Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Personal Air Purifier Review

A Review Of Personal Air Purifier Types


General Description

As with most products, a proper review of personal air purifiers requires some knowledge of air purifiers. To do this you would need a general understanding of personal air purifiers. A review of the workings of these devices shows that air filters utilize sieves which filter particles from the circulating air. As the air flows into the air purifier the sieve traps the particles. The finer the sieve, the smaller the particles it can catch. The accepted limit for air filters has been set by High Efficiency Particulate Air filters, or HEPA filters, which trap on average 99.97% of airborne particles larger than 0.3 microns. A micron is a standard unit of measure for air particles. The smallest particle you can see is 10 microns.

HEPA filters remove allergens such as the following:
Dust
Smoke
Chemicals
Asbestos
Pollen
Pet dander

The more times air passes through a filter, the cleaner the air becomes.

Another type of method used by air purifiers is electrical attraction. There are three types of air cleaners which use this technology.
Electrostatic
Electret filters
Negative Ion Generators

Electronic Purifiers

Electrostatic purifiers, or electronic purifiers, draw air particles in by a fan and charge them with a series of high voltage wires. Plates then carry an opposite electrical charge which attract contaminants as they pass by the plates. A review of personal electronic air purifiers show these to be perfect for people who don’t want the worry about constant replacements of HEPA filters.

Electret Filters

A review of these personal air purifiers shows a use of synthetic fibers used to create static charges to attract particles. These filters come in a variety of types including the following:
Plain
Pleated
Disposable
Reusable

The type of filter needed will determine how often you will need to replace them.

Some types of electrostatic filters combine HEPA technology with the electrostatic method to create a more effective air filter such as the Blueair purifier.

Negative Ion Generators

These type of purifiers use tiny charged wires or needles to create gas molecules which contain negative ions that stick to airborne particles and collect inside the filter. Reviews of some personal air purifiers of this type show that many of these ions end up returning to the air and attach to furnishings and other surfaces.

Ionic purifiers remove only certain types of particles and are mostly not effective against such things as gases, chemicals and odors. Other products have shown to re-circulate the particles that they drew in. This makes then less effective than traditional purifiers using the HEPA type of filtration.

Ozone Generators

Reviews of these personal air purifiers show that instead of using filters to trap particles, an ozone generator uses high voltage electrical currents to covert oxygen into ozone. This then acts as a oxidant and breaks down the microorganisms in the air. Multiple tests have shown this type of purifier is not very effective for removing indoor allergens.

The main concern with ozone generators is the potential of the following problems:
Aggravation of allergies and asthma
Damage to lining in nasal passages
Can cause coughing, throat irritation, and shortness of breath.

Depending on the need for a personal air purifier, a review of available systems is recommended.

Best Personal Air Purifier

Finding The Best Personal Air Purifier

Improving Indoor Air Quality

You are dedicated to improving the indoor air quality around your home. You are also aware of certain steps which must be taken to reduce the amount of allergens and particles in the air. Two of these steps, source control and ventilation have probably already been taken care of. Next comes the use of an air purifier. But how do you go about finding the best personal air purifier for your use? If you are not sure what to look for, this can be confusing.

Understanding Air Cleaners

Once you understand the basic types of air cleaners and how they work finding the best personal air purifier will be much easier. Proper research and information from organizations such as the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers which review and annually certify air purifiers makes it simple to compare different models and manufacturers.

Types Of Air Purifiers

There are five types of air purifiers available:
Ozone Air Purifiers – these release small amounts of ozone into the air to reduce pollutants
Electrostatic Air Purifiers – these use static electricity which draws particles into the filters within the unit.
Electrostatic Precipitators – these are similar to Electrostatic purifiers except there are no filters to throw out. These use metal plates which attract particles to them. When the plates are coated, you simply remove and rinse them to clean.
Ionizers – these release magnetic charges into the air causing particles to stick to the filters
HEPA filters – these are designed to remove over 99% of pollutants as they pass through the filter. Lack of moisture kills trapped germs which is why these are mainly used in operating rooms and electronic labs.

Any one of these units can be the best personal air purifier depending on the situation. You can also get more than one type and combine their use.

Will It Work?

There are ratings which have been developed to help compare brands and styles of air purifiers. Two things to look for whenever shopping for the best personal air purifier are:
MERV – Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value; this is the rating system developed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers. The higher MERV the better the filter
CADR – Clean Air Delivery Rate; this helps you figure the amount of clean air in a room. There are 29 manufacturers which list this number on their models for comparison.

Cost

Cost issues are part of finding the best personal air purifier. Many cost factors figure into this.
Purchase price – this does not always match the quality of the device
Operating cost – how much does it take to run, filter replacement cost and cleaning included
Extras – such things as programmable ozone monitors are available

A review of personal air purifiers will allow you to find which product is best suitable for your specific needs.

