Indoor air pollution is a growing concern among Americans, and it’s easy to understand why. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has ranked indoor pollutants one of the top five environmental risks to public health, signifying that this is an important issue that deserves our collective attention.

In a recent white paper, we outlined some of the common examples of indoor air pollution – including volatile organic compounds, mold and bacterial contaminants – and explained that numerous health complications can arise from consistent exposure to these pollutants.

Understandably, this leaves many homeowners wondering what they can do to ensure that their home is safe – but it’s important for these individuals to understand the best course of action.

Is air duct cleaning an effective solution to indoor air pollution?

Chances are you’ve seen advertisements promoting air duct cleaning as an effective solution to indoor air pollution. According to the EPA, “these services typically — but not always — range in cost from $450 to $1,000 per heating and cooling system.”

But is it really worth the money?

While there are some scenarios in which air duct cleaning is a smart choice – say, if your ducts are infested with vermin or if there is substantial mold growth or dust accumulation – the EPA reports that in most cases there is little evidence to suggest that air duct cleaning is worth the money.

Let’s take a look at the EPA’s explanation:

“Duct cleaning has never been shown to actually prevent health problems. Neither do studies conclusively demonstrate that particle (e.g., dust) levels in homes increase because of dirty air ducts or go down after cleaning. This is because much of the dirt that may accumulate inside air ducts adheres to duct surfaces and does not necessarily enter the living space. It is important to keep in mind that dirty air ducts are only one of many possible sources of particles that are present in homes. Pollutants that enter the home both from outdoors and indoor activities such as cooking, cleaning, smoking, or just moving around can cause greater exposure to contaminants than dirty air ducts.”

The case for the RxAir Air Purification System

If you’re really concerned about getting sick from indoor air pollutants, consider investing in an RxAir as an alternative to having your air ducts cleaned. The RxAir is half the cost of some air duct cleaning services and has the evidence to back up its effectiveness.

The RxAir has been independently lab tested by an FDA- and EPA-certified laboratory, with results confirming that it destroys more than 99% of airborne bacteria and viruses on a first-pass basis and reduces concentrations of odors and volatile organic compounds.

Unlike a one-time air duct cleaning, the RxAir works continuously to destroy pollutants, cleaning the air in an average-sized bedroom up to six times per hour.

The bottom line: Before you pay to have your air ducts cleaned, consider the RxAir as a better long-term investment – one that has been scientifically proven to kill potentially harmful bacteria and indoor pollutants that can be harmful to your family and pets.