Do Air Purifiers Really Work? Does the EPA Advocate the Use of Air Purifiers? To reduce the contaminants that lower air quality in the home, the Environmental Protection Agency first and foremost recommends minimizing or eliminating the sources of the pollution and increasing ventilation in order to replace bad air with good. "[Air purifiers] may help control the levels of airborne particles including those associated with allergens." - United States Environment Protection Agency (August 2009) However, there are limitations to how much of each of these you can effectively do. Some pollution sources can be easily dealt with, but others cannot. Opening windows to increase air circulation is not always a convenient option, and as the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers points out, ventilation is relatively poor in many modern homes, as they were designed to be "energy efficient" by reducing airflow to and from the outdoors as much as possible. The EPA therefore also recommends the use of air purifiers to supplement these other avenues of cleaning indoor air.

Understanding the Limitations of Air Purifiers It is important to understand and accept the limitations of air purifiers in order to comprehend their usefulness. The EPA emphasizes that air cleaners are not meant to be a substitute for the other two methods of cleaning your home's air described above. However, in conjunction with them, the EPA says that air purifiers "may help control the levels of airborne particles including those associated with allergens."electrolux air purifier 2000 sq ft Most air cleaners are not effective at removing unwanted gases, being designed instead to target unhealthy particles floating in the air. benefits of air purifier with ionizerAmong these particles, the relatively larger ones are often missed by the air cleaner because gravity pulls them to the ground more quickly than smaller particles, keeping them out of the purifier's reach.air duct cleaning meridian idaho

Therefore, no one should ever expect air cleaners alone to have a significant impact on indoor air quality. Nevertheless, a high-quality air cleaner can be used to improve certain aspects the air you breathe in your home, and can be an important part of your overall air-purifying strategy. The Effectiveness of Air Cleaners The main function of most air cleaners, therefore, is combating smaller contaminating particles. Research has shown that good air purifiers, even those of the smaller, portable variety, are up to 90% effective in reducing these smaller particles, such as those caused by cat dander and dust mites. The EPA has certain recommendations regarding the use of portable air purifiers. In order to achieve maximum effectiveness, the portable air cleaner should be placed somewhere away from walls or other obstructions and positioned in such a way that the clean air is blown into open, occupied areas. If there is some specific source of pollution, the purifier should be placed nearby.

Such purifiers work far better when all doors and windows of the room in which they are located are closed. Do Air Purifiers Work For Mold Removal? Some air purifiers may effectively remove mold particles from the air but are ineffective against killing mold spores.  Spores are typically resistant even to UV light treatment.  However, if spores become trapped in a filter, this does keep them from proliferating in your home.  Careful and proper disposal of used filters is essential.  We recommend changing filters outside your home to prevent unwanted release of trapped particles and spores. Do Air Purifiers Work For Pet Allergies? Some air purifiers can remove pet hair and dander trapped in the air.  However, heavier pet dander particles often fall out of the air column and settle onto surfaces.  Frequent cleaning is recommended.  Also, keep pets out of sleeping areas to avoid contact with pet dander throughout the night and other sleeping times. Do Air Purifiers Help With Hay Fever?- Depends on the source of your hay fever allergy. 

According to the Mayo Clinic, hay fever can be caused by various pollens, fungi and mold spores, dust mites or cockroaches, and pet dander.  Air purifiers range in their effectiveness of cleaning the air of these particles depending on model type.  Air purifiers are most effective at reducing pollen particles in the air column and are recommended by the Mayo Clinic.  Dust mite feces, cockroach body parts and pet dander are typically heavier particles that fall out of the air column and must be cleaned from surfaces.  Use allergen covers on bedding and pillows to protect against the most common exposure to dust mites.  Keep pets out of sleeping areas.  Use HEPA filter equipped vacuums to clean surfaces. In conclusion, air purifiers, while not sufficient to deal with all the hazards of indoor air pollution on their own, are a useful tool which should not be overlooked by anyone interested in keeping his or her home's air as clean as possible. When the air purifier is of good quality and used effectively, it has an important role to play in the fight against the toxins and irritants that infest our inside air.

Air purifiers are most effective at removing particles that remain trapped in the air column such as various pollens, dust, and some molds Air purifiers are not very effective with dust mite allergies since these allergens tend to remain on surfaces like pillows, bedding, furniture etc. Air purifiers have mixed results with pet allergens due to these particles not always remaining long enough in the air column to be filtered effectively Air purifiers are one solution to providing healthy indoor air and should be used in conjunction with other methods Sources referred to in this article: Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers: Clean Air Delivery Rate. "The Facts about Clean Air.""Residential Air Cleaners (Second Edition): A Summary of Available Information." Mayo Clinic: Hay FeverA doctor, a homeopath and a sufferer recommend treatments for a condition that brings misery to millions every summer. Their suggestions differ but there's one remedy they all agree on...

Bringing misery to millions every summer: There are many treatments on the market... but which one is best? Dr Adrian MorrisDr Morris, of the Surrey Allergy Clinic, says: ‘Hay fever can ruin lives.'It’s a miserable condition. Most people can rely on good advice from their local pharmacist and, thankfully, most allergy  medications are available without prescription.’ Grazax, on the NHS and private prescription (pictured right). Sublingual (under the tongue) desensitisation immunotherapy. Patients are given tablets containing grass pollen and, over time, they become desensitised and hay fever symptoms diminish. It has had incredible results with symptoms gone within a season. But it has to be taken for three years to ensure long-term relief. The worst side effect is an itchy tongue. A recent Cochrane meta-analysis of 42 studies showed a significant reduction in symptoms and medication requirements. It also shows efficacy in children. Needs to be started two months before hay fever season and must be taken every day.

