Camfil To Sponsor Health Care Institute

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

The institute offers growth and development for healthcare facility management professionals who work in medical centers, community hospitals, retirement facilities and specialty clinics

For the second consecutive year, Camfil will sponsor the IFMA Health Care Institute (HCI), a member organization that brings together healthcare professionals specializing in facility management with the goal of enhancing their skills and finding ways to advance their careers through peer support.

The HCI also welcomes professionals working at specialty hospitals and clinics, hospital administrators, consultants, vendors, and students working at academic medical centers and community hospitals. HCI hosts live and online events provide industry news on relevant topics in the healthcare industry, gives professionals numerous networking opportunities, and conducts cutting-edge research.

“We’re proud to be a sponsor for HCI for the second straight year,” stated Dave Blackwell, Director of Market Segments at Camfil USA. “We look forward to a full slate of events in the new year, including regional hospital and medical facilities summits in Charlotte on March 7, Cleveland on April 12, and Minneapolis on May 23. HCI provides valuable education, training, and research for all healthcare professionals, but focuses on the importance of effective facility management.”

HCI provides education and training in healthcare design, construction, facility management and real estate strategies in partnership with Square Footage, to provide effective best practices for building and operating healthcare facilities. The institute has also created webinars to keep healthcare professionals updated on the most important trends in the industry. HCI also offers networking opportunities by bringing together healthcare facilities management teams with professionals in all areas of facility design, construction, finance, and technology.

“Facility management is one of the keys to operating a functional healthcare facility,” Blackwell added. “The design and layout of a facility are one of the key elements of good indoor air quality. Proper room design improves airflow, and aids in the efficiency of a facility’s HVAC system. We recognize that improving air quality in the healthcare industry is possible when there is a focus on maintenance concepts and best practices for integrating staff and patients within the confines of a facility.”

HCI is a council within the International Facility Management Association (IFMA), the largest facility management professional organization in the world, with more than 24,000 members in 100 countries. The IFMA offers certification programs, educational courses, and conferences, and also conducts research into trending issues in facility management.

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Camfil is a world leader in air filtration and clean air solutions, with 23 production plants and R&D centers in the Americas, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region. For more information, visit us online at www.camfil.us or call us toll-free at 888.599.6620.

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Understand and Combating The Air Pollution that Harms The Brain

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

It has long been established that exposure to air pollution can damage people’s hearts and lungs. Recently an increasing amount of evidence has been building which implies air pollution can also harm the brain. What are the air pollutants that can damage people’s brains, and how can air pollution that harms the brain be controlled?

Air Pollutants Which Can Damage The Brain

Air pollutants which can damage the brain include lead, mercury, and particulate matter. These air pollutants can come from a variety of sources, with particulate matter pollution being the most abundant in the air overall.

Particulate matter pollution refers to fine particles released primarily by the combustion of materials. Particulate matter is typically divided into three different categories: PM10, which refers to particles 10 µm in size or smaller,  PM2.5 which refers to particles 2.5 µm in size or smaller and PM1 which refers to particles 1 µm in size or smaller. The smaller these particles are the more damage they can do, so PM1 exposure is especially dangerous.

“Sources of these tiny particles are varied, as particulate matter pollution can come in many different shapes and sizes,” says Camfil USA’s Charlie Seyffer, Manager of Marketing & Technical Materials and 37-year ASHRAE member and active committee participant “Some particulates come directly from sources like fireplaces, smokestacks, and construction sites. Yet many particles form as the result of interactions between different chemicals already present in the atmosphere such as nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide which are both emitted by power plants and  automobiles.” (1)

Mercury is a highly dangerous neurotoxin which can come from both man-made and natural sources. Natural sources like volcanoes can spew mercury into the air, but a large amount of mercury is also emitted by sources like industrial boilers, and coal-fired power plants. Mercury can build up in the body of animals like fish, and move up the food chain when it is consumed by other animals.

The dangers of lead exposure are well known, as it can damage almost the entire body. Lead air pollution can come from a variety of different sources like fuel for piston-engine planes, the refining of ore, waste-incinerators and from the manufacturing of lead-acid batteries. Lead use to be very common in gasoline for motor vehicles, but efforts by the EPA cut the lead in the air by 98% between 1980 and 2014.

How Air Pollution Damages The Brain

Research into how air pollution damages the brain has shown that air pollution can harm the brain by increasing the odds of developing neurological diseases, increasing the frequency of strokes, and inhibiting the brain’s growth and development.

“Fine particulate matter is so small that it can easily penetrate people’s lungs and bloodstream. The particulate matter can even ride the bloodstream up to the brain where it can contribute to strokes,” says Seyffer at Camfil. “Particulate matter is thought to cause hundreds to thousands of strokes a year, and studies have found correlations between exposure to sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and ozone and increased the chance of having a stroke.” (2)

Exposure to fine particulate matter has also been correlated with the development of Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases as well as the possible development of autism when pregnant women are exposed to particulate matter in the third trimester.

Because mercury can lay dormant in the body for years, even mothers who do not show symptoms of mercury poisoning can give birth to children with neurological impairments after being exposed to mercury. In utero exposure to mercury can impact a child’s developing nervous system and brain, resulting in impaired cognitive abilities like language skills, memory, attention, and motor skills.

