Blueair Room Air Purifiers Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
(This information was provided by Blueair and is provided by Filtera for your convenience)

About Clean Air
- Why should I consider an air purification system?
- What does CADR mean?
- How small is a micron and why does it matter?

How Blueair Works
- Which Blueair unit is the best for me?
- What type of Blueair filter do I need?
- How does HEPASilent™ technology achieve such high levels of filtration?
- Can Blueair systems remove indoor gases?
- Can Blueair systems trap airborne bacteria?
- Does using a Blueair system have any environmental impact?
- Do Blueair systems produce dangerous levels of ozone?

How To Maintain Your Blueair
- How can I get the most from my Blueair system?
- How often should I change the filter in my Blueair unit?

Blueair's 10 Year Limited Warranty
- 10 Year Limited Warranty from Blueair


Why should I consider an air purification system?
Indoor air pollution is among the top five environmental risks to public health, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Lung-damaging indoor pollutants may include house dust, pollen and pet dander particles, and tobacco smoke, fumes released by chemical-based cleaners or gases produced by synthetic building materials. While air purification cannot solve all indoor air pollution problems, the technique is an important part of the EPA's recommended strategy for improving indoor air quality.

Contemporary construction methods help seal fumes and particles indoors. According to the EPA, indoor pollution levels may build until they are from 2 to 5 times higher than outdoor levels--and may even be as much as 100 times higher. Because we spend as much as 90% of our time inside our homes and workplaces, the health risks from exposure to indoor air pollution cannot be ignored.

Immediate health effects may include headache, fatigue, and irritation of the eyes, nose and throat. Even if you experience no noticeable symptoms of pollution-related illness, the EPA says it is prudent to improve the quality of your indoor air. Long-term exposure may contribute to respiratory and heart diseases, allergies or asthma, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

To improve indoor air quality, the EPA recommends removal of the pollutant source, increased ventilation, and air cleaning. The first two strategies are effective for some pollutants under some circumstances. Air purification, in conjunction with either strategy or on its own, may be the easiest to live with.

Blueair systems remove 99.97% of the tiniest (.1 micron) particles that accumulate inside our homes when operating on level one. These pollutants can affect anyone over time, although children, the elderly and those with respiratory illness (including allergies and asthma) may suffer most from high indoor pollution levels.

While air purification cannot solve all indoor air quality problems, the technique is an important part of the EPA's recommended strategy for improving indoor air quality.

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What does CADR mean?
To the consumer, CADR is an important tool for comparing the overall performance of different makes and models of air cleaners. CADR stands for Clean Air Delivery Rate, a measure of the total volume of air that a particular air purification system cleanses of a specific pollutant in one minute. When the particle size and filter efficiency of any two air cleaners are the same (as they often are), CADR is the key to choosing the more effective system.

To ensure accuracy and fairness, CADR testing is performed only by an independent industry organization, the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM). CADR test results are recognized as accurate and impartial by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the American Lung Association.

CADR test results are expressed in cubic feet per minute (CFM), with a number rating for three "yardstick" pollutants: tobacco smoke, dust and pollen. The higher the CADR test numbers, the better the overall ability of the unit to clean your indoor air. CADR results reflect:

the size of the particle removed
what percentages of particles are removed
the volume of air actually moving through the system

To understand what air volume means, visualize two murky swimming pools with identical filter efficiency but different pumps. In one pool, the pump sends one-fourth of the pool water through the filter every hour. In two hours, the pool is only half as murky as before. In four hours the pool is sparkling again. In the second pool, the pump sends only one-tenth of the water through the filter every hour. It will take 10 hours to clean the water in this pool.

Air volume is often described as air exchange (the number of times the total volume of air in the room is processed by the unit within a given period of time). Some manufacturers substitute air exchange rates for CADR results, but they are not equivalent. CADR numbers give a much more precise report of an air purifier's performance.

For example, in the swimming pool analogy, "water exchange" might describe the 4 and 10 hours needed to clean the pools. A "clean water delivery rate" would also tell you how much sunblock, leaf particles and hair are removed from the pool in one minute.

CADR works the same way, rating not just how much air is cleaned nor just what percentages of particles are removed, but the overall performance of the filtration system when both factors are examined.

