Use of portable air purifiers in homes: Operating behaviour, effect on indoor PM2.5 and perceived indoor air quality

Abstract

In much of the world, people spend on average 65% of their time indoors at home. It is, therefore, important to understand the quality of air in homes, and how best to improve it. Negative health impacts associated with exposure to particulate matter are well documented, and account for significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Technologies are rapidly being developed and adopted to mitigate indoor air pollution, and portable home air purifiers (HAPs) are one of the most effective technologies available to clean the surrounding air of harmful pollutants of both indoor and outdoor origin. The aims of the research presented here were to explore the impact of a commercially available air purifier used in actual bedrooms on indoor PM2.5 concentrations and perceived indoor air quality, as well as to understand and describe how portable air purifiers are used by occupants. Results from the present study showed that PM2.5 concentrations in bedrooms were reduced by a mean of 45% over 90 min with HAP use. Participants’ subjective assessment of the indoor air when the HAP was on was positive. However, the predominant motivation and indicator of HAP use was thermal comfort, and not perceived air quality. If used properly, portable air purifiers used at home could be effective at reducing exposure to PM2.5 indoors.