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Tuesday, December 18, 2018

Indoor Allergy Alert – Learn the Easiest Way to Capture Pet Dander

Learn about the importance of using home air filters in preventing pet dander from affecting indoor quality in homes and buildings.

Why Home Air Filters Are Necessary for Battling Pet Allergies

Any homeowner with dogs or cats knows how important home air filters are for capturing pet dander—the tiny pieces of dead skin cells shed by animals with fur or feathers. After all, when a dog goes through a period of shedding, it can trigger allergy attacks for those who are sensitive to dander. These allergens are especially problematic for people with breathing problems, bringing about complications such as asthma. The problem with pet dander is that it is usually invisible to the naked eye, making it hard to predict when it will end up in the respiratory tract.

And the problem is more prevalent than one would think. It’s estimated that around 15 percent of Americans are allergic to dogs or cats, while 30 percent of people who have been diagnosed with asthma remain as pet owners anyway. This is consistent with other studies noting how many people who have been advised by their doctors to give up their pets refuse to do so.

Pet Dander One of Many Biological Contaminants that Can Affect Indoor Air Quality

Pet dander, however, is just one of many types of biological contaminants affecting indoor air quality in homes and buildings. Pets also produce allergy-inducing proteins through their sweat, urine, feces, and even saliva. When combined with other common indoor pollutants found indoors, such as pollen, mold, mildew, and dust mites, it can create a toxic indoor air environment that can be worse than most conditions found outdoors.

“Microbiological contaminants include viruses, bacteria, fungal spores, protozoa, algae, animal dander, and animal and insect excreta,” said Camfil USA’s Charlie Seyffer, Manager of Marketing & Technical Materials for commercial air filters and 37-year ASHRAE member and active committee participant. “They often live and reproduce in microclimates, such as damp basements and bathrooms.”

Fungi, mold, and mildew commonly grow on the coils and condensate pans of heat exchangers, as well as the condensate and defrost pans of refrigerators and air conditioning units. If not maintained or cleaned properly, these locations can form a microclimate conducive to biological contaminant growth.

Important Role Played by High Efficiency Air Filtration Systems

Surprisingly, studies also show that around half of people with pet allergies don’t exhibit symptoms of allergic reactions right away. This also explains why high efficiency filtration systems are in such high demand among homeowners, many of whom have family members who, after years of having pets around, suddenly show symptoms of allergic reactions.

Unfortunately, pet dander is perhaps one of the most efficient allergens out there, being very sticky and clinging to many things. And because many people can spend as much as 90 percent of their time indoors, their risk of developing medical complications due to allergy exposure can be very high.

Symptoms of Exposure to Biological Contaminants Prevented by Home Air Filtration Systems

Some of the symptoms associated with allergic reactions to pet dander include sneezing, coughing, runny nose, watery eyes, nausea, and even fever. Among the most susceptible to complications from allergies include children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing allergy problems or breathing problems, making home high efficiency air filtration systems all the more important for them.

As a person inhales the microscopic particles in pet dander, the body recognizes them as foreign substances, prompting the immune system to activate a defensive reaction to remove them from the body. What follows is what’s commonly known as an “allergic reaction,” which manifests itself in the inflammation of the airways, activation of the tear ducts, and production of mucus in the nasal cavities.

Going Beyond Home Air Purifiers

While home air purifiers are a tried and proven solution against all kinds of allergens found in almost any home environment, the best solution is still to remove the pollutant at their source. But, if this course of action is not feasible, other ways to mitigate the effect pets have on indoor air quality include:

Regularly vacuuming carpets, furniture, and upholstery, where pet dander clings, and for best results use vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters
Using bedding encasements that prevent allergens from penetrating the mattress or foam
Avoiding the use of furnishings that attract dander or prevent pets from reaching these furnishings like your bedding
Washing pets and their beddings regularly
Brushing dogs and cats outside to keep dander out of the house
Keeping litter boxes clear of the air intakes or air supplies for HVAC units

Choosing Home Air Purification Systems for the Household

When choosing a home air purification systems, it’s important for the air filter to be appropriate for the containment needs and challenges of the house.

Air filters come in four main categories:

Flat filters
Pleated panel filters
Extended media filters including pocket and box filters
Electronic filters

To address the contaminants generated from pets, a filter with an efficiency rating of MERV 13 or ePM2.5 is an excellent choice for most applications. For highly susceptible individuals air purifiers that include a combination of HEPA filters and odor absorbers are the best option.

Each filter type has its own strengths and ideal applications. To learn more about home air filters for allergy prevention, get in touch with Camfil USA. We specialize in designing air filters for a wide variety of applications, including homes, schools, hospitals, and manufacturing facilities among others. Talk to the Camfil USA or explore our catalog of home air filters to learn more about our product line.

Lynne Laake

Camfil USA Air Filters

T: 888.599.6620

E:Lynne.Laake@camfil.com

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Thursday, December 13, 2018

Why Home Air Filters May Help Prevent Dementia

Learn about a recent study linking dementia to poor outdoor and indoor air quality, and how home air filters may be a key investment in preventing its symptoms.

While the most common reasons cited by people using home air filters are to prevent allergy attacks and improve/protect the respiratory health of people living in the home or building, there is a growing body of evidence suggesting that air pollution doesn’t just affect the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, it can also have a negative impact on cognitive function.

More specifically, air pollution has been linked to a greater risk of dementia. According to a new study, there is a positive correlation between high levels of residential air pollution and a diagnosis of dementia. The study’s lead author, Dr. Iain Carey of St. George’s, University of London, notes that older patients across London who were living in parts of the city with high air pollution were more likely to be diagnosed with dementia.

