Clean Air Solutions

SOURCES

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Thursday, December 21, 2017

The Most Common Germs That Can Affect Your Health

Clean Air Solution by Camfil USA. Leader in Air Filters for Commercial and Industrial applications.

It’s difficult to keep up with all the airborne germs and viruses that are harmful, because it seems as if new ones crop up everyday. But knowing the most common germs and how they can affect your health is the first step in understanding how to best combat the threat these germs pose.

“Most people have a basic understanding that there are airborne germs that can cause illnesses, but they probably aren’t aware of the exact nature of these germs,” stated Camfil’s Charlie Seyffer, Manager of Marketing & Technical Materials and 37-year ASHRAE member and active committee participant,. “But it’s important for people to understand that even airborne germs that don’t cause illnesses can still have a harmful, long-term effect on respiratory health. So we believe that education in this area is the first step in helping people understand the importance of air filtration in commercial facilities and in residences.”

Many germs that people breathe do not cause illnesses, because the human body has built immunities to these germs.

But per a list provided by the ATZ labs website, there are hundreds of airborne pathogens grouped as bacteria or viruses that can cause diseases such as rubella, measles, chickenpox, meningitis, pneumonia and the flu.

Some of these are serious diseases, and many of them are contagious, so understanding what they are is vital for maintaining good health.

Common Germs

It’s impossible to eliminate germs entirely from a home or commercial facility, but there are definitely some germs that can and should be filtered out to prevent illness.

Some of the most common types to be aware of are MRSA, flu virus, RSV, measles and chickenpox.

Let’s take a closer look at each of these germs so that you can understand what they are and how they can compromise good health:

MRSA Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a bacteria that is highly resistant to antibiotics, making it a challenge to treat. It is well established that MRSA is spread through touch, but studies have now shown that airborne MRSA is as serious a threat as MRSA that is carried on the skin.

An article on the Staph Infection Resources website cited several studies in which MRSA was spread through the air in hospitals. In one study, MRSA bacteria was released from a mannequin and was found to have spread 11 feet away in an enclosed chamber.

Flu Virus The flu virus is probably the most well-known virus in the world, affecting millions of people every year, and causing havoc on workplace efficiency. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website, the flu virus is spread as far as six feet away when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. That’s because droplets of the virus become airborne and can be inhaled or swallowed by people who don’t have the virus. And while the seasonal flu is very treatable, other strains such as the Avian flu and Swine flu can become serious, life-threatening illnesses.

RSV Respiratory Syncytial Virus(RSV) is a virus that is spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Per the Modern Medicine Network, RSV “enters the body through the eyes, nose or mouth.” RSV is especially dangerous for infants, because they have not developed the immunity to combat this respiratory illness. In fact, more than four million children under the age of four get RSV each year, 125,000 of them require hospitalization to treat the illness, and one to two percent of these patients die.

Measles Measles is a viral infection that causes respiratory problems, with symptoms such as fever, runny nose, cough and a rash that can last as long as a week. It is highly contagious and becomes airborne when a person with the illness coughs or sneezes, which sends droplets of the virus into the air. According to Medical News Today, there are 21 strains of the measles virus, and it can take nine to 11 days for the virus to appear after infection.

Chickenpox The varicella-zoster virus that causes chickenpox is highly contagious and is spread when an infected person breathes, talks, sneezes or coughs, which makes the virus airborne. The illness is notable for causing blisters on a person’s skin that are often painful and itchy.

Clean Air Solutions

Camfil air filtration systems can help prevent many of the most common types of airborne viruses from creating a health problem in a residence or commercial facility. At Camfil, we have spent more than 50 years creating commercial air filtration devices that can help remove as much as 99.97% of harmful microbes and airborne germs from the air.

Visit our website to learn more about our products and to obtain resources to help you understand more about the importance of air filtration for a healthy lifestyle.

SOURCES

http://bit.ly/2BL5wPu

http://bit.ly/2CQHdPm

http://bit.ly/2BO9dEl

http://bit.ly/2CQ0yAw

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Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Change Your Air Filters When You See These Signs

Clean Air Solution by Camfil USA. Leader in Air Filters for Commercial and Industrial applications.

Most people don’t think about their HVAC air filters very often, but it is one of the most important aspects of ensuring that the indoor air quality is at the highest quality level possible. And that’s especially important given the fact that per an article on CNN.com, “air pollution causes one in nine deaths worldwide.” The issue is that many people just don’t know how to determine when it is time for a filter change, so they put it off until they see black dust and particles blowing from their vents, which is often several months too late.

“The basic idea behind an air filter is that it is designed to trap tiny particles that blow in from the outside air that comes into a house or commercial facility,” stated Camfil’s Charlie Seyffer, Manager of Marketing & Technical Materials and 37-year ASHRAE member and active committee participant. “But when that air filter is clogged with dust and particles, it forces the entire heating and air conditioning system to work harder to circulate air, and it also blows dirty air throughout a space. Therefore, understanding when it’s time to change air filters is of vital importance in the quest for clean indoor air.”

Before diving into the signs that it’s time to change your air filter, it is first important to understand the most common types of filters on the market.

According to an article on the FacilitiesNet website, the most common types of air filters are:

Washable These types of filters are made out of a metal or cloth material that can be washed, which means that you don’t have to change them as often as the other types of filters. However, washable filters are most often utilized in commercial and industrial settings in which high amounts of dust and particulates are a constant problem.

Fiberglass These filters are made from fiberglass fibers stacked on top of each other and held together with a metal grating.

Polyester/Pleated These filters have a pleated design with a higher airflow resistance than fiberglass filters.

Bag/Box or V-Bank Filters High efficiency air filters typically used in commercial buildings, educational facilities, malls and medical facilities.

HEPA High efficiency particulate arrestance filters have become the “superstars” of air filters because they are rated to capture 99.97% of particulates that are 0.3 microns in diameter or larger, which is about 300 times smaller than a strand of human hair.

The efficiency of your air filter will often determine how often you need to change it.

