More than 90% of Americans have some BPA in their bodies, which according to plenty of scientific research is pretty harmful to human health. So it’s a good idea to be cautious when purchasing home appliances, like humidifiers to avoid any chance of being exposed to BPA.
Given that there is no safe threshold for BPA exposure and it’s important to avoid all possible sources of BPA, we’ve put together a comprehensive list of BPA-free air humidifiers so you can make an informed decision.
BPA in our home
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a modern compound that is used to make certain plastics and resin.
A number of commercial products, including food compartments and cleaning products, also use it. Other items, for example, canned food varieties, and household appliances, also contain BPA.
We’re exposed to BPA in different ways but our diet is the most common way for us to come in to contact with it.
The protective interior epoxy resin coatings of canned foods and products including food storage containers and water bottles can leak BPA into our food and drink.
But we are also exposed from the air we breathe, dust, and water, with air humidifiers acting as a possible source of BPA.
If you don’t want to risk being exposed, check for a plastic resin identifying code (RIC) on the bottom of the air humidifier that is used to declare the presence BPA.
If you see 1, 2, 4, 5, or 6 on the list, it’s BPA-free.
If the RIC number is 3 or the material is PVC, then BPA is present. Because 7 is the “catch all” number, it is impossible to know if the product contains BPA or not, so it’s best to avoid any product that displays 7 as the RIC.
Why a BPA-free air humidifier is a good idea
Considering the harmful consequences of BPA on the human body, it’s important to only get a BPA-free humidifier.
Humidifiers use a couple of processes to add moisture to the air and raise the humidity level. Some of the water in the dry air of the room evaporates as it passes through. You may then be exposed to BPA in the air if your humidifier contains it as part of its material and it has leached into the water.
Now that you know how to spot products containing BPA , here are some humidifiers currently available that are BPA-free. Feel free to click on the images or links for more information on Amazon about each humidifier.
8 BPA-Free Air Humidifiers
1. LEVOIT Humidifier
The 6L LEVOIT Humidifier is a BPA-free ultrasonic, cool mist air humidifier made from Polypropylene (PP) plastic, a type of thermal plastic.
You can run the humidifier with a phone app and Alexa.
It has a 6-liter water capacity and can operate for up to 60 hours, providing relief from dry air in rooms up to 505 square feet.
It has an auto mode feature that automatically adjusts mist levels and regulates the humidity in your home. It also has a voice assistant for hands-free operation.
Pros:
- Easy to clean.
- Quiet operation humidifier.
- Hands-free and smart control.
Cons:
- More expensive than other humidifiers (but it does have a larger capacity)
2. Pure Enrichment MistAire Humidifier
Pure Enrichment MistAire is a BPA-free ultrasonic cool mist humidifier with a 1.5 liters water tank. It’s made from polystyrene (PS) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (abs) plastics.
The humidifier operates quietly, features an automated shut-off and a night light feature. This brand can keep dry air moist for up to 25 hours on a single tank.
Pros:
- High and low-speed setting.
- Silent humidifier.
- Easy to refill and clean.
- Features a 360° mist nozzle to help regulate humidity.
Cons:
- Some reviewers complain about mold (note – this is usually due to the humidifier not being cleaned regularly – mold will grow in any wet place that isn’t cleaned often enough)
3. GENIANI Top Fill Humidifier
The GENIANI Top Fill Cool Mist is a BPA-free humidifier that also works as an essential oil diffuser. It comes with a 4 liter water tank, and is relatively inexpensive.
This humidifier is easy to refill from the top, and is one of the more popular brands, maintaining a 4.5 star rating from more than 25,000 reviews.
Pros:
- Silent operation humidifier and diffuser.
- Features an auto-shut feature.
- Adjustable mist mode.
4. Westinghouse Ultrasonic Humidifier
Westinghouse is a BPA-free digital, cool mist ultrasonic air humidifier. It features a 6 liter capacity water tank. When set on continuous operation, it runs for 20 hours at high speed and 36 hours at low speed.
