Over the last twenty years, we’ve helped countless people living with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) find the right air purifier to ease their symptoms. If you or someone you know struggles with MCS, we hope this guide provides helpful insight from our experience.

What Causes MCS and What Are the Common Symptoms?

MCS is a condition that makes everyday life challenging. It’s essentially an intolerance to a wide range of commonly used chemicals, many of which are found in ordinary household items and personal care products.

For some, a quick spray of deodorant or a hint of perfume can trigger symptoms. For others, it's exposure to smoke, paint fumes, plastics, scented products, or cleaning agents. Symptoms vary between individuals, but the most common include:

• Headaches
• Fatigue or persistent tiredness
• Dizziness
• Skin rashes
• Shortness of breath

What Kind of Air Purifier Helps with Chemical Sensitivity?

Most air purifiers today come with a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter, which is excellent for removing dust, pollen, pet dander, and bacteria. But here's the key point: HEPA filters alone are not effective against chemicals or VOCs (volatile organic compounds).

Because VOCs are gases, not particles, they pass straight through a HEPA filter. To capture them, you need a purifier that includes a high-quality carbon filter. This is what absorbs the chemical fumes after they pass through the HEPA stage.

Carbon Filter Quality Matters

The weight and type of carbon used in the filter are critical. Specialist purifiers will include at least .5kg of genuine activated carbon, which provides a large surface area to absorb fumes. By contrast, many cheaper high-street models only use a thin sponge or lightweight sheet with a dusting of carbon—barely enough to be effective, despite the VOC removal claim.

The Techy Bit: Why Airflow and “Dwell Time” Are Crucial.

For a carbon filter to do its job properly, the air must pass through it slowly enough for the fumes to be absorbed. This is known as “dwell time”. The thicker the carbon bed, the longer the dwell time and the more effectively it captures chemicals. Thin carbon means short dwell time and limited results.

Filter + Fan Power = Effective Air Cleaning

A good filter alone isn’t enough. Your purifier also needs a powerful fan to draw chemical-laden air toward the filter efficiently and circulate it through the room. Ideally, it should be able to cycle the entire room’s air through the filters at least five times per hour a benchmark known as ACPH (Air Changes Per Hour).

Room Size Claims: Don’t Be Fooled

This is where many buyers get misled. Some manufacturers advertise impressive room size coverage on paper. But if the fan isn't strong enough, the purifier won’t deliver enough air changes to be effective in the space.

Let’s take an example. The VAX AP01 is advertised as being suitable for rooms up to 61m². However, based on its actual airflow specs, it will only achieve 5 ACPH in rooms up to just 7.2m². Similar statements appear with models like the Pure Air 300 and AP03, which are realistically suitable for much smaller rooms than advertised.

Compare that to a more specialist unit like the Stadler Form Roger. It costs a similar amount but delivers significantly better airflow and contains much more carbon making it far more effective at removing VOCs and relieving MCS symptoms.

For Serious MCS Protection: Professional-Grade Options

If you require more advanced protection, there are professional-grade air purifiers such as those from Airgle. Their AG300, for example, is a certified Class 1 Medical Device featuring a heavy-duty carbon filter and a MERV19 HEPA filter offering exceptional performance in removing airborne chemicals. Of course, high performance comes at a price, with models like the AG300 retailing around £750.00.

The Takeaway

Always take manufacturer room size claims with a grain of salt. Ask how many air changes per hour the purifier can deliver in your actual room size. It’s the only way to ensure you’re getting the chemical protection you really need.

Click here to view our recommended air purifiers for MCS sufferers.