Do you need an air purifier for dust? Other than viruses, the number one thing people call us asking for is a home air purifier that will remove dust from their homes and businesses. Unless you are very healthy and have no children, you need an air cleaner that will remove dust. Why do we need to remove dust from the air? Who needs dust removal products? And what is the best air purifying product for me.
In today’s world, our homes and offices should serve as sanctuaries from the pressures of everyday life. However, today the quality of the air we breathe indoors can’t be taken for granted.. Clean indoor air isn’t just a luxury; it’s a necessity for our well-being. Your home and office should be a space where every breath you take is crisp, pure, and free from harmful pollutants. Clean indoor air isn’t just about your comfort; it’s about safeguarding our health, especially considering that we spend a significant amount of time indoors.
One of the most common indoor pollutants is dust. Dust particles, often tiny and unseen, can wreak havoc on our respiratory systems. Dust often triggers allergies and can exacerbate asthma symptoms. This is where air purifiers step in as unsung heroes of indoor air quality. Our home air purifiers are designed to do more than just circulate air; they are engineered to capture and eliminate dust particles.
In this guide, we will look more carefully at the importance of clean indoor air, We will show the role air purifiers can play in removing dust particles. Read on to discover not only the science behind these remarkable devices but also the tangible benefits they bring to our lives. In the section that follows we will take a pause for you to look at the different products we suggest you consider in your quest to remove dust and other indoor pollutants from your homes and offices.
The sizes of the dust particles go from huge to microscopic. The size is usually described in terms of the aerodynamic diameter. These diameters are put into 3 categories. The largest size is 100 to 10 microns. These particles pose the smallest threat. They are usually filtered out in the upper respiratory system. Here our nose and sinuses filter them. They are disposed of when we cough and blow our noses.
The middle size (PM10) is from 10 microns to 2.5 microns. These tiny particles go through the respiratory tract. They end up in different regions of the lungs. soluble particle can be absorbed into the bloodstream. They can cause diseases. The smallest size (PM2.5) is under 2.5 microns. Particles that are 0.3 microns in size easily enter our lungs and make it to the oxygen exchange membranes. These particles are the most dangerous and are the best reason for an air purifier for dust.
The household dust we breathe contains a lot of stuff. The average home has over 100 different dust elements. Some are inert and not very dangerous. Most fall into this category. There are still many that are bothersome. There are more than few that are down right dangerous. The types of dust fall into a few categories which we will briefly explore. The three images below are just a sample of the content of our household dust.
Many of the larger specs we see floating in the air are made from common parts of soil. These are basically good old dirt. Our nose hairs filter many of them. Because they are bigger they weigh more, they don’t stay afloat in the air for long. Mineral dusts are generated from rocks. As rocks break apart some of the bits are carried into our homes. Vegetable dusts occur as plant life dries out. These plant byproducts are larger and much less a nuisance than plant pollens. Not all vegetable dust are harmless, more about those to come.
Pets are the friends of mankind. However, the dust that they create, not so much! Pets naturally shed there skin, fur and feathers. This natural process creates both PM10 and PM2.5. The mix is about 75% to 25%. Because the size is so small they stay afloat and we can breathe them in easily. Pet dander isn’t likely to make you sick, but it is a serious dust problem. You will feel sick if you are allergic to the dusts made by your pet.
30% of American are allergic to cats and dogs. media filter will remove over 80% of pet dander and hair. HEPA and Electrostatic filtration remove more dust problems. An Air Purifier for Dust may be the answer to your nuisance conditions.
Dust allergies go beyond pet related substances. Pet hair, dander and feathers are included in dust allergies but there is so much more. Dust Mites, Cockroaches, Mold and Pollen are the other leading contributors. These microscopic particles fall into both the PM10 and the PM2.5 size categories. As a result they find a way deep into our lungs.
How serious are the threats from these pollutants? Mold may lead to asthma in children. Cockroaches are know to spread disease. Pollen causes hay fever and upper respiratory issues in millions of people. As a result it is very important to consider dust prevention.
Lead is one of the most dangerous contents of the average homes dust load. The leading source of lead dust is from the soil outside our homes. Lead occurs naturally in the soil at a rate of up to 150 ppm. Lead dust is not just from old paint chips. The distance from roads, nearby industry and the age of your home are all things that can contribute to dust in your home.
Asbestos also occurs naturally in our environment. It was used in insulation in past. However we still need to be aware of it today. Common sand contains silica. Sand around our home can track silica into the house. Silicosis is a terrible disease caused by over exposure to silica dust. It’s not likely you will contract silicosis in your home, but we need to be aware of all air pollution.
Other than seeing dust specs floating in the air, what should we look for? Dusts from most of the sources above affect the lining in our lungs and nasal passages first first. The eyes, nose and throat are our most common membranes.
1 Respiratory Irritation:
2 Allergic Reactions:
5 General Health Issues:
Pay attention to what your body is telling you. If you do not feel well, many times it can be an indication of environmental issues. Symptoms of too much dust should alert you to consider your surroundings and consider taking action.
