Earth911 is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to .. Earth911 also teams up with other affiliate marketing partners to help keep our lights on and the waste-fighting ideas flowing. If you purchase an item through one of the affiliate links in this post we will receive a small commission. Air purification in your home is no longer a luxury, but a necessity. Even if you don’t suffer from allergies, asthma or other respiratory ailments, the amount of biological and chemical contaminants polluting homes today is why the Environmental Protection Agency deems indoor air quality one of the top five environmental health risks. A quality, portable air purifier is one of the most effective ways to improve the health of your house – and ultimately – its occupants. Shopping for one can be a daunting task. Because air purifiers are not all created equal, you need to know what to look for and what to avoid.

Two things to consider are your budget and the size of your space. Most brands will clearly reveal the amount of square footage they effectively clean. With a little knowledge, you’ll be breathing a whole lot easier. Look for a multistage filtration process. Air cleaning devices use a combination of several types of cleaning methods which can include: Activated carbon / zeolite A HEPA filter / HyperHEPA® / Nano Coil TIP #1: The Prefilter A prefilter is essential to trap large particles such as dust, hair and pet dander. Be sure your unit has a prefilter and that you change per the manufacturers recommendations; usually once or twice a year. TIP #2: Activated Carbon / Zeolite Activated carbon is important because this part of the filtration process actually adsorbs toxic gas molecules like cigarette smoke, gases, odors, mildew and volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) like formaldehyde and pesticides. It works by adsorption (particles stick to carbon), not to be confused with absorption.

“Adsorption” occurs when materials attach through a chemical reaction, ultimately, catching smaller dust particles than a HEPA filter. Zeolite is a natural mineral that can be added to absorb certain gas molecules including formaldehyde, ammonia and carbon monoxide. TIP #3: HEPA / HyperHEPA® / Nano Coil Filtration High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters are 99.97 percent efficient in removing particles 0.3 microns in size or greater (ie: dust, pollen, mold spores). Look for a non-petrochemical, true medical grade HEPA filter. 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. The IQAir uses something unique called a HyperHEPA® to filter harmful ultrafine pollution particles down to 0.003 microns in size. Nano Coil Technology removes 99% of airborne contaminants, reduces bacteria and kills cold and flu viruses.

It’s five times better than HEPA in clearing the air of pet hair, fur, dander, dust and mold. This technology cleans microscopic particles down to 0.05 microns.does an air purifier help with cigarette smoke TIP #4: UV-C Lightbest air duct cleaning los angeles An ultraviolet C lamp emits short-wave ultraviolet light that kills airborne microorganisms captured on the HEPA media surface. new wave air purifierUV-C light is the same technology used by hospitals for sanitization, killing 99.9% of germs, which can cause colds or flu. Assure the brand you select does not generate ozone by checking HERE. TIP #5: Avoid Ozone Producing Filtration Electrostatic precipitators remove pollutant particles by charging them as they pass through and collect them on an oppositely charged metal plate or filter;

producing some ozone as a byproduct. Even small amounts of ozone, a lung irritant, are not recommended. The negative ion generator is a unit that changes the electrical charge of its surroundings. It attracts particles and dust, which then drop out of the air onto the floor near the unit. The dust or pollen is taken out of the air, but these particles are then stuck to the wall or items in the room that the air purifier is cleaning. The particles can easily become loose and circulate the air again. Some negative ion generators also emit potentially harmful levels of ozone as a byproduct and should be avoided. Ozone generators release ozone (O3), a toxic gas, into the air and produce relatively large amounts of this gas by design. While ozone in the upper atmosphere protects us from the sun’s ultraviolet rays, ground-level ozone (smog) is an irritant that can worsen asthma and compromise your ability to fight respiratory infections. It is not a very stable molecule; it reacts readily with other chemicals that may be in the air, forming new compounds that can be more dangerous than the ozone itself.

These purifiers should be avoided completely. Choosing the right air purifier for your home doesn’t have to take your breath away.  By following these 5 simple steps, you’ll be breathing a sigh of relief (and cleaner air) in no time. Feature image courtesy of SamsungTomorrow About Latest Posts Latest posts by Lisa Beres (see all) 7 Ingenious Upcycling Ideas You’ll Fall In Love With! 9 Reasons Why We Love Natural Men’s Skincare 10 Unconventional Tips To Help Minimize Home AllergiesTrueAir compact pet air purifierTaking up minimal space but packing a powerful air-cleaning punch, the TrueAir Compact Air Purifier is not only compact and quiet, it works vertically or horizontally for maximum versatility.The family dog, once banished from the sofa and sequestered to certain rooms, these days has full run of the house. The result: Its fur, slobber, stains and smells are showing up just about everywhere, making it more tedious than ever to keep the abode clean. More than half of U.S. households now own a pet, and they have become a big enough chore that manufacturers increasingly are introducing products and tools specially designed to clean up after them.

