could not found at this time. Please check for typos and try again.The jury is out on the health benefits of using an air purifier (often called “air cleaner”) to remove particles and gasses from your home. A series of medical studies produced mixed results, according to Canada's National Collaborating Center for Environmental Health. For instance, people with allergies, asthma or other respiratory illnesses who used portable air cleaners outfitted with HEPA filters had fewer symptoms, such as wheezing and coughing, but used just as much medication as people who didn't use the cleaners. Purifiers tend to work best at removing smaller particles like smoke, because they are relatively lightweight. Large particles, like pollen and dust, are less likely to remain in the air long enough to be collected. In some cases, a purifier can even make the air dirtier by stirring up already-settled dust, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. “Studies have looked and often cannot even show that particulate matter is reduced, much less a health benefit, in the real world rather than in a lab setting,” says Elliot Horner, PhD, lead scientist for UL Environment, a division of UL.

Horner points out that product testing is usually done in a laboratory. “The issue is that in the real world, there is often poor mixing of air. This means that much particulate matter (PM) in a room — in pockets of stagnant air — never gets pulled into the air cleaner. Also, even if the cleaner pulls in all PM in the air right now, if the sources of PM are not addressed, then PM levels very quickly will be right back up to where they were.”eco-rx air purifier “There is no silver bullet,” says Horner. diy ozone air purifierHe advises people to reduce the sources of any pollutants bythermax water based air purifier keeping the home clean and well ventilated. “Nothing all that fancy, what your grandmother was doing.”

For example, simply wipe or vacuum surfaces, since more allergens rest there than float in the air, according to the AAFA. Related: Is Your Vacuum Cleaner Bad for Your Health? If you’re still thinking about buying an air purifier, here are three things to consider. Purifier designs fall into five main categories: Numerous authorities advise against using ozone generators, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Mayo Clinic. While all air cleaners produce some ozone as a byproduct, ozone generators deliberately fill the air with it in order to mask odors without actually cleaning the air. Breathing ozone can cause lung damage and worsen existing respiratory illness, according to the EPA. Some models can produce 10 times more ozone than is considered safe, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. “People and ozone should not share space.” says Horner. Electronic purifiers also tend to produce more ozone than mechanical models, according to the

California Environmental Protection Agency. Before purchasing one, ask for the manufacturer's data on ozone levels. Related: Do You Really Need to Clean Your Air Ducts? Air purifiers are rated according to their ability to trap particles of various sizes. These rating systems have nothing to do with whether or not the unit will improve your health. In fact, there are no health-related rating standards for air cleaners because there isn't enough research to prove that cleaners improve your health, according to the AAFA. Keeping that in mind, two rating systems are most commonly used: MERV and CADR. MERV, short for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, rates “whole house” purifiers that are typically installed as part of your building-wide heating and air conditioning system. chart shows how each MERV level performs against different types of particles. For smaller, portable purifiers — typically used to clean a single room — look for the Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) label on the outside of the product's packaging.

Developed by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, it rates the unit's ability to remove tobacco smoke, pollen and dust. As long as you avoid models that produce excessive amounts of ozone, there is no evidence that air purifiers are harmful. But if you are considering one for health reasons, consult with your doctor first, advises the AAFA. Related: Can Houseplants Really Clean the Air?Some devices that are advertised as air purifiers or air cleaners purposely emit large amounts of ozone, the main componentSuch ozone generators pose serious health risks. Board recommends that ozone generators not be used. The following is a partial list of portable ozone generators that are sold as air purifiers. This list includes air cleaners primarily for residential use, plus some for commercial, in-vehicle,Inclusion on this list is based on information available at the time of review. Exclusion from this list is not to be construed as endorsement by the California Air Resources Board.

and other non-portable ozone generators are not listed here but may generate potentially harmful levels of ozone. This list (updated September 21, 2007) will be updated periodically as information becomes available. XT-120, XT-240, XT-400, XT-800, XT-2000, XT-4000, XT-6000, XT-14000, Airdow (ADA Air Purifier and Air Cleaner (Xiamen) ADA 311, 377, 388, 705, 706, 708, 717, 728, 729, 737, 739, 767 Allied Products/Biofeedback Instrument Corporation Kleen-Air King II Model 1004A, 1004, 1004 SP, 1007 Living Air Classic, XL-15, Breeze AT, LA1, LA2, Peak, Flair, Fresh Air, APSNA - Air & Water Purification Systems North FA1, C3, BAT, F2 Aqua Sun Ozone International Model-(100, 202A, 206A, 217A, 308, 700, 5000), Model-2500/Kleenair, Model-2500R/Kleenair Aran Aqua Pollution Control Systems SS-Series Aranizers (SS-1, SS-3X, SS-4X, SS-6, SS-8, SS-10) NS-Series Aranizers (NS-3, NS-5, NS-6, NS-8, NS-10) Sun Aire Air Purifier

