The world is changing quickly, and construction is playing a leading role in it. Every day new buildings are constructed, and old ones are going under renovations to make the world a better place. However, it comes at a cost to your health. Prolonged exposure to concrete dust, fumes, and odor can seriously affect your health and cause severe illnesses. This article will discuss how you can suppress the effects of construction dust and the 7 best air purifiers for construction dust.
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What is construction dust?
Construction dust is a product of new buildings and renovations. It is produced due to the building material used in such projects. As you know, concrete is of two types RCC (reinforced concrete) and PCC (Portland cement concrete). Usually, each concrete is made with three basic components: Cement, Sand, and Aggregate. The main difference between RCC and PCC is that RCC uses metal bars or reinforcements, and PCC doesn’t. Furthermore, several chemical additives are used in concrete to enhance its qualities like strength and durability.
It all sounds great, but we often forget another factor in the rush that is air pollution. The air that passes through these construction materials takes some particles from the storage. These particles include silica, mortar, cement, silica, fly ash, metal fumes, and chemical fumes. All these particles harm human health in one way or another. All these particles are collectively known as construction dust.
How to protect yourself from construction dust?
Everyone is affected by construction dust, but the construction workers are the most affected. It is because they work with the construction dust for 8-10 hours daily. The first thing you can do as a precaution is to wear a face mask like K-N95. This ensures that your nose is not exposed to construction dust. Otherwise, you are at risk of damaging your lungs and other organs almost 70% more than a chain smoker.
Similarly, the dust particles stick to your clothes and body when you go home from the site. These particles are released into the room air and can cause harm to your family. Moreover, it only adds to your exposure hours whether you are at home or at work. Therefore, you should follow some remedies to remain protected from construction dust. Here’s how:
Regular Vacuum cleaning:
The most effective way to remove dust and other solid pollutants from your home is to use a vacuum cleaner regularly. The construction dust settles into your furniture, carpet, appliances, and fabric. It is impossible to remove these particles without vacuum suction. Therefore, you should ensure a regular vacuum cleaning system in your house to remove the settled dust.
Dusting:
Dust sticks to water and other adhesive liquids. You can’t remove dust by blowing or cleaning with a dry cloth because the settled particles become airborne. Therefore, it would be best to wipe your furniture with a damp cloth or use a cleaning liquid. The settled particles will be removed from the furniture without becoming airborne.
Air purifier:
The most effective way to clear construction dust from your house is to use an air purifier with a HEPA filter. You can prevent construction dust from settling in your house by removing it directly from the air. The air purifier sucks the air from the environment and passes it through a series of mechanical filters. Dust and other larger particles are caught from the air, and fresh air is released back into the room. Similarly, you can also use water-based air purifiers to clear the dust and release fresh and cool air back into the room without making it dry.
What are the effects of construction dust?
Construction dust is very similar to ordinary dust in terms of size, but its impact on human health is far greater. According to research, more than 30% of construction workers suffer from lung cancer at one point in their life. The inhaled silica dust attaches to the moisture in your respiratory system. This silica physically blocks the airways and chemically changes the body cells to cause mutation. Here are a few health risks related to construction dust:
Lung cancer:
Lung cancer is the most common problem found in construction workers. The silica and chemical fumes from construction dust mutate the body cells. These mutated cells replicate over time and form abnormal tissues inside the body. As a result, you catch severe lung diseases like pneumoconiosis and asbestos.
Eye infections:
Your nose isn’t the only intake exposed to construction dust. In fact, eye irritation is the second most common problem for construction workers. The chemicals in the construction material react with the eye cells and deform them. As a result, you suffer from eye irritation, bloody eyes, and weak eyesight. You can prevent eye conditions by wearing safety glasses when at work.
Skin disorder:
The skin makes up to 90% of the human body structure. All your internal organs are protected from the outside environment by a thin membrane known as skin. The construction dust settles on your skin, and some of it gets absorbed through the pores. Similarly, the larger dust particles block some of the pores and block the sweat glands. So, you can suffer from reddish skin, inflamed skin, and itchy skin conditions like eczema.
Silicosis:
Silicosis is a special lung condition due to prolonged exposure to silica particles in the construction dust. The silica particles react with your mucus and block the airways in the respiratory system. Moreover, you can even develop cancer by inhaling construction dust.
