It is no surprise that wildfires affect air quality. Pollution from wildfires throughout Australia and California over the years has greatly affected air quality levels. Pictures like the one above show the large amounts of smoke and pollution produced by these wildfires. But how exactly does the smoke from these … Read more
Can activated carbon filters remove formaldehyde and VOCs? Earlier tests from Smart Air found that carbon can reduce VOCs from cigarette smoke. But formaldehyde and VOCs in general are particular concern for many people. We put activated carbon filters to the test by ordering formaldehyde straight from the factory and … Read more
Dyson’s Pure Cool air purifier looks impressive. However a review of its clean air rating (CADR) reveals this filter does a poor job of providing clean air – the Dyson TP05 Pure Cool’s CADR comes in at just 164m3/hr. That means the Dyson Pure Cool air purifier out as much … Read more
There’s a lot of noise about how to remove formaldehyde and VOC chemical build up in homes. Here are three scientific, data-backed ways to reduce and filter formaldehyde in the home. Method 1: Open a window Researchers have found that even in developed urban areas, outdoor concentrations of formaldehyde … Read more
An important question about formaldehyde is how long it takes for formaldehyde to off-gas in new homes and new furniture–how long will it take for levels to get back to normal? The best data I’ve seen suggests formaldehyde takes about two years to off-gas back to normal levels. Why We … Read more
There’s a popular conception that plants are effective at filtering out VOCs like benzene and formaldehyde, but can plants filter harmful chemicals at meaningful levels? Recent studies have found that that plants have no detectable on removing formaldehyde or other gas pollutants under real-world conditions. Why People Think Plants Can … Read more
Asbestos in China is a commonly used building material, and it may be more dangerous than formaldehyde. So why do so few people talk about asbestos in China? Contrast that with other pollutants. One day a few years ago, a Chinese friend of mine asked me about jiaquan (甲醛). “Huh?” I … Read more
