Carbon filters can adsorb certain airborne chemicals, which are called volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs can be harmful to health, and often arise from building materials, cleaning products, and other sources. Carbon filters, as described by the EPA, are specific to one or a limited number of gaseous pollutants. These filters will not reduce the concentrations of VOCs for which they were not designed.

It’s also important to note that after the carbon filter reaches its saturation point, the adsorbed chemicals break off the surface and are released back into the airstream. Therefore, though carbon filters are able to capture some VOCs initially, they quickly re-emit these same chemicals back into the air.

Unlike carbon filters, Molekule's Photo Electrochemical Oxidation (PECO) technology destroys pollutants passing through the filter, instead of merely collecting them. When the PECO-Filter is triggered by light, free radicals break down the molecular structure of any organic compound, including VOCs, in a single pass.

Learn more about how Molekule air purifiers compare to HEPA filters.