Tuberculosis:
Tuberculosis, commonly known as TB, is an increasing health condition in humans. There are many factors related to TB, and construction dust is a major one. For example, you have a 40% chance of getting Tuberculosis if you smoke more than three packs of cigarettes daily. Construction dust increases your chances all the way up to 80%. Therefore, it would be best to follow all precautionary measures to minimize your chances of catching any of these health conditions.
Top 7 best air purifiers for construction dust
| Image | Product | Feature | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Top pick
|
Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier
|
Washable carbon filter PlasmaWave technology Auto mode |
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|
Runner up
|
Alen FLEX Air Purifier
|
Quiet operation B4-PURE FILTER Low energy consumption |
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 |
LEVOIT Air Purifier for Home
|
Washable filters Ozone-free Large coverage area |
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 |
Germ Guardian Air Purifier 4 in 1
|
UV Light Sanitizer CARB approved Odor remover |
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 |
HATHASPACE Smart True HEPA Air Purifier
|
Remote control Fumes remover Air quality sensor |
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 |
Alen 75i Air Purifier
|
Large coverage area Odor and smoke remover Medical-grade HEPA |
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 |
Blueair Blue Pure 211+ Air Purifier
|
Washable Pre-Filters Swedish Design AHAM certified |
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1- Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier
Specification overview:
- Coverage: 360 Sq. ft
- Power: 70W
- Lab Tested against smoke and chemicals
- PlasmaWave filter kills bacteria
- Washable filters
- Noise: 27.6 dB
CADR:
- Pollen 246
- Dust 243
- Smoke 232
Winnix 5500-2 is the top pick for protection against construction dust. It comes with an advanced 4-staged filtration system that ensures that every chemical, fume, and dust from the construction site is eliminated before reaching you. If you just want the best family protection, Winnix products won’t ever disappoint you.
Winnix 5500-2 boasts about the most advanced air protection against a number of pollutants, including construction dust. The filtration starts with the pre-filter that removes the dust’s silica, sand, and aggregate particles. Moreover, it also provides protection against pet hair and dander for your house. Similarly, the HEPA and active carbon filter ensure that all chemical fumes like oxidized metal fumes and admixture fumes are removed from the air. Now comes the most advanced PlasmaWave filter that uses an electric charge to eliminate germs and bacteria from the air.
The smart sleep mode is a combination of sleep and auto mode of many purifiers. For instance, the device understands when it is time for sleep by the light sensors. In sleep mode, the backlight is dimmed, and the fan speed is set too low to produce as little noise as possible. Moreover, the air filtration speed is reduced to prevent dryness in the air.
Overall, purchasing the Winnix 5500-2 is a smart air purifier suitable for all sorts of construction dust. It protects your property, health, and your family from the hazards of dust and construction fumes.
Filter replacement:
The Winnix 5500-2 has a built-in permanent pre-filter. This filter is washable and lasts for as much as 5-years; the same goes for the PlasmaWave bulb. It would be best to replace the HEPA + AOC filter every 6-8 months with Genuine Winix 116130.
Detailed review of winix 5500-2
2- Alen FLEX Air Purifier
Specification overview:
- Coverage: 700 Sq. ft
- Energy efficient
- Noise: 23-49 dB
- Power: 60W
CADR: According to speed
- Speed 1: 150
- Speed 1I: 185
- Speed 1II: 225
- Turbo: 290
No one better understands the health risks of construction dust than the doctors. Therefore, they collaborated with Alen to produce the best-medicated air purifier for construction dust. It comes with all the features that will help you tackle the dust and several other allergy issues.
A unique feature of the Alen classic is the ability to clean medium to large rooms in the least amount of time possible. Alen flex was tested head-on against the best possible competitors. The results showed that Alen medical air purifier beat them all in terms of speed and efficiency.
It comes with three-stage air purification. The first two stages remove the larger dust particles and some silica from the air. The active carbon filter of this air purifier is improved and optimized to catch all the chemical fumes emitting from concrete. It has a larger capacity and removes 2.7 times more VOCs, odor, smoke, and construction fumes from the air.
Filter replacement:
Alen flex is only termed medical-grade if the genuine filter replacement is used all the time. Otherwise, the product loses its efficiency and consistency. Therefore, you should only use Alen BF35-Silver-Carbon Air Purifier.
