Air Purifiers: Cigarette Smoke And Your Health

Cigarette smoke is a major contributor to air pollution, with tobacco being the most littered item in the country. It is composed of over 7,000 chemical compounds, 70 of which are known to cause cancer. The smoke contains gases and solid particles, the latter of which can remain suspended in the air and settle on various surfaces, leading to indoor air pollution. This is known as third-hand smoke, which can be resistant to ventilation and harmful to health, especially for those with heart conditions or respiratory illnesses. To mitigate the impact of cigarette smoke pollution, individuals can use air filters, such as carbon and HEPA filters, and take other preventive measures like limiting exposure to polluted environments and quitting smoking.

Using a HEPA filter

Cigarette smoke is composed of over 7,000 chemical compounds, 70 of which are known to cause cancer in humans. It is made up of gases (90%) and solid particles (10%). The gases include carcinogens such as formaldehyde, N-nitrosodimethylamine, and vinyl chloride, while the solid particles include tar and nicotine.

To effectively remove the gases and particles in cigarette smoke, a combination of a carbon filter and a HEPA filter is required. HEPA filters are particularly important in spaces where air quality is a concern due to smoking. They can be used in specialised air purifiers to improve air quality in buildings where smoking is allowed.

HEPA filters can remove a minimum of 99.97% of particles under 0.3 microns in size. They can be used in HVAC systems, air purifiers, vehicle cabin air filters, and restoration and recovery equipment to eliminate odours and particles from the air. HEPA filters can also be used in restoration equipment to clean surfaces affected by cigarette smoke residue, such as carpets, walls, and furniture, which may become discoloured over time.

While HEPA filters can significantly reduce the risks associated with cigarette smoke, they may not be sufficient to remove all harmful particles. To address this, a granular activated charcoal air filter (GAC) can be used in conjunction with a HEPA filter. GAC filters eliminate volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which contribute to the odour in cigarette smoke.

In summary, HEPA filters are an effective tool for improving air quality and removing cigarette smoke pollutants from the air and affected surfaces. For comprehensive protection, they can be paired with carbon filters or GAC filters, which target the gaseous components of cigarette smoke.

Using a carbon filter

Cigarette smoke is composed of over 7,000 chemical compounds, with 70 of those known to cause cancer in humans. It consists of gases, including formaldehyde, N-nitrosodimethylamine, and vinyl chloride, as well as solid particles like tar and nicotine. To effectively remove both gases and particles, a combination of a carbon filter and a HEPA filter is required.

A carbon filter, also known as activated carbon or activated charcoal, is a highly versatile substance capable of filtering both gaseous and aqueous pollutants. It is commonly used in air filters, water filters, cigarette filters, aquariums, and fallout shelters. The effectiveness of a carbon filter lies in its ability to adsorb, which means that pollution particles stick to the outside of its molecule structure. This process increases the surface area of the carbon, allowing it to trap more pollutants.

Carbon filters are particularly useful for removing gaseous pollutants from cigarette smoke, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde, which is released from various household products and building materials. By using an air purifier with a carbon filter, you can significantly improve indoor air quality by reducing the pollution caused by cigarette smoke. Additionally, carbon filters help eliminate unpleasant smells associated with cigarette smoke.

However, carbon filters have limitations. They are less effective in dealing with particulate matter, which makes up about 10% of cigarette smoke. This particulate matter includes harmful substances like tar and nicotine. To address this, a HEPA filter is necessary. HEPA filters are highly efficient at capturing small particles, including those found in cigarette smoke, and can remove over 95% of particulate matter within a single pass.

Therefore, to comprehensively address cigarette smoke pollutants, it is recommended to use an air purifier that combines both a carbon filter and a HEPA filter, such as the Sqair air purifier. This dual-filter approach ensures the removal of both gases and particles, providing a more complete solution to improving indoor air quality in spaces where cigarette smoking has occurred.

