AIR PURIFIER COMPARISON

Transcription

1 AIR PURIFIER COMPARISON by Debra Lynn Dadd debralynndadd.com I currently am recommending two air purifiers and have had many questions from readers about how to choose between them. This comparison will guide you. Indoor Air Pollution is the Nation s Number One Health Problem The United States Environmental Protection Agency has called indoor air pollution the nation s number- one environmental health problem. Since most people spend well over 90 percent of their time inside, the quality of our indoor air impacts our health far more than that of outdoor air. According to the American College of Allergies, half of all illnesses are aggravated or caused by polluted indoor air. Health effects from indoor air pollutants can be immediate or long- term. Immediate effects may show up after a single exposure or repeated exposures: irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat headaches dizziness fatigue asthma hyper sensitivity pneumonitis Long term effects include respiratory diseases, heart disease, and cancer, and can be severely debilitating or fatal. Because these long- term effects can take years to develop, it is prudent to improve the indoor air quality in your home even if you have no noticeable symptoms. Fortunately, the quality of our indoor air at home is something each of us can control. AIR FILTER COMPARISON by Debra Lynn Dadd Page 1

2 Air Purification Devices Can Make a Big Difference I ve been researching and recommending various air purification devices for more than 30 years. My highest recommendation for clean indoor air has always been and still is to reduce pollutants at the source by removing consumer products from your home that release toxic pollutants. And, if you can, live somewhere where there is clean outdoor air and open the windows. But an air purification device is an excellent way to immediately improve indoor air while you are figuring out how to remove and replace toxic products in your home. There are also times when you may have no control over your indoor environment or the toxics and allergens cannot be removed and an air purifier can contribute greatly to reducing exposures. When I was in my twenties, for example, I needed to work in an office for income. I had no other choice at the time. So I brought a portable air filter and put it on my desk. Since it was an open room, I pointed the stream of filtered air right at my face. And you know, very soon other workers started coming to my desk during their breaks to breathe the clean air. Air purifers should be used in these situations: When you are driving or riding in an automobile When all major sources of indoor air pollution have been removed and significant levels of pollutants still are present because of outdoor air pollution or materials used inside the building (if this is the case, you might consider moving) When you absolutely have to use a toxic chemical and you want to give yourself some measure of protection (like when you a painting a room) When you are very sensitive to all sorts of air pollutants (from chemicals to pollen) and cannot move someplace where there is outdoor air free from these contaminants But they are also useful in any home. We can do everything we can do, and still not remove all the indoor pollutants we might want to remove. You may still use products like computers or televisions that contain fire retardants, and there is no alternative except to not have them in your house. You might track toxic chemicals into your home AIR FILTER COMPARISON by Debra Lynn Dadd Page 2

3 on your shoes, or a guest may wear perfume, or a neighbor s pesticide spraying or BBQ lighter fluid may come in your open windows, or someone has a cold or flu in your home lots of reasons why an air purifier could help indoor air quality. (Just before I wrote this, a repair man came in to fix my computer and he was wearing clothes with detergent scent. I was very happy to have my air purifier right then!) Air purifiers can be purchased as portable models, or as a purifier to install in your central- heating/air- conditioning system. An important point to remember is that the cleaning capabilities of any portable unit are generally limited to the air in the room in which it is being used. And as with air conditioners, air cleaners are most effective if no outside air is entering from adjacent rooms, open windows, or a central air system. There is no one best air filter that is most appropriate for every person and every use. That s why I ve written this guide, to help you choose the air filter that is right for you. Indoor Air Pollutants The most important aspect of choosing an air filter is to make sure it removes the pollutants that are of concern to you. Indoor air pollutants fall into three classes: particulates such as bits of pollen, dust, mold, and animal dander gases or misty vapors of volatile chemicals such as formaldehyde, plastics, paints, solvents, pesticides, and perfumes microorganisms including bacteria and viruses. You need to choose a purifier that removes the type of pollutants that you need and want to remove. If you need to remove particles from the air, you ll probably know it because you ll be sneezing or you ll have other allergic symptoms. You ll need to remove gases if you have toxic products in your home that emit volatile chemicals. You will need to remove bacteria and viruses only if someone in your household has a contagious illness. AIR FILTER COMPARISON by Debra Lynn Dadd Page 3

