Do Air Purifiers Actually Work?

Concerns over indoor air quality have driven us into buying air purifiers to keep the air at home fresh and clean. Even if we do keep our homes neat and clean all the time, indoor particles and pollutants can still induce or aggravate respiratory diseases. Pollutants from the outside can also enter our homes and degrade air quality, and if there isn’t proper ventilation, all of these pollutants and particles will continue to affect your respiratory health. 

These devices, whether portable or mini air purifiers, are helpful to a certain extent. Read on to find out how air purifiers work and whether you should consider getting them. 

How do Air Purifiers Work?

Air purifiers typically contain at least a filter as well as a fan that sucks in and circulates air. Particles and pollutants are captured as air passes through the filter before being released back into the living environment, essentially “sanitising” the air. 

There are many different types of air purifiers, and the specific particles it removes depends on the type of air purifier you choose; standard air purifiers are designed to trap particles as air flows through the filter, whereas others, such as an air ioniser, work to neutralise the particles. 

What do Air Purifiers Filter Out?

The majority of air purifiers on the market are designed to capture particles like dust, smoke, and pollen. Their efficacy levels also depend on the type of filter used in the air purifier and its Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) — a metric developed to assess the performance of household air purifiers. 

Many people tend to settle for more affordable air purifiers that only contain a filter to remove dust, smoke and pollen. However, they do not capture and filter out harmful gases like Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which can irritate the eyes, nose and throat, cause respiratory problems, nausea, and even damage the central nervous system and other organs. VOCs can accumulate in your home as a result of the use of adhesives, paints or cleaning products, and will require the use of an air purifier with an activated carbon filter to remove. 

Are Air Purifiers Effective?

Air purifiers are effective to a certain degree; they can actively filter out particles in the air, but they cannot remove particulate matter that has already settled onto surfaces like your furniture, bedding, and carpets — these need to be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner. However, any other airborne allergens such as mould, pollen, pet dander, dust mites, smoke, and indoor toxins can be rid of with an effective air purifier. 

Most air purifiers can trap relatively large molecules measuring around 5 microns or less, but those with multiple high-efficiency filters and a dense network of fibres can remove pollutants and allergens measuring as small as 2.5 microns. Some also include ultraviolet lights, which can be used to destroy biological impurities. 

Air purifiers are tested in controlled environments, which is why they are usually claimed to be able to remove 99% of particulate matter. This level of efficacy, however, will decrease depending on where you place your air purifier, its flow rate, how you install it, how well your home is ventilated, and other factors. While it can help to maintain optimal indoor air quality, you should combine it with regular cleaning efforts to truly maintain a level of cleanliness at home.

Should You Buy an Air Purifier?

Air purifiers are extremely useful devices that can significantly improve your indoor air quality and quality of life, especially if you have pets or if someone in your home suffers from respiratory problems. However, an air purifier should never be relied on solely to solve all hygiene and air quality issues at home.

If you’re looking for an air purifier in Singapore, the Aurabeat AG+ air purifier has been scientifically proven to effectively eliminate 99% of fungi, over 90% of E. coli, airborne allergens, and even COVID-19 particles within 30 minutes. We also provide effective portable and mini air purifiers. Visit our website to learn more about our air purification solutions.