Is smoke in your home? Here's how to make an air purifier using a box fan

As wildfire smoke impacts air quality across the U.S., experts are providing guidance on building DIY air purifiers using box fans and high-efficiency filters. These measures are intended to help reduce exposure to harmful particulate matter like PM 2.5.
Why it matters
With increasing wildfire frequency, practical health advice for improving indoor air quality is becoming essential for public safety.
A version of this story was originally published on Jan. 10, 2025. It has been updated to reflect the wildfires currently bringing smoke to the U.S.
The article provides objective health and safety information based on expert consensus.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in