Scientific Studies: Air Purifiers for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Air Purifiers for VOCs

Volatile organic compounds, also known as VOCs, can wreak havoc on your health. VOCs emanate from a broad number of sources, including:

  • Sealants
  • Carpeting
  • Flooring
  • Cigarette smoke
  • Paint
  • Cleaning supplies

In short, VOCs are inescapable. They have a low boiling point and easily evaporate in the air. Present in all residential and commercial buildings, continued inhalation can have negative health impacts. VOCs are often the culprit of the dynamic known as “sick building syndrome.” This occurs in office buildings and shows up in symptoms like respiratory issues, headaches and allergic reactions.

VOCs in the home can cause not only unwanted side effects for your health but continuously circulate bad-smelling air. Odor is one of the first signs that VOCs are present and causing harm.

There are three kinds of air purification technology that are scientifically proven to reduce VOCs:

  1. Carbon filtration
  2. Bi-Polar® Ionization

These three advanced approaches can filter VOCs out of the air you breathe. Air Oasis leverages all three of these technologies in our home air purifiers, office air purifiers and school air purifiers.

Go here to get cleaner air right away : shop Air Oasis online.

Read on to learn more about air purifiers for VOCs and the official studies that prove the effectiveness of these technologies.

Carbon Filtration: Overview

It is a simple and effective technology, often present as part of multi-process air filtration systems in the best air purifiers . Carbon air filtration has been used for decades to absorb vapors, odors and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This trusted technology is used in water purification, air filtration, industrial gas processing, respirator masks, medical facilities, pharmaceutical development, and astronaut suits.

Carbon filters purify the air by absorbing contaminants within the pore structure of the carbon. iAdaptAir® air purifiers utilize an advanced form of carbon filters to quickly and effectively tackle even the strongest air pollution.

STUDY: iAdaptAir® and Odor Reduction

One of the primary offenders (or first indicators) of VOCs is a foul odor. In this study, the Air Oasis air purifiers were tested against VOCs that were causing bad smells. Toluene, an aromatic hydrocarbon, was released into the testing environment. The Air Oasis iAdaptAir™ air purifier used a carbon filter and a pleated HEPA filter to manually remove it. Natural decay would cause the odor to reduce by 4.7% after an hour. The Air Oasis air purifier dramatically accelerated this process, increasing the rate of reduction by 7 times.


Chart illustrating results of third party scientific studies testing Air Oasis purifiers against toulene VOC odors
Chart illustrating results of scientific studies testing Air Oasis purifiers against toluene VOC odor. Results based on laboratory testing. Actual results may vary.

STUDY: nano Induct™ and VOC Reduction

This study measured the effectiveness of the nano Induct™ by Air Oasis to reduce VOCs. The test was conducted in a 2,000 square foot warehouse. Seven components were measured:

  1. Ozone
  2. Total VOC (TVOC)
  3. Total bacterial count (TBC)
  4. Formaldehyde (HCHO)
  5. Respiratory suspended particles (RSP)
  6. Ammonia (NH3)
  7. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S)

Samples of the above were collected four times over the course of three hours before the Air Oasis nano Induct™ was turned on. This set a control measurement. Then, further samples of formaldehyde, ammonia and hydrogen sulfide were released into the warehouse. After release, the nano Induct™ was turned on. Removal efficiency after three hours was measured as follows:

  • The amount of ozone was negligible.
  • More than 99% of TVOCs were eliminated.
  • 82.7% of bacteria was eliminated.
  • 98.5% of formaldehyde was removed.
  • 35.5% of respiratory suspended particles were removed.
  • 73.3% of ammonia was removed.
  • More than 97% of hydrogen sulfide was eliminated.

All major, harmful particles were safely and effectively removed by the nano Induct™.

STUDY: IonicAir™ UV Purifier and VOCs

The IonicAir™UV Purifier is a UV ionic air purifier. Its filterless technology uses advanced ionization to reduce contaminants in the air. This study tested the effectiveness for removing the following VOCs:

  • Acetic acid
  • Propionic acid
  • Isobutyric acid
  • Butyric acid
  • Isovaleric acid
  • Valeric acid
  • Hexanoic acid
  • Phenol
  • P-cresol

These are known to cause serious health hazards and bad odors. Samples were collected and distributed. The 3,500 square foot room was tested before the air purifier was turned on to establish a control. Success would be determined by whether VOC concentration was reduced after running the air purifier.

The air purifier was placed on a table in the middle of the room. Researchers concluded that the “broom-like action” of the advanced PCO process and filterless unit were highly effective to reduce VOCs. Over the course of four tests, the Air Oasis air purifiers eliminated up to 85% of VOCs from the air.

Bi-Polar® Ionization: Overview

Bi-Polar® ionization is sometimes called cold plasma ionization. This cleans the air in the following way:

 

  1. Water vapor is separated into positive hydrogen and negative oxygen ions
  2. These ions interact with single-cell contaminants, including bacteria and viruses
  3. Bacteria and viruses are deactivated: RNA and DNA are interrupted to stop their reproduction
  4. Ions reform into H20

Airborne contaminants and harmful pathogens are trapped, causing them to fall out of the air. They are deactivated or simply decompose as a result of this safe and effective process.

Chart illustrating how Air Oasis Bi-Polar Ionization technology works
Chart illustrating how Air Oasis Bi-Polar Ionization technology works


STUDY: Bi-Polar® Ionization for Reducing Pathogens and Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is present in particleboard, glues, permanent press fabrics, paper products, fiberboard, disinfectants, germicides and more. Because of this prevalence, it is commonly found in homes and offices. When exposure occurs in certain concentrations, it can cause immediate health issues. There have also been studies (cited in the introduction to this study) that link formaldehyde exposure (as a human carcinogen) to nasal cancer and lung cancer. It is most commonly inhaled as a gas and can cause irritation.

In a fiberglass chamber, the performance of the Air Oasis purifier was tested against formaldehyde on petri dishes. The plates were observed at 24 hours, 48 hours and 120 hours. There was a steady decrease of formaldehyde through each of the observation periods, with a final count of 0 formaldehyde after 120 hours of running the Air Oasis air purifier.


Chart illustrating results of third party scientific studies testing Air Oasis purifiers against pathogen formaldehyde
Chart illustrating results of scientific studies testing Air Oasis purifiers against pathogens and formaldehyde. Results based on laboratory testing. Actual results may vary.


Buy an Air Purifier for VOCs

Air Oasis air purifiers use powerful air filtration methods to reduce VOCs and improve your health. Tap on each product to learn more.

The right air purifier can strengthen immunity, build health and reduce exposure to dangerous particles like VOCs.