The Hidden Truth about Air purifiers Causing Illness Symptoms
An air purifier is a very good investment for people who live in places with polluted air. But first, there are truths about these appliances that the manufacturers do not disclose loudly enough. So today, we ask: Can an air purifier cause a sore throat?
IF THE HEPA FILTER IS WORNOUT OR DIRTY, air purifiers could cause headaches, migraines, sore throat, difficulty in breathing, and asthmatic attacks especially if you run one for long hours when you are indoors.
There is no way that we can apportion all the blame on the air purifiers only because they prevent these symptoms. However, you always have to ensure the filter is clean, it is not worn out, and the unit is in good working order.
Before you start using an air purifier, humidifier or dehumidifier in your house, you need to know whether it can have an effect on your health.
How an air purifier can make your throat dry
Sore, and dry throat is a common ailment, and it can be caused by bacterial, or viral infections. It can also be caused by cold or flu. Therefore, before you can accuse your Levoit air purifier, rule out the other causes first.
If you live in a humid area, and you suffer sore throat cases frequently, this could be one of the warning signs of mold toxicity.
One of the warning signs of sore throat is a constant dry feeling in your throat. If you have to clear the throat so many times, a sore infection could be growing on you.
Please note, if the air purifier does not mean certain conditions, it will cause sore throat, and other symptoms, as follows:
1. Air purifiers cause secondary air pollution
Imagine what happens as the air purifier keeps working. Dirt keeps accumulating on the HEPA filter. Now, if you take too long to clean the filter, the dirt will start finding its way into your indoor air.
The dirt blocks the filter and so it no longer purifies the air. Therefore, through the whole air changes per hour process, the air being released back into your room is going to be contaminated.
When the purifier becomes a source of the pollution itself, what do you do? Do you get a second air purifier?
The solution: Check the unit’s user instructions manual to find out how often you should change or clean the HEPA filter. If it says clean three times a month, please do that. If it says replace after three months, please do that.
2. High carbon dioxide levels in the house
Okay, in another post, I said that you cannot use an air purifier with the windows open, because that would be counterproductive. However, your home needs to have proper ventilation, so that carbon dioxide does not build up when the air purifier is running.
If you run your unit in a room that has minimal or no ventilation, there will be a high level of carbon dioxide, and that is going to lower the oxygen levels in your house.
In return, this is going to cause various issues such as migraines, headaches, and if extensive, sore throat.
Also check my article on: Does humidifier increase oxygen levels?
3. It does not remove formaldehyde fast enough
You should run a dehumidifier in a new house for the humidity and you should also run an air purifier.
The latter removes formaldehyde from the indoor air. Usually, when building materials are new, they exude formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds (VOC). For comfort in your living spaces, you have to remove the VOC.
Don’t even wait to find out the levels of VOC in your indoor air content. If the house is new, you can be sure there is formaldehyde. But it is always best to invest in an air quality monitor such as the EG Air Quality and Pollution Monitor that you can buy on Amazon.com.
It checks the formaldehyde levels, humidity, temperature, micron dust, Test Indoor Volatile Organic Compound Gas. It also comes with a detailed eBook that can teach you a lot about indoor air quality.
Just like a humidifier causes chest tightness, so does exposure to formaldehyde for too long.
4. Some air purifiers increase Ozone levels in the air
Some units, such as the negative ion air purifier types are notorious for increasing ozone levels inside your house. Another culprit is the electrostatic precipitator air purifier.
If there is a high level of ozone in your indoor air, you are going to experience headaches, coughs, sore throat, and other symptoms.
Such an air purifier generates negative ions in the air, and they cause what is referred to as degenerative ozone, which is harmful to your health.
5. When air purifier does not remove all the virus
Now, consider something that the viral COVID19, and how a HEPA filter helps to reduce its presence inside the house. COVID makes the throat sore and achy, and those are usually the first symptoms.
However, air-borne viruses are always on the move, so to remove them completely, you would have to keep the air purifier running all the time.
If you shut it down after a few hours, it will not have removed all the viruses, and so your family will experience sore throat, and other symptoms.
6. It aggravates asthmatic attacks
If you have asthma, and you run an air purifier, the increase in the ozone levels could cause asthmatic attacks. Research has shown how Ozone causes asthmatic attacks, which will affect the throat.
Therefore, if you start experiencing breathing difficulties when the air purifier is running, please stop running it immediately. You can try other means, such as using indoor plants that purify the air.
How do air purifiers make you feel?
We know that different air conditions make you feel bad. For instance, humidity makes you feel awful, and so does dry air. Polluted air is the worst because it could make you feel sicker than the other air conditions.
Thankfully, running the best air purifier is worth it. They purify the air, removing even the unseen pollutants such as VOC, which include formaldehyde, gases, and heavy metals.
If the air purifying unit you have at home can lower the ozone level, carbon dioxide, formaldehyde, dust, remove pet dander, dust mites, mold spores, and other baddies from your indoor air, you are going to feel safe, healthy and comfortable.
In fact, you can even notice a reduction of hospital visits, less sore throat, migraines, breathing complications and other issues.
But remember, to benefit fully from an air purifier, you need to know how to use it properly and to understand how it works. Some of the effective ways of using a unit include:
- Placing it near the source of the pollution
- Opening doorways so that it can purify all the air in the house
- Keeping the HEPA filters clean, and replacing them when due
- Running it for the requisite hours
If you do that, your indoor air will always be clean, and the oxygen levels will be just right.
Will an air purifier keep me from getting sick?
If you get the best one, and you use it in the right way, it is going to prevent you from getting sick. However, you must also ensure that you keep the filters clean and in good shape all the time. If they need replacing, change them as recommended.
In neighborhoods with very polluted air, you should clean the filters even more often than recommended. You can also change them sooner, instead of waiting for the time given in the user manual.
A good air cleaner is capable of removing viruses, bacteria, mold, ozone, dust, dust mites and other allergens from your indoor air. No matter how well sealed your home is, you will always have one or more allergens to contend with, including pollen.
Therefore, as much as we have shown you a few reasons why your air purifier could be causing sore throat, headaches and chest tightness, well, its benefits far outweigh the cons. Get it!
Wrapping it up
Before they can cause sore throat, I can tell you for sure that first, air purifiers will prevent it. That is right!
Thus, only a dirty and unkempt air purifier is going to cause illnesses. Also, if you misuse it, for instance, running it for long hours in a small, sealed room, it will raise the carbon dioxide levels. In return, this will give you migraines and headaches.
Remember, to get the full benefits of an air purifier, get the right size. If it is too small, it won’t help. If it is too big, it won’t help.
Also check my posts on:
Can air purifier help with musty smell?
Best air purifier for cat litter dust and odor
Best air purifier for cigarette smoke removal
