Tina AraquistainMay 19, 2024
Sue is Writing Solarpunk 🌞🌱

Summer is almost upon us, and Canada is already on fire, so I guess it's time to share this again: my guide to the dangers of smoke, why you *really* don't want to breathe it, and how to get your air purifier situation set up before the smoke comes.

#ClimateCrisis #wildfire #smoke
https://susankayequinn.com/2023/07/a-note-on-wildfire-smoke-from-an-aerosol-scientist.html

A Note on Wildfire Smoke From an Aerosol Scientist

Pittsburgh, Summer 2023 These are the worst fires in Canadian history… and the smoke will be here (in the US, intermittently, depending on which way the wind blows) all summer. I didn’t…

SUSAN KAYE QUINN
May 19, 2024 at 12:53pmWeb
Show threadAndresMay 19, 2024

@susankayequinn FYI, your estimate for CR box filters are about double what they should be. Home Depot reliably sells 20x20 MERV-13* filters for $20-$25 _individually_, but if you buy in bulk (4 or more), they're half the cost. And if you're buying for a CR box, you're buying in bulk. That puts your filter replacement costs at $50 rather than $100. That's a general trend - bulk filters are cheaper.

* they list them as "FPR 10" and "FPR 12"; both are labeled MERV-13 equivalent

Show threadjiub (old account)May 19, 2024

@susankayequinn good article! pollens are kicking my ass right now in Chicago, not looking forward to smoke likely being added to that soon :(

one thing I'll note about upgrading your furnace filter. a filter with a high MERV rating can be a lot more restrictive, especially the 1 inch thick filters. if the system has barely adequate ventilation, this can lead to the AC coils freezing as well as damage to the blower motor.

I had the former happen at my last apartment, which didn't cause any damage but it meant that I couldn't use a high MERV filter. just something to watch out for.

Show threadDan Kletter 🥑May 20, 2024
@susankayequinn @vinomadic Thank you, very thorough resource! Maybe it’s because I’m in the States instead of Canada, but the air filters you linked to are unavailable on Amazon. Earlier this year, through Project N95, I found this product which is a good alternative for medium sized rooms (approx 290 sq ft). Medify has models for larger and smaller sized rooms, FYI. https://medifyair.com/products/ma-15
MA-15 Air Purifier

Show threadSue is Writing Solarpunk 🌞🌱May 20, 2024
@soundclamp I'm in the US, so that shouldn't be the problem, but it could be they're out of stock. I'll check the links and make sure they're still good
@vinomadic
Show threadSue is Writing Solarpunk 🌞🌱May 20, 2024

@soundclamp Ok, I checked the links and only one was currently unavailable. One had a weird thing on the Amazon button that you have to click "options" and then it would let you buy it. The one that's unavailable I'm going to leave because it at least shows you the specs of what you'd want to get--people can look for an equivalent. Plus I think these go in and out of stock somewhat regularly.

@vinomadic

Show threadSue is Writing Solarpunk 🌞🌱May 20, 2024
@soundclamp The reason why I'd be less inclined to suggest the medifyair filter is because it doesn't have the UV-C to kill things that accumulate on the filter, which is a good feature it have if you're using it for COVID or keeping other viruses at bay (if for example someone in the house is sick and you're trying to keep it from spreading). That's not important for wildfire smoke, but you might as well have something that can do both, if available. @vinomadic