“There is evidence that the tiny airborne particles that make up air pollution can wind up in vital organs like the brain,” explains Camfil USA’s Charlie Seyffer, Manager of Marketing & Technical Materials for commercial air filters and 37-year ASHRAE member and active committee participant. “There have been correlations in studies suggesting that air pollution may play a serious role in the development of dementia.”

But what exactly makes air pollution so dangerous, and why do we need to be wary of its effects?

What is Air Pollution and How Does It Affect Indoor Air Quality?

What we can be certain of, however, is that prolonged exposure to poor indoor air quality is bad for the human body. When we think of air pollution like smog, we simply think of it as “dirty air.” But air pollution is a complex mixture of toxic gases, particles, and liquid droplets in the atmosphere, produced by both natural causes such as volcanoes and wildfires, and also human activity like cars, factories, and power plants.

Long-term exposure or even brief exposure to high levels of air pollution can have toxic effects, causing all kinds of problems for the lungs and heart.

“Most of the research around air pollution centers on the effects of fine particulate matter or PM2.5,” says Seyffer. “This refers to particles that are smaller than 2.5 microns in diameter, or approximately one-quarter the width of a strand of human hair.”

In the United States, airborne pollutants are classified as either being criteria or hazardous.

Criteria air pollutants are produced by combustion processes from cars, factories and power plants. These pollutants include carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, ozone, and particulate matter.
On the other hand, hazardous air pollutants refer to toxic chemical fumes, specifically arsenic, mercury, and benzene.

HEPA Filtration Systems May Be Crucial in Preventing Neurodegenerative Diseases

The UK study’s findings are consistent with other reports on the effects of air pollution on brain function, suggesting that HEPA filtration systems, which are designed to capture and remove airborne pollutants in indoor environments, may play a vital role in preventing these issues.

In 2017, The Lancet published a review of diseases associated with environmental pollution, showing that air pollution accounted for the most number of fatalities and health complications caused by pollution. The report, which sourced data from a variety of air pollution and health studies, also highlighted the need to further investigate the link between air pollution and its effect on brain function, particularly among children and seniors, whose brain function is in the developing and aging stages, respectively.

The report cites particle pollution found in car exhaust, a potential cause of increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases and neurodevelopmental disorders such as:

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Learning and intellectual disabilities
Schizophrenia

The report’s findings, however, are far from conclusive, with the authors pointing out that even if air pollution was a risk factor, the next problem is to identify what types of pollutants are linked to brain function, and if secondary factors, like age, gender, and pre-existing conditions are also involved. It might even be that poor diet, which is common among low-income families that often live in areas with high pollution, may be a contributing factor.

Preventing the Effect of Air Pollution on the Brain with Home Air Purifiers

The good news is that particulate matter, the suspected key culprit in air pollution-related neurodegenerative diseases and neurodevelopmental disorders, is easily captured and removed by modern home air purifiers.

More specifically, a study that analyzed the brain tissue of residents in Manchester and Mexico City found that magnetite particles, which are released into the air by burning fossil fuels, can enter the lungs, cross the bloodstream, and end up in the brain. The brain also produces magnetite naturally, which seems to suggest that higher than normal levels of magnetite particles in the brain may cause abnormalities.

To differentiate natural magnetite and magnetite particles from air pollution, the researchers used a special electron microscope to analyze the surface properties of the magnetite particles. They found that the magnetite particles in the brain were produced under high temperatures—the same temperatures found in a combustion engine—proving that these pollutants can indeed travel through the bloodstream and cross the blood-brain barrier.

Home Air Filtration Systems and Alzheimer’s Disease

The study also suggests that using home air filtration systems to remove magnetite particles may help in preventing Alzheimer’s disease.

The researchers discovered that the particles had lodged themselves into protein deposits called amyloid plaques, which have been observed in large quantities in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. This observation has led to the suspicion that magnetite may be a key factor in the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

The problem, however, is that for now there is no evidence that magnetite itself may be involved in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Still, there are strong links between amyloid plaques and magnetite levels—a correlation that’s enough to warrant further research.

Choosing Home Air Purification Systems

Even if the links between air pollution and brain diseases and disorders have yet to be fully established, there are plenty of other reasons to install home air purification systems in your home.

For starters, air filter systems are especially useful for preventing allergy attacks and respiratory ailments like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), and bronchitis among others. For individuals with these pre-existing conditions, home air filters may very well be a lifesaver.

Before buying air purification systems for your home, it’s best to consult the advice of a reliable air filter manufacturer. These companies can assess the containment needs and air quality issues of your home or building before recommending a proper-strength air filtration solution. For best results, you may be advised to install a combination of a HEPA filter and a gaseous filtration system.

A first stage of high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters that are capable of capturing and removing particulate matter (PM) smaller than 0.3- micron in diameter at a minimal rate of 99.97 percent.
And a second stage with a gaseous filtration system designed to capture molecular pollutants like odor-causing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) using a super absorbent fiber material that typically includes activated carbon.

For all your air filtration needs, talk to the experts of Camfil USA. Get in touch with the Camfil USA team to learn more about the different ways our solutions can protect the indoor air quality inside your home. You may also explore our catalog of home air filters to learn more about our product line.

Lynne Laake

Camfil USA Air Filters

T: 888.599.6620

E:Lynne.Laake@camfil.com

T: Follow Camfil USA on Twitter

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Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Air Filtration in Museums – Preserving the Past

Cold weather and winter holidays make the warm, entertaining (and educational) confines of a museum an attractive prospect. To keep the contents of these artifact filled buildings in good condition, preserving often decades of history, one of the most important factors is air quality.

Critical parameters for air quality in museums include temperature, relative humidity, lighting, particulate pollution (dust), molecular (gaseous) pollutants, and pests. Various filter solutions are available, but molecular filtration offers a particularly cost-effective method of controlling harmful pollutants which can otherwise have devastating results.

