BREATHE: DIY Air Cleaners

Poor indoor air quality can occur year-round, directly impacted by outdoor exposures such as fire smoke, traffic-related air pollution, road dust, and pollens. Other important indoor air pollutants include dust mites, mold, bacteria, and viruses. As the global temperature continues to rise and climate change increases, indoor air quality is at greater risk. Cleaning indoor air is one of the most direct ways to improve indoor air quality. While air purifiers are available commercially, they are often expensive and quantities can be scarce during intense fire seasons. PIPPS and the BC Lung Foundation have teamed up to provide a low-cost solution that helps improve indoor air for hard-hit communities and those most at risk. The devices being built are easy to construct and use simple materials that can be locally accessed. The air cleaning capacity of DIY cleaners rivals those of commercial units but at a significantly lower cost.

There are many different variations of DIY Air Cleaners. This project selected a simple 1×1 design using evidence drawn from a rigorous review of DIY research conducted by the National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health (NCCEH). These units have been assessed by safety professionals and participants are provided with Safer Use instructions to take home with them. The smaller 1×1 design is optimal for people living in smaller spaces. These units are easier to transport, due to their light weight and smaller build, although larger units are also straightforward to construct and may be more appropriate for larger spaces. The DIY Air Cleaners are not meant to be a long-term solution for poor indoor air quality, but they offer a solution for people seeking respite from wildfire smoke or for when respiratory pathogens are on the rise.