Common Questions:
• What Causes
Indoor Air Problems?
• Do you need
an Air Purifier?
• What
should I look for in an air purifier?
• How
do Air Purifiers clean?
• How
do I select an air purifier?
• What
is a HEPA filter? Why do I need one?
• Why
use an Ultra Violet (UV) Bulb?
• What
are the power requirements for an Air Purifier?
• Where
can the air purifier be used?
• What
is the best location for maximum benefit?
• Can
I clean the air without a fan?
• Will an
Air Purifier help with a mold problem?
• What
is in my air?
• Common
Sources of Poor Indoor Air Quality
• Additional
Information about Indoor Air Quality to be considered
• Suggested
Links for more information regarding Indoor Air Quality
What
Causes Indoor Air Problems?
Indoor pollution sources that release gases or particles into the air
are the primary cause of indoor air quality problems (IAQ). Inadequate
ventilation can increase indoor pollutant levels by not bringing in enough
outdoor air to dilute emissions from indoor sources and by not carrying
indoor air pollutants out of doors. High temperature and humidity levels
can also increase concentrations of some pollutants. (See list below
for commons sources of IAQ problems.) Poor indoor air quality can cause
or contribute to the development of chronic respiratory diseases such
as asthma and hypersensitivity pneumonitis. In addition, it can cause
headaches, dry eyes, nasal congestion, nausea and fatigue. People who
already have respiratory diseases are at greater risk. The results of
Indoor Air Quality problems result in reduced worker and student productivity,
increased absenteeism, and in extreme cases cause serious illness.
Do you need an Air
Purifier?
Air purifiers are designed to make living spaces more comfortable by
processing the air indoors through filters and lights, improving the
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). If you are plagued by asthma and allergies
and you’ve done all that you can to reduce the allergens in your
home and office, an air purifier should be considered. Most people spend
well over 90% of their time indoors. In which case, indoor air is going
to impact our health far more than outdoor air.
What should I
look for in an air purifier?
The most efficient free standing units are designed to force air upward
toward the ceiling and then take the return low at the unit's base. This
creates a full pattern of circulation, during which most of the room
air passes through the unit's cleaning system for decontamination.
For fine particulates, the best
technology to use is a properly pre-filtered HEPA filter. True
HEPA filters are designed to remove 99.97% of all particles as
small as 0.3 microns (a micron is 1/25,400 of an inch), effectively
taking all particulates out of the air.
For odor removal, the best technology
is a filter system combining carbon and potassium permanganate.
The most efficient filters have a high density of the carbon
potassium blend, and are designed so that the "residence
time" during which the contaminated air passes through the
filter system is maximized. Avoid carbon impregnated panels or
pleated filters that don't meet this efficiency criteria.
The best solution for removing biologically active hazards is
to expose indoor air to ultraviolet light. UV light is a long-proven
technology that, when properly engineered into an air purification
system, is capable of destroying virtually any airborne disease-causing
contaminant.
How
do Air Purifiers clean?
Air purifiers remove a percentage of pollutants from the volume of air
they treat. The higher the percentage of pollutants removed, the more
efficient the air cleaner. The percentage of pollutants removed is referred
to as the "efficiency" of the air cleaner. The volume flow
rate of air treated is usually expressed in cubic feet per minute (CFM)
or cubic meters per hour. For example, an air purifier with a treatment
volume of 75 CFM provides the equivalent of 75 CFM of treated air which
mixes with the indoor air to dilute the concentration of pollutants.
Even the effect of a highly efficient air cleaner will be lost if the
volume of air treated is not high enough and if generation from other
sources and infiltration of polluted air is too great. Usually, the minimum
number of room volume air changes considered to have any impact on a
moderate contamination problem is one per hour (King, 1973). However,
the equivalence of one air exchange per hour passing through a highly
efficient air cleaner does not result in complete cleaning of the air
every hour due to the constant mixing that occurs unavoidably between
treated and untreated air (Kranz, 1963).
Remember the goal is to maximize the mixing of cleaned and ambient air
and to push contamination away from the breathing zone.
