The alarming spread of the coronavirus—and with it a rising number of Covid-19-related deaths—has made many of us more aware of the relationship between indoor air quality and health. Yet the virus is only one of many potential airborne contaminants that can make us ill or, at the least, very uncomfortable. Tobacco and wood smoke, pet dander, pollen, and dust are among pollutants all too common in the indoor air we breathe.

Ventilating with clean outdoor air and removing or reducing the source of airborne contaminants — adding a vent hood over the stove, for example—are two ways of improving air quality, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These steps are what the American Lung Association calls the first line of defense against poor indoor air quality. But when those measures aren’t enough, adding a portable air purifier or upgrading existing HVAC system filers are other ways of addressing the problem.

Air purifiers are available from a number of manufacturers and range widely in cost and effectiveness. There are several types, including mechanical systems that use filtering media to remove contaminants, and electronic cleaners that reduce airborne particulates by introducing electrically charged particles or ozone into the air.

“没有毯子陈述，您可以涉及空气清洁或销售为空气清洁设备的设备，”肺部协会的环境卫生，宣传和公共政策主任Kevin Stewart说。“产品系列[产品]。。。对于某些阶级的污染物来说，从无用。“

There are a few third-party benchmarks in the industry, including standardized tests developed by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM), reviews conducted by the Consumer’s Union and published in Consumer Reports, and long-term tests by a website now owned by The New York Times…