The DARK TRUTH about Air Purifiers

For millions of people in North America, air purifiers have become a signature household item. This billion dollar industry keeps growing by the minute, promising us one of basic human needs - clean air. But, how did we go from having a general concern about the air we breathe… to this?

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Script: Marieli Aixa
Editor: Matthew Veal
Project Manager: Lurana McClure Rodríguez
Host: Levi Hildebrand

[tehyas]

I am not normally one to comment. But I am an expert in air cleaners. I am an Environmental Engineer (PhD) who conducted her research on respiratory aerosol transmission during the COVID-19 pandemic (including air cleaners). While that one study you shared may have had conflicts of interest, there are so many that do not. My advisor conducted research in the 1990s during her PhD that showed that air cleaners were effective at decreasing tuberculosis in bulk air in a room. Indoor Air Cleaners are one of many layered strategies that should be implemented to reduce spread of airborne diseases indoors. The biggest issue I've seen are air cleaners that say they reduce VOCs but actually just produce ozone, which is bad to breathe in. There is also a lack of 3rd party testing for air cleaners that would more objectively show their effectiveness. As long as you buy a HEPA certified air cleaner with a high CADR, you are good. Though it is important to size the units properly for your home.

[hallamshire]

I bought air purifiers for my house when last year's wildfires were giving me debilitating migraines. It made a big difference. I know it won't solve all of my problems, but it helps me stay pain-free.

[WhiteWulfe]

As someone with allergies, I've known about air purifiers for ages. They're handy devices, especially for helping keep dust down, and the right one at least helps cut down the issues of smoke from forest fires within the place. But yeah, it's absolutely insane just how much the air purifier market has exploded, and how so many of them are hundreds of dollars for something to feel good...

[ktktktktktktkt]

Honestly there isn't a lot of technology behind air purifiers. You don't have to pay thousands for them. Pretty much just a fan, a 3M HEPA filter, and some duct tape and you'll have effectively the same thing (maybe won't look as nice).

[JasonTaylor-poxc]

Well, the question I was hoping to be answered - "do they work" - wasn't answered. Instead, this is just a rant about how companies rushing to fill a need are somehow bad for doing so.

[MysteryCorgi_VN]

Disabled folks and people with chronic conditions are the people I hear talking about this the most. Personally, I got very very sick last year when the smoke from the Canadian wildfires spread. And that was despite wearing a mask! Now that severe wildfires have been increasingly common, we should try to ensure that everyone gets better air. Especially with airborne diseases running unchecked, ant-mask sentiment, etc. etc. It would also be a boon for schools. Remember how sluggish classes would get during warm afternoons? I've also heard anecdotally of people going to conventions and struggling to breathe due to how packed the area was. We need to do more to take this seriously.

[cyui]

Imo this video has no information content. What is the truth now? Is it that the air is getting worse and purifiers are necessary? That was not answered in the video. Is it that air purifiers are overpriced chunk that don't actually have any effect? That wasn't shown. Is it that cheaper models are as effective as expensive models? That wasn't talked about. Is it that air purification is a big market? Yes it might be, however compared to what, and for a good reason or not?

[atypicalloverofplainrice-lxuw]

Guess O' Hare really did find a way to sell air

[OverlordVal]

As a kid in the late 90s and early 2000s, my dad was OBSESSED with making sure we had air purifiers that were fully working, clean, and well maintained. There was an air purifier store and repair shop near us. He'd bring us along sometimes. Both my sister and I grew up with severe asthma, so he was very particular about making sure our home was as good as it could be. That shop is out of business and my dad has passed, but air quality stays on my mind to this day. Hopefully, we start worrying about improving the natural environment rather than selling temporary fixes for our constructed ones.

[rapdl]

I live in Milan, one of the most polluted city of Europe, given its geographical conformation. This winter, every time I opened the windows, I could see the number of particles shown on my air purifier rising to concerning level. It was super reassuring to have one, and that's fucking depressing.

[Enemisses]

You can make a pretty good air purifier for about $30-40. Better than most of the crap on the market, just think about it. Get a 20 inch box fan and a HEPA filter and tape the filter to the back of the fan.

If you want to get a little bit fancier with it, get 4 filters and build a box out of them and then put the fan on top (so that the air blows up) which will channel air from all directions through the filters and upward to disperse. These companies are fleecing you for what is ultimately a very simple product!

[sameer_dhingra]

I love my air purifier as someone with breathing issues

[edwardnardella]

You really did a disservice by not making it explicitly clear that a fan and a filter is all that's required and failing to mention the Corsi-Rosenthal box option.

[finkelmana]

Im sorry, but "Nobody knew what an air purifier was 10 years ago" is hyperbole at best, idiotic at worst. Air purifiers have been around and advertised on TV and other media for decades as solutions to allergies, dust, etc etc.

[d.e.b.b]

Shortly after getting a parrot that gives off dust, I purchased a Honeywell HEPA filter, and have it run for 12 hours a day. It solved my wife's asthma problem. He, and the filter machine, are now 34 years old. Both parrot and filter are still in perfect working condition! Thanks, Honeywell. All the machine needs is changing the filters and a drop or two of oil onto the motor's shaft. Model 64000 for those who want to know.

[youmaycallmeken]

There is something left out on from this video, STENCH. In addition to the HEPA filter in air purifiers (which likely will help with dust mite and pollen allergies), many also have a layer of a carbon filter for absorbing odors. Not everyone wants to cover odors with fragrance and also there are some people who (to varying degrees) can not tolerate fragrances. Many people who live in an apartment can tell you that not only do sounds travel in from neighboring apartments but also smells such as cooking and smoking.

[sowianskizonierz]

So what exactly is the dark truth? I was expecting some big exposé about how they're evil and actually killing you. But it sounds like they're a functional product but it's "bad" that the market has them at both lower and higher price points...?

[obohp]

If my filter can’t make my farts smell good I don’t want it 😤

[bmg]

I credit my air purifiers for keeping my at risk spouse safe from COVID infection. Strategically placed fans, air purifiers, ventilation (open windows ) and high quality mask are effective tools when someone in household is sick. Bonus it helps with dust, cat hair and the various smells (including my neighbor's regular pot usage.. hallway reeks, no smell in our apartment).

[mauishopgirll]

Those of us with allergies have known about air purifiers years before COVID. Dealing with dust, pets, smoke and vog purifiers have been a necessity for me for years.