Liesl McConchie, a board member of the Corsi-Rosenthal Foundation, collaborated with epidemiologist Megan Jehn to design a rapid response initiative focused on creating and distributing DIY Corsi-Rosenthal air filters. Within just two weeks, they managed to assemble 1,150 air filters. This monumental effort was fueled by $30,000 worth of supplies and nearly 1,000 MERV13 furnace filters donated by 3M, alongside almost $10,000 raised through public donations.
The DIY filters are both economical and effective, crafted from widely available materials such as box fans, MERV13 furnace filters, and duct tape. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) endorses these homemade air purifiers as “a cost-effective approach to improving indoor air quality during wildfire smoke events.
The DIY box fan air cleaner operates within acceptable thresholds for market safety standard for electric fans, even under extreme conditions.
“DIY air filtration units can be an effective means of reducing aerosol exposure. The DIY units reduced aerosol exposure up to 73%”
Parents call for better air quality in schools
“DIY) air cleaners, made with a box fan and MERV 13 air filter, are a cost-effective method for reducing smoke concentrations.”
“DIY air cleaners appear to be a valuable, low-cost tool to reduce hazardous PM exposures.”
This study has shown that DIY air cleaners can be a cost-effective approach to reducing smoke concentrations.
MERV-13 filters and box fan is a low-cost alternative to commercial filter units. The Low-cost method effectively filters wildfire PM2.5 and submicron particles.
