There are several type of Air Purifiers that can be helpful or
beneficial for your indoor air quality. Some systems may be really
good, others may be harmful. We recommend before deciding which
air purifier you might choose to buy that you look at some of the
options available and the pro's and con's for the different types.
Different types of air purifiers are, Hepa, (particle filtration),
Ionic purifiers, (negative ions attach to particulates causing them
to fall out of the air), UV Purifiers, (uses Ultra Violet light
to kill bacteria, virus, and other particulate matter), Ozone purifiers,
(yeah thats right, they actually create Ozone oxidize harmful contaminates
causing them to loose their toxicity), and the latest on the market
is the incenerator air cleaner. Last but not least there are airfiltration
units that combine 2 or more of these systems into one unit. Last
but not least are Air diffusers used in Arometherapy, with purification
oils.
Hepa filtration is a basic filtration system with filters that
can in most cases filter particulate matter down to 0.3 Microns
and larger. Some hepa filter units come with carbon filters also.
Most mold spores range from 5 - 10 microns, however there are some
spores as small as 0.003 microns. As with any of the filtration
units, you should search the internet for product reviews, compare
actual users and their satisfaction with your needs. Another consideration
is the cost of replacement filters. Hepa filtration is probably
the safest on the market and great for removing small particulates
from the air. While on the topic of Hepa filtration, you should
also use a Hepa vaccuum cleaner, others simply suck the mold spores
and allergans out of the carpet and spew them into the air for you
to breathe for the next few hours.
Ionic Purifiers come in a variety of sizes and shapes, my dad had
one that looked like a furball on top of a stick. he put a paper
board behind it, and all the particles would zap themselves to this
board. Some filters simply create negative ions, and particles end
up on the floor and the furniture, then when someone walks into
the room, they get stirred back into the air again. On the other
hand, some of these purifiers actually have charged plates that
catch the particles that have been charged. One advantage to these
is the lack of filters. A Disadvantage is Ionizers can also create
Ozone. (Possible
dangers of Ozone) (EPA
Warning)
UV Air Purifiers: UV or Ultra Violet Light operates on the concept
of altering the DNA of bacteria and viruses, reducing their ability
to reproduce. I haven't found any studies showing the effectiveness
on Mold spores. Ultra Violet light is what the Ozone layer in the
upper atmosphere supposedly blocks out, but I think the scientific
reality that we are not told is Ozone is Created by Ultraviolet
light striking Oxygen in the upper atmosphere which excites the
oxygen into breaking from O2, (the normal state of Oxygen), and
forming O3, (Ozone). The exchange in energy is the obsorbtion of
the Ultra Violet ray. What does this mean? It means most Ultra Violet
lights will also create Ozone. If you are trying to avoid the Ozone
type purifiers, you may want to look at the specs of different types
of UV purifiers. Also, by themselves, these do not filter the particles
from the air, they just change the properties of the biological
particles.
Ozone Purifiers: EPA
Warning I'm not saying Ozone purifuers are not the right thing
to use, everyone should decide for themselves. Our son has Asthma,
and I think it would be wise for us to stay clear of Ozone producing
Air Purifiers. Ozone purifiers work by rapidly Oxidizing allergens.
The Incenerator: These air purifiers actually use ceramic heat
plates that cook particles at about 400° F, which is high enough
to kill most Mold spores. There are some mold spores that can sustain
temperatures as high as 500° according to Dr Gray, but I think
for most normal conditions this is high enough.
Diffusers: After our son got sick from mold exposure, he ran a
fever with a cough for a couple days. We spoke to a herbologist
who recommended a diffuser using Purification oil or Linen oil.
She says that these oils will kill mold spores. I know nothing more
about this than what she told me, however our mold consultant did
sound as if he had heard of this and said if we get one he would
like to know how it works.
All in all, I like either the Hepa filters, or this latest in tech,
the incenerator type air purifiers although we've not purchased
either one as of yet.