How Charcoal Air Purifying Bags Actually Work

Air purifying bags made of charcoal are sold as an organic and risk-free alternative to chemical sprays. But are they effective and reliable for air purification?

Air purifying bags made from activated charcoal work are an effective means of air purification. The pores on charcoal pieces measure 0.65 to 1.4 nm and can absorb bacterial toxins, pet dander, dust, pollen, and other airborne contaminants that fall within this size range.

This article explains all you need to know about air purifying bags made of bamboo charcoal. First, we will talk about what it is and how it works. Then, we will take you through the various airborne particles, allergens, and VOCs that bamboo charcoal eliminates from the environment.

What is an Air Purifying Bag?

Air purifying bags are linen bags containing bamboo charcoal that are used to remove dust, bacteria, molds, odor, and other contaminants from the environment.

Burning the culms (or stems) of mature bamboo plants creates a charcoal material that is highly porous and thus easily traps and absorbs molecules. The absorbent nature of bamboo charcoal makes it an excellent organic and inexpensive product for air purification.

Linen, an absorbent, breathable, and biodegradable substance, perfectly complements bamboo charcoal’s sustainability and eco-friendly nature and is therefore considered an ideal cover when making air purifying bags.

Besides linen, some brands also use jute and cotton as bag covers because they are readily available and affordable.

How Does A Bamboo Charcoal Air Purifying Bag Work?

Bamboo charcoal bags essentially comprise linen cover and charcoal particles. Here’s how the two components work to provide air purification:

Bamboo Charcoal

Bamboo charcoal bags are placed in direct sunlight for 2-3 hours to activate the charcoal before use. When the UV radiation from the sun falls onto the charcoal, it causes the pores to expand.

Activation is essential for air purification as it naturally increases the surface area of the charcoal, which in turn increases the adsorbent sites. The surface area of a single gram of activated charcoal measures an incredible 10,000 sq. ft.

Fortunately, active air circulation through the bag is not required for purification. Instead, as air simply passes over the bag, the pores trap the contaminants, moisture, and odor molecules.

The porous nature and massive surface area make activated charcoal so effective, it is also used in many air purifiers.

Linen Cover

The linen covering facilitates air purification in the following ways:

• Linen is highly permeable and allows the maximum amount of pollutants to pass through to the activated charcoal for adsorption (and removal from the surrounding air).
• It is lint-free and has a long lifespan.
• Linen can hold up to 20% water of its weight, meaning it can absorb excessive moisture from the environment without getting damp.

After using it consistenly for some time (1 to 3 months), the bag is recharged to remove all the trapped pollutants. This reduces pore saturation and enables the bag to purify air more efficiently.

Contaminants Removed By Bamboo Air Purifying Bags

Here’s a list of various pollutants that air purifying bags absorb and filter from the air:

1. VOCs

VOCs or volatile organic compounds are gas molecules emitted by certain solids. Several VOCs, such as benzene, formaldehyde, xylene, etc., are commonly found in the environment. Apart from causing a foul smell in the air, these compounds also pose a severe health risk.

The millions of pores in the activated charcoal trap these gas particles and eliminate their nasty odors while keeping the health hazards of the VOCs at bay.

It is essential to mention that bamboo charcoal bags do not have a fragrance. Therefore, unlike aerosol sprays that deodorize the air, air-purifying bags only clear odor-causing agents from the surrounding space.

2. Pet Dander

Pet dander, molds, and chemicals are a few of the airborne allergens that charcoal bags remove from the air.

These allergens are microscopic and easily become trapped in the minute charcoal pores.

3. Dust

Charcoal bags also come in handy for dust removal. Dust is one of the most concentrated contaminants in the air. Since it is responsible for various allergies, nasal congestion, skin reactions, and hay fever, it is crucial to eliminate it from the surrounding area.

The dust particles get stuck to the charcoal surface and adhere to it for months. This way, charcoal bags serve as a practical, yet inexpensive solution to counter air pollution.

It should be noted that activated charcoal pores mostly range from 0.64 – 1.4nm, whereas dust particles can sometimes measure up to 5 microns. Therefore, not all dust particles are captured by bamboo pores (i.e. some dust particles are too large).

