Heavy Metals – Plentiful Air

As of today, we know about 40 heavy metals. However, five of them, (arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, and mercury) are of primary concern due to their high toxicity. They are common air pollutants and can cause various adverse health effects upon exposure and should be removed from the air, ideally with an air purifier. Air purifiers with HEPA filters, ionizers, or electrostatic filters can remove particulate heavy metals (arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, etc.) from the air, while the purifiers with activated charcoal, TiO2 filters, or ozone generators can significantly reduce airborne mercury vapors. This article explains air purifiers and how effectively they filter heavy metals from the air. We also mention the ten best air purifiers you can consider buying to have a heavy-metal-free, clean and safe indoor environment. Heavy Metals of Concern Heavy metals are often considered to be all the identified elements that have a density five times higher than water (Check out where heavy metals fall on the periodic table below). Heavy metals position on the periodic table. Data sourced from “Heavy Metals – Their Environmental Impacts and Mitigation”. Image created for Plentifulair.com While several heavy metals occur in the environment, let's take you through the five important heavy metals when it comes to airborne contaminants in your home. 1. Mercury Mercury (Hg) is a chemical element normally found in rocks and coal deposits. It has applications in the manufacturing of chemicals and electrical and electronic appliances. It exists as a liquid at room temperature, which is partly why it has been used in thermometers for generations. However, it easily evaporates and becomes a colorless, odorless vapor (gas). Sources In Air Common sources of mercury in the air are fire breakouts, soil, exhaust fumes from burning fossil fuels, volcanoes, weathering of rocks, and medical and municipal waste. Health Effects According to the Centers For Disease Control (CDC), the health effects of mercury exposure are: Eye and skin irritation Cough Chest pain Shortness of breath Insomnia Irritability Headache Weight loss According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH), airborne mercury exposure of 0.05 mg/m3 over 10 hours is safe. Beyond this level, people may start experiencing hazardous and potentially fatal health symptoms. 2. Arsenic Arsenic (As) naturally exists in the Earth's crust and is found across all ecosystems (air, water, and soil). Sources In Air Arsenic is generally produced from high-temperature processes such as power plants, fires, and volcanic activity. It occurs in the air as a mixture of arsenite and arsenate and is usually attached to other airborne particles. Health Effects Side effects of exposure to airborne arsenic are: Burning sensation in nose, mouth, and eyes Coughing Shortness of breath Headache Sore throat Dizziness According to the CDC, exposure to only ten micrograms of arsenic per cubic meter of air is permissible. 3. Cadmium Cadmium (or Cd) is a bluish-white metal mainly found in zinc ores. Other than that, soil, tobacco, rice, cereal grains, and potatoes also contain cadmium. Sources In Air Smelters are the most common sources of airborne cadmium. Others include burning fossil fuels, tobacco smoke, plastics, and nickel-cadmium batteries. Health Effects Airborne cadmium can cause: Flu-like symptoms (chill, fever, muscle pain) Lung damage and disease Impairment of kidney functions Bone diseases Forty micrograms of Cd per cubic meter of air is considered safe. 4. Chromium Chromium (or Cr) is a mineral that is used to treat diabetes, high cholesterol, and bipolar disorder and to improve athletic performances. Sources In Air The chemical manufacturing industry and the burning of fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) are primary sources of airborne chromium. Health Effects While chromium is used for medicinal purposes, long-term exposure to hexavalent chromium or Cr(VI) can have adverse health effects such as: Irritation in the nose, throat, and lungs Ulcers Perforation of the nasal septum According to OSHA, airborne exposure to 1 mg/m3 of chromium for 8 hours is safe. 5. Lead Lead (or Pb) is widely used in car batteries, paints, ammunition, weight belts, radiation protection, and cable sheathing. Naturally, it exists in the Earth's crust, where it often combines with oxygen and sulfur. Sources In Air Metal processing and piston-engine aircraft are major contributors to airborne lead. Health Effects The health effects of airborne lead vary based on the length and level of exposure. Lead can: Damage nervous system Impair kidney function Reduce reproductive functions Restrict development Cause cardiovascular disorders According to NIOSH, exposure to 50 micrograms per cubic meter of airborne Pb for 8 hours is safe. Of the above five heavy metals, only mercury occurs in a gaseous state in the air, whereas others are found as fine particles (dust). Air Purifiers, Filters And Heavy Metals Air purifiers are devices that remove airborne pollutants. They draw the room's air inside and pass it through a series of filters, each of which traps a different type of contaminant. Finally, clean air is then emitted into the room. Whether or not an air purifier removes a certain type of pollutant depends on the filters installed. Here are the main types of air filters: Pre-Filter: These are present in almost all modern air purifiers. Their large pores (100 to 3000 microns) are generally incapable of capturing fine particles; however, they