Air Filters Breaking the Wall of Indoor Air Pollution

Can filters reduce indoor air pollution? Inexpensive, easy-to-assemble Corsi-Rosenthal boxes can help reduce exposure to indoor air pollutants.

Simple air filtration devices called Corsi-Rosenthal boxes are effective at reducing indoor air pollutants, according to a team of researchers from Brown University's School of Public Health, Brown’s School of Engineering, and Silent Spring Institute.

The study, which analyzed the effectiveness of Corsi-Rosenthal boxes installed at the School of Public Health to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, is the first peer-reviewed study of the efficacy of the boxes on indoor pollutants.

Air Pollution - Pollutants - Health Effect - Efforts to Reduce
Nearly 2.4 million deaths every year are attributable to air pollution. Air pollutants may be solid particles, liquid droplets or gases. Proper planning methods should be adopted to reduce air pollution.

‘Lowering indoor air concentrations of commonly-found chemicals known to pose a risk to human health is a way to improve occupant health.’

The findings show that an inexpensive, easy-to-construct air filter can protect against illness caused not only by viruses but also by chemical pollutants. This type of highly-accessible public health intervention can empower community groups to take steps to improve their air quality and therefore, their health.

Enhancing Indoor Air Quality: The Air Filter Advantage

Corsi-Rosenthal boxes, or cubes, can be constructed from materials found at hardware stores: four MERV-13 filters, duct tape, a 20-inch box fan, and a cardboard box. As part of a school-wide project, boxes were assembled by students and campus community members and installed in the School of Public Health as well as other buildings on the Brown University campus.

To assess the cubes’ efficacy at removing chemicals from the air, Braun and his team compared a room’s concentrations of semi-volatile organic compounds before and during the box’s operation.

The results, published in Environmental Science & Technology, showed that Corsi-Rosenthal boxes significantly decreased the concentrations of several PFAS and phthalates in 17 rooms at the School of Public Health during the period they were used (February to March 2022).

Immune System Weakens Due to Air Pollution
Air pollution not only leads to the development of respiratory diseases in seniors but also weakens their immune system.

PFAS, a type of synthetic chemical found in a range of products including cleaners, textiles, and wire insulation, decreased by 40% to 60%; phthalates, commonly found in building materials and personal care products, were reduced by 30% to 60%.

PFAS and phthalates have been linked to various health problems, including asthma, reduced vaccine response, decreased birth weight, altered brain development in children, altered metabolism, and some cancers, said Braun, who studies the effect of these chemicals on human health.

Long COVID-19 Haulers Should Take Precaution in Polluted Air
Exposure to air pollution increases the likelihood of hospitalization by 30% in people who suffer from long COVID-19.

They are also considered to be endocrine-disrupting chemicals that may mimic or interfere with the body’s hormones. What’s more, PFAS have been associated with reduced vaccine response in children and also may increase the severity of and susceptibility to COVID-19 in adults.

The reduction of PFAS and phthalate levels is a wonderful co-benefit to the Corsi-Rosenthal boxes. These boxes are accessible, easy to make, and relatively inexpensive, and they’re currently being used in universities and homes across the country.

Health Tips to Protect Against Pollution Hazards During Diwali
How to manage your health during Diwali? Limit exposure to harmful chemicals and pollutants, especially for people suffering from respiratory illnesses.

This interesting research showing that the air filters not only reduce particles carrying the COVID-19 virus but also reduce other indoor air pollutants could be very significant as we continue to work to create a cleaner and safer indoor air.

The researchers also found that the Corsi-Rosenthal boxes increase sound levels by an average of 5 decibels during the day and 10 decibels at night, which could be considered distracting in certain settings, such as classrooms. However, the health benefits of the box likely outweigh the audio side-effects.

The box filters do make some noise. But you can construct them quickly for about $100 per unit, with materials from the hardware store. They are not only highly effective but also scalable.

Source-Eurekalert