![]() Instead, they charge them so they stick to something else. Ionizers also don’t remove the particles from circulation. Ionizers are better at removing smaller molecules like bacteria and viruses, so they may not benefit those suffering from allergies or asthma. It's worth noting that air purifiers are largely safe for pets themselves, although you should still check basic safety measures if you have a pet at home. ![]() HEPA filters, with their dense network of superfine fiberglass fibers that are thinner than a strand of human hair, remove particles as small as 0.3µm/microns, around the size of some cat and dust mites allergens. How effectively they do this depends on the type of purifier and the filter they use. Air purifiers are well suited to removing pollen, pet dander, and other particulates from the air, so they are ideal for those with allergies and asthma who want to remove the trigger of their symptoms. Whether you choose an air purifier or an ionizer will depend on what you need. (Image credit: Getty) Air purifiers vs ionizers: which is right for you? Long-term effects include worsening asthma symptoms, a decrease in lung function, and lung inflammation. In the short term, the EPA says that inhaling small amounts of the gas could lead to throat irritation, chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing. This could exacerbate existing respiratory conditions, like asthma.įor that reason, it's important to weigh the positive impact an ionizer may have on the level of particles in the air against any damage it could do to your health by producing ozone. Ozone is a known lung irritant, and in some cases, ionizers produce the gas at levels significantly above those thought to be harmful to human health. However, ionizers indirectly produce ozone – three oxygen particles bound together through the interaction of their negative ions with other particles. The negative ions associated with ionizers have been identified to positively affect psychological health, productivity, and overall well-being and could help those with seasonal affective disorder (SAD). That’s not to say they won’t help, but it’s important to identify what causes the allergy and do your research before investing in an ionizer. If you need more, we have a full feature on air purifiers and allergies.Īs they remove a much narrower range of particles, air ionizers may not be as good at eliminating the triggers of allergies and asthma. This means they are helpful for those suffering from pet allergies, hay fever, and asthma. While air purifiers remove particles from circulation by trapping them, ionizers simply make them heavy enough to fall to the ground meaning they still need to be cleaned up, and they can easily be disturbed and reintroduced into the air.Īir purifiers also work on a wider range of particles such as large allergens like dust and pollen as well as smaller ones such as pet dander, bacteria, and viruses. (Image credit: Getty) Air purifiers vs ionizers: how do they affect air quality?Īir purifiers and ionizers use different technology to cleanse the air. However, the EPA says air ionizers are relatively ineffective at removing larger particles like dust and pollen, and they are more suited to removing smaller particles such as tobacco smoke and smog, which measure between 0.01 and 0.1 µm/microns. The negative ions used by ionizers can stop the growth of viruses, while the ozone produced by the interaction of negative ions and other particles can kill bacteria, fungi, and mold. The negative ions attach to positively charged particles in the room to create a dense particle that is heavy enough to fall to the floor. Ionizers create negative ions using electricity and discharge them into the air. In contrast, air ionizers exploit the chemical properties of ions to remove particles and microbes from the air. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that air purifiers with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters can hypothetically remove at least 99.97% of airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns, including dust, pollen, mold and bacteria. Once that process finishes, clean air is recirculated in the room. Particles are then captured within the filter's many layers and pleats. How do they work? An internal fan pulls room air over the filter. Air purifiers consist of one or more filters and a fan.
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