Best air purifier for chemical sensitivity

The advancement of technology has provided ease for every business. However, such comfort comes at the price of our health. The humans of the 21st century are now exposed more than ever to harmful chemicals. These chemicals are omnipresent all around us in the form of air, water, and solids. Therefore, you need to keep yourself protected from such chemical fumes to avoid any health consequences.

According to allergists, the number of allergy patients has been increasing over the last few decades. Moreover, these patients are mainly allergic to synthetic products such as chemicals and fumes. For instance, we are threatened by sickness that none of our ancestors ever knew. The perfect solution to these problems is to stay away from such fumes to prevent exposure. Therefore, this article includes the best air purifiers for chemical sensitivity to keep you safe from chemical fumes.

 

What is Chemical sensitivity?

Doctors, especially allergists, started receiving patients with severe forms of allergies just a few decades ago. Initially, these patients were treated similar to allergy patients. However, soon the doctors realized that these types of allergies are very different from natural allergies. For instance, the response to medication was different, and the irritation stopped as soon as the affecting item was removed from the environment. Thus, a new term was introduced, knows as Chemical sensitivities or Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS).

MCS is a severe type of allergy mainly triggered by synthetic products such as sensitivity to chemical smells. However, this condition is not limited to chemical fumes only, i.e., some people even face irritation by other synthetic materials as well. The main symptoms of MCS include the effect on multiple organs due to a single trigger. These symptoms can range from mild such as running nose, sneezing, eye irritation to acute conditions like seizures, asthma, and anaphylaxes.

 

How to treat MCS?

Typically, MCS patients are treated like normal allergy patients by using SSRIs. However, the main difference is that allergy patient doesn’t get retriggered by the same irritant. On the contrary, the treatment of an MCS patient lowers the symptoms for the time being. However, these symptoms reappear as soon as the patient is exposed to the same irritant compound. Furthermore, the symptoms may become worse with the prolonged exposure to the disturbing chemical. Therefore, the ultimate treatment of a patient with sensitivity to chemical smells is complete avoidance of the irritant.

We live in a world where it is impossible to remain completely safe from chemical fumes. The irritant fumes are present all around us in the form of smoke, perfumes, gases, and even paint fumes. Therefore, the only choice you have is to use an air purifier to remove chemical fumes.

 

How does an air purifier remove chemical fumes?

MCS patients are at risk of getting triggered all the time. It is because the humans of this century are constantly exposed to chemicals in one form or the other. Moreover, the chemical sensitivity is not limited to chemical fumes and odor only. Other allergy triggers like dust, mites, pollen can also trigger severe MCS conditions.

Therefore, you need the best air purifier for MCS patients to avoid any contact with the irritant chemical. For instance, air purifiers contain three to four levels of protection that keep you safe from the harmful pollutants and allergens present in the air. Some purifiers even contain a deodorizer filter made from activated carbon or zeolite. Both of these filters have the ability to absorb odor particles as small as 0.25 microns. Therefore, the most effective way to treat chemical sensitivity like newspaper ink allergy is to use an air purifier all the time.

 

Short on time? we understand Here is a Quick pick:

My personal award for the best air purifier for protection against chemical sensitivity goes to the Coway AP-1512HH Mighty Air Purifier. It is one of the top reviewed products online with maximum positive reviews. It means that this air purifier is extremely reliable and delivers the promised performance. Moreover, it is available at a discounted price if you check it now

 

5 Air purifiers for chemical sensitivity

There are some air purifiers in the market that are specialized for chemically sensitive patients. These machines contain all the necessary features to help you get rid of harmful fumes from your surrounding air. I have personally created a list of the top 5 such air purifiers

 

 

1- Coway AP-1512HH Mighty Air Purifier: Air purifier with Eco-mode

Coway AP-1512HH White HEPA Air Purifier

Top Features

  • Power: 77W
  • Coverage: 361 sq. ft in 30 minutes
  • Noise: 4 dB to 53.8 dB.
  • Eco-mode

Top of the list comes the Coway Mighty purifier. It is one of the best-rated products online. The machine comes packed with many features that help make it the perfectly balanced air purifier for both performance and power saving. These powerful machines have one of the highest CADR ratings in comparison to their competitors. Therefore, if you are looking for the perfect air purifier for your home, then check it out.

As the name suggests, these Mighty purifiers are built to last for a very long time. The sturdy plastic material makes it moisture-resistant to some extent and increases its service life. Moreover, the multi-filtration system ensures that no toxic chemical remains in the surrounding air. Moreover, the efficient technology, as well as the powerful motors of this machine, ensures that maximum performance is obtained while producing the least amount of noise.

This Mighty air purifier comes with some of the finest features that you can get in any premium machine. For instance, the air quality sensor works in collaboration with both the indicator as well as the fan regulator. It means that not only the machine detects the level of contamination in the room but also adjusts to the conditions accordingly. Moreover, the Eco-mode of the Mighty keeps the room air quality in constant check. If the sensors detect no pollutants for 30 minutes, the fans are turned off to save electricity. However, as soon as the sensors detect an increase in chemical fumes, the fans are powered on again.

