TWO VIEWS : Air Purifiers for Home, Work and Car

For the allergy-prone, there are a variety of air purification systems on the market that promise to clean the air at home, in the office and even in the car. Some systems work simply by filtering out impurities like dust and dirt; others emit ions that are supposed to act like magnets to attract pollutants. A super home model can cost $500, a car unit is about $140 and a smaller plug-in home unit is $40. Are purification systems worth a try?

Dr. Robert Ziering, assistant clinical professor of pediatrics, UC San Diego School of Medicine; Vista allergist .

“I do not recommend these systems as a first-line treatment because of expense. But I do recommend them when the usual environmental controls--like diligent dusting and vacuuming--don’t work. HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters are best; they remove 99% of pollutants. I don’t feel positive about the ion-type systems because they can be irritating to the nasal passages and you won’t get as significant reduction of particles compared to the other types of systems.”

Dr. Howard Schanker, clinical assistant professor of medicine, UCLA; allergist and immunologist, Allergy Research Foundation, Los Angeles .

“There are different opinions about how well these systems work, but I do think they have some value. They’re no cure-all, though. But before you invest, it would be best to consult with a doctor to see if you are really allergic (to indoor pollutants). It’s clear these systems have a function, and HEPA filters are considered more effective. But that doesn’t mean the other types don’t work too.”