Filters that operate at high efficiency, which translates into the higher percentage of pollutants they remove from the air, will need replacement more often than an inefficient filter that allows more particles to circulate through the vents of your home or commercial facility.

Signs That Your Air Filter Needs Replacing

Pet Dander According to a piece on the InterNACHI website, the presence of pet dander is a major “sign” that you need to change your filters at least once a month.

“Pet dander can become airborne and circulate through the home’s ventilation system just as typical household dust does,” according to the piece.

Increase in Allergies and Breathing Problems If you notice a sudden increase in allergies or respiratory illnesses among residents of your home or workers at a facility that is often a strong sign that the air filters are clogged and are unable to filter out the particulates that aggravate these conditions. Clogged filters also reduce airflow to the space further complicating the air quality problem.

White Sheet Test Another way to determine whether your air filters need changing is by hanging a white sheet several inches away from one of the vents in your home or commercial facility, and leaving it in place for an hour.

Take a look at the white sheet to see if it has turned gray or black, and the more dirt on that sheet, the more likely it is that your filter needs changing.

Electricity Bill Spike Another sign that your air filter may need changing is a sudden spike in your electricity or power bill over several months. Remember that air filters are a major factor in energy efficiency, because when they operate effectively, your HVAC system does not have to generate more power to force air through your vents.

Eye Test A lot of people get too busy to perform this simple inspection, but the important thing to remember is that you’re not just looking for dust and dirt, you are also making sure the filter isn’t damp, bent or damaged in any way, because that will affect the efficiency of the air filter.

Clean Air Solutions

Replacing your air filter can save you money and ensure that your HVAC system works at optimal levels.

For more than 50 years, Camfil has provided affordable and energy efficient air filtration devices to commercial facilities.

Please visit our catalog website for resources that can help you understand the importance of air filtration.

SOURCES

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Tuesday, December 19, 2017

The Frightening Link Between Air Pollution and Alzheimer’s

Clean Air Solution by Camfil USA. Leader in Air Filters for Commercial and Industrial applications.

Camfil AIr Filters Blog – While the dangers that breathing in pollutants imposes on our lungs have been extensively documented, there’s mounting evidence that the pollutants in our air could also damage our brains. Air pollution and Alzheimer’s disease are linked according to recent studies. Air pollution is now so excessive that it can even increase someone’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disorder and other varieties of dementia. How does air pollution cause Alzheimer’s and what can be done to reduce it?

Did you read our blog:

Living Near an Airport Could Be a Matter Of Life And Death

Studies on Air Pollution and Alzheimer’s

Recent studies on air pollution and Alzheimer’s focus on the consequences of exposure to ultrafine pollutants in the air. These particulates can do damage to DNA and other cellular systems because they are so small they can penetrate cells.

”A recent 11 year long epidemiological study carried out by University of Southern California (USC) researchers found that exposure to high levels of polluted air can double the possibility of developing dementia and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s,” explains Kevin Wood, Vice President Sales & Marketing at Camfil USA. “The study focused on older women who lived in locations that had air pollution above the EPA’s current standard of protection (12 µg/m3).” (1)

Yet another study at USC had scientists expose mice to aerosolized pollutants, and the research team discovered that the mice that were exposed to pollutants displayed classic signs of Alzheimer’s disease and memory damage, as well as other symptoms of brain damage.

Other studies have backed up USC’s findings. Researchers from the University of Toronto recently stated that people who live within 50 meters of a major road were more likely to develop dementia. Exposure to fine pollutants increased their chance of developing dementia by around 12 percentage points.

A study of aging dogs in Mexico City gathered other observations of how air pollutants influence the brain. The neuroscientists who conducted the study say that dogs who lived in polluted areas of Mexico City displayed confusion and couldn’t even recognize their owners. When the dogs died and autopsies were done, it was observed that the dogs had elevated plaque levels, just like what is found in Alzheimer’s disease. (2)

Which People Are the Most at Risk from Air Pollution?

Research has been conducted to determine which people are the most at risk from air pollution. Some people are more in danger from particulate pollution than others. The USC team found that women who had the gene APOE4 were at a much higher risk from pollutants.

Cigarette smoke is also thought to increase risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases, meaning smokers and those exposed to secondhand smoke could be at risk as well. The smoke itself contains a lot of ultra fine debris and could potentially trigger the production of neuroinflammation and amyloid plaques. In 2014, a report published by the World Health Organization attributed as much as 14% of Alzheimer’s disease around the world to cigarette smoking.

“Pollutants tend to have more of an impact on the poor, making them at higher risk for neurodegenerative diseases,” said Wood. “This is partly because they are much more likely to stay in locations with higher ultrafine pollution particle levels, including near essential roads or ports. Stress linked to poverty could end up amplifying the effects of pollution. Public health policies may want to focus on reducing pollution in communities that are particularly vulnerable to particulate exposure.” (3)

Researchers and other experts point out that the research on the link between air pollution and Alzheimer’s is still rather young, and the correlation between pollutants and neurodegeneration needs further study. While this research is still ongoing, it would still be prudent to take efforts to cut back on pollution and preserve our environment.

Reducing Air Pollution and Alzheimer’s

Due to our dependence on fossil fuels, the leading pollutant, it’s tough to completely eliminate air pollution. While we are not able to control the air itself, we can change what is going in it, and continue working to defend ourselves from particulate pollution, reducing air pollution and Alzheimer’s.

“EPA standards are important guidelines to reducing air pollution, and there could be a legal significance to the research which found that women who have a genetic predisposition to getting Alzheimer’s disease were extra sensitive to air pollution,” said Wood at Camfil. “When devising air pollution requirements, the EPA is required to keep in mind the health impact of pollutants on ‘vulnerable populations.’ The organization is likewise required to use its regulatory authority to take steps to protect these vulnerable populations.”

“The EPA estimates that their Clean Air Act will provide the U.S. with almost $2 trillion in advantages between 1990 and 2020, much of the money coming from fewer ailments and deaths,” continues Wood. “If there’s indeed a connection between particulate air pollution and Alzheimer’s or dementia, the Clean Air Act may be supplying even larger benefits than EPA’s estimate.” (4)

Air pollution has been declining slowly but steadily over the past five years since the EPA promulgated their new standards in 2012. Yet experts like Dr. Jiu-Chiuan Chen of the USC team say it’s not clear that current standards will make the air safe enough for aging brains, or for people who are genetically prone to Alzheimer’s.

