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TABLE OF CONTENT

AIR PURIFIERS REVIEW, AIR PURIFIER RATINGS
AIR PURIFIER RATINGS
ABOUT AIR PURIFIER RATING
ALLERGIES
ALLERGIES (continued 1)
ALLERGIES (continued 2)
ALLERGIES (continued 3)
BRANDS

AIR PURIFIERS REVIEW, AIR PURIFIER RATINGS

It is extremely important to breathe clean air. Unfortunately there is a lack of fresh air in the world due to many harmful pollutants. Therefore, an Air Purifier is essential to maintaining an allergen free and healthy home. It is crucial to inhale purified air for those who suffer from allergies, such as; rhinitis, dust mite allergy, pet allergy, hay fever or multiple chemical sensitivity.

We have carefully chosen the best Air Purifiers that address allergy and asthma symptoms and air quality issues efficiently. Our Air Purifiers have been tested for their ability to deal with a wide range of allergens: pollen, animal dander, and pollution, chemicals and dust mites. Each Air Purifier is given a rating that summarises our assessment in an easy to use Air Purifier rating table. Our aim is to make it easier for you to buy the right air purifier that suits your need. See Allergymatters in Mens Health feature "Sneeze-free Summer".

AIR PURIFIER RATINGS

We have tested our range of Air Purifiers on a wide range of criteria, and summarised our findings in easy to read information charts. This will enable you to find out which Air Purifier will be right for you. For example, you may not be an allergy sufferer, but would like a unit to refresh and clean the air; for this, a lower priced unit with a particle filter may be sufficient. Or you may be close to a busy road, and are looking for something to deal with pollution. Or you may be significantly troubled with chemicals, and need something more specialised, such as a unit to cope with VOC's. Whatever your requirements, you can refer to our charts and have a feel for which Air Purifier unit would suit you best.

The information you will find is:

• What area can it purify
• How much clean air can it deliver (CADR)
• Is it quiet enough for a bedroom (Decibel readings)
• Does it have an ionizer

Then we have identified the major allergens and pollutants that people are trying to deal with, and given each one a rating from one to five, to give you an indication of how effective an Air Purifier is at dealing with particular air quality issues (1 being the lowest, 5 the highest performance). The allergens rated are:
Dust, pollen, animal dander, tobacco, odours, pollution, mould, chemicals, bacteria and volatile organic compounds.

Air Purifier	Image	Features Effectiveness against allergens	More Info	Shop Now
Airfree P80 Air Sterilizer			Find out More	Buy Now!
Airfree P60 Air Sterilizer			Find out More	Buy Now!
Airfree Enviro RL60 Air Sterilizer			Find out More	Buy Now!
Sharp FU-800-S Plasma Cluster Air Purifier			Find out More	Buy Now!
Airfree WM60 Air Sterilizer			Find out More	Buy Now!
Blueair 601with Smokestop Filters			Find out More	Buy Now!
Blueair 601			Find out More	Buy Now!
Blueair 501 with Smokestop Filters			Find out More	Buy Now!
Blueair 501			Find out More	Buy Now!
Blueair 402 with Smokestop Filters			Find out More	Buy Now!
Blueair 402			Find out More	Buy Now!
BlueAir 301 Smokestop			Find out More	Buy Now!
Blueair 301			Find out More	Buy Now!
AllerAir 5000 Exec-UV Air Purifier			Find out More	Buy Now!
AllerAir 5000 Exec Air Purifier			Find out More	Buy Now!
AllerAir 5000 Vocarb Air Purifier			Find out More	Buy Now!
AllerAir 5000 D-S Air Purifier			Find out More	Buy Now!
AllerAir 5000 MCS Air Purifier			Find out More	Buy Now!
Amcor HEPA Clear			Find out More	Buy Now!
Amcor HEPA Tower			Find out More	Buy Now!
Amcor Air Processor 2000z			Find out More	Buy Now!

ABOUT AIR PURIFIER RATINGS

20 metres square = 220 square feet. ie) room size 11 feet x 20 feet
24 metres square = 260 square feet. ie) room size 12 feet x 22 feet
30 metres square = 320 square feet. ie) room size 13 feet x 25 feet
36 metres square = 365 square feet. ie) room size 13 feet x 28 feet
46 metres square = 550 square feet. ie) room size 18 feet x 30 feet
54 metres square = 580 square feet. ie) room size 19 feet x 30 feet
63 metres square = 680 square feet. ie) room size 23 feet x 30 feet
140 metres square = 1500 square feet. ie) room size 30 feet x 50 feet

What's this? CADR

CADR stands for Clean Air Delivery rate, which is a measure of a cleaners efficiency, together with the air flow rate. It is defined as the cubic feet of air cleaned of a particular particle in one minute.
For example, if an air cleaner has a CADR of 250 for smoke particles, this is equivalent to adding 250 cubic feet of clean air to the room each minute.
The CADR is useful for comparing different units efficiency at dealing with certain particulates such as dust, pollen and smoke, although it does not measure chemical removal.

