4 ms·

Would someone who understands this better mind explaining? For example, should we be stop using air purifiers.

by tikkun 4y ago

SnowHill9902 4y ago
It’s a pick your poison conclusion.
QuercusMax 4y ago
It sounds like they're saying that you need to replace your filters periodically.
- dylan604 4y ago
  Isn't this something of a "duh" kind of result though. The packaging on filters give suggested replace after X days kind of info. Yes, the average person doesn't change filters frequently enough, but people with allergies probably do it more regularly. These types of studies just help explain why the manufacture of the filters suggest estimated time of replacing. I say suggest because the filters I use suggest 90 days, but I live with a cat and no carpet, so it gets clogged much faster than 90 days.
degovial 4y ago
- neuroma 4y ago
  More nuance could be: Forcing air through micro particles suspended in a filter creates other kinds of micro particles rarely foujd in air, and with unknown effects on health.
thaeli 4y ago
For particulates, media filters actually get more efficient as they get dirtier. They also get harder to blow air through, which means less air volume with normal fans or higher energy consumption with VFD fans. I'm simplifying a bit, but traditionally change intervals are based solely on keeping air resistance within acceptable values. This paper presents a different mechanism by which IAQ can be negatively impacted by a dirty media filter. It's possible that this affects change intervals or other measures, and it's possible that this is a matter of theoretical concern but in practice doesn't matter much. It's cliche to say that a study's conclusion is that there should be more studies, but that's really the case here.
doctoboggan 4y ago
If you have a dirty filter it may be actually making your air quality worse (in some ways) than just not running the filter at all. It seems like bacteria caught in the filter are dying and releasing endotoxins, which are small enough to escape the filter and then are sent throughout the environment.
- the_only_law 4y ago
  > If you have a dirty filter it may be actually making your air quality worse (in some ways) than just not running the filter at all. I might have to check the air filter. I’ve been having the worst sinus issues I’ve ever had outside a sinus infection. My eyes constantly tear up, my nose will on occasionally completely shuts, and I’ve been having back to back sneezing attacks. I originally chalked it up to seasonal allergies, as pollen count is quite high, but I’ve been suspicious of indoor air quality as well. To add to the confusion I got COVID around the same time it started.
  - beebmam 4y ago
    It might be a good idea to seek medical advice from your doctor
    - the_only_law 4y ago
      Last time I spoke with a doctor about sinus issues they just told me to grab some OTC remedy and that was mostly it
      - specialist 4y ago
        Someone, somewhere has the answers you need. I try tell everyone to not accept "no" or "i don't know" for answers if they're still suffering. FWIW, eventually had sinus surgery, now do saline rinse every day, astelin antihistame spray changed my life. YMMV. Good luck.
      - olyjohn 4y ago
        The more doctors I see, the more I just feel like a ticket in a queue that needs to be closed out and billed ASAP.

Would someone who understands this better mind explaining? For example, should we be stop using air purifiers.

by tikkun 4y ago

Would someone who understands this better mind explaining? For example, should we be stop using air purifiers.

SnowHill9902 4y ago

It’s a pick your poison conclusion.

QuercusMax 4y ago

It sounds like they're saying that you need to replace your filters periodically.

dylan604 4y ago
Isn't this something of a "duh" kind of result though. The packaging on filters give suggested replace after X days kind of info. Yes, the average person doesn't change filters frequently enough, but people with allergies probably do it more regularly. These types of studies just help explain why the manufacture of the filters suggest estimated time of replacing. I say suggest because the filters I use suggest 90 days, but I live with a cat and no carpet, so it gets clogged much faster than 90 days.

degovial 4y ago

neuroma 4y ago
More nuance could be: Forcing air through micro particles suspended in a filter creates other kinds of micro particles rarely foujd in air, and with unknown effects on health.

thaeli 4y ago

For particulates, media filters actually get more efficient as they get dirtier. They also get harder to blow air through, which means less air volume with normal fans or higher energy consumption with VFD fans. I'm simplifying a bit, but traditionally change intervals are based solely on keeping air resistance within acceptable values. This paper presents a different mechanism by which IAQ can be negatively impacted by a dirty media filter. It's possible that this affects change intervals or other measures, and it's possible that this is a matter of theoretical concern but in practice doesn't matter much. It's cliche to say that a study's conclusion is that there should be more studies, but that's really the case here.

doctoboggan 4y ago

If you have a dirty filter it may be actually making your air quality worse (in some ways) than just not running the filter at all. It seems like bacteria caught in the filter are dying and releasing endotoxins, which are small enough to escape the filter and then are sent throughout the environment.

the_only_law 4y ago
> If you have a dirty filter it may be actually making your air quality worse (in some ways) than just not running the filter at all. I might have to check the air filter. I’ve been having the worst sinus issues I’ve ever had outside a sinus infection. My eyes constantly tear up, my nose will on occasionally completely shuts, and I’ve been having back to back sneezing attacks. I originally chalked it up to seasonal allergies, as pollen count is quite high, but I’ve been suspicious of indoor air quality as well. To add to the confusion I got COVID around the same time it started.
- beebmam 4y ago
  It might be a good idea to seek medical advice from your doctor
  - the_only_law 4y ago
    Last time I spoke with a doctor about sinus issues they just told me to grab some OTC remedy and that was mostly it
    - specialist 4y ago
      Someone, somewhere has the answers you need. I try tell everyone to not accept "no" or "i don't know" for answers if they're still suffering. FWIW, eventually had sinus surgery, now do saline rinse every day, astelin antihistame spray changed my life. YMMV. Good luck.
    - olyjohn 4y ago
      The more doctors I see, the more I just feel like a ticket in a queue that needs to be closed out and billed ASAP.