Sulphur dioxide, for example, blackens old paintings, oxides of nitrogen corrode bronzes and stone sculptures, and ozone accelerates the deterioration of paper, textile and other organic materials. Activated carbon molecular filtration can control these harmful gases. Microporous activated carbon comprises a network of inter-linked fissures and pores. When a gas molecule collides with the carbon surface, an attraction is formed and it is retained.

Camfil has designed and supplied air filtration systems to many well-known museums and art galleries globally, including the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, the British Library in London and Moderna Museet in Stockholm.

It also helped at the Germanisches Nationalmuseum in Nuremberg which contains more than 1.3 million objects and 25,000m2 of exhibition space. Many of its works of art represent a major source of particles and gases when they are moved or cleaned and this caused breathing complaints, nausea and eye irritation among employees.

Dust-binding light metals were also found in high concentrations, particularly in the museum’s photo department where exhibition objects are photographed and documented. Furthermore, the work environment was affected by the use of flash photography, which generated high ozone emissions. Finally, the museum’s oversized ventilation system caused severe dust turbulence. Camfil’s CamCleaner 2000 was chosen to address these concerns because it is equipped with HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters which trap dust particles and microbes.

The unit for the museum was tailor-made with an attachment for six activated carbon filter cartridges to provide both particle and molecular filtration. The CamCleaner is mounted on a trolley for easy movement around the museum.

Another high-profile project – this time at the Art & Historical Museum in St Petersburg, Russia – has more than three million artifacts within its collections, of which only a small part are permanently on display. Restoration work, however, creates dust and particles which require more cleaning of the artifacts which can, in turn, damage them.

Camfil conducted air quality tests to determine the level of particles present which resulted in the company recommending specialist purifiers. Based on the space and layout, Camfil recommended CamCleaner 800 units, and the client subsequently installed 60 units throughout the museum display rooms, corridors and reception areas.

Next time you’re enjoying the sights of your local museum, consider the army of air filtration equipment that is helping to preserve history, art and culture from across the globe.

For more than half a century, Camfil has been helping people breathe cleaner air. As a leading manufacturer of premium clean air solutions, we provide commercial and industrial systems for air filtration and air pollution control that improve worker and equipment productivity, minimize energy use, and benefit human health and the environment. We firmly believe that the best solutions for our customers are the best solutions for our planet, too. That’s why every step of the way – from design to delivery and across the product lifecycle – we consider the impact of what we do on people and on the world around us. Through a fresh approach to problem-solving, innovative design, precise process control and a strong customer focus we aim to conserve more, use less and find better ways – so we can all breathe easier.

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Tuesday, November 6, 2018

Why Buildings and Offices Need High Efficiency Air Filters

Learn about the importance of high efficiency air filters in buildings and offices and how air purification systems protect indoor air quality.

Camfil Commercial Air Filters News – With the increased awareness about the dangers of outdoor and indoor air pollution, many businesses, building managers, and tenants are turning to high efficiency air filters to protect the air inside their establishments.

Given how most Americans spend as much as 90 percent of their time indoors and spend up to 60 hours a week inside office environments, it’s no surprise that indoor air quality is recognized as a pressing concern, having the potential of affecting the health, comfort, and productivity of building and office occupants.

What is Happening to Indoor Air Quality?

The problem is that indoor air quality can sometimes be worse than outdoor air quality, leading to health issues such as asthma and allergy attacks.

“Sick Building Syndrome is now a common label used for headaches, eye irritations, nasal irritations, fatigue and other symptoms that can be correlated to time spent inside a specific building or room,” said Camfil USA’s Charlie Seyffer, Manager of Marketing & Technical Materials for commercial air filters and 37-year ASHRAE member and active committee participant. “Building Related Illness refers to a specific diagnosable illness whose cause can be traced to a particular building or room. Legionnaire’s disease is an example of a Building Related Illness.”

The indoor air quality crisis can be traced back to the 1970s. It was during this time that energy usage became an important political and economic point of discussion due to widespread energy shortages, especially in developing countries. Naturally, the demand for energy, for electricity and heating led to an increase in the cost of heating, venting, and cooling of air in buildings.

Why Commercial Air Filtration Systems Are More Important Than Ever

The rise of commercial air filtration systems was also an effect of changes in construction techniques and choice of materials, with many buildings retrofitted with insulation, vapor barriers, and weather-sealed doors and windows. These construction techniques were vital in reducing the amount of heat transfer through walls, ceilings, floors, and windows, while also keeping outside air from entering the building through these areas.

Creating this sealed environment, however, also had the effect of encouraging the buildup of moisture and contaminants inside buildings, creating another air quality problem altogether.

Where Do Commercial High Efficiency Filters Come In?

Commercial high efficiency filters are designed to trap and remove the airborne pollutants that increase the risk of illness. For building owners and office managers, this means air filters reduce the likelihood of employees getting sick and using sick days, which in turn, protects their productivity numbers.

As early as 1989, the EPA has reported that improving indoor air quality can lead to better productivity and fewer employee absences. In fact, the agency estimates that indoor air quality issues cost the country tens of billions of dollars in productivity loss and medical care.

Multiple studies by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), state governments, and independent university research teams have consistently ranked indoor air pollution as a serious environmental health problem. While modern cleaning and safety standards have reduced severe indoor air quality problems, even well-maintained buildings can still experience spikes in diminished indoor air quality.

This, in turn, highlights the importance of having a commercial air filter to treat air inside offices and buildings.