While some manufacturers do not submit their air purification systems for independent AHAM testing, we at Blueair believe that CADR results should be central to your decision making process. An air purification system is an important investment in your family's health and well-being. We urge you to compare CADR results for the systems you consider. For more information about CADR testing, go to http://www.cadr.org

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How small is a micron and why does it matter?
One micron is 1/25,000 of an inch. To understand just how small this is, consider that human hairs measure between 30 and 120 microns. Dust mite allergen measures from .1 to .3 micron and staphylococcus bacteria measures .7 micron. The size of a given particle helps to determine the degree of potential threat to human health. Particles ranging from .3 to .9 micron present the greatest health concern.

Read on

These irritating mid-range particles include house and textile dust, pollen, pet dander, dust mites and their feces, many bacteria, auto exhaust, mold spores, and particles from laser printers and copiers. Particles in this size range (.3 to .9 micron) are small enough to get past the tiny hairs that line our breathing passages and too large to be easily exhaled.

Because mid-range particles are more likely to become lodged in lung tissue, they are suspect in a wide range of health problems related to indoor air pollution, from headaches and dizziness to cardiovascular disease and cancer. In particular, pollen, pet dander, mold spores and dust mite particles are known to trigger asthma episodes and allergy attacks.

While smaller particles (.1 to .3 micron) can be inhaled and exhaled more easily than mid-range particles, even these minute particles may irritate breathing passages and lungs. Smaller particle filtration is particularly beneficial to people living with allergies, asthma, other respiratory conditions, or cardiovascular disease.

Blueair's patented HEPASilent™ filter technology is proven effective at capturing 99.97% of the tiniest .1 micron particles. This same filter technology earned the Blueair 501 Best of Class ranking in independent testing of Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR), a measure of overall system performance. When optimum filter capability is the priority, Blueair is clearly the system of choice.

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Which Blueair unit is the best for me?
Simple--it's a matter of room size.

Each Blueair model uses HEPASilent™ filtration technology to achieve 99.9% efficiency at 0.3 micron and 99.97% efficiency at 0.1 micron. But filter performance is only part of the picture. Your air purifier must also be able to process the volume of air in the room where it operates. You need only compare the size of your room to the room size capacities listed below.

Read on

Our room size recommendations are based on testing by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM), an independent industry organization that rates air cleaners for overall performance. Choose the system that matches your room size. All room sizes assume an 8-foot (2.4 meter) ceiling; if your ceilings are higher, choose the system that matches the next larger room size.

Room Size - Best Blueair System
Up to 679 square feet - Blueair 601
Up to 620 square feet - Blueair 501
Up to 365 square feet - Blueair 402

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What type of Blueair filter do I need?
Choose a filter type based on the kinds of pollutants (particles and gases) that may be present in your particular environment. Blueair's standard HEPASilent™ filter provides efficient filtration for environments where particles are the primary concern and gases are secondary. For any environment in which removing gaseous pollutants (including tobacco smoke) is a priority, we recommend the optional SmokeStop filter.

All Blueair systems incorporate patented HEPASilent™ technology, the same system that earned Blueair 501 units the top two rankings in independent testing of Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR), a measure of overall system performance. HEPASilent™ technology combines mechanical and electrostatic filtration methods to capture 99.97% of the tiniest 0.1 micron particles and gases.

Blueair systems remove more of the smallest particles, compared to the HEPA systems of other manufacturers. They remove more dust than competitive units. Our standard filters are suitable not only for average homes with family members in good overall health, but also for families who need an extra level of protection for the elderly, small children or those with respiratory or cardiovascular illness.

Blueair's optional SmokeStop filter adds more gas adsorption capability and is recommended for removal of tobacco smoke, and for environments like workshops or workplaces where chemical fumes and gases are present.

For people with chemical sensitivities, and those whose asthma or allergies are provoked by strong odors and fumes, the SmokeStop filter provides an even higher level of protection.

Blueair units are also helpful in fighting the effects of smoke from forest fires.

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Image of Model 501 Cutaway

How does HEPASilent™ technology achieve such high levels of filtration?
Most HEPA filter systems use only mechanical filtration, which as a standard, remove 99.97% of particles at 0.3 micron. Blueair's patented HEPASilent™ filter technology combines mechanical and active electrostatic filtration methods, in order to achieve higher efficiency and capture smaller particles than either mechanical or electrostatic filtration alone.

Mechanical filtration essentially strains out or intercepts mid-range particles (0.3 to 0.9 micron) in much the same way as a colander strains pasta. And just as tiny bits of pasta escape through the holes in a colander, the tiniest particles can float past the filter media and escape an air purification system.

