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it does not resort to using carbon, which can end up releasing pollutants {{citation-needed}} Sounds like misinterpreted marketing FUD. Also, correct me if I

it does not resort to using carbon, which can end up releasing pollutants {{citation-needed}} Sounds like misinterpreted marketing FUD. Also, correct me if I'm wrong but fundamentally HEPA is about removing tiny particles whereas other approaches catch larger particles, and organic fires mostly release larger particles. HEPA filters for your house are extreme overkill, it's like living in a medical lab.

gyrgtyn 9y ago
So would a box fan + furnace filter in the window work for the large smoke particles? DIY wood worker people make rigs like for dust in their garages.
- CyberDildonics 9y ago
  I've done that and it does work as a filter in general. The first thing to note is that furnace filters are not HEPA filters. The second thing to note is that HEPA filters don't filter out the same things as activated charcoal (from what I understand).
- mmagin 9y ago
  Box fans don't work especially well with the backpressure. You'll get vastly less air flow. I think the dust-catching products I've seen like http://www.leevalley.com/us/Wood/page.aspx?p=65482&cat=1,42401&ap=1 http://www.leevalley.com/us/Wood/page.aspx?p=65482&cat=1,424... are a lot less restrictive than a couple furnace filters across the front of the fan.
tpkj 9y ago
I am in no way, shape, manner or form affiliated with EnviroKlenz! That out of the way, here's a blurb from their article: "Activated carbon filters will remove chemical gasses. They work by adsorption, a process by which the toxic gasses are attracted to and stick to the carbon But there are problems with carbon filters. Since activated carbon simply collects toxic gasses and stores them, when the carbon becomes full of gasses, the gasses can release back into the air." That is what I was referring to in terms of carbon not being a cure-all.
- contingencies 9y ago
  Marketing FUD - nothing is a cure-all! No filter lasts forever! If you don't maintain a filtration system it will always fail! Common failure modes are reduced throughput and reduced efficacy. Carbon is cheap and effective for many requirements, which is why it is so commonly deployed.

gyrgtyn 9y ago

So would a box fan + furnace filter in the window work for the large smoke particles? DIY wood worker people make rigs like for dust in their garages.

CyberDildonics 9y ago
I've done that and it does work as a filter in general. The first thing to note is that furnace filters are not HEPA filters. The second thing to note is that HEPA filters don't filter out the same things as activated charcoal (from what I understand).
mmagin 9y ago
Box fans don't work especially well with the backpressure. You'll get vastly less air flow. I think the dust-catching products I've seen like http://www.leevalley.com/us/Wood/page.aspx?p=65482&cat=1,42401&ap=1 http://www.leevalley.com/us/Wood/page.aspx?p=65482&cat=1,424... are a lot less restrictive than a couple furnace filters across the front of the fan.

tpkj 9y ago

I am in no way, shape, manner or form affiliated with EnviroKlenz! That out of the way, here's a blurb from their article: "Activated carbon filters will remove chemical gasses. They work by adsorption, a process by which the toxic gasses are attracted to and stick to the carbon But there are problems with carbon filters. Since activated carbon simply collects toxic gasses and stores them, when the carbon becomes full of gasses, the gasses can release back into the air." That is what I was referring to in terms of carbon not being a cure-all.

contingencies 9y ago
Marketing FUD - nothing is a cure-all! No filter lasts forever! If you don't maintain a filtration system it will always fail! Common failure modes are reduced throughput and reduced efficacy. Carbon is cheap and effective for many requirements, which is why it is so commonly deployed.