Air Supply Personal Air Purifier

About The Air Supply Personal Air Purifier



With the amount of irritants present in the air we breath today, those who are suffering from allergies and other breathing disorders have become challenged to find an effective method to clean the air which they breath, both within their home and outside environment.

It was not so long ago the solution simply meant making sure the house or enclosed space was cleaned and dusted regularly and the pets were bathed and brushed as often as possible. Usually the pets were cleaned outdoors and any carpeting was also cleaned outdoors. This cut down on the most common causes of allergies.

Air Cleaners

The simple and straightforward air cleaners are designed to reduce the build up of dust within a home or office. This offers the benefits of not only cleaner air but also of less need for dusting surfaces. Most of the air cleaners today are electronic in nature and make use of basic filtering systems which are designed to do three things:
Draw in pollutants
Clean the air
Re-circulate the air

Personal air purifiers come in a number of sizes, including personal portable varieties such as the Air Supply Personal Air Purifier. In most cases with portable units, the air is drawn to the bottom of the cleaner where it is then pushed up into an aluminum mesh filter. This is where the pollutants are trapped and remain. This allows clean air to continue on allowing you to breath freely without allergens.

The Air Supply Personal Air Purifier

The Air Supply Personal Air Purifier is a product of Wein Products. This is an air decontamination system, which should not be confused with ionizers or ozone machines. Plasma scientists call these units a non-thermal ionic corona discharge plasma purifier.

The Air Supply Personal Air Purifier comes in two sizes, small and mini suitable for wearing.

The Mini-Mate Wearable Purifier

The “Millennium Model” is the newest model of the Air Supply Personal Air Purifier line. This model comes with the following features:
Weight – the purifier weighs only 1.5 ounces
Safety – this unit comes with a breakaway strap to provide user safety
The Grid – this is a solid platinum emitter electroplated gold grid which is the most advanced discharge design in this line of purifiers
Size – the size is 2.5” x 1.5” x .85”
Extras – no adapters are required for the Air Supply Personal Air Purifier

The Air Supply Mini-Mate Air Purifier treats the air directly around the people who wear it. The Mini-Mate kills germs by creating a particle exclusion zone in front of the wearer’s mouth, eyes and nose. This air purifier can provide fresh air in tight and closed in areas such as cars and airplanes as well as elevators and dust prone work areas. For people who have adverse effects to allergens, this is the best personal air purifier.

Wein Personal Air Purifier

General Description Of The Wein Personal Air Purifier


With the rise of allergens in the home today, there have been many products and innovations to help alleviate this problem. The most common is the air purifier or air cleaner. One of the many products on the market today is the Wein Personal Air Purifier. Personal air purifiers were born out of the necessity to maintain clean air in environments which are harder to control than the home or office such as these:
Factories
Vehicles
Airplanes
Trains
Enclosed areas prone to dust and pollen

About The Company

The Wein Personal Air Purifier line is a group of products created by the Wein Products Company. Wein has placed its focus on perfecting air decontamination technology. The main focus is on the ability of ionic discharge plasma to destroy biochemical agents which has been proven by both university and research studies. Presently this technology is being developed into new products.

About The Wein Personal Air Purifier

The line of Wein Personal Air Purifiers is the first to commercialize the technology creating a wearable unit which can be worn around the neck or in the pocket. This is a lightweight unit which can help eliminate allergens which are in the air around your eye, nose and mouth. Some examples of these allergens are:
Smoke
Pet dander
Pollen
Germs and viruses

One of the more commonly known Wein Personal Air Purifiers is the Air Supply Personal Air Purifier.

Product Features

There are many features which come with the Wein Personal Air Purifier. Some of the more prevalent of these include the following:
These purifiers have the non-thermal ionic plasma technology
These purifiers are lightweight, and easy to use for most people
These units can be used for travel, restaurants and compact spaces such as airplanes and vehicles.

More Features

Other additional features that are part of the Wein Personal Air Purifier are the following:
The unit includes a lithium battery
It comes with a necklace cord for easy wear
The unit covers a radius of up to 2 feet

Warnings

One warning about the Wein Personal Air Purifier is that it should not be used by the following individuals:
Infirmed elderly
Anyone under 8 years old
People with pacemakers
Patients with chronic or acute respiratory care

As with any product, the Wein Personal Air Purifier may not be for everyone. Research and information as to what allergies you have will help determine if this is a suitable item for your needs.

Ionic Breeze Personal Air Purifier

General Review Of The Ionic Breeze Personal Air Purifier

While there are many good and bad reviews of the Ionic Breeze Personal Air Purifier, many do not simply list the details of the unit. Here is a general review of the details for this unit by Sharper Image.