The Trump administration has signaled that it is looking to drop or considerably rewrite the Obama administration’s guidelines, which cut back on emissions from power plants and create greater fuel efficiency standards for cars to decrease air pollution. (4)

If the Trump administration aims to reduce the cost of treating illnesses, such as dementia, they should be aware that cutting out the Clean Air Act’s regulations will have the opposite impact.

The air filtration industry is addressing the removal of ultrafine particles by presenting air filtration performance data through a new ISO testing standard. ISO 16890 provides a filter’s efficiency specific to particles ranges at levels 10 microns and smaller, 2.5 microns and smaller, and 1 micron and smaller. Designated as PM10, PM2.5 and PM1 in the test, PM1 is the value associated with a filter’s efficiency at removing ultrafine particles. Your local filtration professional can provide examples and data to guide you in the proper selection of air filters to address your specific local air quality concerns.

If you want to learn more about the link between air pollution and Alzheimer’s, or purchase filters and air purifiers to protect yourself, check out Camfil now.

Interesting post from Camfil Air Filters blog: Cities with the Worst Air Pollution in the U.S.

Lynne Laake

Camfil USA Air Filters

T: 888.599.6620,

E: Lynne.Laake@camfil.com

Sources:

http://bit.ly/2D3Q9C9

http://bit.ly/2oKVv1X

http://bit.ly/2xJ3noZ

http://bit.ly/2oLzm3x

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Monday, December 18, 2017

Going Shopping? Is the Air Quality at the Malls Making You Sick?

Clean Air Solution by Camfil USA. Leader in Air Filters for Commercial and Industrial applications.

Indoor air quality has become a major health issue throughout the world as rising levels of outdoor air pollution continue to make the air inside homes and facilities toxic. That’s why it’s so important for you to understand how air quality at the mall can affect your overall well being because what you don’t know could cause health issues in the future.

“The problem occurs when polluted outside air infiltrates the ventilation system of a mall,” stated Camfil’s Charlie Seyffer, Manager of Marketing & Technical Materials and 37-year ASHRAE member and active committee participant. “These are pollutants such as dust, smoke, and pollen, and they can cause a variety of respiratory problems if that mall is not equipped with commercial air filters that can eliminate these harmful particulates from the air.”

Causes of Poor Air Quality At the Mall

Per an article posted on the Environmental Pollution Centers website, (1) there are several common causes of pollution inside the average mall:

Dry Cleaning – Thousands of malls feature dry cleaning shops, and these facilities often utilize strong chemicals and solvents to clean clothes.

Paint/Home Goods Stores – Many malls also contain paint shops and home good stores that store products made from powerful chemicals. These chemicals can often produce what are known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), harmful particulates that have been linked to a number of respiratory problems.

Fast Food Kiosks – Food courts have become popular at many malls, and while they provide convenient dining for mall visitors, they can also be a significant source of pollution. This is especially true of kiosks that utilize high-heat frying or broiling, open cooking stoves and barbecuing. In fact, according to a report by the American Chemical Society (ACS), a study found that (2) “for every 1,000 pounds of hamburger cooked on conveyor broilers, 25 pounds of emissions are created.”

Traffic – Studies have found that the air inside a facility such as a shopping mall can be as many as 10 times worse than the air outdoors. And that’s important to remember when you consider the amount of pollution generated by traffic outside a mall. That pollution is also made worse by the number of cars that idle in parking lots outside malls, which release large amounts of toxic exhaust

Revealing Air Quality Study Conducted At Hong Kong Malls

A study by Hong Kong researchers of nine shopping malls found some interesting results.

Per the report published in The Science of the Total Environment journal, (3) all of the nine malls in the study showed significant concentrations of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, formaldehyde, respiratory particulate matter – also known as PM10, and various strains of bacteria.

In addition, “more than 40% of the shopping malls had 1-h average CO2 levels above the 1000 ppm of the ASHRAE standard on both weekdays and weekends. Also, they had average weekday PM10 concentrations that exceeded the Hong Kong Indoor Air Quality Objective.”

The reference to PM10 is the most important aspect of the report, so here’s a brief primer so that you can understand the dangers of PM10.

Per an article on the AirNow website, particulate matter (PM) is defined as a (4) “mixture of solids and liquid droplets floating in the air.”

PM10 is defined as any pollutants that are between 2.5 micrometers and 10 micrometers in diameter. They include common particulates such as dust, pollen, and mold.

They are considered harmful because they can lodge in the lungs and lead to respiratory problems.

To provide you with some perspective, 10 micrometers is smaller than the width of a single strand of human hair.

PM2.5 are defined as any pollutants that are 2.5 micrometers or smaller in diameter, and they are so small that they can only be detected with a microscope. They include pollutants created by combustible processes such as motor vehicle exhaust, smoke from power plants and wood burning.

Both PM 2.5 and PM 10 were identified as shopping mall pollutants in the Hong Kong study, and that is concerning because people with a history of heart disease or lung problems are particularly vulnerable to these particulates.

In addition, PM2.5 and PM10 are also dangerous to children and the elderly, because these groups tend to have immune systems that are not fully developed or immune systems that have grown weak to due to aging.

Common health effects of these particulates include eye, nose and throat irritation, tightness of the chest, shortness of breath, coughing, compromised lung function, asthma, heart attack and even early death for people with existing heart and lung issues.

So here’s the takeaway from all this: be more aware.

The next time you’re in a shopping mall, you’ll probably pay more attention to that barbecue spot at the food court, or to the ventilation system.

Knowing the potential dangers can help you understand the importance of air filtration for everyday living.

Clean Air Solutions

Although there are many commercial filtration companies out there, Camfil is the leader in indoor air quality for malls and shopping centers. Please visit our site to learn more about air filter products for shopping malls.