3- LEVOIT Air Purifier for Home
Specification overview:
- Coverage: 900 Sq. ft
- Ozone free
- Noise: 27-52 dB
- Power: 40W
CADR:
- 135 CFM / 230 m³/h
Being a civil engineer myself, I understand that construction workers don’t have enough time or money to spend on the air purifier. However, they are ones that require the most protection from air pollution. Therefore, the Levoit air purifier provides the perfect safety against construction dust for a family of 2-3 at an affordable price.
The problem with most budget air purifiers is that they don’t provide suitable protection like some heavy-duty devices. The goal here is to get the maximum performance without causing much damage to your budget. Therefore, I have chosen the Levoit budget air purifier for you. It provides a perfect 3-staged air purification without adding to your electricity bills.
Most air purifiers boast about ultraviolet protection filters, but they hide the fact about ozone generation. This air purifier is completely eco-friendly. You don’t need to worry about damaging the ozone due to the UV rays of your purifier. Another great feature of this air purifier is the advanced auto mode. It detects the current air quality of your room and adjusts the fan speeds accordingly.
Filter replacement:
The replacement filter lasts for up to 6-months, and you can even extend the time by using the device only when you are home. It would be best to use the genuine Levoit replacement filter for LV-PUR131 to ensure maximum performance.
4- Germ Guardian Air Purifier 4 in 1
Specification overview:
- Coverage: 153-743 Sq. ft
- Weight: 8.55lbs
- Power: 55W
- Noise: 36-59 dB
CADR:
- 125 CFM
As you know, construction dust can irritate your respiratory system and even cause severe lung conditions. Therefore, it would be best not to worry about spending because it is your health at stake. You should get the best possible air protection that you can afford. The GermGuardian 4-in-1is the device that I personally use at my home, and I suggest that you check it out as well.
I can tell from personal experience that GermGuardian is the most optimized device for construction dust in the market. It offers a 5-stage filtration system that removes construction dust, mortar, chemical fumes, admixture fumes, and other pollutants from the air. A friend suggested this device to me because he uses it in his site office.
The tower design of this air purifier doesn’t take much space in the room, and you can place it in any corner of the room. This device is suitable for other pollutants and prevents allergic conditions like eczema as well. In short, GermGuadian is the recommended device for all-in-one family protection from air pollution.
Filter replacement:
A single replacement filter lasts for up to 8 months. The best way to keep your air purifier in optimum conditions is to use the Germ Guardian FLT4825.
5- HATHASPACE Smart True HEPA Air Purifier
Specification overview:
- Coverage: 700 Sq. ft
- Noise: 66dB
- Power: 100W
- Anti-allergy
CADR:
- 270 CFM
Construction sites emit a lot of dangerous fumes besides material dust. Therefore, you need a device that not only cleans the solid dust particles but the fumes as well. HATHASPACE is the most powerful air purifier effective against construction dust and admixture fumes without compromising your monthly budget.
Usually, the activated carbon filter is only suitable against Benzene-based chemical fumes. Unfortunately, little to no admixtures are Benzene compounds. On the other hand, the carbon filter of the Hathaspace air purifier attracts Benzene, formaldehyde, and several other chemical fumes along with smoke and odor from the air.
You will notice a major improvement in the room’s air quality within 30 minutes of device setup. It is because the powerful fans combined with the advanced air filtration mechanism ensure that maximum air pollutants are filtered in a limited time. Therefore, I highly recommend checking out the HATHASPACE air purifiers if you didn’t like my first recommendation.
Filter replacement:
The filter replacement indication light starts blinking whenever it is time for a replacement. Usually, a single filter replacement lasts for 6 or more months, and you can even extend the time period by limiting your use and vacuum cleaning the house regularly. You should only use the HATHASPACE Certified Replacement in your air purifier.
6- Alen 75i Air Purifier
Specification overview:
- Coverage: 1100 Sq. ft
- Noise: <35dB
- Power: 45W
- Laser technology sensor
CADR:
- 310 CFM
Alen BreatheSmart 75i is an all-in-one air purifier that protects you against viruses, construction dust, silica fumes, fly ash particles, and sand. This device provides complete air purification for any large hall or even your whole house. So, you only need a single device for complete family protection.