“Lead poisoning is extremely dangerous, and there is no known safe level of lead exposure,” says Seyffer. “Lead poisoning can damage a person’s entire body, distributed primarily amongst the brain, kidney, liver, and bones. High levels of lead exposure can cause brain damage and impaired mental functioning even in adults, but the damage is much more pronounced in children.” (3)

Controlling Air Pollution that Harms The Brain

Controlling air pollution that harms the brain involves limiting the sources of pollutants. Source control for particulate matter, mercury, and lead emissions can be done through a combination of different techniques like regulation and innovation.

“Regulations and limitations on the emissions of particulate matter help cut down on the levels of particulate matter in the air,” explains Seyffer. “The Clean Air Act is responsible for saving thousands of lives a year by reducing levels of criteria air pollutants including particulate air pollution and has reduced levels of lead air pollution by 85% between 1990 and 2015. Tightened restrictions on levels of particulate air pollution can continue to save lives and prevent the development of neurological diseases.” (4)

Technological innovation can also play a role in reducing levels of atmospheric pollutants. Hybrid vehicles use less gas, and thanks to more efficient combustion engines fewer pollutants are released into the air. Power plants have installed scrubbers and capture devices on incinerators, which helps limits emissions of heavy metals like lead and mercury.

Filters can be employed within homes and businesses to limit air pollutants that come from inside the buildings or come in from outdoors. Selecting filters with high particle removal efficiency can benefit all building occupants. In areas of high contaminant level concern, the minimum filter efficiency level should be MERV 13 or ePM1-50 when the filters are evaluated according to current filter testing standards.

Controlling the air pollution that harms the brain is necessary for the health of society, and we must work together to limit the dangerous air pollutants that can cause neurological diseases.

Camfil air filtration company can provide you with the high quality commercial filters necessary to protect yourself and your family from air pollution that harms the brain. Contact Camfil today, as air pollution can cause not only brain damage but damage to your heart and lungs as well.

Sources:

1) http://www.psr.org/assets/pdfs/air-pollution-effects-nervous.pdf

2) https://www.epa.gov/pm-pollution

3) https://www.epa.gov/lead-air-pollution

4) http://bit.ly/2pzyrBd

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How Air Pollutants Linked with Autism Can Be Controlled

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

Recent research has implicated a connection between certain air pollutants and the development of autism. The studies on air pollutants linked with autism found that exposure to high levels of particulate pollution in utero have a likely link with the development of autism later in life. What is the mechanism that links particulate pollution with autism, and how can these air pollutants be combated to reduce autism rates?

Air Pollutants that Can Cause Autism

Studies were done on the air pollutants that can cause autism have identified fine particle pollution as one of the possible causes of autism.

“Fine particulate pollution refers to the emission of tiny particles, smaller than 1 µm in size, or 100 times smaller than the width of a human hair,” explains Camfil USA’s Charlie Seyffer, Manager of Marketing & Technical Materials and 37-year ASHRAE member and active committee participant. “These particles are so tiny that they can easily penetrate the lungs and bloodstream of a person, and even work their way through the bloodstream up to the brain.” (1)

In healthy adults, exposure to fine particle pollution is linked with a number of cardiovascular ailments and cancer. The EPA warns that constant exposure to tiny particles can lead to heart attacks, aggravated asthma, difficulty breathing, overall lung function difficulties, heightened risk of lung cancer, and even premature death in those with pre-existing heart or lung conditions.

The dangers of particle pollution become more extreme when particularly vulnerable groups like the elderly, young children and pregnant women are exposed to particulate pollution. Because the bodies of young children are still developing, particle pollution can be especially dangerous to them.

The same goes for pregnant women, as particle pollution can damage the health of a fetus, and some studies have linked fine particulate pollution to increased risk of preterm births. To make matters worse, recent studies have found that a pregnant woman’s exposure to fine particulate matter could increase their baby’s chance of developing autism.

Studies on The Link Between Air Pollution and Autism

A nationwide study released in 2015 found that children of women who were exposed to abnormally high levels of particulate air pollution during their pregnancy have approximately double the risk of developing autism.

The study found that the risk was the greatest when the exposure occurred in the third trimester, and the researchers saw no significant increase in the risk of developing autism if the exposure occurred either after birth or before conception. Rates of autism were found to increase proportionally with exposure levels across the entire range of subjects studied. The long-term study began in 1989 and it examined the offspring of approximately 116,000 women nurses in the United States.

“The new study supports previous research which also found possible connections between autism and air pollution, including a 2010 study which reported that a child’s risk of developing autism doubled if the mother lived near a freeway during her third trimester. Proximity to a freeway can stand in for an individual’s exposure to fine particulate pollutants.” (2)

Little to no connection was found with larger sized particles and the development of autism – the particles between 2.5 and 10 microns..

The 2015 study was the first study to examine the link between autism and air pollution across the entire United States. It is known that the autism disorder has a strong genetic basis, but scientists are increasingly motivated to study potential environmental causes.

“The members of the research team were careful to stress that the findings of their study do not definitively prove that air pollution causes autism,” says Seyffer at Camfil. “They only reflect a mathematical association between air pollution and increased autism risk. The researchers say that more research on the topic will have to be done, though the current evidence is compelling enough to suggest we should be proactive about reducing levels of air pollutants.” (3)

Reducing Air Pollutants Linked with Autism

Reducing air pollutants linked with autism can be accomplished by combining various methods of pollution control. Pollution control tactics include regulation, technological fixes, and lifestyle changes.

