Purify the Air in Your Home!
Life shouldn't be about being too scared to do something or scared into doing something, but rather, being prepared to do something.
It is about enjoyment, love, experiences and adventure. But, it is also about situational awareness (simply, being aware of your current as well as extended surroundings), risk management and safety. Do you have locks on your doors and use them? Do you have heating and cooling options in your home? Do you have working sanitation? Do you clean your house as well as take out the garbage? Do you prefer to drink clean water instead of dirtied water? Why do you do these things? Safety. I would imagine the same reasons I do these things: safety for you and perhaps for your family.
According to the EPA, using an air purifier along with other recommended safe practices can help reduce the spread of viruses and bacteria. With Covid 19, the flu and many other pollutants floating around, is adding an air purifier to your home or office a good idea?
Pollutants are in all if our homes, apartments and offices.
Pollutants are in all if our homes, apartments and offices.
I mean, if you think about it, any place that has breathable air more than likely has multiple different types of airborne contaminants. With the scare of Covid 19 everywhere we look, I thought it would be a good idea to post about the possible benefits of air purification.
Whether you believe Covid 19 is real, a hoax, under reported, blown out of proportion, the same as the flu, much worse than the flu, the fact is there are many types of airborne illness-causing germs and pollutants in the air we breathe. Bacteria, mold spores, yeast, VOCs, pollen, smoke/smog and viruses all float around where we live and work, getting inhaled by us all on a daily basis.
Whether you believe Covid 19 is real, a hoax, under reported, blown out of proportion, the same as the flu, much worse than the flu, the fact is there are many types of airborne illness-causing germs and pollutants in the air we breathe. Bacteria, mold spores, yeast, VOCs, pollen, smoke/smog and viruses all float around where we live and work, getting inhaled by us all on a daily basis.
For most folks, immune systems are strong enough to build a defense against these air pollutants.
However, there are still many who have lower immune systems and can't fight off these pathogens (cancer treatment patients, immunocompromised due to various diseases, elderly and very young). Even folks with strong immune systems can still get sick from airborne germs!
Let's run through a quick analogy to explain our immune system. Let's say we are our entire immune system and germs are weighted objects. Sure, we can carry a few weighted objects at a time and not feel much effect from them. But, what if you kept picking up and carrying more and more objects without putting any down. Eventually you wouldn't be able to physically carry anymore, and you might even feel sore, cramped and exhausted because of it.
This is how our immune system works on a very simple scale. The more germs we are exposed to at any given time, the more work our body's immune system has to do in order to combat them. Eventually, our own immune resources become overwhelmed and depleted, leading to illness from one or more of said germs. *Side note: the germs in reference are assumed to be ones we have come into contact with before and not completely new to self ones.
Covid 19, the flu, bacteria and mold spore aside, wouldn't you want to have air surrounding you that wasn't filled with pollen, smoke/smog, dust, VOCs and possibly pet dander? I know I would.
This is how our immune system works on a very simple scale. The more germs we are exposed to at any given time, the more work our body's immune system has to do in order to combat them. Eventually, our own immune resources become overwhelmed and depleted, leading to illness from one or more of said germs. *Side note: the germs in reference are assumed to be ones we have come into contact with before and not completely new to self ones.
Covid 19, the flu, bacteria and mold spore aside, wouldn't you want to have air surrounding you that wasn't filled with pollen, smoke/smog, dust, VOCs and possibly pet dander? I know I would.
Below I will go through a few of the different types of at home and office air purifiers.
Every type has its purpose, but some might be more suitable for some than others. First, I will discuss a few of the terms and their meanings for a better understanding of how each one functions.
HEPA Filter: By now, most of us have heard the term HEPA filter. But, what does it really mean? High Efficiency Particulate Air (Absorption/Arrestance). It is a meshwork of fibers, usually fiberglass, meant to capture/absorb patricles trying to pass through. It is the standard of high efficiency filtering because in order to be a HEPA it must be able to remove particles as small as 2 microns at 99% efficiency. The larger the particle, the more it is efficiently removed. For reference, a human hair is roughly 17-181 micrometers wide.
