Dust, moisture, dust mites, VOCs and other fine particles ... Manufacturers of air purifiers promise to get rid of them. Given the outside temperature, we would fall for one of these high tech machines that break the pollution of our homes. Which one to choose ? And is it really effective?

What about filter purifiers?

They suck in air and hold up to the smallest particles (0.1 microns) thanks to ultra thin filters, including HEPA and charcoal filters. These new generation purifiers are smart, fly from an app and adapt to the surface of the parts. Their limits: no study has yet been able to prove their total effectiveness against VOCs and in particular formaldehyde *. The constraint: change the filters regularly. Our choice: Dyson Pure, from € 429, dyson.com / Purifier series 3000, from € 519.99, Philips.fr / Intense Pure Air, from € 271.99, rowenta.fr

We take precautions

It is better to avoid investing in ion purifiers and photocatalysis. Their particularity? Transform harmful particles to render them harmless, by plating them against the ground (ionization) or by transforming them into water vapor (photocatalysis). In both cases, caution: the National Health Safety Agency warns against the production of secondary pollutants whose health effects are not known *. For a healthy air in the house, purifiers are not enough. In all cases, cold or not, we air twice a day, morning and evening, for 10 minutes to limit indoor pollution . Vacuum, equipped if possible with a HEPA filter at least twice a week. The mop is preferred to dust trapping. We equip ourselves with a mechanical ventilation ("EasyHome" from 534 €, aldes.fr). To review all the good acts against indoor pollution, go to https://www.unbonairchezmoi.developpement-durable.gouv.fr

* Opinion of the National Agency of Sanitary Security: identification and analysis of different techniques of indoor air purification emerging. Sept. 2017