If you’re like me, you know if you have environmental allergies. Several years ago, I was tested to confirm what I already knew, because every spring and fall, I could barely breathe even while indoors. While I have other indoor allergies, such as to dust mites and mold, nothing compares to the onslaught of the pollen from blooming trees, grasses, and other pollens wafting through my home.
My husband, who claims he doesn’t have allergies and hardly ever has a sniffle, finds himself with watery eyes and sneezing a bit during the spring.
And to add insult to injury, we are currently spending even more time in our home because of COVID-19.
Allergies exacerbate my asthma, which can be particularly bad when I am sleeping. I am diligent about keeping the bedroom vacuumed and the beddings and throw rugs clean. Although I didn’t test positive for being allergic to dogs, I have two dog beds for Dixie so that I can always have a clean bed for her. She does smell like a dog, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Two years ago, I purchased Sharp Plasmacluster Air Purifier for my bedroom, which has been nothing short of life-altering. I was a complete skeptic that it could have any impact, but I am sleeping through the night without being stuffed-up. When I take a deep breath, the air feels clean, and honestly, the dog smell is completely gone. Even my husband noticed the difference.
How Can an In-Room Air Purifier Make a Difference?
At a base level, an air purifier should have a True HEPA filter. An in-room air purifier with a True HEPA filter captures up to 99.97% of allergens from the air that passes through the filter measuring as small as 0.3 microns and larger. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) states that ensuring healthy Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) by minimizing indoor air pollutants is important. Poor IAQ can have serious repercussions on an individual’s health. Children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems are particularly susceptible to pollutant exposure. Health effects include respiratory problems (including asthma), chronic fatigue, headaches, and cancer.
Some common home air pollutants measuring 0.3 micrometers or greater than can be captured by a True HEPA filter are pollen, dust mites, mold spores, pet dander, and bacteria.
If you’re going to buy an in-room purifier, it makes sense to purchase one that does more than what a True HEPA filter alone can accomplish. Enter Sharp’s patented Plasmacluster Ion (PCI) air purification technology. The Plasmacluster Ion technology mimics nature’s cleaning process, by splitting water molecules into positively and negatively charged ions, which spread throughout the room and actively break down pollutants like germs, airborne and surface-adhering bacteria, fungus, mold, viruses and clinging odors, and then return to the air as water vapor.
When tested in a closed laboratory setting, Sharp Plasmacluster Ion technology has been proven effective in reducing the following:
- Certain viruses, including MS2 (90.3% reduction). MS2 is a viral stimulant and surrogate in laboratory testing for many common infectious microorganisms such as influenza and smallpox.
- Certain bacteria including: E. Coli (94.0% reduction), Staphylococcus Epidermidis (84.3% reduction), Serratia marcescens (89.7% reduction)
- Certain common molds and fungus, including Penicillium Citrinum (87.7% reduction),
- Aspergillus Niger (85.8% reduction)
Sharp Plasmacluster Ion technology is proven effective in reducing odors such as cigarette smoke, cooking smells, and pet dander that conventional filters don’t reach that are embedded in carpets, drapery, and furniture.
All of Sharp’s air purification systems have True HEPA filters. “The benefits of True HEPA are there, plus the benefits of PCI,” says Peter Weedfald, the Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Sharp Home Appliances. Unlike most home air purifiers with HEPA filters needing to be changed every few months, the True HEPA filters in Sharp’s air purification units only need to be replaced every two to five years, depending on the unit. “Our goal wasn’t to make points on filters for revenue and profit,” explains Weedfald. “Our goal was to deliver the best possible experience around air purification.”
