Yes, air purifiers can take germs out of the air. When equipped with a True HEPA filter, they capture the microscopic aerosols and droplets that carry bacteria and viruses. However, they primarily filter what is actively floating and cannot eliminate germs that have already settled on surfaces.
No, standard air purifiers do not physically remove moisture from the air. They merely cycle air through filters (like HEPA and carbon) to trap pollutants. However, the continuous airflow from the device's fan can increase evaporation from your skin and nasal passages, making the air feel drier.
For chemotherapy patients, the ideal air purifier must have a True HEPA filter (to capture microscopic pathogens and allergens) and an activated carbon filter (to neutralize VOCs and chemical odors that trigger nausea). Top clinical-grade choices include:
Yes, air purifiers can be highly beneficial for managing COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). By removing airborne irritants like dust, pet dander, and smoke, they reduce the triggers that cause coughing and shortness of breath. They can even improve cardiovascular health markers associated with the disease.
Yes, an air purifier will help capture floating cat hair. While they won't clean your couch or floor, units with a washable pre-filter and a True HEPA filter effectively trap airborne fur, reduce dander, and minimize pet odors.
To get rid of cat dander, combine regular feline grooming with aggressive home cleaning. Brush your cat weekly, use anti-allergen sprays, run a high-quality HEPA air purifier, vacuum floors with a HEPA machine, and wash your bedding in hot water.
Keeping a cat-friendly home smelling fresh comes down to tackling odors at the source. The golden rule is simple: scoop the litter box daily, clean up any "accidents" immediately using specialized enzyme cleaners, and use an Air Purifier with a carbon filter to trap lingering airborne dander.
Early signs of lung disease are often subtle and easy to overlook. Red flags include persistent shortness of breath during normal activities, a chronic cough lasting over 8 weeks, chronic mucus production, and unexplained chest pain.
Medicare generally doesn't cover air purifiers. But if you have a respiratory condition, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma, you may be eligible for other types of covered DME. If you wish to buy an air purifier, there are ways to get help with costs or find covered alternatives.
Some of the main things you'll be advised to do are outlined below.
For many years hospitals have been using traditional methods of air sanitization. These methods include regular ventilation and air exchange, ultraviolet germicidal radiation (UVGI) and High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters.
Yes, it is generally safe to sleep in the same bed as someone receiving chemotherapy. However, because trace amounts of chemotherapy drugs can exit the body through fluids like sweat or vomit, oncologists recommend specific precautions to protect caregivers from direct exposure.
Top 5 True HEPA Air Purifiers
Air purifiers do not actively remove moisture from the air, but their fans circulate air which increases evaporation. This airflow can dry out your nasal passages and worsen sinus irritation—especially if you sit directly in the breeze or live in an already dry climate.
The ideal indoor humidity level for sleeping is between 30% and 50%. Maintaining this range helps prevent dry skin, irritated sinuses, and congestion, all of which can disrupt restful sleep. Too little humidity can dry out airways, while too much can promote mold growth and dust mites.
Choose an air purifier if you suffer from allergies, pet dander, dust, or smoke. Select a humidifier if you have dry skin, throat irritation, or dry, cold air in winter. For maximum comfort, many use both—a purifier for cleanliness and a humidifier for moisture—to address both pollutant and humidity issues.
18 Things Medicare Gives You for Free
Air purifiers require a Letter of Medical Necessity (LOMN) in order to be purchased with an HSA or FSA account. We have partnered with Flex to enable a chat-based tele-health visit as part of our checkout. Once you confirm your eligibility, you can check out with your HSA/ FSA.
5 Ways to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality on a Budget
Smoking. Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer and COPD, says the American Lung Association. In people with asthma, smoking can trigger asthma attacks or make them worse. Also, the CDC says that smokers are 12 to 13 times more likely to die from COPD than people who don't smoke.
Stage 1 lung disease (often called mild COPD or Stage 1 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is the earliest, mildest phase of airflow limitation. It means a person's lung capacity is 80% or more of normal. Symptoms are generally very subtle or non-existent, but early action is crucial to slow progression.
To check your lung health, you should monitor persistent symptoms (like a chronic cough or shortness of breath) and consult a physician for objective tests. Blood tests alone do not check lungs. Instead, rely on the following methods:
Some of the hardest and worst smells to get rid of are pet odours, mold, and cigarette smells.
A cat's worst enemy depends on its lifestyle. For outdoor and feral cats, coyotes, dogs, and birds of prey are the top predators. For indoor cats, silent health conditions—like chronic kidney disease or infectious diseases like FeLV—are the deadliest, alongside accidents, poisons, and stress.
Smells that repel cats: To keep cats out of yards or gardens, plant the herb rue or sprinkle dried rue. Citrus or lemon scents (orange peels, lemon peels), garlic, ammonia, vinegar, coffee grinds, pipe tobacco, mustard, citronella, or eucalyptus all deter cats as well.