This question will be answered in greater length throughout this page. Back to the short answer, we all are. It is fairly obvious that to much dust isn’t good for anyone. So if you live or work in a very dusty environment you are at risk. Dust can make it hard to breathe. It can contain harmful particles. Allergies can be triggered by dust. It can be so small that it gets into our bloodstream. Unless you are a superhero, there is some risk.
The very young are most likely to be affected adversely by dust. There are a few factors that contribute to this larger risk. First off because they are young thy act differently. The young spend much more time on the ground where dust concentrations are higher. They tend to pick up items and put them into their mouths. Their hands are in and out of there mouths; quite often ingesting dust directly into their bodies in a secondary way.
Another factor is the ratio of body size to dust concentration. Their smaller bodies are 8-15 times smaller than their adult counterparts. While the dust effects are not 100% proportional the impact is indeed greater. According to “who.int” exposure to different particles in the air is responsible for half of deaths that are due to lower respiratory infections in children under 5 years old.
The Elderly are more likely to have respiratory issues. Their immune systems are often compromised A Harvard study analyzed data for from over 60 million Medicare patients. The study concluded that exposure to low level pollution like dust could be linked to an increase risk of pneumonia, stroke and heart related illnesses. The study went on to explain that elderly experienced higher levels of sneezing, watery eyes, a nd nasal obstructions.
Asthmatic symptoms are often caused by excess dust. People with sensitive airways react poorly to an environment that promotes the growth of dust mites. This is where the temperatures are warm and the relative humidity is above 50%. Dust mites like to bread on cloth covered objects like soft toys, upholstered furniture, in bedding and carpets. Dust mites seem to be the chief culprit in the triggering of dust allergies but other substance’s can do this as well.
It’s not only these groups that are adversely affected by dust. It can affect even the most fit person you know. So, how do we go about improving the air quality around us? read on and we will suggest some option that will help eliminate dust in our homes and offices.
The Answers to the question, “what can I do about the dust in my home” are many. The biggest thing you can do is be aware of your surroundings. Look for signs of excess dust in your home. Do you see dust motes in the air? If so, what’s the cause. Is your vacuum cleaner working properly? Do you clean often enough. Is your heating system creating indoor pollution? Are there other things in your home that are adding to the problem? Let’s look at some expert advice.
Beyond cleaning there are things we can do around the home that can help eliminate dust. Keeping our homes more air tight can make a big difference if the major source of our dust is coming from outside.
LakeAir sells many different types of air purifications systems for the home and office. There are 3 methods we will explore to help reduce the dust in your home.
Whole house air purifiers are made by many companies. They are usually a low rated MERV filter in a filter frame between the air return and the furnace/AC blower. These filter help reduce some of the dust in your home. A better quality model will have an electrostatic filter and a power supply. The unit made by LakeAir is 97% efficient and will greatly reduce dust in any home. These units need to be installed by an individual who is familiar with sheet metal work.
A bypass unit branches into either the supply (heated or conditioned air) or the return (stale air returning to furnace). They pull air from the system and it is then filtered and put back into the system line in another place. These filter systems can perform extensive filtering and do not put an extra strain on your systems blower. LakeAir air scrubbers offer several types of filtration including HEPA, Electrostatic, Odor Control and UVC air sanitization. These unit also required a skilled installer. Duct sizes avaialble go from 4 to 14 inch ductting in both square and round.
Cleaning the air in a particular area or room is one of the places where LakeAir products really shines. An air purifier that cleans the air in area where it is located is called an “ambient room air purifier”. It takes in dirty air from the surrounding atmosphere, removes dust from the air stream, removes VOCs and odors. The clean air is then returned to the room. To do the job well the air cleaner for dust should be able to clean all the air in that room at least 6 times an hour.
| Atomic Number | Good Dust Removal 6-8 Air Changes / Hour | Enhanced Dust Removal 9-11 Air Changes / Hour | Optimum Dust Removal 12 + Air Changes / Hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maxum Electrostatic / Room Size | 350 Sq Ft | 230 Sq Ft | 170 Sq Ft |
| Maxum HEPA / Room Size | 620 Sq Ft | 410 Sq Ft | 310 Sq Ft |
| MAX 700 / Room Size | 750 Sq Ft | 550 Sq Ft | 450 Sq Ft |
| MAX Guard HEPA | 1100 Sq Ft | 750 Sq Ft | 575 Sq Ft |
| MAX Guard M15 | 1000 Sq Ft | 700 Sq Ft | 525 Sq Ft |
| MAX Guard Electrostatic | 1800 Sq Ft | 1200 Sq Ft | 900 Sq Ft |
Both Maxum HEPA and Electrostatic air purifiers are awesome for most rooms. They offer high air flow and superior dust removal. The choice comes down to your choice between HEPA Filter technology and Electrostatic Filter tech. To help you decide we created a webpage that takes an unbiased look at both types of filtration.
