8 best air purifiers to combat wildfire smoke in Canada, according to professional ratings
As of Monday morning, Toronto's air quality was among the worst in the world, earning the highest rating — a 10+, Very High Risk — on the Air Quality Health Index.
On days with poor air quality, people are more likely to experience shortness of breath, difficulty breathing and coughing or wheezing — especially if they have a chronic respiratory disease like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
The small particles in wildfire smoke can get into your eyes and bloodstream, and if you have a heart or lung problem, you may experience problems earlier and at lower smoke levels.
According to Health Canada, using a portable air purifier that can filter fine particles is one way to protect your indoor environment from smoke pollution.
Air purifiers, also known as air cleaners, can improve indoor air quality by removing small contaminants that can harm your health.
According to the health authority, you should prioritize the following when choosing an air purifier:
Look for a device certified by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM).
Choose an air purifier sized appropriately for the room you want to put it in.
Consider the clean air delivery rate (CADR) for the room size. The CADR describes how well the device reduces tobacco smoke, dust, pollen and wildfire smoke. To reduce fine particles, select a device with the highest CADR.
Choose an air purifier with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.
Avoid devices that produce ozone.
Not all air purifiers are made equal. Following Health Canada's recommendations, we've listed eight AHAM-certified air purifiers and included information about recommended room sizes and CADR ratings.
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