Air
Purifier and Ionic Purifier
Before deciding if you need to use a regular or ionic air
purifier at your home or office, you need to understand the
cause of air pollution. Indoor air pollution is mainly comprised
of dust, which is 70% percent dead skin, pet dander, mould
spores, bacteria, microscopic organisms, smoke, and chemicals
from cleaning products. Certain allergens are present in higher
quantities in certain rooms; however, even offices and the
interior of vehicles are susceptible to indoor pollution. Most
of these spaces do not have adequate ventilation to freshen air,
and all of them have unnecessarily high humidity.
The pollutants can be classified into three main groups: particles, gaseous
pollutants, and radon and its progeny.
(a) Particles
These are very small. These are solid or liquid substances that are light
enough to float suspended in air. Particles causing indoor pollution include
mists, dust, or pollen. Diverse materials including inorganic and organic
compounds and dormant and living organisms form these particles. From a health
point of view, of the greatest concern are the small, invisible respirable-size
particles, with a higher probability of penetrating deep into the lungs, where
they may stay a long time and may cause acute or chronic effects, and the larger
particles, such as moulds, pollen, animal dander, and house dust allergens,
which do not penetrate as deeply, but can sometimes cause an allergic response.
Among respirable-size particles are those from cigarette smoke; unvented
combustion appliances such as gas stoves and kerosene heaters; viruses,
bacteria, and some moulds; and fragments of materials. The Health effects caused
by exposure to respirable-size particles in the air are contingent upon the kind
and concentration of particles present, the rate and length of exposure, as well
as individual sensitivity. Among the health effects are irritation of the eyes
and respiratory tissues and more serious effects, such as cancer and lung
malfunction. Allergic reactions and infectious diseases can be caused by
biological particles, such as animal and insect allergens, viruses, bacteria,
and moulds. These can also produce toxic products, which may be released into
the air.
(b) Gaseous Pollutants
Combustion gases and organic chemicals, which are not associated with
particles, are among gaseous pollutants. A number of different gaseous
pollutants have been discovered in indoor air.
Combustion gases (like carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide) originate from
sources including combustion appliances, cigarette smoking, and vehicle exhaust
gases from attached garages or the outdoors.
Sources such as cigarette smoke, building materials and furnishings, and the
use of products such as paints, adhesives, dyes, solvents, caulks, cleaners,
deodorizers, personal hygiene products, waxes, hobby and craft materials, and
pesticides cause gaseous organic compounds to enter the air. Additionally,
organic compounds may enter the indoor air from outdoors or through cooking of
food and human, animal, and plant metabolic processes.
There can be a number of health effects on account of exposure to gaseous
pollutants in the air depending on the kinds and concentrations of the
chemicals, the rate and length of exposure, and sensitivity of the individual.
Problems caused can include irritation of the eyes and respiratory tissues;
allergic reactions; effects on the respiratory, liver, immune, cardiovascular,
reproductive, and nervous system; and cancer.
(c) Radon and its derivatives
These are radioactive pollutants, originating from sources present in nature
such as rock, soil, groundwater, natural gas, and mineral building materials.
These can cause lung cancer in humans. The increase in the quantity of these
pollutants in air increases the risk of lung cancer.
Radon is a gas that produces particles, some of which become attached to
larger particles. Such particles may get deposited in the lungs and are the main
health hazard arising from the radon series.
The main indoor allergen is dust mite protein. Dust mite carcasses and
excretion form it. Exposure to these can cause congestion, red and itchy eyes,
itchy skin, or respiratory problems. The mites require a moist, warm environment
with plenty of dust. These are the same conditions that are conducive to the
majority of people's living and work places. Large numbers of mites survive on
water vapour and nutrients from human skin flakes and bacteria. Generally, the
bedrooms are the most affected as there are lots of cloth surfaces for the
creatures to live, and there is sufficient amount of humidity on account of
people's breathing. A dehumidifier can substantially reduce the moisture in a
room and thus help to limit dust mite population.
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