Do air cleaners make a difference in treating allergic disease in homes?
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this review is to objectively critique available data regarding the clinical benefits of room air cleaners and to provide physicians and patients with a reasonable recommendation of their utility in treatment of inhalant allergic disease.


METHODS
Data were obtained from published studies and reviews.


METHODS
The specific reviewed studies met the following criteria: 1) selection of patients with clinical allergic disease confirmed by detection of allergen-specific immunoglobulin E; 2) use of an effective air filter; 3) clinical and laboratory evaluation of results; and 4) measurement of the results of air filtration on environmental allergen or airborne particulate levels. The studies were conducted in a double-blind manner. Conclusions of two previous reviews are also incorporated in this paper.


RESULTS
The results of the published studies and summary reviews show minimal, if any, effectiveness of room air cleaners in treatment of allergic respiratory disease.


CONCLUSIONS
Room air cleaners should not be recommended for people with inhalant allergic disease.
Reisman
R E
RE
State University of New York at Buffalo and Buffalo Medical Group, Williamsville 14221, USA. rreis3333@aol.com
D000328:Adult; D000389:Air Conditioning / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002415:Cats; D004285:Dogs; D005374:Filtration / Q000295:instrumentation; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000485:Allergens