7 Benefits of Air Purifiers!
by Karl von Luckwald / January 2, 2024
Since air pollution is getting worse all over the world air purifiers have become all the rage. But don’t think air purifiers are just about fixing dirty air – air purifiers have way more benefits than that.
So if you ever wondered, whether you need an air purifier, read this article. It will map out the seven most significant advantages.
And we bet you didn’t know them all.
They Remove PM2.5
For years, air pollution in Thailand has been reaching record highs. While many people are aware of the outdoor air quality concerns, it often goes unnoticed that indoor air can be just as contaminated.
However, there’s a solution that can help combat this issue – air purifiers.
Air purifiers equipped with HEPA filters are great at capturing fine dust particles like PM2.5. When used at home, it’s possible to have the best indoor air quality despite terrible smog outside.
According to NASA, HEPA filters can capture up to 100% of all particles. This means, that even nanoparticles, which are about 100 times smaller than a grain of sand, can be efficiently filtered by HEPAs.
Read more: What are HEPA filters?
They Improve Health
In polluted countries like Thailand, air purifiers drastically improve living conditions.
The health effects of PM2.5 (link health effects of PM2.5) are well documented. They can penetrate deep into our lungs and bloodstream, leading to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
In 2021 alone, air pollution caused an estimated 29,000 premature deaths in Thailand, according to Greenpeace Thailand.
Now here’s the thing: we spend about 90% of our time indoors. Many people forget that indoor air quality is often just as bad as outdoor air quality unless we do something about it.
That’s where air purifiers come in and offer immense benefits.
They act as our personal defenders, keeping the smog and harmful particles at bay.
Whether it’s at home, the office, or the gym, having an air purifier can make a world of difference in reducing our exposure to harmful pollutants.
They Reduce Asthma Symptoms
Asthma affects a significant portion of the Thai population, with around 7% or approximately 500,000 individuals struggling with this condition.
However, there is promising news that brings hope to asthma sufferers, particularly children.
Recent research conducted by Korean experts has highlighted the positive impact of air purifiers on children with asthma.
Their findings indicate that using air purifiers in indoor spaces can lead to significant reductions in the need for anti-asthmatic medications.
The number of asthma cases in Thailand has been on the rise over the past two decades, increasing three-fold according to Dr. Orapan Poachanukoon, president of the Thai Asthma Council and Association.
This not only poses health challenges but also financial burdens, with asthma treatments in Bangkok alone, estimated to cost around THB 33,000 per year.
Investing in an air purifier can provide both financial and health relief in the long run.
By keeping indoor air clean from harmful contaminants, air purifiers can potentially help prevent the development of asthma in children and alleviate symptoms for those already affected.
They Filter Viruses and Bacteria
Germophobes pay attention: air purifiers with HEPA filters are great at filtering viruses and bacteria.
As mentioned above, HEPA filters are virtually able to capture 100% of all particles. This includes particles as tiny as viruses and bacteria.
This makes air purifiers a worthwhile purchase for medical practices, clinics, and hospitals.
For those who are particularly concerned about filtering viruses like Covid-19, please follow updated guidelines by the World Health Organization (WHO). As of today, the WHO recommends 6-12 air changes per hour to ensure sufficient virus filtration with air purifiers.
They Reduce Allergy Triggers
Air purifiers are a great solution for allergy sufferers. They effectively tackle common airborne irritants like dust, pet dander, and pollen by trapping and removing them using HEPA filters. This results in a cleaner home environment with fewer allergens.
Studies conducted at Yonsei University have provided compelling evidence for the effectiveness of air purifiers in reducing the need for medication among individuals with allergies.
By placing an air purifier in your living space, you may experience tangible improvements in your allergy symptoms, which could potentially lead to a significant decrease in allergy triggers.
They Absorb Dangerous Gases and Odors
Air purifiers offer the added advantage of absorbing gases and odors.
To achieve this, a carbon filter is necessary, as HEPA filters are not designed to filter organic compounds. Fortunately, most air purifiers come with a carbon filter or provide the option to add one.
Carbon filters are composed of numerous porous carbon granules. This unique structure allows the filter to have a large surface area, making it highly effective at trapping volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are commonly found in household and building materials, such as formaldehyde, benzene, paints, and cleaning supplies.
In addition to capturing gases, carbon filters also excel at absorbing odors. So, if you have a smelly dog or smelly brother at home, an air purifier equipped with a carbon filter will come to the rescue 😉
They Boost Productivity
Clean air has a significant impact on our productivity. Researchers from China conducted a study that revealed call center employees make 20,000 fewer calls on days with high air pollution.
Another study found examined the effect of air pollution on stock traders and found a negative relationship between air pollution and investor trading behavior.
These findings highlight the benefits of equipping offices in areas with high air pollution with air purifiers.
By providing a healthy workplace environment, air purifiers can help employees perform at their best. It’s a simple and effective solution to ensure that the air they breathe is clean and free from harmful pollutants, ultimately contributing to their overall well-being and productivity.
Bottom Line
Air purifiers offer a range of benefits, including removing PM2.5 particles, improving health, reducing asthma symptoms, filtering viruses and bacteria, reducing allergy triggers, absorbing dangerous gases and odors, and boosting productivity in workplaces.
FAQ’s
Karl von Luckwald
Since moving to Thailand in 2019, Karl noticed the lack of scientific integrity in air purifier and water filter reviews. In response, he founded WE DO AIR to champion unbiased, science-based evaluations and empower consumers to make better-informed decisions.