air purifiers

[dolphinswim]

Hi all,
<br />We received funding through DDD, as my son's pulmonologist wrote a script for purifiers based on medical diagnosis and this was not a covered item on medicaid's DME list.
<br />
<br />Having said that <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">, yes, they help immensely; it's frightening what you find in those filters. I had to do a ton of research and find the best options for the money we had to work with - HEPA filters are best, carbon w/HEPA, that is; do not get or use the ionizer function and do get an ozone free model; a UV function only works on what is directly in front of that UV light, not a whole room; they are effective w/toothbrushes, but so are alot of other options.
<br />
<br />HTH,
<br />Kathy

 

[kitomd21]

We've been told that "most" purifiers don't treat a large enough area to make a difference. If you're using one for a smaller room with the door closed, my assumption is that these are the only units of much benefit. That being said, we do keep our central air fan on at all times and change the filters on a monthly basis. They are always dirty!!

 

[kitomd21]

We've been told that "most" purifiers don't treat a large enough area to make a difference. If you're using one for a smaller room with the door closed, my assumption is that these are the only units of much benefit. That being said, we do keep our central air fan on at all times and change the filters on a monthly basis. They are always dirty!!

 

[kitomd21]

We've been told that "most" purifiers don't treat a large enough area to make a difference. If you're using one for a smaller room with the door closed, my assumption is that these are the only units of much benefit. That being said, we do keep our central air fan on at all times and change the filters on a monthly basis. They are always dirty!!

 

[hmw]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>yes...the uv ones are not good for cf'ers....</end quote></div>

UV and ionic filters are two different types. UV are ok- they just use a type of light. It's the 'ionic' ones that result in ozone emissions that are not good for those with cf (or any other resp conditions), no matter how much the manufacturers claim it's a 'safe' amount. There are great alternatives available- no reason to risk the ionic type.

Charcoal + HEPA is the best combination for dust/particles, allergens and odors.

 

[hmw]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>yes...the uv ones are not good for cf'ers....</end quote>

UV and ionic filters are two different types. UV are ok- they just use a type of light. It's the 'ionic' ones that result in ozone emissions that are not good for those with cf (or any other resp conditions), no matter how much the manufacturers claim it's a 'safe' amount. There are great alternatives available- no reason to risk the ionic type.

Charcoal + HEPA is the best combination for dust/particles, allergens and odors.

 

[hmw]

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>yes...the uv ones are not good for cf'ers....</end quote>
<br />
<br />UV and ionic filters are two different types. UV are ok- they just use a type of light. It's the 'ionic' ones that result in ozone emissions that are not good for those with cf (or any other resp conditions), no matter how much the manufacturers claim it's a 'safe' amount. There are great alternatives available- no reason to risk the ionic type.
<br />
<br />Charcoal + HEPA is the best combination for dust/particles, allergens and odors.

 

[cf4life]

UV lights actually do produce ozone. A small UV light may not produce much, but you can get some super powered ones to put in your heating ducts and are marketed to kill every virus and bacteria passing through your house air ducts, but the side effect is they produce high levels of ozone. If your heating/cooling fan kicks on and off throughout the day, the times it kicks on it will blast you with the ozone that has been building up inside your air ducts.

 

[cf4life]

UV lights actually do produce ozone. A small UV light may not produce much, but you can get some super powered ones to put in your heating ducts and are marketed to kill every virus and bacteria passing through your house air ducts, but the side effect is they produce high levels of ozone. If your heating/cooling fan kicks on and off throughout the day, the times it kicks on it will blast you with the ozone that has been building up inside your air ducts.

 

[cf4life]

UV lights actually do produce ozone. A small UV light may not produce much, but you can get some super powered ones to put in your heating ducts and are marketed to kill every virus and bacteria passing through your house air ducts, but the side effect is they produce high levels of ozone. If your heating/cooling fan kicks on and off throughout the day, the times it kicks on it will blast you with the ozone that has been building up inside your air ducts.

 

[hmw]

I had no idea! I'd thought it was only the ionic ones that resulted in ozone emissions. Good to know!

