Are Air Filters Effective Against Air Pollutants from Fertilizer?

Learn about the dangers of fertilizer on outdoor and indoor air quality and how Camfil air filters can be the solution to fixing the problem.

Industrial Air Filtration News — A recent study conducted by researchers from the University of California, Davis found that a previously unrecognized source of nitrogen oxide (NOx) air pollution is actually accounting for as much as 40 percent of all NOx emissions in California. The researchers traced the source of NOx emissions to fertilizer-laden soils in the Central Valley region, a finding that highlights the importance of air filters in the state, which continues to struggle with air pollution from wildfires and traffic.

The study, published in the January issue of the journal Science Advances, saw the researchers comparing computer models with air pollution data gathered through scientific flights over the San Joaquin Valley. Both data collection methods suggested the soils were generating at least 25 percent and up to as much as 41 percent of the state’s NOx emissions due to the heavy application of nitrogen fertilizer. 

“NOx refers to a family of chemical compounds that are key to the formation of smog pollution,” said Mark Davidson, Food and Beverage Segment Manager at Camfil USA. “NOx also plays a central role in the formation of ground-level ozone, which increases the risk of asthma, heart disease and other respiratory issues.”

In fact, the World Health Organization estimates that around one in eight premature deaths can be directly linked to exposure to high levels of NOx. 

Why Fertilizers Are Dangerous to Outdoor and Indoor Air Quality

The UC Davis study is just one of many reports linking the effects of fertilizer application to outdoor and indoor air quality issues. In 2015, another study found that emissions from farms outpace other sources of particulate air pollution in the United States, Europe, China, and Russia. 

Not surprisingly, the culprits for these high levels of farm-related air pollution were nitrogen-rich fertilizers and animal manure, which combine in the air with industrial runoff to create the same solid particles that pose a risk to public health.

“Long-term exposure to ultrafine solid and liquid particles can cause all kinds of respiratory and cardiovascular conditions,” explained Davidson. “This is particularly true for PM2.5, or particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 microns or less, which is small enough to reach deep into the lungs and cross into the bloodstream.”

The study, however, also revealed an important silver lining: if we can reduce our production of industrial emissions, fine-particle air pollution will decline even if fertilizer use rises. But it’s important to note that this only applies to particle pollution—NOx from fertilizers can still lead to the creation of toxic ground-level ozone. 

Buildings Near Farms May Need Commercial Air Filters More

Buildings near farms may have a higher need for commercial air filters due to the high levels of ammonia produced by these facilities. Ammonia gas is especially common in heavily fertilized fields and farms, which also generate significant amounts of livestock waste. 

The ammonia, in turn, combines with airborne pollutants generated by the burning of fossil fuels in cars, power plants, and other industrial processes. The resulting byproducts are solid particles or aerosols known as PM2.5. 

While California cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco have gone to great lengths to reduce air pollution levels in urban areas, some of the state’s worst air quality issues are still affecting rural areas like the San Joaquin Valley, which is also home to many low-income families in California.

The problem of fertilizer-caused air pollution is unlikely to go away anytime soon, as the Central Valley in California, is one of the world’s most productive agricultural areas, plays a vital role in the U.S. agriculture industry. It’s where almost all of the country’s tomatoes, avocados, walnuts, and almonds among other crops are grown.

The challenge facing state officials, as pointed out by the authors of the UC Davis study, is finding ways to continue increasing food production but doing it on the limited land available and with the use of improved techniques and better forms of fertilizer management.

Better Fertilization Methods Can Ease Dependence on Industrial Air Filters

The UC Davis study’s authors also provide potential solutions for reducing NOx emission from fertilizers, which in turn, circumvent the need to turn to industrial air filters to capture these airborne pollutants.

For example, a perennial issue with fertilizer application is that the plant actually may absorb only about 50 percent of the nitrogen in crop fertilizer. The more efficient alternative is to use slow-release fertilizers, which, as the name suggests, release nutrients at a slower rate, which mimics what happens in nature, thereby making it more efficient and less polluting. 

Another solution is for California farms to observe a healthy soils program designed to return carbon to the soil. A healthy soils program not only has the effect of improving nutrient retention and absorption in crops, but it also helps offset their carbon footprint and fight climate change. 

