Did you know that air pollution levels indoors can be up to five times worse than outdoors? According to the United Stated Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), airborne pollutants thrive indoors because of the lack of circulation. Add to that dust, mold, pollen, and smoke, and you’ve got a recipe for all sorts of health issues. Allergic rhinitis, asthma, insomnia, and other health disorders have been linked to poor air quality in the home.
The EPA recommends that homeowners get rid of sources of pollutants, such as pets and plants, and to ensure that indoor living spaces are well-ventilated with clean, outdoor air. Unfortunately, not everyone has the luxury of living in a well-ventilated area, especially those who reside in condos. As for getting rid of the family pet? Well, that’s just nonsense.
Enter the air purifier. Once seen as a staple in hospitals and clinics, the air purifier has found a spot in homes across the globe. Here are just some of the reasons you should consider welcoming one into your home, too.
It relieves respiratory issues.
Those with allergic rhinitis and asthma live in constant fear of triggers, which are microscopic. These come in the form of dust mites, dander, pollen, and smoke: all pollutants.
This is where air purifiers help. Air purifiers equipped with High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters are able to catch 99.97% of particles larger than 0.3 micrometers, helping reduce allergy symptoms.
You can keep the pets.
Let’s get one thing straight: there’s no such thing as a hypoallergenic pet. Pets contribute more than just love and affection in a home—they also bring in dander, pollution, dust, and dirt (not to mention the stink they develop when they miss bath time.) Air purifiers that come with pre-filters can catch big items, such as pet fur; while the smaller particles, such as dander and dust, go through the HEPA filter. Purifiers with charcoal or carbon filters also trap bad odors, reducing the stink (you’ll still have to give your dog a bath, though.)
It gets rid of smoke.
In the off-chance that you or someone you live with smokes, you probably know that opening a window doesn’t get rid of the stench—or the smoke. Luckily, air purifiers can suck up cigarette smoke. In fact, it’s one of three particles, since smoke is one of the particles that can be captured by Deodorizing & HEPA filters of an air purifier. Smoke particles are the smallest of the three, so choose a machine with a high CADR if someone smokes at home (or better yet, just kick the habit!).
It can improve your sleep.
It’s hard to go to dreamland when you’re constantly coughing, sneezing, and blowing your nose. And when it comes to allergies, anything from bacteria to dust mites can cause the sniffles. Sleep disruptions not only affect your mood and productivity the next day, but can also weaken your immune system. Running an air purifier with a HEPA filter can reduce these symptoms, assuring you a good night’s sleep.
It can reduce the risk of dementia and other health issues.
According to the National Library of Medicine, there have been links between the exposure of potentially harmful gases and chemicals in the air to several diseases. Not only can an air purifier filter these gases out, but it can also filter harmful chemicals from pollutants and toxins found in cleaning agents in your home.
What’s more, activated carbon in purifiers uses a filtering method that traps these chemicals, bringing fresh air back into the room.
Finding the right air purifier
Ready to get an air purifier for your home? Keep in mind that not all air purifiers are alike. Here are some things you need to watch out for:
The kind of filters used. Steer clear of inexpensive fiberglass furnace filters, as well as “HEPA-like” or “HEPA-style” filters. Only true HEPA filters are designed to catch 99.97% of particles. When it comes to your health, copycats just won’t do!
The CADR. CADR—or Clean Air Delivery Rate—is your machine’s cleaning speed for a particular size of room, and is measured by cubic meter per hour (cbm/hr). Brands with superior capacity range may clean up the air within 264 cbm/hr for the smallest capacity, and 701 cbm/hr for the biggest capacity! So make sure your machine’s CADR fits the size of your room: you won’t reap the full benefits if you get a lower CADR for a bigger room!
Smart features. Air purifiers usually have to run constantly for users to get the maximum benefits. This can rack up quite an electric bill! Checking the machine’s EnergyStar rating can help prevent bill shock. Some models have features such as auto or sleep modes, to help manage energy usage.
If you’re set on buying an air purifier, consider Samsung’s new line of air purifiers. All models are equipped with a multi-layered purification system, which includes a HEPA filter that removes up to 99.97% of ultra fine dust, bacteria, and harmful gasses. Its 3-way Airflow ensures an even distribution of clean air in the room, reaching wider spaces. And, with its high CADR, it quickly purifies the air indoors. Samsung’s air purifiers are perfect for even large rooms, as it can accommodate up to 90sqm! Plus, with the SmartThings app, users can monitor the quality of air in the room—as well as turn the machine on and off, even remotely. Don’t feel like keeping tabs on the indoor air quality? You can set the machine on “auto mode,” for it to automatically detect pollution levels and adjust accordingly to the air quality.
Find the right Samsung air purifier for you at https://www.samsung.com/ph/air-care/air-purifier/.
Sources:
- https://acaai.org/allergies/management-treatment/living-with-allergies/air-filters/
- https://www.tomsguide.com/reference/5-reasons-you-need-an-air-purifier
- https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/appliances/air-purifier-reviews/a25252001/do-air-purifier s-work/
- https://theconversation.com/air-pollution-may-contribute-to-alzheimers-and-dementia-risk-her es-what-were-learning-from-brain-scans-148776
- https://www.wired.com/story/air-pollution-dementia/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30775976/
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