Regulations that impose emissions limits have proven effective at reducing levels of air pollution. The Clean Air Act is expected to save around 230,000 lives annually by 2020 as a result of its successful limiting of emissions. The EPA recently tightened emissions on smog-causing ozone, and states will have until 2020 to comply. Similar tightening of air pollution limits should be applied to particulate matter pollution.

The development of new technologies to reduce particulate matter pollution should help support regulations. Improved emission control devices on automobiles or the use of fully electric vehicles can substantially reduce air pollution. More efficient scrubbers should be installed in factories, and capture devices can be developed for restaurants that charbroil food.

“Lifestyle changes will have to be made as a society if air pollution is to be reduced,” says Seyffer. “People can switch to public transportation instead of using personal vehicles, or walk or bike to work or school if distances are short. People can use more energy efficient appliances, and burn cleaner fuels like gas instead of wood.” (4)

Research on air pollutants linked with autism is still ongoing, but there is plenty of evidence out there that air pollution can harm people in other ways. Air pollution causes so many different health problems that it is critical to focus on eliminating it whenever and wherever possible.

Camfil can provide you with air filters to protect yourself and your family from the air pollutants linked with autism. Contact Camfil USA  today because air pollution doesn’t just increase autism risk, it can harm you in many different ways.

SOURCES

1. https://www.autismspeaks.org/science/science-news/largest-ever-study-autism-pollution-shows-strong-link-during-pregnancy
2. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/autism-risk-linked-to-particulate-air-pollution/
3. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/press-releases/fine-particulate-air-pollution-linked-with-increased-autism-risk/
4. https://www3.epa.gov/region1/airquality/reducepollution.html

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Why Air Quality within Museums Is Worth the Investment

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

Museums are host to some of the most priceless artifacts of our culture, but the air quality within museums is not always of a high enough quality to ensure their preservation. Indoor air pollutants in museums can damage museum artifacts, affect the life of the artifact as airborne contaminants can physically break down the artifact components and affect the health of those who work in or visit them. How can museums protect both the health of people and the integrity of their exhibits by cutting down on levels of indoor air pollutants?

Air Pollutants Found within Museums

Air pollutants found within museums include dust, mold, dirt, dead skin cells, ozone, chemical cleaners, varnish, and solvents. All of these air pollutants can damage collections in the museum as well as the health of visitors.

“Dust and dirt tracked in from outside can contaminate fragile exhibits. A large amount of indoor dust comes from dead skin cells, which can come from both visitors and museum staff,” explains Camfil’s Charlie Seyffer, Manager of Marketing & Technical Materials and 37-year ASHRAE member and active committee participant. “Mold can develop in damp areas such as basements and bathrooms. Because mold spreads via spores, it can infect other areas and damage exhibits. Mold can even develop inside of ventilation systems if the ventilation systems are improperly installed and exposed to water.” (1)

Ozone is probably the most critical contaminant of concern in these facilities as it is nature’s cleaning agent. Ozone breaks down or oxidizes items disintegrating them over a period of time. In most museums, special air filtration with activated carbon is used to remove this gaseous contaminant from the air.

Chemical cleaners are also a common source of indoor air pollutants. While intended to clean up surfaces, chemical cleaners do release a large number of chemical particles into the air, which is why the labels on cleaners usually advise using them in well-ventilated areas. Chemical cleaners like chlorine bleach, aerosol sprays, and detergents can all release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as well as other toxic substances.

Varnishes and paints used to paint walls, tables and other furniture in museums can also release VOCs. Even paints and painting material used to restore or protect exhibits can damage other exhibits if not properly controlled.

Why Air Quality Within Museums Matters

Air quality within museums matters because poor air quality within museums can damage exhibits. Museums are often home to priceless artifacts and collections that can be irreparably harmed by exposure to airborne toxins and pollutants.

Frequently, museum exhibits are stored in areas that are not controlled for airborne pollutants. These airborne pollutants can easily come to rest in the display cases or in storage units that hold museum exhibits. Once pollutants become stuck in a case along with an exhibit they can cause significant degradation and deterioration of the exhibit.

“Museums are often homes to fragile objects like sculptures, paintings, historical objects, and books. Particulate matter pollution is typically abrasive and can damage collections by wearing away at paints and paper,” says Camfil’s Seyffer. (2)

Another important aspect to consider is the health of visitors to the museum as well as museum staff. Both inorganic and organic air pollutants can harm the health of people who breathe them.

Exposure to air pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide can easily trigger asthma attacks in those sensitive to these pollutants. Continuous exposure to these dioxides can also lead to the development of cardiovascular diseases and decrease overall lung function. Particulate pollution and volatile organic compounds can cause both cause heart and lung damage from constant exposure, and it is believed that exposure to particulate pollution can damage the central nervous system and lead to an increased risk for lung cancer.

Improving Air Quality within Museums

Because of the damage that air pollutants can do to people’s health as well as the integrity of museum exhibits, it is important to reduce air pollutants wherever possible and improve air quality within museums. Improving air quality within museums can be accomplished by combining source control and filtration tactics.

