Air Purifiers, Filterless Air Purifiers, HEPA and Medical Grade Air Cleaners

What are the Benefits of an Air Purifier?

More and more people seem to have an increased sensitivity to allergens, particulates and VOCs (volatile organic compounds) than ever before. It’s really not so surprising when you consider how heavily contaminated our outside air is with vehicle and industrial pollutants. But what most people still don’t realize is that our indoor air quality is even more polluted. Cleaning the air inside our homes, workplaces, schoolrooms, vehicles and anywhere else we are inside is not only wise, but will result in much fewer illnesses and respiratory problems.

Indoor air pollutants contaminate the air inside your home or any other indoor environment in a much more concentrated way. Particulate matter, gaseous pollutants and VOCs can greatly increase risks to health and well-being. Reducing or eliminating the concentration of these airborne contaminants through the use of an effective air purifier has been repeatedly proven to improve health, especially for those who already have compromised immune systems, respiratory disorders and other existing health issues. Some air purifying systems also remove harmful bacteria and viruses from the air.

These airborne particles are often responsible for causing or worsening allergies, asthma and other respiratory disorders and illnesses. Because 90% of the air pollution we breathe comes from these potentially harmful ultra-fine particles, an air purifier is a smart and healthy choice for better health.

There are a multitude of benefits to be gained by employing an air purifier in your home or indoor environment. These include reduced snoring, deeper and more restful sleep, reduced wheezing and coughing, and enhanced upper and lower respiratory function. Using a good air purifier can strengthen the immune system function, which positively affects a host of varied health issues. Allergy and asthma symptoms/ attacks are greatly reduced, as are issues with sneezing, dry mouth/throat and runny or congested noses.

Air purifiers are a wonderfully healthy choice for any individual, but they are especially useful for people with insomnia and other sleeping disorders, multiple chemical sensitivities, pre-existing health problems, allergies, asthma and COPD. They are very important for both children and the elderly, and for anyone living close to cities, farms and roads, or in high particle and gas contaminated areas.

Common Indoor Pollutants

There are a number of varied contaminates found in the home and other indoor environments that can wreak havoc with our health. Quality air purifiers that utilize the latest technology in air filtration, such as HEPA, HEGA/carbon cloth, activated charcoal, and a combination of potassium iodide, activated carbon and zeolite, can help remove these harmful contaminates from the air.

Particulate matter that may cause harm include dust, tobacco smoke, animal dander, pollen and other tiny or microscopic organisms such as bacteria, viruses, molds/fungi, plant spores and dust mites.

Gaseous pollutants can originate from rugs and carpets, furnishings, building materials, paints and varnishes, adhesives, cat litter, pesticides, aerosols and cleaning products. They also come from stoves and ovens that are gas-powered, and from the cooking odors. Also referred to as volatile organic compounds, these vaporous VOCs are often generated from products that have ingredients like toluene, chloride, formaldehyde, benzene and ethylene.

What Type of Air Purifier is Right for My Family?

While air purifiers can be used in virtually any indoor environment, most people use them to eliminate airborne contaminates from their home. There are many diverse models to choose from, with some designs offering only particulate matter removal to all-inclusive systems that also remove VOCs, along with bacteria and viruses. The filtration operation makes all the difference, so here is some more information about various filter systems to help you narrow your search.

HEPA
Based on trapping airborne particles by size exclusion, filter-based purification forces air through a filter which stops and catches the particles, cleaning the air. HEPA filters, or high-efficiency particulate air filters, must meet certain standards of efficiency determined by the US Department of Energy (DOE). A HEPA filter must be able to remove 99.97% of 0.3 micrometer particles in order to qualify as an official HEPA filtration system. As one of the most effective air filtration systems available today, it is often used in design with other combinations of filtration systems to provide even more efficacious contaminate removal. HEPA filters do not generate harmful byproducts like ozone.

Activated Carbon
As a porous material derived from charcoal or high-porosity biochar that can adsorb volatile chemicals, activated carbon is often used in conjunction with other filter technology, especially HEPA. Activated carbon works by changing the contaminates from a gas form to a solid form. Also known as activated charcoal, this carbon form is processed to have small, low volume pores that enhance the surface area for chemical reactions like adsorption.

Activated carbon is sometimes combined with zeolite and potassium iodide to further enhance its abilities to remove VOCs from the indoor environment.

HEGA/ Carbon Cloth

Developed by the military as a defense against chemical warfare, carbon cloth filter technology specifically helps to remove gases and odors from the air. Also known as HEGA, or high efficiency gas absorption, this technology may be even more effectual than activated carbon with the adsorption of gaseous pollutants from the air. An air purifying system that incorporates both HEPA and HEGA provides the ultimate performance in air filtration systems.

Rehabmart is pleased to provide some of the absolute best air purifiers on the market today, all created by the innovative Austin Air/Healthmate Company, the originator of high-end filtration systems.

Mike Price, OT
Rehabmart Co-Founder & CTO

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