SOURCES

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Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Why Clean Air Must Absolutely Be a Human Right

Clean Air Solution by Camfil USA. Leader in Air Filters for Commercial and Industrial applications.

Throughout the world, the lack of clean air is causing a health crisis that will only get worse if leaders do not make improving this problem a priority. Scientists have found that air pollution in the world’s major cities is getting worse every year and that the urban areas most affected are often in underprivileged countries where healthcare is not ideal.

“What we are seeing is that there is a direct link between bad air pollution in major metropolitan areas and the lack of healthcare infrastructure to mitigate the effects of poor air quality,” stated says Kevin Wood, Vice President Sales & Marketing

at Camfil USA. “As a result, we’re seeing an increase in serious health issues such as lung disease and cardiovascular disease that is linked to the lack of clean air in these cities. This is an under-reported crisis that will only worsen if solutions are not found to decrease outdoor air pollution and to eliminate harmful pollutants indoors.”

Recent Air Pollution Statistics

Per an article on the World Economic Forum website, (1) air pollution has increased by eight percent throughout the world over the past five years, and the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that pollution caused millions of premature deaths each year.

Furthermore, from 2011 to 2015, 98 percent of cities throughout the world with more than 100,000 residents in low income and middle-income countries failed to meet the baseline WHO air quality standards.

The problem is that as the economies in more cities throughout the world continue to grow, there is a corresponding increase in the number of industrial processes as well as the number of vehicles on the road.

And vehicle exhaust and smoke and emissions from factories and power stations are two of the biggest contributors of harmful airborne particulates.

Even more concerning was the fact that the 20 most polluted cities in the world are in only eight countries: Nigeria, Pakistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, India, Bahrain, Afghanistan, and China.

Many of the cities with the worst air pollution have burgeoning economies that are creating industrial pollution that is difficult to control. And without a comprehensive clean air strategy, pollution will continue to worsen and negatively impact the environment as well as the health of urban residents.

Treating Clean Air As a Human Right

One of the paradigm shifts that need to occur throughout the world is that leaders must treat clean air as an essential human right. Too often, residents of poorer countries are forced to live in communities in which the air quality is dangerous enough for residents to wear masks.

But you may still be asking yourself this question: Why should we care about clean air?

The answer is found in the basic assumptions we make about what people need to survive. In developing countries, the most vulnerable population groups are children and the elderly. They are vulnerable physically, but they are also vulnerable because their immune systems are not fully developed, or are weakened due to aging.

Per the WHO Media Centre(2), the particulates in air pollution kill more than two million people each year. The WHO defines “pollution” not simply as outdoor air quality, but also the quality of air indoors.

The WHO has also identified PM10 particles – which are particles of 10 micrometers or less in diameter – as especially dangerous, because they can:

“Penetrate into the lungs and may enter the bloodstream, can cause heart disease, lung cancer, asthma, and acute lower respiratory infections.”

And more importantly, the WHO has found that “Women and young children, who spend the most time near the domestic hearth, are particularly vulnerable. More than 50% of pneumonia deaths among children under 5 is linked to household air pollution.” (3)

In fact, the WHO linked four million premature fatalities among children and adults to household air pollution in 2012 alone.

Camfil’s Commitment To Providing Clean Air

Camfil has spent more than 50 years developing air filters that can help significantly improve indoor air quality in commercial industries. Clean air is a human right because it is essential for life. The first thing a newborn does is gasp for that first inhalation of air.

But as outdoor air pollution grows worse, indoor air quality is also compromised. Studies have shown that indoor air can be three or four times more polluted than the air outside.

Camfil’s “Take a Breath” campaign was born out of a desire to raise awareness about air quality to help spur global initiatives to reduce indoor and outdoor air pollution.

Please visit our website to learn more about how Camfil is providing resources and air filter devices to help eliminate particulates that are harmful to human health.

SOURCES

1.http://bit.ly/2iYKxQA

http://bit.ly/2BlGB7w
http://bit.ly/2j2056p

Lynne Laake

Camfil USA Air Filters

T: 888.599.6620,

E:Lynne.Laake@camfil.com

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Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Solving the Problem of Diesel Air Pollution

Clean Air Solution by Camfil USA. Leader in Air Filters for Commercial and Industrial applications.

It was once thought the diesel engines emitted less pollution than traditional gasoline-powered vehicles, but it turns out that diesel engines are actually greater sources of pollution than previously thought. Diesel air pollution is a serious issue, and loopholes in the certification tests of diesel engines as well as other factors might be to blame for this unforeseen reality of pollution.

Testing of Diesel Air Pollution

Testing of diesel air pollution has revealed that diesel engines are much dirtier than expected. A recent study published in the journal Nature found that global levels of nitrous oxide emissions originating from diesel vehicles could be up to 50% higher than estimated.

“A team of researchers investigated data on emissions from diesel vehicles throughout Brazil, Canada, China, India, Mexico, South Korea, Russia, Japan and many other countries including the 28 members of the European Union and the United States,” says Kevin Wood, Vice President Sales & Marketing at Camfil USA . “This data covers around 80% of all diesel vehicles that were recently sold in the world. The researchers compared the results of emissions during regulatory testing to data that they gathered from vehicles that were actually on the road.” (1)

It was found that emissions from diesel vehicles were around 13.2 million metric tons total, this is about 50% higher than the legal limits of 8.6 million metric tons of nitric oxide that the vehicles were supposed to emit due to passing emission testing.

Volkswagen was found to have used “defeat devices” to make it appear as if their vehicles were emitting fewer pollutants than they actually did. While other auto manufacturers have not used these defeat devices specifically, they have been found to be cheating and altering their emissions for the duration of emissions tests. Mitsubishi has recently admitted to using improper fuel economy tests, and both Daimler and Peugeot Citroen are under investigation for trying to cheat the diesel emissions tests.

However, the problem goes beyond just cheating. Diesel tests themselves seem to be flawed. The authors of the study called the diesel tests “inefficient” in determining the actual level of pollutants released by diesel engines, due to differences in testing conditions and real-world driving conditions.

