What is the best air filter for people with allergies?

Do you suffer from allergies? If so, you know how difficult it can be to find the best air filter for people with allergies. There are many types of filters out there that claim to help reduce allergy-causing particles and improve air quality in your home. However, not all filters are created equal and some might even do more harm than good!

In this article, we will break down what is the best air filter for people with allergies and discuss how effective they are.

HEPA Filter

“HEPA” means high-efficiency particulate air. A HEPA filter is a type of mechanical air filter that uses a fine mesh to force air through that captures small particles like pollen, dust mites, tobacco smoke, and pet dander, which can cause many problems for people with allergies.

A true HEPA filter must be able to capture at least 90% of all particles that enter it, as long as they are sized around 0.3 microns or larger in diameter.

HEPA filters are some of the most common and effective filters for reducing allergens in the air on the market right now. A HEPA filter can be found in almost all air purifiers. These are small, portable machines that are capable of cleaning a single room. If you’re thinking about buying a HEPA filter, find out how much air it can clean before you actually purchase it. Make sure you get one with enough capacity for the space you’ll be using it.

HEPA filters can be found in both portable and window-mounted units. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, so you should be able to find one that will fit your needs.

This type of filter is usually found in some vacuum cleaners, which trap more dust from the exhaust. Vacuums with these features throw less dirt and microscopic dust mites back into the room while cleaning because they have HEPA filters. Some people claim that after using these vacuums, their allergy symptoms improve.

Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI)

Did you know that UV light destroys bacteria? It doesn’t entirely eliminate the germs from the area; rather, it inactivates them. So, it’s best to use UVGI in conjunction with other allergy-reducing methods.

UV germicidal irradiation is a type of air filter that uses ultraviolet light to kill bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms. It is effective at reducing allergens in the air because it destroys many of the germs that can cause allergies. However, it is best used in conjunction with other types of filters.

Photoelectrochemical oxidation (PECO)

PECO is a type of air purification that employs ultraviolet light to destroy pollutants ten thousand times smaller than those captured by HEPA filters. The process involves shining ultraviolet-A light on a filter membrane coated with nanoparticles.

So, rather than filtering pollutants like HEPA filters, PECO technology annihilates the germs that cause allergies, as well as other harmful bacteria and viruses. However, PECO is still a relatively new technology, so there are not a lot of products that use it on the market today.

Activated carbon filters

Activated carbon filters are very small. They are made of substances that have many pores. For example, one gram of activated carbon can cover a surface up to 500 square meters. The enormous surface area of these carbon filters allows them to adsorb exponentially more pollutants and allergens than normal carbon.

When organic chemicals in the air or water chemically react with the activated carbon, they stick to it. The more porous (broken up) the carbon is, the more pollutants it will catch. Home air purification systems rely on these filters to remove hazardous substances from the air.

Activated carbon filters can be beneficial to individuals who suffer from allergies or sensitivity to polluted air, such as secondhand smoke.

Ionizer

In this case, the air is filtered using a wire with a high voltage or carbon brush. Negative ions attract the filter or other items in the room, according to their electrical charge. Dust, smoke, pollen, and other particles in the air have a positive electrical charge. So, as the negative ions flow through the room, they attach to these allergens and pull them out of the air.

Ionizers are filters that use static electricity to attract airborne particles like dust, smoke, and pollen. These filters work by sending a stream of negative ions through the air. The molecules in these particles have a positive electrical charge, so they are drawn to the filter and collected on its surface.

Contact an Air Quality Specialist

So, the best air filter for people with allergies depends on your needs and preferences. If you want the most popular and widely used filters today, the HEPA filter is the perfect choice for people with allergies. If you are sensitive to allergens or pollutants in the air, an ozone-free UV germicidal irradiation (UVGI) system would also be a good choice.

For those interested in more natural solutions, activated carbon filters will work as well.  Lastly, ionizers are best for people who want to actively reduce allergens in the air by attracting them with negative ions. Whichever option you choose, our air quality and filtration specialists can help. Contact us today or call (919) 283-3474 to find out more.