As we get further into August, Boise's air quality is likely to worsen if wildfire season picks up. Current guidance recommends that sensitive groups run air purifiers, but long-term exposure to smoke harms us all. Air purifiers can be expensive, so here’s how you can make your own at home with a few simple items.
🧰 Quick and Simple
Necessity is the mother of invention, so let’s start with the most simple version of a DIY air purifier.
- Step 1: Acquire a square fan (most air filters are squares or rectangles, so we’re applying basic geometry).
- Step 2: Get yourself a HEPA filter (shoot for one similar in size to your fan).
- Step 3: Secure the filter to your fan via duct tape or packing tape, making sure to seal the connection as tightly as possible.
▶️ Follow along with this tutorial from the New York Times’ Wirecutter. Their testing showed this simple version outperformed a fancy $800 air purifier!
👷 Take it to the Next Level
After covering the COVID-19 pandemic, The Washington Post reporter Lena H. Sun took it upon herself to build what’s called a Corsi-Rosenthal Box, which basically takes the version above and gives it superpowers. She has a great step-by-step guide on how to build one.
