Doctors often recommend air purifiers with a HEPA filter for home use.
HEPA
stands for High-Efficiency Particulate Air and is designed to trap various contaminants and allergens in the air. This type of air filter is considered to be the safest for home use, as research experts fear that electronic air filters may produce ozone gas and other hazardous substances. Air purifiers can help improve indoor air quality by reducing or eliminating allergens and contaminants that can worsen the symptoms of allergies or asthma, as well as contribute to more serious lung diseases and even certain types of cancer.If you suffer from respiratory illnesses, such as asthma, COPD, or seasonal allergies, an air purifier may be beneficial for you. Manufacturers use the Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) rating system to evaluate the performance of air purifiers. Fine PM, or PM2.5 particles, are the smallest particles that can penetrate the human respiratory tract and reach the pulmonary alveoli. These particles cause the most health problems and should be filtered out with an air purifier. Air purifiers use fans to draw air through one or more filters and then circulate cleaner air back into the room. The EPA, ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers), and CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) recommend updating air filters to be as efficient as possible and compatible with the system, as well as checking their fit to minimize the diversion of filtered air. The EPA states that portable HEPA air purifiers have been shown to be beneficial for allergy and asthma symptoms, as well as cardiovascular health.
One study cited several reports that HEPA air purifiers can reduce the concentration of indoor allergens, including pollen, house dust mite (HDM) allergens, and pet dander. When used in conjunction with other practices recommended by public health agencies, such as social distancing and the use of masks, filtration can be part of a plan to reduce the chance of airborne transmission of COVID-19 indoors. Do-it-yourself air filters are indoor air filters that can be assembled with box fans and square HVAC (or oven) filters. Do not use air filters that intentionally generate ozone in occupied spaces or that do not meet state regulations or industry standards for ozone generation. Consult ASHRAE and the CDC for more information on air cleaning and filtration and other important engineering controls.
