Air cleaners can help reduce the health effects of certain airborne particles, such as dust and light spray mists, by removing small solid or liquid substances suspended in the air. Under optimal conditions, some air cleaners are effective at removing respirable-size particles, like those from tobacco smoke, which are of particular concern because they can be inhaled deeply into the lungs. Reducing these particles can alleviate health issues ranging from eye and lung irritation to more severe conditions like cancer and decreased lung function.
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However, there is some debate about the ability of air cleaners to mitigate allergic reactions caused by larger particles, such as pollen, house dust allergens, molds, and animal dander. These larger particles typically settle on surfaces in the home rather than remaining airborne, so they are not removed by air cleaners unless they are disturbed and re-suspended in the air.
Air cleaners without specialized media, such as activated carbon or alumina, do not remove gaseous pollutants, including radon, or mitigate their associated health effects. The effectiveness of air cleaners with these media in reducing health risks from gaseous pollutants and radon progeny (decay products) remains uncertain and is not fully assessed at this time. Health effects from these pollutants can be serious, and their impact on indoor air quality is a significant concern.