In some ways, it seems like the quality of indoor air is something that’s going to become more of a mainstream preoccupation for American families and small business owners. We’re getting bold new technologies in play, but this is also something that is more on people’s minds than it used to be.

Up until now, many people have thought of this as sort of a ‘niche’ industry, or something that only caters to a small target audience. But as technology increases, we’re going to become more knowledgeable about what’s in our indoor air, and it will make sense to more families to simply have air purifiers in place. Think about wildfire smoke and the small particles that it carries. Many of us had never heard about this until recent years, when advanced cancer research and other investigations are showing how bad air contaminants really are for us.

Air purifiers can be really valuable for an indoor space, whether it’s a home, or a business.

That’s because these simple machines can really eliminate a lot of problems that impact our health. It’s not a question of being “paranoid about germs” or other microbes. Air purifiers get rid of items like mold, pet dander, and various allergens that can cause all kinds of annoying symptoms, and even more serious health impacts.

At the same time, these machines can also be a good way to feel better about your health during the winter cold and flu transmission season.

We spend a lot of time in our homes in the winter, and if we can cut down the transmission of airborne viruses, that’s a major plus for quality of life.

New Research on Virus Prevention

The folks at Phillips, for instance, are working on some fairly detailed research showing how air purifiers may be able to help with virus transmission.

It’s important to point out that people aren’t claiming that air purifiers can remove Covid virus particles from the air. Instead, they’re looking at more general practices like using the machines on flu virus aerosols.

Specifically, this article shows an independent research firm tested certain HEPA filter machines on the flu, and found that it reduced H1N1 influenza levels by 99.9% in a test chamber within 10 minutes.

That’s more of a hard metric on the handling of virus microbes. Again, companies aren’t claiming a certain efficacy against Covid, but it stands to reason that some of this modern technology is going to practically reduce the amount of active Covid in the air.

NASA Looks at Air Purification

For example, take a look at this NASA study, and our coverage of it on our website. There are certain risk factors that can be impacted by using air purifiers. For instance, we know that a lot of smaller virus particles can connect to larger particles that get trapped in HEPA filters. That means that on a practical level, you can expect some trapping of the smaller particles as well, even if the filter is rated for a particular size.

 Another way to talk about this is that effective technology and filters can slow down the movement of small particles, and act against their ability to float to where they can cause trouble.

That’s just one element of how filter technologies can inhibit virus transmission.

Rapid-Fire Air Scans Revolutionize Monitoring

Here’s another very interesting part of the research that’s going on at Phillips…

Industry leaders report that they can build technology that scans the indoor air 1000 times a second. That’s far beyond the speed of a normal moving film (measured in frames per second), which is an amazing capability. You would imagine that you really get a good look at what’s in your indoor air with this level of analysis.

Then you can take the steps to put in place the filtration and other technologies that will remove harmful particles from the air that you breathe every day.

Buying Air Purifiers

That’s some of what’s behind the renewed interest in air purifier technologies. Simply speaking, they provide lots of value for cost – for as little as a few hundred dollars, these machines can actively improve your health and quality of life in so many different ways.

Take a look at mid-range models like the Airpura R400, for example, with the ability to act against a range of small particles. Or browse designs by makers like Austin Air and BetterAir (now called EnviroBiotics), with the different designs that make them effective for certain needs.

US Air Purifiers LLC will help you with warranty, pricing information and everything else - we have what we need to help customers have peace of mind with their purchase, and everything else that comes along with that, like maintenance tips, or explanations of what these systems actually trap. In a lot of ways, this is the “age of the air purifier” – get yours, and breathe easy!

If you’re not familiar with volatile organic compounds or VOCs, one of the first things that you need to know is that these chemicals are very dangerous. The word ‘organic’ is somewhat of a misnomer, in that these are not natural by-products of a healthy environment.

Instead, they’re chemicals that lurk in man-made products, from carpets to pieces of furniture, to other consumer goods like toys or kitchen implements or cabinets.

And they are things to look out for in terms of indoor air quality. These VOCs can cause a range of human health problems that can be more severe and difficult to treat than just allergies. For example, if you’re experiencing eye irritation, scratchy nose and throat, or trouble breathing (or headaches), you might be exposed to some of these items in your indoor air. 

Let’s break down the top five most dangerous VOCs according to some of the expert sources that advocate for human health…and keep in mind that one solution for these contaminants, in the form of adsorption through activated carbon. Many modern air purifiers have this feature, which can remediate these kinds of particles in the air. But it’s important to use an air monitor, because not all of these VOCs have odors to warn you that you’re getting exposed. So even if you don’t smell anything, you can be at risk. 

