The Disadvantages of Air Purifiers Companies that sell air purifiers advertise them as devices that can remove pollutants or contaminants from the air inside homes. These include internal pollutants, such as those emitted from cleaning products and plastics, as well as external pollutants, such as emissions from cars and buildings that seep in through doors and windows. Although using an air purifier can have health benefits, especially if you have asthma or another respiratory condition, there are also disadvantages to air purifiers. Some types of air purifiers -- specifically ozone generators, electrostatic precipitators and ionizers -- emit ozone into homes. Ozone is a colorless, toxic and unstable gas that has three oxygen atoms in each one of its molecules. The gas occurs naturally in the upper atmosphere, but it is also a common component of man-made smog. Ozone generating air purifiers deliberately emit ozone gas as a strategy for eliminating bacteria and chemicals in the air.

In contrast, some electrostatic precipitators and ionizers emit ozone unintentionally as a byproduct of their function. These latter types of purifiers electrically charge contaminants in the air to remove them. The charging process can result in ozone release. The California Environmental Protection Agency states that ozone exposure is harmful to cells in the lungs and airways. Side effects of exposure to the gas can include shortness of breath, coughing and chest tightness. Patients with asthma or other preexisting health conditions may experience intensified symptoms of those conditions as a result of ozone exposure. Apart from potentially worsening the quality of the air in your home, air purifiers can also under-perform, and not provide all of the purifying effects that manufacturers claim. notes, there are several types of contaminants that can impact air quality, but unfortunately, most air purifiers are only effective against two or three. For example, while purifiers that use activated carbon air filters can remove odors, chemicals and gases (including smoke), they are ineffective against microorganisms and allergens.

Oppositely, while HEPA (high efficiency particle air) filtration purifiers can capture allergens, they are ineffective against odors, chemicals and gases, including smoke. Many air purifiers rely on the use of disposable, replaceable filters, which means you need to spend anywhere between $30 and $200 each year on new filters. If you do not change a purifier's filter periodically, the filter does not function optimally. For purifier models that employ re-usable containers or plates to collect contaminants, you must periodically clean out these components. While maintaining these latter types of purifiers is less expensive, it is also more labor intensive. California Environmental Protection Agency: Beware of Ozone-generating Indoor "Air Purifiers" : The Truth About Air Purifiers : Air Purifier Comparison More and more studies have shown that air purifiers can significantly reduce the many harmful contaminants found indoors by filtering them from... The Disadvantages of Water Purifiers.

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Every living thing depends upon water for survival. Since bacteria can flourish in water, modern technologies--such as water filters--have become available to... There are many aspects to consider in choosing an air filter for a central air conditioner. A common desire is to get... Air Purifiers That Remove Black Mold. Black mold, commonly of the Stachybotrys strain, can grow in moist environments, including homes. Air Purifier vs. Ionizer What Is the Purpose of a Humidifier? What Does an Air Purifier Do?Consumer Reports Air Purifier Ratings What air purifiers do Consumer Reports rate highly? Can their rating system be trusted? We present the pros and cons of the CR rating system and what air purifiers they recommend. Ozone Air Purifiers: The Truth According to expert health authorities, you should never buy ozone generating air purifiers. We tell you why.Share it with others! Air Purifiers & Allergies Do air purifiers help allergy sufferers?

We give you the facts from major health authorities. Air Purifiers & Indoor Air Pollution Find out the top sources of air pollution in your home and if air purifiers are effective at helping. Learn how HEPA air purifiers work and what pollutants they filter. HEPA filtration is often the most effective way to clean the air. We explain what technology is used in air purifiers and what it achieves. Some air purifier tech is actually bad for your health. All air purifier tech guides Update: We list the major air purifier brands, what technology they use, and a database of current models along with any available ratings. Ion Flow Air Purifiers All air purifier brands Air purifiers are expensive and some are ineffective. The following resources bring up essential issues you should know in your search for the right product. Do air purifiers work? How air purifiers are tested Bad indoor air quality can affect your health. We help you understand how air purifiers can realistically help.

Do air purifiers remove viruses? Do air purifiers help with allergies? Do air purifiers help with asthma? Do air purifiers help with COPD and emphysema? All air purifier health guides We address some important frequently asked questions regarding air purifiers. What are CADR ratings? What are MERV ratings? What causes bad indoor air quality? What happened to Ionic Breeze? Why indoor air is often more polluted than outdoor air All frequently asked questions Important Indoor Air Quality resources and valuable guides related to air purification. Energy Star Rated Air Purifiers The History of Air Purifiers IAQ & Air Purification Resources About Air Purifier Guide Air Purifier Guide was created to present the facts about air purifiers using the most credible studies and insights from health and science authorities like The Mayo Clinic, The New England Journal of Medicine, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Responding to consumer needs for clean air, the air purifier market has grown into a massive industry. Unfortunately with market growth often comes the typical exaggerated claims from some manufacturers and distributors in an attempt to sell more products. We want consumers to be armed with all the knowledge they can in order to select a product that will truly meet their needs. In addition to providing information on hundreds of air purifier models, Air Purifier Guide also presents the testing results from companies like Consumer Reports and the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturer’s Clean Air Delivery Rate program. We also help you understand the pros and cons of these rating systems. We also explore the most common technology used by air purifier manufacturers to clean the air. We help you understand which technology is most effective at filtering particles, gases, and other common pollutants. We also help you understand which technology is ineffective, and in some cases, actually harmful to your health.