4. Bacteria and Pathogens

While activated charcoal does not necessarily trap all bacteria, it does reduce their virulence. Research suggests that activated charcoal lowers the binding capacity of bacterial flora. Since binding capacity is an essential determinant of bacterial pathogenicity, air-purifying bags protect against bacterial infections.

Charcoal also absorbs bacterial toxins (a substance produced by bacteria to induce pathogenicity and infection).

How Effective Are Air Purifying Charcoal Bags?

Thanks to its vast surface area and millions of microscopic pores, air-purifying charcoal bags are quite effective in purifying the air. But while they can be considered a practical alternative to deodorant sprays for odor removal, you cannot entirely depend on them for proper air purification.

Charcoal bags are primarily manufactured for use in small spaces. Placing them in closets, refrigerators, cars, gym bags, and other closed indoor spaces is ideal.

They can also be used for small to medium-sized rooms, but depending upon the area size, you might need to place more than one bag in the room.

Benefits of Air Purifying Bags

Now that we know how bamboo bags are effective for air purification, here are some of their associated benefits that prove why they make a good option for cleaning air:

Affordable

Linen and charcoal are both widely available and affordable. You can easily buy multiple packets of air purifying bags at a lot less price than that of air purifiers.

Odorless

Sprays and candles used to eliminate odor are typically scented. While the scent does deodorize the environment, it can also cause fragrance allergy (presents as sneezing, runny nose, congestion in the throat, shortness of breath, etc).

In this scenario, having an odorless air purifying bag is not only helpful, but preferable.

Safe For Health

Unlike aerosol sprays that produce VOCs or ozone generators that employ potentially lethal ozone to remove contaminants, air-purifying bags do not release any harmful substance into the environment. Therefore, it is safer than some other options in terms of health risks.

Non-Toxic For Pets

Pets often are hypersensitive to certain chemicals and other substances produced by air purifying devices. Bamboo is known to be animal-friendly and is in no way harmful to your pets.

Biodegradable

Air purifying bags are a massive step towards environmental conservation. The product is 100 percent organic and does not release any harmful chemicals when working. Even better, they are biodegradable and do not pose any threat to the environment. Several brands even provide instructions on how to compost them in your own garden.

Do Charcoal Bags Work For Allergies?

Bamboo charcoal bags work as an excellent mechanism to control allergies. They trap pathogens and allergens in the tiny charcoal pores, making the air safe to breathe.

Here are some of the common airborne allergens that trigger hypersensitivity:

• Pollen
• Spores
• Mites
• Pet dander
• Chemicals

Charcoal bags can trap all of these allergens except for mites, highlighting how helpful they can be in controlling allergies. However, for people that suffer from severe allergies, it is imperative to look into air purifiers (in particular those with true HEPA or H13/H14 filters) and other options to help alongside air purifying bags.

Do Bamboo Bags Remove Dust?

Bamboo bags can effectively remove dust that measures between 0.65 to 1.4 nanometers.

Charcoal bags have their limitations with removing dust as they cannot absorb large dust particles. They are also only effective in a small area. So for a large room, an air purifier is a better solution for removing dust.

How Long Do Bamboo Bags Last?

When used indoors, bamboo bags can last up to 2 years, after which the material starts decomposing.

During the two years span, you need to refresh/reactivate the bag every three months. This involves leaving the bag out in the sun, allowing it to dispense the trapped contaminants from the room. This makes the bag ready for use again.

Regularly exposing the bag to UV rays rejuvenates the charcoal and extends the life span of the air purifying bag.

Always reactivate /recharge the bag outside in the open air, as doing otherwise can allow the filtered substances to re-enter your home.

What To Look For When Buying Air Purifying Bags?

Here are the two main factors you should always consider when purchasing air purifying bags:

Original Charcoal

To ensure maximum efficiency, you must ensure that the bag is made of 100% original bamboo charcoal. Some bags may also contain other activated minerals in combination with charcoal, which might affect overall air purification.

Size

The size of air-purifying bags is measured by the amount of charcoal packed in them. Instead of placing multiple bags in one place, it is better to take the area size into account before purchasing the product. Note that 100 sq. ft. of space requires almost 200 gm of activated charcoal.