How Do Air Purifiers Help Asthma Patients

How Do Air Purifiers Help Asthma Patients

If you are experiencing the symptoms of asthma, having an air cleaner or air purifier in your room can do a lot of help to ease your breathing. Air purifier can also help people suffering from allergic rhinosinusitis or COPD.

If someone in your household is smoking, having an air purifier at home is really effective to eliminate secondhand smoke. Secondhand smoke does not only make asthma symptoms worse but it can also lead to many respiratory illnesses. Small children who inhaled secondhand smoke can experience nasal congestion.

Can Air Purifiers Help Asthma Patients?

Air purifiers are designed to eliminate small particles that are present in the air. Pollen, dust, pet dander, pet hair, mold spores can be filtered out in order to decrease the amount of allergens. Carpets, however, contain a large amount of allergens and a simple vacuum is not enough. Air purifiers are able to filter the dust out after you clean.

If you are thinking where to place our air purifying unit, it is recommendable to place it in your bedroom since you stay there for eight hours every night. You can also place the air purifier in your kitchen, office or living room for few hours to eliminate foul odor. It is best if you would have a portable air purifier so it is easier to move the unit from room to other room.

Types of Ail Filters

Here are the types of air filters that you can choose from:

Mechanical air filters – This type uses fans to force air through the screen which can trap all particles such as pollens, pet dander, smoke and other allergens.

HEPA or highly-efficiency particulate air filter is the most popular filter. True HEPA filters are able to capture 99.97% of particulates that are as small as 0.3 microns. The only disadvantage can be the noise level of the fans as well as the electricity consumption. However, the noise can always be reduced by lowering the speed.

Electronic air filters – This type uses electrical charges in order to attract allergens and other particulates. The only disadvantage is that almost all are creating small amount of ozone which can irritate the lungs and may lead to other respiratory problems.

Hybrid air filters – This type has both qualities of electronic and mechanical air filters.

Gas phase air filters– This type uses activated carbon granules in eliminating VOCs as well as non-particulate contaminant such as gases from the kitchen, paint and perfume. The disadvantage of this type is it becomes ineffective easily and has to be replaced every month. Good thing is that these are not expensive at all.

Ozone generators – This type produces high concentrations of ozone to clean the air. This are often used to eliminate contaminants after exposure from fire. This type should be avoided if you need to purify the air every day. Ozone can cause bronchospasm for people with asthma. It can also lead to chronic health problems.

Germicidal air cleaners – This type are using ultraviolet lights to kill molds, viruses and bacteria. UV lights can also be included in other types that are using fan. This type is also used in hospitals to reduce the risk of contamination with tuberculosis.

Whole-house air purifiers – This type can decrease the amount of dirt and dust and the replacement for filters are inexpensive. However, they can only eliminate large particles and not the small ones that can enter the lungs easily. You can also get other filters from 6 to 20 dollars to eliminate smaller particles.

Choosing The Right Air Filter

These are the things that you have to considerate before getting air filters.

Size of the room – Is the air filter large enough to eliminate the particulates inside your room? You can also check the CADR (clean air delivery rate) in the label.

Cleaning or Filter Replacement – is it hard to clean or is it expensive to change the filters? How long is the lifespan of the filter?

Cost of Electricity – What is the estimated cost if you want to run the unit for the whole year?

Noise Level – HEPA units are the noisiest. Are you comfortable with the level of noise when you sleep?

If you or someone in your household has asthma, or there is someone smoking in your home, an air purifier can improve your condition.