Improve Your Air Quality With An Air Purifier

By the HVAC Experts at S.J. Kowalski

Wildfires have become a recurring feature of North American summers, especially on the West Coast. While wildfire season usually peaks in August, the current outbreak in Canada has covered many parts of the East Coast in hazy, hazardous smoke. That smoke takes a toll on air quality and creates breathing hazards for both healthy people and especially those with existing respiratory issues. Although people who live near the fires are at the highest risk, there may be impacts felt by people who live far away, depending on how the wind blows, which we recently experienced first-hand. Whether you’re currently facing poor air quality due to the Canadian wildfires, or you live in a wildfire prone area, air purifiers are one way to address air quality issues.

Sometimes referred to as air cleaners, air purifiers are designed to capture contaminants you can’t see, such as smoke, bacteria, viruses, pet dander, pollen, dust and mold spores. Although in the U.S. manufacturers are not allowed to market these devices as health products, it has been proven that they are effective in filtering harmful substances from the air.

At their most basic function, portable air purifiers and air filters remove pollutants from the air around you and in your home. Indoor air pollutants fall into two main categories:

• Particulate matter: Biological pollutants like mold spores, dust mites, bacteria, pet dander, viruses and smoke.

• Gaseous pollutants: Pollutants like paints, varnishes, adhesives and pesticides.

• Especially dangerous gaseous pollutants are sometimes referred to as volatile organic compounds, which are often man-made and are highly toxic, causing damage to the liver, kidneys or central nervous system, as well as leading to certain cancers or memory or vision issues.

Ideally, you take steps to avoid introducing these airborne particles in the first place, but in situations like wildfires, it’s out of your control and you must take steps to prevent negative health effects.

Call the professionals at S.J. Kowalski, Inc. at 570-455-2600. We would be happy to help you improve your air quality and give you advice on powerful purification to protect your home and your family.