| Did You Know? | | | | fresh coat of paint and a stain-blocking sealer/primer. |
| Because of the chemical nature of smoke molecules, | | | | The undercoat prevents nicotine particles from |
| products like air and fabric fresheners are | | | | bleeding through. |
| INEFFECTIVE at eliminating smoke odors. | | | | For porous surfaces such as carpets, steam cleaning |
| Along with the obvious health problems associated | | | | or shampooing may be able to work, although this may |
| with tobacco smoking, substantial scientific evidence | | | | not be sufficient for heavy, set-in smoke odors. |
| has shown that even second hand exposure to | | | | Upholstered furniture should be professionally cleaned |
| smoke leads to both short-term and long-term | | | | and deodorized, as the wrong cleaner could cause |
| adverse effects. Second hand smoke, or passive | | | | damage and even result in color bleeding. |
| smoking, can lead to immediate asthma attacks in | | | | For indoor smoke problems, the use of an air purifier |
| asthmatics. As well, because tobacco smoke acts as | | | | with activated carbon can also help eliminate offensive |
| an irritant, exposure can result in the following | | | | odors. Essentially, an air purifier with activated carbon |
| allergy-like symptoms: Runny noses, coughing, | | | | has charcoal that is treated with oxygen and acts like |
| wheezing, and breathing difficulties. | | | | a sponge. This material has an extremely high surface |
| Worsening of asthma, allergies, and other similar | | | | area with a large amount of microporosity. These |
| conditions is therefore not uncommon, and the | | | | pores are excellent at trapping gasses and odors that |
| long-term effects of smoke exposure can lead to | | | | normally pass through traditional particle filters. |
| cancer and lung problems. | | | | Activated carbon has also been hailed as a miracle |
| However, health reasons aside, tobacco smoke is also | | | | filter media by researchers because of its ability to |
| detrimental to indoor environment, as it has the ability to | | | | remove offensive tastes, odors, VOCs (volatile organic |
| be absorbed into furniture, draperies, and into clothing. | | | | compounds), and some carcinogens. |
| A smoke molecule has a fine particle structure that | | | | In order to clean the air, activated carbon in an purifier |
| allows it be easily attached to virtually anything. | | | | binds materials and contaminants by Van der Waal |
| Consequently, the noxious odor of tobacco smoke | | | | forces, as it is believed that contaminants have an |
| often permeates and lingers in the air. In addition, | | | | affinity for carbon. The use of activated carbon is the |
| smoke can even cause discoloration and damage to | | | | preferred method of air purification recommended by |
| the surfaces of walls and home furnishings. | | | | the EPA to safely remove hazardous and |
| For hard surfaces such as walls and fixtures, cleaners | | | | carcinogenic chemicals in the air, and the use of an air |
| that include an alkaline builder such as ammonia and a | | | | purifier with activated carbon is an effective way to |
| glycol solvent are excellent at removing smoke odors. | | | | eliminate noxious smoke odors from your home or |
| For walls and ceilings, washing should be followed by a | | | | workplace. |