Air Purifiers for VOCs - Volatile Organic Compounds

Air Purifiers for VOCs at TheAirPurifiers.com

Air Purifiers for VOCs provide Superior protection from exposure to VOCs and most other harmful chemicals.

What are Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) is a large group of chemicals of organic nature in form of vapors, fumes and gases.
The most common examples of VOCs are formaldehyde, methane, ethylene, toluene, xylenes, benzene, ethylbenzene, isoprene, terpens.
VOCs are mainly produced in result of combustion of organic materials, released by consumer products or manufacturing or agricultural activities.
The main sources of VOCs in outdoor and indoor environments are:

  • Wildfires
  • Volcanoes
  • Vehicle exhaust gases
  • Tobacco (cigar and cigarette) smoke
  • Paints and paint thinners
  • Adhesives, Glues
  • Varnish, Lacquer
  • Hair and Nail Salon Products
  • Embalming, Anatomic pathology
  • Formaldehyde based resin industry
  • Dental cabinets, animal clinics
  • Air fresheners, perfumes
  • Wood preservatives
  • Stain and Fire retardants
  • Cleaners and disinfectants
  • Building materials
  • Furniture
  • Copy machines, printers
  • Pesticides
  • Marijuana Grow, Storage, Dispensing

Health Risks of Exposure to VOCs

VOCs can be acutely toxic. This means that they can cause harmful effects after a single episode of inhalation. People with asthma, young children and the elderly may be more susceptible to the effects of VOCs.
The symptoms of exposure to VOCs can become evident shortly after exposure or can arise within 48 hours and may include short-term and long-teem effects such as:

  • Asthma
  • Sore throat
  • Eyes, nose and throat irritation
  • Breathing difficulties, shortness of breath
  • Nausea, vomiting
  • Dizziness
  • Headache, loss of coordination
  • Extreme weakness
  • Damage to the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system
  • Cancer

Exposure to VOCs in form of fumes and chemicals can cause a numerous health problems, serious illnesses and diseases from severe respiratory problems to cancer.
Exposure to VOCs occurs in many different ways.
Residents living in areas of frequent wildfires can be affected by VOCs in forest and brush fire smoke.
Farmers and farm workers can be exposed to VOCs in pesticides through the treatment of crops, plants, trees, etc.
Residents in rural areas near farmland can be exposed to VOCs in pesticides due to the wind drift.
Exposure can also occur as a result of a secondhand smoke (SHS) inhalation.
Many occupations pose a higher risk of formaldehyde and VOCs exposure such as: dentists, doctors, embalmers, anatomic pathologists, veterinarians, nurses, etc.
Professionals and workers of printshops, laser engraving shops, 3D printing shops, formaldehyde-based resin industry can be exposed to formaldehyde and VOCs in off-gassing emitted by the processes.
Many products used in Hair and Nail salons, such as hair sprays, hair bleach, hair extension glues, flat iron sprays, thermal protection sprays, hair straightening products, etc. contain a number of toxic chemicals, including but not limited to: formaldehyde, methylene glycol, toluene, cyclopentasiloxane or cyclomethicone, styrene, trichlorethylene, dioxane, ammonium persulfate, acetone, etc.
Most of them are VOCs and pose a serious health hazard, if the person is exposed to these chemicals even for a short period of time.
Removal of these chemicals out of the air is important to maintain healthy working environment.

Removal of VOCs

Activated carbon adsorbent is the best substance available for effective removal of over 4000 chemical substances, including most chemicals in VOC group. However, the regular activated carbon doesn't have  sufficient adsorption capacity for some specific VOCs, such as:  

  • Formaldehyde
  • Exhaust gases
  • Xylene
  • Methane
  • Ethylene
  • Nitrogen oxide
  • Sulfur dioxide

and some other chemicals in VOC group that cannot be effectively removed by a regular carbon adsorbent at a sufficient rate.
Therefore, a large amount of Specially enhanced adsorbent - a mixture of activated carbon with special additives (potassium permanganate, potassium iodide, zeolite) should be used instead to achieve a sufficient rate of removal of specific toxic VOCs.

The following air purifiers are equipped with oversize carbon filter canisters and contain massive amount of specialty VOC adsorbent.

  • AirPura C600DLX contains 26 lbs. of specially enhanced adsorbent in 3-inch seep carbon bed canister.
  • Amaircare 3000 contains 30 lbs. of proprietary Formaldezorb adsorbent in optional 2.5 inch deep ULTRA VOC canister.


Photocatalytic Oxidation Process.

The Photocatalytic Oxidation process incorporated in AirPura P600 and AirPura P600 Plus models is an advanced air purification technology initially developed by NASA, provides a significantly boost of air purification performance in removal of VOCs.

Recommended Air Purifiers for VOCs

Home and Office Use under 200 sq. ft.

Home and Office Use under 700 sq. ft.

Home and Office Use under 2000 sq. ft.

Effective removal of Heavy VOCs requires large amount of specialty enhanced adsorbent and a deep carbon bed for a longer dwelling time.
Therefore, the AirPura C600DLX and the Amaircare 3000 with optional ULTRA VOC canister, each containing 26 lbs. and 30 lbs. respectively of specialty adsorbent are the favorite air purifier models in this category.

Air Purifier ModelHEPA Filter, sq. ft.Carbon Filter, lbs.Air Flow Rate, cfm
Airpura F600DLXHEPA-Barrier26 lbs. Industrial Strength560
Airpura C600DLXHEPA-Barrier26 lbs. VOC Canister560
Amaircare 3000N/A30 lbs. ULTRA VOC Canister*450
Airpura V6004018 lbs. VOC Canister560
Austin HealthMate Plus6016 lbs. VOC Canister400

* Optional ULTRA VOC Canister

Commercial and Business Use over 3000 sq. ft.

Air Purifier ModelHEPA Filter, sq. ft.Carbon Filter, lbs.Air Flow Rate, cfm
Amaircare AirWash MultiPro BOSS N/A30 lbs. ULTRA VOC Canister x 2*2500
Amaircare 7500 Cart
N/A30 lbs. ULTRA VOC Canister x 2*1400
Amaircare 6000V CartN/A30 lbs. ULTRA VOC Canister*800
Amaircare AirWash MultiProN/A25 lbs. ULTRA VOC Canister*1300

* Optional ULTRA VOC Canister

Attention! The optional VOC or ULTRA VOC Canisters should be used in Amaircare air purifiers in this category for best result.

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