Molekule review: Clean air, clear breathing, and castles in the sky - iMore
Molekule review: Clean air, clear breathing, and castles in the sky - iMore |
- Molekule review: Clean air, clear breathing, and castles in the sky - iMore
- Do Air Purifiers Work? An Expert Explains If Air Purifiers Really Help With Allergies - GoodHousekeeping.com
- Grants Available to Reduce Environmental Health Risks and Improve... - GrantNews
| Molekule review: Clean air, clear breathing, and castles in the sky - iMore Posted: 03 May 2019 09:00 AM PDT
 Sacramento, California is known as the "City of Trees" and is one of the top cities in the world with the most trees per-capita. I suffer from seasonal allergies and when March comes around, I'm miserable for about three months every year (I'm literally sneezing while writing this sentence). When I first heard about the Molekule air purifier, my interest was immediately piqued. Instead of using a traditional high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, it destroys pollutants at a molecular level, which the company says cleans the air better and keeps those pollutants from making it back into the air. Can this new technology truly help a seasonal allergy sufferer? Have I found the miracle cure for my spring sickness? I had to find out.  MolekulePrice: $799 Bottom line: This mini appliance does something no other air purifier does; it destroys pollutants instead of just collecting them. The Good
The Bad
Bells & WhistlesMolekule: The features
 The Molekule air purifier is a large cylinder about two feet tall. It's got a fan at the bottom that pulls air up and a small pre-filter where larger particulates like dust are trapped. The air is then pushed up through Molekule's patented photoelectrochemical oxidation (PECO) filter, which is coated with nanoparticles that, when reacting to UV light, destroys pollutants at a molecular level. Things like pollen, pet dander, mold, bacteria, viruses, and VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Those last three are things that standard HEPA filters can't do at an efficient level (or at all in some cases).
While running, Molekule is lit up with a blue light, which is the pollutant-killing rock star of this outfit. The clean air is then pushed out of vents on the top of the cylinder. Molekule has an onboard touch screen controller, which allows you to change the fan force and volume between silent, auto, and boost. In silent mode, the fan runs at its quietest speed, but still cleans the air. In auto mode, the fan runs at medium speed at all times and automatically adjusts for the size of the room. Boost mode allows you to push the fan to its highest speed to work fast and hard to clear the room. It's usually used after something like a room cleaning. The onboard touch screen also shows you the filters' current health, lets you turn on Dark Mode (which turns the lights off if you need total darkness), and makes it possible to turn Molekule on or off. At about 18 pounds and almost two feet tall, Molekule is practically an appliance. Luckily, it has its own carrying handle. If you want to move it from one room to another, you can pick it up and carry it with relative ease (if you're capable of lifting something that's 18 pounds). When your filters are ready to be changed (every three months for the pre-filter and every six months for the PECO filter), you'll be sent new ones via a subscription. It's important for the health and effectiveness of Molekule to sign up for the subscription filters. Currently, there is no other way to buy replacements and the filters are the most important part of the air purifier. A subscription costs $65 every six months and includes one PECO filter and two pre-filters. To replace the filters, you'll first turn off your Molekule, then press down on the cylinder and twist counter-clockwise. This lifts the top of the cylinder up so you can pull out the PECO filter from the top and open the drawer to pull out the pre-filter from the bottom. The pre-filter will be dirty, covered with dust, pollen, and other bits of stuff that has been drawn up from the fan. The PECO filter will be nearly clean. You won't even think it needs to be changed. That means it's working. Because it's destroying pollutants at a molecular level, you're not supposed to actually see what's left behind. Though it looks clean, the PECO filter still needs to be changed every six months if you want it to continue performing properly. Breathing cleanMolekule: What I like
 When I first plugged the Molekule in and started it up, I immediately worried that it would be too loud and too bright to sleep with it running. I was wrong. At the auto level, Molekule runs quieter than a fan running on low. It's actually a very pleasant sounding white noise, but not at all room-filling. If you're particularly sensitive to noise and don't like the sound of the fan, you can actually set it to Silent Mode and it will run at its lowest speed. It will still filter the air, just not with as much gusto.
