North America and Australia have been experiencing ever-increasing wildfire smoke for the past decade. With the air quality worsening day by day, the need for some of the best air purifiers for wildfire smoke is more than ever.
This article will inform you about different air purifiers and which one is best suited for wildfire smoke.
Types of Air Purifiers
When deciding on the best air purifiers for wildfire smoke, it is first vital to understand the different kinds of air purifiers available in the market.
HEPA Air Purifiers
Also known as mechanical purifiers, these purifiers physically strain the dust particles by forcing air through a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter. HEPA air purifiers are very effective in removing particulate matter from the air. However, they don’t remove odours or VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds).
Activated Carbon Air Purifiers
These purifiers trap gases in a sheet of activated coal or charcoal. Unlike HEPA air purifiers, these purifiers can remove odours and VOCs but are not effective in removing particulate matter.
Ionic Air Purifiers
These purifiers secrete ions that have a charge. Air consists of particles with a neutral charge, so they end up with a charge when they contact the ions. This process causes them to stick to a corner in a room rather than floating around in the air. However, it would help if you kept in mind that these purifiers secrete ozone gas, which is highly harmful to the environment.
Ultraviolet (UV) Air Purifiers
UV purifiers are germicidal. It means that these purifiers can kill certain bacteria and even viruses. It can provide you with literally germ-free air. However, these are ineffective in eliminating air-borne particles like dust and may produce ozone.
The Best Air Purifier for Wildfire Smoke
Now that you know about the different kinds of air purifiers available in the market, you might be wondering which purifier is the best for wildfire smoke.
Since HEPA purifiers work best at eliminating dust particles from the air, the answer is HEPA air purifiers. HEPA filters are graded based on the percentage of fine dust particles they eliminate. A HEPA filter must remove 99.03% PM0.3 on the first pass to make it to the cut.
The same particle diameter used to evaluate the HEPA filter is the most common size in wildfire smoke, making it a clear winner. Wildfire particles fall under the bracket of PM2.5 or fine dust. They are usually between the diameter of 0.4 and 0.7 μm. An efficient HEPA air purifier cuts down on all the dust particles present in your home, including those found in wildfire smoke.
Other Ways of Protecting Yourself From Wildfire Smoke
You can’t expect to protect yourself completely by just getting the ideal air purifier. The following are some other simple things that you can do to keep yourself safe.
- Keep your windows shut to curb wildfire smoke into your house.
- Use a mop instead of a vacuum cleaner.
- Regularly clean and disinfect your home to get rid of the settled particles.
- Invest in an air quality monitor.
Summing It Up
In 2021, 8,169 wildfires burned almost 2.6 million acres of land. With extreme dry spells casting over North America, this statistic is expected to worsen in 2022. Therefore, the need for the best air purifiers for wildfire smoke is more than ever. Get a HEPA air purifier to keep your family safe and sound.
