WHAT IS FINE DUST? CAN AIR PURIFIERS REMOVE FINE DUST?

PM2.5 and PM1.0 fine dust can cause serious health risks. Can air purifiers remove fine dust? How do you choose and use an air purifier effectively to protect your health? Let's explore more with Acerpure.

1. WHAT IS FINE DUST? WHY IS IT NECESSARY TO REMOVE FINE DUST?

Fine dust or Particulate Matter (PM) are tiny solid particles of microscopic size that exist in nature, such as soil and sand, or are generated through human activities like combustion and transportation. Because fine dust exists as microscopic particles, it is inhalable, meaning they are small enough to penetrate any living organism, including humans, and settle in the lungs or even enter the bloodstream.

This can cause serious consequences for our health, most commonly damage to the respiratory system. Therefore, fine dust and how to manage it remain a core challenge for the environment and any industry.

There are two common types of fine dust:

- PM2.5: Dust particles with a size ≤ 2.5 micrometers, which can penetrate into the lungs and blood.

- PM1.0: Dust particles with a size smaller than 1 micrometer, smaller and more dangerous than PM2.5 because they can easily enter the bloodstream and affect the nervous system.

These two types of micro-particles alone can cause a series of serious health problems, especially in the elderly and young children: from weakened immune systems, respiratory infections, asthma, and pneumonia to cardiovascular diseases and strokes. They can even impact the nervous system, causing prolonged stress, memory impairment, and psychological effects.

2. CAN AIR PURIFIERS REMOVE FINE DUST?

We decide to buy air purifiers to help prevent seasonal illnesses like flu, allergic rhinitis, and asthma, and air purifiers are perfect devices for removing pollen, mold, and pet dander floating in the air.

But do air purifiers help remove fine dust?

The short answer is yes, but it is not enough.

Imagine, fine dust is very light, so it can settle anywhere in the house, such as curtains or floor mats. Just a light touch is enough to make them float in the air again and head straight into your bronchial tubes.

2.1. Handling Fine Dust With Air Purifiers Equipped With HEPA Filters

According to a meta-analysis published in June 2024 in the World Allergy Organization Journal, air purifiers can significantly reduce some allergy symptoms related to dust mites and fine dust, including sneezing and runny nose. However, these benefits are only seen when using the filter overnight and within the "breathing zone," meaning at a very close distance (within a radius of 30 cm or 10 inches) from a person's nose and mouth.

Therefore, HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filters are considered by scientists as the best air filters to be equipped on fine dust air purifiers because they can remove almost all dust particles with a size below 0.3 micrometers.

In addition, a standard air purifier capable of removing fine dust optimally also needs to be equipped with other technologies to enhance its functionality, such as negative ion technology, activated carbon filters, and advanced technologies like PlasmaWave to decompose dust and bacteria effectively.

2.2. How to Choose the Most Effective Air Purifier

Our greatest asset is health, so to ensure an air purifier can remove fine dust effectively, you should consider the following factors:

- Choose a machine with a standard HEPA filter, preferably HEPA H13 or H14, with the ability to remove most PM2.5 and PM1.0 dust.

- Choose a machine with a capacity suitable for the room area; for example, for a 20m² room, you should choose a machine with a CADR of 150 - 200 m³/h to ensure coverage.

- Supplementary technologies for the air purifier's capabilities, such as activated carbon filters, negative ions, or integrated auxiliary functions.

- Low noise levels are also an important factor if you place the machine in a bedroom, as no one wants to be woken up in the middle of the night just by the noise of an air purifier.

A quality fine dust air purifier like the Acerpure Cool C2-UVC with a CADR of 307 m³/h can cover your room, not only minimizing potential illnesses from fine dust in the air but also helping you have fresh air, a great night's sleep, and keeping your mood comfortable at all times.

Reference price: 8,590,000 VND.

3. HOW TO USE AN AIR PURIFIER MOST EFFECTIVELY

Place your fine dust air purifier in an airy place so that air can circulate best, or you can place it near sources of pollution like the kitchen or windows, avoiding places that are too enclosed or obstructed.

Perform periodic maintenance and cleaning of the air purifier and its filters to maintain optimal performance; HEPA filters can be cleaned every 3-6 months. The dust sensor of the air purifier should also be cleaned regularly so that the machine can measure air quality accurately.

Additionally, you should clean your house regularly to minimize dirt, prevent the air from becoming overly polluted, and avoid opening windows frequently when pollution levels in the area are high.

An air purifier will support you in safeguarding your health from fine dust, but it should not be your only line of defense. Always ensure the air quality in your living space remains clean by maintaining hygiene, cleaning frequently, and equipping yourself with the knowledge and awareness to protect your health.

Acerpure: Freshness in Every Moment.

Own the leading air quality care products from the high-end smart home brand Acerpure:

- Acerpure Vietnam Website: https://bit.ly/AcerpureVN_Website

- Acerpure store at Phong Vu: https://bit.ly/AcerpureVN_PhongVu

- Acerpure Online Store (Shopee): https://bit.ly/AcerpureVN_OnlineStoreShopee

Source: Acerpure Vietnam