A standard particle filter is not designed to remove gases and odors. For gas and odor removal, the air purifier should be equipped with a filter that includes activated carbon.
Some Basics about Air Filtration
Air filters with activated charcoal will remove benzene (and other volatile organic compounds), and those with additives such as potassium permanganate will remove most mercaptans (the 'smell' of natural gas) and other odorous gases related to gas leaks, such as hydrogen sulfide.
Gases are so small they fly straight through any HEPA filter completely unimpeded. In order to be certain of also removing the gases you need to ensure that whichever air purifier you choose has not just got a HEPA filter inside but also an activated carbon filter.
Generally HEPA filters will not remove smells or off gassing. You would typically want a carbon filter for that. Generally you would find carbon filters built into some HEPA filters (rather than a separate unit) but they are not always there.
The right air purifier can help mitigate the effects of off-gassing and ensure that VOC levels remain low. Sanuvox offers UV light air purifiers that effectively combat volatile organic compounds and odors. Our powerful air purifiers are rated for large rooms, and some can even cover an entire apartment or house!
If you're especially sensitive to scents, a bed with strong off-gassing odors may cause unwanted symptoms, such as headaches, nausea, or dizziness. Individuals with respiratory issues, such as asthma or allergies, could also experience irritation of the airway and difficulty breathing.
Air purifiers with carbon filters are designed to remove gaseous pollutants from indoor air. These filters use a process called adsorption to capture VOCs and other harmful gases. As air passes through the filter, gaseous pollutants stick to the outside of the carbon particles in the adsorption area.
Natural gas filter separators use filtration materials to remove impurities from natural gas. This is an essential process that prevents damage from occurring to downstream systems.
Air purifiers with activated carbon filters are very effective at trapping VOCs and odours from paint fumes and other sources such as cigarette smoke, but the filter will eventually become saturated and need to be replaced for the device to maintain its effectiveness.
What are the downsides of air purifiers? There aren't a lot of downsides to having an air purifier in your home aside from the financial investment. Many ionizers, especially older models, can generate ozone when they are operating, which is known to exacerbate asthma.
Increased fuel efficiency
A dirty or damaged air filter limits the amount of air flowing into your car's engine, making it work harder and, therefore, using more fuel.
Methane cannot be filtered.
Adsorption and chemisorption, the two processes by which gas and odor air filters remove chemicals from the air, are ineffective against methane, which has an extremely low molecular weight.
Yes, air purifiers with carbon filters will help, but they get “full” pretty quickly and stop absorbing.
A standard particle filter is not designed to remove gases and odors. For gas and odor removal, the air purifier should be equipped with a filter that includes activated carbon. A filter like the Blueair SmokeStop™ is highly efficient at trapping smoke, odors, and other harmful gaseous chemicals.
The GPL Passive Filter is an activated carbon filter that removes mercaptan odor from odorant or odorized natural gas, propane, biogas, RNG, and CNG.
Coffee grounds are absorbent and can be particularly useful for absorbing hydrogen sulfide, which is a chemical in gasoline that contributes to its unpleasant smell.
Open windows and doors only if it is possible to do so quickly and easily. Quickly leave the house or building, taking everyone, including pets, with you. Go to a location where you no long smell gas, and call your local natural gas utility.
Odor Fade. Sometimes physical and/or chemical processes can cause a loss of odorant in natural gas, making it undetectable by smell. Odor fade can be caused by adsorption, absorption, oxidation or any combination thereof.
Artificial or forced ventilation is not usually necessary. However, if power ventilation is needed to clear the structure, use intrinsically safe ventilators and positive pressure ventilation on the upwind side. Be careful not to exhaust the gas into adjacent structures.
Condensation as a means of gas purification is of interest primarily for the removal of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from exhaust gases. The process consists of simply cooling the gas stream to a temperature at which the organic compound has a suitably low vapor pressure and collecting the condensate.
Natural gas is a fuel that is completely safe when it is transported within sealed pipes and used as intended. However, dangerous situations may occur when natural gas leaks from pipes or is not properly burned within appliances.
The answer is simple: no. While these high efficiency air filters are excellent for removing particulate matter, they are not enough to remove gaseous pollutants like VOCs. These filters help keep your home free from excessive levels of dust, pet dander, pollen, and other forms of particulate matter.
While vacuuming can help remove dust and other particles that may contain VOCs, it doesn't directly remove them. However, using a HEPA filter vacuum can capture smaller particles carrying VOCs.