do remove dust and debris from the air. They primarily serve to protect the other filters and components of the purifier. Pre-filters cannot remove heavy metals from the air. True HEPA Filter: "High-Efficiency Particulate Air' Filters are currently one of the most advanced filtration systems with over 99% efficiency. Their microscopic pores can trap all kinds of particulate matter measuring 0.3 microns or more. This includes pollen, dust, smoke particles, dander, hair, and germs like mold, bacteria, and viruses. While the particle size of heavy metal dust varies, they usually fall in the size of HEPA filters, and therefore, HEPA air purifiers can efficiently remove most heavy metals from the air. Activated Charcoal Filter: These are made by heating and oxidizing pure coal. The process turns the coal into a highly-porous material (activated charcoal) that adsorbs gases, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and chemicals to its surface. These airborne pollutants are then captured into the filter pores, which prevents the gases from escaping the air purifier. Activated charcoal filters have shown promising results in the filtration of mercury vapors. Ionizers: Ionizers are devices that emit high-energy charged particles (negative ions). This creates static electricity in the environment, which causes particulate substances to settle down and stick to the ionizer and other surrounding surfaces. These are especially effective against fine particles like heavy metal dust. Electrostatic Filters: These are the same as ionizers, except that they emit both positive and negative ions. Heavy metal particles, smoke particles, dust, pollen, dander, etc., are all extracted from the air in the electrostatic chambers. TiO2 Filter: TiO2 or titanium dioxide filters employ photocatalysis for air filtration. This implies that in the presence of light (mostly UV radiation), TiO2 activates and forms free oxygen radicals. These radicals break down and destroy the chemical composition of organic compounds, gases, and VOCs. TiO2 has been tested for mercury removal. They are frequently used in aquatic solutions to treat the wastewater and filter mercury from it. This suggests that they can remove mercury vapors in air purifiers as well. Ozone Generators: Ozone generators are substances that use UV radiations or electrical discharge to break down oxygen molecules in the air. This generates singular oxygen atoms that readily react with oxygen molecules to form ozone. This is a high-reactive, unstable gas that immediately donates its third (nascent) oxygen atom to environmental reagents (gases, VOCs, and chemicals). As a result, the chemical makeup of the airborne contaminants are altered, which reduces or nullifies its toxicity. On its own, ozone does reduce mercury in the environment. However, an interesting phenomenon is observed when activated carbon filters are exposed to ozone. The ozone treatment increases the mercury capture capacity of carbon by a dramatic factor of 134. Bear in mind that this effect of ozone on carbon is destroyed by atmospheric exposure, heating, and water vapors. Air Purifiers And Heavy Metal Filtration After a detailed discussion on air filters, we can say that HEPA filters, activated charcoal filters, ionizers, electrostatic filters, TiO2 filters, and ozone generators are all effective against airborne heavy metals. However, along with air filtration, we also need to take safety into account. While most of these filters are safe, ozone generators and ozone-producing filters like ionizers and electrostatic filters. The high-energy particles emitted from ionizers and electrostatic chambers break oxygen molecules down, which eventually causes ozone production. It is essential to mention that ozone created due to ionization is often minimal and does not pose significant health risks. Ozone naturally exists in the environment as an atmospheric sheath that protects the Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation. However, when produced artificially, it has a range of adverse side effects, such as: Chest pain Headache Shortness of breath Eye, nose, and throat irritation Lung damage Cardiovascular disorder Ischemia (loss of blood supply to the heart) Asthma and emphysema attack Skin inflammation They can also restrict plant growth and cause irreversible damage to animal health. According to NIOSH, just 0.1 ppm of ozone is safe, whereas five ppm or higher levels of the gas are dangerous and can immediately lead to death. While ozone produced during air or water treatment is strictly regulated, it can still lead to health complications. This is why it is better to avoid ozone generators while other effective alternatives are available. Best Air Purifiers For Heavy Metals The best air purifiers for heavy metals contain a HEPA filter as well as either an activated carbon or TiO2 filter - this ensures both heavy metal particles and mercury vapors are removed from the air. Here are ten of the best air purifiers for heavy metal removal: Enviroklenz Home Air Purifier The first product we recommend is the Enviroklenz Home Air Purifier for removing heavy metals. It is perfect for large rooms. The HEPA filter in the device provides premium air purification and ensures the removal of more than 99% of germs, dust, debris, heavy metals, etc. It has 4-speed options which regulate the fan rotation and, ultimately, the rate of air purification. This ensures minimal electricity bill, whisper-quiet operation, and a healthy indoor air quality index (AQI) at all times. The package includes a spare HEPA filter (for