Workplace Pollutants that Can Be Removed by Commercial High Efficiency Air Filters

Workplace managers and building owners need to take it upon themselves to create an indoor air quality program which involves the installation of commercial high efficiency air filters and regulations for the handling of pollution-causing materials. These pollutants include:

- Particulate matter – Particulate matter (PM) are particles of solid or liquid substances that are small and light enough to be carried by the airstream. The largest PM area visible under sun beams as dust-like particles. The human body does a fairly good job of protecting itself from these particles; it’s the smaller PM pollutants that are likely to be the cause of respiratory issues. These particles are not coming from just outside air; instead, they are also generated indoors by processes such as cooking, heating and lighting.
- Chemical pollutants – Chemical pollutant sources include cigarette smoke and emissions from solvents, paints, finishes, and materials that are common in buildings such as office equipment, wall and floor coverings, furniture, and cleaning products. These pollutants are also common in workplaces that handle chemicals and fuel.
- Biological contaminants – Biological contaminants are more common in hospitals and medical facilities, where bacteria, viruses, and fungi from sick patients put other recovering patients and healthcare workers at risk of becoming ill. These contaminants, however, will always be present in places where groups of people gather.

Things to Remember Before Installing an Air Purification System for Offices

When choosing an air purification system, it’s best to avoid cheap bargain filters. Before choosing an air filter system, be sure to consult a trusted provider of air filters.

To learn more about the importance of indoor air quality control in offices, talk to Camfil USA. You may also explore our catalog of air filtration systems to learn more about our products.

Media Contact:

Lynne Laake

Camfil USA Air Filters

T: 888.599.6620

E:Lynne.Laake@camfil.com

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Friday, November 2, 2018

What the EPA’s Relaxed Mileage Standards Mean for the Air Purifier Industry

The air purifier industry has an opportunity to increase profits, and it’s handed to them by no less than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The agency is considering a rollback of vehicle emissions and fuel economy standards implemented under the Obama Administration, which placed the recommended fuel economy at 54.5 miles per gallon until 2025, thereby reducing carbon emissions that contribute to air pollution and climate change.

The move is reportedly part of a greater effort by the Trump administration to ease the regulatory burden on automakers, who have protested the strict regulation for years. It will also allow them to manufacture more affordable trucks, vans, and SUVs.

The planned rollback, however, could put the federal government on a collision course with states like California, which has a special waiver that allows the state government to impose stricter air pollution standards. According to California officials, the rollback could exacerbate the already severe air pollution in major metropolitan areas, increasing the risk of diseases like asthma, emphysema, and cancer.

Air Pollution and the Need for Air Purification Systems

Should the rollback push through, concerns over increased levels of air pollution are expected to boost demand for air purification systems.

“Long term exposure to ultrafine particles can induce respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. It increases the mortality rates for people living in highly polluted urban areas, points out Camfil USA’s Charlie Seyffer, Manager of Marketing & Technical Materials for commercial air filters and 37-year ASHRAE member and active committee participant. “Particles below PM2.5, are more harmful because they penetrate deeper into the lung’s alveoli. They can cross blood vessel walls, diffuse into the blood circulation, and affect the function of major organs such as the heart, liver, brain and endocrine system.”

These health issues are why some of the world’s most heavily polluted cities are turning to air purifiers to reduce pollution levels indoors and outdoors. Delhi, for example, is mulling the installation of large-scale purifiers to reduce air pollution levels in the city.

Can Using an Air Purifier Protect You Against Air Pollution?

The problem with outdoor air pollution, whether it’s from automobiles or industrial processes, is that once it makes its way inside a home or building, it can combine with dust, ultra-fine particles, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) among others to create an environment with poor indoor air quality. To protect against these pollutants, it’s a good idea to install an air purifier for home or office use or an HVAC level commercial air filter for offices, factories, and commercial facilities.

High efficiency air filters, for example, are a commonly used air quality solution used in residential and commercial buildings. For ultra-critical situations, a HEPA filter should be considered.

How Does an HEPA Air Purifier Work?

A true HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) purifier is specifically designed and certified to remove contaminants in the air down to 0.3 microns in size at an efficiency rate of at least 99.97 percent.

For high efficiency air filters, MERV, short for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, is a measure of an air filter’s ability to remove particulate matter.

- For example, an air filter with a MERV of 1 to 4 rating will remove large particles, hence why they are often used to protect equipment and living spaces from dust. Filters with these values typically capture contaminants roughly 3 to 10 microns in size at an efficiency rate of 20 percent.
- In contrast, an air filter with a MERV of 11 to 14 is designed to capture fumes and particulate matter in automotive paint shops, laboratories, large office spaces, hospitals and clinics, as well as pharmaceutical facilities at an efficiency rate of at least 99 percent.

In other words, the higher the MERV of an air purifier or filter, the more powerful and effective it will be at removing pollutants in the air. Tobacco smoke, for example, typically has particles averaging from 0.2 to 0.5 microns in size, which means they can only be removed by a true HEPA filter.

What Is the Best Air Purifier?

Ultimately, there is no such thing as the best air purifier. The choice of air filtration solution depends entirely on the building’s air pollution needs, its indoor quality problems, and the kind of contaminants its occupants are exposed to on a daily basis.

A Final Note on HEPA Air Filters

The best way for people to surround themselves with clean air is to spend as much time indoors as possible, in a sealed building with filtered air made possible by the installation of HEPA air filters. This only works, however, if people make the conscious effort to close their windows and use a filtered air-conditioner or purifier.

Ultimately, HEPA filters are merely a stopgap measure to treat the symptoms of a deeper problem. Unless automakers are compelled to make cleaner, more efficient vehicles, air pollution will only continue to be a fact of life. In the meantime, you can learn about air filtration systems by Camfil USA, please click here.

Lynne Laake

Camfil USA Air Filters

T: 888.599.6620

E:Lynne.Laake@camfil.com

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Thursday, November 1, 2018

How to Defend Against Cancer-Causing Gas Found Under Your Home

Growing awareness of the health dangers of radon is one of the many factors driving demand for high-quality, high efficiency air filters. Although we’ve known for years that the air in our homes, offices, commercial spaces, and other high efficiency sites may contain allergens such as dust mites, pollen, mold spores, chemical fumes, and off-gassing from adhesives and machinery, radon has been more of a mystery.