Source control is one of the most effective ways to combat air pollutants, as it involves stopping the emission of air pollutants at their source. Museums should be regularly cleaned of dust and dirt, and whenever possible cleaning should be done with eco-friendly cleaners that release fewer volatile compounds into the air. Museum bathrooms, ventilation systems, basements and anywhere else moisture could accumulate should be regularly checked for the presence of mold. Painting and maintenance should be done with care and attention to practices that can release particles, like using painting methods that eliminate aerosols.

Source control should be combined with particulate and gaseous filtration for maximum effectiveness. Particulate filtration involves removing harmful particles out of the air with the use of high-efficiency air filters employed in the HVAC systems. Gaseous filtration typically involves another stage of filtration in the HVAC system that incorporates activated carbon.

“Particular attention should be paid to museum storage buildings, which often suffer from low air exchange rates,” saysSeyfferat Camfil. “Having a high air exchange rate is important as it dilutes the concentration of indoor air pollutants like organic acids. The exception to this is that levels of outdoor air pollutants can increase, coming in from outside the building, due to high air exchange rates.” (3)

A consultation should be conducted to determine the optimal air exchange rate of the museum storage building, and if high air exchange rates are necessary, then control methods like filtration should be utilized to reduce levels of air pollutants that penetrate the building or may be brought in from the outside.

It is important for the health of both visitors and museum staff, as well as for the preservation of our history, that air quality within museums be kept as high as possible. All feasible methods of limiting emissions of indoor air pollutants and filtering pollutants out of the air should be employed.

If you work in a museum, consult with Camfil to understand how you can achieve a safe environment for museum assets, visitors and employees. Camfil can provide you with the filters necessary to remove the indoor air pollutants that threaten air quality within museums, ensuring the health of your visitors and protecting your exhibits.

SOURCES

1. https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/care-your-air-guide-indoor-air-quality
2. http://www.dynamicaqs.com/commercial/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=122&Itemid=471
3. http://www.conservationphysics.org/mm/ryhl/ryhl.pdf

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How You Can Fight Air Pollution from Auto Body Workshops

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

The various paints and chemical cleaners used by auto body workshops can do damage to people’s health and the environment. It is important to limit the emissions of air pollutants from auto body workshops for the benefit of society. How can air pollution from auto body workshops be reduced, limiting the damage done by emissions?

Air Pollutants Released by Auto Body Workshops

Auto body workshops can discharge a variety of harmful emissions into the air, water, and the land itself. These emissions can damage both the environment and people’s health through contamination by toxic materials. Air pollutants released by auto body workshops can include volatile organic compounds, heavy metals, and diisocyanates.

“Auto body workshops employ a large number of cleaners, paints, and paint servers which can all release volatile organic compounds. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are organic, carbon-based compounds which easily turn into gases or vapors,” says Charlie Seyffer, Manager of Marketing & Technical Materials at Camfil USA Air Filtration. “These compounds are hazardous because they usually contain other elements like chlorine, bromine, sulfur, or nitrogen that can interact with other chemicals in the environment and become toxic.”

Heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and chromium are metals that can be released into the air in the form of particulate pollution from welding and sanding. These metals are typically found in vehicle paint, and can easily be disturbed when the car is being detailed. (1)

Diisocyanates are extremely toxic air pollutants that are released during the painting of vehicles. These industrial chemicals are commonly used as hardening agents to harden vehicle paint after it is applied, reducing the amount of cure time needed.

Effects of Air Pollution from Auto Body Workshops

The effects of air pollution from auto body workshops include damage to the eyes, nose, and throat, contributing to conditions like asthma. The pollutants can also damage the environment, contributing to global climate change.

“Limited exposure to volatile organic compounds can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. Repeated exposure to VOCs can cause damage to the kidney, liver and nervous system, and can even increase a person’s chance of developing cancer,” says Camfil’s Seyffer. (2)

The effects of exposure to lead and other heavy metals are cumulative, and can impact almost every system in the body. Lead can distribute itself to the brain, liver, bones and kidneys, damaging all of those systems over time.  Children are especially vulnerable to lead exposure due to the fact that their bodies are still developing. There is no known safe level of lead exposure, so it is important to protect people from lead exposure whenever possible.

Exposure to chromium and cadmium can damage the mucous membrane, and high levels of exposure have been correlated with the development of lung cancer. Chromium exposure is a likely contributor to asthma, and cadmium exposure can lead to kidney disease, much like lead exposure.

“The health effects of exposure to diisocyanatesdepend on length and intensity of exposure,” says Seyffer at Camfil. “Diisocyanate exposure often causes respiratory effects, including decreased overall lung function. Diisocyanates can also cause asthma, especially in those who are particularly sensitive to diisocyanates.” (3)

Volatile organic compounds not only impact people’s health, they also harm the environment. VOCs react in the presence of heat and sunlight to create smog or ground level ozone. Smog has been linked to a number of respiratory health effects, including asthma and lung irritation, but it also contributes to global climate change. Smog traps heat in, contributing to the greenhouse effect. Smog also contributes to acid rain and ocean acidification.

Limiting Air Pollutants from Auto Body Workshops

Limiting air pollutants from auto body workshops can be done through a variety of different techniques that control pollution emissions. Auto body workshops should focus on employing smart mixing and painting practices, clean paint guns properly, do surface preparation when sanding and filing, and wash vehicles in a sanitary way.

