With the ever-increasing amount of various pollutants in our air, water, and soil, it is becoming increasingly difficult to live a simple and healthy life on this planet. Especially in the United States, potentially toxic pollutants such as pesticides and other chemicals are constantly contaminating our air and water. As citizens, we can stay informed about pollution, its causes, and the many ways we can use air and water purifiers to make our homes and work environments as healthy and safe as possible.
You might be surprised to learn how many buildings (according to the World Health Organization) pose a serious risk to our health in terms of indoor air pollution – up to 40%. Air purifiers and other environmental cleaning systems allow us to take control of our environment and preserve our health and the health of others – they allow us to continue cleaning the most important element around us: the air we breathe. Water and air purification systems offer safe and convenient ways for health-conscious vascular people to maintain a clean and pollution-free atmosphere.
Air Pollutants And The Problems They Cause
Air and water pollution are endemic, not only in the United States but throughout the world. Hundreds of thousands of people now suffer from chronic asthma, skin and sinus allergies due to the constant influx of unwanted pollutants into our lives. Doctors are discovering that the solution to many people’s problems lies not in medicine, but in reducing the number of pollutants in the air we breathe and the water we drink.
The number of potential pollutants in the air, water, and soil are too large to count. Bacteria, viruses, molds, yeasts, dust mites, and pollen are just some of the potential toxins we can breathe in. Molds and yeasts are among the most common sources of indoor air quality problems and are therefore certainly the most important. They can cause allergic reactions in some people and are directly linked to asthma attacks. Dust mites and their droppings are thought to affect up to 10% of the population. Lead is one of the most common metal contaminants in buildings. It is often found in old lead-based paint, both indoors and outdoors, and open flammable pollutants (e.g. carbon monoxide produced by incomplete combustion of materials such as natural gas, wood, coal, oil, and paraffin) are also considered to be extremely corrosive and cause respiratory problems.
How Do Air Purifiers Work
Air purifiers are machines that can be installed (or simply plugged in) in a room in your home or office to clean the air of dust and other potential pollutants. Purifiers kill bacteria, viruses, and germs, remove allergens and pet dander, destroy cigarette and cigarette smoke, kill mold and mildew, remove odors and fumes, and reduce chemical vapors, all of which can lead to allergies and debilitating respiratory problems. They come in a wide range of brands and styles and are available for all budgets. For a child or adult suffering from chronic allergies, asthma, or other respiratory conditions, they are also often life-saving and make everyday life more comfortable.
Many purifiers use HEPA (or electrostatic air) filters to clean the air. HEPA is an acronym for “high-efficiency particulate arresting.” HEPA units effectively remove 99.97 percent of all pollen, dust, mold spores, dust mites, bacteria, and animal or bird dander that pass through the filter. Ozone generators, ionic air purifiers, and UV purifiers are other popular types of air cleaners.
How to Choose an Air Purifier
Among the many brands of air purifiers are Blueair, Trueair, and Honeywell. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses, and anyone buying an air purifier should be sure to test the product and note its warranty status and any replacement contracts. Consumer reviews also give a good idea of what a particular air purifier can do and give a good idea of the product’s quality level.
Make sure you know the system and chemicals used in the air purifiers themselves. Ozone, in particular, is a common chemical used in many “purifiers” to clean dust and other pollutants from the air. However, ozone is a toxic gas, very different from the oxygen we need to breathe. Several federal agencies, including the EPA, have established health standards or recommendations to limit human exposure to ozone. Reading the EPA’s pamphlets on air purifiers and the potentially toxic use of ozone will give you a better sense of the potential dangers of this gas.