Why Air Purifiers Are Not Always The Answer To Indoor Air Quality Problems


Air purifier filters are not always the answer to air quality problems.

Solving the problem is a much better approach than masking the symptom.

The following are the basic approaches to improve indoor air quality;

1) Eliminate or control the pollutant source.

2) Dilution of the contaminants through ventilation.

3) Removal or reduction of the contaminants through filtration or purification with the use of air purifier filters or air purifiers.

Proper ventilation in a building is a must!

Before the energy crunch in the 1970's, fresh air in buildings was not really an issue.

When energy costs started to rise, we started making our buildings more energy efficient with better insulation and sealing techniques that made the building tighter, reducing the amount of fresh air into the buildings and increasing indoor pollution.

After indoor air quality issues came to the surface, we learned how to reduce energy costs while not compromising the health of the occupants, through the practice of building science.

Great strides have been made in this area, leading to more comfortable, healthier, safer homes.

The goal of good ventilation is to bring in the right amount of fresh air, not too much or not too little.

This is accomplished by using mechanical ventilation (exhaust fans, energy recovery units, etc.) that are sized to the volume of the house and/or according to lifestyle.

Mechanical ventilation not only dilutes contaminants but also removes excess moisture that can become a mold problem if not properly addressed.

Moisture can show up as high humidity (under-ventilated bathrooms, indoor pools or hot tubs and very tight homes) or water that enters a building either from the outside (rainwater) or from undetected plumbing leaks.

Addressing these problems using the right approach, elimination or control of the source (in this case repair the leak from the outside or finding and repairing the plumbing leak) makes more sense than trying to rid the mold with air purifier filters or air purifiers.

Pollutants such as formaldahyde and benzene can be produced from certain furniture, carpets, plywood and drapes. Other sources of benzene are gas cans, gas powered lawn mowers that are stored in garages that are attached to the house.

If elimination of these sources is not an option an air purification device would be the obvious choice.

Toilets, air conditioning coils, heating/cooling ducts and humans are producers of bacteria. The right plan in these cases would be an air purifier device.

Carbon Monoxide is caused by incomplete combustion of appliances that depend on combustion to operate.

ELIMINATION IS ALWAYS THE ANSWER WHEN IT COMES TO CARBON MONOXIDE!

FIND THE PROBLEM-FIX THE PROBLEM!

Leave this to a company that is well-versed in carbon monoxide.

Pet and human dander are controlled through proper humidity control (mechanical ventilation) and air purifier filters.

By using the combination of source control (elimination), ventilation (dilution) and good air purifier filters and/or purification system ,your environment will be much heatlthier.

About the Author:

A pioneer in residential contracting, Ed is a thirty-year industry veteran trained in the "House Is A System" approach to HVAC design. He was formerly a building analyst instructor, providing certification training for New York's Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® program.