Health Effects of Diesel Air Pollution

The health effects of diesel air pollution on people’s health are well-established, and it is known that air pollution causes a variety of health effects such as diseases and premature death.

Exposure to diesel exhaust can have both long-term and immediate health impacts. Diesel exhaust contains both nitrous oxide and particulate matter pollutants. Particulate matter consists of particles small enough to penetrate the lung tissue and cause a variety of health problems.

“Diesel air pollution irritates the nose, eyes, throat, and lungs. It can cause coughing, headaches, nausea, and lightheadedness,” says Wood. “These effects are more pronounced in those who are more susceptible to pollutants, like those with severe allergies, asthma, and other pre-existing conditions. Those exposed to diesel exhaust over long periods of time are more likely to develop lung cancer or other cardiovascular diseases.” (2)

The fact that diesel engines are emitting much more air pollution than previously thought is of serious concern because it means that the amount of harm done to people will be much higher than previously estimated.

Using a variety of data sources including observations from NASA satellites, the research team has concluded that the unforeseen diesel emissions caused around 38,000 early deaths in 2015 above previous estimates. Most of the deaths happened in countries in the European Union, China, and India. These are areas that struggle with high levels of air pollution.

Solutions to Diesel Air Pollution

“Solutions to diesel air pollution must be investigated. That starts with making changes to how vehicles are tested for emissions. Tests which more accurately capture real-world driving conditions must be made. These changes are already underway in some areas, with revisions to vehicle testing in the European Union due to start this September,” says Wood. “Mobile devices are dubbed ‘portable emissions measurement systems’ will be attached to vehicles as they drive around on real roads and they will capture real-time data. More accurate information on emissions will help regulatory bodies hold auto-manufacturers to standards that are better for people’s health.” (3)

However, a more long-term solution is to begin replacing diesel vehicles with cleaner alternatives. Hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles are getting cheaper and more efficient, meaning that diesel vehicles may disappear sooner than previously thought. Mailers of cities like Madrid, Athens, and Paris have announced their intention to ban the production of diesel vehicles sometime in the future.

The best solution to diesel air pollution may be simply getting rid of diesel engines and replacing them with low-emission or no-emission vehicles. Until then, it is important to make sure that diesel manufacturers are held accountable, and that diesel emissions are kept as low as possible. (4)

Camfil USA is an air filtration leader for commercial air filters, industrial air filters & air purifiers that can help protect you from diesel air pollution if you live in a heavily polluted area. Visit Camfil today to arm yourself with helpful information and high-quality products.

Sources:

http://bit.ly/2AOxRUw

http://bit.ly/2BWtd6n

http://bit.ly/2AOTnIK

http://bit.ly/2BXaJm8

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Monday, December 11, 2017

Here’s How to Fight the Effects of Smog

Clean Air Solution by Camfil USA. Leader in Air Filters for Commercial and Industrial applications.

The term smog was originally coined as a portmanteau of smoke and fog to describe the thick haze of pollutants which hung over London in the 1950s. Smog refers mainly to a mixture of pollutants today, most of which is ground-level ozone. The effects of smog have been studied and it can easily cause a variety of health problems from long-term exposure, including death. What origins of smog, and how can people protect themselves from it?

Download: Ozone Rating Guide by Camfil Air Filters

The Cause of Smog

Smog refers to a mixture of various emissions which gather together due to certain climate conditions. The cause of smog is varied, with much of it coming from pollutants from industry, emissions from fossil fuel powered vehicles, open cooking, and burning, and incinerators often contribute to smog problems.

“Ozone is one of the primary contributors to smog, and while in the upper atmosphere it is a beneficial chemical which shields us from solar radiation, at ground level it is a pollutant that can harm people’s health,” says Camfil’s Charles Seyffer, Manager of Marketing & Technical Materials.

“Other contributors to smog include nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and the volatile organic compounds.” (1)

The smog which forms in the summer is known as photochemical smog and it’s created when hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides are hit by sunlight, forming the smog in the atmosphere. Heavy traffic, high temperatures, high levels of sunshine, and calm winds often cause smog to accumulate in an area. Low wind speeds cause smog pollutants to accumulate since they are not dispersed, and geographical elements like mountains can also cause smog to accumulate in low lying areas.

The EPA estimates that over 50% of nitrous oxides that contribute to smog is released by the transportation sector, as well as over 30% of all volatile organic compounds, and over 20% of particulate emissions. (2)

The Health Impacts of Smog

The health impacts of smog range anywhere from minor irritants up to potentially lethal diseases like lung cancer. Smog is a well-established eye irritant, and it also impacts the lungs. Smog causes inflammation in lung tissue, which causes chest pains and difficulty breathing. Long-term exposure to smog can create more severe effects such as increasing risk of developing colds and pneumonia. (3)

“Smog also exacerbates threats of asthma attacks in people who already suffer from the condition. Premature deaths due to the development of lung cancer or other severe respiratory or cardiovascular diseases are another established impact of high smog levels,” says Seyffer. “The elderly and children are at especially high risk of this harmful smog. Ozone exposure can also cause chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD.” (4)

A recent study linked air pollution in China, particularly the heavy smog that shrouds Beijing and other large cities in China, to an estimated 1.6 million deaths every year. This translates to about 4400 people a day who die prematurely due to the effects of smog. (5)

Protecting Yourself From the Effects of Smog

The EPA notes that damage to the lungs from ozone exposure can continue even after symptoms have abated. Because it’s easy to overlook the effects of smog, protecting yourself from the effects of smog is extremely important.

“It’s important to stay up to date on smog and weather predictions, so you should check your local daily air quality index. If air quality levels are low and the air is full of pollutants, you should avoid those affected areas,” states Seyffer. “If you’re going to be outdoors, stay away from areas that are large sources of pollution like highways and factories, and if possible limit your outdoor activity to early morning or after dusk when pollutant levels are lowest.” (6)

If it is too difficult to avoid smog-filled areas, use effective face protection. The masks created for industrial use are the most effective way to protect yourself, as dust masks and paper masks often only trap large particles and let small harmful particles slip through.