What's This? A Decibel

A decibel is a measure of sound. As a rough guide to what each level of sound is equivalent to:
· A whisper: 20 to 30 decibels
· Normal conversation: 60 decibels
· Power lawn mower: 65 to 95 decibels
· Electric drill: 95 decibels
· Rock concert: 110 to 120 decibels
· Chain saw: 120 decibels
· Jackhammer: 130 decibels
· Stock car race: 130 decibels
· Shotgun: 170 decibels

What's this? Ionizer

Air Ionization in Nature: The atmospheric air that we breathe always carry positive or negative electrical charges, or ions, and a charged molecule is called a light air ion, or air-ion. If a charged molecule of air settles on a water drop or a dust particle, it also obtains electric charge, and is then called a heavy "ion". In rural location or in the mountains on a sunny day the air usually contains about 800-1000 light air ions of both polarities in a cubic centimetre, and no heavy ions. This is what makes the air feel fresh and healthy.
Whereas, in a big city, the concentration of light air ions drops to 50-100 ions per cubic centimeter, while the concentration of heavy "ions", on the opposite, rises to tens of thousands in a cubic centimeter. This is why many air purifiers have an ionizer as part of their features, to emit light ions to refresh the air.

Filters

The air purifiers that Allergymatters have selcted either contain just a HEPA filter or a HEPA filter and a carbon filter.

HEPA - HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Arrested Filter. A specially constructed filter membrane that allows a high volume of airflow. These filters are designed to remove 99.97% of all airborne pollutants such as

• Tobacco smoke

• Household dust

• Pollen

• Mould

Air purifiers with HEPA filters are good for all, especially those who are suffering from asthma, dust mite allergies, animal allergies and hay fever.

Carbon Filter - A carbon filter works by using granules of charcoal. Carbon Filters are the best way of removing odours from any area, as they are machine packed with high quality charcoal. Charcoal has been recognised as one of the best options for air filtering. Air purifiers with a carbon filter rid of odours and chemical smells and particles making it extremely beneficial to those who suffer from chemical sensitivity.

ALLERGIES

Dust Mite Allergen

Over 75% of the "dust" one sees in a sunbeam shining through any window is dander- basically human and pet skin. This dander, as well as mould, is the main food source for the dustmite. As it is lightweight, dander will float around to any part of the home. Dust mites can be found in any home around the world, and are closely related to spiders. However, dust mites are so small that they cannot be seen with the naked eye. The dust mite sheds it's skin as it grows. These skin sheds as well as their droppings are known as allergens and can pose a serious problem to those who have an allergy. Dust mite allergen is the second most common allergy after pollen.
Dust mites live their lives on objects like sofas, chairs, bedding, mattresses, stuffed toys and clothing. It is not uncommon for a pillow to add over 10% of it's weight in just 2 years due to live dust mites and their droppings and carcasses. Furthermore, populations can exceed 10 million dust mites on any one mattress in less then 3 years! They need high humidity to survive - generally in excess of 60% - and a lot of food.
Allergies and allergic reactions to dust mites vary from person to person. Clearly, some people are not affected by their presence; for others dust mites pose a very real problem. Though it is believed an acute exposure to dust mites at a young age can have a life long impact, many adults can be suddenly affected. Reactions include but are not limited to sneezing, itching, watery eyes, wheezing, headaches, fatigue and depression. Though not
common, some people may develop a red rash. Most important is the fact that dust mites are impacting over 50% of asthmatics. These are people who need pure and allergen free air to breath. The fact that dust mites and the stuff on which they feed can easily get air borne makes them so much more of a threat to anyone that suffers from respiratory disorders.
It is important to reduce the levels of dust in a home if you are allergic to dust mite. This can be certainly helped with the use of a suitable air cleaner that has hepa filtration, to clear the air of dander and airborne allergen.