How do I
select an air purifier?
Be sure to match the size of the room with the capacity of the unit.
Look for a machine that provides at least 4-6 air exchanges per hour
in the room you want the air purifier to reside. Also, it is perfectly
fine to place a large capacity machine in a small size room. Doing so
will simply amount to even cleaner air since you will be getting more
air changes per hour. You can't over clean the air.
In selecting an air purifier, it is important to remember that the air
purifier is cleaning re-circulated air. Thus, the recirculation rate
is important. Note that with a recirculation rate of 5 to 6 room volumes
per hour, any filter that provides a single pass efficiency of greater
than 50% can provide greater than 80% reduction in the room particle
concentration. As a point of reference it is recommended that 12 ACH
(Air Changes per Hour) should be used in critical care rooms such as
those in hospitals and other healthcare facilities or daycare centers.
What is a HEPA
filter? Why do I need one?
By government standard, a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter
must remove a minimum of 99.97% of all particles measuring 0.3 microns
in diameter.
A micron is one millionth of a meter or 1/25,400 of an inch.
Unlike standard HVAC filters, HEPA filters must meet their minimum
efficiency even brand new.
So called BioHEPA filters, or those called by similar terms,
generally are 95% efficient on 0.3 micron particles. While this
sounds like a similar efficiency, they will actually allow particles
to pass over 100 times (5% vs. 0.03%) as many of these fine particles
as a HEPA filter.
Fine particles can have a particularly serious impact on human
health. Larger particles are effectively filtered by the hairs
in our noses' preventing them from entering our bodies.
However, fine particulates evade this barrier, allowing them
to reach internal organs. Because of this, the federal government
has imposed strict new limits on fine particulates under the
latest revisions to the Clean Air Act.Equally important as the
efficiency of the filter is the design of the holding device.
A poor seal will allow air to bypass the filter. Remember, filter
efficiency on bypassed air is zero.
Why use an Ultra
Violet (UV) Bulb?
The best solution for removing biologically active hazards is
to expose indoor air to ultraviolet light. UV light is a long-proven
technology that, when properly engineered into an air purification
system, is capable of destroying virtually any airborne disease-causing
contaminant.
The Germicidal UV Light used in air purifiers is for destroying microbiological
pollutants such as viruses, germs, bacteria and fungi (such as mold).
What
are the power requirements for an Air Purifier?
A standard power outlet is used.
Where
can the air purifier be used?
They have a broad range of uses, such as doctor's and dental
offices, examination areas, waiting areas, homes (especially
for asthma & allergy sufferers), restaurants, commercial
offices, schools, daycare centers, or any place having a range
of IAQ problems.
What is
the best location for maximum benefit?
The unit should be placed in the room so that the clean air distributes
towards the area where the clean air will be most beneficial. This area
would be across from the TV, bed or waiting room seating. It also should
be closest to the contaminating sources so that the dirty air would come
into the unit first, get cleaned and then the clean air would be distributed
out to the breathing zone.
More than one unit can be used to satisfy larger spaces. The benefit
of more than one unit is that more air changes and also better airflow
patterns are set up with more filtration available. Using these portable
units increases filtration since the unit can be located at the exact
problem area and the related airflow patterns can be adjusted to best
fit the actual IAQ problem.
Remember the goal is to maximize the mixing of cleaned and ambient air
and to push contamination away from the breathing zone.
Can
I clean the air without a fan?
Since no air cleaning technology can remove contamination that doesn’t
reach it, a fan or similar air mover must be part of the system. Without
adequate and properly designed air flow, any air cleaning technology
is useless.
Will an Air Purifier
help with a mold problem?
While not the solution to a mold problem, a properly designed
air purifier can help to reduce the impact of the problem. The
solution to a mold infestation will normally involve reducing
ambient humidity and removing or repairing other sources of moisture,
such as leaks. Unfortunately, finding and solving the problem
can be a time consuming, difficult, and expensive endeavor.
