Air Polllution

Indoor air pollution is a problem that is a much more widespread health issue than most people are aware of and it should not be taken lightly, since most people end up spending 90% of their time inside. In order to gain in energy efficiency, homes are tightly sealed against the elements, but this traps contaminants and toxins in the air. The best way to eliminate those pollutants is with air purifiers.

The greatest impact that indoor air pollution has on health is easily seen in the steep climb of incidences of asthma and allergies sufferers. Interestingly, this marked increase in respiratory problems is seen in developed countries around the globe. In addition to allergens being trapped in homes by better seals on windows and doors, it is also believed that the chemicals used in our homes for every day cleaning and maintenance are also to blame. These chemicals collect over time, eventually reaching toxic levels when the air in a home is stagnant and not cleaned.

While home air cleaners are often geared toward homes, office environments have the same air quality problems and for the same reason. Quality air purifiers used in home and office settings can very effectively remove the majority of pollution from the interior air, thus keeping you from using your lungs as contaminant air filters. These contaminants are responsible for asthma and other respiratory problems and are also considered to contribute to an increase in lung cancer rates in the U.S.

Another area where home air cleaners should always be in use, are in hair and nail salons. Nail salon technicians and cosmetologists are at elevated risks for breathing problems and lung disease because they are routinely exposed to higher than standard levels of potent chemicals, such as formaldehyde. This fact alone makes them 1.8 times more likely to end up with lung cancer because of this exposure. Proper air purification in their environments can help to reduce that risk.

Air purifiers are able to remove allergens and contaminants from the air. They significantly reduce the major contaminants found in home environments, such as dust, pollen, mold spores, dust mite feces and pet dander, just to name a few. They can also be helpful in removing smoke particles from the air as well. When the level of such pollutants is lowered, so is the risk of triggering allergies, developing asthma or getting cancer.

A side benefit of regular use of air purifiers in the home is that they can also help to reduce the frequency of dusting and vacuuming, since the particles are removed by the air purifier rather than settling on furnishings and the floor.

There is a wide variety of home air purifiers available on the market. Prices range from under $100 for a very basic unit that can effectively clean the air in a small room, to elaborate whole home air purification systems that can cost up to thousands of dollars, depending on the size of the house and the level of purification desired.

In general, air purifiers don’t take a significant amount of electricity to operate, which is good because they need to be running at all times to keep the air clean and filtered. Filters are another component of the cost of running air cleaners and this aspect should be taken into account when comparing the costs of acquiring and maintaining them. -earthfriendly