If you are expecting a child or are shopping for a pregnant person, you may have one question in mind when it comes to air purifiers. Which are the recommended air purifiers to use when you are pregnant? Don’t worry. We are here with answers.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- If you are pregnant or know someone who is, you can use almost any kind of air purifier to help prevent exposure to air pollution.
- We would advise that you steer clear from ozone generators or ionic air purifiers, as breathing in ozone could have adverse health effects on both mother and child.
- Using an air purifier can help prevent a host of ailments, from asthma to preterm birth.
Which Air Purifier Can I Use While Pregnant?
The answer is nearly every air purifier. We would recommend steering clear of ionic air purifiers, otherwise known as ozone generators, as this type releases plenty of ozone into the air which may not be the best thing for a pregnant person to breathe in. HEPA-based air purifiers, electrostatic air purifiers, activated carbon air purifiers, and UV air purifiers are all perfectly fine for use during pregnancy. If your air purifier irritates you during pregnancy then you should find where to sell the air purifier.
Benefits of Using an Air Purifier While Pregnant
Not only is it perfectly acceptable to use an air purifier during pregnancy, but it could offer some serious benefits to both the pregnant person and their child. Here are just a few.
Reduce Low Birth Weight
Low birth weight is a problem throughout the world. A baby is considered to have a low birth weight when they are born weighing less than five pounds and eight ounces. How can air purifiers help? Multiple studies have indicated a distinct connection between low birth rates and air pollution. Since air purifiers help with air pollution, it stands to reason that they can help prevent a baby from being born at a lower-than-average weight. It must be noted, however, that there have been no studies conducted attempting to tie together air purifier use and babies being born at an average weight.
Insider Tip
HEPA-based air purifiers, electrostatic air purifiers, activated carbon air purifiers, and UV air purifiers are all perfectly fine for use during pregnancy. If your air purifier irritates you during pregnancy then you should find where to sell the air purifier.
Prevent Preterm Birth
Another issue that can arise during pregnancy is a baby being born before term. Preterm birth is defined as when a baby is born before 37 weeks of the pregnancy. Preterm babies are prone to a host of bodily health and mental health ailments. Additionally, one in four infant deaths is linked to preterm birth. Studies have shown that over 18 percent of worldwide preterm births can be linked to air pollution, primarily due to an air pollutant known as PM2.5. This pollutant is easily breathed in and can cause a whole bunch of health ailments. Luckily, most air purifiers can handle PM2.5 particles.
Prevent High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure when referring to an unborn infant is called preeclampsia. This condition can develop after the 20th week of pregnancy and just as with preterm birth, studies have pointed to the air pollutant known as PM2.5. This pollutant can cause high blood pressure in both the mother and the unborn child, so you should exercise caution. Most air purifier designs can filter out PM2.5.
Reduce Lung Development Issues
Air pollution is no joke when it comes to an unborn child. Unborn children exposed to high levels of air pollution can experience lung development issues, which can lead to serious health issues later on. There have been no studies conducted linking air purifier use to reduced numbers of lung development issues, but it would stand to reason that limiting exposure to lung pollutants will be a net positive in this regard. Most air purifiers will do a good job at trapping or destroying potentially harmful air particles.
Fewer Infant Asthma Cases
It is no secret that being exposed to massive levels of air pollution can lead to the development of asthma or aggravation of asthma-related symptoms. This can again be traced back to the air pollutant known as PM2.5. This particle can easily breach the placenta, leading to an increase in asthma diagnoses. Additionally, being exposed to this air pollutant can increase the risk of the baby developing an asthma condition later in life. If you use an air purifier regularly, you will eliminate PM2.5 and related air pollutants from your home.
In addition, you should know why your air purifier puts out cold air. If this will be a problem then you can find an air purifier that does not blow cold air. Other knowledgeable topics include what kind of air purifier kills germs and what is better than a HEPA filter.
Warning
We would recommend steering clear of ionic air purifiers, otherwise known as ozone generators, as this type releases plenty of ozone into the air which may not be the best thing for a pregnant person to breathe in.
F.A.Q.S
Can air purifiers really help spring allergies?
Absolutely. Many modern air purifiers are great at capturing or destroying common allergens, such as pollen. We would recommend a HEPA air filter for this task.
Do air purifiers really work?
Air purifiers do work, though they are not miracle workers. These devices do a good job at reducing air pollution in the home and they can reduce the severity of foul odors.
Are air purifiers good for newborns?
Air purifiers can be a great idea for rooms in which newborns sleep, as filtered and fresh air is always a good idea. Just as with pregnant people, try to avoid ozone generators and ionic air purifiers.
STAT: A study in California found that women who lived within 100 meters of major roadways (which are a major source of pollution) were significantly more likely to give birth to underweight babies. (source)