EdenPURE Area Air Purifier, EdenPURE Deluxe Air Purifier 50, 100, 102, 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, Travel Aire 50V, Travel Capital Vanguard Co., Ltd HV-(107, 109, 202, 202A, 203A, 205, 206A, 207, 207A, 210A, 217A, 308), Carspa Technology Co., Ltd Cliff Scott Enterprises (All models) CSE 100, CSE 101 CD-100, CD-120, CD-210, CD-200, CD-2120, CD-2200 Crystal Air (All models) CA45-2, DC Pro (200, 450, 970), Multizone 280, Pro (420, 700, 3400-1, 3600-1), UV Pro 550 Original AirCare, Super AirCare, Pro AirCare, Automotive AirCare, Facility Control System AirCare, Car Fresh AirCare, Desk Fresh AirCare, Turbo Fresh Air, Living Air Classic, Breeze AT, Flair, Fresh Air To Go, EcoBox H-50, XL-250 SH, TS-50, M10 EA-8705, EW-300, EW600, EW-900, GW-250 OZX-A200B, OZX-A500B, OZX-A3500, OZX-A700, OZX-7000B Fresh-Aire (Triatomic Environmental, Inc.) HealthWay Home Products, Inc. Healthway Air Deodorizer HW-DE01

Hefei Sensing Electronic Co., Ltd. Ozone Air PurifierImperial Products Air Fresh G-100, Moonland Desktop Ozone Purifier, SL-002 High Output Ozone Air Purifier, XJ-1000 Ionic Air Purifier, XJ-3000B Professional Ozone Air PurifierJenesco (All models) DC-12, PT101, PT101W, PT109, PT109W, PRO-4, PRO-8, FM-1,FM-2King Air & Water Purification Corporation See Allied ProductsLenntech (All models) LA-1XP/2500, LightningAir Plus 5PX series, LA-2SPXLongevity Resources ZipZone, EnviroPro (420, 700, 3400, 3600, 3600-5)Matsutek Enterprises Co., Ltd. ION737, AR-150, CA-320, CA-721Nanbai DC Pro 450, Pro 700, DC Pro 970, UV Pro 550Odatus (All models) Odatus IIOxytech Research (All models) MGA-500, MGA-1000, MGA-2000, MGA-3500Ozomax, Ltd. Ozo Fresh 30Ozone Environmental Technologies Uvonair (1000, 3000, 5000)Ozone Solutions (All models) MZ-280, MZ-450, MZ-950, OMZ-420, OMZ-700, OMZ-1000, OUV-550, OMZ-2500, Small Room Air Purifier Model 388Peak Pure Air

Peak O3 Air PurifierProzone (All Models) PZ5-A, PZ2-2A, The Prozone (Purifier), Whole House Twister, PZ6-AIR, Whole House Air and Surface PurifierPure 'n Natural (Certain models) OZ-2000 ( Odor Zapper ), Sani-Mate AS-250-B, NA50 Deodorizer/Air FreshenerQCH Tradelink AccuAire ALS-750, ALS-1500, ALS-3000, RMS-100, ClassicAire (CS-1000, CS-2000, CS-3500), XP-350Queenaire Technologies, Inc. QT Storm, QT Thunder, QT Thunder-24, QT Tornado, QT Cyclone, Newaire RFA5000, RFA3500RainbowAir (All models) Newaire Plug In, Activator (250, 500, 1000)Shenyang Bodycare Ozone Research Insitute UV_Portable, UV_Wall MountSpringAir (Certain models) see Better LivingSurroundAir (Certain models) Multi-TechTaoture International Enterprises, Inc. SBR-1, SBH-1, C12-1, C12-U1Trump Electronic Company TP-2, TP-3, TP-4, TP-5, TP-6, TCB-913GCUltra-Pure (Real spirit USA) UP-988, UP-899, Pet-Pro 3800Windchaser (Certain models) IF-1, IF-2, IMC-1Zhuhai Large Horse Electrical appliances