Guide to purifier types and technologies A fan pulls air through filters. Portable models usually use high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters and might have ultraviolet (UV) or other technologies; whole-house units use pleated fabric filters and are attached to forced-air systems. Pros: They trap dust, pollen, and smoke without emitting ozone, which can aggravate asthma and decrease lung function. Cons: Effectiveness varies considerably. They usually cost more per year in replacement filters and electricity than other types. Portable models tend to be noisy at high speeds, and most do-it-yourself, whole-house filters scored Fair at best for smoke $100 to $800 for portables; $20 to $25 for better do-it-yourself whole-house filters; $100 to $350 for whole-house systems (plus $200 or more for installation). Available as: Portables and whole-house models. An electrical charge is applied to the particles drawn into the device. Then the particles are captured on oppositely charged

Pros: They have relatively low operating costs. Some do a fine job of removing dust, pollen, and smoke. Cons: Most create some ozone. Models with small fans or no fans are ineffective at removing dust and smoke. Those with a fan can be noisy at high speeds. The collection plates need frequent cleaning, so there's more maintenance required than with filter-based $250 to $800 for portables; $400 to $1,150 for professionally installed whole-house models (plus $200 or more for installation). They usually use an electrical discharge to separate oxygen molecules in air into atoms that combine with other oxygen molecules Pros: They can help after serious contamination from a fire or flood but should be used only by professionals when people and petsThey're not for routine air cleaning. Cons: All emit hazardous levels of ozone, which can aggravate asthma and decrease lung function. California has banned the distribution and sale of air purifiers that produce 50 parts per billion or more of ozone, effective October 2010.

We don't recommend these and they're not included in our Ratings (available to subscribers).Appointments at Mayo Clinic Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations. My daughter has asthma. Would she benefit from an ozone air purifier in her room? Answers from James T C Li, M.D., Ph.D.winix ultimate pet model 9500 hepa air cleaner filtration Despite manufacturers' claims, ozone air purifiers don't remove asthma triggers from the air. honeywell air purifier hht-149In fact, inhaled ozone can make asthma worse.3q ionic air purifier tower Ozone generators sold as air purifiers intentionally produce the gas ozone.

Ozone can mask odors by changing the chemical composition of particles or other gasses in the air, making the air seem fresher and cleaner. However, ozone generators don't actually filter out the small particles that trigger asthma. Inhaling ozone, even in small amounts, can irritate the lungs. Specific effects may include throat irritation, coughing, chest pain and shortness of breath, as well as an increased risk of respiratory infections. Some ozone air purifiers are made with an ion generator or "ionizer" in the same unit. You can also buy ionizers as separate units. Ionizers do remove particles from the air, causing them to attach to nearby surfaces or to each other and settle out of the air — but they may generate unwanted ozone. Air filters that remove small particles — such as high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters — are effective in removing allergens from the air, without posing any ozone concerns. To work effectively, filters need to be cleaned or replaced regularly, according to the manufacturer's instructions.

James T C Li, M.D., Ph.D. Ozone generators that are sold as air cleaners. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Accessed July 10, 2013. Auten RL, et al. Biochemical effects of ozone on asthma during postnatal development. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta. Kim KH, et al. A review on human health perspective of air pollution with respect to allergies and asthma. See more Expert Answers Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic A to Z Health GuideThe Essential Guide to Prostate HealthMayo Clinic Guide to Pain ReliefThe Menopause Solution — NEW!The Mayo Clinic Diet Online Other Topics in Patient Care & Health Info Diseases and Conditions A-Z Tests and Procedures A-Z Drugs and Supplements A-Z Patient and Visitor Guide Baby & Kids (2) Storage & Cleaning (25)

NaturoPure™ Ionic Filterless Air Purifier and Freshener Brookestone® Pure-Ion Bedroom™ Air Purifier and Humidifier Therapure® 240 HEPA Air Purifier with UV Germicidal Protection Stadler Form™ Viktor Air Purifier Filters (Set of 2) Boneco Air-O-Swiss® 2-in-1 Humidifier & Purifier AOS 2055A Enjoying beautiful beaches – Fire Island and the Hamptons!  Summer will be here before we know it! Product review: CritterZone Air Purifier |  We won a cool CritterZone Air Purifier at the recent Doggies and Tiaras Pageant over Westminster weekend.  We bought $20 in raffle tickets to support Inky Blue Sea Rescue and ended up winning two great items! The CritterZone is a compact unit that plugs into an outlet and “continually produces a charged flow” to clean the air and eliminate odors.  We were a bit skeptical and really had no idea what to expect.  Ginger and Cubby are sugar and spice and all things nice, so do we really need this?  We don’t like perfumes or chemicals and tend to rely on natural cleaners and open windows, but we decided to give this a try. 

The filterless unit comes ready to go — just plug it in and put it on the highest setting of three.  (The manufacturer recommends the high setting when you first use the unit.)  We left the house for a few hours and returned to find a noticeable difference in the air quality.  All of the doggie (and other) smells were replaced by a neutral odor.  Yes, there was still an odor in the air, but it didn’t really smell like anything.  Maybe we were just smelling the “charged flow” that was circulating through the room?  There were certainly no perfume or chemical odors.  Just an undefinable smell. We are giving our unit to a friend who has two indoor cats and litter boxes to get her opinion.  She has tried numerous products without success so we are curious to see how she likes the CritterZone. Description:  The CritterZone Air Purifier naturally breaks down odors and knocks out dander and dust. Bottom line:  If you have odors that can’t be controlled with other natural cleaners, we would definitely give it a try. 

(We are waiting on a friend’s review with cat litterbox odors.)It’s me, Cubby | I’m a SWD (single white dog) who likes to have fun.  My mom started this blog so my big sis and I could share our antics, our adventures, and our (BOL) wisdom.  We like to live each day to the fullest.  We make a pawfect family unit.  Well except for our bratty “sister” Cubby Junior who gets to attend events when dogs are not invited.  Luckily that is not very often! We had a bit of a scare today when we saw that The Honest Kitchen recalled some of its food.  Luckily it was not the variety that we eat, but I still worry about that.  Eating food, after all, is one of my favorite pastimes.  My mom better get busy with her homemade treat baking! My visit with A Fair Shake for Youth was canceled this week due to school vacation.  I love visiting with the kids and I love being part of an animal-assisted therapy team!  Last night we had a committee meeting for The Good Dog Foundation’s “A Fetching Affair” gala. 

We met at a beautiful townhouse on the upper east side. The May 30 event is coming together nicely and should be pawsome.  Lots of fun surprises in store!  After the meeting, mom headed to a fundraiser for Rescuzilla animal rescue.  The event was held at a bar called The CubbyHole and I was not even invited.  I heard there was a good crowd including the lovely Jennifer Celebrity Catwalk (psst – she is looking for doggy models for her Paws in the City fashion show on June 1) and Josh and Jennifer from That Touch of Pit.  Mom is off to another human-only event this evening to support Animal Care & Control – K9Cupid.  At least she usually wins something for us in raffle prizes.  Last night she won a beautiful custom embroidered item from MonkeyandSquirrel.  I hope tonight she wins some food!  Or some toys I can destroy! We have a super busy weekend planned with the Canine Couture Fashion Show, an Oscar party, and playdates with friends.  We hope your pup diary is filled with great plans, too!