Air Purification Devices

Air Purifiers, Air Cleaners -
Comparisons, Ratings, Reviews

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.