Pollen

Each spring, summer, and autumn, tiny particles are released from trees, weeds, and grasses. These particles, known as pollen, are carried by the wind, their mission to fertilize other plants. Many, however, never reach their targets. Instead, they enter human noses and throats, triggering a type of seasonal allergic rhinitis called pollen allergy, which many people know as hay fever.
The worst types of pollen for allergy sufferers are produced by the plain-looking plants (trees, grasses, and weeds) that do not have showy flowers. These plants manufacture small, light, dry pollen granules that are custom-made for wind transport. A single ragweed plant can generate a million grains of pollen a day. It is very hard to avoid pollen on high pollen count days, so air purification can really help to keep your home pollen free.

ALLERGIES (continued 1)

Pet Allergy

Your pet's dead skin flakes, urine, droppings, saliva and hair can trigger an allergic reaction or an asthma attack. Dogs, cats, rodents (including hamsters and guinea pigs) and other mammals all can trigger asthma in individuals with an allergic reaction to animal dander. It is the proteins in the dander, urine, or saliva of warm-blooded animals that causes this reaction.

The most effective method to control animal allergens in the home is to not allow an animal in the home. If you remove an animal from the home, it is important to clean the home (including floors and walls, but especially carpets and upholstered furniture) thoroughly. Pet allergen levels are reported to stay in the home for several months after the pet is removed even with cleaning.

Isolation methods to reduce animal allergen in the home have also been suggested, but the animal allergen can be carried in the air and by residents of the home on their clothing to all parts of the home, even when the animal is isolated. In fact, animal allergen is often detected in locations where no animals were housed. In these situations, it is assumed that the allergen was carried in on people that have animals or on people that have been around animals or people with animals.

So the most effective method to control exposure to animal allergens is to keep your home pet free. However, some individuals may find isolation measures together with regular washing of the pet to be sufficiently effective. If you choose to keep your pet, it is best if you keep them out of sleeping areas, away from upholstered furniture, carpets, and stuffed toys, and keeping the pet outdoors as much as possible. As the pet allergen is airborne, having a good hepa filtered air purifier will be effective at controlling levels of the pet allergen.

Tobacco Smoke

Source: Cigarette, pipe, and cigar smoking. Secondhand smoke is also known as Environmental Tobacco Smoke. Secondhand smoke includes both exhaled mainstream smoke from smokers and sidestream smoke from the end of a cigarette, cigar, or pipe. Secondhand smoke contains more than 4,000 substances, including over 50 compounds that have been identified as carcinogens.

Health Effects: Eye, nose, and throat irritation; headaches; lung cancer; may contribute to heart disease. Specifically for children, increased risk of lower respiratory tract infections, such as bronchitis and pneumonia, and ear infections; build-up of fluid in the middle ear; increased severity and frequency of asthma episodes; decreased lung function.

Steps to Reduce Exposure:

· Do not smoke in your home or permit others to do so.
· Do not smoke if children are present, particularly infants and toddlers.
· If smoking indoors cannot be avoided, increase ventilation in the area where smoking takes
place. Open windows or use exhaust fans.
· Use an air purifier that has been specifically designed to deal with both the particles and
gaseous pollutants of tobacco smoke.

ALLERGIES (continued 2)

Odours

Odours can trigger an allergic response in some people, such as asthmatics, but also a non allergic reaction in people who suffer from Vasomotor Rhinitis. This is a chronic rhinitis that is characterised by intermittent episodes of sneezing, watery nasal drainage, and blood vessel congestion of the nasal mucus membranes. There appears to be a hypersensitive response to stimuli such as a dry atmosphere, air pollutants, spicy foods, alcohol, strong emotions, and some medications. Indeed any particulate matter in the air, including pollens, dust, mould, or animal dander can bother people with VMR, even though they are not actually allergic to these things. The most common irritants are strong odours, such as perfumes, paint fumes, and cigarette smoke.

Car Pollution

Car pollution is a major trigger for asthmatics, and is very hard to avoid, especially if you live near a busy road or in a city.
Carbon monoxide, or CO, is a colorless, odorless gas that is formed when carbon in fuel is not burned completely. 56% of all CO emissions comes from motor vehicle exhaust.
Nitrogen oxides, or NOx, is the generic term for a group of highly reactive gases, all of which contain nitrogen and oxygen in varying amounts. Many of the nitrogen oxides are colorless and odorless. However, one common pollutant, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) along with particles in the air can often be seen as a reddish-brown layer over many urban areas. The primary sources of Nox, 49%, are motor vehicles.
Ozone. Motor vehicle exhaust and industrial emissions, gasoline vapors, and chemical solvents are some of the major sources of NOx and VOC, that help to form ozone. Sunlight and hot weather cause ground-level ozone to form in harmful concentrations in the air.

