Do Air Purifiers Give Off Radiation? 4 Ways To Limit Your EMF Exposure
Do air purifiers give off radiation? Air purifiers are one of the best investments for your health as they refine air quality. If you are concerned with questions like, which kind is safe to use? This guide is for you. Let’s dive into the details!
Quick Answer
Air purifiers have many associated benefits. They refine indoor air quality, alleviate allergies, and improve sleep. But what about their downsides? Do they release harmful radiation?
Air purifiers emit Electromagnetic Field Radiation.
These radiations are released by devices that run on electricity.
But the good part is air cleaners emit extremely low EMF and are safe to use.
In this guide, you will find how EMF radiation from air purifiers affects you and 4 ways to limit your exposure to them.
Do Air Purifiers Emit Radiation?
Air purifiers release EMF (Electromagnetic) radiation. But their frequency is extremely low.
In comparison terms, air purifiers emit the same level of EMF radiation as mobile phones. If cell phones are safe to use, then so are air purifiers.
If we go into further detail, EMF radiation weakens when you widen the gap from the device.
While you need to be in direct contact with the mobile phone to use it, you can place the air purifier in a corner and let it work on its own.
What Is EMF Radiation?
When electricity flows through a substance, it creates an Electromagnetic field. EMF consists of two fields:
Electric Field: It is created by the presence of electrons. An electric field is ever-present because the electrons are a part of the device whether you power it on or not.
Magnetic Field: It is created by the flow of current. It is only activated when the device is turned on as the electrons start moving and create a current.
The strength of EMF radiation depends on the power a device consumes.
All electronic devices create EMF radiation but their frequencies vary. This happens because a Bluetooth earphone will consume less power than an air conditioner. Hence, the EMF produced by the latter will be higher.
Electronic devices that emit EMF include:
Cell phones
Laptops
Air purifiers
Chargers
Television
Air conditioners
Microwave ovens
The drawing power from a wall outlet (which has an Alternating current) or a battery (which has a Direct current) emits extremely low EMF frequency. They are proven safe to use.
Note: Microwave ovens emit high EMF frequency. But the manufacturers make them safe to use by limiting the harmful radiation inside the oven itself.
Two Types Of EMFs
The two types of EMFs are:
1. Non-ionizing
Non-ionizing EMFs are found in household electronic devices like cell phones, laptops, and air purifiers. Their attributes are:
They have a low frequency.
They are not dangerous to humans or animals.
Although they are harmless, direct contact with them for a long can have side effects on your health.
2. Ionizing
Ionizing EMFs are found in X-rays and Gamma rays. Their attributes are:
They emit a high level of harmful radiation.
Excessive exposure to them can impair your cells and DNA.
Note: Avoid Ionizing radiation unless necessary.
Why Do Air Purifiers Give Off Radiation?
Air purifiers release EMF radiation as they run on electricity.
How Do Air Purifiers Work?
The purification process of an air purifier is:
Air purifiers draw energy from a power source like a wall outlet or battery.
This energy facilitates the working of the fan motor.
The fan then pulls the airflow towards itself.
It pushes the air intake through various air filters.
The speed of this process depends on the fan setting the air purifier is working on. If the fan speed is low, the filtration process will be slower, and vice versa for a high fan speed.
Lastly, it releases clean air back into the room.
The electric field is ever present in an air purifier. The magnetic field depends on the voltage it consumes and the fan speed it is working on.
Do Most Air Purifiers Give Off The Same Levels Of EMF Radiation?
All electronic air purifiers do not release the same level of radiation because their power consumption is different.
Air purifiers that run on lower energy or a DC motor emit lesser EMF than others.
Is EMF From Air Purifiers Harmful?
EMF radiation from air purifiers is not harmful. There are two main reasons for it:
Low power consumption: The force of EMF radiation depends on energy consumption. Generally, air purifiers consume 55W or less, and the power source operates at 120V,60Hz. These numbers are considerably low. Hence, air purifiers release extremely low radiation.
Distance: The radiation weakens tremendously when you increase the distance from the appliance. You can place the air purifier in a corner, and it will carry out its job without much intervention from you. It means you will be exposed to a minute fraction of the radiation.
You Cannot Completely Avoid EMF – Reality Check
We are surrounded by electronics every second of our day. It is impossible to avoid EMF radiation. You cannot stop using the-
Mobile/laptop you are reading this on.
Fan/Air conditioner that is cooling your room.
Refrigerator with your food in it.
So what can you do to prevent yourself from the side effects? Let’s look at the measures you can use.
4 Ways To Reduce Your EMF Exposure
Follow the below steps to limit your radiation exposure:
1. Purchase a low-EMF air purifier: Buy an air purifier that emits low EMF. Here is how you can find their EMF readings:
Buy an EMF meter online and measure the air purifier’s EMF frequency. You can do this only if you buy an air cleaner from a local electronic store.
Note: The radiation will be the highest when the meter closest to the air purifier. Measure the frequency from a slight distance, as you will not be in direct contact with the device when in use.
Alternatively, find a reliable review of that air purifier. It might have the EMF readings.
2. Distance: Keep the air purifier away from your bed, desk, or any sitting area. As you know, radiation drastically reduces the further away you are from the device. Hence, place the air purifier in a secluded corner where you are not in contact with it for long.
3. Direct Contact: Do not be in direct contact with the air purifier for an extended period.
4. Power off: Turn off the air cleaner when not needed.
Which Type Of Air Purifier Is Safe For You?
Air purifiers use one of the following filtration technology:
UV light technology
High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtration
Ionization
Only one of them is completely safe. Let’s look at them in detail.
UV Air Purifiers
The characteristics of UV air cleaners are:
They expose the air intake to a UV light that eliminates germs and harmful bacteria.
UV radiation produces harmful ozone that is detrimental to your health. It can also have side effects on your pets. Be careful while buying them.
HEPA Air Purifiers
The characteristics of HEPA air purifiers are:
They trap fine allergens like pet dander, mold spores, and pollen without changing their molecular structure.
They use mechanical filtration with Activated Carbon filters and True HEPA filters.
Hence, they do not produce ozone and are completely safe to use.
You can buy a HEPA purifier like Medify or Vremi premium air purifier.
Ionizers
The characteristics of Ionizers are:
They release negatively charged ions in the environment that attach to the airborne particles and change their molecular structure.
Ionic air purifiers produce ozone and are harmful to use.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is There A Downside To Air Purifiers?
Yes, there are downsides to using an air purifier. They emit radiation. Some even produce ozone. HEPA and low EMF air purifiers are safe to use.
Do Air Purifiers Do More Harm Than Good?
Most air purifiers do more good than harm. They refine air quality and alleviate allergies. There are exceptions, like ozone generators that release ozone cause more harm than good.
Are Hepa Air Purifiers Safe?
Yes, HEPA purifiers are safe to use as they emit low EMF radiation and are ozone free.
Is It Good To Sleep Next To Air Purifier?
No, it is not good to sleep next to an air purifier as they release radiation. Place it away from the bed and operate it on sleep mode/low fan speed at night.
Conclusion
Air purifiers, like every electronic device, emit EMF. But their levels of EMF radiation are extremely low. So you can use them without worry.
Even then, if you are concerned, I advise you to buy a low EMF air purifier, situate it in a corner, and not be in direct contact with it for long.
I hope you now know air purifiers are completely safe and reliable to use. Do you have any other concerns regarding buying an air purifier? Please comment below.
Danny is a passionate writer who loves to share his knowledge about air purifiers. He’s been writing for 10 years, and he’ll share all that experience with Very Well Home viewers to help you make the best decision when it’s time to buy an appliance!