Opening windows

However, if the outdoor air quality is good, opening your windows can help to reduce indoor air pollution. Opening windows improves air circulation throughout your home, allowing fresh outdoor air to enter and polluted indoor air to escape. This can be particularly beneficial if you are trying to eliminate any trapped odours, such as cigarette smoke, or lower the indoor temperature during hot weather.

That being said, it is important to be mindful of pollen counts when deciding whether to open your windows. During pollen season, typically from June to August, pollen counts in the outdoor space are usually high. Opening your windows during this time can result in increased indoor pollen levels, which may trigger unpleasant allergy symptoms. To minimise this risk, it is recommended to avoid opening your windows at night and early in the morning when pollen counts are typically at their highest.

Additionally, it is worth noting that opening windows may not be sufficient to completely remove all pollutants from the air, especially those produced by cigarette smoke. Cigarette smoke is composed of over 7,000 chemical compounds, including carcinogens and fine particulate matter, which can be extremely harmful to health. While opening windows can help disperse cigarette smoke, it may not effectively remove all the dangerous particles.

Therefore, combining window ventilation with other methods, such as using air purifiers or filters, can be more effective in improving indoor air quality. Air purifiers can help sanitise the air by trapping pollutants and emitting negative ions to neutralise positive ions in the air. In particular, carbon filters and HEPA filters are recommended for removing both the gases and particulate matter present in cigarette smoke.

Houseplants

NASA conducted a study to determine which plants are the best at absorbing air toxins and found that certain species are especially effective at removing air pollutants. These include philodendron, bamboo palm, peace lily, and ficus. Introducing these houseplants can boost your indoor air quality (IAQ).

While air purifiers can help eliminate visible smoke and reduce cigarette odours, most are unable to fully rid the air of harmful pollutants. In addition, the amount of pollutants released by cigarettes is so substantial that it can rapidly clog an AC filter with residue, requiring frequent filter changes.

Therefore, a combination of air purifiers and houseplants may be the best approach to improving air quality in a home where smoking occurs. In addition to using electric cigarettes indoors, which produce less harmful water vapour, you can also increase ventilation by opening windows and doors to allow for a clean exchange of air.

Not smoking indoors

Cigarette smoke is extremely harmful to human health. It contains over 7,000 chemical compounds, 70 of which are known to cause cancer in humans. These carcinogens include formaldehyde, N-nitrosodimethylamine, and vinyl chloride. The smoke is composed of 90% gases and 10% solid particles, including tar and nicotine. These pollutants can stick to your lungs, as well as linger in your home, degrading the air quality. Given that indoor air pollution is already 2 to 5 times worse than outdoor pollution, it is imperative that you do not smoke indoors.

The best way to prevent tobacco smoke from infiltrating your home is to not smoke inside or around your home or car. If you do choose to smoke inside, a healthier alternative for you and anyone else in the house is to use an electric cigarette. These do not produce harmful smoke and can still provide the user with nicotine. The vapour produced will not stick to surfaces in the same way that regular smoke does, meaning your AC unit will run better, and you won't have to change filters as often.

If you are unable or unwilling to quit smoking, there are other ways to reduce the amount of cigarette smoke and pollutants in your home. Firstly, increase ventilation by opening windows and doors, especially when air quality improves outdoors. This will help to displace the tar-filled air. However, do not run the AC while doing this, as the pollutants can rapidly coat the AC filter with residue, requiring it to be changed at least once a month. Regular preventive AC maintenance is important, and you could also consider installing a HEPA filter on your AC unit, which will trap air pollutants that other filters do not catch.

Another option is to purchase an indoor air purifier, which can remove most biological pollutants. If you have an existing central heating and air system, upgrade your filter to a MERV 13 or better, which will remove 90% of biological pollutants. A HEPA filter will remove 99% of pollutants. Additionally, certain types of plants can act as natural air filters, removing contaminants. NASA found that plants such as philodendron, bamboo palm, peace lily, and ficus are especially good at absorbing air toxins.

Frequently asked questions