Canadian wildfires have exploded and hundreds of millions of Canadians and Americans are under an air quality alert. Eastern Canada, the northeast US from Virginia to Maine are blanketed with thick smoke. New York City is recorded as having the worst air quality in the world yesterday. Masks, closed windows on hot days and air purifiers are in demand, so maybe it is time to change up how you consume marijuana.
Joints and pre-rolls are the most popular form of cannabis use and represent a significant portion of sales. But smoking in an already comprised environment could cause short and long term problems that spoil the experience.
“The particulate matter that’s in this haze is significant because it does irritate the bronchioles, or the small tubes that go down into your lungs and connect to the alveoli, which are the sacs that allow you to breathe,” Dr. Bob Lahita, director of the Institute for Autoimmune and Rheumatic Disease at St. Joseph’s Health, told CBS News. “That gets irritated in people without asthma, but if you have asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure or anything that involves your lungs or even your heart, you should stay indoors.”
Smoking, be it cigars, joints, or cigarettes are irritants to the lungs. Smoked marijuana, regardless of how it is smoked, can harm lung tissues and cause scarring and damage to small blood vessels. With such current poor air quality, you are likely to have more coughing and hacking, definitely a downer for your chill. There are lots of way to consume marijuana including edibles and oils that can send you on the journey.
Another example of the current atmosphere disruption is travel. Smoke from wildfires in Canada is a serious problem for airlines. It has created conditions that cause more delays than rain or fog, the Federal Aviation Administration said. That’s because airlines rely on advanced navigation systems on the planes and on the ground, according to the FAA’s Kevin Morris.
Cannabis is legal to more than 50% of the population and more people are consuming. As additional states consider legalizing, what about the famous smell? Governor Ron DeSantis has made it a point talking about how cities will stink if weed is legal. Well, marijuana does have some stink, but most smoke outside or in their own home. And Florida is a state of cars and indoor spaces. Smoking cannabis, like tobacco, will be not be allowed indoors except in homes. But occasionally, you are in someone else’s space and, well, things happen. What to do? Can an air purifier get rid of the marijuana smell?
Additionally, lots of people are traveling and being in mew spaces, especially in legal states. Friends, guests, clients all have different habits. In fact, Gen Z and millennials took, on average, nearly five trips in 2023. Gen Xers and Boomers to four. Millennials and Gen Zers also say they devote, on average, 29 percent of their incomes to travel, compared with 26 percent for Gen Zers and 25 percent for baby boomers. So this a variety of AirBnBs, friend’s couches, and more. Air purifiers can be highly effective at eliminating cannabis odors from indoor spaces. The key to success lies in choosing the right type of air purifier withappropriate filtration technology.
The most effective air purifiers for cannabis odor utilize a combination of HEPA filtration and activated carbon filters. Here’s how they work.
HEPA Filtration: High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters remove tiny particles from the air, including smoke particles that carry odor molecules. This helps reduce the overall concentration of cannabis smoke in the air.
Activated Carbon: The real workhorse for odor elimination is activated carbon. These filters are highly porous and adsorb odor-causing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and gases, effectively trapping the molecules responsible for cannabis smell.
When selecting an air purifier for cannabis odor, here is what to consider. Look for units with large activated carbon filters, ideally containing several pounds of carbon for maximum odor absorption. Choose a purifier powerful enough to cycle the air in your space multiple times per hour for best results. And ensure the purifier is rated for the size of the room where it will be used.
While air purifiers are effective, combining them with other strategies can enhance odor elimination. Designate a specific smoking area to contain odors. Smoke near an open window when possible. Use lower-odor cannabis strains. And lastly clean surfaces regularly to prevent odor buildup.
By using a high-quality air purifier with both HEPA and activated carbon filtration, along with these additional measures,