Top Five Dangerous VOCs

Look out for all of these in your indoor air:

Formaldehyde

When you see the word formaldehyde, you may think about science projects in a lab and the kinds of experiments that people did in high school in the 1980s.

But formaldehyde, which is a preservative, gives off numerous harmful toxins, and it may actually be found in a good number of building products and consumer goods.

For example, formaldehyde was commonly found in alarming levels in the Chinese drywall that was exported to the U.S. in the early 2000s. This type of drywall was commonly used after hurricanes, where there were supply shortages, and after investigations, many homes were remediated.

That’s just one example of how formaldehyde can infiltrate indoor air. 

But formaldehyde is also in lots of other materials! It can also be found in certain kinds of presswood products, paints, and coatings. You can find it in carpets, in rugs, in curtains, or in various kinds of tools and furnishings, even new items with woven materials, like mattresses. The types of things that used to be made with cotton (linens, mats, etc.) may now be fashioned out of vinyl or polymers, which is another place that formaldehyde can lurk. (see more in the CDC’s formaldehyde fact sheet.)

So how does it make you feel? Well, formaldehyde can cause eye, nose and throat irritation. It’s also potentially a carcinogen. Different people experience the symptoms differently. You may feel mild or even stronger itching or burning in your eyes, or break out in hives. You might get headaches, or feel slight trouble breathing. Too often, these problems are hard to diagnose - because you may not be thinking about where these toxins can be! We talk to people who spent weeks or months trying desperately to figure out where the itchiness or stinging or coughing was coming from, only to find, at the end, that these volatile elements had crept in and contaminated their homes. 

Formaldehyde is a big one, but here are some more of the usual suspects…

Benzene

Benzene is a bad one: a known carcinogen that can lead to blood disorders. Short-term exposure can cause symptoms like, but not limited to dizziness, headaches, and nausea. Benzene can come from tobacco smoke, vehicle exhaust, or various kinds of products like adhesives.

Toluene

This VOC is linked to problems like neurological damage, liver and kidney damage, and headaches. It’s found in some types of paints and solvents, as well as adhesives and, commonly, nail polish.

Xylene

Xylene can also irritate the eyes, nose and throat, and the skin, too, with topical irritation. It has been linked to liver and kidney damage with long-term exposure. This is also found in vehicle emissions and paints, varnishes and similar products.

Trichloroethylene

This is mostly found in industrial degreasers, cleaning products and adhesives. This compound is more commonly known as TCE, and there are pretty strong warnings out there regarding exposure to the chemical. TCE can cause pregnancy issues, even birth defects, and is known to be a carcinogen (see more at this EPA resource.)

These VOCs can be highly toxic, even at low concentrations, and ventilation is important with products using substances containing these ingredients.

Dealing with VOCs

Obviously, the best way to prevent harm from these top five VOCs is to make sure they don’t get into the building in the first place.

It’s important to do detailed research when selecting carpeting or flooring products, doing a renovation, or bringing various types of mass manufactured consumer goods into your home.

There’s even the option of off-gassing materials outside of your living space prior to bringing them inside. Many of these items will off-gas most of the toxic material during a certain time frame after they are taken out of their original packaging.

However, you can also use an air monitor to see what’s lurking in your indoor air, and then use air purifier machines to remediate VOCs and other contaminants.

Air purifiers help with the top five VOCs, but they also help with dust mites, pollen, pet dander, mold and more. A good medical grade HEPA filter is 99.97% effective for .3 micron, where a stronger HEPA is rated for being 99.99% effective for .1 micron. The best models vary depending on your desired use: for example, the Airpura V714 is excellent for strong VOC protection, through quality carbon and a Super HEPA for powerful ultrafine filtration, while the Austin Healthmate Plus boasts a powerful combination filter with carbon and a medical grade HEPA. Models like the Allerair Pro 5 Vocarb HD carry a great value for cost. 

Take a look at all of the effective air purifiers available for you, and US Air Purifiers LLC will help with warranty, pricing information, and much more. You can get a surprising amount of air purification for a small amount of money; just a few hundred dollars can help you make a solid investment in terms of your health and the health of your family.

Let US Air Purifiers help with all of your air purification concerns.

You can actually get quite a lot for a reasonable price when it comes to buying your next air purifier appliance.

But don’t take our word for it – you can also ask one of the top experts on everything.

That’s right, it’s ChatGPT, a technology that has skyrocketed in terms of fame throughout this year. Just a couple of years ago, when this came out, hardly anybody was talking about it – but they’re paying attention now. More people are using this AI engine instead of a Google search to figure out what to buy, and what to look for in a particular market.

So we sat down and asked ChatGPT about what you can get for $200 in order to clean your indoor air.