Fortunately, California has already started addressing their agricultural problem by creating a program that encourages growers to work together and share ways to improve the efficiency of their fertilizer use, which in turn, helps the state evaluate how and where it needs to manage nitrogen in agricultural areas.

How Commercial HEPA and Molecular Air Filters Maintain Indoor Air Quality in Agriculture Buildings

Given the presence of high levels of ammonia gas, nitrogen oxides, and particle pollution in and around agriculture facilities, it’s important that buildings handling agricultural processes be outfitted with commercial HEPA and molecular air filters to protect the health of staff. Industrial air filtration, along with proper ventilation, will go a long way toward reducing the level of dangerous airborne pollutants in the air by trapping airborne particles and toxic gases and bringing in fresh air from the outside. 

Commercial HEPA and molecular filters are designed to reduce levels of dangerous pollutants in the air by very small particles in the filter fibers or adsorbing gases into an adsorbent media. The HEPA filter media itself is capable of trapping up to 99.97 percent of particles below 0.3 microns. Other high efficiency filters, such as those rated MERV14/14A or ISO16890 ePM1, capture 70 percent of particles 1 micron or smaller. When paired with molecular filters this helps create an air purification process that ensures workers inside agricultural buildings are continuously supplied with clean, safe, and breathable air.

Commercial Air Filtration Systems Only Address One Side of the Fertilizer Problem

However, all that being said, air pollution is just one side of the problem associated with fertilizers. Even if you installed the world’s best commercial HEPA air filtration systems in your buildings, you still have to deal with the fact that applying too much fertilizer can cause them to wash over fields and pollute watersheds. One need only to look at the dead zone that appears each summer on the mouth of the Mississippi River caused by excess nitrogen from farms upstream.

For this reason, improved fertilizer management and application, as suggested by the UC Davis study, is so important. In the meantime, however, air filtration systems play a critical role in ensuring that agriculture workers and nearby residents are kept safe from the health risk of exposure to fertilizer-related air pollution. 

For more than 50 years, Camfil USA has been a global leader in the design and manufacturing of high-quality air filtration systems for all kinds of industrial and manufacturing facilities in North America. To learn more about our agriculture air pollution solutions and the importance of indoor air quality control in farms, talk to Camfil USA.

You may also explore our Camfil air filters to learn more about our products.

 

Lynne Laake 

Camfil USA Air Filters 

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How Camfil Air Filters Help Make Air Travel a Healthier Experience

Jet fumes, crowds of people in confined spaces, constant cleaning activities, toilet usage, and even construction—these are just a few things that are affecting the air quality inside airports and airplanes every day. These factors are also the reason why Camfil air filters are hugely beneficial to air travelers and aviation industry workers. 

Fortunately, most airports and airplanes are now outfitted with a type of air filtration system designed to protect the health of passengers and staff. But it wasn’t always this way; in fact, only recently have we learned about the dangers of poor indoor air quality inside aircraft. And for many airline staff, its effects hit close to home. 

Explaining Aerotoxic Syndrome on Airplanes

Take aerotoxic syndrome, for example. Coined in 1999 by a team of medical researchers composed of Dr. Harry Hoffman, Professor Chris Winder, and Jean-Christophe Balouet, aerotoxic syndrome was a term used to describe the negative long-term health effects of exposure to contaminated cabin air. By publishing their findings in a report, the team recommended taking a closer look into the brewing health crisis for frequent flyers, pilots, and cabin crew.

“Aerotoxic syndrome is an illness resulting from prolonged exposure to contaminants commonly occurring inside passenger airplanes,” notes Charlie Seyffer, Manager of Marketing & Technical Materials at Camfil USA. “Its effects can be long-lasting and life-threatening, especially for pilots, cabin staff, and frequent air travelers.”

Aerotoxic Syndrome and its Links to Indoor Air Quality in Aircraft

Since the 1950s, airplanes have been designed to use a “bleed air” system to filter air through cabins. Air passes through the engine compressor, also known as the engine’s cold section, before being sucked into the air-conditioning system and mixing with the recirculated cabin air. Indoor air quality problems happen when the oil that lubricates the engine heats up, resulting in emitting chemicals that leak back through damaged or inefficient seals into the compressor, and from there, back into the cabin air.