The air purifier understands your lifestyle as soon as you turn it on. The advanced air quality sensor uses laser technology to calculate the current air quality of the house. It even displays current pollution levels of the room in the form of LED light colors. You can adjust the fan speed accordingly to conserve energy and reduce your monthly electricity cost.
The 75i is quite a remarkable air purifier because it has a powerful system installed in a compact casing. This device can clear the whole house of up to 1100 Sq—Ft in under 30 minutes. Moreover, the fan noise is almost undetectable even in complete silence. So, you can leave it running even while sleeping for 24/7 air protection.
Filter replacement:
A single replacement filter lasts for about 6-8 months on an average of 12-hours daily usage. The replacement filter is cheaper than others, and you can get genuine filters from here.
7- Blueair Blue Pure 211+ Air Purifier
Specification overview:
- Coverage: 540 Sq. ft
- Noise: 31-56 dB
- Power: 61W
- Certified by Aham
CADR:
- Smoke: 350 CFM
Construction people come exhausted after a long day at work. Now imagine having to set up the air purifier all the time. What if I suggest an intelligent air purifier that understands your schedule, your voice, and you can even control it with your smartphone. Blueair Blue Pure 211+ is one of the few smart air purifiers in the market with Alexa and Google compatibility.
These days, almost all homes are shifting to a smart lifestyle. Blueair Blue Pure 211+ is the top contender in every such debate. It provides a smart air purification system without adding much to your electricity cost. You can even connect the device with your smart home device like Alexa or even your Android smartphone for complete automation. However, it doesn’t yet support SIRI, but hopefully, that day isn’t too far as well.
You can use this air purifier in any small to medium-sized house and not worry about performance issues. The best way to ensure maximum protection in all the rooms is to set it up in the living room or the center of your house. The device automatically detects the air quality of the entire house and ensures optimized air purification.
Filter replacement:
BlueAir 211+ comes with some of the most durable HEPA filters in the market. A single replacement filter lasts for more than one year. Moreover, the replacement indicator will let you know when it is time. You can find genuine BlueAir air filters. Here.
If you want to buy a blueair air purifier but are confused between 121 and 211 you can check out our comparison article
Conclusion
An air purifier is a must-have device for every construction worker. The construction material on the site is composed of small and lightweight particles that are carried away by the wind. This type of pollution can severely damage your lungs, respiration system, and skin. I hope were able to choose the perfect air purifier according to your budget in this list.
FAQs
How dangerous is construction dust?
Construction dust can be dangerous, especially when inhaled. Construction sites should be spotlessly clean and always include safety equipment. Material handlers should be trained in safety. Construction sites should also be properly vented and an air purifier is always a good edition.
How to protect me from construction dust?
There are some home remedies that you can do to remove construction dust from the house. Firstly, ensure regular vacuum cleaning of the house and wiping the furniture with a damp cloth. Secondly, always use an air purifier to remove the dust particles right from the air before they settle.
What is the best air purifier for construction dust?
Winnix 5500-2 is a certified air purifier for complete protection against construction dust, chemical fumes, admixture fumes, allergens, and viruses. Moreover, you can also use a small air purifier if you live alone in one room.
What’s Silica Dust and is it harmful ?
Silica dust is very commonly found during construction its also known as RCS.It can be created by grinding or cutting hard materials like stone, tile, or glass. Most silica dust originates in industrial settings, but there are several consumer products that contain silica dust, including sandpaper, grinding wheels, concrete and masonry products, drywall joint compound, and some welding equipment.
Yes, it is dangerous silica dust can cause lung disease. Allergic reactions to silica dust can also trigger asthma attacks. Inhaling silica dust can cause serious health problems, so it is important to take precautions. Its better to install an air purifier prior to construction.
How Long Does Silica Dust Stay in the Air?
Silica dust can stay in the air for 1 to 3 days, depending on the particle size. Fine particles of dust will stay longer in the air. Silica dust can linger in the air for several hours, depending on its vapor pressure and how finely the compound is dispersed. Particles of silica with vapor pressures between 1 and 5 mmHg, or between 30 and 90% of their original size, will be present only for a few hours. Larger-particle forms of silica, such as fumed silica, can remain in place for as long as 24 hours.
