NH July2022

HealthyHomes
Easy-Breezy Home:
Choosing
the Right
Air Purifier
With health being prioritised above
all else during the pandemic, air
purifiers have been catapulted into the
spotlight. If you are unsure which type
of air purifier you should purchase to
solve your home’s air problems, we
have you covered! This article breaks
down the various types of home air
purifiers available so that you can
make the right choice.
Selecting an Air Purifier
The wide selection of air purifiers in
terms of type, styles, and brands can
get overwhelming when you have no
idea what you need. The good news
is, there are only four basic types of air
filtration technology that these devices
use. The types are:
A. HEPA (High-Efficiency
Particulate Air) Filtration
The gold standard of air purification,
this air filtering process consists of a
high-density paper filter that entraps
airborne pollutants. In fact, the finest
air purifying machines utilise this form
of filtration to deliver top-notch results.
• What it removes: Pollen, mould
spores, fungi, dust, pet dander,
hair, and visible smoke
• Advantages: Highly efficient, traps
particles without re-releasing
them into the air, safe, and made
for all respiratory problems
• Disadvantages: Regular filter
replacement is required to
maintain efficiency. Air filtration is
considered one of the most
expensive in terms of cost; it
does not remove odours or
chemical vapours and uses a fan
to draw in air. Higher speeds can
be noisy.
B. Activated Carbon Filtration
A unique form of activated carbon
composed of millions of tiny absorbent
pores is used for this air filter. These
filters can create a large surface area
optimal for trapping fumes, gases,
and odours. It’s suitable for people who
would like to focus on eliminating the
dust and paint fumes from a
renovation project.
• What it removes: Chemical and
gas fumes, pet odours, cooking
smoke, pant and cleaning fumes.
• Advantages: Maintains a fresh scent
in the room, relatively cheap to
replace consistently
• Disadvantages: Solely effective in
reducing gaseous fumes, smells, and
odours. Not that effective for others.
C. Ultra Violet (UV) Light
This technology emits an invisible light
that attacks contaminants instead of
passing them through a physical filter.
UV-powered air purifiers are designed
to deactivate airborne pathogens and
microorganisms like mould, bacteria,
and viruses. Removable Pollutants:
Bacteria, viruses, and germs
• Advantages: Ultraviolet light rarely
needs replacement, create a sterile
environment, perfect for disinfecting
• Disadvantages: Cannot be used as
a standalone device as it solely kills
viruses, bacteria, and germs. A HEPA
or Ionic air cleaner complements the
UV light air purifier well.
D. Ionic Filtration
This air purifying technology latches
onto airborne pollutants by emitting
a cloud of charged ions into the air.
• What it removes: Dust, pollen,
mould spores, fungi, volatile organic
compounds, some bacteria and
viruses, and visible smoke
• Advantages: Doesn’t require
filter replacements, is practically
maintenance-free and operates
quietly.
• Disadvantages: Pollutants remain
on surfaces unless collected on an
electrostatic plate, which requires
frequent cleaning with soap and
water; it doesn’t remove odours and
produces small amounts of ozone
as a by-product which can trigger
respiratory problems.
There is no single air purifier that’s
right for everyone, no one-sizefits-all.
Therefore, it’s important
to choose one specifically for
your needs. Be sure to evaluate
secondary features like noise
levels and portability too!
Regardless of your decision, air
purifiers will definitely improve
your home’s air quality.
Natural Health * July 2022 VOL 128
45