Asthma and Allergies: News and Views
Articles on asthma and allergies: causes, symptoms and treatments

Should You Buy a UV Air Purifier?



If you are an allergy sufferer, you may have heard that a UV air purifier can help with your condition. This is certainly true. Molds, fungi, spores, even dust mites and their feces can all be removed from the air. In addition to this, an ultraviolet light air purifier can help keep you from coming down with common illnesses such as a cold. Here is an overview of how a UV air purifier works, and certain issues you should be aware of.

The main component of a UV light air purifier is the light bulb. This is usually a fairly high wattage bulb that transmits UV light at a very specific frequency. One of the effects of this is that the light is extremely harmful to living things and living materials. What this means is that the UV light air purifier can keep you from getting sick by killing the airborne pathogens that are causing your problem. The light bulb on the UV air purifier does need to be replaced on occasion, typically about once a year. They are not too expensive however and a new bulb is extremely effective at keeping the air clean and hazard free.

As well as directly targeting contaminants in the air, the UV light will stimulate the oxygen and water in the air to start a chemical reaction that will form hydroxyl and ozone. Hydroxyl is very effective at breaking down organic material and can literally strip out the harmful chemicals in the air and take out the things that most commonly cause allergic reactions. This means that the airborne allergens that are causing your problems are eliminated and you should be able to breathe free and easy without symptoms.

In a UV light air purifier there are no filters, just an area where the air is treated by the light. This does not mean that a UV light air purifier cannot be used with a traditional air filter. By placing the two systems together you have a very effective method for combating the airborne pathogens that cause problems for everyone.

Another important feature of any purifier is how much air flow and volume it can handle. You need to make absolutely sure that the unit will be able to clean the air you have going through it. If it is inadequate then you will have made the purchase for nothing. In addition, if it can clean far more air then is going through it then you are wasting money by buying an unnecessarily large unit. Make sure that the specs on the unit match up with the area in which you plan to use it.

There are several different types of air purifiers on the market, from UV technology to the electronic air purifier. Find out how to get the the best model for your needs at Home Air Purifiers: The Facts.