It’s expensive, at up to £100 a month if you pay for it yourself. Most PCTs won’t fund it. Optrex Multi Action Eye Wash with eye bath, £3.89, expresschemist.co.uk (pictured above left). Pour eye wash into the bath, bend head forward and place over the eye, then tilt back to gently slosh liquid over the eye. It rinses out the pollen and relieves itching and is recommended by the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Won’t help nasal problems and can’t be used with soft lenses. Otrivine Adult Nasal Drops, 10ml, £3.05, chemistdirect.co.uk (pictured above centre). It contains xylometazoline which constricts the blood vessels in the lining of the nose and thus unblocks it – providing fast relief.Mentioned  in the British Society for Allergy and  Clinical Immunology guidelines for managing symptoms. Only use as directed on the box. Over-use causes a rebound effect and  more congestion. Dyson DC41 Animal, £398.99,  dyson.co.uk (pictured above right). Rather than just a standard filter, these have extra powerful suction,

high dust removal and the ability to capture minute particles such asRemoving pollen from inside the house may help symptoms. Look for other cleaners accredited by the British Allergy Foundation. Dr Charlotte Mendes Da CostaDr Da Costa is a GP and homeopathic doctor. She says: ‘If patients have tried other remedies and prescribed medicines without success, or simply prefer not to take over the counter medication, homeopathy can be an excellent solution. It can be used either preventatively or as a treatment.’ Weleda Allium Cepa 6c, 125 tablets, £6.45, health-store.co.uk Allium Cepa is a derivative of onion and it comes in tablet form. The principle of homeopathy is that like cures like. A substance, such as onion, which would produce symptoms similar to hay fever in a healthy person, is given in a tiny and harmless amount, alleviating discomfort. Systematic reviews and controlled trials have shown positive results for homeopathy and the treatment of allergic rhinitis.

Whether it works depends if the remedy has been chosen correctly. By rinsing out the nasal passage with a saline solution and getting rid of the pollen as well as unblocking it. It can be used by all ages. A 2009 study of 2,011 patients with sinonasal disease who took a saline irrigation twice daily, for three to six weeks, showed clear improvements. Won’t relieve all symptoms but may reduce need for antihistamines. Ainsworths Mixed Pollens, £5.75, 120 tablets, healthstuff.co.uk Contains grasses, cereals, blossom trees and weeds. Needs to be taken before the season starts or two weeks before you’d expect to start having symptoms. May help to reduce the allergic response by reducing sensitivity to pollens. You need to be organised about taking it in advance of the season. Writer Alice Smellie, 39, lives in Berkshire with her husband and three children, aged three, six and seven. She says: ‘One of my earliest memories is of streaming eyes and nose while walking through a field of grass as a small child.

Over the years I have tried virtually every remedy available.’ (pictured above left) May contain antihistamines, decongestants and anti-inflammatories, to relieve sore eyes. Best used if your main problem is itchy, watering eyes or in conjunction with other remedies such as nasal sprays. Mentioned in the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology guidelines as efficient in managing eye symptoms. You can’t always use these with contact lenses, so check the label.  May sting or burn when first applied. The Saltpipe, £29.95, highernature.co.uk (pictured above right) Helps to cleanse the respiratory system, and reduces inflammation in the airways. Clinical trials suggest it works for respiratory conditions and it is a registered Class IIa medical device. It cleared my sinuses and I could breathe more easily.  May not be suitable for all sufferers. for a practitioner – £40 and upwards per session (pictured right). Tiny sterile needles are inserted into acupoints on the skin.

This is said to balance the flow of energy. A 2004 study in Germany showed that 85 per cent of patients on acupuncture and herbal medicine showed an improvement compared to those in a placebo group. May require expensive ongoing treatments.Red nasal light is said to have an antihistamine effect, acting directly on the membranes within the nose to reduce histamine production.Put the light emitting probes into the nostrils for three minutes, three to four times a day. A 2008 clinical trial showed 72 per cent of patients had a reduction in symptoms.I found it effective, though I was using it in conjunction with other therapies at the time. No side effects but efficacy may vary. Bionaire Plus Lifetime Hepa Filter, £79.99, breathing space.co.uk (pictured right). It traps pollen particles from air so they aren’t floating around inside the room. Hepa (High Efficiency Particulate Arresting) filters capture and remove the tiniest of particles. Appropriate for severe hay fever. Look for those recommended by the British Allergy Foundation.

Nelsons Nux Vom,  84 pills, £5.45.  The dried, ripe seed of the strychnos nux-vomica tree native to India is given for blocked noses and headaches. There has been some positive evidence from laboratory studies for nux vom as an analgesic and anti-inflammatory. Many  medics argue that homeopathy is a placebo and works only if you believe it will do.TRY: HayfeGUARD English Honey, Pollen and Royal Jelly, 280g, £14.95, thehivehoneyshop.co.uk (pictured below right).HOW IT WORKS: The idea is that local honey is contaminated with local pollen, the ingestion of which desensitises you. Eat honey from within ten miles of your home two months before the pollen season.DOWNSIDES: Not scientifically proven but harmless to try.Hay fever occurs when the immune system mistakes pollen as harmful and produces histamine, a protein that protects the body’s cells.It causes blood vessels to expand and skin to swell. Normally this allows immune system cells to be sent to the site of an infection.But in an allergic reaction it triggers uncomfortable symptoms.