 

Filter replacement:

The filter replacement for the Mighty purifier is very straightforward, and you can easily swap filters at home.

  • You can use the Coway recommended AP-1512HH-FP AP-1518R filters to maintain your machine every 6 months.
Pros
  • Durable material
  • Modern design
  • Smart auto mode
  • Silent operation
  • Ionizer filter
  • Affordable price
  • Timer feature
  • CADR:
  • Dust 246 cb. ft
  • Pollen 240 cb. ft
  • Smoke 233 cb. Ft
Cons
  • No cons

 

2- Medify Air MA-40-W V2.0: Best air purifier for large halls

Modify Air MA-40-W V2.0

Top Features

  • Power: 65W
  • Noise: 30-48 dB
  • Coverage: 1600 sq. ft
  • Lifetime Warranty

Sometimes, you just need a bigger machine for bigger halls like in offices or shops. It is because using multiple air purifiers for a single hall is not feasible in terms of both money and wattage. Therefore, you need a machine that can cover large halls as efficiently as the premium air purifiers. This is exactly the definition of the Medify air purifier.

First things first, air purification at such a large scale demands better equipment. So, the regular HEPA filters are just not good enough for the job. Therefore, the Medify contains customized 13 HEPA filters rather than the typical true HEPA filters. These filters are higher rated than the rest and provide a better performance, longer service, and can operate for many hours continuously.

Secondly, the motors and machinery of this purifier are also robust than the rest. For instance, this machine can clear a 1600 sq. ft room in just 1 hour, 840 sq. ft room in 30 minutes, and 420 sq. ft room in just 15 minutes with a CADR rating of 330. Finally, the design of this machine is extremely durable. It uses premium tempered glass in its casing rather than plastic. This glass casing not only makes this purifier elegant but also provides it scratch resistance.

Filter replacement:

This machine uses a dual HEPA filter and thus has a longer service life. Therefore, you can use the same filter for a whole year of regular use.

  • You should use the Future Way Upgraded MA-40 Filter when replacing it.
Pros
  • Premium quality
  • Durable design
  • Tempered glass case
  • Air quality sensor
  • CARB: 330
  • Scratch-resistant
  • Child lock
Cons
  • Slightly heavyweight
  • Relatively expensive

Read detailed review: Medify MA-40 Air Purifier with H13 True HEPA Filter

 

3- HIMOX AP01 Compact Air Purifier: Bachelor’s air purifier for MCS

HIMOX AP01 Compact Air Purifier Medical Grade H13

Top Features

  • Power: 17W
  • Noise: 20-50 dB
  • Coverage: 215 sq. ft
  • Smart Touch panel

The HIMOX AP01 is also known as the bachelor’s air purifier due to its small size and portability. It is an all-in-one air purifier that you can carry around wherever you are going. For instance, you don’t need to purchase separate air purifiers for offices and homes. Moreover, the perfect balance between power consumption and performance makes it the perfect air purifier for up to two persons.

It is an elegant device with maximum features trying to make it as effective as possible. For instance, the true HEPA filter provides medical-grade filtration without requiring a specialized unit for the job. Moreover, You can easily place it on the floor to serve the whole room. The strong machinery can filter up to 215 square feet of rooms within one hour. Furthermore, the smart intake allows the machine to capture fumes and pollutants at 360 degrees to make the machine even more effective for roommates.

Speaking of bachelors, the most careless species on the planet. The manufacturer doesn’t expect them to remember the filter changing dates or to even check the quality of the filter. Therefore, the built-in filter indicator monitors the filter health and provides an indication of when it is time to swap the filter. Lastly, the AP01 comes with two layers of filtration. The activated carbon filter captures most of the chemicals, smoke. dust and odor from the surrounding air. On the other hand, the H13 true HEPA filter further cleans the air from smaller particles and allergens.

Filter replacement:

The filter replacement mechanism is also optimized for bachelors. You just need to look at the indicator; when it is time, just open the lid and swap with the replacement filter.

Pros
  • Lightweight
  • Very affordable
  • Ozone free
  • Smart touch panel
  • Portability
  • Economic usage
  • Compact size
  • 360 degrees intake
  • Ultra-silent technology
Cons
  • Lower coverage
  • Not suitable for more than 2 users

 

4- IQAir Atem Car Portable: Best car air purifier for chemical sensitivity

IQAir Atem Car Portable

Top Features

  • Car air purifier
  • 20x cleaning per hour
  • Fumes protection

Are you someone who travels a lot? If yes, then the IQAir Atem purifier is the best choice for you. It is impossible to carry around a fully functional air purifier all the time. For instance, people with medical conditions are at risk whenever they travel because the air in their car is not filtered. Therefore, you need a portable air purifier to purify your every breath, no matter where you are.