The best way to protect yourself is to stay indoors, within a building that has effective air filtration. This will reduce the levels of pollutants you are exposed to the most, and is the best option when pollutant levels are at their highest and most dangerous. The EPA suggests that people remain indoors with closed windows and use air conditioners or air purifiers with effective filters.

For areas with high levels of ozone special types of air filters are available. Ozone is a gas so it is not commonly removed by normal HVAC air filtration. There are panel and other high efficiency hybrid filters that are available to address both particulate pollution and the gaseous ozone component of smog. Consult your local air quality professional for guidance in this area.

The effects of smog can devastate your health and your family’s health, so be aware of the impacts of smog and the best tactics for protecting yourself.

Camfil offers helpful information on the effects of smog and how you can protect yourself. Visit Camfil website today for information and high-quality filters/purifiers to safeguard your health.

Lynne Laake

Camfil USA Air Filters

T: 888.599.6620,

E: Lynne.Laake@camfil.com

Sources:

http://bit.ly/2C4ZyZI

http://bit.ly/2nNRYzv

http://bit.ly/2C51Tnm

http://bit.ly/2nRkP5N

http://nyti.ms/2C4lRP7

http://bit.ly/2nRkQGT

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Wednesday, December 6, 2017

7 Facts About Modern Data Centers

Clean Air Solution by Camfil USA. Leader in Air Filters for Commercial and Industrial applications.

Data centers are an increasingly important part of the information infrastructure of the modern world. As more of our lives are connected to the Internet and the need for instant information grows, so do the size and number of data centers around the world.

The size of data centers can vary considerably. Some that serve just several offices might be no bigger than a large closet. Others, serving an entire building, might take up an entire floor to power the needs of their users. Still, there are others that fill entire buildings, or even multiple buildings, powering the massive operations of global companies and the public at large.

Every time you run a search or save a document to the cloud, or even send a message to a friend on your favorite social networking site, you are accessing a data center somewhere. Thousands upon thousands of anonymous computers are constantly at work storing, routing and delivering the information we use every day.

There are about 3 million data centers in the United States alone.

That equates to about one data center for every 100 people living in the country. As their size and number continue to grow, they consume more energy to keep up with the demands they serve.

Data center energy consumption is increasing rapidly.

It’s estimated that U.S. data centers used about 100 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity in 2013. This accounts for about 2% of the total electricity used in the entire country. That number is expected to grow as time goes on.

Improvements in data center efficiency would have effects on a national scale.

If all data centers could improve their energy efficiency by 20% it would reduce energy consumption across the nation by about 20 billion kilowatt-hours, resulting in a savings of approximately two billion dollars.

Data centers typically update their IT equipment every two to five years.

New equipment is generally more efficient than that which it replaces. As IT equipment is replaced, infrastructure changes can also be made to improve the efficiency of the data center overall. About 50% of the electricity consumed in a typical data center is used by the cooling and power systems.

Data centers make up a significant portion of power used by the government.

According to Department of Energy estimates, about 10% of the power consumed by the federal government is used by data centers.

Most data centers are housed by small-to-medium-sized businesses.

Multi-tenant data center usage is increasing, but many businesses still have their own data centers on-site. The largest data centers that make up major cloud providers and other super-computer centers account for less than 10% of the total data centers in the country.

Generating clean, cool air can account for as much as half of total power consumed.

In any size data center, air that is both cool and free of dust is a major requirement for proper operation. Particles in the air must be removed before they settle on IT equipment where they can cause both electrical and temperature problems. The air conditioning and ventilation systems in data centers are constantly running, sometimes using more power than the IT equipment they help protect.

Energy And Cost Savings Are Easy To Implement

The easiest way to increase energy efficiency and cut the costs associated with maintaining a data center is to make adjustments to the air conditioning and ventilation system.

Camfil products have been shown to reduce operation costs, improve air quality, and increase efficiency in all types of data centers. Simply installing Camfil’s 5-Star air filters in existing air ventilation systems can reduce energy expenditure by up to 40% by improving airflow through the system.

With more than 50 years of experience in the air filtration industry, Camfil has designed air filtration products that produce cleaner air, allow for more efficient airflow, and have a lower total cost of ownership than competitive products. Large data center clients have documented six-figure savings in the total cost of ownership by using Camfil air filtration products. Whether your data center is powering a single office or thousands of offices on multiple continents, Camfil has a solution to fit your needs.

Lynne Laake

Camfil USA Air Filters

T: 888.599.6620,

E: Lynne.Laake@camfil.com

The post 7 Facts About Modern Data Centers appeared first on Air Filters for Clean Air.

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Tuesday, December 5, 2017

How Hospital Design and Construction Can Help Improve Poor Hospital Air Quality

Clean Air Solution by Camfil USA. Leader in Air Filters for Commercial and Industrial applications.

Proper design and safeguards can help mitigate the effects of bad hospital air quality that can lead to serious health issues

Outdoor air pollution is a serious threat, especially in health care facilities that are supposed to be sterile and clean, which is why the level of hospital air quality is so important in preventing serious infections.

In fact, infections in hospitals have become a big problem throughout the U.S.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are more than 600,000 people in the U.S. each year who develop infections in hospitals, and 75,000 of them will die.

That means that an astounding 12 percent of the people who develop infections during hospital stays will die, which is too high a number for facilities that are intended to save people’s lives.

And while bacteria that originate in IV lines and tubes cause many of the infections, some of the infections originate through airborne viruses and bacteria that find the ideal environment inside a hospital, and spread.

For example, C. diff, which is a virulent type of bacteria that can cause a variety of ailments, including severe diarrhea, lives on surfaces for days.

That means that a hospital worker with C. diff on a pair of gloves who touches a curtain that separates two patients, can transfer the bacteria to that curtain.

And without proper air filtration devices, that bacteria will spread and infect people who frequent that area.

Common Contaminants Affecting Hospital Air Quality

Hospitals are unique in that infections reign wherever a person goes, and the fact that they are contained environments in which infected people are in close proximity with non-infected people, creates a cauldron in which the spread of infection is relatively quick.