People are "so attached to their pet that they won't get rid of it. Instead they just look for ways to make cleaning easier," says Brian Kirkendall, vice president of marketing for Hoover. Cat and dog owners spend nearly 90 minutes each week cleaning up after their pet, costing an average $156 a year, according to a 2009 survey of 1,004 consumers by floor-cleaner maker Bissell Homecare. Pet-related cleaners are the fastest-growing part of Bissell's business, the company says. This year, it introduced its Total Floors Pet Vacuum, which features a crevice tool to help suction pet hair away from walls, where it tends to accumulate. The vacuum's brush roll can be turned off to prevent hair scattering on hard surfaces, and specialized attachments help grab pet hair on upholstery. Removing hair from so many different surfaces is one of the main differences in cleaning the homes of pet owners versus non-pet owners. "It's the places the dog hair ends up," says Sue Potter, associate marketing director for Bissell.

"You're not usually dragging your head against your curtains." Capturing pet hair is the "holy grail" at Electrolux AB as well, says Jackie Cooper, general manager of brand marketing for Eureka and Electrolux floorcare. In March, Eureka launched a SuctionSeal Pet vacuum designed to snag pet hair and odors from carpets and bare floors, and includes a "Pet Power Paw," attachment for use on carpet and upholstery. Dubbed "tough enough for pet owners," the $199.99 vacuum also includes an odor-absorbing filter to eliminate pet smells. Hoover says sales of its pet-specific vacuums, carpet washers and steam cleaners have grown about 30% a year for the past few years, about even with the performance of the overall industry. Even people who don't own pets are buying the products, says Mr. Kirkendall. "If you have someone with long hair at home, you want the benefits of a pet vacuum as well." Hoover collects bags of dog hair from groomers so it can test on a wide range of hair types. Its product developers also work with carpet manufacturers, making sure that new carpet fibers don't interfere with the vacuum's ability to grab pet hair.

"Otherwise people will blame the vacuum," says Mr. Kirkendall. Rather than wait for hair to fall from a pet, some tools allow owners to vacuum hair straight from the animal. In 2010 Dyson introduced its $69.99 grooming tool with stainless-steel bristles that capture hair and dead skin. The one-hand control leaves "the other hand to control the dog," the company says. Pet hair is a major concern because it has dander and other substances that can cause allergic reactions, says Karen Hall, a microbiologist for Dyson. "The only real way to control pet allergens is by controlling pet hair, that's the transport," she says. On the odor front, Febreze's pet-specific air and fabric sprays are among its top sellers, Procter & Gamble says. "People with pets talk about how they don't notice the smell but they're worried others will," says Eric Huston, Febreze associate marketing director. Ease of use is another concern. Bissell's SpotBot Pet Deep Cleaner is a machine that promises to conquer stains without the user blotting or scrubbing.

Pushing a button starts preset cleaning cycles to allow for hands-free stain cleaning. "Everybody hates being on their hands and knees and being close to it," Ms. Potter says. More About Our Four-Legged Family Members The Dog Maxed Out My Credit Card Designer Pets: When a Pug and a Beagle Fall in Love, It's a Puggle Ideal Tenants: Where Dogs Rule the Roost Even with the onslaught of pet products, not everyone finds what they need. Catherine Ruddy, a finance manager who lives in Pearl River, N.Y., concocts her own cleaning solution of vinegar and Murphy's oil soap, fearing that harsher chemicals would irritate her dogs' paws and damage her hardwood floors. (The ASPCA advises that many household cleaners can be used safely when the product's directions are followed.) Framed portraits of her puggle and Jack Russell terrier mix hang in the kitchen, and the two dogs enjoy full run of her home, even if it means extra vacuuming, mopping and laundry every week. "I do it because I love my dogs," Ms. Ruddy says.

Not all companies are racing to flood the market with pet-specific products. Church & Dwight has taken a measured approach to introducing pet-specific cleaners, says Ray Brown, director of research and development for the company, which makes Arm & Hammer products. "We can and have built that efficacy into general products," he says. But using formulations specifically designed to tackle pet accidents can make a big difference in fighting them, Mr. Brown says, noting the company's Arm & Hammer pet stain and odor spray. "If you go with a normal carpet cleaner, you'll discover in about a week all the stuff left behind," says Mr. Brown. "And then you'll always have the issue of the animal returning to the scene of the crime—when they smell it they believe it's OK to do it again." As the variety and complexity of pet-cleaning products have increased, PetSmart has been giving store employees detailed training so they can help "pet parents," says Tanya Fiori, a buyer in PetSmart's dog and cat waste-management department.