“Mixing and painting operations are responsible for most of the toxic air emissions released by auto body workshops, so it is of supreme importance to focus on reducing VOCs by painting and mixing in ways that release fewer emissions,” says Seyffer. “Downdraft airflow paint booths can be used to reduce emissions, providing cleaner paint jobs. Booth filters should be changed regularly, and low VOC coatings should be applied with high-efficiency transfer methods.” (4)

Paint guns can release VOCs into the atmosphere and expose auto shop workers to toxic fumes if they are cleaned incorrectly. Paint gun cleaning solutions should fall within a district’s VOC limits, and be applied in an enclosed automatic washing system. Technicians should use the correct gloves and respirators when cleaning paint guns.

Sanding and filing can emit a lot of dust containing hazardous toxic metals from the paints and polyester resins, as well as titanium dioxide released by fillers. The toxic dusts released by surface preparation and sanding can contaminate water used for washing, which will drain into storm drains and sewers. To fight contamination of wash water, methods to control dust while sanding, such as vacuum sanders, should be employed. Sanding waste should not be sent directly to the sewer, rather the solids should be settled and separated before discharging to the sewer.

Vehicles should be washed with attention to the contamination of water by dust, dirt, oil, metals and toxic fluids. Wash water should never be discharged to streets, storm drains, or gutters, as these areas flow to rivers and streams that can harm the environment.

Air pollution from auto body workshops is harmful to the health of auto shop workers and the public at large, so it is necessary to reduce emissions from auto body workshops whenever possible. Auto body shops should limit the release of VOCs, heavy metals and diisocyanates with smart working practices.

Air pollution from auto body workshops can do lasting damage to your health if you work in an auto body shop, so protecting yourself is important. To learn more about the pollutants released by auto body shops and to buy filters for your shop’s HVAC system, contact Camfil today.

SOURCES

1.  https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyNET.exe/P100BVZD.TXT?ZyActionD=ZyDocument&Client=EPA&Index=2000+Thru+2005&Docs=&Query=&Time=&EndTime=&SearchMethod=1&TocRestrict=n&Toc=&TocEntry=&QField=&QFieldYear=&QFieldMonth=&QFieldDay=&IntQFieldOp=0&ExtQFieldOp=0&XmlQuery=&File=D%3A%5Czyfiles%5CIndex%20Data%5C00thru05%5CTxt%5C00000028%5CP100BVZD.txt&User=ANONYMOUS&Password=anonymous&SortMethod=h%7C-&MaximumDocuments=1&FuzzyDegree=0&ImageQuality=r75g8/r75g8/x150y150g16/i425&Display=hpfr&DefSeekPage=x&SearchBack=ZyActionL&Back=ZyActionS&BackDesc=Results%20page&MaximumPages=1&ZyEntry=1&SeekPage=x&ZyPURL
2.  https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/volatile-organic-compounds-impact-indoor-air-quality
3.  https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/phs/phs.asp?id=1450&tid=245
4.  http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/PollutionPrevention/ABP/upload/TD_FS_ABP2checklist.pdf

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How Developing Countries Struggling with Air Pollution Can Reduce Emissions

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

Though every country in the world deals with air pollution to some extent, the problem of air pollution is far worse in developing countries. Developing countries have challenges that developed countries don’t, such as rapid and unregulated economic expansion, and as a result, their pollution problems are worse. Developing countries struggling with air pollution must determine a way to reduce the amount of air pollution they emit, yet still, allow their economies to grow. How can developing nations reduce the amount of air pollution they release?

Health Hazards of Air Pollution in Developing Countries

The health hazards of air pollution in developing countries include the development of cardiovascular diseases and the problem is widespread. Recent studies done by the World Health Organization in 2016 found that approximately 98% of cities in middle to low-income countries have air quality that doesn’t meet the recognized WHO standards. While cities such as Zabel in Iran and Onitsha in India struggle with the worst air pollution, both China and India have multiple cities within the top 30 cities with the worst air quality.

Both India and China are seeing periods of rapid expansion, and much of this expansion releases toxic air pollutants that can harm people’s health and lifestyles. The high levels of air pollution are thought to cause millions of deaths every year in these countries, and millions for hospitalizations and missed workdays. Citizens in these developing nations face a high risk of heart disease, lung cancer, asthma, and stroke when compared with their counterparts citizens in developed nations.

“Much of the harm done by air pollution comes from particulate pollution. Particulate matter pollution refers to tiny particles less than 2 µm across, which are so small that the particles can easily penetrate the bloodstream and lungs and even work their way up to the brain,” says Kevin Wood, Vice President Sales & Marketing at Camfil USA air filtration. “Being exposed to high concentrations of particulate pollution can cause a variety of cardiovascular conditions, as well as the exacerbation of pre-existing conditions like asthma.” (1)

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are chemical compounds that can harm people’s health. These compounds can be dangerous by themselves, but they can also react in the presence of heat and sunlight to create ground-level ozone or smog. This smog contributes to the greenhouse effect and breathing in ground-level ozone is thought to trigger inflammation of the airways, creating and exacerbating conditions like emphysema, bronchitis, and asthma.

Why Developing Countries Struggle with Air Pollution

One of the primary reasons why developing countries struggle with air pollution more than developing nations is that developing nations struggle with challenges that developed nations have already solved. Developing nations must often make difficult choices between the level of pollutants they release and the growth of their economies.

