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Home / Concerns / Air quality / Air purifiers
Air purifiers

Fact sheet

Air purifiers

Air purifiers can be effective in removing allergens, irritants and gases from the air. These include:

  • Particulate matter, such as pollen, pet dander, mould spores and dust mite allergens
  • Gases including smoke and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as pollution and fragrances

Most purifiers have between three and five levels of filtration. The two most important filters to look for are:

  • A high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, such as a H13 HEPA filter which filters 99.97% of particles above 0.3 micrometres from the air, and
  • An activated carbon filter, in either powder or granular form to absorb gases and volatile chemicals.

Purifiers may use extra technologies and filtration systems. When used together with both a HEPA and activated carbon filter, they can assist in further removing or neutralising contaminants. Additional systems may include:

  • Pre-filters designed to remove larger particles, such as pet dander, before the air moves through the HEPA filter
  • The use of heat, electron discharge or ultraviolet light to neutralise contaminants such as bacteria
  • Ioniser technology which electrostatically charges particles in the air or emits negative ions to assist in removing bacteria and viruses from the cleaned air

The effectiveness of air purifiers will depend on:

  • The amount of air processed
  • Quality of construction
  • Size, quality and age of filters
  • Maintenance of the machine
  • Size of the room or area
  • Rate of air exchange

What you can do

If you’re thinking about buying an air purifier, also consider:

  • The best HEPA filters used in purifiers are designated E12, H13 or H14
  • Consider the allergen size. Smaller particles can remain airborne for longer, while larger particles like dust mite faecal matter and pollen will fall quickly to the ground in still air
  • Some purifiers emit ozone. International ozone emission concentration limit recommend air purifiers does not exceed 0.050 parts per million (ppm), Sensitive Choice requires approved partners air treatment devices to be under 0.005ppm
  • Fragrances do nothing to purify the air and some people are allergic to some fragrances
  • Machines that increase humidity should only be used in dry climates – higher humidity promotes mould growth and dust mites
  • A purifier will have much less benefit in a large room with frequently opened doors and windows than a smaller better sealed room

You can find Sensitive Choice approved air purifiers here.

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How to Build a Better Tomorrow: Why do early 1900s Villas remain the gold standard?

Our partners at Pro Clima New Zealand explores the secrets of a nearly 100-year-old wooden villa, delving into the durability of these classic homes and what it takes to create modern, efficient homes.

How to build a better tomorrow with Pro Clima: Why are new buildings still cold, damp, and short-lived?

Our Sensitive Choice approved partners at Pro Clima New Zealand have produced an insightful video series outlining the key to builing healthier homes for Kiwis. In Episode 2 of "How to Build a Better Tomorrow," Francis Mountjoy and Jon Davies discuss the concept of airtightness.

How to build a better tomorrow with Pro Clima: Small Gap, Big Problems

Our Sensitive Choice approved partners at Pro Clima New Zealand have produced an insightful video series outlining the key to builing healthier homes for Kiwis. In this episode, Francis Mountjoy and Jon Davies from Pro Clima explain the importance of airtightness when building homes.

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  • The Blue Butterfly

    • What is the Sensitive Choice blue butterfly?

    • Contact us

  • Asthma & allergies

    • Living with asthma & allergies

    • Understanding asthma and allergies

    • Know your triggers

    • Creating a healthy home

    • Resource hub

    • National Asthma Week 2024

    • World Asthma Day 2024

    • News

    • FAQs

    • Community Asthma Program – Get individual help with your child’s asthma

    • Sensitive Choice Video Library

  • Concerns

    • Air quality

    • Asthma and allergy

    • Building and renovating

    • Cleaning

    • Hay fever

    • Healthy home

    • Healthy living

    • Indoor humidity

    • Weather events

    • All concerns

  • Products & services

    • Air Treatment

    • Babies' and children's products

    • Bedroom

    • Building and renovating

    • Cleaning

    • Flooring

    • Furniture

    • Health and personal care

    • Indoor environmental control

    • Laundry appliances

    • Vacuum & deep cleaners

    • Water Filtration

    • All products & services

  • Partnerships

    • For business

    • Why join us?

    • How to join

    • Expression of interest

    • Marketing tools

    • Our partners

Sensitive Choice is a program of the National Asthma Council Australia.
National Asthma Council Australia 2025.

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153-161 Park Street
South Melbourne VIC 3205

(03) 9929 4333

office@sensitivechoice.com

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