Do air cleaners make a difference in treating allergic disease in homes?

Learning Objectives: 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. Date Sources: Data were obtained from published studies and reviews. Study Selection: 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.