According to reports, we spend 90% of our time indoors, and the increasing number of airborne pollutants in the indoor air is leading to countless health issues. While some gaseous pollutants can be detected because of their distinct odor or taste, contaminants like radon gas can go undetected because of their odorless, tasteless nature.
Thankfully, the best air purifier for radon gas can manage both visible and invisible irritants, making the indoor air safe to breathe in while also helping in alleviating asthma symptoms.
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Can Air Purifiers Remove Radon?
Indoor air. Radon is chemically inert and is small enough to bypass most filters. A carbon filter acting as a physical absorbent is the best choice against radon gas. As radon is highly toxic, excessive exposure to it can damage the inner lining of the lungs and might lead to lung cancer.
Even non-smokers are at an increased risk of lung cancer due to excessive radon exposure as shown by studies. An air purifier not only removes toxins like radon but will also remove allergens among other pollutants, allowing you to enjoy your life without compromises and avoid common health issues.
There are thousands of good air purifiers out there are and one might get confused between them. To tackle the threat of radon, an air purifier with high activated carbon content will perform the best. We’ve done the research for you and have narrowed down the list so you may decide better.
If you want to know more on this topic read our in-depth answer to “Do Air Purifiers Help With Radon Gas?” We have covered health risks associated with radon, radon Testing Kit and how you can reduce radon levels naturally.
Best Air Purifiers for Radon Gas
According to studies, air purifiers with a high carbon/activated carbon content work best against radon. While many air purifiers use carbon, the best ones tackle the problem of off-gassing by using better materials or specialized designs. Here is a detailed review and comparison of the best radon air purifiers.
In a hurry? This table summarizes the specifications and features of the top 3 air purifiers for radon gas.
| Characteristic | Alen BreatheSmart | IQAir GC MultiGas | Winix 5500-2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Removes Radon | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Removes Odors | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Removes Dust | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Removes Mold | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| HEPA Efficiency | 99.99% | 99.99% | 99.99% |
| Filtration Stages | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Activated Carbon Content | 12 lbs. | 12 lbs. | Granules < 10 lbs. |
| Coverage Area | 1100 sq. ft | 1240 sq. ft | 360 sq. ft. |
| CADR (cfm) | 300 | 300 | 246 |
| Washable Carbon Filter | No | No | Yes |
| Filter Life | 10-12 months | 12-28 months | 12 months |
1. Alen BreatheSmart Air Purifier
Alen BreatheSmart is one of the best radon air purifiers out there not only in performance but in aesthetics as well. It boasts a sleek design and packs medical-grade protection against air contaminants. The BreatheSmart Classic coupled with the True HEPA-FreshPlus brings activated carbon granules and mesh that effectively tackles radon, pet odors, cooking odors, and other household odors.
The activated carbon filters from Alen are excellent against VOCs, smoke, chemical contaminants, and even odorless toxins. Apart from the efficiency against gaseous allergens, the BreatheSmart Classic can filter up to 99.99% of particulate matter down to a size of 0.1 microns thanks to the H13 True HEPA filter. This includes improved protection against microbes, dust, dust mites, pet fur, pet dander, mold spores, etc.
This superior protection is made possible by the pre-filter, the H13 HEPA filter, and the activated carbon mesh. The pre-filter acts as the first line of defense and traps larger particles like pet hair, dander, dust, etc. It can be vacuumed to extend the life of the H13 rated True HEPA filter.
The HEPA filter removes indoor air pollutants down to a size of 0.1 microns with a 99.9% accuracy and is recommended by the EPA. Alen True HEPA filter has fused 12 lbs. activated carbon content into the main HEPA filter to provide failsafe protection against gaseous toxins like radon. The single package ensures maximum contact and efficiently removes radon from the air.
Alen BreathSmart Classic is a complete package and is popular because of its user-intuitive design, innovative features, and quiet operation. The top of the purifier houses an Air Quality Sensor Light that uses blue, orange, and red indicators to differentiate between good, average, and bad air quality.
As soon as the purifier detects bad air quality, the auto mode spins the fan speed accordingly to bring down the airborne contaminants. The user-centric features also extend to night mode, where the lights go out completely to provide a clean supply of air at the minimal sound, and when the indoor air quality index is within the safe limits you can expect quiet operation that won’t disturb your sleep.