It also has a humidistat that can be adjusted. The humidistat can be set between 40 and 95% relative humidity, although ideal humidity is between 30 and 50%.
Pros:
- Adjustable timer
- Long run time
Cons:
- More expensive compared to other brands, but it’s also a larger unit (6L capacity)
5. MEGA Wise Cool Mist Humidifier
MEGA Wise is a simple and small BPA-free cool mist air humidifier. It has a 3.5 liter water tank and 7-color lights that make it ideal for a bedroom.
You can also use it as an essential oil diffuser.
Given it’s small capacity we recommend this humidifier for rooms smaller than 300 sq. ft. even though the manufacturer suggests up to 500 sq. ft.
Pros:
- Easy to clean.
- Features a 360 degrees nozzle.
- Quiet operation humidifier.
- Features an auto-shut off feature.
- Essential oil diffuser
Cons:
- Small capacity
6. KOIOS Humidifier
KOIOS is a 2 in 1 BPA-free cool mist air humidifier made from Polypropylene plastic, which is stable and won’t degrade into the water that is humidifying your air.
This humidifier can also serve as an essential oil diffuser.
It has a 4 liter water tank, three mist modes, and can easily handle spaces up to 550 ft2 / 51 m2. It also has a low mist setting that lasts for 31 hours and is well priced.
Pros:
- Silent humidifier.
- Features a night light.
Cons:
- Harder to clean than some other humidifiers
7. Frida Baby 3-in-1 Humidifier
The Frida Baby is a 3 in 1 an ultrasonic cool mist air humidifier made from oil proof BPA-free plastic. It’s also an essential oil diffuser and night light.
This humidifier has a mist adjuster that goes from soft mist to strong mist with a twist of the knob, and can operate for up to 12 hours. It has a 0.5-gallon tank and can cover up to 320 square feet.
It’s reasonably priced for its capacity and run time.
Pros:
- Night light.
- Auto-stop feature.
- Diffuser.
Cons:
- Hard to clean and prone to mold
- Small capacity.
- Short run time.
8. InvisiPure Luna Humidifier
The InvisiPure Luna is an ultrasonic cool mist humidifier made from molded BPA-free plastic. It can also be used as a diffuser for essential oils, but you can just run the humidifier component.
It has a 2.5 liter water tank that can last up to 24 hours on low mist, so it’s best suited to small rooms up to 250 sq. ft.
This humidifier also comes with seven LED lights, three misting settings, and a timer so it’s a great addition to the bedroom. It uses a 360 degrees nozzle to disperse the mist and humidify your room just the way you like it.
Pros:
- Night light.
- Easy to clean.
- Silent operation humidifier.
Cons:
- Small capacity.
- Short run time on high mist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Levoit humidifiers BPA-free?
Levoit air humidifiers are BPA free. Some models are made from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), which is a common polymer used in 3D printing. BPA-free models include the Levoit 100 cool-mist humidifier, Levoit top fill ultrasonic humidifier, and the Levoit 2 in 1 humidifier.
Air humidifiers from Levoit are ideal for a variety of applications. In general, Levoit humidifiers have large water tanks, and long run times. Many models also come with the capacity to operate as diffusers or vaporizers.
Does it matter if a humidifier is BPA-free?
There is no safe threshold for Bisphenol-A (BPA) exposure. It’s important to avoid all possible sources of BPA exposure, including humidifiers. BPA has been shown to leak from humidifiers by diffusion of residual BPA from the manufacturing process.
Although the risk of BPA exposure from a humidifier is extremely low.
Little research has been conducted on the effects of long term exposure to BPA-containing humidifiers. However, humidifiers propel and disperse particles into the air that can be inhaled and affect our lungs.
Have you ever wondered if humidifiers create ozone? Plentiful Air has detailed information to help you answer this intriguing question available here.