replacement after 3 to 4 months) and an air cartridge. Tracs TM 250 Air Purifier Tracks TM 250 Air Purifier is a large room device that can filter heavy metals. It filters air from 1875 sq. ft. space within an hour. It comes with a HEPA filter that efficiently removes over 99% of particles, pathogens, and heavy metal dust. Next to it lies a Merv 8 activated charcoal filter that extracts mercury, gases, and VOCs from the air, without hampering the airflow. The unit also contains a UV filter that emits 254 nm ultraviolet radiation, killing maximum pathogens. Mage Air Purifier Afloia's Mage Air Purifier is a medium to large room unit that provides coverage of about 800 sq. ft. It features a four-stage filtration system with a pre-filter, an H13 HEPA filter, an activated charcoal filter, and a UV-C light. The pre-filter prevents large airborne particles from blocking the air purifier. This prolongs the unit's optimal life and improves air filtration. The HEPA filter removes particulate matter like heavy metal dust, germs, mold spores, dander, pollen, etc. Similarly, the UV-C bulb also kills germs and protects you from various infectious diseases. The activated charcoal filter traps absorb odor, smoke, chemicals, and mercury. All-in-all, Afloia HEPA Air Purifier is a perfect, go-to option for air purifiers. PureZone Smart Turbo Air Purifier Pure Enrichment is a household name for domestic appliances. Their PureZone Smart Turbo Air Purifier comes with a HEPA filter, an activated charcoal filter, and a UV-C bulb. The high-quality True HEPA filter removes 99.97% of particulate matter, dust, heavy metals, dander, hair, and germs. At the same time, the activated charcoal filter traps mercury, gases, VOCs, and several airborne chemicals. The UV-C bulb emits ultraviolet rays of germicidal wavelength, which destroys bacterial DNA, and kills pathogens. Alen BreatheSmart 45i Air Purifier The next product on the list is Alen BreatheSmart 45i Air Purifier. It is a mid to large-sized room air purifier that covers 800 sq. ft. area in an hour. The unit comes with a series of filters. First is the medical grade 13 HEPA filter that captures 99.99% of tiny particles, measuring as small as 0.1 microns. In this step, almost all the major airborne contaminants (heavy metal dust, debris, germs, etc.) are removed. Next to the HEPA filter lies a B4 filter that also captures particulate matter. Other than that, this unit also has an activated charcoal filter that filters odor, mercury, chemicals, smoke, etc. TotalClean Deluxe Air Purifier Homedic's TotalClean Deluxe Air Purifier is a large room unit that covers about 1,192 sq. ft. area. It comes with a pre-filter that protects the unit, a True HEPA filter that removes over 99% of dust, debris, heavy metals, germs, etc., and a UV-C bulb that kills mold, bacteria, and viruses. When placed in small rooms, this unit can complete five cycles of air purification within an hour. Its automatic particle sensor monitors the air quality and automatically adjusts the fan speed to ensure premium filtration and energy conservation simultaneously. hOmeLabs POPULAR SCIENCE Air Purifier hOmeLabs POPULAR SCIENCE Air Purifier comes with three-stage filtration. The pre-filter protects the unit and the filters, ensuring highly-efficient air purification around the clock. The second stage is the H13 filter, which removes heavy metal dust, debris, pollen, dander, hair, and germs. This cleans the air by 99.97%. The carbon filter, or the activated charcoal filter, traps mercury and harmful gases like formaldehyde, benzene, etc. All these filters last up to 2100 hours on low to medium fan mode. Vremi Premium True HEPA Air Purifier Next up, we have the Vremi Premium True HEPA Air Purifier. It features three-tier filtration, consisting of a pre-filter, a HEPA filter, and an activated charcoal filter. The pre-filter removes large particles from the original air stream, preventing clogging within the system. When maintained well, pre-filter can significantly prolong the lifespan of the air purifier. On the other hand, the HEPA filter captures tiny particles like heavy metal dust, pollen, dander, and germs with a 180-day (4320 hours) runtime. At the same time, the activated carbon filter captures mercury vapors from the air, apart from other gases and foul-smelling chemicals. LEVOIT H13 HEPA Air Purifier LEVOIT is a popular company that takes pride in manufacturing safe, non-ozone-producing appliances. Their H13 HEPA Air Purifier offers premium air filtration with over 99% efficiency. It effectively traps particulate substances from air, including heavy metals, dust, dander, and pathogens, protecting you and your pets from various allergies and health conditions. For enhanced filtration, the unit also comes with a UV-C bulb that emits 256 nm ultraviolet radiation. This inactivates and destroys microbial DNA and ensures the maximum elimination of airborne germs from your environment. Modify MA-40 Air Purifier The last product on our list is Medify MA-40 Air Purifier. This is a large room air purifier. It covers 840 sq. ft. in 30 minutes and 1600 sq. ft. in an hour, giving you a fresh, toxin-free environment within an hour of operation. The unit comes with a medical grade 13 HEPA filter that removes 99.9% of harmful particles like heavy metals, dust, dander, pollen, dander, etc. Unlike most conventional HEPA filters, this one can capture particles measuring 0.1 microns or more. The unit can be customized using several versatile controls like multiple fan speeds, timer, etc. It is virtually silent, allowing an easy and comfortable sleep.