The more time we spend indoors, the more likely we are to be exposed to questionable indoor air quality (IAQ), and to be breathing in undesirable gases and toxins emitted from within the home. Among the most common indoor air pollutants in our homes are those coming from biological sources, such as mold, dust mites and bacteria, as well as those coming from chemical sources. Common chemical sources include fossil fuel residues like carbon monoxide (CO), and other off-gases emitted from common synthetics, such as building materials, new furniture, upholstery, drapery, clothing and textiles.
To help reduce such risks and improve indoor air quality in your home, consider investing in a system that employs high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration. Also, be attentive to the size of your home and/or rooms, relative to the capacity of the circulation fan(s) and the clean air delivery rate (CADR) of any systems you’re considering. Finally, don’t assume that all air purifiers on the market will be effective for everyone in the home. For example, if someone in your home has respiratory discomfort, you may need medical advice to identify the specific contaminants or irritants that are problematic and then determine the best possible IAQ solution for that pollutant.