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True HEPA filter: same as a regular HEPA filter, but can remove particles at 0.3 microns @ 99.97% efficiency.
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Ionizing: machine components electrically charge particles in the air and thise particles are then attracted to plates in the device (basically removes them from the air). Ionizers can create ozone particles when charging certain particles. Ozone is a highly reactive gas and is also toxic at high levels.
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UV (ultraviolet light): A common purification technique is to use UV-C lighting. This process uses ultraviolet rays to kill airborne pathogens. However, if not used properly, direct exposure to UV-C rays can cause damage to human skin and eyes. When used properly (rays are shielded and do not come into direct contact with skin/eyes, it can be very effective in killing airborne pathogens.
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Pre-filter: It pretty much sums it up on the word itself. It is a filter that captures larger particles before they continue through a purifier to other filter systems.
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Carbon (activated) filters: These use activated charcoal to absorb VOCs that are released from various chemicals and floating in the air.
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UV (ultraviolet light): A common purification technique is to use UV-C lighting. This process uses ultraviolet rays to kill airborne pathogens. However, if not used properly, direct exposure to UV-C rays can cause damage to human skin and eyes. When used properly (rays are shielded and do not come into direct contact with skin/eyes, it can be very effective in killing airborne pathogens.
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Pre-filter: It pretty much sums it up on the word itself. It is a filter that captures larger particles before they continue through a purifier to other filter systems.
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Carbon (activated) filters: These use activated charcoal to absorb VOCs that are released from various chemicals and floating in the air.
Finally, let's talk about actual air purifiers.
Bellow are a few noteworthy ones, and at the end you can see what my choice would be. According to Consumer reports for 2020, here are the top 3 air purifiers for your home or office (in order from smallest to largest in square footage cleaned):
1. The Honeywell HPA300 True HEPA Air Purifier, Extra-Large Room, Black
It can clear the air in a space 400-500sq feet, boasts a True HEPA filter that can remove particles/dust/germs/viruses/pollen/smoke down to 0.3 microns and has 3 speed settings! It even has a timer, turbo clean setting and a filter change reminder. Scoring 4.5/5 stars with almost 4k reviews on Amazon, this seems like a sure bet for some clean air.
2. The Blueair Blue Pure 211+ Air Purifier 3 Stage with Two Washable Pre-Filters, Particle, Carbon Filter, Captures Allergens, Odors, Smoke, Mold, Dust, Germs, Pets, Smokers, Large Room
It can clear a space 500-600sq feet from 99% of particles 2.5 microns are larger. It doesn't have a True Hepa filter, but rather 3x stage Swedish filter system. The pre-filter removes pet hair/dander and larger particles. The 2nd and 3rd filters are particle and activated carbon filters which remove microscopic pollutants as well as VOCs. It is super energy efficient and relatively quiet during its 3x speed operation.
3. Blueair Classic 605 Air Purifier for home with HEPASilent Filtration for Allergies, Pets, Viruses, Asthma, Odors and Smoke, WiFi Enabled, ALEXA compatible- Large rooms
1. The Honeywell HPA300 True HEPA Air Purifier, Extra-Large Room, Black
It can clear the air in a space 400-500sq feet, boasts a True HEPA filter that can remove particles/dust/germs/viruses/pollen/smoke down to 0.3 microns and has 3 speed settings! It even has a timer, turbo clean setting and a filter change reminder. Scoring 4.5/5 stars with almost 4k reviews on Amazon, this seems like a sure bet for some clean air.
2. The Blueair Blue Pure 211+ Air Purifier 3 Stage with Two Washable Pre-Filters, Particle, Carbon Filter, Captures Allergens, Odors, Smoke, Mold, Dust, Germs, Pets, Smokers, Large Room
It can clear a space 500-600sq feet from 99% of particles 2.5 microns are larger. It doesn't have a True Hepa filter, but rather 3x stage Swedish filter system. The pre-filter removes pet hair/dander and larger particles. The 2nd and 3rd filters are particle and activated carbon filters which remove microscopic pollutants as well as VOCs. It is super energy efficient and relatively quiet during its 3x speed operation.
