Although you cannot see air, it is a vital part of our lives. Without it we die. If it is contaminated, we become ill. When we pollute it, we suffer. Indoor air is no exception. Part of indoor air quality maintenance is odor control. This can be achieved with an odor removal filter.
Do you need an odor removal filter? If your home or place of business is subject to cigarette, cigar or any other type of tobacco smoke, a good odor removal filter would greatly reduce the smell of smoke. If you are around any other type smoke, exhaust, gas, or even organically sourced smells such as those found in restaurant kitchens, an odor removal filter is a necessity.
When in the market for an odor removal filter, consider activated carbon filters. The carbon is activated with a positive charge, which in turns attracts contaminants with a negative charge. The contaminants are drawn in, trapped within the system, and prevented from re-entering the airspace. Odors are absorbed into the carbon are neutralized.
The reasons to invest in an efficient odor removal filter go beyond the eradication of offensive smells. Fumes and odors from tobacco, paint, solvents, gasses, etc, can be very harmful. Damage to the nasal passages, throat and lungs can occur with prolonged exposure to noxious fumes. Some odors are deadly. Although difficult to detect, carbon monoxide can be fatal if inhaled and tobacco smoke has been proven to cause cancer in smokers and non smokers alike.
If you are unsure of if you require an odor removal filter for your home, office, garage, or place of business, consult an HVAC specialist. Your local HVAC professional will be able to assess your individual situation and recommend a type and brand of filter that will leave your air smelling fresh and contaminant free.
Frequently Asked Questions
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QUESTION:
Forced to stay in apartment with drifting tobacco smoke or pay extra month to leave?
Recently we moved into a new apartment, and shortly after realized the noise level was outrageous, but something we've gotten used to. The drifting tobacco smoke however, is something we can not get used to and should not be forced to. They have changed the 'exchange' filter (and also hid dryer sheets on the back), this did nothing but make the apartment smell of flowers and smoke. They had the HVAC ducts cleaned out, and an odor neutralizer was added in them. That happened today, I took all of our clothes to the laundry mat to be cleaned, because when we leave our house we smell of smoke. Our bedding smells of smoke when the window is open and actual fresh air gets in. Most other times smoke comes in the windows as well. This is not a healthy environment, and we are not enjoying this. I have emailed ASH, I have called a local smoke free coalition. I want to ask the landlord to modify the lease, however, the last we spoke of this he said we would have to pay back the half month we had taken off, he would keep our security deposit for "extra" charges such as cleaning carpets etc..even though they have to do this no matter what. He said that the month we planned to leave we would need to pay the rent for, unless it was able to be occupied on the 1st, then we would only need to pay half a months rent. We would need to pay for carpet cleaning and painting seperate as well. When I asked about the security deposit, he yelled that I can take this option or I can talk to his attorney. I feel as though he was trying to scare me by mentioning an attorney. I am not a stupid lady, I will look into things. I know that people like to throw out threats, etc. However, now that the vents have been cleaned out, and we still have to breathe this in, what are we to do? Endure a year of living as smokers when we never have been? I have not edited this, so it may be a jumbled mess. We are so stressed out, we can't afford to pay all that just to leave to a new apartment. We would like to buy a house with in the next year so that we do not need to deal with this, yet I am going to school and we had planned on waiting. This living condition is not healthy, we leave smelling as though we just left a restaurant or bar, and those are now smoke free as well! Why should we have to live in it? I feel I will break down and cry, b/c this is a complicated mess. If anyone has any legal insite into leases and smoking in apartment buildings please help. Smokers do NOT have the right to smoke..there is NO consitutional right stating you can smoke where ever whenever. I choose to not smoke, a smoker should not be able to change that for me. We feel so helpless.
they also keep saying that the ventilation systems are seperate for each apartment. However the building is a 1970s building...the gentleman that cleaned the vents said that in buildings like this there is not enough room for air exchange and often times the air gets trapped between floor/ceilings of neighboring apartments, that includes smoke. So we can not be comfortable in our own apartment? We are so confused, do we have no rights here?!
My boyfriend works for the FD and even he is at a loss...please help.
To the person that thinks I have a sensitive nose...if I, my boyfriend, and all of our non smoking friends can smell it...I doubt that's the case. And if you can smell it YES it CAN HARM YOU. What century are you living in? Tobacco smoke has residual smoke, it leaves a film, you do not have to see it. Look up the health statistics please before commenting on this. I am looking for knowlegdable answers PLEASE.We have looked into air purifiers, and have yet to bring this up to the property management b/c we were hoping the cleaning would fix the problem.
Thank you:)
Also, no if the smoke is entering our apartment, they do not have the right to do it. I have looked into this, it's just difficult to get the property management to understand this.
ONE more thing, poorly sealed walls and ventilation systems, especially in older buildings, such as this one, can allow tobacco smoke to drift from one apartment to the next.
My allergies have started up bc of this...so odor does affect you, b/c it is smoke.-
ANSWER:
You need to live in a non smoking apartment building. You need to be sure it is stated as non smoking on all the paperwork.Since you did not get this on your paperwork you have not got a legal leg to stand on.The smokers have a right to smoke in their own apartment, if that is what their paperwork states. This is not going to change for you, just because it is not working for you.Sounds like the landlord is trying to work with you on this. He does NOT have to. So take him up on his deal and go find somewhere else. Or buy yourself a big HEPPA filtered air system and run it at your apartment.
Good luck.
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