Expert advice on how to choose the finest air purifiers in 2021

In addition to physical separation, face masks, hand washing, and vaccination, one of the Covid mitigation methods recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is increasing indoor ventilation, which may be accomplished in part by utilizing an air purifier. The group claims that increasing ventilation — which can be done by opening windows and using fans — can help to prevent the spread of Covid and lessen the danger of exposure, and it suggests utilizing portable HEPA fans and filtration systems to help clean the air. 

As more indoor public places, including as schools, businesses, and restaurants, open around the country, many are installing air purifiers in rooms, especially as the CDC’s masking recommendations and immunization requirements change in response to worries about Covid variants. Air purifiers built particularly for workplaces are now available from companies like Dyson. If you are already irritated by dust or allergens, have asthma, allergies, or other respiratory disorders, or live in a region where wildfires are common, Josh Davidson, MD, an allergy and immunology expert in California, recommends investing in an air purifier. 

What are the functions of air purifiers? 

Indoor air pollution, which can be made up of tiny particles in the air, is removed using air purifiers. Cooking, car emissions, dust, and fires are the main sources of indoor air pollution, which can irritate the lungs or provoke allergic reactions, according to Kenneth Mendez, president of the charity Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. The air inside our houses, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, might be more contaminated than the air outdoors. 

How do you choose the finest air purifier for your needs? 

Nidhy Varghese, MD, a pediatric pulmonologist in Texas, advises narrowing down your precise needs before purchasing an air purifier. Perhaps you’re searching for a purifier to help with allergies or to protect you from gases. Perhaps you cook regularly and want a purifier to remove particles generated by your oven and stove. 

For the greatest results, Varghese suggests using a purifier with a HEPA filter. She said that a filter that has been independently evaluated by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) is also worth considering. All air cleaners that have received an AHAM certification and a clean air delivery rating, or CADR, have been evaluated in an independent laboratory using the same criteria. 

The greater the CADR value, the more efficient and quickly the air cleaner filters the air. When purchasing, Notini urges customers to pay attention to the rating. Davidson also advises consumers to consider how often the air purifier will need to be replaced and how many square feet the air purifier can clean. 

Suggestions for preserving healthy air quality 

There are certain excellent house practices that you can follow in addition to purchasing an air purifier to help minimize the quantity of air pollution in your area. In addition to the suggestions provided here, the CDC has a wealth of information on how to enhance building ventilation. 

  • Every day, if possible, open your windows for a period of time. 
  • Otherwise, McKeon recommends making sure your heating or air conditioning system is working on a regular basis to circulate air around your home. 
  • Make advantage of your exhaust fans if you cook frequently. 

McKeon continued, “With the focus on COVID-19, it’s easy for current health concerns to slip out of attention.” “Triggers in the interior environment haven’t gone away, so make sure you’re minimizing them everywhere you can.”