EPA Urges DIY Air Cleaner as Wildfire Smoke Threatens Homes
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 17
EPA Urges DIY Air Cleaner as Wildfire Smoke Threatens Homes
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 17
Summary
Wildfire smoke can seep indoors even without an air purifier, and health guidance says the first step is to seal homes by shutting windows and doors and blocking gaps with wet towels.
EPA advice points people without purifiers to a DIY air cleaner as a temporary way to reduce dangerous particles inside.
Central air systems should be switched to recirculate mode or have the outside-air damper closed so they do not pull polluted air indoors.
Window air-conditioners also need the outside-air damper shut; if that is not possible, fans may be safer because window-unit filters do not remove the smallest smoke particles.