Inside Air Purifiers: The VOC Air Purifier

Posted on August 08, 2019

• Written by The Team @ Air Purifiers For You
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With so many air purifiers to choose from, it can be hard to know what the different variations are, and which one you should choose. We wanted to take some time to break down each type of air purifier and provide some education around it as well as some tips on how to know if it’s the right purifier for you.

Today we will be starting with the VOCs/Multi-Chemical purifier, as many of the questions we receive are regarding this type of purifier and air filter. 

What are VOCs?

VOCs stands for Volatile Organic Compounds, which are defined by the EPA as gases that are emitted from certain solids or liquids such as cleaning supplies, pesticides, furnishings, etc. The danger of VOCs can result in short-term or long-term health effects depending on the sensitivity of the person as well as the potency of the chemical. These types of chemicals become more problematic indoors when proper ventilation is not present.

Depending on the level of exposure and amount of pollutants, VOCs can result in eye, nose and throat irritations, dizziness, memory impairment and headaches.

Where do VOC’s come from?

The trouble with VOC’s is they are produced from a wide range of sources, which makes it difficult to simply avoid them. The most common sources of VOC’s are:

• Building Materials (Carpets, paint, upholstery fabrics, varnishes, etc.)
• Home & Personal Products (air fresheners, cosmetics, cleaning products, vehicle exhaust, etc.)
• Fuels & Machinery (cooking, space heaters, tobacco smoke, wood-burning stoves, etc.)

If you are unsure about whether or not your household has a VOC problem, there are a few ways to find out. There are test kits available that you can do yourself. The most popular is a “formaldehyde test kit” or you can find a company that specializes in VOC testing. Formaldehyde is one of the most easily identified VOCs and is a good starting point for testing your home. Otherwise you can always consult with an indoor air quality specialist who can give you a more thorough examination of the air quality in your home to help inform your decision on which type of filer would fit best.

What can I do about it?

An easy way to help rid your home of these chemicals would be to leave windows, doors, etc open for optimal air flow. This may not be a viable option for those with allergies as that will just cause more problems due to letting outdoor irritants in the house.

This is where a VOC Air Purifier comes in handy. It specializes in helping filter and break down these chemicals to a more manageable level for those with VOC sensitivity. Many air purifiers specialize in managing VOC’s as long as you find the right one.

Ensure that are you purchasing a HEPA certified filter that is able to properly deal with the dangerous pollutants present in VOCs. Your family and health will thank you.

More Information:

If you are looking for more information on VOC’s or air quality in your home, you can always rely on the EPA website for more in-depth information. Visit them here. www.epa.gov

Look out for our next blog where we will be exploring our pet and smoke odor purifiers.