Comments on: Do fine chemical air filters actually work, and if so, by what mechanisms?

By: Mark V

Mark V — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 01:07:56 +0000

Gases such as formaldehyde are removed from the air through adsorption (with a d). The most popular material used is the ubiquitous activate carbon ("activated charcoal"). The gas will cling to the material as it passes through. Activate alumina is another adsorption material that works better, but is more expensive. The other drawback is that these filters stop working quite quickly, especially in areas where they’re doing a lot of filtration, and may have to be replaced as often as every few days, which is obviously quite costly.

Sulfur dioxide is removed from the plumes of coal plants through chemical "scrubbers" which use limestone as the chemically reactive substance (there are two methods, wet and dry, but pretty much the same thing). The limestone is the adsorbant, with the SO2 reacting with the limestone and "sticking." However, this chemical system is coupled with a physical screen to actually complete the process. It’s not overly effective.

However, I don’t think that anything you’ll buy will remove CO2 — CO2 is often considered to be the "safe" end product of converting some other pollutant into something clean and breathable.

I’d move.

By: mike1942f

mike1942f — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 01:07:56 +0000

I seriously challenge the ability to remove carbon dioxide and also the need in anything but a submarine. I would contact the company since carbon monoxide would be far more important to remove and is not listed. You also have a perfect right to ask them for a reference on how the chemical filters work, it shouldn’t be a secret, just something new at the home level. I have no specific idea.
The material near the bottom states that the chemical removal cartridges take out 18-25 pounds which, considering the low absolute concentration of chemical irritants is a huge amount and supports the 3 year estimate for the most expensive replacement
I notice a relatively high power usage 195 watts when not in standby. This adds to the cost especially if you run it while you are out to reduce the irritants when you return, over 4 kwh per day. I assume you have already done what you can to seal your place to reduce infiltration under doors, etc.

By: gatorbait

gatorbait — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 01:07:56 +0000

Have you actually had the air in your apartment analyzed?

I doubt that I would purchase and use such a purifier unless I was sure that there were a lot of the pollutants listed as removable in actually in the air. There must be a lab in your area that could actually run a test on an air sample for you.

Since we generate a lot of CO2 every time we exhale, I doubt very much that removing it via a filter located across the room will save you from inhaling a goodly amount anyway.

By: John

John — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 01:07:56 +0000

Before you spend the burdensome amount of money to purchase this air purifier, not to mention that the cost of maintenance is as much as purchasing a new unit every two years, please take a look at the only other air purifier that is designed to handle gases and VOC’s at http://www.allergy-relief-air-purifier.com/best-home-air-purifier.html Not only will you save money, but you will have better performance from the Sun Pure SP-20C. This is the same unit used in hospital labs for its efficiency and effectiveness. I found this video on YouTube of this unit in an IVF lab http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDDX_XWAcRY Take a look at the information on the website and see the test reports and the customer referrals. Good luck!!