More Resources

Mindfulness and Pain: Just Say Ouch
What's the best way to manage pain?Just say ouch.That's a simplified description of the role of mindfulness in reducing the experience of pain.
Herbs and Essential Oils - Powerful Medicine
We can find many beneficial uses for natural herbs and their essential oils in our lives. The essential oils contain the concentrated part of the herb.
Sleep And Massage Therapy
Hands-On Therapy for Peaceful SleepOne alternative medicine approach is a perfect option for relaxing your tension and allowing you to sink into deep, restful sleep: massage therapy.If you are comfortable with someone touching your body, a therapeutic massage is a wonderful sleep aid.
Laxatives You Find In The Drugstore
A laxative is defined as,A substance that is used to promote a bowel movement when you are constipated.Laxatives work by starting and stimulating peristaltic action.
Frankincense in Aromatherapy - Trees, Pearls, and Essential Oil
The Mysterious FrankincenseUsed for many thousands of years, the Frankincense tree has perhaps the greatest association with spiritualpractice of any plant on earth. In most of the great ancient cultures,including the Egyptian, Babylonian, Persian, Hebrew, Greek and Roman civilizations, it has played a role inreligious and domestic life.
Natural Smoothie Formula to Stop Constipation and Acne
Here is how to build a natural smoothie that can stop constipation, relieve acne, improve your skin and give you more energy. The smoothie base is a liquid slurry that can be used to add more natural ingredients.
Lead Poisoning in Environment and Our Children
Pollution is generallyy defined as the release of harmful environmental contaminants. Pollution can take two major forms: local pollution and global pollution.
Using Pain To Institute Change In Your Life!
Why do you do something that harms you? Why do you do something that has an overall negative effect in your life? Why do you do something that will make you unhappy later?The answers to those questions are not easy. When you are overeating, or eating unhealthy foods you are happy and content during the time that you are eating them.
Skin Cancer Cured By Curaderm, The Revolutionary New Treatment for Skin Cancer
Curaderm is the most eagerly awaited cancer treatment solution in history. Curaderm has a proven track record of curing skin cancers during many clinical trials.
Natural Arthritis Pain Relief - By Doing Simple Arthritis Exercises
Treating arthritis is not easy. Apart from the regular medication, proper diet, rest andrelaxation, doctors also recommend arthritis exercises.
Kokoro no Kaze: Does Your Soul Have a Cold?
Feeling sad? Have you lost interest in things you used to enjoy? Perhaps you're suffering from a cold of the soul.That's the concept that has taken Japan by storm in the last five years, thanks to a culturally savvy marketing campaign launched by pharmaceutical companies to turn mild depression into an acceptable malady that a simple prescription can cure.
An Introduction to Bach Flower Essences Part I - The Twelve Healers
What are Bach Flower Essences?Pioneered by Dr. Edward Bach in the 1930's, a flower essence is a liquid preparation imprinted with the etheric pattern of a particular flower.
Do-Sa-Do For Mindfulness
When I was 12, one of my best friends was a square dancer. Twice a week, her family would pile into the Country Squire station wagon and head to the Grange Hall, where they'd gather with their square dancing club for an evening of music, friendship and do-sa-do.
Herbs Can Heal You or Save Your Life
A historyHerbs have been used for hundreds of years before Christ. Perhaps since the time humans first began to roam the earth.
Discover The Missing Key to Improving Your Health
Do you know the top ten causes for death? You will recognize them all.Here they are?1.
How Do You Get Hemorrhoids?
A lot of people don't even know they have hemorrhoids. The rectum is not an area you can readily see.
Lemon and Parsley Home Remedies
You might think of lemon and parsley as great garnishes for your drink glass and plate, but did you know that you can use them to ease symptoms of common minor ailments?Sure, the lemon makes a good drink and even tastes good squirted on fish, but you might want to make sure you have some on hand for more than dinner. The lemon can be your best friend when you have a common headache.
Reduce Asthma And Breathe Free
Asthma can be a serous and often frightening condition that is typified by a tightening of the chest, wheezing and difficulty breathing. Asthma is made up of two underlying components: inflammation and constriction.
Natural Pain Management
Life in today's hectic society is going more and more in the direction of fast food restaurants, sugar in foods you would never think should be there, trans fatty acids, preservatives and pesticides which we consume in large amounts every year. We even go so far as to invent foods, such as artificial sugars, which your body (in my opinion) does not recognize as actual food.
Illness - What Can We do About it?
Illness concerns everyone. How can we approach it? And what is the reason behind illness? Whether you need to stay well or get well, lifestyle changes are essential to help you win the fight against illness.

