Can a home air purifier protect Oregonians from coronavirus and wildfire smoke? An expert weighs in - East Oregonian
Can a home air purifier protect Oregonians from coronavirus and wildfire smoke? An expert weighs in - East Oregonian |
| Posted: 29 Sep 2020 12:00 AM PDT  In early September, as many Oregonians spent a week homebound as hazardous levels of wildfire smoke hung in the air, air purifiers became a hot commodity and sold out in stores. But now that much of the smoke has cleared and air purifiers are becoming more available, should you still consider purchasing one for your home? Richard L. Corsi thinks you should. Corsi, dean of the College of Engineering & Computer Science at Portland State University and an expert on indoor air quality and climate, said wildfire smoke isn't the only type of particulate matter people need to be aware of indoors. "These particles include pollen and mold spores that cause allergic reactions in many people," Corsi said. "Transportation-related particles are particularly harmful," he said, "and there is now a mountain of studies that show that those who live within 100 meters of major highways or other roadways have substantially increased risk of a wide range of adverse outcomes -- birth outcomes, stroke, etc. -- because of pollutants, including particles, that are emitted by vehicle exhaust." Corsi said even cooking can generate harmful particles "It is very important to use a good exhaust hood while cooking," he said. "But not all exhaust hoods are created equal and some particles escape local exhaust." According to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air pollution can cause a variety of short and long-term health effects, from headaches to respiratory conditions. And, said Corsi, there's the new threat of coronavirus. The right kind of air filtration can protect against that, too. Corsi and the EPA are clear that no air cleaner will remove all pollutants from the air, but a good air purifier can substantially reduce indoor pollution. So, how do you pick the right air purifier? "For portable air cleaners," Corsi said, "look for a HEPA-based system with a clean air delivery rate -- CADR -- suitable for the space in which it is used." Corsi said that for a large bedroom, small apartment and most K-12 classrooms, an air purifier that has a CADR of 300 standard cubic feet per minute "will substantially, but not completely, reduce fine particulate matter from wildfire smoke as well as virus-laden particles that carry the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19." To remove volatile organic compounds, the EPA suggests looking for an air cleaner "with an activated carbon filter or other absorbent filter designed to remove gases." Another thing to consider when picking an air purifier is ozone emission. "I would avoid any units that emit ozone," Corsi said. "Good HEPA-based portable air cleaners do what is needed in appropriately sized spaces." Various types of systems can emit ozone, Corsi said, including ion generators and plasma systems. HEPA filters work better to clean the air, he said, even though the smell and quietness of an ion generating system might seem tempting. There are also health implications to consider. "There is over six decades of epidemiological and toxicology research that clearly shows the detrimental effects of ozone on the human respiratory system," he said, "even with incremental increases starting at fairly low levels." So, what air purifier should you get? Corsi declined to give a product recommendation. "I just purchased 15 very good HEPA-based air purifiers with clean air delivery rates of 300 cfm for the college that I oversee at Portland State University," he said. "No gimmicky add-ons. Just a very good HEPA-based system with a high clean air delivery rate." And don't forget about the filters in your HVAC system. Corsi recommends looking for a filter with a minimum efficiency reporting value or MERV of 13 or above for your HVAC system to help clean your indoor air as it circulates through your house.  |
| Posted: 13 Oct 2020 10:22 AM PDT Yahoo Life is committed to finding you the best products at the best prices. We may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Pricing and availability is subject to change.  View photos Air purifiers have gotten cool. (Photo: Amazon) There are some things that are just no fun to spend money on. And for that, there's Prime Day, when you can be a responsible adult and get all the stuff you truly need at a fraction of the price. Case in point: air purifiers. If you're a pet owner, allergy sufferer or just know there's dust in your house that you're inhaling all day long, it's long past time to get an air purifier. Depending on the model, an air purifier not only helps rid the air of dander, dust, dirt and pollen, but it can can also tackle odors and mold—and even, in some cases, kill germs. Some air purifiers go beyond—they can help cool or heat a room! (Seriously, these little appliances are amazing.) There's no need to spend a fortune. For Prime Day 2020, Amazon has slashed prices on dozens of models. You can get a great air purifier for as low as 25 bucks. Choose from the best sales here: This top-rated humidifier is over 42 percent off. (Photo: Amazon) With UVGI technology, this mid-priced beauty—nearly half off—not only cleans the air; it also kills germs, viruses and bacteria. "Immediate difference!" one shopper said. "I have five guinea pigs and, although I love them, they were driving my allergies crazy. Shortness of breath, rash, sneezing and puffy eyes were a daily occurrence if I went into their room. With this purifier I can finally relax, read a novel and watch my guinea pigs. No more rash or puffy eyes, no more having to take allergy medicine before and after interacting with them. Not to mention this thing is near silent. What a great purchase!" Can you believe this air purifier is just $25? (Photo: Amazon) A bargain and a looker—this simple model is just $25. "We have a lot of animals in a fairly small house and we both have mild allergies so I have been on the lookout for an air purifier," one shopper reported. "I'm so happy with this one—it's super quiet and I love the blue light (not too bright) and we have noticed a difference. Great for small spaces." Cute and powerful. (Photo: Amazon) At 15 inches high and with a 360-degree filtration system, this model is sized to handle a large room. "This is an amazing product," one shopper shared. "I just got diagnosed with severe allergies which ended up causing a series of medical issues. My doctor recommended this product and I have noticed a significant difference. Sneezing, itching, watery eyes, etc have all decreased. The functions are very user-friendly, I love how quiet it is and the sleep mode is fantastic. Would definitely recommend!" Multitalented. (Photo: Amazon) This little guy doubles as an aromatherapy diffuser. It's the right size for a bedroom and would make a great gift for a dorm-dweller. "I have three cats and the odor of the cat litter was too heavy, so I bought this air purifier for reducing the odor," one shopper wrote. "Also, my boyfriend had so serious allergy symptoms, sometimes he even can't fall asleep. This air purifier works very well. We always put it near the litter or on my boyfriend's desk. I cannot smell any bad odor after turning it on, and it really relieves my boyfriend's allergies." It does the job of many products, moistening, cooling, and cleaning the air. (Photo: Amazon) Great for a space that's extremely dry (overheated house, anyone?), this model humidifies as it purifies. "We have so many animals—vacuuming and dusting just wasn't cutting it," one shopper wrote. "This machine is whisper quiet and constantly filters the air, replacing it with slightly cooler, much fresher air...Unlike other air washers, this one has stood the test of time, is easy to use and works wonders in a pretty large bedroom." It's perfect for keeping by your desk or nightstand. (Photo: Amazon) At just four inches high, this mini model can sit atop a desk or nightstand. "I never owned an air purifier before, and this has made a huge difference with the air in the room," one reviewer reported. "It feels a lot cooler in my room, I'm sleeping better and it helps with the pet smells in the house. It is very quiet if you want to sleep with it on or if you don't want it on all night it has a timer you can set. It is a great device. I would highly recommend it to anyone." It's a must for homes with pets. (Photo: Amazon) Super-quiet and sleek—this model doesn't interfere with your decor. "I am so happy that I got this air purifier for my home office!!" a reviewer happily shared. "I wanted something that doesn't take up too much space and is quiet, and this was it. Sometimes my son naps in my office while I work, and it produces that perfect, subtle background noise. It's lightweight and so pretty to look at, as well." Read More from Yahoo Life: Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day Want daily pop culture news delivered to your inbox? Sign up here for Yahoo Entertainment & Lifestyle's newsletter.  |
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