3. Blueair Classic 605 Air Purifier for home with HEPASilent Filtration for Allergies, Pets, Viruses, Asthma, Odors and Smoke, WiFi Enabled, ALEXA compatible- Large rooms
This air purifier comes in a few different sizes which can clear an area 200-700sq feet. It is promoted with a 'Hepasilent Technology' which uses electrostatic to charge particles and capture them. It also has an activated carbon filter to remove VOCs. If you don't mind having an air purifier that charges particles, this energy efficient machine might just be the one for you!
Now, I know what you are thinking. Which air purifier would you choose? Although 'Best of' sites can be a great place to compare and contrast items like air purifiers, I prefer to do further in depth research into all the options.
Now, I know what you are thinking. Which air purifier would you choose? Although 'Best of' sites can be a great place to compare and contrast items like air purifiers, I prefer to do further in depth research into all the options.
And, in all honesty, I would choose the:
AIRDOCTOR 4-in-1 Air Purifier UltraHEPA, Carbon & VOC Filters Cleaner Sensor Automatically adjusts Filtration to air Quality! Portable. Quiet. Captures Particles 100x Smaller Than Ordinary HEPA
Why? It has an UltraHEPA filter, for one. That means it has the capability to remove particles as small as 0.003 microns! Remember, a normal HEPA filter is efficient with 2 microns and a True HEPA filter is good with 0.3 microns. The Covid 19 virus, alone, roughly 0.06 - 0.12 microns. Influenza type A virus particles are anywhere from 0.08 - 0.12 microns in size (on average). Now, AirDoctor can't claim their purifier can remove Covid particles from the air, per se. However, just doing simple math and you can see that their UltraHEPA filter can remove particles smaller than both. You can see the UltraHEPA filter can remove particles 20x smaller than the smallest Covid 19 virus!
Not only does it remove particles of incredibly small sizes, it has a handful of different filtration stages for the ultimate purification. It sports a pre-filter for those larger hair/dander/dust particles, a dual action activated carbon/gas filter which removes VOCs including OZONr, and finally that sweet UltraHEPA filter. Not only that, it has an air ionizer to charge germ particles and capture them as well.
Now I know your thinking, "Didn't you mention air ionizers release toxic ozone into their air we breath?" You are correct, I did. However, this purifier captures ozone. Therefore, I would imagine you don't need to worry too much about that pesky ozone in your air.
Plus, AirDoctor states this purifier can clear a 900sq foot space 3x per hour! It has a fan setup that is 30% quieter than traditional purifiers, has automatic air sensor adjusters (or manual) and is Energy Star Certified.
Why? It has an UltraHEPA filter, for one. That means it has the capability to remove particles as small as 0.003 microns! Remember, a normal HEPA filter is efficient with 2 microns and a True HEPA filter is good with 0.3 microns. The Covid 19 virus, alone, roughly 0.06 - 0.12 microns. Influenza type A virus particles are anywhere from 0.08 - 0.12 microns in size (on average). Now, AirDoctor can't claim their purifier can remove Covid particles from the air, per se. However, just doing simple math and you can see that their UltraHEPA filter can remove particles smaller than both. You can see the UltraHEPA filter can remove particles 20x smaller than the smallest Covid 19 virus!
Not only does it remove particles of incredibly small sizes, it has a handful of different filtration stages for the ultimate purification. It sports a pre-filter for those larger hair/dander/dust particles, a dual action activated carbon/gas filter which removes VOCs including OZONr, and finally that sweet UltraHEPA filter. Not only that, it has an air ionizer to charge germ particles and capture them as well.
Now I know your thinking, "Didn't you mention air ionizers release toxic ozone into their air we breath?" You are correct, I did. However, this purifier captures ozone. Therefore, I would imagine you don't need to worry too much about that pesky ozone in your air.
Plus, AirDoctor states this purifier can clear a 900sq foot space 3x per hour! It has a fan setup that is 30% quieter than traditional purifiers, has automatic air sensor adjusters (or manual) and is Energy Star Certified.
*Through all of my research, there has been only one company SETi that had created an air purifier which has been proven to remove and kill Covid 19 from the air. It is called VAC with Violed tech.
I will be adding to this list of my top picks for air purifiers over the next few weeks, so stay tuned!