Mould

Outdoors, many moulds live in the soil and play a key role in the breakdown of leaves, wood, and other plant debris. Without moulds we would all be struggling with large amounts of dead plant matter. Moulds break down plant materials by digesting them, using the plant material for food.
Moulds produce tiny spores to reproduce, just as plants produce seeds. Mould spores waft through the indoor and outdoor air continually. When mould spores land on a damp spot indoors, they may begin growing and digesting whatever they are growing on in order to survive. There are moulds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, foods, just about anything. Sometimes, they can release harmful gasses when they digest certain foods, such as ink from wallpaper.
The best way to control indoor mould growth is to control moisture. It is important to dry out water damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mould growth. Fix leaky plumbing or other sources of water. Wash mould off hard surfaces with detergent and water, and dry completely. Absorbent materials (such as ceiling tiles & carpet) that become mouldy may have to be replaced.
Moulds can cause severe allergic reactions and asthmatic attacks in sensitive individuals, so it is important to use a dehumidifier where humidity levels are high, and combine this with a mould inhibiting air purifier.
Symptoms include:
respiratory problems and difficulty breathing, nasal and sinus congestion, burning/watery or reddened eyes, dry hacking cough, nose and throat irritation, shortness of breath, skin irritation, headaches, memory problems, mood changes, aches and pains, and possible fever.

ALLERGIES (continued 3)

Chemicals

Chemical sensitivity usually occurs after frequent exposure to chemicals. An allergic reaction occurs as the body's contaminant toleration levels are reached, toxic overload results and a severe allergic reaction sets in. Chemical sensitivity also initiates other allergy reactions, so that the sufferer becomes allergic to nearly everything else. Common chemical/contaminant irritants vary, from a wide range of petrochemicals and estrogenic chemicals to combustion residues from household appliances and heating systems, to various kinds of sprays, paints and exhaust fumes. Other culprits include chlorine bleach, moth balls and insect repellents, dry cleaning chemicals, and clothes that have been chemically treated. There are many odours, which, while being pleasant to some, cause great discomfort to others. The most notable of these are the fragrances found in perfumes, after-shave lotions and other cosmetics. There are other chemicals, which are used for cleaning purposes, giving colour and strength to fabrics in clothing, rugs, draperies, etc, which are offensive to some.

Bacteria & Viruses

Airborne bacteria and viruses are a common source of respiratory infection and a particular threat to infants, the elderly and those with weakened immune or cardiovascular systems, including people with allergies, asthma, AIDS and heart disease. Some serious infectious diseases are spread through airborne bacteria or viruses, including whooping cough, meningitis, pneumonia, SARS and anthrax.

VOC's Volatile Organic Compounds:

Volatile: the ability of a substance to evaporate or readily vaporize at room temperature.

Organic: in chemical terms refers to compounds containing hydrocarbons.

Compounds: consist of two or more elements, substances, ingredients or parts.

Put it altogether and what does it mean: VOC's are hydrocarbon based compounds which involve life or the products of organic life that will evaporate, or vapourize when placed at room temperature. For example, Petroleum products such as gasoline for example, is a bi-product of once living organisms that will vaporize at room temperature. Glues, which are often made up of boiled animal parts, (hydrocarbons) that are often used in the production of wood products and the installation vinyl flooring etc., will also vaporize or off-gas formaldehyde as they cure. This is where the term "off-gassing" comes from.
However, to vaporize, also refers to the diffusing or scattering of matter. This is why mould, for example, has been referred to as a VOC, even though it is considered a particle. Mould has the property of vaporizing (scattering) spores which often contain proteins that can be extremely dangerous to humans (mycotoxins). Likewise, the droppings of dust mite can vaporize which also contain harmful proteins that can affect the lining of the lung. Paints, cleaners, shoe polish, carpeting, cupboards, furniture, etc, play a significant role in polluting our indoor environment with sometimes benign but more often dangerous emissions that have both short and long term affects on our health.

Health Problems Caused By VOC's (Formaldehyde, Pesticides, Solvents, Cleaning Agents)
Key Signs/Symptoms

· conjunctival irritation
· nose, throat discomfort
· headache
· allergic skin reaction
· dyspnea
· nausea,
· nosebleeds (formaldehyde)
· fatigue
· dizziness

A wide array of volatile organics are emitted by products used in home, office, school, and arts/crafts and hobby activities. These products, which number in the thousands, include:

· personal items such as scents and hair sprays;
· household products such as finishes, rug and oven cleaners, paints and lacquers (and their thinners), paint
strippers, pesticides (see below);
· dry-cleaning fluids;
· building materials and home furnishings;
· office equipment such as some copiers and printers;
· office products such as correction fluids and carbonless copy paper;
· graphics and craft materials including glues and adhesives, permanent markers, and photographic solutions.
· mattress ticking

To effectively deal with VOC's, you should choose an air purifier with at least a heavy duty carbon filter, preferably a unit specifically designed to deal with VOC's.

