Air purifiers have been around since the Second World War, when the first ever HEPA filters were used to protect workers from airborne nuclear matter. Today air-purifiers are found in hospitals, homes, offices and even in cars. Weve been breathing the same air for the last hundreds of years then why do we now need air-purifiers, that too indoors? Arent our homes our refuge from the pollution, smog, chemical waste, pollen and all other toxins found in the outdoor air?

Youll be surprised to know that the answer to that is no. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, levels of indoor air pollution can be two to five times higher than those found in the urban outdoor air! Did you know that indoor air pollution is rated amongst the top five environmental risks to public health? We spend more than 90% of our time indoors in our homes, offices and schools. It logically follows that our indoor spaces can be a hotbed for viral infections, allergies and respiratory disorders arising due to indoor air contamination.

So, what kind of indoor air pollutants are we talking about? The contaminants in our homes are of many types. They range from dust, mold, bacteria, pet dander, fumes and carbon deposits from fireplaces and candles, toxic odors from tobacco smoke, dust, mites, deleterious vapors from furniture and flooring, and household chemicals. And inhaling these can give rise to allergies, asthma and other respiratory ailments.

How will YOU know if you need an air purifier?
You can benefit from having an air-purifier in your home if you observe allergic symptoms like itchy, watery eyes or a runny nose, frequent skin rashes. If you suffer from asthma or any other respiratory disorder you would gain from having an air-purifier. If you live with a smoker, an air-purifier will help to eliminate suspended tobacco smoke and odor from the air. Pet owners will stand to benefit as air-purifiers are able to effectively deal with pet dander and smells. If you detect mold or mildew in your home you should consider investing in an air-purifier system.

However, not all air-purifiers will be able to clear all the contaminants. While all will clean certain elements there are differences in the abilities of each air-purifier. Some are able to remove dust mites and pet hair and smoke effectively, while other attack types of bacteria, viruses, mold and mildew. Few will be able to tackle all of these things.