1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis

Personal Air Purifiers and Safety/Effectiveness

Posted by phoenixrises @phoenixrises, Oct 9, 2020

I have Bronchiectasis and have been having bad winters/springs getting sick with flu, bronchitis/pneumonia, and bronchiectasis flareups. In light of the flu season approaching and COVID, I'm considering purchasing a personal air purifier - specifically AirTamer 315 - that you wear around your neck.

Background: AirTamer electrostatic purification creates a 3-foot sphere of cleaner, healthier air around your head by repelling many negative ion micron-sized pollutants including viruses, bacteria, mold, etc. AirTamer runs on ionic technology that emits negative ions that are reported to be ozone-free. AirTamer was tested to California (CARB) standard for air purifier ozone emission and was given an ozone emission rate of zero. Upon further searching, I found that AirTamer does emit 4 parts per billion ozone levels, however, it's 10 times lower than the EPA’s recommended 50 parts per billion limit on ozone from electronic equipment and FDA's limit for medical devices so it's supposedly considered safe. However, my understanding is that ANY ozone emitted (especially if wearing around your neck) can cause lung irritation and/or further lung issues especially for people with lung conditions (e.g., COPD, bronchiectasis, etc.).

My functional MD doctor is recommending this device for me (and he personally wears this device and his health has improved considerably), but he doesn't have a lung condition.

My questions are: Has anyone with a lung condition - especially bronchiectasis - worn a "personal air purifier" that uses negative ions (no UV)? What has been your experience? Have the negative ions emitted further comprised your lungs OR has it helped prevent you from getting sick? Has your doctor supported your using the personal air purifier with your lung condition?

I'm hoping this could be a positive thing to help protect me when I'm out and about, shopping for food, with other people, and/or on a plane, etc. It's scary out there, especially with the Fall/Winter approaching, but I don't want to (further) damage my lungs. Thanks for your thoughts!

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katiesjung | @katiesjung | Jan 13, 2023

We've been using air purifiers even before pandemic happened. This personally help my daughter to sleep and it was also recommended by our pediatrician since she was asthmatic.

REPLY
uget1shot | @uget1shot | Jan 1 3:29pm
In reply to @sueinmn "Maybe I am in the minority here, but I feel like going out of my house,..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Maybe I am in the minority here, but I feel like going out of my house, if I practice good hand hygiene, wear a mask, socially distance and behave responsibly, is a minimal risk.

I have asthma, bronchiectasis, and other health issues, have a husband with several health risks, and we are both in the higher risk category due to our ages. We have remained safe using the above practices through many activities since March including overnight travel, surgery OT/PT & doctor visits, daily walks, even outdoor restaurant meals.

We have 10 other people in our "Covid Bubble" - our daughters, son-in-law, 2 grandchildren and 5 close friends. I really believe the key to staying safe but not alone include finding a small like-minded circle of people taking the precautions, having everyone stay home if they even suspect they or someone in the house is ill, handling masks properly & washing them often. Even my little grandsons willingly wear masks if it means they can be with Grandma, Bompa & Auntie.

With friends, we mainly gather outdoors, if we are not apart or venture inside, we wear our masks. We have group meals, but stretch our tables to their limits or eat in little "pods" with TV trays, put masks on after eating. I even managed 2 months of "Grandma daycare" without any illness.

We gather cautiously outdoors with anyone outside our bubble, masked & staying at safe distance and have managed a wide variety of activities. I also quickly walk away from any place of business where I feel mask wearing, distancing, and cleaning are not diligently practiced - sadly that means I can't go to my favorite hardware, grocery or drug stores right now and have had to find alternates.

Just remember that the greatest risks of contracting Covid are droplets from breathing, which become more concentrated in smaller (indoor) spaces and with more people. Going outdoors has not been shown to pose any risk unless you have close contact with other people.

Sue

Jump to this post

I'm the immunocompromised person in our HH, so we live much as you and your husband, masking anywhere indoors or in close range outdoors. The biggest challenge I have is visiting the dentist especially during a surge in infections as we have now. My husband chipped a tooth and it can't wait. 🙁 Timing is bad (day after New Year's Eve), and our dentists (and most of our medical practitioners in our rural community) have stopped masking. The office uses open floor plan bays, so we don't even have the protection of doors. I've been considering using the AirTamer 315 the OP asked about for such occasions. Short-term risk being outweighed by a potential re-infection which I can't afford. It's taken me nearly 4 years to begin to feel like a normal human being again! (My breathing issues involved my respiratory muscles (autonomic functioning though my lungs also show apical scarring.) What do you do to protect yourself when visiting the dentist, where mask-wearing is not an option?

REPLY
3 replies
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jan 1 4:02pm
In reply to @uget1shot "I'm the immunocompromised person in our HH, so we live much as you and your husband,..." + (show)
@uget1shot

I'm the immunocompromised person in our HH, so we live much as you and your husband, masking anywhere indoors or in close range outdoors. The biggest challenge I have is visiting the dentist especially during a surge in infections as we have now. My husband chipped a tooth and it can't wait. 🙁 Timing is bad (day after New Year's Eve), and our dentists (and most of our medical practitioners in our rural community) have stopped masking. The office uses open floor plan bays, so we don't even have the protection of doors. I've been considering using the AirTamer 315 the OP asked about for such occasions. Short-term risk being outweighed by a potential re-infection which I can't afford. It's taken me nearly 4 years to begin to feel like a normal human being again! (My breathing issues involved my respiratory muscles (autonomic functioning though my lungs also show apical scarring.) What do you do to protect yourself when visiting the dentist, where mask-wearing is not an option?

Jump to this post

Just speaking for myself here, but I would simply ask the dentist and any other staff treating me to mask in my presence. I cannot imagine they would decline.

