When it comes to improving the air quality in your home, two of the most popular solutions are air purifiers and air ionizers. Both of these devices can help to reduce the amount of allergens, pollutants, and other particles in the air, but they work in different ways. Air purifiers use a fan to draw air into the unit and pass it through a filter, while ionizers emit negatively charged ions that attach to positively charged pollutants in the air. So which is better for clean air?When it comes to choosing between an air purifier and an air ionizer, it is important to consider the pros and cons of each device.
Air purifiers are more expensive than ionizers, but they can remove smaller particles from the air and provide maximum effectiveness for those with respiratory problems or conditions. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that air purifiers with high-efficiency particulate filters (HEPA) can hypothetically remove at least 99.97% of airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns, such as dust, pollen, mold, and bacteria. In addition, the cost-benefit ratio is tilted in favor of HEPA air purifiers since ionization technology carries certain risks. On the other hand, air ionizers better remove smaller molecules, such as bacteria and viruses, so they may not benefit people with allergies or asthma. They also do not remove particles from circulation; instead, they charge them to attach to something else.
Unless you constantly clean the hard and soft surfaces in your home, it becomes difficult to remove particles that have fallen to the floor. Ionized hydroperoxides stay much longer in the air than basic ions and actively seek out pollutants to neutralize and break them down. Ionizers also purify a larger area than HEPA air purifiers and can be a good low-cost solution for general air cleaning, especially if viruses and VOCs are a problem. However, it is important to weigh the positive impact that an ionizer can have on the level of particulate matter in the air with any damage it could cause to health by producing ozone. Many of these particles are known to be irritants that can aggravate allergies and asthma, but they can be removed from the air with an air purifier or an ionizer. Indoor air quality kits are available to help you identify which pollutants are the source of many of your indoor air quality problems. In conclusion, both air purifiers and ionizers serve the same function: they clean the air and remove allergens and pollutants.
Air Health offers many solutions, including the SKYE air purifier with HEPA filter and UVC light, to provide your family with clean indoor air and peace of mind.