Under normal circumstances, the air filters inside airplanes do a pretty good job of removing gaseous pollutants, particulate matter like dust and soot, as well as bacteria and viruses. But, leaks can happen, and when they do, they’re usually identified by the presence of smoke or what seems to be the smell of dirty socks. These leaks are known as fume events, and, according to Dr. Hoffman and his team, they can cause acute toxicity, with symptoms that include:

• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Nausea
• Headaches
• Memory loss
• Muscle weakness

Note that these symptoms can occur after exposure to big leaks. But according to cabin crew and pilots, their constant exposure to silent and odorless seepages of contaminated air can be just as dangerous to their health.

Why Commercial Air Filters for Airplanes are Necessary 

“Commercial air filters for airplanes, provide a necessary layer of protection against things such as jet fuel, de-icing fluids, jet engine oil, and hydraulic fluids among others, all of which are toxic and can affect air quality inside the aircraft,” said Seyffer.

While these chemicals usually stay within engines and aircraft equipment, their emissions can sometimes mix with cabin air due to seal failures, oil leaks, or fluid ingestion by the engine or the auxiliary power unit (APU), which is the small engine at the rear of the plane. In turn, exposing crew and passengers to a host of airborne contaminants. 

In fact, there are dozens of smoke and in-cabin leak events documented each year, often linked to an instance of aircraft fluid leak. Fume events, on the other hand, happen much more frequently, and are linked to leaks of less critical aircraft fluid, said to happen hundreds of times a year according to independent reports.

At the time Dr. Hoffman and company conducted their study, it was estimated that aircraft fluid leaks and smoke events affected over 300 flights around the world each year, resulting in the pollutant exposure of more than 40,000 passengers and aircraft crew. 

Unfortunately, the variety and concentrations of bleed air contaminants found in contaminated aircraft cabins in mid-flight can be extensive. Examples of common airborne contaminants found in the study include:

• Carbon monoxide
• Aldehydes
• Aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons
• Nitrogen compounds 
• Esters
• Nitrogen oxides

Furthermore, certain aircraft models seem to be more prone to fluid leaks. 

Preventing the Health Issues of Air Flight with Industrial Air Filters

Of course, you might be wondering if the need for industrial air filters is more important in airplanes than ordinary homes and buildings. While good air quality is obviously important in the latter, it’s even more so in the cabins of planes flying at altitude. 

The reason for this is during mid-flight, aircraft cabins have lower oxygen levels—the amount of oxygen in the air becomes lower as altitude increases, whether traveling in a pressurized plane or climbing a mountain. The lack of oxygen forces healthy passengers and crew to increase their breathing rate—often without them knowing it at all. In terms of toxicity, this means that airline passengers and crew are inhaling more contaminated air, increasing their risk of developing an illness.

And according to some studies, exposure to polluted air begins the moment passengers and airline crew step inside airports.

Protecting Air Quality in Airports with High Efficiency Air Filters

In airports, the main sources of air pollution are diesel engine emissions from tractors and de-icing equipment, fuel emissions from refueling activities, and dust particles from asphalt, tires, and brakes. Pollutants from these activities, which commercial high efficiency air filters are designed to capture, are divided into the following categories:

• Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
• Inorganic gases
• Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
• Particulate matter (PM)

Inside the terminal, there’s an equal variety of pollution sources. For starters, the thousands of people that walk through the airport shed up to a million particles every minute—even more as their activity level increases, which is often the case as people rush to catch their flights or claim their baggage. Likewise, the clothes people wear and the luggage they haul around all contribute to indoor air pollution. These particles are easily removed by particulate air filters that usually have a particle removal efficiency of MERV 13 or higher. 

Of course, you also have to consider the construction, maintenance, and cleaning activities that seem to be a constant factor in all of the world’s major airports. Things like construction materials, paints, solvents, cleaning chemicals, disinfectants, and even furniture all release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air, putting the health of passengers and airport crew at risk. These items are considered gaseous contaminants and high efficiency industrial filtration removes these contaminants through the application of carbon or oxidizing filters. 

A Final Word on Industrial High Efficiency Air Filtration Systems in Airports and Aircraft

The good news is that the aviation industry is finally acting on the problem of aerotoxic syndrome and pollution in airports. In 2017, British budget airline EasyJet announced that it would be outfitting aircraft with specially designed industrial air filtration systems to prevent toxic fumes from penetrating passenger cabins and cockpits. It’s a much-needed step in the right direction, what with the airline industry long denying the existence of aerotoxic syndrome despite the consistent stream of reports from the pilots, passengers, and flight attendants who have fallen ill, and even died, after long-term exposure to air inside aircraft. 

