More pollutants than ever are being trapped indoors, thanks to the same modern insulation technology that’s maximizing home energy efficiency.
The list of pollutants is long. First there is dust and pollen. And, where there are cats or dogs, dander will linger. All of these can cause sneezing and wheezing.
Then there are the odors from the kitchen, bathroom and, in many households, from smoking and pets.
A variety of common items in the house can produce hazardous pollutants. They include paint and paneling and pesticides, carpets and curtains, plastics and pressed wood, all of which can emit gases and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde, benzene and other vapors that can cause headaches, dizziness and fatigue.
The Environmental Protection Agency has recognized the unhealthy aspects of air that is trapped inside a dwelling. In 1995, it published “A Guide to Indoor Air,” which stated, “Air within homes and buildings can be more seriously polluted than outdoor air in even the largest industrialized cities.” It continues, “. . . the risks to health may be greater due to air pollution indoors than outdoors.”
Homeowners now have efficient methods to wage war against unhealthy indoor air. Filters that fit on furnaces are now not only more effective in trapping particles and odors in the air, but they are also often treated with a material that inhibits the growth of microbes on their surface.
Air purifiers with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters are also able to remove particles and many are equipped to eliminate odors and VOCs as well.
A number of the new filters and air purifiers are described below. The prices listed for products are suggested retail prices. Contact the listed manufacturers for help in finding a retailer in your area that carries a specific item.
Electrostatic plus
WEB Products has introduced a new electrostatic furnace filter called the WEB Absorber. It not only filters out particles such as pollen, dust and dander from the air, but includes an activated charcoal layer to absorb odors from such sources as cigarettes, cooking and pets. The filter has a layer treated with an anti-bacterial agent to prevent the growth of fungi, mold and mildew on its surface. It replaces 1-inch disposable filters and can be adjusted to fit areas ranging from 14 inches by 20 inches up to 20 inches by 25 inches. Price: $10.99. WEB Products Inc., 11 Lincoln St., Kansas City, Kan. 66103. Phone: 800-875-3212.
Pleat power
The initials of the new H.E.L.P.A. Filter from Air Kontrol stand for High-Efficiency Low-Pressure Air. The filter has eight pleats per inch, as compared to standard high-efficiency filters’ 14 to 15 pleats per foot, so it has more material to remove particulates and provide relief from allergens and pollutants. The H.E.L.P.A. is equipped with a pre-filter that can be vacuumed and the filter material is treated with an anti-microbial/anti-bacterial shield. Price: $59. Air Kontrol, Inc., 221 Pearson St., Batesville, Miss. Phone: 800-647-6192.
Vacuum action
A 500-series of HEPA air purifiers from Holmes is called No Escape VacuumSeal. The external body and the filters of traditional air purifiers are often held together with a single bolt, which may loosen and allow dirty air to bypass the filter. The No Escape VacuumSeal purifiers, however, have a system designed so that the air flow creates a vacuum which pulls the filter against the housing to seal it, thus only allowing clean air to be delivered. These air purifiers are equipped with an activated carbon pre-filter to remove odors. The fans can be adjusted to 3 speeds and the purifiers have a digital display to indicate when it is time to change the filter. Price: $109.99-$209.99, depending on output of model. Holmes Products Corp., 233 Fortune Blvd., Milford, Mass. 01757. Phone: 800-5-HOLMES.
VOC fighter
Bionaire is offering three different models of its V.O.C. Adsorption System. This technology was developed to remove odors, gases and harmful volatile organic compounds which are given off by carpets and plastics, paint solvents and removers, wood preservatives and other items commonly found in homes. The system, equipped with a two-speed fan, has a pre-filter that removes particles of dust and pollen, as well as a filter made up of carbon and the natural mineral zeolite to filter gases and odors and VOCs. Models offering this system include the Odor Snatcher Air Purifier TM-1240 for rooms that are 12 by 16 feet; Odor Snatcher TM-0551, which is designed to be used on table tops or to be mounted on the wall, and Odor-Master WM-0550, which plugs into most electrical outlets and features a night light. Prices: $263.95 for Odor Snatcher Model TM-1240; $79.95 for Odor Snatcher Model TM-0551; $79.95 for Odor-Master Model WM-0550. Bionaire, The Rival Company, 800 East 101 Terrace, Kansas City, Mo. 64131. Phone: 816-943-4100.
3 speeds
The new three-speed Air Purification System Model 200 001 from Bemis uses HEPA technology, featuring a pleated filter to provide a larger surface to clean the air as well as an electrostatic and carbon pre-filter. It removes airborne allergens such as dust and dust mites, mold, pollen and animal dander as well as viruses and bacteria and irritants such as tobacco smoke and perfumes. It is triangular-shaped and fits neatly against a wall. The three-speed Model 125-001 is a tabletop air purifier with a high-efficiency electrostatic filter and carbon pre-filter to remove pollen and dust. The two models allow the clean air to flow out of the top rather than blowing it down into the carpet, where it would stir up more dust. Both models also have a sensor to signal when it is time to change the filter. Price: $224.99 for Model 200 001; $124.99 for Model 125 001. Bemis Manufacturing Co., 300 Mill St., P.O. Box 901, Sheboygan Falls, Wis. 53085-0901. Phone: 800-547-3888.
HEPA technology
Enviracaire from Honeywell is designed with a HEPA filter like the ones used by hospitals and laboratories. It also has an odor- and gas-absorbing filter that reduces household odors. Honeywell reports that 89 percent of physicians surveyed recommended Enviracaire. Price: $250. Honeywell, 250 Turnpike Rd., Southborough, Mass. 01772. Phone: 800-332-1110.
