Top 5 Myths about Air Purifiers that you need to discard right now
Air purifiers are meant to remove indoor air pollutants such as pollens, allergens, cooking fumes, dust mites, mould spores, pet dander, tobacco smoke, and so on. They are quite beneficial for those who suffer from allergies, have asthma or other respiratory problems, or homes with infants and small children. Many people have misconceptions related to what an air purifier can and cannot do. So, if you too are thinking of buying an air purifier, then Kishalay Ray, President of Consumer Electronics Division at Sharp Business Systems, India, will clear the common myths associated with air purifiers.
If you have an AC, you don’t need an air purifier:
Air conditioning and air purification are two different concepts, while an AC just circulates dirty air, a purifier eliminates harmful particles and odours. Air conditioning has got nothing to do with air purification as it is ineffective against dust and pollen. Rooms with AC need air purifiers more than other rooms, as the same air keeps circulating and can only be purified through an air purifier. For example, if you smoke in an AC room, then the smoke just keeps circulating unless there is a purifier. However, certain latest models of ACs are based on filtration systems, but what we need to remember is that filters are not able to purify the air in a holistic manner, while they may trap the dust particles and pet dander, but they cannot eliminate mold spores, bad smell, and other harmful substances.
A good air purifier should remove odour:
Not all air purifiers get rid of odours and harmful gases. Mainly filters are just meant to trap particles and throw clean air. To eliminate odour, one needs air purifiers with activated carbon filters as HEPA filters do not kill odours. While buying an air purifier, consumers first need to understand their requirements as there are various types of air purifiers available in the market, all of them different and good at what they are supposed to do. Besides, there are also holistic technologies such as Plasmacluster Ion technology, which offers a holistic air purification solution, they remove pollutants such as PM 2.5, PM 10, VOCs, and toxic gases. A good air purifier should not just remove the odour, but rather improve the overall quality of air also.
Air purifiers are useless unless they come with an indicator or sensor:
Indicators and sensors are just superfluous distractions; the real effect of air purifiers is felt in the long run. If you are able to sleep better, do not wake up with clogged nose or chocked throat, your asthma is in control, your medications are reduced, and the number of leaves that you or your children take has reduced, then those are the benefits and uses of a good air purifier. Most consumers are inclined towards air purifiers with sensors or indicators as they claim to show the real air quality readings, what they are unaware of is that most sensors can only read PM 2.5, which constitutes only 25 per cent of air, but neglect the other prominent pollutants which constitute the other 75 per cent indoor air pollution. Gradually, pollutants such as pollens, oil, pet dander, mould, and dust mites settle on the filter and hamper with the efficiency of AQI monitors. An air purifier is a purification solution and should be user-friendly, quiet, sturdy and have a good filter.
All air purifiers work more or less the same:
All purifiers are different; they differ in sizes and according to their filters. Most filters use High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) technology, which is used to trap 99.97 per cent of all particles larger than 0.3 microns. HEPA-based air purifiers are most effective at trapping airborne particles, but they do not remove odours, gases, and chemical fumes, which is why most HEPA purifiers have some amount of activated carbon to absorb the odours and gases. Carbon air purifiers help in reducing contamination of the air, but they have a lower efficiency in removing allergens and airborne particles. While, certain innovative technologies such as Plasmacluster Ion clean as well as refreshes the air, they sanitize the air by removing viruses, bacteria, dust mites, and mould along with capturing 99.97 per cent air particles such as dust, pet dander, tobacco smoke, fumes from cooking, and pollen.
If you have an air purifier, you don’t have to clean your home regularly:
This is one of the most common misunderstandings associated with air purifiers. The air pollution levels in a room are three times worse than outdoors because of the smoke from cooking, incense sticks, pet dander, dead skin, and dust particles. While air purifiers are meant to eliminate volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are emitted from products like carpets, curtains, paints, and cleaning products along with particles such as mold, pollens, pet dander, and, dust, but they cannot lift the dust settled on the surface of furniture and on the floor. So there is no way air purifiers can replace dusting and cleaning. You’ll need a good vacuum cleaner and an air purifier to clear your house of allergens.
The fundamental purpose of an air purifier is to improve the quality of air and reduce the number of leaves from work and school even if it is used for 8 to 10 hours a day. If you buy an air purifier today and expect to see a difference immediately, then you are mistaken. Air purifiers are not about instant gratification. Gradually, you will feel an improvement in your overall health. The difference can be felt when you are able to sleep and breathe with ease.
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