4 If you want to have the air in your home tested, look in the Yellow Pages under Laboratories Analytical. Ask these places what testing they do and get estimates from several of them, because prices and services vary considerably. Conventional Air Filters Are Limited In the past there were only four types of cleaning methods to remove these pollutants. mechanical filtration (HEPA) activated carbon electrostatic filtration (precipitators, electret negative- ion generation One problem was you needed to buy the right kind of filter for the type of pollutant you wanted to remove. A filter that removed toxic gases, for example, would not remove particulates or disease- causing microorganisms. And a filter designed to remove particulates and microorganisms would not remove toxic gases. There are two methods I want to explain to you briefly. MECHANICAL FILTRATION (HEPA) Mechanical filters work by trapping particles. High-Efficiency Particulate Arrestance (HEPA) filters are rated at percent efficient for particles.3 microns in size (dust, pollen, and plant and mold spores). Developed by the Atomic Energy Commission during World War II to remove radioactive dust from industrial exhausts, HEPA filters are paper-like filters made of randomly positioned fibers that create narrow passages with many twists and turns. As the air passes through, particles are trapped, clogging holes and making the grid smaller, which enables the filter to be even more efficient with ongoing use. HEPA filters remove particles only, so to remove gases as well, HEPA filters are often paired with activated carbon. ACTIVATED CARBON Activated carbon has been used in air filters for many years. It works by adsorption, a process by which pollutant gases are attracted by and stick to the carbon. AIR FILTER COMPARISON by Debra Lynn Dadd Page 4

5 While this works effectively to take the pollutants out of the air, there are some problems with activated carbon. when the carbon cartridge becomes full of pollutants, the pollutants can release back into the air, creating even more problems with indoor air many people who most need air filters cannot use them because they react to the carbon itself carbon media often is treated with chemical additives in an attempt to improve efficiency carbon simply collects pollutants, which then need to be disposed of in the larger environment New Technologies Destroy Air Pollutants Completely Now in the first six months of 2015, I have become aware of two new air purification devices that remove indoor air pollutants by destroying them, rather than simply collecting them. While they both break down pollutants into their elemental components, they use two different technologies. The O2 Air Purifier entrenches pollutants in a water bath where they are literally digested by natural microbes and their enzymes. The EnviroKlenz Mobile Unit uses a technology where natural metal oxides to break down volatile pollutants, and a HEPA filter to remove particulates. These two filters are similar, yet very different. Let s compare them to see which is right for you. Choosing an Air Purifier There are a number of different factors to consider when choosing an air purifier. I suggest you start by making note of key features that are important to you, such as quiet in the bedroom. The characteristics that are important to your decision making. AIR FILTER COMPARISON by Debra Lynn Dadd Page 5

6 Here are the points I ve found to be important to look at when you are evaluating an air purifier to meet your needs. Price In general, prices correspond to room sizes and the amount of filter media used. The more you get, the more you pay. But bigger is not necessarily better if it s more than you need. Expect to pay around $200 to clean the air in your car or a small room, and perhaps $1,000 or more to have a unit built into your central air system. Room size Each unit is designed to effectively remove p01- lutants from the air contained in a certain measured space. The amount of filter media the unit contains, the rate at which the air flows through the media, the size of the motor, and all other aspects of the unit s design are geared to the designated room size. You may need several filters to continuously clean the air throughout the house, or a unit portable enough to be easily moved from room to room. Pollutant removal List the filter media the unit contains and its efficiency (such as 65 percent at 0.3 microns). Filter change frequency and cost Activated carbon and other filter materials must be changed regularly. How often you ll need to change them depends on how many hours a day the filter is used and how polluted the air is, so it is impossible to predict how long filter media will last. Manufacturers estimate that activated carbon will last about two thousand hours, or twelve hours per day for six months; under normal use, the carbon should last six to nine months. Prefilters are generally changed more frequently, and HEPA filters last for several years. Ease of filter change If it is difficult or time- consuming to change the filter cartridges, you won t want to do it and the filter will not remove pollutants. Some filters require tools; others don t. Fan speeds These range from three to six to minute variable speed controls. Fan speed affects both airflow rates and noise level, so you want to be able to adjust it. Airflow rates These are expressed in cfm (cubic feet per minute). Note airflow rates for each speed and whether the numbers are free flow through the fan or with filters installed. Noise It s useless to have an air filter if you don t run it because it is too loud. Check the noise level at each of the fan speeds. Outgoing air Look to see where on the unit the air comes out. Is it all in one direction or dispersed around the unit? AIR FILTER COMPARISON by Debra Lynn Dadd Page 6

