An air purifier without an activated carbon air filter is only half an air purifier Just as in the case of other air purification technologies, the activated carbon air filter is misunderstood, misleadingly advertised, and mistakenly dismissed as unimportant. Ionic type air purifiers do not use one at all. Air purifiers promoting their HEPA or HEPA-type media may include a thin fibrous pad with a few token ounces of activated carbon. How should you, as a consumer, evaluate these products? Will they do for you all that you expect from an air cleaner? Or should you insist on something more? The very companies that should help make your decision an easier one often do just the opposite. Unfortunately, one of the most frustrating things about searching for air purifiers is the prevalence of hype and the absence of real information. Rather than follow suit and toss dozens of alarming “quotes from experts” at you, I hope to answer some of the most basic questions you may have. What can an activated carbon air filter really do for you? Will activated carbon filters prove to be your only real defense against chemicals and odors? How does activated carbon work in air purifiers? How much do you need? How can you evaluate which air purifiers are best for your needs? No other air purifier technology comes close to removing the volume of chemicals that activated carbon does. If you’re serious about making the best possible choice in air purification, why not take the time to review the information in this article?
What can an activated carbon air filter do for you?
Air purification with activated carbon air filters is the single best way to remove chemical pollutants from the air. An activated carbon filter will adsorb some of almost any vapor, especially organic molecules and solvents. Activated carbon can adsorb and retain a wide variety of chemicals at the same time. Activated carbon air filters work well under a wide range of temperatures and humidity levels; are inert and safe to handle and use; and are readily available and affordable. While activated carbon does remove many volatile organic compounds (VOCs), some compounds like formaldehyde and inorganic gases respond best to chemisorbers that break down the pollutants by chemical reaction. You should look for air purifiers containing activated carbon impregnated with appropriate chemisorbers and catalysts to control the particular pollutants that concern you.
How does activated carbon work in air purifiers?
When gases, chemicals and odors pass slowly through a thick filter packed with activated carbon they become trapped in the million of pores opened by the activation process. Due to the large internal surface area of activated carbons it can adsorb up to 60% of its weight. Good carbon filters, depending on the environment in which they are used, can last up to 5 years before all of the pores are full.
What should you look for when choosing your activated carbon air cleaner?
Is protecting your family from airborne chemical toxins important to you? Would you like to control unpleasant odors from cooking, cleaning or smoking? Do you have sensitivities to volatile organic compounds? An activated carbon air filter is the best way to accomplish these tasks, but will just any old purifier claiming to have activated carbon be good enough? Many air purifiers claim to use activated carbon for gas and odor removal, but will not mention how much is in their filter. In an average home, that small amount of carbon could get saturated in days, even hours. After this, the filter would need to be replaced or it would be doing nothing. For an activated carbon filter to be effective, there needs to be a sufficient amount of activated carbon so the air passing through is able to deposit its pollutants. When choosing an activated carbon filter it is important to find one that provides a large activated carbon bed weighing many pounds. Additionally the activated carbon media needs to be protected from premature clogging by being placed behind a pre-filter. An optimal flow of air needs to be available to pass through it. A cylindrical shaped design is an ideal solution for allowing maximum contact with the air. It is best if the air filter’s activated carbon bed and HEPA filter can be replaced separately as the activated carbon filter will typically have a shorter life than the HEPA filter. They both should be relatively easy to access and replace, preferably without tools. Another point to look for is whether you can replace the activated carbon media itself without replacing the entire containing cartridge. Bulk media is much less expensive than a complete cartridge unit. Among the best air purifiers offering activated carbon air filters are Allerair, IQAir, Blueair, and Austin Air.