Do Air Purifiers Remove Carbon Monoxide? An Advanced Guide in 2022

Air purifiers are marketed as a way to improve your home’s air quality. But do air purifiers remove carbon monoxide? That’s a question on many people’s minds, and the answer is it depends. Air purifiers can remove some levels of carbon monoxide from the indoor air.

Still, if the concentration of carbon monoxide is high enough, an air purifier may not be able to make much of a difference.

In this blog post, we’ll explore how to detect carbon monoxide and whether or not air purifiers can help remove carbon monoxide from your home.

Do Air Purifiers Remove Carbon Monoxide?

The short answer is Yes, air purifiers with carbon filters do remove carbon monoxide (CO) from indoor air. Air purifiers with a properly activated carbon filter and true HEPA filters will remove CO from the air. However, it depends on how much CO is in the air and how long the air cleaner is run.

The most common use of an air cleaner is for allergies, asthma, smokers, and pet dander. It is an effective way to remove dust mites, pet dander, pollen, and other airborne particles. An air purifier with an activated carbon filter is often used to remove common household odors such as smoke, gases, and pets.

What is carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas that is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, often goes undetected in homes today.

It can cause mild irritation to the eyes and respiratory tract in low concentrations, while high concentrations can be immediately fatal.

CO is produced by the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing compounds such as wood, natural gas, kerosene, gasoline, diesel, and other fossil fuels. It can be seen associated with smoke from fires or leaks that aren’t picked up very quickly.

What are the side effects of carbon monoxide?

Carbon monoxide has a higher affinity for hemoglobin in the blood, and it binds to hemoglobin much more strongly than oxygen does.

It is also slightly larger than oxygen. Because of this, carbon monoxide can prevent oxygen from binding to the same site on the hemoglobin molecule, which ultimately prevents oxygen from reaching your cells; this deprives the cells of energy, which can quickly lead to death.

Older people, infants, and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Nausea/vomiting/diarrhea
• Rapid breathing and heart rate

How to detect Carbon Monoxide from The Air?

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that can be fatal if inhaled in high amounts. Here are some tips to detect it in the indoor air.

1. Use a Carbon Monoxide Detector

A carbon monoxide detector is vital in your home because they are designed to alert you when dangerous levels of carbon monoxide are detected.

This will allow you to address the situation before life-threatening situations occur. These detectors are relatively inexpensive and can save your life, so don’t skimp!

2. Install Carbon Monoxide ventilation system 

A carbon monoxide ventilation system is another alternative for those who don’t want to purchase a carbon monoxide detector.

These systems are designed to take the potentially deadly gas out of the air and replace it with clean air from outside, preventing carbon monoxide poisoning.

3. Make sure your appliances are safe

Many appliances can cause dangerous levels of carbon monoxide to be in your home if they are not working correctly. Here is a small list of appliances that could pose a threat:

• Gas water heater
• Radiant gas heaters

If you have any of these appliances in your home, it would be best to inspect them for possible problems. In this regard, a yearly inspection by a professional is recommended.

Common FAQs about Carbon Monoxide

Can Air Purifiers Detect Carbon Monoxide?

Most air purifiers cannot detect carbon monoxide. However, some high-end air purifiers with carbon monoxide sensors can detect carbon monoxide and sound an alarm if levels exceed a predetermined threshold.

How Long Does It Take for Carbon Monoxide to Dissipate? 

The time required for a gas to be removed from an enclosed space depends on the concentration and volume (amount of air in the space) and how well ventilation is working. The half-life of carboxyhemoglobin in fresh air is about 4 to 5 hours. Generally, it takes 10 hours to 1 week to completely vanish CO.

Will Opening Windows Reduce Carbon Monoxide?

Yes, Of course, but it won’t totally eliminate CO levels. If you’re worried about carbon monoxide poisoning in your house, it’s a good idea to open multiple windows.

Conclusion

All in all, it’s not as simple as just plugging in an air purifier and calling it a day. You need to make sure you have the right type of air purifier for your needs and that you are using it correctly. We hope this article has helped you understand more about carbon monoxide and how to protect yourself from it.