Radon is most common where surface imperfections exist and pinpointing that can be impossible without repeated tests. Alen BreatheSmart air purifier can clean up to 1100 sq. ft. every 30 minutes so wherever the radon leak might be, the purifier will soak it up.
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2. IQAir GC MultiGas Air Purifier
Nothing can go wrong when you have the IQAir GC MultiGas air purifier. The medical-grade air purifier takes care of organic compounds, airborne particles, harmful chemicals, and will remove radioactive elements like radon products from the air. The plethora of features that the IQAir GC packs makes it an excellent choice against all kinds of pollutants.
MultiGas features innovative filtration technologies that make it particularly efficient against gases, odors, and chemicals. IQAir has perfected different technologies and packed them into a unique design that looks professional and is efficient.
The GS’s proprietary HyperHEPA is the first line of defense and is located at the bottom of the unit. The air is pulled in from the bottom and is directed upward through multiple activated carbon cylinders that remove VOCs, household odors, and other smells.
A secondary stage then treats the air using chemisorption to destroy harmful chemicals like radon and formaldehyde. The air is then finally forced through a post-filter sleeve that prevents activated carbon particulates from escaping with the air.
The HyperHEPA technology ensures more than 95% accuracy for particles as small as 0.003 microns and a 99.99% accuracy for particles under 0.3 microns. Its 12 lbs. carbon content coupled with alumina pallets is particularly efficient against organic compounds and can help keep radon gas levels in check.
The IQAir medical-grade air purifier has helped thousands of users with respiratory issues and although it has a slightly higher than usual filter replacement cost, its prowess in removing airborne chemicals like radon among other harmful particles, makes it hard to overlook.
You can have peace of mind with this radon air purifier as it can cover up to 1125 sq. ft., and has a 320-degree airflow ensuring an even air distribution. Although there is no energy star certification, the purifier still consumes only 27 watts at its lowest speed setting.
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3. Winix 5500-2 Air Purifier
Winix has quickly risen in popularity thanks to its user-friendly devices and affordable price tags. With its 4-stage filtration, the Winix 5500-2 brings top-notch features of various flagship models.
Standing among the best air purifier for radon Winix is most people’s budget-friendly choice. The air purifier uses a pre-filter with an activated carbon mesh that helps control the radon levels in the indoor air.
The air purifier pulls in the indoor air through the front grille where the pre-filter traps most large particles. Winix has made the pre-filter and the activated carbon filter washable. Regularly maintaining these filters extends the life of the True HEPA filter that sits in front of the fan. The HEPA filter has an efficiency of 99.97% and is efficient against indoor air pollutants like mold spores, pollen, pet dander, dust mites, and various other allergens that can trigger allergic reactions.
The air purifier takes care of the radon issue with the help of an activated carbon filter that sits between the pre-filter and the HEPA filter. The AOC carbon filter is also washable and extremely high-quality as it packs activated carbon granules that effectively tackle all household odors, VOCs, cigarette smell, cooking odors, and toxins like radon.
The air cleaner also features Winix’s proprietary PlasmaWave technology that acts as a 5th filtration stage. It helps tackle airborne microbes and helps get more complete protection. Winix offers a relatively cheap solution to high indoor radon levels and brings the convenience of remote control, filter replacement indicator, and auto mode in a futuristic design.
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FAQ’s
Does activated carbon remove radon from air?
Yes, activated carbon is the best option for removing airborne radon. Other filtration technologies and methods are ineffective against chemically inert gas.
Is it safe to live in a house with radon?
No, radon is toxic and is the second leading cause of lung cancer after cigarette smoke. The CDC defines no level of radon gas as safe and suggests that professional radon remediation be sought if ambient radon levels cross 8 Pico curries per liter.
What are signs of radon poisoning?
According to cancer.org, shortness of breath, persistent cough, tightness in the chest, hoarse voice, or trouble swallowing are all symptoms of radon poisoning. Smokers are encouraged to give up smoking if any of these symptoms persist, as radon can aggravate the risk of lung cancer in smokers.
Conclusion
Radon can be a silent killer and if an inexpensive air purifier can save a life, it’s definitely worth the investment. The best air purifier for radon will pack a high activated carbon content like the Alen BreatheSmart, the IQAir GC, and the Winix 5500-2.