Have you ever stepped outside in the summer and wondered who put a weird orange Instagram filter over the sky? That's wildfire season. And this year, it's already here. Smoke from large wildfires burning in Canada and Minnesota is moving across broad portions of the Midwest and Northeast, exposing millions of people to unhealthy air pollution.
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Air quality warnings have affected Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin, while smoke is also reaching northern Pennsylvania and even parts of New York. Forecasters say the plume could travel as far south as Washington, D.C.
In this article: Air Oasis iAdaptAir 2.0 H13 HEPA Filter Air Purifier, BLUEAIR Blue Pure 511i Max Smart Air Purifier and WINIX 5510 Air Purifier
So what do you do when wildfire haze and other summer air quality issues reach your region? Closing windows can help, but wildfire smoke can still work its way indoors. A properly sized portable air purifier can reduce the fine particles circulating through a room, particularly when it runs continuously with doors and windows shut. It should be one piece of a larger smoke plan that includes checking the Air Quality Index, limiting outdoor exertion and following local health guidance.
Wildfire smoke is a mixture of gases, water vapor and particles released as trees, brush, buildings and other materials burn. Wind can lift that mixture high into the atmosphere and carry it hundreds or thousands of miles, which is why smoke from Canadian fires can affect cities far beyond the Canadian border.
Wildfire smoke particles are so tiny that they can remain suspended in the air, penetrate deep into the lungs and potentially enter the bloodstream. They can push the Air Quality Index into unhealthy, very unhealthy or hazardous territory.
The first effects may feel like an especially aggressive allergy day: burning eyes, a scratchy throat, coughing, wheezing or difficulty breathing. Exposure, especially over time, can also cause shortness of breath, dizziness and fatigue, even among people who are nowhere near the active wildfire.
Everyone should try to reduce their exposure to wildfire smoke, but babies, children, older adults, pregnant people and those with asthma, COPD, heart disease, diabetes or chronic kidney disease face greater risks.
Air Oasis iAdaptAir 2.0 H13 HEPA Filter Air Purifier 9% OFF
This air purifier can handle more than just one room at a time, with coverage up to 795 square feet at five air changes per hour. Its five-stage system includes H13 HEPA and carbon filtration. It also offers automatic air quality sensing, plus convenient Wi-Fi controls and operation at just 25 decibels.
BLUEAIR Blue Pure 511i Max Smart Air Purifier
For small bedrooms and home offices, this compact air purifier cleans 237 square feet in under 15 minutes. It offers HEPASilent dual filtration, which targets smoke and particles down to 0.1 microns. It also has built-in sensors and filter reminders, plus an app, so it's convenient and hands-off to use.
This air purifier combines a True HEPA filter with a high deodorization carbon filter to tackle smoke particles, household odors and VOCs in spaces up to 470 square feet in just 15 minutes. Its sensor adjusts the fan speed automatically, and a built-in LED screen reports the current air quality, while the attached app offers access for remote monitoring.
LEVOIT Core300-P Air Purifier 15% OFF
This small but mighty air purifier was named our Best of the Best under $100, thanks to its quiet operation and optional wildfire smoke filter. The Core 300-P also offers a 143-CFM smoke CADR and three-stage filtration that can purify up to 222 square feet 4.8 times per hour.
Coway Airmega AP-1512HH(W) True HEPA Purifier 27% OFF
This air purifier can handle rooms up to 361 square feet. It uses a four-stage system that combines a prefilter, deodorization filter, True HEPA filter and optional ionizer, plus real-time monitoring that sets it to either Auto mode or Eco mode, which stops the fan after 30 pollution-free minutes.
Dyson Purifier Cool PC1, HEPA Air Purifier Tower Fan
Part purifier and part tower fan, the Dyson Purifier Cool PC1 uses a sealed HEPA H13 and activated carbon system to capture particles and reduce odors. It has 10 airflow settings and oscillates 350 degrees. You can monitor air quality via an app and control it with the included remote for added convenience.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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