Made to measure: hook-and-loop or roll
What is in city air?
Pollution in city air is usually measured as particulate matter (PM). PM10refers to coarser particles such as road dust and pollen; PM2.5 refers to finer particles from exhaust, chimney smoke and industry. Air quality stations publish these values regularly. Gases such as nitrogen dioxide are also part of city air.
For explanations of the terms, see the glossary.
What does a window filter hold back, and what not?
| Window filter | |
|---|---|
| Road dust, sand (PM10) | Holds back most of it |
| Soot, grime, exhaust particles (PM2.5) | Holds back some of it |
| Gases (nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, etc.) | Does not hold back |
| Smell | Eases it, does not remove it completely |
Living in the city with a window filter
- Give priority to windows facing the road. That is the side where most pollution gets in.
- Air the home wisely. Air late at night or early in the morning rather than during the morning and evening rush.
- Keep an eye on air quality. On days when pollution is very high, open the window only briefly.
- Clean the filter more often. In a city environment the filter darkens faster.
A window filter filters the air coming in from outside; it does not remove gases and does not replace an air purifier indoors.