As far as the blue light is concerned, I really didn't think I could sleep with it on. I can't sleep when my alarm clock numbers are too bright. This is a two-foot-tall cylinder that's emitting blue light for about a foot all the way around at the top. I was completely surprised to discover that I could sleep with the blue glowing light just fine. If the light does bother you, and I wouldn't blame you if it did, you can set Molekule to Dark mode, which turns the light off. You don't want to leave it off all the time because it's the light that actually kills the micro-pollutants. Through the companion app, you can actually schedule a time for it to turn off and on. That way, you don't have to worry about remembering to turn it back on and it won't keep you awake through the night. I change my house filters every six months because I know how important it is for filters to be clean. One of the most useful things about Molekule is its subscription service. Without even thinking or worrying about it, you'll receive a new set of filters every six months. You don't have to order anything, set a reminder, or even think about it for a second. The filters will just show up when you need them. With a contraption such as this, you might worry about how to change the filter, but frankly, it's a pleasant experience. The Molekule design makes replacing filters actually a little fun, or at least something that makes you feel smart. Speaking of design, Molekule looks like something Apple would make. It's like the Mac's hip, trendy younger sibling. Just as handsome, but actually a little bit cooler. When people see it in my house, they immediately ask, "What's that?" with the excited tone of a child seeing cotton candy for the first time. Does it work? Having started out as a complete skeptical, I've been won over. It's not perfect. I still wake up with a stuffy nose and runny eyes sometimes, but not nearly as often as I do without it. Considering how bad my hay fever normally gets, I'd say Molekule has helped me through my most difficult time of the year. My significant other caught a cold during my testing of Molekule. I'm not going to assume that it saved me from catching the same cold, but I will say that I didn't get sick. Molekule does destroy viruses, including those same little rhinoviruses that cause the common cold. $$$Molekule: What I don't like
 Molekule is very big. It's more like an appliance. Obviously, in order to purify a 600 square-foot room, Molekule needs to be big. But there is no mini Molekule. Whether your room is 600 square feet or 150 square feet, you get a two-foot-tall cylinder. Once the company solidifies its place in the air purifying industry, maybe it'll design a smaller unit, but for now, you may have to reconfigure your bedroom in order to fit your Molekule.
Price is the biggest hurdle to face when deciding to purchase something that clearly works well. Is it worth $800 plus $130 per year for the rest of your life? That's a hard one to answer. Though Molekule definitely reduced my allergy symptoms, it didn't eliminate them altogether. If I was feeling particularly itchy eyes or a headache from my stuffed up nose, I couldn't just sit in my room for a half hour and suddenly stop feeling the symptoms. For $800, I kinda hoped it would.
BottomlineMolekule air purifier
Does it improve my quality of life? Yes. Is it a miracle cure for all allergies, no. For some people, Molekule is too much purifier for the price. If you've never really felt compelled to use an air purifier, you might consider going with something less expensive to begin with. HEPA filters do work, just not as good as Molekule. Molekule is for those people that have adverse reactions to airborne pollutants like pet dander, people who suffer from asthma and are particularly sensitive to VOCs, people that easily catch colds. If you've tried 10 different air purifiers, hoping to finally breathe well again and are always a little disappointed with the results, Molekule will probably be the 11th and final air purifier you get. For you, it's worth the price. Though you're paying a premium for Molekule, the company's founder and his family understand that price shouldn't be a barrier to better health. They do offer a payment plan for as low as $45 per month (depending on your credit). In the end, it's still a lot, but can be possible if you can't fork over $800 at one time. MolekulePrice: $799 Bottom line: If you're tired of trying new air purifiers that promise the world, you may never by another one again once you've tried Molekule.  |
