Air Purifier: A solution to indoor air pollution
Indoor air pollution mainly depends upon the household activity and ventilation condition of the house. Studies said that indoor air pollution is 10 times more harmful than of outdoor air pollution. So if you are thinking that staying in a house or offices protects you from the pollution effect then you are wrong. Staying indoor without any proper ventilation or air purifier is more hazardous than staying outside.
WHO studies show that in comparison to adults, children and pregnant women are more prone to indoor air pollution as they are inhaling more oxygen and a have high metabolic rate than adults (1).
Solutions to purify indoor air.
There are many simple solutions to purify indoor air quality
- Indoor air purifying plants
- Proper ventilation
- Periodic servicing of the kitchen gas and other heating appliances.
- Proper cleaning of garages.
- Never leave a running car in the closed garage for long.
- Use of air purifiers
Air purifiers
The demand for air purifiers is increasing nowadays. These help in the reduction of the high PM level in the indoor environment. It circulates clean air and absorbs the dust and other fine particles present in the air.
Along with this air purifiers also helps in the removal of allergens, molds, bacteria, viruses from the environment. It also helps in maintaining the humidity of the air.
How do air purifiers work?
Maximum good air purifiers have three main filters for cleaning the air
1. Pre-filter
These are the first layer of an air purifier. These filters help in the removal of large particles from the indoor environment with a PM size larger than 2.5. Therefore can remove all the allergens or coarse dust and other suspended particles in the air.
2. Activated charcoal filter
Activated charcoal is widely known for its absorbance property. It, therefore, adsorbs all the harmful volatile gases present in the indoor environment. Hence protects against odor and other nusescence present or emits from the household materials.
3. HEPA filter
Specially design filters known as HEPA (High-efficiency particulate arrestance or air or absorber) filters. HEPA filters absorb all the fine particles. These filters are designed in a particular way that also filters fine molds and other microorganisms present in the air.
These are the main part of air purifiers, a good HEPA filter removes 99.9% of harmful air particles.
How to take care of an air purifier?
Pre-filter should be washed periodically once a month at least. It can be washed sil=mpy by spraying water or if it is very dirty then use a soft brush.
For HEPA and activated charcoal filters, these should be replaced timely whenever your air purifier indicates for changing.
Air Purifiers normally come with an indicator that shows when to clean pre-filters and when to change the other filters.
Timely cleaning and replacing and servicing of air purifiers are necessary for their proper functioning.
In Short
- Indoor air pollution is 10 times more harmful than outdoor air pollution.
- Children are more prone to indoor air pollution.
- Air purifiers are a safe way to clean indoor air.
- Air purifiers also help in keeping the allergens under control.