There’s little doubt that the air inside houses and offices can contain allergens, pollutants and irritants. Fortunately, modern air purifiers can help. But you must make sure to get the right one to effectively remedy the problem. Consider the following information to help you make the right choice for your health.

One of the most popular purification techniques involves circulating air through a special filter that traps allergens, pollutants and irritants. These filters are known as HEPA (high efficiency particle arresting) that can remove 90 percent of all particles as small as 2 microns. HEPA-type units now have permanent filters that can be vacuumed or cleaned. These are highly effective for cleaning the air of dander, pollen and even the smell of smoke on curtains, carpets, and furniture.

If you want to get rid of airborne germs, viruses and bacteria, an air purifier equipped with a lamp that emits ultraviolet light will kill up to 99.9 percent of these germs. However, a UV light by itself will not remove particles or pollution. Look for an air purifier that combines the technology of a UV light and a HEPA filter.

Many people do not know that indoor pollution also includes household chemicals, toxic paint fumes and chemical emissions from carpet, paint and particleboard. An effective way of removing volatile organic compounds from the air is a photo catalyst filter, which can be found on some air purifiers that include a UV light.

The size of the room is another factor. Make sure the air purifier is powerful enough to purify the desired space. You may need multiple air purifiers to clean the air in your entire home. An investment in an air purifier is an investment in your health and the health of your family.