How to Buy the Right Air Cleaner

Cleaner indoor air

With air conditioners going full blast this summer, Americans are likely spending lots of time shut up indoors. And while you may be safe from the heat and humidity, it's no escape from other health hazards: Even the cleanest homes are filled with airborne irritants, such as dust, pet dander, pollen, and fumes. If you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) or other lung problems, these particles can make it harder to breathe. Although it’s impossible to remove all the irritants from the air in your home, a portable air cleaner (also known an an air purifier) may help.

Some research suggests that air cleaners can improve the symptoms of asthma and allergies, according to Norman Edelman, MD, chief medical officer of the American Lung Association. “Since many people with COPD have sensitive airways and problems with allergies as well, an air cleaner may be worth a try,” he says. “It’s not going to make a huge difference in their illness, but it may be beneficial.”

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