Particles that mechanical filtration alone might miss are captured by the electrostatic component of Blueair's HEPASilent™ system. HEPASilent technology filters out 99.97% of particles at 0.1 micron, when operating at its lowest speed.

Our system moves all particles through a sealed ion chamber, where they collide with negative ions and pick up a very slight electrical charge. As they exit the ion chamber, particles are attracted to the positively charged pleats of the HEPASilent™ filter media. Rather than floating past the filter media, particles are captured and removed from your indoor air.

Most electrostatic systems charge the fibers of the filter media itself, rather than the particles. The charge naturally dissipates over time and renders the filter media less efficient. By constantly charging incoming particles, instead of the filter fibers, HEPASilent™ technology keeps on working effectively and reliably.

Ionization does produce trace amounts of ozone, a gas known to irritate compromised lung tissue. Blueair systems use a very low electrical current to minimize ozone production and a sealed steel housing surrounding the ionization chamber to keep ozone contained. For more protection, our activated carbon filter adsorbs any ozone particles that may escape from the encapsulated ionization chamber.

In fact, testing shows that the ozone concentration in our system's output air is actually lower than in the incoming air. Blueair's electrostatic system is no threat to health, even for those with respiratory illness.

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Can Blueair systems remove indoor gases?
Yes. The Blueair air purification system can remove gases and fumes such as tobacco smoke, auto exhaust, chemical fumes, smoke from forest fires and gases released by synthetic building materials.

Both the standard HEPASilent™ filter and the optional SmokeStop filter use activated carbon media to trap gases and odors. We recommend the enhanced SmokeStop filter for removing tobacco smoke and for any indoor environment where gaseous pollutants are present. Such environments might include work or hobby rooms (where strong glues and paints are used) and kitchens.

How do gases find their way indoors? The use of chemical-based household and personal cleaners, indoor pesticides, and aerosols of all kinds has dramatically increased our exposure to gaseous pollutants, which often linger inside today's tightly sealed, energy-efficient homes.

Other gases may be introduced into your indoor environment when the plastics, binders and glues in synthetic building materials, carpets and furnishings release particles into the air in a process called outgassing. Combustible gases from heating systems may also be present.

Outgassing can be a particular problem with new synthetic carpets and upholstery, paints and interior wall treatments, and even the pressed furniture that is popular today. All may produce noticeably strong odors and correspondingly high levels of gaseous contaminants, which diminish over time. Installing a SmokeStop filter during and after remodeling can temporarily increase your unit's air cleaning power when outgassing is a problem.

These irritating gases may be a factor in a host of illnesses related to indoor air pollution, from respiratory disease to chemical sensitivity. Even strong odors are known to have a significant effect on asthma. Blueair offers two levels of protection from the potential health problems associated with gaseous pollutants.

Standard HEPASilent™ filters incorporate non-toxic polypropylene filter media to trap particles and activated carbon filter media to remove gases. The optional SmokeStop filters offer added gas adsorption capability and are otherwise identical to standard Blueair system filters in terms of particle filtering ability, filter life and size. You simply replace the standard filter with the enhanced SmokeStop.

You can order SmokeStop filters through our Filter Subscription Program, by phone from Blueair at 1.888.blueair, here on our web site or from your Blueair dealer or retailer.

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Can Blueair systems trap airborne bacteria?
The answer is a qualified "yes."

No air filtration system is 100% effective at removing 100% of all bacteria and viruses. However, Blueair's combination of mechanical and active electrostatic filtration provides exceptionally high levels of protection. Our HEPASilent™ technology traps and removes 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.1 micron. However, because bacteria may not behave in exactly the same way as non-living particles in the context of filtration, bacteria-specific tests of Blueair systems are currently underway.

Read on

Airborne bacteria (and viruses) are a common source of respiratory infection and a particular threat to infants, the elderly and those with compromised immune or cardiovascular systems, including people with allergies, asthma, AIDS and heart disease. Some serious infectious diseases are spread through airborne bacteria or viruses, including whooping cough, meningitis and anthrax.

How large are the bacteria and viruses that threaten human health? According to the Pennsylvania State University Department of Aerobiological Engineering airborne pathogens database, health-threatening bacteria and viruses range in size from .018 micron to as large as 1.325 microns.

