Air purifiers for VOCs, odor & gases

An air purifier is a great way to eliminate harmful gases and unwanted odors from your indoor environment, but the type of filter required to remove gaseous pollutants is often overlooked.

A standard particle filter will not do a good job of removing these materials, alternatively, a filter like the Blueair SmokeStop is highly efficient at trapping smoke, odors, and other harmful gaseous chemicals. Using approximately 2-4 lbs of activated carbon, formulated with magnesium dioxide and copper oxide, the carbon-activated SmokeStop filter is excellent at trapping dangerous chemicals and annoying odors. Keep in mind that the presence of activated carbon may affect airflow and your Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR).

VOCs, Odor & Gas

According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention), not all odors are created equal. Odors are either organic or inorganic compounds. Just as they can be pleasant or unpleasant, they can be harmless or hazardous to your health. Most chemical contaminants originate indoors, but they can also be drawn in from the surrounding outdoor air. 

Dangerous household gases

Chemical contaminants can be found in a variety of sources. Common sources of odors in indoor home and office environments are known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Organic compounds containing carbon, VOCs can easily evaporate into the air. If left uncontrolled in a poorly ventilated environment, chemical contaminants will create an unhealthy situation where you work and live.  

Harmful chemicals from cleaning products and paint

Common indoor sources of VOCs:

• Caulks, sealants, and coatings
• Adhesives
• Paints, varnishes, and stains
• Cleaning products
• Fuels and combustion chemical
• Carpet and vinyl flooring
• Fabric materials & furnishings
• Air fresheners and scented products, such as perfume, shampoos, etc. 

Dangerous household chemicals and your health

Some chemicals in your home or office have little effect on your health while others may cause serious health issues. The degree to which chemical exposure affects your health depends on how much of the chemical is present in the air, how often you come in contact with it, how harmful it is, and how sensitive you are to it. Symptoms can be mild (itchy eyes) to severe (damage to kidney, liver or central nervous system). 

Reduce your exposure to toxic chemicals in your home

As always, we suggest looking at your complete home environment to see which products may be releasing VOCs. You can learn more about potentially hazardous housekeeping or other products by requesting a copy of the material safety data sheet (MSDS) from the product manufacturer. It’s a great way to fully understand what you bring into your home and how to use it safely.  

If you would like more information on how the SmokeStop filter and our lineup of top-rated air purifiers can help eliminate harmful pollutants inside your home, please feel free to give us a call or fill in our contact form.