“Developing nations are less likely to invest in cleaner sources of energy because these renewable resources tend to be more expensive to procure than cheap and readily available fossil fuels like coal,” says Camfil’s says Kevin Wood. “Coal is often regarded as the dirtiest fossil fuel of them all, but it also provides cheap energy that powers developing infrastructure. Infrastructure in developing countries is frequently expanding so rapidly that cleaner and more efficient forms of energy cannot be practically installed.” (2)

By contrast, the populace of developed nations already has most of their base needs to be accounted for, so developed nations are more willing to invest in alternative and clean forms of energy.

There’s pressure on developing nations to grow their economies and remain competitive with the already developed nations of the world, which further encourages governments in developing nations to invest in dirty but cheap fuel. Once a nation is sufficiently industrialized, it can begin pursuing alternative forms of energy, but this process of industrialization itself requires massive amounts of energy, creating a spiral of expansion and pollution that is difficult to escape.

“It is projected that over the next decade most of the growth that will occur in developed countries will happen in urban areas within the poorest countries of the world, with many of the countries located in Asia,” says Wood. “These rapidly expanding urban centers will be major sources of pollution, and consequently efforts to combat emissions will require that these rapidly growing areas find some way to keep growing despite lowering their overall emissions.” (3)

It should also be noted that the effect of pollution developed in these countries is not limited to those countries. Prevailing winds and climate events can carry these pollutants thousands of miles to other parts of the world. California and even Alaska are showing the effects of pollutants generated in China. The problems associated herein are a global concern.

Helping Developing Countries Struggling with Air Pollution

Helping developing countries struggling with air pollution is critical to the health of the people in those countries. Combating air pollution in developing countries will require the creation of air quality standards and expanding industries will be forced to comply. It will also necessitate the creation of various technologies to support these standards such as cleaner transportation and cleaner methods of energy production. These things are difficult for developing nations to accomplish precisely because they are still growing, so support from developed nations is crucial.

Developing nations should make the implementation of pollution reduction technology a priority, such as switching to cleaner fuels, investing in scrubbers and waste management, and creating communal transit options. Developed nations can help create these technologies in developing countries, jump-starting the process and leading to earlier environmental protection efforts.

A counterintuitive truth about investing in cleaner forms of energy is that it ends up saving economies more money in the long run. This is because air pollution is a primary cause of diseases and death, which require that a population spend a large amount of its income dealing with preventable health issues. As health costs from diseases related to air pollution are reduced, both life expectancy of workers as well as the productivity grows, further contributing to the economy.

“The link between environmental damage and economic development is referred to as the Environmental Kuznets Curve, which states that the quality of the environment typically worsens during the initial growth of an economy but then levels out and eventually begins to improve with time,” explains Wood. “Overcoming the Environmental Kuznets Curve and protecting the environment even during the early stages of economic growth will require the assistance of developed nations who have the resources, structure, and technology to support eco-friendly growth in developing countries struggling with air pollution.” (4)

To learn more about the pollutants plaguing developing countries struggling with air pollution, contact Camfil now. Camfil will be able to provide you with high-quality camfil air filters that can help protect you from these air pollutants and ensure your health.

SOURCES

1. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2016/05/12/who-global-air-pollution-is-worsening-and-poor-countries-are-being-hit-the-hardest/
2. https://breakingenergy.com/2014/09/23/environmental-pollution-is-inevitable-in-developing-countries/
3. http://reports.weforum.org/outlook-global-agenda-2015/top-10-trends-of-2015/6-rising-pollution-in-the-developing-world/
4. https://ourworldindata.org/air-pollution/#dirty-then-clean-the-environmental-kuznets-curve-in-air-pollution

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The Incredible Benefits of Turning Air Pollutants Into Paint

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

Air pollution is one of the primary contributors to death and disease around the world, so limiting and capturing air pollutants is an excellent way to protect people’s health. If air pollutants could be recycled and repurposed into products that are usable by people, it would give people more incentive to capture air pollutants and turn a negative thing into something positive. A new engineering project has managed to do just that, capturing air pollutants and turning them into paints and inks.

The Air Pollutants that Harm People

Emissions from vehicles are one of the primary contributors to air pollution. Cars emit pollutants like carbon particulates, nitrogen dioxide, and volatile organic compounds which help to cause ground-level ozone.

“The EPA estimates that vehicle emissions are responsible for over 50% of all nitrogen dioxide emissions in the U.S., more than 30% of all VOC emissions in the U.S., and more than 20% of all particulate matter emissions in the U.S.,” says Camfil’s says Kevin Wood, Vice President Sales & Marketing. (1)

These pollutants cause thousands of deaths a year around the world, and even more hospitalizations and missed workdays. The EPA estimates programs that reduce smog, soot and other forms of air pollution from transportation will prevent around 40,000 deaths and 34,000 hospitalizations annually.

Exposure to particulate matter pollutants, including black carbon, can cause aggravated asthma, decreased overall lung function, nonfatal heart attacks, and increased risk of death in people with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions.

Breathing in high concentrations of nitrogen dioxide can irritate the throat and lungs, aggravating conditions like asthma. Nitrogen dioxide is also thought to contribute to the development of asthma, and can potentially decrease overall lung functioning or necessitate a trip to the emergency room.

Volatile organic compounds are compounds that can react with other particles in the atmosphere to become toxic. VOCs can react in the presence of sunlight and heat to form ground-level ozone or smog. Smog causes difficulty breathing and seeing, contributes to hospitalizations, and exacerbates the greenhouse effect that causes global climate change.

