Residential air purifiers and cleaners can make important improvements to a home's indoor air quality. There are a variety of whole-house systems and portable models available to address unhealthy air.

Air impurity is caused by two general pollutants: particulates and gases. Smoke, dust mites, insect parts and pollen fall into the particulate category. Gaseous pollutants include gases released as a result of combustion, such as nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide. Even in "green" homes, gaseous pollutants can be a concern.

There are several ways to clean your home's air of its potential pollutants, according to bobvila.com:

Air filter solutions trap particles as air passes through the filters. Filter systems can be found in whole-house HVAC solutions or portable single-room solutions.

Activated carbon air filters are used to eliminate gases and odors from the air. These systems use a sorbent to absorb gases and odors associated with smoking and off-gassing materials.

Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) systems use UV light to kill gaseous pollutants like bacteria, viruses and fungal spores that are airborne or on surfaces.

Air ionizers remove particles from the air by releasing negative ions, which change the polarity of airborne particulates. The charged particles become attracted to one another and fall from the air.

It's not possible to control the air quality outdoors; controlling it indoors is another matter. An air purifier is available for nearly every indoor pollutant, and is a common sense decision for homeowners to help ensure a healthy air environment.