Fresher Air for Festive Gatherings: Holiday Indoor Air Quality Advice

WASHINGTON, D.C. [November 18, 2024]- As holiday gatherings fill homes with laughter, cheer and guests, it's essential to take steps to improve indoor air and reduce the pollutants that can affect the comfort and health of your family and friends.

Poor indoor air quality can put a damper on your holiday festivities, especially for people who are susceptible to allergies, asthma, and other respiratory issues. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), levels of indoor air pollutants can be two to five times - and occasionally more than 100 times - higher than outdoor levels due to dust, allergens, smoke, pet dander, mold, bacteria, viruses and more.

Portable room air cleaners are the quickest, most accessible option for improving indoor air quality. Air cleaners filter particles like dust, pollen, smoke mold, bacteria, and viruses from the air. By removing these pollutants, air cleaners can significantly improve the air quality in your home.

"Good indoor air quality is an important part of a safe, healthy and comfortable holiday season," said AHAM President and CEO Kelly Mariotti. "The holidays can be hectic, and if a room air cleaner is on your shopping list, the AHAM Verifide® seal and Clean Air Delivery Rate will quickly point you in the right direction so you can find an air cleaner you can trust to meet your indoor air quality needs."

When selecting an air cleaner, consider the following factors:

• Look for the AHAM Verifide® seal: The seal can be found on air cleaner packaging and means experts have tested the model to ensure it meets the manufacturer's performance claims. The suggested room size for the air cleaner will be noted prominently on the seal.
• Know the room size: An accurate room measurement will help you narrow your air cleaner options through the Clean Air Delivery Rate, which is noted on the packaging of AHAM Verifide® air cleaners. Use the AHAM Verifide® directory of Certified Room Air Cleaners to easily search for models by room size. Choosing the model with a suggested room size that matches the room in which the air cleaner will sit is the best way to be sure the noise level is acceptable.

About AHAM Verifide

When purchasing an air cleaner, always look for the AHAM Verifide® seal. Room air cleaners certified through the AHAM Verifide program have been rigorously tested by an independent laboratory to ensure the product will perform to the manufacturer's product claims for the suggested room size. AHAM's standard for measuring an air cleaner's efficacy is called the Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR). CADR indicates the volume of filtered air an air cleaner delivers, with separate scores for tobacco smoke, pollen and dust. The higher the CADR number for each pollutant, the faster the unit filters the air.

To find AHAM Verifide® room air cleaners, use AHAM's online searchable directory to locate the model that's right for the room.

Learn more about AHAM Verifide at: https://ahamverifide.org.