New York - The power of social media is evident as users widely share an unexpectedly effective solution to safeguard themselves indoors from the hazardous wildfire smoke engulfing parts of the East Coast. By using a box fan, four air filters, and ample duct tape, individuals are discovering a do-it-yourself (DIY) air purifier method that has gained popularity under the name of the Corsi-Rosenthal method. This technique has garnered attention in recent years due to the ongoing pandemic and rampant wildfires in the western United States.
As Google searches for "air purifiers" surge, people are taking to platforms like TikTok and Facebook to share instructions on constructing their own air purifiers. While residents of the West Coast are familiar with such methods due to their exposure to wildfire smoke, some East Coast residents are learning about the box fan method for the first time.
Seattle resident Angel Robertson, aged 34, contributed to the viral trend by posting a TikTok video demonstrating how to assemble the DIY air purifier. Her video, which has garnered over 600,000 views, showcases the process of using duct tape to create a box-shaped structure with four 20-by-20 air filters, with the fan placed on top. The entire setup comes at a cost of under $100.
In a video, the Seattle resident Angel Robertson enthusiastically vouches for the remarkable efficacy of the Corsi-Rosenthal purifier. She emphasizes its life-saving potential on days with heavy smoke, asserting that it outperforms regular air filters. Public health experts corroborate this claim, highlighting the purifiers' impressive ability to eliminate particles from the air. Petri Kalliomäki, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Maryland's School of Public Health, notes that the Corsi-Rosenthal purifiers exhibit a relatively high clean air delivery rate. They can effectively purify air not only from smoke but also from pollen and viruses.
At the University of Connecticut, Misti Levy Zamora, an assistant professor in public health sciences, and her colleagues distributed free Corsi-Rosenthal purifiers to anyone who stopped by. Zamora conducted various tests at the university, public schools, and her own residence, affirming the purifier's exceptional performance. She confidently stated, "I can confidently say this thing is working really well today. I was able to filter out all the particles in the air basically back down to what I saw last week within a matter of minutes."
Richard Corsi, co-inventor of the box fan air purifier and dean of the College of Engineering at the University of California at Davis, credited the power of social media for bringing their creation to life. Corsi revealed that in 2020, he shared a sketch of the design on Twitter during an evening of brainstorming. Jim Rosenthal, CEO of Tex-Air Filters, picked up the idea and brought it to fruition. Corsi's intention was to develop an affordable purifier accessible to the average American. He now receives feedback from friends in the Northeast who have embraced his innovative solution.
Corsi emphasized the significance of portable air cleaners, especially when buildings need to be sealed and indoor time is increased. He believes these purifiers can make a tangible difference in people's lives by improving indoor air quality.
Inspired by her time in Salt Lake City, Grace Turner, aged 31, constructed her own box fan purifier for her home in Rochester, New York. She shared her creation on TikTok, where she attested to the positive impact the air purifier had on her living environment. Turner highlighted the accessibility of various DIY designs and the abundance of instructional information available online.
Liz Hradil, aged 27, residing in Syracuse, New York, endured the discomfort of smoke-induced irritation in her eyes, nose, and throat as smoke descended upon the region. While searching online for an air purifier, she stumbled upon the Corsi-Rosenthal box design and promptly acquired the necessary filters and fan from Lowe's. Within just 30 minutes of starting the purifier, she noticed a remarkable difference as the smoke smell dissipated. Sharing a photo of her creation online, she received praise from her friends in New York who found the idea genius and novel.