If you have a pet in your home, you may be wondering if air filters can help reduce pet dander and other allergens. The answer is yes, air purifiers with HEPA filters can be very effective in removing pet dander and other airborne particles from the air. HEPA filters are designed to capture particles as small as 0.3 microns, which is smaller than the average size of pet dander (5-10 microns). This type of filter can remove up to 99.97 percent of particles that are 0.3 microns in size, making it an ideal solution for reducing pet dander and other allergens in your home.
Air purifiers with HEPA filters can also help remove large particles such as tufts of pet hair from the air. However, when it comes to very tiny particles of pet allergens that are shed from larger particles of dry saliva or pet dander, a HEPA filter is not as efficient. Smaller molecules have a greater chance of passing through a HEPA filter and being expelled back into the air, which can cause an allergic reaction if breathed in. If you or someone in your home is allergic to pets, an air purifier can be a great way to provide relief from allergy and asthma triggers.
Air purifiers also eliminate pet odors floating in indoor air, so you won't have to worry about strange odors coming from your pets. When shopping for an air purifier, look for one with a MERV rating of 10 or higher. This type of filter is best for eliminating the smallest airborne allergens, such as pet dander. Most air purifiers capture particles such as dust and pollen, but the best air purifiers (opens in a new tab), particulate air filters (HEPA) remove particles larger than 0.3 microns, including animal dander, which is a common trigger for allergies.
It's also important to consider the size of the room you're trying to purify when selecting an air purifier. If you have a large home or apartment, you may want to invest in a powerful air purifier like the Coway Airmega that's designed to filter up to 1,560 square feet. You should also look for an air purifier that combines a filtration element that captures larger particles, such as pet dander, and additional technology to address smaller contaminants that cannot be filtered. The Molekule air purifier is one such device that uses technology that can destroy the smallest allergens in pets. In addition to using an air purifier, there are other things you can do to help someone with pet allergies.
Be sure to maintain a clean home and consider installing a whole-house air purifier in addition to using a room air purifier in areas with high traffic for pets. Proper ventilation is also important for reducing allergens in the home.
