If you suffer from Asthma, you’re probably wondering whether buying an air purifier for your room will help relieve or alleviate your symptoms. Unfortunately, the science is still out on that one. Some studies believe that it can relieve the symptoms of children.
On the other hand, a study conducted by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) found that air purifiers were less effective than regular air filters at managing Asthma. Regardless, a good air purifier might eliminate some of your triggers from the air you breathe. Whether or not an air purifier will be a good investment for you depends on the severity of your condition and what triggers your symptoms. Common triggers include dust, pet dander, smoke, mold spores, or pollen. These can bring on coughing, sneezing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and respiratory distress. A good air purifier from a reliable brand will filter out or trap pollutants from the surrounding air while simultaneously sanitizing the air. Air purifiers shouldn’t be confused with air filters (which trap pollutants but don’t sanitize the air) or humidifiers (which release moisture into a dry environment but don’t filter or sanitize the air). Keep in mind that while an air purifier might be able to remove particulate matter from the air, it doesn’t do much about triggers like smoke, odors, or an underlying mold issue.
Here are five features to consider if you’re buying one to help you manage your asthma.
- Choose an air purifier that meets HEPA (High-efficiency particulate air) requirements. This kind is more likely to trap very small particles from the air.
- Check the filter, the airflow rate and filter design to ensure that the air purifier does a dual job of both filtering and sanitizing.
- An air purifier with a dual filter system – one for gasses and one for particles – might be more effective for asthma patients with specific triggers.
- It’s best to avoid air purifiers that produce ozone to sanitize the air. This gas often irritates the lungs and may aggravate your symptoms.
- Always take the size of your room into consideration when you’re buying an air purifier. You might need to buy more than one for a large room.