AirPurifierCalculators

Health Condition CADR Calculator

Calculate the minimum CADR needed for asthma, allergies, COPD, and other health conditions. Get personalized recommendations based on your symptoms and environment.

Health-Focused

Specialized calculations for asthma, allergies, COPD, and immune conditions

Severity Adjusted

CADR requirements scale with symptom severity and environmental factors

Medical Guidelines

Based on healthcare recommendations for air quality and respiratory health

Room & Health Information

sq ft
50 sq ft1000 sq ft
ft
7 ft12 ft

Environmental Factors

Maximum CADR Needed

507 CFM
Based on your most demanding health condition
1

Asthma

Chronic respiratory condition triggered by airborne particles

CADR Requirements

390 CFM
Minimum CADR
507 CFM
Recommended CADR
Includes environmental factors
Target: 6+ ACH for moderate symptoms

Priority Particles

dust mites
pollen
pet dander
smoke
Filtration Focus
Your air purifier must excel at removing these specific particles

Key Features Needed

HEPA filtration required
Focus on sub-micron particles
Avoid ozone generators
Pre-filter for pet hair

Coverage Guidelines for 507 CFM CADR

761
Conservative (sq ft)
6+ ACH - Severe conditions
1268
Standard (sq ft)
4-5 ACH - Most conditions
2028
Maximum (sq ft)
2-3 ACH - Mild conditions only

Health Condition Note

For health conditions, we recommend conservative sizing to ensure adequate air changes. Your symptoms may worsen if the air purifier is undersized for your room.

Why Health Conditions Need Higher CADR

Respiratory Sensitivity

Health conditions like asthma and allergies make airways more sensitive to particles. Standard air quality that's fine for healthy individuals can trigger symptoms in sensitive people, requiring cleaner air with higher air change rates.

Particle Size Matters

Different conditions are triggered by different particle sizes. Asthma often responds to fine particles (PM2.5), while allergies focus on larger particles like pollen. COPD patients need protection from ultra-fine particles and smoke.

Continuous Protection

Health conditions require consistent, not just peak, air quality. This means air purifiers must maintain high performance continuously, not just during high pollution events, necessitating higher baseline CADR ratings.

Condition-Specific Requirements

Asthma

Requires 6+ ACH, focus on dust mites, pet dander, and smoke particles

Allergies

Needs 5+ ACH with high pollen CADR and effective pre-filtration

COPD

Demands 8+ ACH, medical-grade HEPA, and gas/odor filtration

Immune Compromised

Requires 10+ ACH with UV sterilization and hospital-grade filtration

Chemical Sensitivity

Needs 7+ ACH with specialized VOC removal and zero ozone emission

How to Use the Health Condition Calculator

Step-by-Step Instructions

1

Enter Room Details

Input your room size and ceiling height for accurate volume calculations.

2

Select Health Conditions

Choose all applicable conditions - the calculator will use the most demanding requirements.

3

Set Symptom Severity

Be honest about your symptoms - this significantly affects CADR requirements.

4

Add Environmental Factors

Include pets, smoking, location factors that increase particle load.

5

Review Requirements

Check minimum vs recommended CADR and specific features needed.

Understanding Your Results

Minimum vs Recommended CADR

Minimum is bare necessity; recommended includes safety margin for environmental factors

Priority Particles

Specific pollutants your condition is most sensitive to - ensure high CADR for these

Key Features Needed

Essential purifier features for your condition - don't compromise on these

Coverage Guidelines

Conservative (recommended)
Standard
Maximum (risky)

Multiple Conditions

Calculator uses the highest requirement when multiple conditions are selected

5 Real-World Health Condition Examples

1

Mild Seasonal Allergies

Profile:

  • • Bedroom: 12×10×8 ft (120 sq ft)
  • • Seasonal allergies, mild symptoms
  • • No pets, suburban location
  • • Mainly spring pollen issues

CADR Needed:

  • • Minimum: 125 CFM
  • • Recommended: 165 CFM
  • • Focus: High pollen CADR
  • • ✅ Most budget purifiers work

🎯 Perfect Match:

Levoit Core 300
230 CADR • Auto mode • Quiet
$100
Amazon
2

Moderate Asthma with Pets

Profile:

