The air you breathe every day greatly influences your current and future health. In an ideal world, you would only breathe in pure air; however, that’s not the case. The air outside and in our homes are full of various kinds of coarse and fine particulate matter. Fine particulate matter (particles 2.5 microns and smaller) can make it all the way to the alveoli– the microscopic structure where blood gases are exchanged, and some can even jump into your bloodstream and get carried to all your organs, where they accumulate to dangerous levels.
Unfortunately, particulate pollution is not going to go away. Industry, construction and manufacturing will continue to pour billions of pounds of it into our air every day. Cars and commercial jets put out soot and fuel mist that can make it into our homes. In fact, a shocking study found that perchlorate, a toxic component of rocket fuel, was
contaminating virtually all samples of women’s breast milk and its levels were found to be, on average, five times greater than in cow’s milk.
Wildfires all over the planet produce fine soot, which can cross entire oceans and reach populated areas. Droughts produce fine clay dust particles, some containing lead, that travel with the wind from places far from your home.
Because of this constant onslaught of pollution, it is wise to invest in an air purifier. Place one in your bedroom, living room, automobile, and place of work– the places where you spend the most time. You’re not going to be able to escape all of it, but if you can cut your pollutant ingestion down 80%, it’s going to benefit your health significantly. For those who live in a high risk area like downwind of an industrial zone or construction site, the change will be even more dramatic.
There are currently eight main technologies of consumer air purification technology; some that have been around for over 25 years and some relatively newer. Let’s break down the most common types of air purifiers and their key features:
- Mechanical Filters (HEPA filters)
- How they work: These use a dense web of fibers to trap particles as air flows through.
- Key features:
- Can capture particles as small as 0.3 microns (like pollen, dust, and some mold spores).
- Need regular replacement.
- Can be combined with other types of filters/technologies for comprehensive air purification.
- Pros: Effective at capturing large to small particles, especially true HEPA filters.
- Cons: Doesn’t neutralize odors, chemicals, or gases; filters need replacement.
- Activated Carbon Filters
- How they work: Made from porous charcoal, these filters absorb gases and odors.
- Key features:
- Effective for odors and smoke.
- Often combined with other filter types (like HEPA) for broader effectiveness.
- Pros: Great for removing odors, smoke, and some gases.
- Cons: Doesn’t trap particulate matter; needs periodic replacement.
- Ionic Purifiers (or Ionizers)
- How they work: Emit negative ions that bond with positive ions (like dust, pollen) to form larger particles, which settle and are removed from the air.
- Key features:
- Some models collect ionized particles on plates, while others let them settle on surfaces.
- Pros: Quiet operation, can remove very small particles from the air.
- Cons: May produce ozone, which can irritate the lungs and is harmful to the environment; settled particles need to be cleaned.
- Ozone Generators
- How they work: Intentionally produce ozone to “purify” the air.
- Key features:
- Claimed to deodorize, disinfect, and kill/remove contaminants.
- Pros: Can neutralize certain odors and contaminants.
- Cons: Ozone is harmful to human health and can exacerbate respiratory issues; not recommended for general air purification.
- Ultraviolet (UV) Light Purifier
- How they work: Use ultraviolet light to kill germs, bacteria, and viruses.
- Key features:
- Often used in combination with other filter types.
- Pros: Effective at killing microorganisms.
- Cons: Only targets microorganisms; effectiveness depends on exposure time.
- Photocatalytic Oxidation (PCO)
- How they work: Uses a UV light along with a catalyst (usually titanium dioxide) to break down gases into harmless substances.
- Key features:
- Targets VOCs (volatile organic compounds), bacteria, and viruses.
- Pros: Can neutralize harmful gases and microorganisms.
- Cons: Limited in effectiveness against larger particulate matter; some units might produce small amounts of ozone.
- Electronic Air Cleaners
- How they work: Use electrostatic attraction to trap charged particles.
- Key features:
- Can be filterless or use filters.
- Pros: Effective at capturing various particle sizes.
- Cons: Some models may produce ozone.
- TPA (Tesla Plasma Array) Technology:
- How it works: Uses an electric field to capture particles, much like an ionic purifier but without producing ozone.
- Pros:
- Typically filterless or has washable filters, leading to lower maintenance costs.
- Can effectively capture very small particles.
- Quiet operation as it doesn’t require powerful fans.
- Cons:
- The electric plates require regular cleaning.
- May not be as effective against certain gases or odors compared to activated carbon filters.
Be aware that medium to high end air purifiers typically combine several of these technologies, such as the AirDog line of air purification systems.
When comparing specific models or technologies, read the product description and get a sense of what the product is designed to address, such as allergies, asthma, smoke, pets, or chemical sensitivities, and operational features. Some people might prioritize filter replacement costs, while others might look for the most effective particle removal.
Also, pay attention to the room size recommendations, maintenance requirements, and any certifications (like from the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, AHAM, or California Air Resources Board, CARB) that validate the purifier’s effectiveness and safety.
Lastly, a final consideration: when it comes to spending on your and your loved ones’ health, it is wise to view purchases not as an expense, but as an investment; especially if it can provide your body the purest air possible. While there are relatively cheap HEPA air purifiers, there are also higher-end air purifiers that offer multiple-stage filtration to extract even the smallest fine particulate matter and harmful gases. Like a home mortgage, this expense is amortized over your remaining life. The more you use it over time, the cheaper its daily cost is.