User Interface

The Ionic Breeze Personal Air Purifier has both good and bad points:
Control panel – the control panel is on the top of the tower and has a power button and four status lights; although some users complained about the red light remaining on during the night.
LED display – this indicates the selected power level and if the plates need cleaning
Memory shut off – if the machine needs cleaning, it will shut down until cleaned
Fire hazard – fouled electrostatic plates can arc and cause fires

Cleaning

The Ionic Breeze Personal Air Purifier has good and bad points to cleaning as well.
No filters – this unit has blades which remove simply and only need wiping down
Clean often – at least every 4-5 days; usually the noise level will increase
The blades – these must be completely dry before replacing. Having a second set of blades helps as these take time to dry
Solid construction – this is one of the more well built air purifiers
Cleaning wires – the ionizing wires need cleaning every 8-10 days because of particle build up; this is simply done by turning the unit upside down.
Unit placement – do not put this unit near fireplaces, oil lamps, candles or flammable vapors as soot will cover the shell
If left in one spot too long it will darken the wall
Sparking and crackling – this occurs if the unit is not kept very clean

Customer Service

The Ionic Breeze Personal Air Purifier comes with customer service
The company offers a 5 year warranty with a return and refund policy.
The warranty excludes failure to clean
Customer service is provided free of charge during the warranty period

Other Details

Some other details about the Ionic Breeze Personal Air Purifier
The unit weighs in at nine pounds and stands just over 2 feet
The unit draws 10-40 watts depending on the model
A surge protector is a good option to use with this device because of problems after electrical surges
The plug is only for use with grounded outlets

The Ionic Breeze Personal Air Purifier is not as portable as the Wein Personal Air Purifier but is more intended for stationary use.

Personal Air Purifier

Buyers Guide To Personal Air Purifiers

About Personal Air Purifiers

These devices are made to be worn around the neck, on a lapel or in a pocket near the face. Some people and researchers would consider them dangerous because they emit ozone into the breathing zone. Because of this fact, people with asthma and lung problems are cautioned not to use a personal air purifier as they can trigger health problems and be ineffective. Children are also cautioned against using these units. Two of the most well known purifiers are the Air Supply Personal Air Purifier which is wearable, and the Ionic Breeze Personal Air Purifier which sits on the floor or the table depending on the model.

Tips To Buying

If you are considering buying a personal air purifier you should try to follow these simple guidelines:
Figure out the best kind filter for your needs
If possible, rent a unit to see if any health problems occur or your allergies improve
Be careful of exaggerated claims
Look for the CADR and MERV numbers – the higher the better
Purchase a unit needed for the size of the room it will be in; larger units make more noise than smaller units

Tips For Using

When you are using a personal air purifier remember to follow these guides:
Install room-sized units in the rooms where you spend the most time or have the worst problems breathing
Place the unit as close as possible to an identifiable source of pollution
Do not place the unit near doors, windows or foot traffic
Do not place the unit close to walls, corners, furniture or other obstructions
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use and cleaning recommendations.

Other Considerations

Some of the most important issues to know about air purifiers are:
Pollutants need to be controlled from the source; air purifiers can not themselves clean the air
Air cleaners must be well maintained.
Purchase the proper size unit for the area you wish to clean. The airflow needs to be enough to maintain an air exchange of at least five times per hour.
Be sure to know the amount of ozone emanating from the unit; this should not be more than 0.05 ppm.

Personal air purifiers will only work well if maintained and used properly. Table top units and wearable units can clog as easily as floor models. Proper cleaning about every four days will help ensure proper working order of your air purifier.

Carbon Filter UV Air Purifier

Using A Small Carbon Filter UV Air Purifier

If you work in a crowded office, or have a home with pets and smokers, then a small carbon filter UV air purifier is a good investment. These little carbon filter UV air purifier can do a wonderful job of cleaning the air in your immediate area. A personal air purifier at work can keep you up an on your feet when others around you are getting sick and being forced to take days off. I have had a carbon filter UV air purifier on my desk for a couple years now and it makes my work area clean and fresh.

How Does A Carbon Filter UV Air Purifier Work?

There are several stages to how a carbon filter UV air purifier will work to keep your area clean. The first part is the carbon filter. This physical filter will take most smoke and other large airborne pollutants out when the air passes through the filter. Usually the fibers are woven tightly to keep the large particles from passing though and only letting clean air out. The filters do need to be replaced on occasion and having a clean filter is a very important part of keeping your carbon filter UV air purifier working out its best. This first line of defense will take care of the majority of the irritants you will find in the air, but there are also many microscopic germs and other pathogens floating around that can cause serious problems. These pathogens pose a significant health risk and can be dangerous to you and anyone around you.

The way to remove these is through a two step process using UV light. The first step, the air passes though the light and any bacteria, mold, fungus, virus or other living material is subjected to a lethal does of UV light. Do not worry this is not harmful to people, but is the holocaust for small life forms. In addition to killing of the things in this method the UV light also starts a chemical reaction that makes hydroxyl, which will break down most organic material on contact. The UV light basically converts the moisture in the air into hydroxyl so that it can do its job of breaking down the harmful irritants. Again, hydroxyl is not really damaging to people so you do not have anything to worry about here.

There you have it, how the carbon filter UV air purifier works and why you should get one. If you get a chance I highly recommend taking a look at one and seeing if it can help you to feel better.