How do air purifiers work?

Understanding the impact of different sources of indoor VOC pollution is central to Dyson's research and development. Made up of carbon, hydrogen and sometimes oxygen, VOCs are potentially harmful compounds that can emit from common household items. DIY and personal care products, cleaning sprays, candles and perfumes are all common offenders.

Bacteria and viruses may be found all over your home, including in household dust. Germs from a sneeze can even travel up to six metres.

A colourless gas that can be released from materials such as plywood and fibreboard, insulation and do-it-yourself products like paint, wallpapers, varnishes and household cleaning sprays. Formaldehyde is 500 times smaller than 0.1 microns and particularly difficult to capture. When left undetected, it can be trapped in a home for years.

Beyond the biological components of dust, synthetic particles like microplastics are increasingly common. In fact, even microscopic particles from rubber tyres have been found in dust samples analysed at the Dyson microbiology labs. Many of these particles are small enough to become airborne when disturbed. Read Dyson’s dust report.

A reddish-brown gas released into the home through gas appliances, open flames, wood burning stoves and cigarettes. Fossil fuel combustion is a huge source of NO₂ and it can enter through windows and ventilation.

Pollen grains are particles produced by trees, flowers and grasses. They’re responsible for one of the most common seasonal allergies in the world. Infiltration through open doors and windows means that pollen is often found within homes – airborne when disturbed. As our homes become increasingly well-sealed, it may seem like we’re shutting pollution out. But in truth, we’re trapping it in. Whether we’re sleeping, working, cooking or exercising, we now spend 90% of our time indoors,³ breathing potentially dirty air.

A complex mixture of extremely small solid particles and liquid droplets suspended in air. PM10 particles such as pollen and allergens, are small enough to pass through the throat and nose and enter the lungs. PM2.5 are microscopic particles from sources such as industrial emissions, bacteria and fungi. PM0.1 are inherently unstable particles that can easily grow into larger particles through coagulation and condensation. They’re mostly found in vehicle exhaust emissions and tobacco smoke.