Best Air Purifiers for VOCs Removal - Free Your Room of Harmful Odors
Exposure to the environment with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is harmful to your health. In some cases, you don't realize you're breathing it.
Read this post to find out the best air purifiers for VOCs and formaldehyde, what VOCs are, and how they affect your health.
Quick Dive Right In:
Part 3. Air Purifiers for VOCs Removal
Pick 1. 201B - Best Budget Option
Pick 2. V3 - Best for Large Spaces
Part 4. Tips to Reduce the Indoor VOCs
Part 1. What is VOC in Air Purifier Field
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are harmful chemical gases emitted or volatilized by some solid or liquid objects. Most household products you use every day contain VOCs.
They can also react with other gases in the air to form other pollutants. For example, they can react with nitrogen oxides (NOx) to create ozone molecules.
Here are the top indoor sources of VOCs
Cosmetics |
Building Materials |
Cleaning Products |
New Furnishings |
Activities |
Perfumes |
Vinyl Flooring |
Laundry Detergents |
Closets |
Paintings |
Nail Polishes |
Paints/Caulks |
Dishwashers |
Tables |
Dry-Cleaned Clothing |
Dying Products |
Wood Preservatives |
Oven Cleaners |
Beds |
Cooking |
Hair Sprays |
Adhesives |
Toilet Bowl Cleaners |
Cushions |
Smoking |
Toners |
Varnishes |
Pesticides |
Carpets |
Developing Photos |
Here are some examples of VOCs
Toluene (emitted by paints, and adhesives)
Isopropyl Alcohol (emitted by personal cares such as hair dyes, perfume)
Acetone (emitted by nail polish remover, paints, and glues)
Tetrachloroethylene (emitted by glues, and paints)
Formaldehyde (emitted by building materials, glues)
Butane (emitted by candles, barbecues, and gas stoves)
Benzene (volatilized by dyes, detergents, and pesticides)
Ethylene glycol (emitted by paint removers, cleaning products)
Methylene Chloride (emitted by paints and varnish strippers)
The Total Volatile Organic Compound (TVOC) level is the sum of all VOCs found in the air. TVOC levels in your home can be measured with a VOC meter.
Here are the TVOC Standards for Your Reference
TVOC Level (ppm) |
Level |
Examples |
Exposure Limit |
Less than 0.22 |
Good |
Use Dishwashers |
No Limit |
0.22 - 0.66 |
Moderate |
Cook a Meal |
< 12 months |
0.66 - 2.2 |
Poor |
Smoke |
< 1 months |
2.2 - 5.5 |
Unhealthy |
A New Decorated house |
< Hours |
Part 2. Health Impact of VOCs
Most chemicals in VOCs are harmful to human health. The level of VOCs indoors is 2 to 5 times higher than outside because many home products emit VOCs.
If you always feel uncomfortable at home, such as eye or nose irritation, the level of VOCs in your home may be too high. Even short-term exposure to VOCs will cause headaches, asthma, or other severe symptoms if you have multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS).
Short-term health effects of VOC exposure (hours or days):
Fatigue
Asthma
Dizziness
Headache
Allergic skin
Nausea/vomiting
Irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat
Visual disorders and memory impairment
Long-term health effects of VOC exposure (years):
Cancer
Bronchitis
Liver & kidney damage
Central nervous system damage
If you want to relieve from above symptoms, you should limit your exposure to VOCs.
Part 3. Best Air Filters for VOCs Removal
Activated carbon filters are widely used on the market for eliminating VOCs since it can absorb VOCs in short periods. It can remove not only VOCs but also other smells such as kitchen odors, pet odors, and smoke. Therefore, make sure the air cleaner has an activated carbon filter before you buy it.
Carbon particles on the surface of the carbon filter form a multitude of ultra-fine pores that can absorb gas molecules effectively.
The more ultra-fine pores on the surface area, the better it absorbs gas molecules, such as VOCs and smoke.
The following are the top 2 air purifiers for chemicals and VOCs.
Pick 1. 201B - Best Budget Air Purifier for VOCs and Formaldehyde
If you're looking for a small air cleaner for VOCs odor & gases, the 201B is an excellent choice.
201B carbon air purifier has a 3-in-1 filtration that removes 99.99% of particles down to 0.3 microns as well as all gases like VOCs, pet odors, and other odors.
With its quiet operation and effective feature of deodorizing odors, this is a reliable air purifier for small rooms such as bedrooms and kitchens.
Additionally, if you are going to travel, you can take this portable air purifier for removing the VOCs in your hotel room.
Pick 2. V3 - Best Air Purifier for Chemical VOC and Odor Removal
V3 comes with a powerful 4-in-1 filtration to remove all particles, VOCs, and other odors such as kitchen and pet smell.
It has a large-size carbon filter that can cover up to 1,076 ft2 spaces. If you are looking for a large air purifier for VOCs vinyl flooring, V3 is a perfect choice.
V3 is the best home air purifier for multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) since it has a cold catalyst filter that can decompose VOCs in a short period such as 1 or 2 hours. Therefore, symptoms such as irritated eyes or nose can be relieved quickly.
In addition, if you are going to move to a new house, keeping your V3 on so that you can remove the formaldehyde and other VOCs in a short time, instead of ventilating your house for months.
Part 4. Additional Tips to Reduce the Indoor VOCs
In addition to using air purifiers that get rid of VOCs, here are some useful tips for lowering the level of VOCs in your home.
Tip 1. Use or Buy Low-VOCs Products
Some products used in building, furnishing, cleaning, and personal care have low-VOCs labeling such as GreenGuard and Green Seal. Please see if it is labeled low-VOCs before you buy it.
If you already have high-VOC products at home, please keep them in your garage or somewhere you don't spend a lot of time.
Tip 2. Improve Your Home's Ventilation
Allowing fresh air in by opening windows or doors can help reduce VOC concentrations indoors.
For example, if you recently painted your home, you should open your windows or doors frequently to reduce VOC concentrations because paints contain high levels of VOCs.
Tip 3. Place VOCs-Containing Products in a Shed
In a warm indoor environment, chemicals volatilize faster. Therefore, during the summer or hot days, some household products such as paints, and cleansing products should be placed in a shed or a low-temperature area.