STACK #219 January 2023

FEATURE TECH

MONSTER HUNTER Well, the word "monster" is a little extreme, but there's a slew of airborne nasties that an air purifier can catch if the right filter is used. Here are some that you'll want to banish. Pollen Many of us know this one. It might be seasonal, but it can cause significant discomfort to hay fever sufferers. Throwing open a window to air out the house or a poorly sealed room can be enough to trigger the dreaded symptoms. Pet dander For asthmatics or allergy sufferers, pet dander is right up there as a major irritant. The cause is a protein found in tiny particles of skin shed by pets. Pet saliva can also contain this protein, which can be released when an animal scratches. Dust mites Like pet dander, dust mites are the enemy of asthmatics. Dust mites love eating discarded human skin particles (*gag*) and seek refuge in beds, carpets, clothes, and couches. Dust mite poop causes the issue, so every time a soft furnishing in the home is disturbed, this ‘dust’ is sent airborne! Smoke You don’t want bushfire smoke, tobacco, or even burnt toast in the house for obvious reasons. Mould spores Yep, mould in the house is a big no-no and can have respiratory health implications. Bacteria and viruses Bacteria and viruses can often be airborne in the house. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) VOCs are gases emitted from paint, paint strippers, thinners, glues, and cleaning products.

Caught in the act Right, so now you know how they work, just what can the magic filters catch? This is dependent on several factors. The most important of these is the quality of the air purifier and what filters are in operation. Like any consumer tech, air purifiers come in a range of designs for various budgets. Therefore, expecting an entry-level model to perform as effectively as a larger, feature-rich air purifier at the higher end of the price scale is unrealistic.

Capture kings The filter is an essential part of the air purifier – without one, it's useless. The filter's job is to catch all of the nasties from the list on the right and prevent them from circulating in the air that we breathe. Like a vacuum cleaner or an oil filter in the car, unless regularly replaced, the filter’s effectiveness will reduce over time. As such, it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s advice on the frequency they need to be changed. Most air purifiers will prompt the user when it’s time for a new filter. Some filters can be washed and reused, helping the environment and the back pocket. Bottom line: change or clean the filter as required to ensure that the unit and its performance continue to operate at an optimum level.

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