The article below is from a series of home-related articles on air purifiers …

Indoor air pollution is a problem that is a much more widespread health issue than most people are aware of and it should not be taken casually, since most people end up spending ninety per cent of their time inside their homes. In order to gain in energy efficiency, homes are tightly sealed against the natural elements, but this traps contaminants and toxins in the air. The best way to eliminate those pollutants is with air purifiers.

The greatest impact that indoor air pollution has on health is easily observed in the growing number of incidences of asthma and allergies sufferers. Interestingly, this marked increase in respiratory problems is seen in developed countries around the world. In addition to allergens being trapped in homes by better seals on windows and doors, it is also believed that the chemicals used in our homes for every day cleaning and maintenance are also to blame. These chemicals build up over time, eventually reaching toxic levels when the air indoors is stagnant and not cleaned.

Both home and office environments are ripe for developing considerable air quality problems, and for the same reasons. High quality electronic air cleaners can be used in both homes and offices to reduce the amount of particulate contamination in the air, significantly improving air quality. Polluted air that is taken in regularly can cause many respiratory problems, including asthma and has recently been linked to the rising incidence of lung cancer.

Another area where home air cleaners should always be used, are in hair, beauty and nail salons. Nail salon technicians and cosmetologists are at higher risks of developing breathing problems and lung disease because they are routinely exposed to higher than normal levels of potent chemicals, such as formaldehyde. This fact alone makes them 1.8 times more likely to end up with lung cancer because of this exposure. Proper air purification in the workplace can help to reduce that risk.

Air purifiers are able to remove allergens and contaminants from the air. They significantly reduce the main contaminants found in home environments, such as dust, pollen, mold spores, dust mite feces and pet dander, just to name a few. They can also be useful in eliminating cigarette smoke particles from the air as well. When the level of such pollutants is lowered, so is the risk of triggering allergies, developing asthma or getting cancer.

A side benefit of regular use of air purifiers in the home is that they can also help to lower the frequency of dusting and vacuuming, since the particles are removed by the air purifier rather than settling on furnishings and the floor.

There is a wide range of home air purification systems available on the market. Prices range from under $100 for a very basic unit that can effectively clean the air in a small room, to sophisticated home air purification systems that can cost several thousands of dollars, depending on the size of the home and the level of purification desired.

Most air purifiers are very energy efficient, making them affordable to run on a continuous basis. When shopping for an air purification system, be sure to consider not only the price of the device and the electrical usage in comparing costs, but also check the cost of the filters and the suggested frequency of filter replacement.

For more resources on indoor air pollution, go here: Indoor Air Pollution