Quote, Paraphrase, and Citation #4

This article is explaining that many people and business owners purchase air purifiers to try and eliminate the smoke in the air caused by people smoking in their buildings.  While they mean well in trying to make their establishments healthier; the air filters aren't doing much good at all.  The small particles of tobacco are so small that they slip right past any filter.


"Mechanical air filters, such as HEPA filters, and electronic air cleaners, such as ionizers, target particles, but tobacco smoke particles are designed to be small enough to be inhaled into the outer reaches of the lungs and, thus, are not trapped by such devices.  Other air cleaners generate ozone, which is actually lung irritant.  At levels that don't exceed public health standards, ozone has little ability to remove air contaminants such as cigarette smoke." - Richard D. Hurt, M.D.


The air filters that are used in public places like offices and restaurants don't eliminate cigarette smoke from the air.  This is because the different particles of smoke are made to be so miniscule that they can be inhaled into the various parts of the lungs by smokers.  So therefore, the particles are too small to get caught in the filters.  Also these air filters are not only not eliminated the smoker in the air, but making ozone, which is proven to irritate your lungs.  So in reality, the air filters are meant to be helping make places healthier, aren't doing their job.


Source:

 Hurt, Richard D. "Will an Air Purifier Remove Cigarette Smoke?" Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 02 Mar. 2010. Web. 15 Nov. 2010. <http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/air-purifier-smoke/AN02073>.