Lots of things in our life are becoming smart. Our phones are smart. Our cars are getting smarter. Purifiers seem like a great candidate for “an education,” but test data shows smart purifiers routinely fail, leaving users with dangerous air. The idea behind smart purifiers’ auto mode is simple. The purifier has a small […]
Category: Reviews
This Data Explains Why You Should Never Use Your Purifier’s Auto Mode – Supplemental Data
Data and Test Details Test Methods: These tests were identical to my previously published tests, details of which can befound here, here, and here. Original Data: The original data for all 13 tests is available as an Excel file here Average Outdoor PM2.5 During Tests It’s important to note the average outdoor PM2.5 during tests because purifiers achieve smaller percentage […]
Xi’an unveils smog-fighting purifier tower, but does it work?
One group of scientists on the south side of Xi’an are fighting back against Xi’an’s rising PM2.5, and they did so in true China style — by building something big, a huge air purifier tower to be precise. But locals are left to wonder, does it actually work? The air filtering tower might be coming […]
Which Gym in Beijing has the Safest Air?
Even though PM2.5 levels fell in 2017, years of bad air pollution across China has led to many people installing air purifiers in their homes. Most of us are now breathing cleaner air at home, but what about when we are in public spaces? What’s the air like in that gym we go to, or […]
Do Pollution Masks Really Work?
When a billion people in China (and quite a few expats) woke up to the severe air pollution in almost every city in China, it forced a billion people to become experts in a complicated scientific question: Do masks work? Since then, I’ve given talks with hundreds of people all around China about how to protect […]
Tesla’s “Bioweapon Defense Mode” Is As Effective As…A 2010 Mazda?
Tesla rolled out its “bioweapon defense mode” to lots of fanfare and media attention. Tesla went big: “Bioweapon Defense Mode is not a marketing statement, it is real. You can literally survive a military grade bio attack by sitting in your car.” Elon’s telling the truth, but not the whole truth. Tests I’ve done […]
Is the Laser Egg only accurate in Beijing?
A few months ago, Smart Air tested the Laser Egg, the Node, and the Dylos against official PM2.5 readings. The results were way better than I expected! All three machines correlated r = .90 or higher, meaning they were very closely related. But this test may have exaggerated their accuracy. See, the Egg and the […]
Smart Air Installs Custom HVAC Air Purification System at The University of Chicago Center in Delhi
The Problem The University of Chicago Center in Delhi contacted Smart Air during the summer of 2016 to design and install a purification system in their 17,000 square foot office located in central Delhi. Despite it’s great location, the U Chicago Center had a problem of high particulate matter inside the building. Like love, air […]
Is Asbestos a Problem in India?
What is Asbestos? Asbestos is a mineral that makes a great fiber. People use that fiber in lots of building materials, like insulation, paints, electric wiring, wall boards, and floor tiles. It might be all around us. Should I Be Concerned? When any of these materials break apart, the asbestos can become airborne […]
Is Asbestos a Problem in China?
Asbestos is a commonly used material in China that may be more dangerous than formaldehyde. So why do so few people talk about asbestos in China? One day a few years ago, a Chinese friend of mine asked me about jiaquan (甲醛). “Huh?” I had to look it up. Turns out it means “formaldehyde.” At that point, […]