There has been a lot of discussion about personal space and air quality due to the ongoing war against COVID-19. Portable or necklace-style air purifiers are worn as a new fashion trend to keep pollutants and allergies. There have been some discussions on the side effects of these wearable air purifiers.
Wearable air purifiers produce more ozone than is safe to breathe if used up close. At high concentrations, ozone can irritate the lungs. Throat inflammation, chest pain, and coughing are some of the side effects of ozone inhalation.
Since they don’t require filter change, air purifiers are a popular option for anyone looking for an air cleaner. They can, however, have ozone negative effects if they are not utilized in the proper amount of space. Asthma and bronchitis patients should avoid exposure to ozone since it exacerbates their symptoms.
Are Wearable Air Purifiers Actually Good for You?
The functionality of a wearable air purifier is different from that of a standard air purifier found in the house. For example, air pollution is frequently reduced by using ionizers and ionization technologies. However, most non-portable home air purifiers employ HEPA filter technology to remove pollutants.
So to purify the air, wearable air purifiers send millions of these electrically negative charged molecules into the surrounding. These molecules bond with contaminants and viruses in the atmosphere. The ions then transmit the negative charge to the contaminants, creating a negative charge across the environment.
Using negative ions as a “reverse magnet or shield,” the anions are efficiently pushed out of your breathing zone by the negative ions. Even while a wearable air purifier may assist in cleaning the air of undesired particles, some people may be put off by the concept of attracting unwanted smoky or polluted air near their bodies.
Any decision that might impact your health and well-being should always be discussed with a medical practitioner.
Are There any Side Effects of a Wearable Air Purifier?
Scientists in China and California experimented on wearable ionizer air purifiers. Four wearable air purifiers were placed in 0.46m3 (16.24 ft3) chambers. The chambers were the size of a dog kennel, and they were used to keep the air fresh and clean.
Finally, they tested each portable air purifier’s ability to remove microscopic particles. The outcomes? At 20 cm (0.1 feet), three of four wearable ionizers tested eliminated less than 10% of particles. On the other hand, wearing a mask provides virus protection of 95%, which is significantly superior to the 10% offered by the wearable air purifier.
The wearable air purifiers were tested in an enclosed 0.46m3 (16.24ft3) chamber, with no moving air. In the actual world, it’s possible that these neck-worn air filters would perform much worse. Wearable purifiers have been shown in trials to be ineffective in cleaning the air.
Do Wearable Air purifiers Release any Kind of Toxins?
Due to the usage of an ionizer instead of a HEPA filter, wearable air purifiers have been demonstrated to produce ozone. Since it’s toxic to the respiratory system, ozone should be avoided at all costs.
Wearable purifiers can produce varying amounts of ozone. Typically, the everyday user has no method of determining exactly how much ozone is generated by their device.
Ionizers produce different amounts of ozone, but some have been proved to be dangerous. When used in calm air, wearable ionization air cleaners can create dangerous ozone concentration levels in the human breathing zone.
The ozone produced by ionizers also have other effects on users, and these include:
Wearable Air Purifiers Interfere with Personal Care Products
Wearable air purifier ozone may potentially pose additional, more significant health hazards. This is because terpenes, found in perfumes, lotions, and other scented goods, may react with ozone.
Formaldehyde and PM2.5 particle matter can be formed due to these ozone reactions. At normal temperature, formaldehyde is an odorless, colorless gas. Unfortunately, there’s a risk of health complications from exposure to formaldehyde.
Also, skin irritation and allergic contact dermatitis are possible side effects of exposure to formaldehyde solutions. Edema, erythema, and vesiculation or hives are some of the symptoms.
Long-term exposure to formaldehyde has been related to cancer of the lungs, nose, and accessory sinuses. It’s also been known to cause nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal cancers in humans.
Wearable Air Purifier Can Make Pollution Stick to Your Face & Clothes
Ionizers remove pollutants from the air by making them adhere to adjacent surfaces. The problem arises if the closest surface is your body.
When you wear an air purifier, your face, body, and clothes become magnets for pollutants. Your clothing and skin may also get soiled, and you may inhale more toxins as a consequence.
What should I look for in a Wearable Air Purifier?
In the end, we can’t be sure, but air filtration systems have a history of popularity and have demonstrated efficacy that we can point to. However, the effectiveness of the gadget you pick might significantly impact how well it works.
Like any other device, the benefits and downsides of each size and type of product depends on the manufacturer. To determine the product that suits your needs, make sure you give it a test first.
For instance, it’s critical to understand the technologies involved and how it works when looking for an air purifier. However, you can’t go wrong if you research, buy the correct air purifier, and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Below are some wearable air purifiers to consider:
ATMOBLUE Wearable Smart Purifier
The device is said to clean up to 99.97% of the air with H13 HEPA filters, eliminating 99.9% of microorganisms. In addition, pollutants such as dust mite dander and cigarette smoke are kept at bay.
It’s possible to switch out the color of the HEPA filter cap, giving your filter a unique look. Another benefit of this product is the silicone seal, which is soft and near your skin. A crowdfunding effort for the ATMOBLUE Wearable Smart Purifier on Indiegogo begins at $119.
O2 Flow Electric Face Mask
Mask-style purifiers are one type of wearable air purifier. Using the O2 Flow Electric Face Mask, you’ll be able to keep out the harmful air while still receiving clean air. In addition, it prevents the development of moisture, making it ideal for long-term usage.
The maker claims that it may provide up to six times more fresh air, making it suitable when you’re engaged in physical or mental exercises. Soft silicone ear loops, which are easy to sanitize, are also included in the box with the device. The O2 Flow Electric Face Mask can be purchased for $99.
Respiray Wearable Air Purifier
In contrast to masks, the Respiray Wearable Air Purifier has an around-the-neck design. Using UV-C technology can eradicate 99% of germs and viruses. In addition, the manufacturer claims that the product has been evaluated in a laboratory to assure zero ozone emissions.
The 265 nm UV-C LEDs used in the purifier are double-sealed to ensure nothing escapes. Finally, it has removable face protection for those times when you’re in a more dangerous situation. It costs around $355 to purchase the Respiray Wearable Air Purifier from its website.
Quiar Plasma Mini
You may wear the Quair Plasma Mini’s wearable air purifier to remove airborne pollutants and degrade them. In addition to reducing virus particles, the gadget also serves as a preventative measure.
It has a 10-hour battery life and a variety of neck-straps to choose from. So it’s not a bad device to get at hand. The Quair Plasma Mini is currently available for preorder on Indiegogo, with prices beginning at $58.
Cherry Ion Personal Air Purifier
Wearable air purifiers like the Cherry Ion Personal Air Purifier are becoming increasingly popular. Clean air may be generated up to a distance of three feet, and it’s available in five various colors.
Battery life is up to 12 hours on low power, and charging can be complete in under three hours. The least noticeable feature of the bunch is that it looks like a necklace. Cherry Ion Personal Air Purifier is available on the company’s official website.
Conclusion
Even if you don’t suffer from allergies or asthma, you may still wish to enhance the air quality around you. However, when it comes to air pollution, you should be worried about what you’re putting into your body through your nose and mouth.
So it makes sense to use contemporary technologies to improve the quality of life in our communities.
Wearable air purifiers are a more recent development of a technology that has been around for a long time: air purification systems. They do, however, become better and better every year.
As a result, there are a plethora of choices available nowadays. From strapped to face-mounted to ones that sit on your shoulders, there’s a style to suit every taste and preference here.
There is no harm in adding an extra layer of protection and encouraging a healthy lifestyle. To see for yourself, try out some of the wearable air purifiers listed above!