Brands

Airfree Air sterilizers : are manufactured in a state of the art factory in Portugal . C&M is the exclusive manufacturer and distributor of Airfree products in Europe . Airfree is the only technology that destroys allergens, mould spores, mildew, dust mite allergens, viruses, bacteria and pet dander. It works by drawing air into its patented incineration chamber where inside the tiny ducts of the ceramic core, up to 99.99% of micro-organisms are incinerated. Poisoning gases like ozone are also destroyed along with all allergens such as pollen, dust mite faeces and pet dander. Airfree's exclusive patented technology has been tested independently in 'real life' working environments by world renowned institutions and laboratories in six different countries including the USA , Sweden , Germany and Portugal . These tests prove that Airfree totally destroys up to 99.99% of micro-organisms that pass through its patented ceramic core - no matter how small or hazardous they might be.

The Sharp Corporation : was founded in 1912 by Tokuji Hayakawa and takes its name from one of our founder's first inventions, the Ever Sharp propelling pencil, developed in 1915. Sharp has continued this creative tradition, developing technologically innovative products to enhance our lives, add to our comfort, broaden our perspectives and boost our productivity. Sharp is recognised for its pioneering research into Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) technology. Sharp introduced the first LCD electronic calculator back in 1973. Since then, it has continued to develop revolutionary LCD products such as the ViewCam, Ultra-Lite notebook pc and touch-screen personal organisers. Perhaps the best illustration of the impact of liquid crystal display technology on product development is with the simple calculator. Sharp introduced the world's first all-transistor desktop calculator in 1964. By 1979, just 15 years later, Sharp announced the world's first super-thin (1.6mm) card sized calculator. Today, Sharp leads the way in LCD and is a worldwide developer of core technologies that will play an integral role in the development of digital technology such as optoelectronics, infrared, semiconductors and flash memory. The Plasmacluster Air purifiers are the latest in a long line of inventive technology, designed to enhance our lifestyle.

FilterStream: The FilterStream Company is a leader in bringing innovative cleaning appliances to customers around the world. FilterStream are dedicated to making homes cleaner and healthier with unique products offering superior quality and the very latest technology.

BlueAir : Blue Air is a Swedish company which specialise in clean air products. Their air filters have won awards for their design, being on display in the National Museum in Stockholm , and independent testing ranked them as the best performing air filters in their category. They are whisper quiet and as economical to run as a light bulb.

AllerAir: The Company: AllerAir Industries has been making high efficiency air cleaners for over seven years. They are dedicated to producing efficient, flexible, practical and cost effective air filtration units. Sam Teitlebaum founded the company when he discovered that the air cleaners on the market did not provide the purity of air needed in homes and workspaces today. He assembled a team to construct an air filtering system that truly removes both particulate and gaseous pollutants from the indoor air we breathe. This filter system is effective because it includes:

True HEPA combined with the MAC-B™ (Mass Activated Carbon Bed) filter: AllerAir filtration technology combines a true HEPA filter, to trap particles, with a MAC-B carbon filter to trap noxious gases and odours that are the cause of so much respiratory distress and long term harm to health. Most off the shelf air cleaners only effectively trap particles. They have a few token ounces of carbon sprayed on a mesh for noxious gases and odours. This is not enough for dealing effectively with these pollutants. AllerAir's MAC-B filters contain pounds of carbon to safely and effectively remove these dangerous substances from the air you breathe.

A growing reputation: AllerAir's dedication to quality and efficiency is being noticed. In both the residential and workplace markets, as well as in heath care institutions and industry, AllerAir equipment is becoming the standard by which others are judged. AllerAir air cleaners are used in such important institutions as the Mayo clinic, IBM and the US army.

A range of air cleaners to deal with any indoor air contamination problem: AllerAir products range from small portable units to large cabinet models. They serve commercial and industrial, institutional, health care and residential needs. The same expert technology, superior quality and dedication go into every air cleaner they produce.

Amcor : Amcor are one of the leading companies in air quality management. They manufacture a wide range of products, offering excellent value with many extra features, making their products some of the most versatile on the market.

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