About the Shopper

First, we asked ChatGPT a more general question – why do people buy air purifiers?

This is what the model said:

“People buy air purifiers to improve indoor air quality by reducing airborne allergens, odors, smoke, and pollutants that can trigger health issues like allergies or asthma. By filtering out dust, pet dander, pollen, mold spores, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), air purifiers create a cleaner, fresher environment that may help people breathe more easily and enhance their overall well-being.”

We thought that ChatGPT did a good job of including most of the main items that people are looking to eliminate from their indoor air.

First, there is the range of allergens that can cause respiratory conditions and other symptoms.

Then there’s odors, like smoke or pet odor, for example. You might have to use an ozone machine for denser animal smells, but an air purifier can be a good first line of attack – or of defense!

Then there’s volatile organic compounds, as well as items like dust mites, pollen, mold spores, and pet dander.

This survey goes a long way in explaining why you would want to have these machines running inside your home or living space.

Best Features for $200

We then asked ChatGPT to tell us what you can get for your money when you’re shopping in the $200 price range.

One of the first answers it gave was that you can get additional filtration beyond just a basic HEPA filter.

ChatGPT pointed out that HEPA can capture 99.97% of particles down to .3 µm, which includes things like mold spores and pet dander.

It also pointed out that you can get a pre-filter in addition to your main filter, and that this can really cleanse the indoor air in a better way.

In addition, ChatGPT suggest that you can get appliances with air quality sensors for monitoring, and smart home integration features.

In summary, it provides this guidance.

“In short, a $200 budget can secure a feature-rich air purifier that’s energy efficient, smart-enabled, whisper-quiet, and equipped to handle a broad range of common indoor air pollutants. Look for models that combine several of these features to ensure maximum value and a healthier home environment.”

That’s pretty good, in our opinion.

Makes and Models

When we asked ChatGPT about the best models for home use, it returned some good names from some of the manufacturers that we work with, including Austin Air and AirPura. (It’s important to note that the most affordable models from these makers start at around $500-$700, so for $200 models, you’ll want something else.)

There’s also the BetterAir systems that offer probiotic components, and other models that incorporate different kinds of new technology beyond simple filtration.

As for good models under $200, you can take a look at the Airfree 1000, or the T800 for small spaces. This BetterAir model has probiotic technology, too. Or as a starter, try this tower unit for just $167.99. Then there’s the Respiray personal wearable model, with HEPA particulate protection and great ergonomic design. 

It’s also important to ask about activated carbon, which is one thing that the model’s response seems to leave out. Activated carbon is responsible for the adsorption of VOCs, and certain kinds of chemical binding which are helpful to the air-cleansing process. 

As you’re shopping, you can turn to US Air Purifiers LLC for advice on warranties, model features, and more. We’re good at helping customers to get what they need in terms of effective air quality monitoring and purification within their homes, to breathe easier and have peace of mind about their purchases.

This season, air purifiers got a promotion from an unlikely source – a random segment on the daily news.

WTNH channel 8 in New Haven, Connecticut featured a segment on Good Morning Connecticut, where Dr. Arjun Venkatesh of emergency medicine at Yale School of Medicine weighed in on how to use these modern machines to protect the health of a building’s inhabitants.

News anchors asked about the purchase of air purifiers during Covid.

“Yeah, a lot of people bought these during COVID,” Venkatesh said. “We didn’t know much about COVID-19. We thought it might help.”

Ultimately, a lot of people now have air purifiers sitting around, and might not understand the value of running these in the home. But scientists are getting it. 

“(The science) does show that (air purifiers) reduce a lot of other allergens, and potentially, other bacteria, other things in our air that can be harmful,” Venkatesh said. “If you’ve got one sitting in the basement, that’s ready to go, and still has a good filter, you should probably think about plugging it back in.”

That was a pretty good endorsement of this type of technology for keeping your home’s air breathable this winter season.

Other Contaminants and Air Purifier Efficacy

What are some of these other pathogens?

Doctors talk quite a bit about air purifiers being used to control mold spores, and dust mites, which are an allergen to some people. And let’s not forget pollen!

Air purifiers can also be very good at dealing with pet hair and pet dander, as well as the odor that comes along with having animals in your living space.

In addition, air purifiers can help deal with a range of potentially harmful chemicals that come into your home through consumer goods, building materials and furniture.

These are called volatile organic chemicals or VOCs, and include items like formaldehyde, benzene and toluene, stuff that can give you headaches and, over time, act as carcinogens.

We also asked Bing about why you should use an air purifier in your home or place of business. 

