Comments on: Does Activated Carbon and HEPA Filter Remove VOCs and Formaldehyde?

By: Song - Smart Air

Song - Smart Air — Mon, 25 Dec 2023 08:53:19 +0000

In reply to Toh. Hi hi. Song here from Smart Air. The VOC adsorption by activated carbon is a dynamic process and desorption usually requires extremely high temperature or other harsh conditons. No worries!

By: Toh

Toh — Wed, 07 Jun 2023 20:58:16 +0000

Interesting read.

After some use, VOC is condensed and trapped inside the filters. How much those filters are capable of holding all that VOC and not releasing them back into the room? During the filter change, there will be some mechanical “shake” so I am not sure will that release VOC back or the filters are designed to keep the VOC inside, forever. Imagine if person is hit with 6 months of accumulated formaldehyde at once.

Thanks

By: gary

gary — Sun, 13 Nov 2022 20:14:30 +0000

I have found that when in the past I was affected by a VOC (not knowing what that VOC was) if I use a Air Freshener that had an Orange scent, using this long enough, would arrest the effects that VOC was having on me.

I remember having the VOC’s of a new mattress giving me breathing problems, I used the Orange Freshener and it arrested the affects very quickly within a day or two.

By: John

John — Thu, 08 Sep 2022 16:17:13 +0000

I appreciate the product concept and the analysis — I have no doubt this is a good product — but if the filter lasts 6 months at 8 hours/day, that means it lasts about 2 months when used around-the-clock as I do with another company’s simple — washable pre+not-washable HEPA+not-washable box (not cloth) charcoal — filter that lasts a year or more at a replacement cost of $80-$90. 450 sq ft. Noise level minimal on low and quite tolerable even at loudest. $350. Fan designed to last 10 years nonstop.

By: Jams Hetfield

Jams Hetfield — Fri, 29 Apr 2022 00:51:05 +0000

I have a special air filter for removing odor that contains coconut carbon fiber. Unfortunately my original use of this item changed (long story) and recently I stained my wood steps. I have been running the HEPA filter as well as a sort of ionizer and leaving windows open. But the smell is strong. So I think I must hook up the coconut carbon filter and give it a go. My question is based on a previous comment about the carbon trapping the voc. After letting it run for some time (say two to four weeks) to catch a lot of the voc from initial offgassing of wood stain could I leave the filter outside on the balcony in the hot summer sun. So in this way the voc are released outside and then after some time outside (a few days or a week) would the carbon then be sort of reactivated or clean so I can use it again in the future? It would be great if that is the case because it is a sort of expensive filter and unfortunately I can no longer use it for what I had originally intended when I bought it.

By: Paddy Robertson

Paddy Robertson — Sat, 25 Sep 2021 23:26:47 +0000

In reply to Henry. Great point Henry. The reality is, no portable monitor is able to directly measure formaldehyde. Learn more about this strange fact in our article on just how reliable formaldehyde detectors really are.

By: Henry

Henry — Sun, 19 Sep 2021 16:45:53 +0000

“The Industrial Scientific MX6 detects different types of VOCs, not formaldehyde specifically. But because we released formaldehyde in the room, we can be sure that VOC is formaldehyde.”

Your detector should measure formaldehyde specifically?

By: Tricia Bartholomew

Tricia Bartholomew — Sun, 27 Dec 2020 23:33:56 +0000

Hi, anyone know what to purchase to remove commercial strength aerosol Clorox dissinfecting spray? It permeated the house and everything in it stinks. Thanks

By: Paddy Robertson

Paddy Robertson — Mon, 17 Aug 2020 10:16:07 +0000

In reply to Man Chan. Its very difficult to estimate the lifespan of carbon filters, as it greatly depends on the amount of VOCs in your room already. What we suggest is to run a 'smell test' on your carbon filter. When it gets to the point that it smells slightly acidic or 'off', then it's time to replace the filter.

By: Man Chan

Man Chan — Tue, 21 Apr 2020 08:27:22 +0000

Hi,

I am using your activated carbon with a fan (as the Cannon is sold out) for a newly renovated apartment. I plan to have one in the nursery (100 sq fr and less). How often do you recommend I switch out the filter as I am worried about the regeneration.

Thanks,
Man