improve health

Poor air quality can worsen health issues like asthma and allergies, increase sleep problems, and even lead to long-term health effects. If you’re looking to keep your home healthy and full of fresh air, a quality air purifier is a must! HEPA filter-based air purifiers produce no harmful by-products and are good for your health. They remove harmful and allergy-causing particulates from the air, leaving only fresh air behind.

2. Are air purifiers safe during pregnancy and for newborns

These devices are not only safe and beneficial to the health of the pregnant mother. Moreover, it also helps with the development of the baby, promoting stronger lungs and higher birth weights. A new study published in Australia adds more evidence that an air purifier might help protect the health of unborn babies. Sure, a good air purifier at home will offer protection. But if you choose the wrong air purifier it could make everything worse. Not only pregnant women but everyone should choose an air purifier that only uses safe technology to clean the air. That means avoiding any air purifier that generates ozone.

3. Are air purifiers safe for pets

Yes, for sure! However, don’t purchase an ozone generator for any of your pets. Whether you have a cat, parrot, parakeet, dog, or any other pet, this type of air purifier can cause serious harm. Is such air safe? No. An ionizer is not a bird-safe air purifier since it produces too much oxygen for birds to inhale.
The air purifiers that are absolutely safe for pets are those that have filters. These include HEPA filter-based systems, activated carbon filters, and UV systems. They are good at removing pet dander, odors, and other contaminants.
Pets, just like humans, do not enjoy inhaling bad smells. An indoor air purifier can help remove bad odors and harmful air pollutants from your home. Air purifiers are a better option and they ensure a healthier pet environment.

Are air purifiers good or bad for your health

Yes, the right type of air purifier is good for your health. The wrong type can cause health issues. Ideally, for the best health buy a true HEPA filter-based purifier. These will reduce airborne allergens and particulates that cause problems. Air purifiers with filters are safe and cannot cause sickness or issues from their use. If anything, they prevent sickness and make the air around you safer and healthier to breathe.

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