“The air quality indoors can be two to five times more polluted than the air quality outdoors,” says Dr. McKeon. “The air quality outdoors is an issue. But the air inside, in which we spend most of the time, contains a number of pollutants. “

While we bring allergens like pollen and pet dander into our homes, our indoor environment also creates allergens, says Dr. McKeon. Dust mites naturally build up and thrive on dead skin. Particles are released into the air when there is a stove, wood fire, or candle. When cooking, oil and fat particles are released into the air. “The particles of concern are the ones you can’t see,” says Jake Read, advanced design engineer at Dyson.

The peculiarities of your living environment also affect the air quality, explains Dr. McKeon. Because newer, more energy-efficient homes don’t have the same gaps and cracks as older homes, there’s less air circulation, he says. Moisture can lead to increased dust exposure. Newly laid floors and furniture can emit chemicals into the air.

Well, none of that is supposed to freak you out – when it comes to indoor air quality and indoor health, says Dr. McKeon, that an allergen is only a problem if it bothers you.

“It would be wrong to get the message across that everyone needs an air purifier. Many people benefit from having an air purification device, but people may live in an indoor environment with already good air quality and ventilation, ”says Dr. McKeon. “If you have good indoor air quality and no symptoms, and you’re someone who isn’t bothered by some of these indoor allergens anyway, then this is probably not necessary.”

Knowing your triggers, it is also possible to reduce the amount of allergens in your indoor air, for example by vacuuming more, getting rid of pests, and installing a humidifier or dehumidifier, depending on the needs of your room. But whether you are bothered by indoor allergens or not, Dr. McKeon says some people like the reassurance of having an air purifier to know they are breathing clean air.

Remember, the air purification system you choose is only as good as you use it. “It has to run around the clock,” said Vinny Lobdell, indoor air quality expert, global president of HealthWay. When buying an air purifier, Dr. McKeon, it is important to look for one that has been validated by an independent testing organization to ensure it is effective in removing and capturing allergens.

Buy validated air purifiers below at five different price points.

The best air purifiers to improve indoor air quality and your health

Coway Airmega 150 – $ 190.00

This Energy Star certified air purifier from Coway is perfect for small living rooms and bedrooms as it can reduce pollutants in rooms up to 214 square feet. A three-stage filter combines a pre-filter, an odor filter and a real HEPA filter. These work to remove odors and pollutants in the air, including allergens, pet dander, and secondhand smoke. It detects air particles indoors and adjusts the fan speed accordingly to keep your air clean. And when you use it in automatic mode, the fan will stop and switch to silent mode if no indoor air pollution is detected for 30 minutes. It is available in three colors: peony pink (pictured), sage green, and pigeon white.

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LG Signature Smart Wi-Fi Enabled Air Purifier – $ 1,700.00

The LG Signature Smart Wi-Fi Enabled Air Purifier doubles as a humidifier, which is great if you live in a dry climate. This air purifier is certified by the AAFA for allergies and asthma and removes dust, allergens and smoke with a HEPA filter while the air is humidified with UV-sterilized water. However, the controls on the air purifier and the humidifier work independently, which means that if you need to, you won’t be able to use one and the other. It’s also Wi-Fi enabled, so you can adjust the settings through an app.

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Dyson Air Purifier Cool – $ 570.00

With the Purifier Cool, Dyson is tackling two common air quality problems: dirty air and hot air. It removes 99.97 percent of allergens and pollutants such as pollen, mold and bacteria, then reports the air quality to your Dyson Link app and at the same time cools your room with a fan. The cleaning-fan combination makes it a great kitchen companion when dealing with smoke and cooking oils. Dyson doesn’t list an ideal room size, but the spec suggests that an area up to 500 square feet can be treated with ease.

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Originally published April 7, 2020.

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