The MAX 700 and MAX Guard are geared for larger spaces and greater air flow. The span is fairly large, 650 to 1500 CFM. LakeAir provides many choices because we know when it comes to air purification, one size and one model don’t fit all. To understand what air flow volume you might need we offer this general Cubic Feet per Minute Calculator
LakeAir Offers 3 different levels of media filtration for dust. The MERV 10 and MERV 11 media filters offer general dust control for your home. These filters are normally mounted in our whole house systems. The MERV 11 filter are also available in the Maxum and Excel Models. We offer a large dust load MERV15 filter in all of our MAX Guard line. These filters trap and hold a high volume of dust. The large dust load needs you will need to change the filters less often.
Each one of the LakeAir models offer electrostatic filters for dust control. These filters are highly affective removing dust. They trap even the smallest dust particles, as small as 0.01 micron. The filters are ruggedly constructed for long life. Electrostatic filters are washable. The washable nature of the filter will save you thousands of dollars in filter replacement cost. Our Electrostatic Dust Air Purifiers will last you years and years keeping the air in your homes and business clean.
Washable filters can save you up to $250.00 a year. Our filters are compact enough that they can be washed in the average dishwasher. Depending on their environment these filters should be washed every 8-16 weeks. We have determined that these filters can lose 1-4% of efficiency a week while in use. So it is very important to wash these often to remove the dust load.
We recommend using a good quality dishwasher soap. Our customer have told us they especially like the results from dawn platinum. If you do no not want to use a dishwasher, you can soak the filter in a VERY hot soapy solution. Rinse the filter and let it dry before reinstalling
HEPA filter cutaway shows how much material goes into LakeAir Commercial HEPA filters.
HEPA Filtration is by far the best filtration to remove dust from your home or office. The extra large commercial size of our HEPA filters will allow you an entire year’s worth of service from one filter. We use this filter at every workbench in our shop. It is amazing how much dust this filter takes out of the air.
LakeAir HEPA filters for dust are “True HEPA Filters”. They remove 99.97% of all dust as small as 0.3 micron. This is the best filter to remove dust from the air in a single pass. Our HEPA filters are commercial grade. The mini-pleat construction provides large dust loads. All of the extra fabric in the filters mean they will last longer and provide cleaner air for your home or business. Whether you purchase a residential or industrial model the HEPA Filter for dust removal will be of the highest quality available
The Maxum Electrostatic is a good dust removal air purifier for smaller rooms
The Maxum HEPA is a good dust removal air purifier for medium sized rooms
The MAX-700 is a good dust removal air purifier for large rooms
The MAX Guard M15 is a good dust removal air purifier for multiple rooms
The MAX Guard HEPA is a good dust removal air purifier for great rooms
The MAX Guard Electrostatic is a good dust removal air purifier for large areas
Our winter home was always very dusty, even with hydronic heating. In the morning my husband would get up and sound like he had a cold; his nose was all stuffed up. Since we have had the LakeAir purifier his nose is no longer stuffed and he can breathe easier. Our house is no longer dusty either. We currently have 3 air purifiers in our winter home and we have also put 2 in our summer home.
Jim and Vicki Haberle
This is just one review from a happy customer. You can check out more reviews on our customer testimonial page
You can also find our reviews on Trust Pilot, one of the most relied upon reviews site in America
Another great place to see what people think about our Air purifiers for dust in on the LakeAir google Review Page
Those looking to get rid of dust can look into purchasing a HEPA air purifier.
HEPA filters, included in these devices, have a capture efficiency of 99.97% on particles as small as 0.3 microns.
Because of this, they are excellent at preventing the buildup of dust and other allergens and pollutants.
Some HEPA air purifiers have activated carbon filters that further reduce chemical and odorous air contaminants.
The most effective method of eradicating airborne particles is with a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter-based air purifier. HEPA filters are able to trap allergens and other particles as small as 0.3 microns, such as dust and pet dander.
As an added bonus, pre-filters in air purifiers can assist keep the HEPA filter in good condition by collecting bigger dust particles. When it comes to removing odors and chemical contaminants, some air purifiers have extra features like UV-C light or activated carbon filters.
When it comes to cleaning the air in your home or office of dust, HEPA filter-based air purifiers with pre-filters are your best bet.
Consider the room size, the level of dust in the air, and the desired air changes per hour (ACH) in the area to estimate the size of the air purifier you need to successfully remove dust from your space. A typical rule of thumb is to have at least two air changes per hour, which implies that the air in the room should be replenished fully twice every hour.
The Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) rating of the purifier gauges its ability to remove dust, pollen, and smoke from the air. Important elements include room layout, airflow, and other indoor air quality concerns.
A quality air purifier will definitely remove dust from the air in your home. The amount of dust that will be removed will depend on what air purifier you buy. Some product do almost nothing while others like the LakeAir MAX Guard remove a lot. This does not mean you no longer have to clean your home, but these products can make a big difference in the amount of dust in your home.
If your are looking for more information about home air purifiers in general we suggest you visit the “Home Air Purifier” web page. If you need help right away we invite you to call customer service (800) 558-9436. You can also reach customer service via email customerservice@lakeair.com