For more than 50 years, Camfil USA has been a global leader in designing and manufacturing air filtration systems for airports around the world. To learn more about the importance of indoor air quality control in airports and airplanes, talk to Camfil USA. Also, explore our catalog of air filtration systems to learn more about our products.

 

Lynne Laake 

Camfil USA Air Filters 

T: 888.599.6620 

E:Lynne.Laake@camfil.com

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Can Industrial Molecular Air Filters Remove VOCs from Common Items?

Reducing the Levels of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Indoors

Learn why common items can be a source of air pollution and how industrial molecular air filters solve their effects on indoor air quality.

Air Filtration Solutions – Amid growing concerns over the health dangers of air pollution, more and more schools, commercial establishments, manufacturing facilities, hospitals, and airports are using industrial molecular filters to remove hazardous contaminants in the air. Although there are different types, activated carbon is the most common molecular filter.

“In recent years, air pollution has also become a public health issue. It has been singled out as a factor causing premature death and increasing the risk of respiratory or cardiovascular disease,” said Victor Rengel, Molecular Filtration Product Manager at Camfil USA. “Far from being anecdotal, air pollution causes 310,000 premature deaths in Europe alone and is a growing threat in countries with fast-developing economies.”

Much of the focus on reducing air pollution has been centered on limiting carbon emission from automobiles. However, cars are just one side of the story. In urban areas, for example, emissions from common items such as paint, cleaning supplies, and personal care products are all significant contributors to the level of particulate matter (PM) in the atmosphere.

Are Industrial Air Filter Manufacturers Aware of the VOC Emissions Problem?

According to one study published in the journal Science, a research team found that a wide variety of common household items like paints, printer ink, cleaning products, nail polishes, hair sprays, and fragrances among others, produce as much volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as cars do in large American cities. Fortunately, industrial air filter manufacturers are aware of the problem and are creating air filtration solutions specifically designed for the removal of these VOCs.  

If there’s a silver lining to this study, it’s that efforts to reduce carbon emissions produced by cars over the past few decades have indeed worked, as evidenced by the diversified sources of air pollution shows, at least in major U.S. cities. Now, the next challenge is to address the problem of VOC emissions and their effect on indoor air quality. 

The Link Between VOCs and Industrial Molecular Filter Air Purifiers

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) describes volatile organic compounds as emitted gases from certain liquids or solids. VOCs contain a variety of organic chemicals.  While some are harmless, other chemicals found in VOCs are dangerous to human health. The good news is that industrial molecular filter air purifiers with activated carbon filters are capable of removing VOCs from the air. 

It’s also a good thing because concentrations of VOCs can be up to 10 times higher indoors according to the EPA. The reason that can happen is that many organic chemicals are a necessary component of household products, such as:

• Paints
• Varnishes
• Waxes
• Solvents
• Disinfectants
• Cosmetics
• Hobby Products
• Fuel

Moreover, these products don’t have to be used for them to generate VOCs. Even in storage, items like fuel will release or “off-gas” VOCs to some extent. This release can be a serious issue in places that handle large quantities of fuel and chemical ingredients—think industrial facilities and manufacturing sites. 

Using Activated Carbon Air Filters

There are many types of commercial molecular air filters on the market that promise to remove VOCs. Be careful when coming across filters at low prices—more often than not, these rarely do a good job of removing ordinary allergens, much less volatile organic compounds. When it comes to air purification, the least expensive option may not be the most efficient for your health.

Filtration systems that remove VOCs use additional technologies such as plain activated carbon, impregnated granulated carbon or various oxidizing pellets. 

How Do Industrial Molecular Air Filters Remove VOCs?

Activated carbon is a super-porous carbonaceous material that features a network of interconnected pores and fissures down to a size of .2 to 1 micron—visible only with the use of a microscope.

When the VOC gases make contact with the activated carbon filter, the VOC molecules first enter the largest pores on the carbon media’s surface. Through the process of diffusion, the molecules make their way down into the smallest pores of the carbon material until they are trapped and can move no further. This action is how activated carbon filters trap VOCs like tobacco smoke, car exhaust emissions, and chemical fumes from disinfectants and cleaning products. 

