An asthma air purifier is an air purification system that is particularly good for asthma sufferers. This means reducing the triggers that are known to cause asthma outbreaks. These easiest of these to control are airborne particulates, such as dust, spores, and pet dander. Often, there is an allergy component to these as well, since something as seemingly simple as house dust is really a composite of dead skin cells and dust mite feces, as well as all kinds of other particles, and these can often trigger an allergic reaction. Cat allergies are associated with cat dander, but it is not the dander itself, but the proteins from cat saliva that are sticking to the dander that usually triggers an allergic reaction.
Asthma is a condition in which the airways become irritated and swell, restricting airflow into the lungs. It is an increasingly common problem, particularly among urban children. One of the leading causes may be volatile organic compounds, or VOC's, which are essentially gas compounds emitted from industrial products such as paints, lacquers, plastics and cleaning supplies. New carpeting, new paint jobs or lacquered hardwood, and even new furniture can all "off-gas" (or "outgas") VOC' for a period of time.
Unfortunately, there is not much in the way of an air purifier that can combat VOC's, since many of the gas molecules are so minute they can escape the filters. The best bet for the job, is a HEPA filter, which is able to remove particulate 0.3 microns in diameter. There is also a new system that makes claims at being able to breakdown VOC's (see Car Air Purifier).
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Some good air purifiers have a pre-filter system, which eliminates larger dust, then passes the air onto the second filter, which takes care of as much of the rest as possible. These are sometimes called 'hyper-HEPA' units.
UV air purifiers, and ionic air cleaners, are not useful for asthmatics, since it is the particulate that must be removed. Also, filterless air purifiers are not a great choice, since their method of cleaning the air is not as robust as HEPA filters, and the units sometimes create ozone, which can be another potential asthma trigger.
For asthma sufferers, the key is to find the best HEPA unit you can afford, keep it well maintained, including changing the filters when required, and use it all the time. Don't be afraid to let fresh air into the house, as staying cooped up with indoor air can be an irritant on its own. Air movement is important to any healthy home, and an asthmatics is no different, even though they may have more concerns about it. Be sure to get a unit that is large enough to affect the air in the area you spend a lot of time in, or have several units throughout the house.
Of course, it should go without saying in this day and age, tobacco smoke is an absolute no no. Even if you are not a smoker yourself, the chemicals which a cigarette burns and then releases into the air are dangerous to all humans, let alone asthmatics. Plus, smoke molecules have a way of hanging around, attaching themselves to drapes and furniture, even long after the smell has gone the triggering ability may still be there.
Asthma is an unpleasant and unfortunately more common disease, but living comfortably with it is not impossible. Especially where your own healthy home is concerned, an asthma air purifier will help to ease some of the conditions that make avoiding an attack that much easier.