Buying an air purifier for fine particles

Fine particle pollution, also known as particulate matter or PM, has become notorious in recent years for its negative health effects. What is fine particle pollution? How can an air purifier for fine particles protect us from the dangers it poses? Read on to learn more.

Fine particle pollution

Particulate matter is formed when it combines with other substances in the atmosphere. This causes chemical reactions to take place. PM is typically categorised into three sizes:

1. PM10 – coarse particles that measure between 2.5 and 10 microns
• Sources include emissions from road transport; industrial practices, residential fuel burning; allergens like dust, in-tact pollen grains, and moul;, and fire-burning (in agriculture and wildfires)¹
2. PM2.5 – fine particles that measure between 0.1 and 2.5 microns
• Sourced mostly from the burning of fuels (petrol, oil, natural gas and wood, and diesel) and wildfires
• This category is currently established as the fine particle pollution size that causes the most severe negative health and environmental effects²
3. PM0.1 – ultrafine particles that measure 0.1 microns or less
• Sources vary and include both anthropogenic and natural sources
• This category has been the least researched due the need for expensive instruments and the need for standardised methods of measurement, but early studies show that PM0.1 may be more dangerous than PM2.5³

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Health issues

Due to their small size, all three types of PM can enter our bodies easily through the respiratory system (inhalation). Once PM has entered through the nose or mouth, it can gain access to other organs in the body like the heart and brain. Soluble parts of fine particles dissolve in the bloodstream; insoluble parts deposit in the lungs which leads to inflammation. Although there are groups that are more at-risk to the dangers of PM (especially children, pregnant women, and the elderly), even healthy people experience symptoms of fine particle exposure. The following list provides some of the negative health effects as a result of PM exposure:

• Short-term (exposure of up to 24 hours)
• Eye irritation
• Sore throat
• Increased hospital admissions for pre-existing conditions like heart and lung disease
• Bronchitis
• Increased incidence of asthma symptoms and attacks
• Difficulties breathing or allergy symptoms like those experienced whilst experiencing a dust or pollen allergy
• Long-term (exposure of several months to years)
• Stunted lung function in infants and children
• Complications during pregnancy
• Increased risk of multiple types of cancer, especially lung cancer
• Increased risk of contracting respiratory diseases like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Premature death for people with lung or heart conditions^4,5

Read more about fine particle pollution and particulate matter.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends the use of an air purifier equipped with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter for protection against the dangers of PM in indoor air⁶.

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The benefits of an air purifier for fine particles

Installing an air purifier for fine particles can provide a variety of benefits for your health. Notably, a high-quality air purifier containing a HEPA filter can reduce the risk of chronic health problems as a result of PM exposure. This can be helpful in all types of indoor environments, including the home and the office.

Reduce PM concentrations, especially PM2.5

In 2019, air pollution was declared to be the fourth leading risk factor of early mortality with PM being a huge contributing factor. At the time, it was reported to cause 6.67 million deaths as a result of all air pollution-related illnesses worldwide⁷.

A 2022 study undertook an analysis of the efficacy of air cleaners with HEPA filters on indoor PM2.5 concentrations. It found that air purifiers or air cleaners with HEPA filters can significantly reduce indoor PM2.5 levels to below 10 µg/m3 and can be a way to substantially improve general health^7,8. Efficacy of air purifiers can depend on certain factors that should be respected, however. These include ensuring proper airflow, window ventilation whenever possible, and proper care and timely replacement of filters. The devices should also be left running for multiple hours to allow the device to thoroughly clear the indoor air of pollutants, as shown below:

Reduce the risk of carcinogenicity to heavy metals and PAHs

Other pollutants, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), heavy metals, and positive ions, can bind themselves to PM2.5 particles. Some of these toxic trace elements are carcinogenic, especially As, Cd, Cr, Ni, and benzopyrene. A 2015 study demonstrated the negative health outcomes as a result of exposure to PAHs and heavy metals that bind to PM2.5⁹.

A 2022 study found that, thanks to an air purifier, all of these air pollutants, including those that bind to the smallest PM particles, can be removed from indoor air. With a high-quality air purifier equipped with a HEPA filter in smoker-free spaces, PM concentrations can even be reduced to below the levels recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO)¹⁰.

How to choose an air purifier for fine particles?