Final Note on Using Industrial Molecular Air Filtration Systems

While industrial molecular air filtration systems are an effective way to reduce levels of volatile organic compounds indoors, the best course of action is to look at a building’s indoor environment to determine which items may be off-gassing VOCs. In the common household setting, people can learn more about potentially hazardous products by requesting a copy of the material safety data sheets (MSDS) from their respective manufacturers.

For commercial and manufacturing facilities that must keep items with VOCs in their premises, a powerful activated carbon filtration system will be the best solution to maintaining safe air quality levels. 

If you would like more information about industrial air filtration systems and how they improve your indoor air quality, get in touch with Camfil USA or browse our catalog of air filters.

 

Lynne Laake

Camfil USA Air Filters 

T: 888.599.6620 

F: Friend  Camfil USA on Facebook

Y: Watch Camfil Videos on YouTube

L: Follow our LinkedIn Page

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How Outdoor and Indoor Air Quality Affects Expecting Mothers

A recent study on air filtration and maternal health shows how outdoor and indoor air quality affects expecting mothers. Learn how air purifiers and high efficiency air filters can help keep them safe.

By now everyone knows that poor air quality is associated with a host of health problems involving the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Air pollution exposure is known to cause asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and even lung cancer, making air filters an important tool in parts of the country with bad air quality. Its effects are particularly dangerous to at-risk segments of the population including children, the elderly, individuals with existing health conditions, and pregnant women. 

In fact, a recent study by a team of researchers from the University of Utah has linked air pollution exposure to a higher risk of pregnancy loss. More specifically, the study concluded that short-term exposure to elevated levels of air pollution was linked to a higher risk of spontaneous pregnancy loss.

According to Matthew Fuller, the paper’s senior author and an assistant professor of emergency medicine at the University of Utah, the study’s findings highlight the harmful effects of air pollution that everyone isn’t just exposed to, but also contributes to. He added that air pollution can only be solved if everyone comes together to make sacrifices. 

The University of Utah study, however, is not the first to find associations between air pollution and miscarriages.

“Experts have suspected for some time that exposure to common air pollutants like ozone, nitrogen oxides, and fine particulate matter may increase the risk of pregnancy loss,” 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. “A 2017 study by the National Institutes of Health found that smog may be a contributing factor to early pregnancy loss.”

Finding the Connections Between Outdoor and Indoor Air Quality and Maternal Health

Professor Fuller notes that his interest in how outdoor and indoor air quality affects expecting mothers was spurred after noticing a possible link between air pollution and miscarriages in his personal and work life. 

Specifically, he had a number of close family members who lost a pregnancy after experiencing a particularly bad air quality event. And in the emergency department, he also saw more women suffering miscarriages in the first few weeks of their pregnancy during and shortly after periods of poor outdoor air quality. 

True enough, Fuller and his fellow researchers may be on to something, as their research found a 16 percent increase in risk for miscarriage among women exposed to nitrogen dioxide levels that exceeded the government’s recommended limit over a seven-day period.

The study’s results are particularly concerning for residents in Utah, which suffers from severe periods of air pollution. Poor air quality can be common during the winter, when cool, pollution-laden air is trapped at ground level by a layer of warm air high in the atmosphere—a phenomenon known as an atmospheric inversion. It just so happens that Utah’s topography is prone to such atmospheric events.

“These findings are not unique to Utah,” notes Seyffer. “Air pollution is a public health crisis and environmental issue that affects everyone across the globe, both in developing and developed nations.”

Utah’s Pollution Sources Emphasize Importance of Home Air Purifiers

Unsurprisingly, the majority of Utah’s air pollution emissions are generated by mobile sources of pollution—these include cars, trucks, motorbikes, and aircraft. According to local officials, 53 percent of emissions come from mobile sources, 34 percent comes from area sources like homes and buildings, and at least 10 percent comes from point sources like mines, power plants, factories, and other industrial facilities. Fortunately, the pollutants generated by these sources can be captured and removed by high-quality air purifiers. 

Still, it’s clear that there is a need for everyone in Utah to do their part to mitigate air pollution, especially events caused by inversions. According to Thom Carter, Executive Director of the Utah Clean Air Partnership (UCAIR), people shouldn’t just be mindful of the state’s air quality, they should make better choices to reduce their impact on the environment.