Why High Efficiency Air Filters Are the Solution Against Radon Gas

“According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers,” said Camfil USA’s Charlie Seyffer, Manager of Marketing & Technical Materials for commercial air filters and 37-year ASHRAE member and active committee participant. “In buildings proven to have a source of radon gas, ventilation and high efficiency air filters are used to remediate radon contamination.”

Statistics from the EPA point to radon as the second leading cause of lung cancer, responsible for more than 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year. Approximately 2,900 of those fatalities occur to people who have never smoked in their life. (1)

Protecting Against Radon Gas Using Commercial Air Filtration Systems

The good news is that excess radon gas is an issue addressed by commercial air filtration systems. But what exactly is radon?

Radon is an invisible, odorless, and tasteless gas that’s a byproduct of the breakdown of naturally-occurring uranium found in soil, rock, and water. Radon is everywhere—traces can be found outdoors and in all kinds of buildings. Since radon gas usually comes from pockets of soil underneath houses and buildings, there’s no way to predict whether it could be polluting your indoor air until you test for it.

The problem is that the EPA describes radon as a form of ionizing radiation—a known carcinogen.

“The EPA pegs the average indoor radon level at around 1.3 pCi/L, while outside air has an average radon level of around 0.4 pCi/L,” adds Seyffer. “It’s a disparity that has not only fueled demand for commercial air filtration systems, but it has also prompted Congress to set a long-term goal for reducing indoor radon levels to be no more than outdoor radon levels.”

On the other hand, buildings with a radon level of at least 4 pCi/L need immediate action because of the following:

At this level of radon exposure, the risk of occupants developing lung cancer compares to five times the risk of dying in a car crash.
If 1000 people who smoked were exposed to 4 pCi/L of radon throughout their lives, 62 of them could develop lung cancer.

How Are High Efficiency Air Filter Manufacturers Responding to the Radon Problem?

High efficiency air filter manufacturers have taken the lead in reducing high radon levels in indoor spaces.

One study, for example, sought to test two methods of radon removal through air filtration:

The first method used a common high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter
The second method used a HEPA filter plus an activated carbon filter

The results showed that both filtration methods were effective at lowering radon levels in indoor air. Aside from removing the decay byproducts of radon, air filtration systems also capture airborne particulates that can complicate allergies, emissions from cleaning detergents, and a wide variety of chemical fumes. (2)

Although these solutions for controlling radon exposure exist, the installation of radon removal systems hasn’t caught on with the public. Many Americans make the mistake of assuming that just because the danger or action level for radon is 4 pCi/L, anything lower should be “safe.” This is an especially problematic assumption in the real estate market.

Risk management, however, should always be concerned with worst-case scenarios. And for the ordinary homeowner and building owner, the highest exposure to radon happens in below-grade spaces–rooms that are in contact with or below the ground such as basements and underground parking facilities.

Test for Radon Before Choosing from the Many Commercial HEPA Filter Air Purifiers on the Market

Before choosing from the many commercial HEPA filter air purifiers on the market, it’s important to determine whether your building’s occupants are actually at risk of radon exposure.

Both the EPA and the U.S. Surgeon General recommend radon testing in any room below the third floor—especially basements and crawl spaces—as well as:

Schools
Commercial establishments
Hospitals
Airports
Manufacturing and industrial facilities

There are two primary testing methods for radon: short-term tests and long-term tests.

Short-term radon tests are the fastest way to identify if your building has high levels of radon, and are recommended by the EPA for the initial assessment of radon gas. These tests are performed using kits that remain in the building for two to 90 days, depending on the device used. Options include:

Charcoal canisters
Electret ion chambers
Continuous monitors
Charcoal liquid scintillators
Alpha track

The downside with short-term testing is that it usually can’t identify your year-round average radon level. This is because radon levels fluctuate daily and seasonally.

For long-term or comprehensive radon testing, you can get in touch with a service provider by looking up your state’s radon program. The EPA requires states receiving indoor radon grants to provide the public with a list of radon testing service providers who are accredited by:

A state-run program or process that regulates radon service providers
The National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP)
National Radon Safety Board (NRSB)

Combining Other Methods of Radon Removal with HEPA Air Filters

Aside from the installation of HEPA air filters, there are several ways to mitigate the presence of radon gas in indoor spaces.

Active soil depressurization (ASD) – Also known as sub-slab depressurization, this method requires the installation of a simple system of underground pipes and an exhaust fan, which draws air from beneath the concrete floor/foundation, preventing the radon gas from dispersing inside the building.
Sealing walls and floors – Sealing cracks and openings on walls and floors is a basic and effective approach to radon control. Sealing limits the flow of radon into the building, and prevents indoor air (usually conditioned) from escaping.
Drainage systems – Buildings with sumps or French drains to control the flow of rainwater can be installed with a sump that collects radon from the soil. Alternatively, a separate hole can be used to accommodate the sump system.
Radon-resistant new construction (RRNC) – RRNC refers to a set of construction standards for builders designed to improve radon resistance through common construction materials and simple techniques.

A Final Note on Commercial HEPA Filters and Radon Removal

The basic function of commercial HEPA filters is to make the air inside indoor spaces cleaner and safer to breathe. But while air filtration systems, especially those that use a combination of a HEPA filter and activated carbon, are capable of removing traces of radon gas from the air, they are not recommended as a standalone solution against radon exposure.

As the EPA notes, source control and ventilation should always be the primary mitigation approach to controlling radon levels. In particular, the agency recommends active soil depressurization to safely vent radon gas outside, as well as passive solutions like radon-resistant new construction. When these methods are insufficient, or if an added layer of protection is desired, a commercial filtration system can be considered.