  • • Living room: 16×14×8 ft (224 sq ft)
  • • Asthma, moderate symptoms
  • • 2 cats in home
  • • Triggered by dander, dust

CADR Needed:

  • • Minimum: 270 CFM
  • • Recommended: 350 CFM
  • • Focus: Dust, pet dander
  • • ⚠️ Need pre-filter for pet hair

🎯 Recommended:

Blueair Blue Pure 211+
350 CADR • Pre-filter • Pet optimized
$300
Amazon
3

Severe COPD

Profile:

  • • Bedroom: 14×12×8 ft (168 sq ft)
  • • COPD, severe symptoms
  • • Urban area, air pollution
  • • Sensitive to smoke, fine particles

CADR Needed:

  • • Minimum: 540 CFM
  • • Recommended: 680 CFM
  • • Focus: Smoke, fine particles
  • • 🚨 Medical-grade required

🎯 Medical Grade:

Medify MA-112
560 CADR • Medical grade • Hospital use
$400
Amazon
4

Chemical Sensitivity

Profile:

  • • Home office: 12×10×8 ft (120 sq ft)
  • • Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
  • • Triggered by VOCs, odors
  • • Need zero ozone emission

CADR Needed:

  • • Minimum: 260 CFM
  • • Recommended: 310 CFM
  • • Focus: VOCs, chemical vapors
  • • 🧪 Carbon filtration essential

🎯 VOC Specialist:

Austin Air HealthMate
400 CADR • 15lbs carbon • Zero ozone
$595
Amazon
5

Immunocompromised Patient

Profile:

  • • Bedroom: 10×12×8 ft (120 sq ft)
  • • Cancer treatment, weak immunity
  • • Need protection from pathogens
  • • Hospital-level air quality

CADR Needed:

  • • Minimum: 600 CFM
  • • Recommended: 780 CFM
  • • Focus: Bacteria, viruses, all particles
  • • 🏥 UV sterilization needed

🎯 Hospital Grade:

AirPura UV614
635 CADR • UV-C • Pathogen control
$899
Amazon

Key Takeaways from Health Examples

!

Severity Matters

Severe conditions can require 2-3x higher CADR than mild symptoms

⚕

Medical Grade Needed

COPD and immune conditions often require specialized medical purifiers

🎯

Particle-Specific

Each condition targets different particles - match CADR to your triggers

Recommended Air Purifiers by Health Condition

😊

Mild Conditions

Seasonal allergies, light sensitivity

Levoit Core 300

230 CFM CADR~$100

Perfect for mild allergies • True HEPA • Quiet operation

View on Amazon

Coway AP-1512HH

246 CFM CADR~$200

Auto mode • Energy Star • Ideal for moderate symptoms

View on Amazon
😐

Moderate Conditions

Asthma, allergies with pets, elderly care

Blueair Blue Pure 211+

350 CFM CADR~$300

Excellent for asthma • Pre-filter • Ultra-quiet

View on Amazon

Honeywell HPA300

300 CFM CADR~$250

Reliable for asthma • Large rooms • Proven performance

View on Amazon
😷

Severe Conditions

COPD, immune compromised, chemical sensitivity

Medify MA-112

560 CFM CADR~$400

Medical grade • COPD approved • Hospital use

View on Amazon

Austin Air HealthMate

400 CFM CADR~$595

15lbs carbon • Chemical sensitivity • Zero ozone

View on Amazon

🎯 Essential Features by Health Condition

Asthma & COPD Requirements

• True HEPA filtration (99.97% efficiency)

• High smoke CADR for fine particles

• No ozone emission (can trigger attacks)

• Continuous operation capability

• Medical-grade certification preferred

Allergies & Chemical Sensitivity

• High pollen CADR (for seasonal allergies)

• Activated carbon for chemicals/odors

• Pre-filter for large particles (pet hair)

• Auto mode for consistent operation

• Low noise for bedroom use

Medical Disclaimer

This calculator provides general guidance for air purifier selection based on common health conditions. It is not a substitute for medical advice.

  • • Always consult your healthcare provider about air quality needs
  • • Individual sensitivities vary significantly between patients
  • • Severe conditions may require additional environmental controls
  • • Air purifiers supplement, but don't replace, medical treatment

If you have severe respiratory conditions, discuss air purifier selection with your physician or respiratory therapist for personalized recommendations.