Introducing Ultrafine Particles

Up until about ten years ago, scientists were focused on particles between 2.5 and 10 microns in diameter (a micron is one millionth of a meter). These are the particles governments measure when they monitor pollution levels in cities.

But most particles in the air are smaller than 0.1 microns. These are called ultrafine particles, and they're 25 times smaller than what governments currently measure. Recently, scientists have discovered that ultrafine particles are linked to cancer, heart disease, and lung diseases and may actually cause more harm to the body than larger particles.

Why do ultrafine particles matter?

• Because they are so small, they infiltrate deep into the lungs and reach the bloodstream, which takes them throughout the entire body, including the brain, where they can cause mental disorders.
• They are small enough to get inside the nuclei of cells, where they can cause cell and DNA damage. Sometimes they cause cancer.
• We don't know why yet, but they are associated with premature birth and low birth weight.
• They accelerate plaque build-up in the arteries, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes (see animation, left).

The reason that Bodo decided to work with IQ Air was because so far, IQ Air produces the only home air cleaners that can remove ultrafine particles. HEPA filters are only rated to remove particles down to 0.3 microns: this is still three times larger than even the biggest ultrafine particle. IQ Air HyperHEPA filters remove particles 100 times smaller, down to 0.003 microns (anything smaller is a gas). See the following visualization:

VOC, gas, and odor removal

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are some of the worst pollutants in terms of health impact, and also the most common, since they off-gas from common materials like paint, plastic and pressed-wood furniture. Yet, very few air cleaners are capable of trapping VOCs.

Particle removal effectieness

How clean is the air that comes out of the purifier itself? Many filters would be effective, but they are placed into chambers that leak, so the air that comes out of the purifier remains contaminated with particulate.

Quiet operation

In order to be effective, air purifiers need to be running all the time, near to where people are spending their time. A noisy filter is likely to be turned off or annoy the occupants.

Airflow speed

Even a perfect filter would not keep your air clean if it did not have sufficient fan power. Ensure that your air purifier can handle the amount of space you intend to keep clean.