More Alternative Information:

Related Articles

Alzheimers Disease: Notes from a Medical Intuitive's Casebook
In my medical intuitive practice, I have often been consulted by family and friends of those whose parents or loved ones have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. The origin of this disease is unknown, however much attention is being placed upon the growth of Amyloid plaques in the brain.
Have you Fed Your Good Bugs Today?
Most consumers have heard of probiotics and know that they are foods containing live, beneficial bacteria. Foods such as yogurt, buttermilk, miso or kefir are the most recognized foods providing 'good' bacteria for the gut.
Treat Osteoporosis Naturally
Osteoporosis is a condition that faces every baby boomer; man or woman. Women are more prone to getting this after menopause, but men can also have "porous bones.
A Free Natural Medicine Which is also Your Strongest, Most Abundant, and Easiest to Use
We've all heard, haven't we, that a 40-year-old was considered elderly in the past? With America's aging population, why wouldn't we take advantage of reasons to count ourselves lucky to live beyond 40? After all, as little as 200 years ago the average life span in North America was 37 years. But the idea that anyone over 40 back then is a misinterpretation of statistical data.
You Can Stop Biting Your Nails, Heres How!
Are you tired of being self-conscious about your hands and nails? I know exactly what you're going through because I've been there. Did you notice I said, "I've been there".
History of Essential Oils
Extracted from botanicals, that is, from plants and trees. They are part of the plants immune system processed by distillation but others such as the citrus oils may be extracted in different ways.
Sun Chlorella and the Benefit
Sun Chlorella is referred to as the Green Magician due to the amazing healing powers of sun chlorella and its benefit of chlorella. Also known as the 'Super food', sun chlorella is packed full of the benefit of chlorella! Chlorella contains the highest levels of chlorophyll of all earth's foods and has many benefits of chlorella.
New Age Torture
I'll admit it ..
Jesus Diet - Lifestyle Changes That Will Boost Your Energy
Drawing on the inspiration of loaves, fish, and wine, a doctor from Florida has published a self-help manual called "What would Jesus Eat?". After the launch of this unique book, Jesus officially joined the US fight against fat.
Evolution of Aromatherapy
The Origin of AromatherapySince the beginning - from the time of the ancient civilisations, the knowledge of the effectiveness and use of aromatic essential oils has handed down from generation to generation, and across different communities. Aromatherapy is a manifestation of humanity's profound wisdom.
How To Use Cascara Sagrada as a Constipation Remedy
Cascara Sagrada comes from the bark of the buckthorn tree. It stimulates your colon to produce stronger contraction than normal.
The Many Uses of Mint
There are many varieties of mint plants. If you want to brew tea, you go Swiss mint, apple mint or variegated peppermint.
Natural Pain Relief Through Magnetic Therapy is Possible
No one can deny the power of magnets, racing pigeons find their way home across thousands of miles, and Salmon use the earth's magnetic pulses to travel through oceans to make their way back to their spawning grounds. The ancient Celts built their places of worship at points where the earth's magnetic ley lines intersect.
Straddling the Science/Magic Line: A Look At Magnetic Therapy
What's the difference between science and magic? It's our understanding of what makes something happen.If magic is hocus-pocus, science is simply well understood hocus-pocus.
Herb Remedies
Herb remedies are made of natural substances that come from plants. Herbs have been valued throughout history.
Classical Music Therapy
Music, more than entertainment, has played an instrumental role in healing and harmonizing the mind, body and spirit. For thousands of years, the Vedic culture has used sound and music for body and mind balancing, health enhancement, healing promotion and encouragement of heightened awareness.
Purchasing Essential Oil
Tips on Purchasing Essential OilsIt is important to purchase your oils through a reputable supplier, food stores are often reputable suppliers of Essential Oils. In other cases you can buy from the manufacture but you must know something about the manufacturers reputation,- Do they belong to the National Association of Holistic Aromatherapists?If so, it is a good indication that they are a reputable people.
Diet Food Stinks!
One big thing that can keep you from eating healthy is the idea of the food. People often think it sucks and doesn't taste good.
Mental Health Maintenance Is Made Simple
Your mental health is often drastically improved when you use the techniques Dr. Kuhn teaches in this article.
Reiki
REIKI is a form of natural healing through direct application of Universal Life Force Energy, or CHI (the term used by Chinese mystics and martial artists for the underlying Universal force, otherwise, energy). Through Reiki, energy is thought to be effected by thought.