| Whether you're an allergy or asthma sufferer, or | | | | purifier. |
| someone who is concerned with providing your family | | | | HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters set the |
| with the best indoor air quality, finding a solution to the | | | | standard for effective air cleaning. HEPA filters have |
| airborne contaminants in your home is a very important | | | | been tested and certified to remove particles that |
| issue. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) | | | | average 0.3 micron in size. Particles of this size are |
| determined that most indoor air is three to five times | | | | likely to be inhaled and deposited into the lungs and |
| dirtier than outdoor air. This startling revelation led to a | | | | trigger allergic and asthmatic reactions. |
| boom in the production of air purifiers, but do they | | | | To qualify as a true HEPA filter, the filter must remove |
| really work? | | | | at least 99.97% of airborne contaminants, including |
| Most air purifiers remove airborne pollutants like mold | | | | mold spores, dust, pollen, smoke, and pet dander. There |
| spores, pollen, dust, bacteria, and pet dander. But | | | | are many generic "HEPA-like" filters on the market |
| determining whether an air purifier is effective is | | | | today; however, true HEPA filters are marked as such |
| measured by its ability to capture particles and the | | | | on their packaging and provide the most efficient |
| amount of air it can process in a given time. | | | | filtration. |
| Translation: If an air purifier can't catch particles of all | | | | Most air purifiers on the market are tested and |
| sizes and process enough air to make a difference, it's | | | | certified by the Home Appliance Manufacturers |
| probably not worth the cost of shipping. | | | | (AHAM), using the Clean Air Delivery Rate, or CADR. |
| The effectiveness of an air purifier is generally based | | | | The CADR measures how many cubic feet per |
| on the effectiveness of its air filter. The American | | | | minute of air is cleared of certain size particles. Three |
| Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-conditioning | | | | particle sizes are rated: smoke (small), dust (medium), |
| Engineers (ASHRAE) tests and certifies air filters, using | | | | and pollen (large). |
| a rating system to ensure accuracy. The first rating, | | | | Rating air purifiers is simple: the higher the CADR rating, |
| Initial Staining Dirt Efficiency, measures how well the | | | | the less time the unit needs to remove a given quantity |
| filter removes microscopic staining particles such as | | | | of particles from the specified size room. The room |
| tobacco tar, allergens, and grease. The second rating, | | | | size is indicated on the packaging of the air purifier and |
| the Average Arrestance Test, determines the | | | | all AHAM-certified models are marked with CADR |
| percentage of ordinary dust, hair, lint, and other large | | | | data, as this information acts to distinguish each air |
| particulate matter removed. It's important to know | | | | purifier from its competitor. You can use the CADR |
| which rating is being used when comparing air purifiers. | | | | ratings to determine which air purifier works best in |
| The size of air contaminants like dust and pollen | | | | your home. |
| particles is measured by the micron. The human eye | | | | As you can see, there are many standards and |
| cannot see particles that are smaller than 10 microns, | | | | ratings requirements used for all air purifiers. These |
| as one micron equals 1/25,400 of an inch. Particles like | | | | requirements are used to ensure that every consumer |
| lint, dust, and pollen can all be seen by the human eye, | | | | receives the benefits they've been guaranteed by the |
| but smaller contaminants like bacteria and viruses will | | | | manufacturer. Air purifiers can't guarantee the |
| escape the detection of our eyes and some filters. | | | | elimination of allergies or asthma. However, HEPA air |
| Finding a filter that will eliminate air impurities of all sizes | | | | purifiers can guarantee the elimination of harmful |
| is important to ensure the effectiveness of an air | | | | airborne contaminants. |