STACK #207 Jan 2022

FAIR AIR continued

LIFE TECH FEATURE

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A brief and breezy history of air purifiers The origins of air purification go back to the early and mid-19th century, with the development of firefighting masks and equipment to protect against toxic smoke fumes. HEPA filters were developed to protect against atomic radiation during WWII. The technology was declassified post-war and commercialised in the 1950s. The concept would eventually inspire the design of air filtration systems with the aim of improving air quality in the workplace and at home.

reactions. Additionally, the protein is also found in pet saliva. Once dried onto the fur, it can be released into the air when an animal scratches. Smoke: Whether it’s smoke from burn- offs, tobacco, or another misadventure in the kitchen, an air purifier can be effective in cleaning the air. Mould Spores: Mould in the home can have serious health implications, from respiratory infections to triggering allergic reactions. Provided that you have the right filter, an air purifier can be useful in containing airborne spores.

Bacteria and viruses: Again, depending on the filter in the unit, air purifiers can be effective at trapping bacteria and viruses. Some models even have built-in UV technology designed to kill any virus and bacteria once trapped in the filter.

it becomes less effective, leading to poor air quality. On top of that, the unit will have to work harder, putting additional strain on the motor and consequently using more electricity. In some cases filters can be washed and reused, which is not only good for the environment but for the back pocket too. Bottom line: change or clean the filter as required to keep your unit – and its performance – in tip top shape. What are the filters? Different filters perform different tasks. The most popular type in domestic air purifiers is the HEPA filter, although some units will combine multiple filter systems in one unit. HEPA: The most common type of filter, HEPA is an acronym for High-Efficiency Particulate Air. The filter is a multi-layered fine mesh netting

designed to catch a multitude of different sized particles. A True HEPA filter can capture over 99.97 per cent of pollutants. Carbon: A carbon filter is an efficient filtration system due to its porous nature. The absorbent material makes it ideal for gases and odours that HEPA filters can’t catch. Ozone: An ozone filter is excellent for neutralising odours but will not trap any other impurities in the air. UV: UVC sanitation has become more and more popular over the last two years for obvious reasons. In air purifiers, you’re most likely to find UVC technology working in conjunction with a HEPA filter. For example, as the air flows through the filter, the UV light shines on the air, potentially killing mould spores, bacteria and viruses as clean air exits into the room.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC): Household VOCs are gases that can be emitted from paint, paint strippers and thinners, glues and cleaning products. Not all filters can contain VOCs, so a specialised filter is required. Filtering the facts Without a filter, an air purifier is useless. The filter is the wicket keeper’s gloves, responsible for catching all the nasties we have already spoken about. While recommendations will vary from device to device, it’s important to change the filter according to the advice of the manufacturer. Some models will even prompt the user directly that it’s time to change the filter. So, why does the filter need to be changed frequently? No different than the aircon unit at home, once the filter fills up with pollutants,

32 JANUARY 2022

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