Air Purifier Articles and Product Application Briefs

When ClearFlite began selling air purifiers in 1995, few people were familiar with the concept of a portable machine that could purify the air. In the past decade, the air purifier has virtually become a household appliance. As with other appliances, the effectiveness and overall quality of the different models runs the gamut from cheap and ineffectual to extremely effective and expensive. Fortunately, twelve years in the business has given ClearFlite the time and experience to find and test air purifier brands that are both effective and affordable. Most homes and many offices, unless they have air filtration built into their central systems, need air purifiers because indoor air quality has undoubtedly diminished in recent years. Peruse the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency website to find out more details about why this is so.

Most Americans, and much of the rest of the industrialized world, spend a majority of our work and play lives indoors. Our tightly constructed homes that save energy become sources of pollutants which aggravate asthma and chemical sensitivity, and that compound seasonal allergy problems. Pollutants emanating from gas, oil and kerosene, building and furniture materials, upholsteries, paints, cleaning and grooming products, pets, mold, and smoking all add to the substandard quality of our indoor air. It is no wonder that people go in search of an air purifier that will make their breathing and that of their children healthier. Our customers tell us over and over that they were at first skeptical of needing an air purifier, but once they saw what the filters looked like at changing time, they would never live without one or more again.

Asthma, the disease of chronic inflammation of the body’s airways, is getting worse, particularly in children under five, which is extremely distressing. Millions of Americans have asthma which afflicts them even more when they suffer allergic responses to what are called "allergens" in our homes. These allergens are microscopic in some cases – like dust mites and mold spores, but they cause a world of discomfort. The dander of our beloved pets is a major allergen, especially for cat lovers, and seasonal pollens make everything worse. An effective air purifier will clear a room of these allergens. In some cases, it may require an air purifier in each room or at least in key rooms where people spend a majority of their time.

As you study the different types of air purifier, you’ll read about "micron sizes". Since a "micron" is 1/25000 of an inch, it’s hard to comprehend them. A hair on your head will likely measure between 30 and 120 microns. Here’s what to remember about micron sizes: larger micron size particles such as dust are less serious because "cilia" in our noses and sinuses catch it before it can enter our lungs. The medium size allergens (0.3 to 0.9 microns) actually pose the greatest risk because they’re the pollens and molds that are small enough to remain airborne AND they slide past the cilia and become lodged in our lung tissue. There are also really small micron allergens (less than 0.3) which are so tiny they can be inhaled and exhaled, but they can lodge themselves in our lungs too. So when you are learning about what an air purifier can do, and understanding the technologies used by different air purifier manufacturers, remember the micron issue really is a big deal.

There are many other aspects of understanding indoor air purification which we will attempt to explain in plain English on this website. Our staff is also well informed about what an air purifier can and cannot do, and is willing to spend time helping you understand the issues and choose wisely. Each air purifier we sell is made by a company that stands behind its products. ClearFlite is in this business for the long term which is why we have lots of long term air purifier customers.