Guide: Air Purifiers and Dust
You can easily tell when a table or bookshelf is “dusty,” but few people know what dust is really made of. The most common myth is that dust is comprised primarily of skin cells. This assumption, however, is false. According to Live Science, dust is not made primarily of skin cells. In fact, the article says, dust is made of larger percentages of animal dander, sand, insect waste, and dirt. Apparently, lots of dirt.
To put a scientific perspective on dust’s makeup, researchers in Arizona used advanced methods and determined that over 60% of dust comes from the outdoors. This means that a large portion of indoor dust is brought in from the outside, likely coming into the homes through windows, doors, clothes, and tracked in on your shoes.
Why is Dust so Dangerous?
You might think of dust as a mere annoyance that should be cleaned away quickly. You, like many people, probably don’t think dust is a significant health concern. However, there are reasons to believe that dust in many forms can have a negative impact on your short-term and long-term health.According to the Department of Health for the Government of Western Australia, the size and type of a dust particle will have a strong impact on the overall health effects. But, amount, as in how much dust you are exposed to is likely the biggest factor. Frequent exposure to dust particles that are small enough to be inhaled can cause irritation to the eyes, coughing, sneezing, hay fever, and is even known to trigger asthma attacks, although there is no evidence yet to suggest that dust causes asthma in the first place. (It merely triggers asthma attacks in people who already have it.)
Dust is also a contributor to dust mites, which are by themselves an allergen that can cause significant health problems.
Air Purifiers and Dust: Is there a Real Connection?
There are many strategies that you can use to reduce dust is the home, and one of the most important (and easiest) is the use of air purifiers. This is not a hollow statement, as there is scientific research that supports this claim.In fact, a review of research on the topic has found that the “use of air cleaners and filters are one of the suggested strategies to improve indoor air quality.” This research paper cited multiple studies to first draw the conclusion that air pollution is a growing problem, then looked at possible solutions to the issue.
One study they cited was an experiment on air cleaners that measured the amount of dust captured after a certain period and measured the results on test subjects. This study found that air purifiers can reduce the amount of allergens in the air and concluded that removal of particles from the air can improve allergy symptoms.
The review looked at other articles, but the overall message was the same: air purifiers can remove dust and other forms of air pollution and can lead to positive changes in measurable health factors and allergic reactions.
What is the Best Air Purifier for Dust?
After all that, what are the best air purifiers for dust? Let’s find out what unit you can use to improve air quality.
mod+ Air Purifier
While the motor is quiet and energy efficient, the mod+ air purifier is one of the most powerful units you can find on the market. The purifier has a sleek cylindrical design and a carry handle at the top so its easily moved around the house. The filter also has a handle to ensure you don't have to touch the dirty filter filled with dust when cleaning or replacing the filter.This purifier is perfect for open living rooms, office areas, and even healthcare facilities, and it’s rated to remove 99.4% of airborne allergens and particles. While it’s extremely effective for removing airborne dust, it can also be counted on to remove pollen, mold spores, pet dander, and cigarette smoke. This makes it a versatile air purifier that can meet all of your needs.