Airborne contaminants fare no differently in hospitals, as they can flourish in an environment that incubates their qualities in a way that has negative consequences on good health.

Common types of contaminants in a hospital include mold such as Aspergillus, which results from moisture and creates spores that become airborne with the slightest disturbance.

Studies have also shown the presence of airborne viruses and fungi that are created by moisture and water that can cling to ducts and vents, and spread throughout a hospital when cool air or heat blows through the HVAC system.

These contaminants can have a serious effect on patients who have suppressed or weakened immune systems, and are much more susceptible to lower grade airborne bacteria and viruses that would not affect people with healthy immune systems.

How Hospital Design and Construction Can Help With Air Quality

Poor hospital air quality is usually a perfect storm of bad ventilation, inadequate HVAC systems, and a lack of air filtration systems to ensure that contaminants drawn from polluted outdoor air are eliminated.

Hospitals that are not built to keep airborne contaminants from escaping into other rooms may be at a higher risk of rampant infections.

That’s why some hospitals are designing their rooms to help restrict the spread of airborne contaminants, by keeping them isolated to one location.

Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth, Texas accomplished this goal by building an emergency room with an HVAC system that used displacement ventilation, in which air that circulates through the room flows through a return duct that has a HEPA filter that eliminates a high amount of particulates and infectious airborne organisms.

That means that the air that flows back into the room has been filtered to a high level, helping to restrict the spread of contaminants.

In addition, some hospitals are choosing to renovate with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating systems, which reduce energy costs, improve ventilation and contribute to a greater level of good indoor air quality.

Camfil’s Clean Air Solutions

For more than 50 years, Camfil has been committed to providing affordable and energy-efficient commercial air filtration solutions to clients throughout the U.S., with the guiding principle that clean air should be a human right.

Hospitals seeking to ensure the safety of their patients and staff can benefit from a consultation with a Camfil representative, who can offer a number of clean air solutions.

From conducting on-site tests to evaluating hospital air quality to providing industrial HEPA filters, devices that create negative pressure and containment systems, Camfil is the one-stop shop for all of a hospital’s air filtration needs.

Lynne Laake

Camfil USA Air Filters

T: 888.599.6620,

E:Lynne.Laake@camfil.com

The post How Hospital Design and Construction Can Help Improve Poor Hospital Air Quality appeared first on Air Filters for Clean Air.

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Monday, December 4, 2017

The Possible Link Between Air Pollution and the Stock Market

Clean Air Solution by Camfil USA. Leader in Air Filters for Commercial and Industrial applications.

By now, the dangers of air pollution are well documented, especially as it relates to children and the elderly, who have weaker immune systems, and people who suffer from respiratory problems. But a new study has found a link between air pollution and the stock market, which may indicate that bad air quality is not just a health issue, it may also be an economic hazard.

“Traditionally, we know about the health problems that are associated with bad air quality,” stated Kevin Wood, Camfil USA Vice President Sales & Marketing“But now we are starting to see that perhaps there is an economic price to pay that is directly related to air quality, and that may help open the eyes of some government officials throughout the world about paying more attention to air pollution.”

The Study

Per an article in the Harvard Business Review titled Air Pollution Brings Down the Stock Market, (1) writer Scott Berinato interviewed Anthony Heyes, a University of Ottawa Economics Professor who conducted the study.

Heyes analyzed information from the S&P 500 index and compared it to the daily air-quality reports provided by an EPA sensor in Wall Street, located in New York.

Heyes and his team found a correlation between high levels of air pollution and low stock performance, which lead them to conclude that bad air quality negatively affects the stock market.

According to Heyes:

“Every time air quality decreased by one standard deviation, we saw a 12% reduction in stock returns. Or to put it in other terms, if you ordered 100 trading days in New York from the cleanest-air day to the dirtiest-air day, the S&P 500 performance would be 15% worse on the 75th cleanest day than it was on the 25th cleanest day. We also replicated this analysis using data from the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq, and saw the same effect.”

Heyes believes that higher rates of pollutants in the air affect a people’s emotional state, making them more likely to feel depressed.

“[Bad air] negatively affects how you feel and how good you are at thinking,” Heyes stated. “Two, bad moods and lower cognitive capabilities tend to reduce your appetite for risk. Low risk tolerance is associated with lower returns.”

Related Effects of Air Pollution

Heyes’ study that air pollution can affect people’s mood doesn’t exist in a vacuum, however, because a 2015 University of Utah study found a link between suicides and elevated levels of air pollution.

Per an article in Live Science, (2) the study analyzed information on 1,546 suicides in Salt Lake County from 2000 to 2010.

“Researchers then compared the timing of these suicides with air pollution levels, including fine and coarse particulate matter, nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) monitors in the county. They found that suicide risk went up two to three days after levels of fine particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide rose.”

The study also found that the link between suicide and air pollution was most prevalent in men ages 25 to 64, and that suicide rates were highest in the spring and fall.

Amanda Bakian, an epidemiologist at the University of Utah and the author of the study, said:

“What it makes us think is that air pollution interacts with other spring and fall risk factors for suicide.”

And while the researchers stopped short of declaring a direct causation between air pollution and suicides, they do show a correlation that is disturbing and worthy of further study.

Research has also shown that bad air quality may be correlated to a spike in violent crime.

An article on Breitbart (3) cited a National Bureau of Economic Research study conducted by researchers at the University of California, Davis, which found that violent crime in Chicago increased when air pollution levels were higher.

The study analyzed two million crimes reported by the Chicago Police Department from 2001 to 2012, and “noted the direction of the wind as it blew across neighborhoods near five interstate highways…”

Researchers then factored in precipitation, temperature, wind speed and wind direction during that time and found that serious crimes such as rape and homicide increased by 2.2 percent in neighborhoods that were downwind of those interstates that also had higher levels of nitrous oxides.

Doctors have found that nitrous oxide can affect the part of the brain that causes people to act with aggression.

Again, the study only found a correlation, not a direct causation, but it is clear that increased air pollution can have a negative effect on human behavior.

