An air purifier is a device that helps to clean the air inside a room or building. This is done by filtering out pollutants and allergens and circulating clean air back into the room. People with asthma may find that using an air purifier can help to reduce the triggers that cause asthma attacks.
How Can an Air Purifier Help with Asthma?
Asthma symptoms can be triggered by dusty or smoky air or airborne allergens. Air purifiers might help to reduce the level of these triggers in the air.
A study found that using a single strategy to reduce indoor allergens, such as an air purifier, did not generally improve asthma. It suggested that combining methods may help improve asthma outcomes, but additional research is needed to support this. Yet another study found that air purifiers can help improve air quality and respiratory function in people with asthma. However, more research is needed to determine the role of air purifiers in asthma treatment.
A review found that portable HEPA air purifiers can reduce the amount of particles in the air by up to 50 percent. This can help reduce asthma symptoms and attacks. However, the research suggests that these air purifiers will not remove gaseous pollutants from tobacco smoke, like nicotine.
The most effective way to reduce asthma symptoms is to remove as many sources of environmental triggers as possible. Air-cleaning devices such as air purifiers might help people with asthma, but they are not the most effective way to reduce symptoms. The EPA notes that air purifiers can help reduce indoor pollution but cannot eliminate all indoor air pollutants.
How to Choose an Air Purifier to Reduce Asthma Attacks
Here are some things to consider when choosing an air purifier:
1. Make Sure It Is Efficient
An air purifier with a high-efficiency filter will remove almost all the particles that are 0.3 micrometers in diameter or larger. This means that only three out of every 10,000 particles this size will not be caught by the filter.
2. Consider the Room Size
To get the most out of an air purifier, a person should choose one appropriate for the size of the room in which they plan to use it. The device should also have a suitable clean air delivery rate for the room. To ensure optimal air quality, the Environmental Working Group recommends using a filter that replaces the air volume in a room twice every hour.
3. Choose Ozone-Free
Some air purifiers release ozone into the air. According to the EPA, ozone can cause respiratory problems and is ineffective at removing air particles. HEPA filters are a better option for purifying the air.
4. Check Certifications
The American Asthma and Allergy Foundation (AAFA) recommends that people with asthma and allergies use air purifiers with filters that have been certified as asthma- and allergy-friendly. These filters remove almost 98 percent of allergen air particles, which can help reduce asthma and allergy symptoms.
Conclusion
Air purifiers can be highly beneficial for asthmatics. By removing harmful particles and irritants from the air, they can help to reduce symptoms and flare-ups. Additionally, air purifiers can create a cleaner, healthier environment in the home, which can be beneficial for overall health and well-being. If you are considering an air purifier for your home, consult your doctor or asthma specialist to ensure that it is the right choice for you.
Air Purifier for Home is a blog dedicated to helping people navigate the topic of HEPA-free air purifiers, so you can make a more informed decision if these are best for you. Led by Nathan Conner, a natural health advocate that wants to help people live a healthier lifestyle, we believe that clean air is the foundation of good health. We vouch for Triad Aer, the home air purifier that guarantees clean air free from asthma-causing dust and other allergens. Read more about it on our website!