Air Purifier question. My new apartment is killing me.

[SouthernDem2004]

I had to move into an apartment while we are trying to decide what to do with what is left of my home. I do not normally have allergies but this place is killing me. I have never used an air purifier but think I am going to try one. Any suggestions? Wal-Mart has some inexpensive ones for about $50, HEPA type. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Spacemom]

1. Get One

The filters can be pricey, but it's well worth it for the comfort factor. My son was having problems with his asthma while we were visiting family. I purchased one and put it in the room where he was sleeping. It made noticable difference within an hour and he was much more comfortable.

[Deja Q]

2. I've got one for both rooms in my apartment. Wouldn't live w/out them.

[Midlodemocrat]

3. Are the allergies to airborne substances or mold?

Because our hepa filters didn't do squat against mold.

[SouthernDem2004]

8. I have no known allergies. Place does have new carpet though.

It has never been a problem in the past.

[Midlodemocrat]

12. I wonder if you might be allergic to the preservative in the

carpet, I think I remember it is similar to formaldehyde.

My husband just got back from NJ with the absolute 'worst case of urticaria I have ever seen' according to the doctor. Chin to navel swollen and blisteringly red. The only thing we can figure is that it a reaction to something that was in the hotel room he stayed in.

Maybe do a super job of vacuuming? Other than that, I don't know what to tell you.

Sorry you are going through that after all you have been through, SD04.

:hug:

[pitohui]

15. oh, new carpet allergy

you need to throw open the doors & windows as much as you can & air the place out

it's a formaldehyde-like chemical as the other poster said, i aired out my room w. new carpet for 24 hrs and never had a sniffle, & i'm super allergic to life itself

[Bruce McAuley]

4. Get one with an ionizer besides the filter...

You can buy used ones for around $20 on eBay, also at thrift stores. They work by attaching ions to the smell molecules in the air, and they get too heavy to stay airborne and fall to the ground, where they can be vacuumed up.
Works good.

Bruce

[anarch]

5. I don't have advice, but another question...

In case anyone here has one of those fancy ionic air purifiers...I think they cost a couple hundred dollars new, but my allergies have been driving me crazy this year and I'm thinking about trying to get one. Anybody have one of those, and if so, how well does it work? I'm dealing with dust, mold, pollen, and animal allergies....

[SouthernDem2004]

9. Consymer Reports trashed the Ionic Breeze and those types.

Seems they do not work.

[kick-ass-bob]

10. I think you have to watch out for how much ozone those release

many of them release ozone, which isn't good to have around at low levels of the atmosphere, which I assume you are living in. :P

[pitohui]

16. hi, i share yr allergies -- they don't work

sorry

the ionizers being suggested are particularly dreadful, yes, they make the dust fall out of the air & every piece of furniture & even yr light fixtures suddenly grow this huge gray "beard" of thick gray dust

now imagine this happening in yr lungs (ugh)

the day i yanked all the ionizers in my house was a VERY good day for this allergy victim, i had no idea that they were actually contributing to my problems until i removed them

[malta blue]

6. Don't be cheap if you can help it

I suffer from asthma and allergies. I have a cat and a dog, and live in a tiny space.

I have spent years buying and replacing cheap air filters. I bought an Ionic Breeze from Sharper Image two years ago and I don't know how I lived without it. I highly suggest it if you have the means!

[SouthernDem2004]

11. Consumer Reports says they do not work and yet I have heard ppl

swear by them. <shrug>

[cally]

7. I use a HEPA filter at night

but I don't use it for mold. I had years of sinus infections which stopped when I started using the filter. I have one that is about $100 at Sears. Buy the best one you can afford. I also bought the replacement filters a year or two later. I had one that still worked but I couldn't find the filters anymore so I had to buy a whole new one which makes no sense.

[AirmensMom]

13. Maybe you need a dehumidifier.

We have one and it really helps. I tried one of those ion air fresheners that you wear around your neck and it made me pretty sick. I sure wouldn't get a big one.

You don't have too much to lose if you get the HEPA one from (gasp) WalMart. If it doesn't work, you can take it back.

[pitohui]

14. what are your allergies?

no air purifier does anything but relieve you of your cash if you have a dust/dust mite allergy, at least in my humble experience

sorry

[SouthernDem2004]

18. No known allergies.

[miss_kitty]

17. Hepa Filters and Hepa filter Vacuum bags

get a good one-Honeywell is highly rated by CR