Airborne pathogens larger than .1 micron include:
chickenpox virus (Varicella zoster) at 0.12 to 0.2 micron
smallpox virus (Poxvirus variola) at 0.14 to 0.3 micron
whooping cough bacteria (Bordetella pertussis) at 0.2 to 0.3 micron
pneumonia bacteria (Mycoplasma pneumoniae) at 0.2 to 0.3 micron
bronchitis bacteria (Chlamydia pneumoniae) at 0.2 to 0.4 micron
meningitis bacteria (Haemophilus influenzae) at 0.2 to 0.3 micron
tuberculosis bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) at 0.2 to 0.6 micron
diphtheria bacteria (Corynebacteria diphtheria) at 0.3 to 0.8 micron
scarlet fever bacteria (Streptococcus pyogenes) at 0.6 to 1.0 micron
otitis media bacteria (Streptococcus pneumoniae) at 0.8 to 1.0 micron
anthrax bacteria (Bacillus anthracis) at 1.0 to 1.25 microns

While these bacteria and viruses fall within the size range of particles a Blueair system can trap, it is important to remember that these pathogens are living things. When it comes to filtration, bacteria and viruses have not been proven to behave in exactly the same way as non-living particles. Some pathogens can move on their own, and some have slimy coatings that may affect a filter's ability to capture them. Furthermore, home air cleaners may not always be used under ideal conditions (24 hours per day, in a sealed room appropriate to the unit's tested air volume capacity). All of these variables may affect any system's ability to filter bacteria and viruses.

We will not lead you to believe that Blueair systems are proven effective specifically for bacteria at this time. We urge you to ask for lab test results from any manufacturer that makes such a claim. We know of no home air cleaner tested specifically for bacteria or viruses, rather than for general particle filtration.

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Does using a Blueair system have any environmental impact?
Blueair air purification systems offer exceptional performance without polluting the environment. We have designed every component to improve both human and environmental health, from the non-toxic filter media to the exterior finish. Our units are energy efficient, and constructed of superior materials for an exceptionally long useful life. All components are recyclable.

Read on

Earth-friendly filter materials
Blueair replaces standard triclosan-coated paper or glass filter fibers, which can harm the environment when released into the waste stream, with safer, non-toxic polypropylene. We even make our adhesives and filter frame out of polypropylene. One of the least harmful plastics, polypropylene releases no gases into the air when in use and produces only carbon dioxide and water as it decomposes.

No chemical additives
Because polypropylene fibers are waterproof, Blueair systems do not require the use of chemical-based bacteriostats or mold inhibitors. Instead of absorbing the moisture in which bacteria thrive, polypropylene repels water and naturally prevents bacteria, mold and mildew from reproducing inside the filter.
Energy efficiency
Blueair's advanced fan assembly consumes very little energy. In fact, our systems use no more power than a single lightbulb: from 15-20 watts on low to 60-120 watts on high, depending on the unit. Any appliance that can achieve high efficiency with lower power use helps reduce our overall consumption of fossil fuels.

Long-lasting and recyclable
The Blueair system housing is made of galvanized steel, rather than petroleum-based plastic. Steel is more durable than plastic, so the housing holds up over time. The steel is recyclable and releases no toxins into the environment should it end up in a landfill instead of being recycled. Blueair systems also use a special powder coat finish that produces no chemical outgassing.

Finally, Blueair systems are designed and manufactured to provide years of service, not to be thrown away and replaced every few years. In fact, we offer an industry-high 10-year warranty. When you are ready to replace your Blueair unit, you'll find the entire system designed for quick disassembly to make recycling easy and practical.

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Do Blueair systems produce dangerous levels of ozone?
No. The most stringent government standards for indoor ozone are those of the Food and Drug Administration for indoor medical devices, which specify that ozone output be no more than .05 ppm. In a closed test room with the Blueair 501 in operation, probes measured ozone levels at .003 ppm-a tiny fraction of the amount deemed hazardous to human health. Our design safeguards against excessive ozone production, and then removes ambient ozone particles from the air.

Read on

Specifically, the Blueair 501 system was subjected to the Ozone Test outlined in section 37 of the Electrostatic Air Cleaner Standard, UL 867. The unit was positioned in the center of a closed 100 square foot room. The unit's ozone output was tested continuously throughout 24 hours of normal operation.

The official test results appear in graph form below. The graph shows a sharp decrease in ozone concentration while the Blueair 501 unit is operating, with ozone levels climbing again after the system is shut down.

The test demonstrates that HEPASilent™ filter technology reduces ozone in a sealed room, despite the trace amounts of ozone produced as a by-product of ionization technology.