 

[hmw]

I had no idea! I'd thought it was only the ionic ones that resulted in ozone emissions. Good to know!

 

[hmw]

I had no idea! I'd thought it was only the ionic ones that resulted in ozone emissions. Good to know!

 

[theLostMiler]

Hmm, I didnt know the UV light ones produced ozone either. I took an environmental microbiology class a year ago and we had to do term papers at the end and give presentations... I felt like I learned a lot based on what people did... one of them was UV sterilization especially for uses in hospital rooms. From what I remember I never heard them mention ozone but they just talked about the price and cost (they had a contraption like in the top of the room with a fan blowing out so the air would be recirculated, that was what they found anyways was out there). After that presentation I was sold on UV light haha.

 

[theLostMiler]

Hmm, I didnt know the UV light ones produced ozone either. I took an environmental microbiology class a year ago and we had to do term papers at the end and give presentations... I felt like I learned a lot based on what people did... one of them was UV sterilization especially for uses in hospital rooms. From what I remember I never heard them mention ozone but they just talked about the price and cost (they had a contraption like in the top of the room with a fan blowing out so the air would be recirculated, that was what they found anyways was out there). After that presentation I was sold on UV light haha.

 

[theLostMiler]

Hmm, I didnt know the UV light ones produced ozone either. I took an environmental microbiology class a year ago and we had to do term papers at the end and give presentations... I felt like I learned a lot based on what people did... one of them was UV sterilization especially for uses in hospital rooms. From what I remember I never heard them mention ozone but they just talked about the price and cost (they had a contraption like in the top of the room with a fan blowing out so the air would be recirculated, that was what they found anyways was out there). After that presentation I was sold on UV light haha.

 

[cf4life]

Maybe not all UV light waves are created equal and there may be new technology out there, but I did some research about 4 years ago and could not find a system to install with my HVAC equipment that did not produce ozone. The manufacturers all told me that their product was within the federal limits for ozone emission, but the catch is that this was their testing. The downside to the way we live is that we keep our homes shut up to keep the cold or warm air out. This can cause the level of ozone in the house or your air ducts to build up over time and greatly exceed federal regulations. In the case of CF even federal regulations are not good. Anyway, I am not expert, if you find a UV product that does not produce ozone please post it. I may have to do some new research to see if there is anything new available to the home owner.

 

[cf4life]

Maybe not all UV light waves are created equal and there may be new technology out there, but I did some research about 4 years ago and could not find a system to install with my HVAC equipment that did not produce ozone. The manufacturers all told me that their product was within the federal limits for ozone emission, but the catch is that this was their testing. The downside to the way we live is that we keep our homes shut up to keep the cold or warm air out. This can cause the level of ozone in the house or your air ducts to build up over time and greatly exceed federal regulations. In the case of CF even federal regulations are not good. Anyway, I am not expert, if you find a UV product that does not produce ozone please post it. I may have to do some new research to see if there is anything new available to the home owner.

 

[cf4life]

Maybe not all UV light waves are created equal and there may be new technology out there, but I did some research about 4 years ago and could not find a system to install with my HVAC equipment that did not produce ozone. The manufacturers all told me that their product was within the federal limits for ozone emission, but the catch is that this was their testing. The downside to the way we live is that we keep our homes shut up to keep the cold or warm air out. This can cause the level of ozone in the house or your air ducts to build up over time and greatly exceed federal regulations. In the case of CF even federal regulations are not good. Anyway, I am not expert, if you find a UV product that does not produce ozone please post it. I may have to do some new research to see if there is anything new available to the home owner.

 

[hmw]

Yeah, I don't like the ones that will just repeatedly cite 'emissions within safe/federal limits' either... not when there are alternative types that will not produce ozone at all.

I looked up the UV systems after you posted and you are absolutely right- they are associated with ozone emissions as are the ionic ones.

There are systems that can be installed in ductwork that use HEPA and charcoal filters, I think. Although they could never make a claim to 'sterilize' the air, many filters of that type are effective to a pretty tiny micron size and can remove a lot from the air.