Washable air filters may be environmentally friendly, but they could impact your health
There’s no question that people care more about the environment today than they did decades ago.
Anytime you go out to the store, or even browse online, you will see many options for reusable everyday products such as Q-tips, water bottles, and even paper towels.
I do believe there are plenty of ways to limit our waste and reuse more than we throw out. However, I don’t think all reusable options are useful to us. I was recently presented with the idea of washable air filters during my last HVAC inspection at my business, and as someone who studied environmental health and air pathogens, I don’t think this is the best route for our health. Even if you are able to wash an air filter, there is no guarantee that all irritants will be removed. The average person washing an air filter would likely not know how to test it to make sure that it is 100% clean, or at least close to it. Disposable air filters are not a major part of the problem when it comes to human waste, so I don’t believe it is within the best interest of our health to switch to a reusable option. We need quality air indoors, especially because most people spend their days inside. A reusable filter opens the opportunity for mold growth if people do not properly wash and dry it before reinstalling it. The drying time for the filter can be lengthy, and if you don’t have two washable filters in rotation, you may risk allowing pollen and other irritants into your home during that time. I’m an advocate for saving the environment, but not everything we use needs to be a reusable option when it may be detrimental to our health.