As one of the country’s leading high efficiency air filter manufacturers, Camfil USA is committed to helping people improve indoor air quality. To learn more about the benefits of air filtration for radon control, click here.

Lynne Laake

Camfil USA Air Filters

T: 888.599.6620,

E:Lynne.Laake@camfil.com

Sources:

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Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Air Pollution’s Toxic Relationship with Climate Change

It’s no secret that air pollution particles generated by cars, diesel trucks, factories, cooking stoves, coal-fired power plants, and forest fires are all major contributors to the dirty and unhealthy layer of smog that blankets several cities and regions around the world. It’s also one of the many factors driving demand for commercial high efficiency filters.

How Climate Change Is Driving Demand for Commercial High Efficiency Filters

“Internal combustion engines can be a source of indoor air pollution in offices, schools, hospitals, hotels, shopping centers, and stores especially where garages are attached,” points out Camfil USA’s Charlie Seyffer, Manager of Marketing & Technical Materials for commercial air filters and 37-year ASHRAE member and active committee participant. “In large cities with a high number of vehicles present, the ambient air normally contains a high number of particles and gases.”

Of course, there have been improvements, particularly over the last 50 years. The days of thick smog (also known as ozone pollution) choking out industrialized cities that came to define life in the 50s are finally behind us—a feat made possible by the passage of the Clean Air Act, which pushed for stricter air quality standards in the United States.

But air pollution is still a serious problem today, especially amid growing concerns about their connection to climate change.

The Same Emissions Captured by Commercial High Efficiency Air Filters Cause Climate Change

The combustion process that happens in cars, power plants and factories produces chemicals such as H2O, NO, NO2, CO, and CO2, as well as particulate matter (PM). Fortunately, these emissions can be removed by commercial high efficiency filters.

These pollutants, along with hydrocarbon gases, vapors, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), however, are also key drivers of climate change. Methane and black carbon, in particular, are the top contributors to climate change after carbon dioxide.

Air pollutants affect the amount of heat radiation from the sun that is reflected or absorbed by the atmosphere. Some pollutants contribute to a greenhouse effect happening in the atmosphere, while others actually have the effect of blocking solar radiation and temporarily cooling the planet by a few degrees.

Either way, it’s causing unpredictable and unnatural changes to the world’s climate.

Climate Change Exacerbates Air Pollution, Making Commercial High Efficiency Air Filters More Important than Ever

Not only does air pollution contribute to climate change, but the shifts in temperature also create the environments conducive to smog formation, which in turn, causes air to stagnate and prevents dirty air from leaving an area. To protect people from exposure to pollution, government agencies around the world, including the EPA, have encouraged the installation of commercial high efficiency air filters.

For proof, one need only look at the levels of ozone pollution in the air, which saw a significant spike in 2014 to 2016—the same time the planet experienced some of the warmest years on record. And according to the American Lung Association’s 2018 State of the Air Report, worsening ozone pollution levels have exposed 134 million Americans to unhealthy, contaminated air.

While air pollution levels are unmistakable in major metropolitan cities such as New York City and Los Angeles, the problem has now reached smaller communities like Fresno and Bakersfield.

Are Air Purifiers Effective Against Air Pollution?

While New York City and Los Angeles have made great strides in improving air quality in recent years, they still have a long way to go before making the air in their respective cities completely safe to breathe. And while that happens, people are turning to HEPA air purifiers to protect their homes and buildings from outdoor air pollution.

Many people make the mistake of believing that the solution to poor air quality outdoors is by spending more time indoors. This approach, however, completely ignores the fact that outside air can still enter a building through cracks on the walls, floors, and ceilings, as well as its ventilation system, hence the need for a filtration system.

Isn’t This What HVAC Air Filters Are For?

Not at all. HVAC air filters are designed to protect the performance and efficiency of the HVAC unit, not the people in the room. The paper filters that come with a furnace or air conditioner capture dust and other debris that may cause the machine to work too hard or malfunction.

In contrast, a true high efficiency filter is designed to specifically capture the pollutants that can cause a host of health issues, such as:

Lung cancer
Asthma
Allergies
Emphysema
Chronic bronchitis

In other words, HVAC air filters are for HVAC systems. High efficiency air filters are for the occupants of a home or building.

Choosing a High Efficiency Filter

Because not all air filtration systems are built the same way, it’s important to choose a high-quality, high efficiency filter. Although price is not necessarily a mark of quality, cheap filters tend to perform poorly. For best results, focus on high-performance air filters with a high clean air delivery rate (CADR) that matches your containment needs.

If you want to learn more about protecting your indoor quality with industrial air filters from Camfil USA, please click here.

Media Contact:

Lynne Laake

Camfil USA Air Filters

T: 888.599.6620

The post Air Pollution’s Toxic Relationship with Climate Change appeared first on Air Filters for Clean Air.

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Friday, October 26, 2018

What Policies Can Governments Implement to Lower Pollution Levels?

Despite the tremendous efforts to make the air cleaner and safer to breathe since the 1970s, air pollution continues to be a major problem in the United States, impacting both the environment and public health. The latter is also the reason why high efficiency air filters are a much-needed addition in many homes and buildings. Air pollution, after all, can still affect indoor air quality.

How Policies and High Efficiency Air Filters Partner to Solve Air Pollution

Under the Clean Air Act, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continues to work with state, local and tribal governments, as well as other federal agencies and stakeholders, to lower air pollution levels and mitigate their damage.

“Although technically passed in 1963, the Clean Air Act of 1970 (1970 CAA) was the first law to authorize the federal government and states to create regulations to limit emissions from both stationary sources and mobile sources of air pollution,” notes Camfil USA’s Charlie Seyffer, Manager of Marketing & Technical Materials for commercial air filters and 37-year ASHRAE member and active committee participant. “For more than 40 years, the Clean Air Act has proven time and again that protecting public health, building the economy, and keeping the air clean and safe can go hand in hand.”

