Some review information on the air purifiers commonly available now.

[Guest guest]

In the fall of 2007, Consumer Reports (CR) released their ratings on

many of the air purification models that are most often advertised.

They made it a point (which I believe is a very good one) that no one

thing alone will get the air clean or relieve allergies or asthma. CR

recommended trying these things first: (3)

1. ban indoor smoking

2. keep pets out of the bedroom

3. remove carpeting and other dust-mite harbors

4. open windows when possible

5. use outdoor ventilating fans in kitchens and bathrooms

6. maintain and service heating equipment

If these simple things do not do enough to alleviate the poor indoor

air quality in the home, Consumer Reports recommends these models

listed below. None of the models that tested very favorably were

ozone-producing models that advertised " ozone " as being a benefit or

advantage. Some of the models did produce ozone, but the models that

were favorably rated by Consumer Reports produced ozone at or below

the EPA current standards which is 50 part-per-billion which may

change at some point in the future. Most health experts believe that

ozone is an allergy and asthma irritant and therefore, do not

recommend them. (3)

According to CR, electrostatic precipitators are the most heavily

promoted purifiers and two of the more common models are available

through Sharper Image or Oreck. CR found these models underperformed

and the Oreck models were at the bottom of their list. Also CR noted

that models that were advertised as being " germicidal " were

of " limited effectiveness " . (3)

Among the portable models, the bigger and faster the cleaning rate

the better. Many of the better models were noisier at higher

settings and CR recommended running them on those settings while not

at home. For the consumer, their main comment for recognizing quality

was to note the clean-air-delivery-rate (CADR). Anything above 350

CADR is excellant and anything below 100 CADR is poor. Also, look

for the CADR figures with an Association of Home Appliance

Manufacturers (AHAM) logo and only ones confirmed with CADR from

them. (3)

Portable Models:

1. Whirlpool Whispure Model AP450. I believe this model has been

replaced entirely by Whirlpool Whispure Model AP510. (Cost: $219.99)

2. Kenmore Progressive: (which is also the Whirlpool Whispure Model

AP510 (Cost: $219.99)

3. Hunter Permalife 30547 - serves room size 21'X23' whereas model

30546 serves a 20'X20' room.

4. Blueair 601

5. 3M Ultra Slim Air Purifier for Large Rooms (Cost$199.00)

6. Honeywell Enviracare 50250

7. BlueAir 501

8. Hunter QuietFlo 30401

9. Vornado 35 AQS35

10. Bionaire Galileo

Electrostatic Precipitation Models:

1. Friedrich C908

2. Kenmore (Sears) K6 85264

3. Bio-Net

4. Sharper Image Hybrid Germicidal Purifier S1724GRY

5. Ionic Pro Pure Pro 200

Kramer

Health Education Information and Resource Services

Sources:

1.EPA's 2007 Report on the Environment: Science Report (SAB Review

Draft)

2. Indoor Air Facts No. 4 (revised) Sick Building Syndrome

3. Consumer Reports, December 2007. Pgs 48-51. ConsumerReports.org

[Guest guest]

I'd add the Rabbit Air BioG to the list of best air purifiers.

Barth

---

K> In the fall of 2007, Consumer Reports (CR) released their ratings on

K> many of the air purification models that are most often advertised.

K> They made it a point (which I believe is a very good one) that no one

K> thing alone will get the air clean or relieve allergies or asthma. CR

K> recommended trying these things first: (3)

K> 1. ban indoor smoking

K> 2. keep pets out of the bedroom

K> 3. remove carpeting and other dust-mite harbors

K> 4. open windows when possible

K> 5. use outdoor ventilating fans in kitchens and bathrooms

K> 6. maintain and service heating equipment

K> If these simple things do not do enough to alleviate the poor indoor

K> air quality in the home, Consumer Reports recommends these models

K> listed below. None of the models that tested very favorably were

K> ozone-producing models that advertised " ozone " as being a benefit or

K> advantage. Some of the models did produce ozone, but the models that

K> were favorably rated by Consumer Reports produced ozone at or below

K> the EPA current standards which is 50 part-per-billion which may

K> change at some point in the future. Most health experts believe that

K> ozone is an allergy and asthma irritant and therefore, do not

K> recommend them. (3)

K> According to CR, electrostatic precipitators are the most heavily

K> promoted purifiers and two of the more common models are available

K> through Sharper Image or Oreck. CR found these models underperformed

K> and the Oreck models were at the bottom of their list. Also CR noted

K> that models that were advertised as being " germicidal " were

K> of " limited effectiveness " . (3)

K> Among the portable models, the bigger and faster the cleaning rate

K> the better. Many of the better models were noisier at higher

K> settings and CR recommended running them on those settings while not

K> at home. For the consumer, their main comment for recognizing quality

K> was to note the clean-air-delivery-rate (CADR). Anything above 350

K> CADR is excellant and anything below 100 CADR is poor. Also, look

K> for the CADR figures with an Association of Home Appliance

K> Manufacturers (AHAM) logo and only ones confirmed with CADR from

K> them. (3)

K> Portable Models:

K> 1. Whirlpool Whispure Model AP450. I believe this model has been

K> replaced entirely by Whirlpool Whispure Model AP510. (Cost: $219.99)

K> 2. Kenmore Progressive: (which is also the Whirlpool Whispure Model

K> AP510 (Cost: $219.99)

K> 3. Hunter Permalife 30547 - serves room size 21'X23' whereas model

K> 30546 serves a 20'X20' room.

K> 4. Blueair 601

K> 5. 3M Ultra Slim Air Purifier for Large Rooms (Cost$199.00)

K> 6. Honeywell Enviracare 50250

K> 7. BlueAir 501

K> 8. Hunter QuietFlo 30401

K> 9. Vornado 35 AQS35

K> 10. Bionaire Galileo

K> Electrostatic Precipitation Models:

K> 1. Friedrich C908

K> 2. Kenmore (Sears) K6 85264

K> 3. Bio-Net

K> 4. Sharper Image Hybrid Germicidal Purifier S1724GRY

K> 5. Ionic Pro Pure Pro 200

K> Kramer

K> Health Education Information and Resource Services

K> Sources:

K> 1.EPA's 2007 Report on the Environment: Science Report (SAB Review

K> Draft)

K> 2. Indoor Air Facts No. 4 (revised) Sick Building Syndrome

K> 3. Consumer Reports, December 2007. Pgs 48-51. ConsumerReports.org