Is Your Air Filter Still Filtering Air?

Most of us in Beijing are already conditioned to equip our homes with air filtration devices due to the city's deadly air – but how many of us bother to check regularly if our air filters are actually still doing their job?

I have the HealthPro by IQ Air AG and it does a bang-up job (proven with a handy particulate matter measuring device we picked up on Taobao), and I replace the filters as recommended. However, one of the basic premises of air filtration is that if the air isn't actually passing through the filters, it's not going to be filtered  which means maintaining good airflow is critical.

After playing around with my measuring device and finding the readings high in my living room, I flipped over my HealthPro only to find that the bottom filter where air comes in was caked with a thick matt of household dust, and further investigation revealed a rather constricted airflow coming out of the top of the device.

I immediately sprung into action and used an ordinary household vacuum to remove the think pad of dust – and my problem was solved. Since then, I've made it a regular weekly chore – every Saturday I turn my HealthPros on their side and vacuum out the bottom filter. The vaccuming is simple – the only tricky part is turning the machine on its side to access its underbelly. Make sure you unplug the machine first.

Even on good air weeks I'll typically find a layer of dust, so I do it religiously every week and I'm assured of peak airflow from my units.

If you're too lazy or organizationally challenged to do this weekly, a handy way to test airflow (albeit unscientifically) is to drape a Kleenex tissue over the top of the unit and let half it hang over the side at the fold. While holding the tissue with one hand, snap a pic of the billowing tissue at the speed you typically have your machine set on. Then you'll have a reference for the airflow that you can test regularly; when the tissue droops at that speed, it's probably time to vacuum the intake.

So you've got your mask, you've got your air filtration system – now take the next step and make sure it's working.

Comments

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At least one sane person here; thanks, elendil34.

Guys, a bit of manners please. A healthy debate is always good. Putting things out of contest or not being polite is not for grown ups.

Actually there are many things at debate here. The air is polluted no doubt but it does not have short term effects. Having Air Purifiers is a bit like wearing a helmet on a bike or a seatbelt in a car. There is no harm on trying to minimise the risks.

Statistics say that the number one illness killing people now here is lung cancer and of course that would have a lot to do with smoking but also with pollutions.

Please keep the conversation tone neutral so that everybody can add something...

mmmm, interesting point of view. Just because you don't "feel the need" for an air filter, doesn't mean the air around you isn't damaging you. So are you just saying you are happy to live somewhere as long as you don't feel the direct effects in the short-term? So with that thinking, you would be happy to live in a highly radioactive area, just because you don't "feel" the need for a preventitive suit yet? I guess ignorance is bliss Smile

I do. But I would never live in a place I believe to be genuinely toxic. I don't wear masks and I don't own an air filter. The day I feel the need for that, I'm out of here. That's what I mean when I say I don't understand why anyone would live in a place where they feel the air is so polluted that it must be filtered. I'm talking about people who have a choice, if people really believe it's that hazardous.. Is the money worth it? The career opportunities?

Steven Schwankert wrote:

I still don't understand why anyone would live in a place where they feel the air is so polluted that it must be filtered.

You don't live in Beijing?

Thank you, cdn_china, for understanding and making a rational point.

Steven Schwankert wrote:

I still don't understand why anyone would live in a place where they feel the air is so polluted that it must be filtered.

Well, there are many reasons to live here, even if one feels the air is so polluted that it must be filtered. Say, for example, the local residents who have lived here for generations, the waidi folks who find the work environment better than that back home...

http://www.thebeijinger.com/blog/2014/06/30/cancer-beijings-top-killer-seventh-consecutive-year-healthy-life-expectancy-58-years

Steven Schwankert wrote:

Lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and liver cancer were cited as the leading killers of men. For women, breast cancer, lung cancer, and then colorectal were the leading types of cancer fatalities.

Doubt wisely; in strange way / To stand inquiring right is not to stray; / To sleep, or run wrong, is. (Donne, Satire III)

Steven Schwankert wrote:

Chaofan,

Wow, how clever of you.

Hey thanks buddy,

and if you ever need me to explain to you why people live here just let me know,

happy to help educate the retarded in our community.

Good luck to ya!

Steven Schwankert wrote:

I still don't understand why anyone would live in a place where they feel the air is so polluted that it must be filtered.

I think the debate about polluted air is pretty much finished and the findings are - yup, it is polluted, and yup, it is a health risk.

What I can't understand is why parents with children, especially young ones, live here. Kids are a high risk group, and they don't have the choice where they live.

Maybe it is because Mommy/Daddy are narcicists and want to feel delusionally "special" as whities in China, whereas Mommy/Daddy are nobodies back home.

They are always the first to claim they are great, loving parents. Sure, sacrifice the kids' health for that potential promotion.

Bought one - ''Laisen'' - no time for it. Summer here much better than Winter.

Chaofan,

Wow, how clever of you.

Steven Schwankert wrote:

I still don't understand why anyone would live in a place where they feel the air is so polluted that it must be filtered.

Well you are simpleton,

there are many things you do not understand.

Life must be very confusing to you. Unknw

I still don't understand why anyone would live in a place where they feel the air is so polluted that it must be filtered.