Allergy Filter: Choosing the Right One

People who suffer from allergies are greatly dependent on the quality of indoor air. The presence of minute particles of pollutants in indoor or outdoor air also includes various types of allergens and particles may be the cause of other health problems or exacerbate allergy symptoms. Overall quality of indoor air is greatly improved by using an allergy filter which drastically reduces the risk of contact with allergens.

An allergy filter acts as a cleaning mechanism by trapping large particles of airborne dust, lint, mold spores and hair including allergens to make the air cleaner and healthier.

The most widely recommended allergy filter is the HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter. It is primarily designed to keep radioactive particles out of the air and is considered the most efficient as it filters almost 100% (99.97% to be exact) of 0.3 micron particles considerably smaller than the size of most bacteria. This fundamental characteristic of HEPA filters makes them first-rate allergy filters in making indoor air allergen-free. If you want to purchase a HEPA filter, be wary of the many cheaper imitations now available in the market.

Another type is the activated carbon filter that helps to remove gases, odors and toxins from indoor air.

A carbon filter attracts chemicals, gases, and odors an make them stick to the carbon surface area by means of a chemical attraction whereas an electrostatic filter ionizes airborne particles as they pass over an electronic cell to attract and trap them using oppositely charged collector plates.

A major drawback of ionization air filters is that some of them have been discovered to generate ozone, a proven health hazard and lung irritant. The Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has campaigned actively against the use of ozone generators as air filters.

Be prudent in your choice of allergy filter as a wrong decision may only intensify the problem by agitating and circulating existing allergens throughout your house instead of eliminating them.

Ionic allergy filters utilize negative ions to attract and collect airborne allergens to cleanse the air without generating high airflow patterns. These type of filtration systems are capable of capturing airborne allergy substances and irritants like pollen, dander, tobacco smoke and dust and greatly improves the quality of air inside buildings and residences.

Nonetheless, no matter how effective an allergy filter may be, it does not offer a single solution to allergy problems. It certainly lessens the risk but does not totally prevent incidences of allergies. Proper medical advice and guidance about the various ways to remove, manage and control allergen sources and surroundings should still be obtained. The right choice of an allergy filter should go together with other efforts to further reduce airborne allergens and enhance the quality of indoor air.