Four major regulatory programs for stationary sources of air pollution arose from the law:

The National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)
New Source Performance Standards (NSPS)
State Implementation Plans (SIPs)
National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAPs)

A Future Where Commercial High Efficiency Filters Are No Longer Needed to Fight Outdoor Air Pollution

The Clean Air Act has done much to reduce air pollution across the United States as the economy continues to grow, so much so that a time may come in the future when commercial high efficiency filters are no longer needed.

For starters:

The Clean Air Act of 1970 has proven that protecting public health and growing the economy doesn’t have to be at odds with each other.
Clean Air Act programs have succeeded in lowering levels of six common types of air pollutants:
- Particulate Matter (PM)
- Ozone
- Lead
- Carbon Monoxide
- Nitrogen Dioxide
- Sulfur Dioxide
Between 1970 and 2015, aggregate national emissions of these six pollutants dropped by an average of 70 percent. Meanwhile, the country’s gross domestic product grew by 246 percent—a reflection of the efforts of state, local and tribal governments, the EPA, the private sector, and environmental groups among others.
Reductions in emissions have naturally led to dramatic improvements in air quality. From 1990 to 2015, the national concentrations of lead have improved by 85 percent, 84 percent for carbon monoxide, 60 percent for nitrogen dioxide, and 67 percent for sulfur dioxide.

“Not surprisingly, these air quality improvements have allowed many cities, counties, and states in the country to meet national air quality standards and protect the public health and the environment,” said Seyffer.

How Heavily Polluted Cities are Coping Using Commercial High Efficiency Air Filters

Of the many U.S. cities dealing with poor air quality, Los Angeles perhaps offers the best example of what government intervention can do to solve the problem of air pollution. Yes, most homes and buildings in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area still require commercial high efficiency air filters to maintain safe indoor air quality levels. But even though L.A. ranks number 4 on the American Lung Association’s annual “State of the Air” report, it has actually made great strides in improving air quality in recent years.

Much, however, still has to be done. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti himself recognizes the dangers of air pollution on the health of his constituents, so much so that in 2017, he ordered city building inspectors to inspect whether air filtration systems were being installed in homes and buildings located along freeways, where air pollution tends to be the worst.

Teams from L.A.’s Department of Building Safety were deployed to determine whether buildings and dwellings were outfitted with the proper-strength air filters to prevent occupants and residents from pollutants found in car and truck exhaust. City Council also beefed up its building inspection systems to keep staff updated with air filtration and containment standards.

City Planning May Reduce Need for Commercial High Efficiency Air Filtration Systems

Los Angeles’s example of requiring commercial high efficiency air filtration systems in homes and buildings along freeways highlights the importance of city planning.

For example, a look at Oakland’s air quality maps shows that air pollution tends to vary from one location to the next. Local governments can leverage air quality information and emissions data to guide their city planning decisions in ways that protect residents from exposure to air pollution, for example, by ensuring that housing developments, hospitals, and schools among others are located away from places with high levels of air pollution—think freeways and industrial facilities.

Planning on this level could have prevented students in Camden, New Jersey from being exposed to high levels of disease-causing airborne pollutants. This type of exposure to students is an effect of the practice of constructing public schools on the cheapest plots of land, which are often next to industrial and manufacturing facilities, which produce pollution emissions.

Local and regional governments can also leverage air pollution data to guide their transportation planning efforts, while private companies can use this information in managing their freight activities.

Lastly, local governments can use this information and provide funding for the installation of air filtration systems in buildings located in highly polluted areas, just as Los Angeles has been doing.

Going Beyond Commercial Air Filtration Systems

Aside from the installation of commercial air filtration systems, it’s important to address the challenges that communities and countries face when trying to improve outdoor air quality, especially in urbanized areas.

As with many policy challenges, the key is knowledge. Sure, there’s a large body of literature on the health effects of outdoor air pollution as well as the possible policies to mitigate the problem altogether. But the common obstacle to policy development, especially when it comes to the problem of air pollution in cities, is the lack of access to information on air pollution levels and air pollution sources.

When it comes right down to it, there’s often a lack of awareness about the health dangers of outdoor air pollution in urban communities. It can be due to a gap in data from air quality monitoring, or a lack of appreciation of the possible solutions to improve air quality.

In other words, governments need to do a better job of arming their constituents with the information they need to make informed decisions about their lifestyles, which in turn, can help solve the air pollution problem.

One web site that addresses this problem is AirNow, developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Residents of areas can view in almost real time the criteria pollutants in their area from monitoring stations located in most urban areas throughout the country.

The Importance of Not Settling for Commercial Air Purification Systems

While reducing exposure to air pollution—which is what commercial air purification systems do—is important and presents several critical benefits, cutting pollution emissions at the source is still the most powerful tool for protecting both the environment and public health over the long run. As the federal government, EPA, and other government agencies have shown, it’s policies and initiatives like the Clean Air Act and its related programs that have done the most to reduce levels of airborne pollutants.

In other words, there needs to be a bedrock of regulation and policies in place before real change can happen. When you have a top-level call for change, everything else falls into place.

If you are interested in learning about improving your indoor air quality with commercial air filtration systems from Camfil USA, contact us today and browse our catalog of air filtration systems.

Media Contact:

Lynne Laake

Camfil USA Air Filters

T: 888.599.6620

The post What Policies Can Governments Implement to Lower Pollution Levels? appeared first on Air Filters for Clean Air.

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Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Your Children Are Vulnerable to Air Pollution!

Over the past 30 years, state and federal initiatives designed to improve air quality have made great strides towards reducing air pollution levels. While things have indeed improved and the days of smog-covered cities that defined life in the 50s are long behind us, it’s hard to deny that commercial air filtration is still necessary in many parts of the world.

