There are both positive and negative side effects of air purifiers. Today we are going to talk about the negative sides. Have you ever had any deep thoughts about air? Air is keeping us alive. Yes! We are alive, but not healthy.
Because what we breathe is mostly contaminated and polluted air, whether it is outdoor or indoor air. Though improving outdoor air quality will take extreme efforts from every human being, improving indoor air quality has become quite easier these days. You just have to buy an air purifier in order to do that.
Air purifiers are capable of improving indoor air quality and your health condition. But that is not the only thing its capable of! It can also cause some severe damage to our health. While it is known that there are lots of good effects, the negative side effects of air purifiers are proven facts.
You might want to buy a purifier, but before that, you should know some of the deadly side effects of them. Air purifiers can cause short-term as well as permanent damages to our health.
THE NEGATIVE SIDE EFFECTS
To know about those damages, you must know how air purifiers work. Air purifiers have filters, single or multiple, that takes in the air, purifies it, and releases comparatively healthy fresh air. There are different types of air filters. Let’s talk about them in detail!
SIDE EFFECTS OF HEPA FILTERS
High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) is a well-known term in air purifiers. At first, HEPA filters worked really well. Then came a bundle of purifiers having similar designs and technologies. Among these, only a few works fine.
HEPA filters trap airborne bacteria, viruses, and other particulate matter that are larger than 0.3 microns. Our naked eye cannot see them. This feature is definitely useful when it works.
The sad part is HEPA filter is not what it used to be. There are filters named true HEPA Filters. A ratio says, only True HEPA filters can actually capture those particulate matters.
So, true HEPA filters are good. But they leave some scars on their way to purify the air. Most people don’t know that true HEPA filters cannot be recycled. It takes thousands of years for them to get decomposed. This filter not only harms the environment but also harm our air quality.
Air particles don’t get destroyed, instead, they get stuck in the chamber. If the filter is not maintained timely, the whole unit gets affected. These particles can come back to the air.
If you buy a purifier with only a true HEPA filter, then you are wasting your money. There are ways to clean your true HEPA filter properly. See the video below to understand one of the proper ways.
SIDE EFFECTS OF ACTIVATED CARBON FILTERS
Since the beginning, Activated Carbon is being used in purification. Activated carbon is produced from sources that are rich in carbon, e.g. coal, wood, coconut, etc.
Activated carbon filters are used in air purifiers to remove odor, smoke, or chemical smell. For those who suffer from asthma, activated carbon filters are really good. It can absorb pollutants.
This filter is actually really good. But this filter alone in a purifier is not much effective. When you combine activated carbon with HEPA filters, you a get package worth buying.
You must always clean your filters to get better results. Before you start cleaning, make sure that your filter is washable. Read the User Manual carefully. Speak to customer care if necessary.
When cleaning your activated carbon, cover your nose and mouth, best you wear a mask. The reason it is very harmful if breathe activated carbon itself. The filter is made of small pores made of activated carbon and the smell gets stuck in them.
To be on the safe side, take necessary steps so that you don’t inhale the carbon while cleaning. You can watch this video for guidance.
SIDE EFFECTS OF IONIZERS
Negative ion generators or ionizer air purifiers, whatever you call them, are used to clear the air of airborne particles like pollen, dust, etc. Ionizers target pollen, dust and move them from the area it covers.
They can’t destroy the particles; they just move them. Once they move them from the air, the particles and the ion get stuck in the furniture, the wall, or the ground.
The particles that were being moved from the air will eventually come back, and that’s not it. The ion that gets stuck will damage the furniture, wall, or the ground at some point.
SIDE EFFECTS OF UV SANITIZERS
We all know that Ultraviolet (UV) rays are harmful to our bodies. But what about UV sanitizes? UV filters in air purifiers are used to destroy germs, bacteria, and viruses.
This sounds really cool that all that bad stuff is being destroyed. But it harms us the most!
Some UV sanitizer releases OZONE. It is deadly to us. Whatever the percentage of OZONE it might release, is still harmful. UV sanitizer air purifiers are not advisable to buy if it has only the UV filter.
Purifiers that have a UV filter combined with a true HEPA filter and an activated carbon filter is safe to use. You should not leave the UV sanitizer option turned on always.
VERDICT
Air purifiers are supposed to improve air quality and our health. But some of them do more harm than good. Before buying a purifier always try to know the total features.
Your health is in your hand. People will even try to sell you poison for their own profit. So make sure you buy a trustworthy and well-researched product.
Since you read the whole article, we hope that now you know the negative side effects of air purifiers. Stay with us and we will help to identify the good from the bad.
We wish you good health and good luck.
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