For example, the air outside may appear to be clean after a big snowstorm, which can give people the excuse to not be mindful of their personal air pollution emissions. But when a high-pressure system moves in after a snowstorm, this can cause an inversion that causes air pollution to build up in a concentrated area.

Carter also urged people to be mindful about how they use their cars, adding that residents should consider carpooling, consolidating trips or using public transport more often. He added that even the simple act of not idling your car when waiting to pick someone up or waiting at the drive-thru can go a long way to reducing your personal emissions.

List of Reasons to Install High Efficiency Filtration Systems Grows

What’s clear, however, is that this study linking air pollution and an increased risk for a miscarriage adds to the growing list of reasons to install air purifiers or high efficiency filtration systems at home. Whether it concerns children, expecting mothers, or senior citizens, installing an air purifier will ensure that everyone can breathe in safe and clean air. 

Air filtration systems also address the fact that air pollution also comes from sources inside. These include activities such as heating, lighting, and cooking, as well as common chemical cleaners and disinfectants, which release toxic fumes into the air. While ventilating a building is the ideal solution to prevent indoor air pollution from building up to dangerous levels, this is simply not a realistic option in places with bad outdoor air quality, hence the importance of keeping doors and windows shut and using an air purifier. 

IVF Parents See Benefits of High Efficiency Filtration

Women having a difficult time conceiving may want to consider in-vitro fertilization (IVF) facilities that use air filtration to increase their probability of success. Multiple studies have shown that high efficiency filtration increases pregnancy probability significantly. 

Go for Quality When Choosing Air Purification Systems

If you are considering installing air purification systems in your home or building, be sure to choose high-quality systems from reliable air filter manufacturers or distributors. Unfortunately, the increased interest in air filters for industrial and commercial use has led to a rise of unscrupulous companies creating “budget” air filter systems, which either break down after a few months or don’t work as advertised.  

At Camfil USA, we take pride in our commitment to helping home and building owners solve their air quality problems with our air filter solutions  Talk to our team to learn more about how you can improve the indoor air quality in your indoor spaces with our high efficiency air filters. You may also explore our catalog of air filters to learn more about our products or browse our clean air solution topics.

 

 

 

Lynne Laake 

Camfil USA Air Filters 

T: 888.599.6620 

E: Lynne.Laake@camfil.com

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Sources:

1. https://www.fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282(18)32154-X/fulltext
2. https://www.ksl.com/article/46442446/heres-where-utahs-infamous-inversion-comes-from-and-how-you-can-help-reduce-pollution

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Are Diesel Vehicles Threatening Clean Air Quality?

Discussions on the need for commercial air filtration systems often touch on the problem of emissions from mobile sources of air pollution, in particular, diesel vehicles threatening clean air quality.

Easing Dependence on Diesel Vehicles Threatening Clean Air Quality

In recent years, governments around the world have made efforts to crack down on older diesel-powered vehicles. In London, for example, drivers whose diesel vehicles do not meet the European Union’s emission standards have had to pay an additional daily toxicity tax called the T-Charge.

The change came amid the widespread backlash in Europe over the scandal in which several European automakers, most notably Volkswagen, were caught cheating on their government emission tests.

The new tax mainly affects those who drive older diesel vehicles and is on top of the city’s long standing congestion charge—a daily fee for vehicles entering central London during weekday rush hours. The toxicity levy was designed to improve air quality and, according to observers, discourage people from buying vehicles powered by diesel, once the most popular choice of fuel in most of Europe.

“In large cities with a high number of vehicles present, the ambient air normally contains a high number of particles and gases,” 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. “Efficient particle filtration of submicron and ultrafine particles as well as molecular filtration of the supply air can reduce this contamination significantly.”

The Diesel Emissions Problem and Need for High Efficiency Air Cleaning Systems

A recent emissions report on testing methods suggests that high efficiency air cleaning systems are still very necessary as the latest models of European diesel vehicles continue to be massive contributors of pollution.

The study is the first analysis of its kind after Volkswagen’s diesel emissions scandal in 2015; the results show that more than 4,000 vehicle models fail to meet the emissions standards for nitrogen oxides (NOx) set by the European Union.