The impacts on humans, including allergic reactions, infections,
and odors, come primarily through respiration. For this reason,
an air purifier using the proper technologies can help to reduce
these impacts while a solution to the underlying problems is
sought.
Because the mold spores and portions that break off are particulates,
an important part of the air cleaning approach is to use HEPA filters
to remove them from the air. Germicidal ultraviolet light can then serve
to disable the trapped spores. The odors associated with mold are largely
due to volatile organic compounds that are emitted by the mold. These
can be removed from the air by activated carbon.
As always, using a properly sized device that creates an optimum
airflow pattern is critical to ensuring that the airborne contaminants
get to the device for cleaning.
Use of ozone generators to deal with a mold infestation must
only occur in unoccupied spaces, and should not be attempted
except by properly trained professionals. The concentration of
ozone necessary to destroy mold can cause major health problems
if inhaled.
The best solution for removing biologically active hazards is to expose
indoor air to ultraviolet light. UV light is a long-proven technology
that, when properly engineered into an air purification system, is capable
of destroying virtually any airborne disease-causing contaminant.
What is
in my air?
The air we breathe is a mixture of gases including nitrogen,
oxygen, water, argon, carbon dioxide and trace gases. Each day
we inhale around 14,000 liters (14 m3) of air as we take about
26,000 breaths (that's equivalent to about 150 full bathtubs).
A nearly two decade-long study of a half million people in some of the
biggest US metropolitan areas found that long-term exposure to city air
significantly raises the risk of lung cancer. In fact, the risks were
virtually identical to those faced by nonsmokers who live with smokers
and are exposed long-term to cigarette smoke.
The conventional wisdom used to be that offices were clean environments,
far removed from grit and grime. But as the study of both outdoor
and indoor air quality continues, companies are confronted by
the fact that many unseen hazards can loom in seemingly clean
air.
Airborne contaminants fall into roughly three categories:
a) fine particulate and dust;
b) gases and other odor causing compounds; and
c) biologically active materials such as bacteria, viruses, mold, and
spores.
Common Sources
of Poor Indoor Air Quality
Carpet, Plywood, and other Construction
Materials - The "new" smell associated with
new carpet, newly painted walls, new home, remodeled room,
etc. is actually the out gassing of the chemical solutions
used to treat these products. Wood floors are better for
the health than carpet, but carpet is much more affordable.
Ozone oxidizes these chemical fumes so they are no longer toxic.
Mattresses and Furnishings - Treated
with fire retardants and other HYPERLINK "http://www.surround-air-ionizer.com" chemicals,
which add to the chemical vapors we breathe inside. Chemicals
are oxidized by ozone.
Pillows and Blankets- Dust mites comprise over 50% of the weight of the
average pillow.
HVAC Systems- Air ducts serve as a fertile breeding ground for mold spores.
Household Cleaners/Aerosols, insecticides, pesticides - We literally
poison the air we breathe with chemical fumes and toxins when we use
these products
Moist things or humid environments - Mold
spores, bacteria, and mildew thrive in dampened towels, wash
cloths, and moist or humid areas. Ozone destroys molds and bacteria,
while negative ions remove floating mold spores from the air.
Children in homes with high mold show persistent, cold-like symptoms
- 300% more than average.
People - About 80% of what you
see floating in a ray of sunshine entering your home is dead
human skin flakes. And remember, we can only see about 10% of
the airborne pollutants. Dead human skin is a staple of the dust
mite diet. Negative ions remove dead skin from the air, which
also removes a host of dust mites and other bacteria from the
air you breathe. Ozone destroys many of the bacteria that reside
on these flakes.
Dust - Approximately 40 pounds
of dust is generated per 1,500 square feet every year. Each speck
of dust carries about 40,000 dust mites and HYPERLINK "http://www.surroundair.com/xj902.htm" other
illness-causing bacteria and viruses. Negative ions also remove
dust particles from the air, which also removes the contaminants
residing on them. Ozone destroys the microorganisms carried by
dust.
Allergens- Pollens, ragweed, and a variety of other allergens find their
way into the home from outdoors.
