Air Purifiers For Asthma
If you’re one of the 2.7 million Australians who suffer from Asthma, you’ll know just how dangerous inhaling contaminated air can be. Whilst Asthma can be triggered by a range of factors, some of the most common are external pollutants such as smoke and allergens – both of which can be reduced via the use of an air purifier. Read on to learn more about how air purifiers remove airborne contaminates and what features to look out for when purchasing an air purifier to assist an Asthma sufferer.
How Air Purifiers Can Help Asthma Sufferers
For Asthma sufferers who are triggered by smoke or airborne allergens such as pollen, mould spores, dust or pet dander, air purifiers can help to eliminate these tiny particles from the air.
This is done by drawing the contaminated air into the air purifier unit via the use of internal fans, which is then processed through a filter to capture the microscopic, Asthma triggering particles.
If you’re purchasing an air purifier to help with Asthma, it’s essential to purchase a model that contains a HEPA filter. These have been shown to capture 99.7% of all airborne particles right down to 0.3 microns in size. An additional activated carbon filter is also desirable as it can act to reduce odours other organic compounds like formaldehyde commonly found in smoke.
Additionally, stay away from air purifiers which feature ionizers or ‘ionic purification’ as these can potentially generate ozone which is a known airway irritant.
However, as asthma.org.au points out – air purifiers alone shouldn’t be your only line of defence against Asthma attacks, with other prevention measure including using a preventor, staying up to date with the air quality in your area and being prepared for an air quality event.
With that being said, Asthma Australia states that air purifiers can be beneficial for making your home a safe place to be.
What To Consider When Purchasing an Air Purifier For Asthma
Beyond looking for an air purifier with a HEPA filter, Asthma sufferers should also consider the size of the room. Typically air purifier manufacturers will list a recommended room size on their products so ensure you purchase a unit that has a high enough clean air delivery rate (CADR) for the room you intend on using it in.
Ongoing Maintenance
Unfortunately, reducing the amount of airborne Asthma triggering particles in your home isn’t as simple as purchasing an air purifier.
In order to retain their effectiveness in trapping the microscopic particles that can cause breathing difficulties for Asthma sufferers, the HEPA filters need to be regularly replaced. The replacement schedule for your air purifier will depend on the amount of use, the air quality and other factors.
Be sure to consult with your air purifiers manufacturers specifications to ensure it is continually providing the maximum possible benefit.
HEPA Filter Air Purifiers For Australian Asthma Sufferers
Here’s our recommendations for the some air purifiers for Asthma sufferers that are available in Australia view our full air purifier range.