CPAP in case you dont know is a machine that uses positive airflow from a machine in to the mouth of the user to keep their airway open so they can breath while they sleep. APNEA is when the airway becomes blocked buy your own physiology and you stop breathing while asleep. This causes physical harm I wont go in to here.
Manufactures of CPAP machines sell a filter. The filter is sealed and goes on the tubing that feeds air in to your airway. The claim is: With Viral and Bacterial Filtration Efficiencies of over 99.99+% the Hudson 1605 Filter (complete with holders as shown) is the acknowledged market leader in CPAP and BiPAP filters. Hudson’s filter technology helps stop the viruses and bacteria that often plague CPAP/BiPAP users creating a clean, sterile environment for airflow. The 1605′s naturally hydrophobic filter allows maximum filtration with a minimum loss of air flow.
Now I know from general learning that a filter of any kind comes in different grades as to what it will filter out. If I remember these grades have numbers associated with them. In order to do what the advertising I quoted above to do what is the number/ type/ density/ level the filter would have to be? Rather tellingly I think NONE of the folks who sell this product mention any filter specs but only that it will stop all of everything period. I am sceptical.
Is this worth the 15.00 bucks a shot they are asking? I do get colds and chest congestion frequently. Not sure if it is because I travel all the time in aircraft or us a CPAP that doesnt filter enough stuff out of the air. Chemists, engineers, air quality experts, painters, primary response folks can all chime in. Thank You

Hi NPRfan,
We all breathe in air that contains bacteria, bacterial spores, molds, fungi and yeasts. The air we breathe in is naturally filtered by our biological filters. I do not get the impression that you have a low white cell count, or that you suffer from a malignant condition or that your are on chemotherapy etc. If I were you I would not spend so much energy on finding the right filter. After all the the CPAP takes in air from the same environment from which you are breathing when not on CPAP.

They look very shady to me.

THey what to lock all the cows and horses in stables with air filtration systems because they "pollute to much"

Environmentalist only tell lies. So they must me wrong.

I have already asked if she would smoke outside, apparently the answer is no since she still smokes inside. I bought an air purifier for my place and it isn’t as effective as I hoped it would be. If I got one for her (assuming she uses it) would that make it better? what can I do? I am pretty sensitive to it I am coughing my nose is plugged and I have a terrible time getting to sleep since the smell is every where

and unfortunately moving really isn’t an option right now

If I understand your question it appears that you share a duct system with your smoking neighbor. If I am correct may I suggest house plants. Plants don’t mask the chemicals from smoking, they clean our indoor air like they do for us outside. To help decide which plants will remove the most chemicals I suggest:

NASA did some great research posted on WIKI

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_air-filtering_plants

One word of caution if you have small children or pets, cross-check your preferred plants for toxicity:

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/

If getting enough natural sunlight is a problem consider plants that require the least or supplement with artificial sunlight from grow light bulb:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grow_light

Your heath is worth the investment.

I have been doing research on finding a in-duct home air purifier for my 3200sf house.
I have two little kids and my major concerns is allergies, dust mites, odors, organic gases and other air pollutants. I have been talking to HVAC providers and they are suggesting different Systems.

1. American Standards AccuClean™ Whole-Home Air Filtration System
2. American-Lights High Output UV Air Cleaner AAW300HO/14
3. PureAir® Air Purification System
4. SafeGuard UV Cleanser

Different people are recommending different systems while they may have an interest on a certain products because of the products they carry.

Can someone tell me which product I should be looking? I’m looking to get some independent opinion.

Really appreciate your help.

I would recommend the following
UV light
4 or 5 inch media filter
Run your fan on your furnace all the time, replace the media filter every 3 months
Install a whole whole humidifier with power vent (more efficient)

Changing the filter every month is key. Your bacteria is formed on the coil. So thats where the UV light comes into play and should be replace yearly.