Pets - Airborne animal and/or
pet dander (dried spit from the animal that breaks off the end
of their hair and floats in air since they are so small) is a
common trigger for allergies and asthma. Plus, the feces from
your pet emits added contaminates into the air.
Insects and other Bugs - Insects
and bugs feces are a powerful allergen. In a recent extensive
study by the New England Journal of Medicine, more than half
the homes tested had high levels of cockroaches. Children living
in these homes were more than three times as likely to be hospitalized
for asthma.
Smoking - Smoking in the home
or vehicle leaves the air being breathed dense with over 3600
cancer-causing toxins. These toxins also cling to the clothing
we wear, and release them when we enter other homes and buildings.
Vehicles - In recent studies it
has been shown that most people face their worst exposure to
polluted air while inside their vehicle. Pollen builds up in
your vehicle's a/c system. Plus, exhaust and gasoline fumes easily
enter your vehicle.
Additional Common Sources of Poor Indoor Air
Quality Include:
• Perfumes
• Candles
• Sprain Medications
• Wood-Burning Stoves
• Fireplaces
• Odors
• Chemicals from Photography
• Ceramic Glazes
• Oil Paints
• Dusty Closets
• Plastic Shades
• Synthetic Toys
• Moldy/Dusty Wallpaper Nail
Care Products
• Scented Candles
• Cosmetics
Additional
Information about Indoor Air Quality to be considered:
According
to the American College of Allergies, 50% of all illness is
aggravated or caused by polluted indoor air.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) themselves declare that indoor
air is anywhere from 2 to 10 times more hazardous than outdoor air.
The EPA also warns us that the indoor air quality is the United States'
number one environmental health problem.
The EPA informs us that 6 out of 10 homes and buildings are "sick",
meaning they are hazardous to your health to occupy as a result of airborne
pollutants
A recent study found that the allergen level in super-insulated homes
is 200% higher than it is in ordinary homes.
According to Scientific America, a baby crawling on the floor inhales
the equivalent of 4 cigarettes a day, as a result of the out gassing
of carpets, molds, mildews, fungi, dust mites, etc.
Asthma cases have increased by more than 100% since 1976.
About 1 in 9
children now have asthma.
Death rates due to asthma have tripled, and quintupled in children ages
5 to 9, since 1976.
Hospitalization rates and doctor visits are still continuing to increase
dramatically.
The American Lung Association recently released the findings of a survey
that revealed 87 percent of Americans are not aware that air pollution
may be worse inside their house than outside. According to the American
Lung Association, the Environmental Protection Agency has stated that
air pollutant levels indoors may be two to five times higher than outdoors.
The research also showed that Americans spend up to 90 percent of their
time indoors and that indoor air pollution is one of the top environmental
concerns in the country. The survey showed that 40 percent of homeowners
do not change the air filters in their air- conditioner or heating units
as often as recommended.
Additional Facts
U.S. Centers of Disease Control Recommends Air Purifier
with both HEPA Filter and UV Light.
The CDC recommends the use of germicidal ultraviolet (UV)
light with simultaneous use of HEPA air filters, for the best
combination of both capturing and destroying microbes. Multi-Tech
offers both HEPA filter and UV light.
Air Ionizer/Negative Ion Generator. Found by U.S. Dept.
of Agriculture to be effective against dust and bacteria. (Air
Ionizer/Negative Ion Research)
HEPA Air Filter. Recommended by Dept. of Homeland Security.
(HEPA
Air Filter Research)
Germicidal Ultraviolet (UV) Light. Specified by U.S.
Gov't to be used in government buildings to control micro-organisms.
(UV Light Research)
Suggested Links
for more information regarding Indoor Air Quality
Action Environmental (Treatment) www.actionhazmat.com
United States Environmental Protection
Agency www.epa.gov/iaq/
US EPA data
for Schools www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/insidest.html
The American Lung Association www.lungusa.org
American Academy of Allergy,
Asthma & immunology www.aaaai.org |