| Posted: 17 Dec 2018 12:00 AM PST  The promise of an air purifier is an enticing one: An appliance designed to cleanse the air in your home, getting rid of all the impurities including odors, smoke, dust, and pet dander. Given the fact that indoor air can have levels of certain pollutants up to five times higher than outdoor air, we get it. But in reality, not all air purifiers necessarily live up to the marketing hype. How do air purifiers work?Air purifiers usually consist of a filter, or multiple filters, and a fan that sucks in and circulates air. As air moves through the filter, pollutants and particles are captured and the clean air is pushed back out into the living space. Typically, filters are made of paper, fiber (often fiberglass), or mesh, and require regular replacement to maintain efficiency. That means, in addition to the purchase price of an air purifier, you should also factor in operating costs and filter replacement costs. Operational costs can easily amount to $50 annually, since you should be running air purifiers near constantly to garner the benefits. Filter replacements can run upwards of $100 a year all told. How frequently you will have to change filters varies based upon the purifier type and usage. Some filters are reusable and washable, but they require meticulous maintenance, so you don't usually find them on the most effective air purifiers. Reusable filters are generally better at removing larger particles from the air, like dust mites and pollen. You'll also find UV (ultraviolet light) filters on the market, which often claim to destroy biological impurities like mold or bacteria, but many require higher wattage and greater exposure to be effective (not to mention some bacteria is UV-resistant). Other air purifiers use ionizers to help attract particles like static — negative ions bond to dust and allergens and make them settle out of the air. If you're interested in buying an air cleaner that uses ionizers, make sure it does not produce ozone, a gas made up of three oxygen atoms that is often marketed as helping break down pollutants, because ozone could be a lung irritant and further aggravate asthma conditions. Usually the air purifiers with ozone will have that listed on packaging or in the marketing descriptions. What are air purifiers supposed to filter out — and do they actually do it?Most filters on the market are designed to capture particles like dust and pollen, but don't catch gases like VOCs (volatile organic compounds) or radon. That would require an adsorbent, like activated carbon. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns that the functionality of air purifiers is limited in terms of filtering out gases, and that you must frequently replace filters for optimal functionality, usually about every three or so months. So while many air purifiers are good at filtering pollutant particles out of the air (dust, smoke, pollen, etc.), they are not necessarily very good at removing gaseous pollutants like VOCs or radon from the air that may accumulate from adhesives, paints, or cleaning products. Allergens that are embedded into furniture or flooring are also not captured by them. Additionally, the effectiveness of air purifiers in real-world situations likely won't mimic those of controlled conditions in a lab (what those "99% effectiveness" claims are referring to!). The location, installation, flow rate, and how long it is operating for will all vary, as will the conditions in the space. In addition, there are other things happening in your home that may effect the efficacy like ventilation (open or closed windows), and new particles are constantly emerging, so the air may not as filtered as the claims may have you believe. If you are concerned about mold, we'd recommend buying a dehumidifier or humidifier to help maintain the appropriate moisture levels in your home and stave off mold growth issues. Air purifiers do not prevent mold growth, so it is necessary to eliminate the source of moisture that is allowing it to grow. So… should I buy one?Before you do, know that air purifiers are not a cure-all. There is very little medical evidence to support that air purifiers directly help improve your health or alleviate allergies and respiratory symptoms. That's due in part to the fact that it is very difficult to separate the effects of known air-quality pollutants in your home from other environmental and genetic factors. (For instance, how are the furnishings and ventilation in your home affecting you in addition to any indoor pollutants?) But if you are an allergy or asthma sufferer, an air purifier with a HEPA filter may be helpful for you as it will be good at removing fine airborne particles. What is a HEPA filter?HEPA is an acronym for High Efficiency Particulate Air. HEPA filters capture variously sized particles within a multi-layered netting usually made out of very fine fiberglass threads (much thinner than the size of a human hair strand!) with varying sized gaps. The filter is airtight, and comprised of a dense sheet of small fibers pleated and sealed in a metal or plastic frame. The air purifier's fan draws air into the filter and particulates are captured in the filter. The larger particles (ones bigger than the fibers) are captured via impaction (particle crashes into the fiber), mid-sized particles are captured by interception (particle touches the fiber and is captured), and ultra-fine particles are captured by diffusion (while zig-zagging the particle will eventually hit and stick to the fiber). What should I look for in an air purifier?
