Effectiveness of air filters and air cleaners in allergic respiratory diseases: a review of the recent literature

James L Sublett, James L Sublett

Abstract

Air filtration is frequently recommended as a component of environmental control measures for patients with allergic respiratory disease. Residential air filtration can be provided by whole house filtration via the home's heating, ventilation, or air conditioning system, by portable room air cleaners, or a combination of the two. Appliances to filter the sleep breathing zone also have been developed. High-efficiency whole house filtration, high-efficiency particulate air sleep zone air filtration, and high-efficiency particulate air room air cleaners all appear to provide various degrees of benefit. Recent studies of various types of filtration, used alone or as part of more comprehensive environmental control measures, are reviewed.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1
Balance: the key to the attributes of any air filter. That balance is as follows: 1) air flow to assure adequate ventilation, 2) efficiency to filter out a range of small particle sizes, and 3) capacity to allow for reasonable cost-effective maintenance schedules without adversely affecting airflow and efficiency

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Source: PubMed

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