It came up with a five point list:

Five Big Reasons to Use an Air Purifier This Winter 

1.  Prevent colds and flu
2.   Improve sleep quality
3.  Humidify the air to help with your skin
4. Make for a more comfortable result for ears, nose and throat
5. Reduce pet odors or other odors in the home

And then in addition, there’s also the capability of air purifiers to ward off allergens, whether that’s an allergy to an animal, to dust mites or mold, or to something else that’s lurking in your indoor air. If you have some of these microbes floating around, and a sensitivity to what’s in your indoor air, that can lead to troubling chronic symptoms that seem impossible to deal with. Removing the allergens or other contaminants is the best solution. 

How to Buy an Air Purifier

When you want to look for the best air purifier for your living space, it’s good to have an idea of what’s in the air. You can use an air monitor for this purpose. Place the air monitor away from high-ventilation areas, and from sources of contaminants, and make sure it’s charged, in order to get good readings. Then you can spot things like VOCs (volatile organic compounds), mold, pollen, etc. in your air. Indoor air monitors act as your eyes for invisible hazards, letting you make timely adjustments and keep everyone breathing easier.

You also want to size the rooms and spaces that you’re putting air purifiers in. Alternately, you can go with a whole-home system that cycles all of the air, but many people want to place air purifiers strategically in individual rooms and spaces, to cycle air that may be heavily laden with contaminants.

As you’re doing your research, US Air Purifiers LLC will help with all of the warranty, pricing information and more, to help you get what you need from your purchase - be confident about what you’re buying with a company that really cares.

For a happy and healthy Christmas season, you want to make sure that everything you incorporate into your holiday decorations is in good condition, and that it doesn’t leave you with annoying symptoms of a certain thing called Christmas Tree syndrome.

What is Christmas Tree syndrome?

This happens when people experience allergic or respiratory conditions after they introduce live or artificial trees, or Christmas decorations, into their homes.

That’s one of the distinctive parts of the holiday season – adding something to your living space that’s not there the rest of the year. In fact, it’s hard to think of any other real examples of this during a given calendar year. So Christmas decorating is an important tradition.

Here are some ways to make sure you don’t suffer from Christmas tree syndrome in your home.

Types of Christmas Tree Syndrome with Live Trees

With a live tree, you can have problems related to these issues:

Mold, spores or fungus - If these are on the tree, they can get into the air and cause allergic reactions.

Pollen – pine trees can have residual pollen on them, which can be an allergen.

Tree sap or resin – the sap of a pine tree is actually pretty stringent, and can generate some allergic reactions in some people.

Dust or debris – this has to do with the tree’s environment, and whether it has collected these kinds of air contaminants.

Reactions to Artificial Christmas Trees

People can also have a reaction to an artificial tree for various reasons, including:

Dust and dust mites – again, this has to do with how the tree is stored. An artificial tree that is stored in a dusty place can come with this kind of irritant.

Chemical off-gassing – some artificial trees are made with synthetic chemicals that can have an effect on human respiratory systems. Some of these are referred to as volatile organic compounds or VOCs.

Mold – these items can also have mold if they’ve been stored in a damp place.

Symptoms of Christmas Tree Syndrome

People who have allergic reactions or other triggers from Christmas trees and decorations may have symptoms like:

·        Stuffy or runny nose

·        Coughing

·        Watery eyes

·        Scratchy or irritated throat

For best results, make sure you know how trees and decorations were stored – and evaluate live trees for the types of natural substances that can trigger allergic reactions in you or someone in your family.

Keeping Your Home Air Clean All Year Round

Indoor air quality isn’t just an issue at Christmas time.

Whether it’s residual smoke from wildfires, the products of factory pollution, or just greenhouse gases from traffic, many unwanted contaminants can tend to build up inside a home. This includes anything that comes from home systems, any kind of volatile organic compounds off-gassed by furniture or consumer goods, and the eventual buildup of dust or mold in a building.

How do you handle these kinds of contingencies?

First, you can use an available air monitor to check the health of your indoor air, and see what’s in it. Then you can use an air purifier machine to remediate any conditions that you find.

You can get portable air purifiers, or whole home systems, to be able to breathe easy and be confident about your health in your own home. At Christmas time, you can use an affordable smaller Airfree unit to sit by the tree, to cycle out much of the microbial stuff coming from this new addition to your home. Or you can use a Respiray wearable model to control the air coming into your body, for overall personal protection. In addition, there are all kinds of other makes and models of various shapes and sizes, using a range of cleansing technologies, that you can choose from according to your needs. 

US Air Purifiers LLC will help with warranty information, models, and much more. Whether it’s December or any other month of the year, we are here for our customers to help them to get what they need for the best possible result in keeping their indoor home air clean and breathable.