Among the many measures used to fight pollution levels include the push for:

Stricter standards for vehicle emissions
The use of “cleaner” fuels
Cleaner and more sustainable sources of energy
Improved public transport to reduce the number of cars on roads

Together, these strategies have resulted in a dramatic reduction in air pollution levels in major metropolitan cities in the United States. But there is still much to be done, and a growing body of literature suggests that children may be paying the price for it.

“Over the last few decades we have seen an increase in the incidences of respiratory diseases among children,” said Camfil USA’s Charlie Seyffer, Manager of Marketing & Technical Materials for commercial air filters and 37-year ASHRAE member and active committee participant. “Asthma is perhaps the most common respiratory disease among children, followed by other health problems such as allergic reactions, bronchitis, and respiratory infections.”

Not surprisingly, the increase in these health issues among children has been connected to air pollution.

Why Children May Benefit More from High Efficiency Air Filters

According to the American Lung Association, children are especially susceptible to the health effects of air pollution because their lungs are still growing and developing, hence their need for high efficiency air filters.

This susceptibility is further compounded by the unique habits, characteristics, and behaviors of children.

Because children are usually more active than adults, they tend to breathe in a greater amount of air.
Not only do both children and infants breathe more rapidly than adults, they usually do it through their mouths, bypassing the natural filtration that happens when a person breathes through their nose.
Children also spend significantly more time outdoors than adults, especially in the warmer months of the year when smog levels and allergens like pollen and dust are usually at their highest.
Children also have narrower airways that are more likely to be obstructed by allergic reactions from air pollution.

“The health effects of air pollution go beyond respiratory problems,” adds Seyffer. “For example, when a child inhales lead particles circulating in the air, they can deposit themselves in the child’s rapidly growing bones.”

There’s a host of airborne contaminants that, when inhaled by a child, can affect the development of his or her nervous, endocrine, and immune systems, making them prone to cancer later in life.

Commercial HEPA Air Filtration Systems Can Remove Pollutants Affecting Children

The Clean Air Act recognizes the health hazards of common air pollutants, which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classifies as “criteria” air pollutants. By far, the most common criteria pollutants are ozone and particulate matter (PM)—substances commercial high efficiency air filtration systems are designed to capture and remove.

Particulate matter is composed of microscopic particles around the same size as a one-hundredth the width of a strand of hair and smaller. Although when we think of particulate matter the first things that come to mind are particles from diesel equipment, smoke from cigarettes, and industrial runoff, it can also come from natural sources such as forest fires, pollen, and dust among many others.

Either way, PM can cause problems when inhaled—something that can be especially dangerous among the elderly, expecting mothers, children, and people with existing respiratory and cardiovascular issues. PM can bypass the body’s natural “filters” and end up deep in the smallest alveoli of the lungs. When this happens, PM can trigger allergic reactions and respiratory problems like coughing, wheezing, runny nose, and even headaches. It can also be transferred to the blood creating additional health havoc.

Prolonged exposure to PM can also affect the growth of lungs in children, an effect observed in children that grew up in smoggier parts of the country.

Do Commercial High Efficiency Filters Remove Ozone?

Yes, commercial high efficiency carbon filters can remove ozone (O3), also known as the major component of smog. Ozone forms through atmospheric chemical reactions between sunlight and various gases found in industrial emissions and motor vehicle exhaust such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOx).

More importantly, ozone can be a dangerous respiratory irritant known to cause:

Inflammation in the lungs
Temporarily reduced lung function
Chest pains
Shortness of breath
Wheezing

For children who are already asthmatic, exposure to high ozone levels can exacerbate their symptoms. If it happens repeatedly, ozone exposure may permanently reduce lung function.

Will Spending More Time Indoors under the Protection of HVAC Air Filters Help?

Most people think the solution to air pollution is to spend more time indoors, where the air, “treated” by a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) unit, is safe to breathe. After all, don’t HVAC air filters remove all impurities from the air?

This mentality, however, is not the case. The paper filters that usually come with furnaces and air conditioning units are designed to protect the machine from dust and debris, ensuring that it runs without using too much energy. These filters don’t actually treat the air that people breathe, not when their purpose is to prevent dust, hair, and other debris from clogging the furnace or AC unit.

Sure, HVAC air filters still offer some degree of air filtration action, but this is merely a fortunate consequence of what they’re really designed to do—to protect the HVAC system.

In contrast, high efficiency filters are designed to capture and remove very small particles that can be detrimental to human health. That includes dust, debris, allergens, mold, mildew, and pet dander, all of which can compromise a child’s respiratory health.

It’s precisely for this reason that high efficiency filters are found in places that require a high degree of air sanitization, such as schools, commercial facilities, manufacturing sites, and medical facilities.

Protecting Children Requires Going Beyond Commercial High Efficiency Air Filters

Study after study on air pollution and its effects on children’s health point to the obvious: improving air quality will also improve children’s health. This effort, however, requires more than just depending on the ability of commercial air filters to purify the air.

For starters:

Clean your living spaces to reduce the likelihood of dust, dust mites, and pet dander from circulating in the air.
Clean or remove surfaces with signs of water damage. These surfaces are the perfect breeding ground for disease-causing mold and mildew.
Service the air filter in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Other measures you can take to support your child’s lung function include:

Ensure your child gets enough exercise. The combination of poor air quality and lack of physical activity can make children more susceptible to the effects of pollution. A child who exercises regularly also has stronger lungs and cardiovascular system.
Ensure your child has proper nutrition. Diet can have just as significant an impact on lung health as air quality.

If you are interested in learning about improving your indoor air quality with commercial air filtration systems from by Camfil USA, please click here.

Media Contact:

Lynne Laake

Camfil USA Air Filters

T: 888.599.6620