Clean Air Solutions

For more than 50 years, Camfil has provided clean air filtration systems for commercial industries in an effort to help improve indoor air quality. We understand that air pollution has implications beyond just health, and are committed to creating products that offer clean air solutions. Check out our air filters website for more information about our products and services.

Lynne Laake

Camfil USA Air Filters

T: 888.599.6620,

E:Lynne.Laake@camfil.com

SOURCES

http://bit.ly/2qcwOLX
http://bit.ly/2qNXuzB
http://bit.ly/2qcl0Jv

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Friday, December 1, 2017

How to Improve Air Pollution and Academic Performance

Clean Air Solution by Camfil USA. Leader in Air Filters for Commercial and Industrial applications.

In the U.S. alone, more than a hundred million people are exposed to varying amounts of particulate matter, lead, or other pollutants in the air in portions that exceed the identified health standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency. This includes children in public schools, additionally, one in every eleven public schools is within 500 feet of major highways or other heavy sources of pollution. (1)

More http://bit.ly/2zFbtf8

While much attention has been paid to the dangers of air pollution when it comes to cancer and other illnesses impacting the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, less attention has been given to the effects air pollution can have on cognitive health. Air pollution and academic performance seem to be linked, as new studies have found concerning evidence about the impact of pollutants on neurological health and function.

Poor air quality has been found to have remarkable and detrimental effects on young children, and can adversely affect their ability to learn. It is therefore critical to ensure good air quality in schools, so that children may have the best possible education. Studies have even shown that the abilities of teachers to teach can be affected by poor air quality.

Impact of Air Pollution on the Brain

In terms of the impact of air pollution on the brain, much of the risk comes from particulate matter 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter (or approximately 1/30 of the width of a human hair). The majority of these particles are small enough to penetrate into the lungs and other organs of the body.

The physiological development of children is uniquely susceptible to and harmed by exposure to environmental toxins when compared to adults. Children tend to breathe in higher levels of polluted air in comparison to their weight and have a tendency to spend much more of their time outside, which leaves them highly susceptible to the disorders caused by air pollutants. (2)

“Many studies carried out between 2012 and 2015 have analyzed brain imaging data for children residing in cities, with the objective of pinpointing the harmful side-effects on the brain of living in heavily polluted regions.” says Camfil’s Charlie Seyffer, Manager of Technical Materials.. “An analysis of brain structures found abnormalities in the brain’s white matter, which is most often correlated with a number of different mental and cognitive disorders and diseases.” (3)

The structural findings were corroborated by finding functional anomalies, parts of the brain that behaved differently than expected in a typical population. Functional anomalies consisted of issues such as compromised senses and cognitive deficits. Various research groups have continually found that school-aged children who live in highly polluted areas perform substantially worse on cognitive and neurological tests, even when controlling for other factors such as gender, age, mother’s IQ and low-SES.

Yet other studies, such as a 2010 study, show that children with exposure to excessively high amounts of nitrogen dioxide scored around six to nine points lower than average on tests of working memory. In 2015, a research group from the University of Texas discovered lower grade point averages among fourth-and-fifth graders in El Paso who were exposed to high levels of air pollution.

Evidence suggests those effects can happen very early, and children with excessive prenatal exposure to aromatic hydrocarbons (substances that get launched into the air by burning things like coal, oil, fuel and trash) were recorded as having low IQ ratings at the age of five, when compared to children that did not have such exposure.

Other Effects of Air Pollution on Academic Performance

Aside from directly affecting cognitive performance by damaging developing brains, there are other effects of air pollution on academic performance. Poor air quality can impact student performance through more traditional illnesses as well. Asthma and allergies can often increase absenteeism. Rates of asthma and other respiratory illnesses are higher in areas with high air pollution rates.

Schools in areas with the highest pollutant levels also have the lowest attendance, and attendance is a potential indicator of student health. These schools also have the highest percentage of students failing to meet the state’s testing standards.

“Poor and minority students are at particular risk for cognitive impairment and other health problems, as they are more affected by negative air quality in general. A recent article from Health Affairs underscores the link between air pollution and academic performance,” explains Seyffer. “Another study shows that many schools in Michigan were located in places with high amounts of air pollution from industrial sources. The study found that even though 44 percent of white students in the state have been impacted by air pollution, 62 percent of Latino students had been affected, along with 82 percent of African American students had been affected.” (4)

Addressing the Problem of Air Pollution and Academic Performance

“When addressing the problem of air pollution and academic performance, the vulnerability of children should be kept in mind. Kids have little to no say in where they live or attend school,” says Seyfferat Camfil. “Parents often cannot find the money to send their child to a different school or move to a different city, so government leaders will have to take action to ensure that schools are safe for children.” (5)

Those who are concerned about air quality at their child’s school but cannot afford to move to a different city can still take a few actions to ensure their local school is as clean as it possibly can be.

It’s possible to make sure that the indoor environment at a school is as clean as it can be by creating an indoor environmental quality team to tackle indoor air pollution problems. Parents, teachers, administrators and students should work together to limit the use of pesticides and improve ventilation for the school. It’s also important to be proactive in school siting. Communities should make sure siting guidelines exist to limit the pollutant exposures which may take place with a polluted school site. Improving the outside air quality in these areas will take a lot of effort and many years to reverse the trend. There are filtration systems that may be installed, either as an addition to existing HVAC systems or as a positive plan of action for new construction projects. Camfil is a major supplier that has a history assisting those that take proactive steps to protect students and staff. They offer products to control particulate or gaseous contaminants such as the aforementioned nitrogen dioxide or ozone.

If a school district is planning to construct a new school, get involved and be sure that the community is familiar with the importance of choosing good school sites, free of pollution. Help train school boards, teachers, principals, and everyone else so they understand the link between air pollution and academic performance and how important good siting is for the health and education of the children in the community.

To get more information on the how air pollution and academic performance of students is linked, or to purchase air purifiers or air filters, contact Camfil today.

Lynne Laake

Camfil USA Air Filters

T: 888.599.6620,

E:Lynne.Laake@camfil.com