What are other ways I can improve the air quality in my home?The best advice is to address the source of indoor air pollution and ventilate your home. If you are looking to supplement the work of your air purifier or see if you can get by without one, we recommended trying these steps to help reduce indoor air irritants:
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| Grants Available to Reduce Environmental Health Risks and Improve... - GrantNews Posted: 17 Apr 2019 12:00 AM PDT
Hazardous materials found in public and commercial buildings can wreak havoc on people's health. Imagine living in a home or going to work and being exposed to mold, mildew, toxic chemicals and inhaling their fumes and particulate matter daily. Some of these environmental health risks are hidden – they're invisible and don't have a smell or a scent. The greatest risks to our personal and communal health are found in the environments where we spend the most time due to continuous, prolonged exposure. Over the past forty years, people have been warned of the dangers of materials like lead and to keep children away from peeling paint. Lead is also found at dangerous levels such as our soil, water and the food we eat. In addition, mold and mildew can pose a serious threat to your health and well being and the integrity of your property. Extensive growth can weaken the building's structure. Libby Hikind, Founder and CEO has discovered and recommends her two mold spore reducing measures. Libby now uses hydrogen peroxide as a cleaning tool, the same hydrogen peroxide you use on cuts and scrapes and whenever the air starts to bother her, indoors she closes all windows, turns on her AC and her Dyson Pure Cool TP01 – Hepa Air Purifier & Fan. Recent studies are finding multiple health risks associated with air and water born pollutants Warning Signs of Possible Mold and Mildew in Your Environment Visible growth: Any black or discolored spots on the walls are a clear indication of a problem. Musty smell: If you detect a moldy odor in a particular room or area, this could mean it's growing inside your walls or under the floorboards. Allergies: If you or any of your staff members are experiencing symptoms such as difficulty breathing, a runny nose, watery eyes, throat closing, itching, and other allergic reactions, fungal growth could be the culprit. The Grantwatch.com website lists medical and healthcare related grants to individuals to organizations, clinicians, researchers, and other individuals operating in the health fields. Grants also encompass the health and wellness sphere and other health-related initiatives. In addition, GrantWatch lists grants from the United States Environmental Protection Agency to clean up the environment both in the U.S. and abroad. Here is a current grant open to USA nonprofit organizations working to protect natural resources, strengthen communities and the food system, and enhance public health. Applications are invited from both small and mid-sized organizations for either specific projects or general operating support. Grants to USA Nonprofits to Protect the Environment, Enhance Local Food Systems, and Strengthen Communities, Deadline: 6/01/2019 Applications are invited from both small and mid-sized organizations for either specific projects or general operating support. Priority is given to applicants that address the funding priorities from a holistic perspective including by reducing environmental health hazards.
And here are two grants for improving drinking water quality currently listed on GrantWatch: Grants to California LEAs, Preschools, and Day Care Centers to Improve Drinking Water Quality, Deadline: Ongoing through 6/30/2019 Grants to California local education agencies serving grades K-12, child care facilities and preschools to improve the quality of driving water. Projects must be located at schools within or serving a disadvantaged community. Projects may involve the installation of equipment necessary to ensure clean water, as well as the provision of interim water supplies. Grants to USA Nonprofits to Protect Drinking Water and Natural Gas Resources, Deadline: 7/12/2019 Grants to USA nonprofits to address environmental issues, specifically the protection of clean drinking water resources, as well as efforts to challenge the development of natural gas use and infrastructure in New York State. Funding is intended for projects that promote enforceable water policies and that advance cleaner and more accessible energy systems. Through preservation grants, landmarks can get funding for historical homes, libraries, museums, film, art, cultural and religious institutions for remediation from health risks such as asbestos and mold. Grants for remediation can sometimes also be found on GrantWatch under housing or financial assistance. Reducing health risks:
Small businesses, entrepreneurs, nonprofits, public and private foundations frustrated by the often-overwhelming process involved with searching for grants can identify funding opportunities that are easy to read and simple to comprehend at GrantWatch.com. Sign-up here to receive the GrantWatch weekly grants newsletter prepared specifically for your organization's location. About the Author: The author is a staff writer for MWBEzone. Sources:  |
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