How Turning Air Pollutants Into Paint Happens

The project to turn air pollutants into paints and inks was created by startup Graviky Labs. Regarding how turning air pollutants into paint happen, it is accomplished by collecting the emissions created by automobiles and combining the emissions with solvents.

“The Graviky Labs team recognized the need to reduce air pollution, especially in India where the team was based. India suffers from some of the worst air pollutions in the world, particularly in the city of Delhi,” says Kevin Wood, Vice President Sales & Marketing at Camfil. “A 2014 study by the World Health Organization established that the air in Delhi was found to contain several times more particle pollutants than the air of the notoriously polluted Beijing.” (2)

The team from Graviky Labs was inspired by earlier work that experimented with using soot from candles to create ink, wondering if the concept could be applied on a larger scale. Graviky Labs created a device capable of slotting onto the exhaust pipe of a cover or slipping over a portable generator, collecting all the soot and black carbon that is released by the burning of diesel fuel.

“The carbon-capturing device uses proprietary technology to capture the particulate matter, which must then be refined,” explains says Kevin Wood, Vice President Sales & Marketing at Camfil. “After the particles are captured, the soot is purified to remove any carcinogens or toxic heavy metals. Afterward, the purified carbon pigment is hit with unique solvents to create various types of paints and inks.” (3)

The carbon capture devices that Graviky Labs created are reported to be extremely efficient, capable of capturing the tiniest particles released by exhaust pipes. The Graviky team has managed to produce around 1,000 liters (264 gallons) of inks and paints over the past year. The team can wring about 30 milliliters of ink from around 45 minutes worth of captured pollution from tailpipes.

The Applications for Turning Air Pollutants into Paint

There are many different applications for turning air pollutants into the paint. The Graviky team has said that their products, dubbed Air-Ink, are extremely versatile and can be used in a large number of different ways.

Graviky’s inks are created to be long-lasting and have a similar consistency to a permanent marker. There are seven different grades or categories of Air-Ink, all formulated for specific uses. Air-Ink has outdoor paints, fine art paints, fabric paints, graffiti paints, and screen printing ink among others. Air-Ink is only available in shades of grey and black so far, but Graviky wants to expand to other colors of paints.

“Graviky is hoping to advance their current technology and reduce the costs of their Air-Ink products,” says NAME, POSITION at Camfil. (4) “They want to reduce production costs for both their carbon capture devices and the ink used for screen printing. Their ultimate goal is to have their ink usable in printer cartridges.”

The Graviky team is also hoping to upscale the number of tailpipe devices being used. Currently, the team has around 75 capture devices deployed, but Graviky wants to develop a system that could be included on many truck fleets. Delivery trucks coming and going from the same place could drop off their accumulated carbon very easily, or else gas stations could start creating “carbon banks.”

By turning air pollutants into the paint, Graviky Labs has taken something that harms people and turned into a product that helps people create, communicate, and express themselves. The team hopes to radically expand their operations in the coming years so that more people can experience the benefits of their products, which includes air free from pollutants.

While turning air pollutants into the paint is one way of combating air pollution, it is important not to underestimate how critical proper air filters in your HVAC system are for your health. Contact Camfil now to get information on filters and to purchase the filters that will protect your health from air pollutants.

SOURCES

1.  https://www.epa.gov/air-pollution-transportation/smog-soot-and-local-air-pollution
2.  http://www.cnn.com/style/article/air-ink-painting-with-pollution/index.html
3.  https://creators.vice.com/en_us/article/4xq9ed/turning-carbon-air-pollution-into-artist-paints-and-inks
4.  https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/07/chasing-genius-air-ink-carbon-pollution-graviky/

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Protecting Our Food from Microbes with Commercial Air Filters

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

Intelligent use of commercial air filters and industrial air filtration units at food preparation facilities can help protect our food from dangerous microbes.

Air pollution can affect our health in a variety of ways. Breathing in toxic air pollutants can cause a variety of health problems. Air pollutants can also harm the environment, contributing to global warming. One aspect of air pollution that isn’t frequently addressed is how the air pollution caused by biological air pollutants can threaten the safety of our food. If food is prepared in the same area as microbes, the food can become contaminated and cause a number of different health problems when consumed by a person.

Production facilities must use commercial air filters and industrial air filtration HVAC units to ensure that the  levels of microbes in food preparation areas are as low as possible. How are commercial air filters and filtration units utilized in a food processing plants to reduce levels of microbes, and what policies should be followed to maximize their utility and effectiveness?

Bioaerosols Are Trapped by Industrial Air Filtration Units

It’s important to use industrial air filtration units within food preparation facilities to reduce overall levels of bioaerosols. Bioaerosols are solid or liquid particles that carry microbes through the air. Bacteria can often ride on particles of dirt or dust, getting into food or drink when it is being prepared.

“Common bioaerosols can include viruses and certain bacteria like Brucella, Listeria, and E. coli,” says Mark Davidson, Food & Beverage Segment Manager at Camfil USA. “When source areas of these bioaerosols are disturbed, the particles are propelled into the air, where they can remain suspended for long periods of time. Eventually, they will settle on to surfaces, and if the food is prepared on the surfaces, the food can become contaminated by harmful and potentially deadly pathogens.” (1)

Sources of bioaerosols within preparation facilities may include compressed air lines that are unfiltered, poorly installed or managed HVAC systems, and employee traffic that can help transport sources of bioaerosols, such as standing water.