This air purifier is potent and efficient for such a small size. The compact size of this device is similar to that of Alexa or a Bluetooth speaker, and you can easily fit it on the back of a seat. Furthermore, you don’t need to keep the machine plugged in all the time. It comes with a long-lasting battery that can operate for a whole day on a single charge.

The portable device fast, effective, and optimized for car users. It has the ability to purifier air inside your car 20x in just a single hour. Moreover, this purifier utilizes the H14 true HEPA filter protection combined with UV light filter and activated carbon filter, respectively. All these filters combine to create the perfect car purifier for chemicals like  PM2.5, CO2, and diesel soot. Furthermore, It has a CADR score of 300 CFM and a sterilization score of 99.99%, which is very optimum for such a compact size.

Filter replacement:

One filter of this device will last multiple years, depending on your usage. Therefore, it is best to check and vacuum the filter every 3 months and replace it when completely unstable.

  • You should only use the IQAir Certified HyperHEPA Replacement Filter.
Pros
  • Extremely lightweight
  • Car-friendly
  • Very efficient
  • Durable design
  • 270 degrees focus
  • Smartphone app
  • 5-in-1
  • Centrifugal design
  • Long-lasting filter
Cons
  • Very expensive
  • Filter replacement is costly.

 

5- Okaysou AirMax8L Air Purifier: Budget air purifier for smokers

Okaysou AirMax8L Air Purifier

Top Features

  • Ultra-Duo 2 Filters
  • Advanced turbine motor
  • SilenceBoost Technology

The AirMax8L is the best choice air purifier at a budgeted price. It has an intelligent mechanism that absorbs all kinds of allergens, smoke, fumes, and other harmful intoxicants. Therefore, this is the right choice of a personal air purifier for MCS patients. This product is so budget-friendly that many other purifier’s filter replacement costs more than this whole unit. Therefore, if you are looking for the best air purifier at a reasonable price, this is it.

First of all, the coverage is of the HPA300 is suitable for 800 sq. ft which is typically the size of a large room. For instance, this product is the best used for small-medium halls. Moreover, you don’t have to worry about the operating hours of the machine. The smart auto-settings constantly monitor the environment and only run filtration when required, thus saving your electricity.

Secondly, the fans for this purifier are specially designed for quieter operation. The AirMax8L produces less than 40db sound during peak settings. However, you should remain careful not to run the device on high settings since it will decrease the device’s serviceability, and the noise level increases over time.

Overall, the AirMax8L is one of the best multifunctional air purifiers on the list. It has a pre-defined setting for every type of environment and situation. Moreover, you can create a customized combination of these settings, such as the operation mode, turbo cleaning, sleep timer, child lock, and operation timer.

Filter replacement:

The filter replacement indicator will tell you when it is time to replace.

Pros
  • Power: 35watts
  • Noise level: 22-40db
  • Filter change indicator
  • Durable design
  • Easy to customize settings
  • Child lock
  • Smart auto mode
Cons
  • Not for large halls
  • Filters are hard to replace.

 

Step by step guide

Choosing an air purifier is easy, but choosing the best air purifier for yourself and your family can get tricky. That is why we have written a well-researched step-by-step guide on How to choose an air purifier. From primary HEPA filter to allergies, we have included everything. Make sure you read that too.

 

Conclusion:

Multiple chemical sensitivities are a rising disorder, especially in young adults. The best way to prevent such triggers is to avoid contact with harmful chemical fumes or VOCs. However, it is not possible to stay away from chemicals in the current society. Therefore, you need the best air purifier for chemical sensitivity to clear your living space from such harmful fumes.

 

 

FAQs

 

Do air purifiers remove chemical fumes?

The HEPA filter, along with an activated carbon filter, absorbs 99% of fumes, including paint, chemical, and VOC fumes

How long does it take for VOC to dissipate?

Depending on the nature of the VOC, it may take anywhere between 2 to 6 months to dissipate. The paint fumes dissipate between 5-6 months.

Is there a cure for multiple chemical sensitivity?

Like allergy, there is no concrete cure for the chemical sensitivity disorder. However, the best solution is to avoid contact with affecting chemicals by using an air purifier.

What other problems do MCS patients often have?

According to doctors, MCS patients often face depression, anxiety, and somatoform disorders.

How long does it take for an air purifier to clean a room from VOCs?

Depending on the size of the room and the machine’s coverage. A typical air purifier can clear VOCs from a 350 sq. ft room in under 30-45 minutes.

I'm Julia, an air purification expert and certified Indoor Air Quality Professional. With a Master's in Environmental Science and a decade of research at the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences, I've dedicated myself to understanding air pollutants and their health impacts. At 'PureAirly', my mission is to leverage my expertise in air purifiers and guide you towards cleaner, healthier air.

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