We have been traveling and living as normally as possible this past year and a half, even flying (masked) and have this far escaped illness. Right now my kids are stating away due to them having respiratory issues, and I'm missing them but appreciate their carefulness.
I have had many medical appointments in December, and all of the docs and physical and respiratory therapists masked while in close proximity (during exams and tests).
Sue

REPLY
1 reply
jnmy | @jnmy | Jan 2 12:38pm
In reply to @uget1shot "I'm the immunocompromised person in our HH, so we live much as you and your husband,..." + (show)
@uget1shot

I'm the immunocompromised person in our HH, so we live much as you and your husband, masking anywhere indoors or in close range outdoors. The biggest challenge I have is visiting the dentist especially during a surge in infections as we have now. My husband chipped a tooth and it can't wait. 🙁 Timing is bad (day after New Year's Eve), and our dentists (and most of our medical practitioners in our rural community) have stopped masking. The office uses open floor plan bays, so we don't even have the protection of doors. I've been considering using the AirTamer 315 the OP asked about for such occasions. Short-term risk being outweighed by a potential re-infection which I can't afford. It's taken me nearly 4 years to begin to feel like a normal human being again! (My breathing issues involved my respiratory muscles (autonomic functioning though my lungs also show apical scarring.) What do you do to protect yourself when visiting the dentist, where mask-wearing is not an option?

Jump to this post

I agree with @sueinmn Given your health issues, it shouldn’t be an issue for those treating you to mask. I wear a mask into the dentist’s office, and take it off for the procedure. Our dentist and assistants do mask for patients so I haven’t had to request it, but I would. As people have said, we need to be our own advocates at times. Hopefully it isn’t an issue for your dentist!

REPLY
1 reply
2019mc | @2019mc | Jan 9 4:13pm
In reply to @uget1shot "I'm the immunocompromised person in our HH, so we live much as you and your husband,..." + (show)
@uget1shot

I'm the immunocompromised person in our HH, so we live much as you and your husband, masking anywhere indoors or in close range outdoors. The biggest challenge I have is visiting the dentist especially during a surge in infections as we have now. My husband chipped a tooth and it can't wait. 🙁 Timing is bad (day after New Year's Eve), and our dentists (and most of our medical practitioners in our rural community) have stopped masking. The office uses open floor plan bays, so we don't even have the protection of doors. I've been considering using the AirTamer 315 the OP asked about for such occasions. Short-term risk being outweighed by a potential re-infection which I can't afford. It's taken me nearly 4 years to begin to feel like a normal human being again! (My breathing issues involved my respiratory muscles (autonomic functioning though my lungs also show apical scarring.) What do you do to protect yourself when visiting the dentist, where mask-wearing is not an option?

Jump to this post

Hi, reading your post I thought of educating myself about Portable Air Purifier Necklaces,
https://smartairfilters.com/en/blog/personal-necklace-air-purifier-review/
explains the differences in technology with non portable air purifiers and also in effectivity removing pollutants.

REPLY
1 reply
uget1shot | @uget1shot | Jan 9 4:23pm
In reply to @sueinmn "Just speaking for myself here, but I would simply ask the dentist and any other staff..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Just speaking for myself here, but I would simply ask the dentist and any other staff treating me to mask in my presence. I cannot imagine they would decline.

We have been traveling and living as normally as possible this past year and a half, even flying (masked) and have this far escaped illness. Right now my kids are stating away due to them having respiratory issues, and I'm missing them but appreciate their carefulness.
I have had many medical appointments in December, and all of the docs and physical and respiratory therapists masked while in close proximity (during exams and tests).
Sue

Jump to this post

Thanks - I've found the same, and it shows a level of respect for the customer which I appreciate. The good news is, in this case, the dental staff were all masked and used a private room. 2 weeks later we're still healthy so all good. 🙂

REPLY
uget1shot | @uget1shot | Jan 9 4:25pm
In reply to @jnmy "I agree with @sueinmn Given your health issues, it shouldn’t be an issue for those treating..." + (show)
@jnmy

I agree with @sueinmn Given your health issues, it shouldn’t be an issue for those treating you to mask. I wear a mask into the dentist’s office, and take it off for the procedure. Our dentist and assistants do mask for patients so I haven’t had to request it, but I would. As people have said, we need to be our own advocates at times. Hopefully it isn’t an issue for your dentist!

Jump to this post

Fortunately, the staff were all masked and took hubs into a private room (their protocol for more invasive dental work) so that worked to our favor!

REPLY
uget1shot | @uget1shot | Jan 9 4:32pm
In reply to @2019mc "Hi, reading your post I thought of educating myself about Portable Air Purifier Necklaces, https://smartairfilters.com/en/blog/personal-necklace-air-purifier-review/ explains..." + (show)
@2019mc

Hi, reading your post I thought of educating myself about Portable Air Purifier Necklaces,
https://smartairfilters.com/en/blog/personal-necklace-air-purifier-review/
explains the differences in technology with non portable air purifiers and also in effectivity removing pollutants.

Jump to this post

Thanks for the article. Appreciate the share.

REPLY
bentleycic | @bentleycic | Mar 31 5:50am

I have asthma. We had Remi Halo air purifier installed 4 yrs ago. The bulb had to be replaced and technician sold us "half price" double bulb as replacement as there was evidence of growth (mold) in new system. Since installed my eyes burn, my head hurts so I know the ozone level is too high for a sensitive person. On Monday I will contact company that installed to see if it is LED or not. Thinking it is not since I feel it. I understand that the LED model does not emit ozone. Anyone have feedback on air purifiers as to best to keep system including ductwork free on growth without harming inhabitants?

REPLY
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