The air inside your home can be more polluted than outside air. This is due to houses being more airtight and containing chemicals, gases, smoke, and germs. A company that sells purification systems, like Pure Air, in St. Louis can give you more information on how they can clean your air and keep it clean.
Contaminants in the Air
Here is a list of common contaminants and some of their sources:
- Toxic gases like formaldehyde from building materials
- Fiberglass from building materials
- VOCs (volatile organic compounds) from paint, cleaning products, pesticides, disinfectants, and glue
- Gas emissions from carpet and furniture
- Dust mites from rugs, curtains, and upholstery
- Bacteria, mold and fungi from damp places, or stagnant water
- Carbon monoxide from car exhaust, heaters, or tobacco smoke.
Reasons to Purify Your Air
Contaminated indoor air can pose health risks to members of your family and pets. Here are some of the health problems than can be caused by poor indoor air quality.
- Allergies
- Respiratory problems
- Sneezing and coughing
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Headache
- Fatigue
Filters
A filter is placed in the air flow of heaters and air conditioners to clean the air. Pleated filters have more surface area so they are better at cleaning the air. HEPA filters will filter out very small particles in the air and are considered high efficiency.
Photocatalytic Oxidation (PCO)
This type of air purifier makes ions, or charged particles. It creates an electrical field called a corona discharge. When larger molecules pass through, they pick up an electron and become ionized. Then, these molecules stick together, making them heavier, and settle out of the air.
UV Light
Germicidal lights use ultraviolet radiation to stop the growth of airborne microbes, like mold, viruses, and bacteria, by sterilizing them so they can’t reproduce. A UV light system continues to operate even when the heater or air conditioner is not on.