7 Special features These might be things such as a programmable timer status, a display panel showing remaining filter life and, fan speed, or a light that tell s it s time to change the filter. Housing material Metal housings are preferable. Plastic housings may release a plastic smell of their own in the air. But not all do, so use your own judgment. Housing style Design and color is an important factor in choosing an air filter, because all portable units have to be sitting out in the room in order to be effective. Most filters are nondescript painted metal boxes or cylinders, but manufacturers are beginning to make them more aesthetically pleasing. Size Check the dimensions to make sure the filter will fit where you need it. Weight and portability If you need to move the filter around, make sure you can. Heavier units often come with pull handles and casters. Energy use If you are going to be running your filter often, find out what effect it will have on your energy bill, Comparison of O2 Air Purifier and EnviroKlenz Mobile Unit For more information on these filters and discount codes, visit debralynndadd.com/debras- list/air/air- filters/ Brand 02 EnviroKlenz Mobile Unit AIR FILTER COMPARISON by Debra Lynn Dadd Page 7

8 Technology Uses a combination of airflow and neutral charge to capture all types and all sizes of airborne pollution without limitation, the digests them with natural microbes and their enzymes to break pollutants down into their elemental components Uses airflow to capture pollutants and two filters: a HEPA filter to remove particles and a filter that contains the EnvrioKlenz core techniology, made from safe, natural earth minerals that capture and destroy both natural odors and volatile toxic chemicals. Specifically designed for MCS. Price $299 less my discount $549 less my discount Room size 450 square feet square feet Pollutant removal Filter change Ease of filter change Removes 99.99% of ALL types of air pollutants: gases, particulates, and microorganisms There are no filters to change. You need to add water to the unit every few days and more microbes mix monthly ($39.99 yearly). This is a living pollutant digester that needs to be attended to like a living house plant. Simply pour the water and microbes mix into the top of the unit when display Removes airborne pollen, dust, odors, mold, gases, fragrance, VOCs, allergens, bacteria, and more. HEPA removes percent of all particulates as small as 0.3 microns and 95 percent of particulates 0.1 microns. EnviroKlenz filter typically removes 99.9% of the challenge chemical in tests. EnviroKlenz filter needs to be changed about every 3 months under normal use (about $50). Change HEPA filter once a year (about $50) Very easy. Just open a door on the side of the unit and slide the filters in and out. AIR FILTER COMPARISON by Debra Lynn Dadd Page 8

9 indicates it is needed Fan speeds 1 speed 4 speeds Airflow rates Noise Not applicable to this unit because it uses a combination of airflow and neutral charge to capture pollutants Hardly noticeable. OK for bedroom. Speed 1 85 CFM Speed CFM Speed CFM Speed CFM Noise varies with speed. Whisper mode is hardly noticeable; high speed is pretty loud. Outgoing air Special features Housing material Housing style In two directions from the top of the unit LCD display tells when to add water and microbes mix, gauge shows how much water is in the unit BPA- free hard polycarbonate plastic (no odor) Black plastic cube with modern style Around the unit None Metal Plain beige box on casters Size 8 W x 8 D x 10 H 15.5 W x 15 D x 19 H Weight and portability 2.8 lbs without water, about 11 lbs with water. Very easy to pick up and carry around from room to room wherever you need to clean the air. Sits on a tabletop or stool. 45 lbs. Easily portable on casters. Unit sits on the floor. Energy use 6 watts 100 watts AIR FILTER COMPARISON by Debra Lynn Dadd Page 9

10 AIR FILTER COMPARISON by Debra Lynn Dadd 10 Page