In addition to microorganisms like E. coli and Salmonella, various molds and yeasts are common within bioaerosols. Mold and yeast can often end up as the dominant form of contamination in an area where conditions may not be  conducive to common bacterial growth, such as foods that contain high amounts of salts or drinks with high amounts of alcohol.

Commercial Air Filtration Systems Prevent Diseases from Spreading

There are a variety of negative health effects associated with exposure to food contaminated with bioaerosols. Exposure to bioaerosols can cause health problems associated with the bacteria. Bioaerosols can transport infectious diseases, respiratory diseases, and can even increase the risk for cancer. Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are examples of the respiratory diseases caused by bioaerosols. Commercial air filtration systems can trap and neutralize these harmful air pollutants.

Exposure to bacteria like E. coli and Listeria can cause problems digesting food and even kidney failure. Ingesting food contaminated with mold can even increase the risk of cancer development , due to the exposure to mycotoxins in the mold.

Exposure to Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria all cause their respective associated diseases. Bacterial-based foodborne illnesses are usually only contracted by ingesting the contaminated food, though exposure to vomit from another contaminated person can cause illness as well. Common symptoms of infection from foodborne illnesses include diarrhea, vomiting, chills and abdominal pain.

Exposure to the bacteria called Clostridium botulinum is especially dangerous because it causes the illness known as botulism. Botulism can quickly lead to blurred vision, paralysis, and dizziness, and can be fatal in relatively short periods of time. For these reasons, it is extremely important that potential sources of botulism are cleaned up immediately.

The health effects associated with exposure to foodborne illnesses and diseases can harm everyone, but children, the elderly, and pregnant women are at special risk for harm if they are exposed to food contaminated with bioaerosols.

Maintaining the Efficiency of Industrial Air Filtration And Ventilation

Industrial air filtration and ventilation is one way to protect food from being contaminated with bioaerosols. Food processing facilities should have HVAC systems optimally placed to keep levels of bioaerosols as low as possible. Proper high efficiency air filters should be employed within these systems to capture bioaerosols and prevent them from circulating throughout the facility. Outside ventilation air can also reduce the overall concentrations of air pollutants, including bioaerosols within the building.

“It’s not enough to simply have HVAC systems and filters installed, they must be properly maintained. HVAC systems should be checked for the presence of water in drip trays,” says Camfil USA’s Mark Davidson. “Evaporative condensers and cooling coils can have water buildup on them as well, and standing water is one of the primary sources of bioaerosols. Air filters for both compressed air and intake ventilation air should be examined for any clogging or other problems like perforation, and changed as recommended by your filtration professional.” (2)

Ventilation systems should also function to optimize pressure through the building, and the more hygienic an area must be the higher the pressure of that area has to be as well. Airflow should start in the areas which are the cleanest, like packaging and storage, and move towards less clean areas like the receiving area until they are naturally exhausted from the building.

Selecting The Correct Commercial HVAC Air Filters for Use in Food Processing Facilities

The correct type of commercial HVAC air filter must be employed to capture the harmful airborne contaminants that threaten to contaminate food. Commercial air filters are rated with a system called MERV, or Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. The higher a filter’s MERV is, the more particles it is capable of capturing.

“MERV levels of 13 or 14, or above are sufficient for capturing bioaerosols within a food processing facility, though the exact filter needs will fluctuate depending on the type of food processing facility in question,” says Davidson. “If filters are used in a fresh-cut processing facility, because of the high probability of contaminant transfer, they must be performing at the level of efficiency recommended by cognizant authorities.” (3)

When researching filters, one should check to make sure that the testing conditions used to present the filter’s performance values are conducted in near real-life conditions. If the filters were not tested under conditions that simulate real world, they may drastically drop in efficiency over time and lose the ability to protect the facility. Facilities should always make sure that their filters have a MERV-A equivalent to the filter’s MERV so performance is assured throughout the life of the filter.

Strategies Beyond The Use of Commercial Air Purifiers

While having commercial air purifiers and commercial air filters is important for the safety of food in a food processing facility, other strategies must be applied to reduce levels of microbial indoor air pollution. Source control strategies and employee training is also important for the safety of our food.

Source control means identifying and controlling potential sources of microbial contamination. The environment of the facility should be checked for any standing water in areas like restrooms, ceilings, and walls around pipes or cooling units. Processing tools and aids should be cleaned regularly to ensure there is no contamination of food. Food contact surfaces should be cleaned with the appropriate cleaning solutions as frequently as possible.

Employees at a food processing facility can easily carry microbial pathogens on or inside their bodies. Food protection practices cover both general cleanliness and disease control. Disease control means ensuring that workers with potentially contagious, foodborne illnesses are kept away from the food production line. Employees should also be trained on proper cleanliness procedures, such as the appropriate way to wash their hands and instructed in how to report possible sources of microbial contamination.

Camfil USA can provide you with the commercial air filters that will trap microbes and protect your food. Click here to contact Camfil USA today.

 

Sources:

1. https://www.foodsafetymagazine.com/magazine-archive1/junejuly-2014/airborne-contamination-a-microbiologiste28099s-perspective/
2. https://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/ucm064458.htm
3. http://www.ashe.org/compliance/ec_02_05_01/01/airfiltration.shtml

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