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How can I get the most from my Blueair system?
The Blueair system is easy to use. Start by choosing the right size unit for your room, and replace the filter at the recommended 6-month intervals. Remember that just as air conditioners and heaters have limits to the volume of air they can cool or heat, every air purification system has limits to the volume of air it can clean. Follow these commonsense guidelines:

Read on

Close your windows. You wouldn't throw open your windows on a hot summer day and expect your air conditioner to work efficiently, because you can feel the hot air coming in and the cool air going out. Even though you can't see the contaminated air coming in and the clean air going out, the same logic applies to your air purifier.

Close your doors, too. Just as you might seal off part of your house on a cold winter night to keep your heater working more efficiently, seal off the room in which your system is working for best results. This is especially important for people using a Blueair system to ease nighttime asthma or allergy attacks.

Run your system 24 hours per day. Blueair systems are designed for phenomenally low power usage, so you can run the system 24/7 without a jump in electricity consumption. In fact, it costs about the same to power one of our air purification units as it does to power a single light bulb: between 15 and 120 watts, depending on the unit and the operating speed.

If visible "fluff" builds up on the outside of the air intake grids, as it can in dustier parts of the world, simply vacuum it away or wipe clean with a damp cloth. The air intake grid is designed in part to intercept very large particles before they enter the system, thereby prolonging the life of the filter. The 402 units may also be vacuumed on the inside, if necessary, while the side panels are open for filter replacement.

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How often should I change the filter in my Blueair unit?
In order to maintain the high performance level you expect from Blueair, we recommend filter replacement at a six month interval.

Why so often? The amount and type of indoor air pollution can vary dramatically from environment to environment. Some manufacturers claim an exceptionally long filter life for their units--some as long as 5 years! At Blueair, we tell you how often filters need to be changed in the real world, not under best-case conditions in a laboratory setting.

Read on

Clearly, replacing filters every 6 months increases the maintenance cost of your Blueair system. However, we believe you would rather know up front what it takes to keep your indoor air clean and healthy. Without regular filter replacement, your air cleaner is operating at only a small percentage of optimum performance.

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10 Year Limited Warranty from Blueair
Blueair warrants that your Blueair Air Purifier will be free from defects in material or workmanship for a period of ten (10) years from the date of purchase provided that you have completed and returned your warranty registration to Blueair, and that the filters are replaced with original Blueair replacement filters at least once every six (6) months (the Limited Warranty). Within the first 30 days of purchase Blueair will replace the defective unit at no charge to you and reimburse any shipping charges. After 30 days, Blueair's obligation and liability under this Limited Warranty is limited to repairing or replacing (at its sole discretion) the defective unit and paying the freight cost of returning the unit to you. The Limited Warranty does not cover replacement filters. In the event of a malfunction or failure of your Blueair Air Purifier, please contact your local dealer to obtain a return authorization number and the address of the nearest Blueair Repair Center. If you are unable to contact your local dealer, please contact Blueair directly at the addresses listed in your User Guide. The return authorization number must be clearly written on the outside of the shipping box or the shipment may be refused. Your Limited Warranty remains in effect only if your Blueair Air Purifier:

1. Is operated in accordance with the instructions provided.

2. Has had its filter changed with original Blueair replacement filters at least once every six (6) months.

3. Is connected to a proper power supply (see voltage label on machine).

4. There is no evidence of tampering, mishandling, neglect, accidental damage, modification, and/or repair done to the Blueair Air Purifier by anyone other than authorized Blueair service personnel.

5. Your warranty registration has been completed and returned to Blueair.

This Limited Warranty is provided by Blueair Inc. in North America (for warranty outside North America, contact Blueair AB) +and contains the only express warranty provided to you.

BLUEAIR DISCLAIMS ANY EXPRESS WARRANTY NOT PROVIDED HEREIN AND ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY, GUARANTEE OR REPRESENTATIONS AS TO THE SUITABILITY FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE, PERFORMANCE, QUALITY AND ABSENCE OF HIDDEN DEFECTS, AND ANY REMEDY FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT, WHICH BUT FOR THIS PROVISION, MIGHT ARISE BY IMPLICATION, OPERATION OF LAW, CUSTOM OF TRADE OR COURSE OF DEALING, INCLUDING IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. EXCEPT AS PROVIDED IN THIS AGREEMENT, BLUEAIR FURTHER DISCLAIMS ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR LOSSES, EXPENSES, INCONVENIENCES, SPECIAL, INDIRECT, SECONDARY OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING FROM OWNERSHIP OR USE OF THE PRODUCTS.

This Limited Warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights which may vary upon legal jurisdiction.