Re: What is a good air purifier for a room

Dave C. wrote:
> Three words . . . Honeywell, HEPA, and CADR.  If you don't know that third
> one, do some more research before you buy.  It wouldn't surprise me if CADR
> is the reason the sharper image ones are not rated that high.

Consumer Reports tested some air cleaners in the October 2003 issue:

   CR tested the Sharper Image Ionic Breeze and the similar Honeywell 
   Environizer against two high-scoring air cleaners, the Friedrich electrostatic 
   precipitator and the Whirlpool HEPA filter.

   In its extended testing, CR gauged how well each air cleaner could handle 
   the periodic introduction of small amounts of pollutant into a sealed test 
   chamber over a 6-hour period. One set of tests used smoke, another fine 
   dust. A second set of tests gauged how well each cleaner worked for the 
   next 17 hours, after the last injection of pollutant. For both sets of tests, 
   CR's experts ran the Ionic Breeze and the Environizer on high to maximize 
   performance; the others were on low, their quietest setting.

   The Ionic Breeze and the Environizer didn't come close to the performance 
   of the others.  CR's experts found them quiet but ineffective.

   For that reason, Consumer Reports says the Ionic Breeze, Honeywell 
   Environizer and the Hoover Silent Air 4000 are not worth buying. 
   Consumer Reports says two good choices for room air cleaners are 
   the Friedrich model number C-90A, at $500, and the Whirlpool that 
   sells for about $270.

Here's a link to some good info from the American Lung Association, 
including recommendations concerning ozone. They recommend 
controlling the source if at all possible:

   http://www.lungusa.org/pub/cleaners/air_clean_chap5.html

And a FAQ from the California Air Resources Board:

   http://www.arb.ca.gov/research/indoor/acdsumm.htm