Improving Indoor Air Quality for a Healthier Winter
The Corsi-Rosenthal Box Air Filter for Cleaner Indoor Air and Winter Wellness
Our Top Recommendation for Cleaner Indoor Air: The Corsi-Rosenthal Box
As I write on a cold stormy day, I’m reminded that winter is here! For many people, the winter season means more time spent indoors. Indoor air quality is crucial for your health year-round, with each season posing unique risks. As we spend more time indoors for the winter, staying healthy relates to indoor air quality because we can be exposed to viruses in the air as we breathe.
Maybe you’ve read about some of the most recommended air filters of 2023. This winter, the Corsi–Rosenthal Box (CR Box) is our top recommendation for providing cleaner and healthier indoor air. The CR Box is a combination air filter and air mover that has gained popularity due to its low cost and high efficiency in reducing airborne particles. The CR Box is a do-it-yourself (DIY) air filter that is easy to assemble using a simple box fan and MERV 13 filters. For instructions on how to build your own CR Box check out our previous post:
The concept behind the CR Box is to increase air circulation and filtration in a room. A simple box fan pulls air through the four filters and pushes it back into the room. The filters are made of polypropylene that is electrified (meaning electrostatic attraction is imparted onto the materials during manufacturing). As air flows through the filter, particles in the air are attracted to the charged fibers. The electrostatic force between the charged fibers and particles is strong, causing the particles to be drawn towards and stick to the filter material.
The Functionality of a Corsi–Rosenthal Box Air Filter
Air circulation plays a vital role in maintaining a healthy indoor environment, particularly during the colder months. The theory behind air circulation is based on the movement of air molecules, which can be affected by temperature, pressure, and humidity. Air circulation is essential for maintaining healthy indoor environments, especially in your home. Effective air circulation can help minimize the spread of airborne contaminants, regulate temperature and humidity, and improve overall air quality, all of which are especially important in the winter.
The CR Box operates on the principle that a room behaves like a "well-mixed box," meaning that air and contaminants are evenly distributed throughout the room. However, localized sneezing or coughing can disrupt this even distribution with airborne droplets, leading to immediate effects on nearby individuals.
Key Takeaways
The Corsi–Rosenthal Box is a low-cost and efficient DIY air filter that can be easily assembled using a box fan and MERV 13 filters.
The Corsi–Rosenthal Box works by increasing the air exchange rate in a room, drawing in air through the filter, and pushing cleaner air back out into the room.
The very effective air filters capture airborne particles such as virus droplets from coughing and sneezing, dust, pollen, and mold spores.
The clean air is then blown out of the front of the fan, creating air disturbances in upper areas of the room where the air is normally still. This allows further filtration while diluting any airborne particles to improve the air quality in the room.
The Corsi–Rosenthal Box can be used in a variety of settings, including homes, offices, and schools.
This winter season as we spend more time indoors, it’s important to prioritize healthy indoor air quality. With a greater risk of respiratory illnesses during this time, it's crucial to address the potential spread of viruses in indoor environments. The CR Box is a top recommendation for achieving cleaner and healthier indoor air. By utilizing the CR Box, you can take proactive steps to improve the air quality in your home.
Sketches by Kaity Arango: @art.kaityarango