This publication focuses on air cleaners for residential use; it does not address air cleaners used in large or commercial structures such as office buildings, schools, large apartment buildings, or public buildings. It should be particularly useful to residential housing design professionals, public health officials, and indoor air quality professionals. In addition to providing general information about the types of pollutants affected by air cleaners, this document discusses: the effectiveness of air cleaning compared to other strategies, such as source control and ventilation, for reducing indoor air pollutants; the types of air-cleaning devices available; guidelines that can be used to compare air-cleaning devices; the effectiveness of air-cleaning devices in removing indoor air pollutants; general information on the health effects of indoor air pollutants; and additional factors to consider when deciding whether to use an air-cleaning device.
