Carbon Air Filter

An activated carbon filter is the most basic air cleaning device available, it's simply a filter filled with a lot of pores in a complex pattern. These pores absorb pollutants including smoke, chemical fumes, smog, automobile exhaust and many odors.

These filters are usually attached to a system that circulates air throughout the home using a fan. The filters catch the pollutions and remove them from the air. This is one of the oldest and simplest air filtration technologies in existence. Similar filters were used in gas masks used to protect soldiers from chemical weapons during World War I.

One big advantage to carbon filters is that they don't release pollutants back into the air. Unfortunately this means that these filters need to be cleaned or replaced on a regular basis to keep them effective.

There are some serious limitations to activated carbon technology. They don't remove dust and other allergy causing particles from the air. They don't kill germs and other disease causing organisms. They can only remove pollution from the air when the air is circulated by a fan or blower.

The best way to use an activated carbon air filter to clean the atmosphere in your home is to combine it with other effective air cleaning technologies. There are many excellent systems on the market that combine these technologies.

One good way to increase the effectiveness of this filter is to combine it with a HEPA air filter. A HEPA air filter is designed to remove dust and other allergy causing particles from the air.

Using a carbon filter with an ionizer is also a really good idea. An ionizer can remove many dangerous chemicals from the air and get rid of many odors.

To eliminate the threat of germs activated carbon filters should be combined with a germicidal UV lamp. Such a lamp uses ultraviolet (UV) radiation to kill germs, viruses, bacteria, fungus, mold and other disease causing organisms.

Many companies manufacture air purifiers that combine these effective technologies. These devices are available as stand alone units that can clean up the air in a single room or whole house systems that can clear the air throughout the home.

These filters can also be added to existing force air heating and air conditioning systems to clean up the air in a home. Or at least reduce the danger posed by chemical fumes.

Chemical fumes such as paint fumes and carbon monoxide can aggravate allergies and asthma sometimes make people without those conditions sick. Such fumes can also kill or seriously injure people if they are present in really large amounts.

Article Source: Nazima Golamaully