TECHNOLOGY: A BREATH OF FRESH AIR

Spring is in the air, and so are pollen, mold spores and other allergy-causing particles. Air purifiers can suck them up to help you breathe easier. For small spaces, like bedrooms, the Blueair Model 201 ($299; blueair.com) uses ultrathin filters to trap the tiniest of particles and turn out clean air. For a living room, there's the Bionaire BAP1250 with the Galileo wireless air-quality center ($199; bionaire.com). It uses a similar technology--the key is a "dust sensor" that turns on a fan when the air becomes too polluted. The IQAir HealthPro Plus ($835; iqair.com) is designed for even larger areas, like the single floor of a house. We tested it in a basement that had been collecting dust for 20 years, and after two days, that musty smell was gone. WindChaser's Ionic Humidifying Air Washer AAT2003 ($129; windchaserproducts .com) doesn't use filters, but it puts out moisture and reduces pollen. Sometimes it's the lack of humidity that causes allergies.