What is Second Hand Smoke? Although it is widely known and understood that smoking tobacco is a serious health hazard, the dangers of second hand smoke are just as real and potentially devastating for your health. Second hand smoke comes from two sources, the smoke that comes off of the cigarette or cigar itself, and the smoke that is being exhaled by the smoker. Although the smoke that comes directly from the source of burning tobacco is more dangerous than smoke that is being exhaled, both contain carcinogens that can be extremely dangerous to anyone who breathes it in. The smoke from burning tobacco contains thousands of chemicals, and hundreds of those chemicals are dangerous to human health. Exposure to second hand smoke can cause anything from lung irritation and allergic reactions to more serious conditions such as heart disease and cancer. The tragedy of second hand smoke is that it can kill people who have never smoked a cigarette in their life; just regularly being around a smoker is enough to cause serious and permanent damage.

How Can an Air Purifier Help Reduce Second Hand Smoke? The primary function of an air purifier is to draw in air from a room, pass it through a series of filters that will remove particle and chemical pollutants, and then release the clean air back into the home. While many people know that an air purifier can help with allergens such as mold and pollens, the good news is that using an air purifier can help to remove smoke from the air as well. Not only can an air purifier help to remove smoke odors, but it can capture many of the harmful chemical components as well. There are two main ways that air purifiers can remove smoke, by use of a HEPA filter and by using activated carbon. HEPA filters are fiber filters that were originally designed by scientists to protect themselves from radiation during nuclear testing. Capable of capturing a wide range of small particles, true HEPA filters are tested to ensure that they remove particles at 0.3 microns in size, 99.97% of the time, which is the most difficult micron size to capture.

Cigarette smoke ranges in size from 4 to 0.01 microns, allowing it to be captured by the HEPA filter’s fibers. After it is burned or exhaled, smoke will rapidly thin and its particles reduce in size, making it harder to trap. Using an air purifier as someone is smoking is the best way to trap the chemicals and odors of second hand smoke before they spread. The other major defense against smoke in an air purifier comes from the use of activated carbon. To become activated, a source of carbon is exposed to extremely high temperatures, causing it to become incredibly porous. A small pellet of activated carbon can have the internal surface area the size of a football field. When chemicals, odors, and gases pass through the activated carbon, they become adsorbed into its porous surface. Why Choose Rabbit Air? Every Rabbit Air purifier comes equipped with each of these powerful filters, each designed for maximum efficiency. Our specially designed BioGS HEPA filters used advanced bio-engineered technology to prevent secondary contamination and mold growth on the filter, keeping its efficiency level high throughout its lifespan, while our Charcoal Based Activated Carbon filter uses around half a pound of actual charcoal pellets to provide the best filtration of odors and chemicals.

For those particularly concerned with the removal of smoke, our MinusA2 air purifier can be customized for advanced smoke removal with our Odor Remover filter. The Odor Remover filter has activated carbon woven into its fibers, allowing it to help capture the odors and chemicals from smoke while helping the Charcoal Based Activated Carbon filter to keep working at a higher efficiency for a longer period of time. The best way to keep safe from secondhand smoke is to avoid it all together. air purifier ukWhen that isn’t an option, using an air purifier is a smart way to help reduce the harmful chemicals in the air and to help keep yourself and your loved ones safe. air purifier cause dry eyes Apartment and condo dwellers, particularly residents of drafty older buildings, call us daily about the problem of secondhand smoke wafting into their homes. cd lens cleaner pc world

Will an air purifier work? Where do I put it? Some customers have even gone as far as to purchase an air purifier for their smoking neighbors. You will need an air purifier that can remove the hundreds of particulate and chemicals in smoke. An air purifier with HEPA filtration will help remove the chemicals and gases in smoke. Cheaper air purifier models found in home improvement stores typically have a few ounces of activated carbon, whereas an air purifier that can truly clean up the smoke contains pounds. Alen, Austin Air, and Allerair air purifier units have the capability to remove smoke, depending on the amount of smoke and your budget. Where do I put the air purifier? If it is clear where the secondhand smoke is entering the dwelling, place the air purifier near it. If unclear, keep it in your main living area during the day and move it to the bedroom at night. If you prefer not to move it, the highest priority location is the bedroom. The respiratory system slows down during sleeping hours when one needs clean air most.

Will an air purifier really help with secondhand smoke? One that is appropriate for smoke will help significantly. When you change the filter for the first time and see the tar and gunk that is in the filter, you will be horrified, but you will also be a believer!My Neighbor's Smoke is Killing Me! Good Questions: My Neighbor's Smoke is Killing Me!Second-hand smoke is invading my apartment. I have a new neighbor and her nonstop smoking is making me sick. I'd pay anything for a good air purifier ( I am that miserable), I just need to know which one to get. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! (Note: Include a pic of your problem and your question gets posted first. Email questions and pics with QUESTIONS in subject line to:editor(at)apartmenttherapy(dot)com)Link To All Good Questions This is a real bummer. The best answers we know of are really sealing whatever the cracks are between your apartments and also getting a good air purifier. While good ones can be expensive, we have heard remarkable things about this one: the IQ air purifier.