Air Purifier Reviews: Why Choose an Air Purifier with an Activated Carbon Filter?

As air purification technologies have developed, more manufacturers are incorporating an activated carbon filter in addition to the standard HEPA filter.

This extra level of filtration is proving to be a vital component for maintaining good air quality.

According to an extensive study of the air in nearly 50,000 American homes, 70% were found to have high levels of airborne chemical pollutants.

Exposure to chemical pollutants has been associated with a range of symptoms and health issues including:

Asthma Allergies Nose and throat irritation Shortness of breath Coughing and sneezing Headaches Nausea

Dizziness Fatigue Poor concentration Rashes Digestive problems Chemical sensitivity Sick building syndrome

Some indoor air pollutants, particularly formaldehyde, benzene and radon (a naturally occurring radioactive gas), are known to cause cancer.

An activated carbon filter is one of the only safe and proven filtration methods for removing airborne chemicals, gases and odors. Carbon that is “activated’ undergoes a process which opens up millions of pores and fissures that attract and trap airborne pollutants.

A deep-bed activated carbon filter has an incredibly large surface area which gives it amazing adsorption capabilities. One pound of activated carbon can adsorb about 20% to 50% of its own weight in pollutants. As a result, carbon filters are widely used by the military, hospitals and industry to maintain good air quality.

AllerAir's Activated Carbon Filter

To be effective, an activated carbon filter should be several inches thick and use granular activated carbon.

The AllerAir 5000 Exec for general air filtration features 18 lbs. of granular activated carbon in a 2.5” filter, in addition to medical-grade HEPA filter for particles.

Be wary of any air cleaner that uses a mesh-style activated carbon filter. This type of activated carbon filter is generally impregnated with carbon dust and does not have the adsorption capacity required to efficiently remove airborne chemicals and odors.

A deep-bed activated carbon filter, like those used by AllerAir, can remove airborne pollutants for up to five years in an average home environment.

Air Purifier Review: AllerAir 5000 Exec

5000 Exec

"We Love This Machine"
★★★★★
"We noticed a difference in the air within an hour. Fresh, clean smell...it does not get any better than that!"

BOTTOM LINE: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

- Evert Fine Art
Los Angeles

Originally posted March 2010 on http://www.mercantila.com/

Why do my clean clothes and closet smell stale and musty?

How can clean clothes hanging in a closet have a smell? The answer may surprise you – the problem is dirty air. Just imagine what would happen if you forgot to dust your bedside table for several weeks? It would quickly develop a coating of dust, microscopic bacteria and even mold spores. Clothes hanging in your closet are no different. In fact, fabric is an easy target for airborne particles, chemicals, and household odors.  

So what’s the solution?

Unlike dusting furniture, cleaning your entire closet of clothes every few days is just not practical. The use of sprays and air fresheners is also not recommended. These products tend to contain chemical scents that only mask the stale smell temporarily and have been shown to trigger allergic reactions, aggravate asthma and potentially cause long term health issues. Here are some safe and proven tips to help remove that stale closet smell:

• Increase air circulation and bring in more fresh air. Open the windows often or use a high quality air purifier with an odor controlling carbon filter like the AllerAir AirTube. This type of air cleaner removes 99.97% of airborne dust, hair, bacteria and other particles like mold spores. The carbon filter uses the same material found in military gas mask to remove odors and chemicals. Your entire room will smell fresher and so will your clothes. A great products for allergy suffers!

• Use a HEPA vacuum. Using a vacuum with a HEPA filter actually traps dust as you clean. Old style vacuums will send dust right back into the air and onto your clothes.

• If it stinks, don’t put it in your closet.You’ve just worn your favorite dress out for dinner and its "dry clean only". Avoid the temptation to hang it back in your closet! It has likely absorbed food smells and perhaps even cigarette smoke. If you’re determined not to clean it, try hanging it in outside overnight or leave it closed up in your bathroom with the window open. This will help dissipate some of the odors. 

• Never hang damp clothes in your closet.You’ve done your laundry and you hang your damp top on the back of your closet door for tomorrow. You may feel like the pillar of efficiency, but that damp top is a magnet for mold and mildew. Make sure clothes are 100% dry before putting them away.

By taking these few simple steps you will not only help keep your clothes smelling clean and fresh, but you'll be improving the overall air quality in your home....clean air is your best accessory!

Pretty in Pink: Air Purifiers for the Nursery, Baby's Room, or Child's Bedroom

Who says clean air can't coordinate!

This is a picture of AllerAir's pink Air Tube Exec air purifier in my daughter's room. It matches perfectly with our Pottery Barn bedding (Penelope) and provides exceptionally clean air with both a medical-grade HEPA filter for dust and a 7 lb. carbon filter for chemicals and odors!

It also provides a source of soothing white noise to improve baby's sleep! We learned that the hard way when I borrowed the air cleaner for my bedroom during the fall allergy surge. My daughter immediately began waking several times during the night. Once we replaced the air purifier she was back to her old self!

The pink Air Tube Exec air purifier is only available for a limited time and is also available in blue.

For more information chat live with an Air Quality Expert (link below) or call 1-888-852-8247 for a dealer near you.