The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has said that HEPA filters can remove up to 99.97% of dust, pollen and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns. That means they could help eliminate pet dander found in the air. For more information, check the EPA's guidance on indoor air quality in your home.
Most purifiers capture particles like dust and pollen, but the best air purifiers with high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters can remove air pollutants as small as 0.1 microns, thanks to their multi-layer network of fine threads. Activated carbon filters can also help to remove odors.
What are the downsides of air purifiers? There aren't a lot of downsides to having an air purifier in your home aside from the financial investment. Many ionizers, especially older models, can generate ozone when they are operating, which is known to exacerbate asthma.
The HEPA air filter is considered the best for allergies due to its ability to capture up to 99.97% of airborne particles. This includes allergens like dust, mold spores, pollen, and pet dander, making it very efficient for people with allergies.
Keep windows closed in your home and car. Avoid picnics in parks or in the country during the pollen season. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes. Plant a low-allergy garden around your home, especially near the windows of your home.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has said that HEPA filters can remove up to 99.97% of dust, pollen and any airborne particles with a size of 0.3 microns. That means they could help eliminate pet dander found in the air. For more information, check the EPA's guidance on indoor air quality in your home.
For some people, allergy shots (allergen immunotherapy) can be a good option. Also known as desensitization, this treatment involves regular injections containing tiny amounts of the substances that cause your allergies. Over time, these injections reduce the immune system reaction that causes symptoms.
Medical professionals suggest prioritizing maintaining a clean home and frequently sanitizing frequently used surfaces. Air purifiers should just be an accessory to your cleaning routine, not a priority.
While we often want to open our windows to clean the air indoors, it can actually result in more pollen entering your home. Keeping windows closed and using an air purifier with a HEPA filter can help to capture ultrafine dust and allergen particles.
The reality is, air purifiers offer an effective option for helping remove particles from the air that circulates in your home. How effective depends on a number of factors, starting with the quality of the air purifier. A high-quality whole-home air purifier filters the air for your entire home.
Ozone-Generating Air Cleaners
One mechanism of damage results from ozone-olefin reactions, and another from ozone reacting with electron donors (such as glutathione). Inhalation of relatively small amounts of ozone can cause coughing, chest pain, throat irritation, and shortness of breath.
Ensure your air purifier has enough clearance around it to function optimally. Avoid placing it behind furniture or in tight corners where airflow might be restricted. Ideally, there should be at least 3-5 feet of clear space around the unit to allow for unimpeded air intake and output.
Placing an air purifier in your bedroom can allow you to breathe clean air for hours at a time, which you may not be able to experience during the day. However, to get the most benefit to your indoor air quality, you should make sure that your air purifier is in an ideal spot, like your nightstand, while you sleep.
Keep your windows and doors closed. Turn your air conditioner on recirculate. These steps can help reduce outdoor allergens like pollen and mold. Air cleaners with Certified Asthma & Allergy Friendly® filters can filter almost 98% of allergen particles in the air.
Suddenly developing allergies in your house could be due to dust mites, pet dander, mold, cockroach droppings, or pollen from indoor plants. Other possible triggers include cleaning products, air fresheners, and certain materials found in furniture or carpeting.
Air purifiers can also be effective in removing common indoor allergens like dust and pet dander. However, if you experience dryness and irritation due to allergies, a humidifier can provide relief by adding moisture to the air. Dry air can worsen symptoms such as dry throat, itchy eyes, and dry skin.
The answer is that air purifiers do help to reduce the allergens in the air. This, in turn, may help alleviate symptoms. That said, some experts do not recommend them as a solution for seasonal allergies in children, as they don't always help enough to be worthwhile.
The best way to build a tolerance to seasonal allergies is through immunotherapy. Allergy immunotherapy will expose your body to small amounts of what you are allergic to. Over time you will become desensitized and stop reacting when exposed to allergens.
Tree pollen counts are higher when it's dry out. This is because trees release more pollen when there's less moisture in the air to weigh the pollen down, causing it to travel more easily. Light rain and humidity can wash pollen from the air. So if you have tree pollen allergies, rain is good news!
Specific effects may include throat irritation, coughing, chest pain and shortness of breath, as well as an increased risk of respiratory infections. Some ozone air purifiers are made with an ion generator, sometimes called an ionizer, in the same unit. You can also buy ionizers as separate units.
In a typical home environment, an effective air purifier can start to reduce these pollutants within 30 to 60 minutes. Noticeable improvements in air quality are often observed within a few hours, with significant reductions occurring over 24 hours of continuous use.
Allergy shots, also called immunotherapy, can also help get rid of pollen allergies. The treatment involves regular injections of small amounts of allergens that help your body produce the antibodies it needs to block allergy symptoms.
Pollen typically looks like a fine yellow or white dust. During pollen season you might be able to see a light layer of pollen on your car or outdoor furniture. Pollen isn't always visible, so you won't always be able to see it around you.
Drinking plenty of water each day is a good idea anyway3,4, but it can be especially beneficial when you're struggling with allergies5. Your body produces more histamines (the chemicals that lead to allergy symptoms) when it's dehydrated6, so drinking water may potentially help reduce your allergy symptoms.