The most common allergens that fill the indoor air are very small: they range in size from 0.5 to 3 microns. Such particles are removed by quality filters that are included in the design of purifiers. Clean air reduces the load on the human immune system, which alleviates the symptoms of the disease.
An air purifier for allergen removal should eliminate even the smallest dust particles and work quickly.
This is the case with HEPA and HyperHEPA filters with a purification class of H12 or higher. The quality of cleaning depends directly on the type of device: the higher the filter class, the higher the degree of cleaning. A good cleaner will capture up to 99% of particles above 0.3 microns.
The speed of cleaning is also important. A quality device refreshes the room twice an hour, which means that its capacity should be twice the size of the room. For example, if the area of the room is 60 m², you should choose a device with air exchange of 120 m³/h for it, etc.
HEPA filter in an air purifier
For purifiers in this category, another criterion is important – the tightness of the housing. If there are even minor gaps in the device, the device will work ineffectively. Air will be sucked in, but will not get into the filters, and will rush through the slits back into the room. As a result, dust will remain in the room.
Types of appliances
Air purifiers come in different types depending on the quality of the filters. There are several ways of filtration – photocatalysis, water type, mechanical, electrostatic, with HEPA-filters. But for allergy sufferers, not every one of them is suitable.
Why is this the case? To answer this question, you need to consider the features of filters in detail:
Water filtration. This is the most common way of cleaning. The air washer simultaneously moisturizes and cleans the room, regulates the level of humidity in the room. Manufacturers have created two varieties of purifiers of this category – cone and disk. The plastic cone forms a water curtain, the dust passes through it and settles to the bottom of the tray. In disk units, the dust passes through the wet filters and settles in the same way. Water filtration uses the principle of wetting. The device effectively removes dust, but this is not enough for allergy sufferers: small particles of contaminants still remain in the air.
Photocatalysis. The photocatalytic filter was created specifically for asthmatics. The device works with the help of two components – titanium dioxide and an ultraviolet lamp. In the oxidation process, dust particles are decomposed into water and carbon dioxide. The method is good, but the process itself is quite long.
Electrostatics. A sophisticated device cleans the air using quality filters with an electrostatic unit. The allergen receives a charge, and the block in parallel creates an ozone cloud. After that, the allergen settles on the filter, the ozone neutralizes it, and the air becomes clean.
Carbon filter (mechanical). Refers to devices of fine purification. The carbon filter does not exist separately, but occupies an intermediate position. It eliminates odors and harmful impurities. The filter is filled with charcoal granules.
HEPA filter. Powerful HEPA-filter is recognized as one of the most effective. It represents an accordion of fibrous materials. Such filters are used in ventilation systems and vacuum cleaners, which eliminate the smallest dust particles.
Photocatalytic filter for air purifier
Efficiency of the purifier
The efficiency of the device depends on its class. An inexpensive device is arranged quite simply and has no additional functions. Premium class purifiers are more expensive and are equipped with a laser counter that measures the level of pollution. The counter notes the level of dust before cleaning and after it, on the basis of which you can judge the effectiveness of the device.
Which air purifier to choose for an allergy sufferer
When choosing an air purifier, pay attention to the quality of filters, basic and additional characteristics of the device. Allergic person will suit filters of class H12 and above, they cope with the smallest dust particles.
Purifiers with disk humidifiers are not quite suitable for cleaning the room of an allergic person. Those devices that clean by photocatalysis are also ineffective.
Air purifier with filters
The optimal option for an allergic person is mechanical filtration with a HEPA-filter. The main thing is that the device should be powerful enough. When choosing an air purifier, additionally study the reviews of the selected model: they will help to make sure of its effectiveness.