The analysis broke down European vehicles into different groups based on emission standards—vehicles were classified under Euro 3, Euro 4 and Euro 5 diesel levels. Not surprisingly, motorcycles and older models of vehicles tested poorly for NOx levels. However, more surprising was how newer vehicles, classified under the newer Euro 6 emission standards, also failed. In fact, almost every Euro 6 vehicle tested received a “poor” grade, showing that the vehicle produced more than 180 mg/km of NOx. None of the diesel vehicles tested received a “good” rating.

Can Commercial Air Cleaners Remove Diesel Exhaust?

Commercial air cleaners are a viable defense against vehicle exhaust pollution. High efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters are particularly effective at trapping the particulate matter (PM), and molecular filters remove gases commonly found in the exhaust fumes produced by diesel trucks. A well-designed air cleaner should address both types of pollutants.

PM typically comes from two places when automobiles are concerned.

• All vehicles powered by fossil fuels produce particulate matter from their tailpipes. The PM is a byproduct of the fuel combustion process, typically manifesting itself in the form of soot that lines the tailpipes of diesel trucks.
• Normal wear and tear on brakes and tires can also produce particulate matter in the form of dust. One need only to look at how dusty underground car parks can get when not cleaned for a few days. 
• Associated gases, or molecular level pollution, can also be addressed with the proper air cleaning system.

Impacts of Diesel Exhaust Prevented by Commercial Air Cleaners  

The impact of diesel exhaust on human health is one of the primary reasons commercial air cleaners are so important. Homes and buildings located in areas with severe air pollution, such as freeways or the immediate surroundings of manufacturing sites, tend to have higher concentrations of vehicle emissions and industrial runoff.

Constant exposure to diesel exhaust can lead to serious health problems like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other respiratory diseases. Diesel emissions are especially dangerous for at-risk segments of the population, including expecting mothers, infants, children, and the elderly, all of whom are more vulnerable to the toxic aerosols in diesel exhaust. 

What Does This Mean for Commercial Air Cleaner Manufacturers?

Reports on diesel emissions and levies against diesel vehicles all point to the same inconvenient truth—there are millions upon millions of dirty diesel vehicles and trucks plying the roads, contributing to the toxic smog that threatens public health on a daily basis. And it’s a problem not isolated to older vehicles—newer diesel vehicles still fail to meet government emission standards. As long as this continues, there will always be a need for air cleaning systems from commercial air filter manufacturers. 

Choosing Commercial Air Cleaning Systems

The task of choosing commercial air filters ultimately centers on the containment goals and size of the room that needs to be “treated.” What’s true, however, is that it’s important to stay away from bargain imitation air cleaners —more often than not, these bargain air cleaners are a waste of time and money. Be sure to consult an air purifier provider if the project involves a school, a manufacturing facility, or rooms inside hospitals and other medical facilities. 

If you would like more information about our air cleaners and how they improve indoor air quality, browse our catalog of air filters or click here to contact Camfil USA today. 

 

Helpful Resources:

1. The Difference Between Industrial Air Filtration Units: Air Cleaners and Air Purifiers

 

Lynne Laake 

Camfil USA Air Filters 

T: 888.599.6620 

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Are Commercial Air Filtration Solutions Worth Using for Secondhand Smoke?

Clean Air Solutions – For years, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have warned the public about the dangers of secondhand smoke (SHS), also known as environmental tobacco smoke (ETS). In fact, the EPA estimates that 3,000 lung cancer deaths per year are caused by secondhand smoke—a finding used by proponents of smoking bans. Arguments against these policies, however, point to the use of commercial air filtration systems to eliminate the health hazards from exposure to secondhand smoke. (1)

“The burning of tobacco causes the emission of over 4,500 compounds, including 50 suspected carcinogens,” said Charlie Seyffer, Manager of Marketing & Technical Materials at Camfil USA.  “Where tobacco smoking is allowed in public indoor areas, filtration devices are often employed to remove contaminants and ensure the comfort and safety of non-smokers in the same room or building.”

How do Commercial Air Filtration Systems Work?

Commercial air filtration systems work by drawing in air, passing it through a series of filters that trap the chemical and particle contaminants, and then releasing the filtered air back into the room. Granted, this is a simplification of what is often a complex, multi-stage process, but it more or less describes the principles behind air filtration technology.

While most homes and commercial establishments use air filtration systems to deal with allergens like pollen and mold, certain industrial air filter manufacturers have also created systems designed to remove hazardous tobacco smoke.

Two Ways Industrial Air Filter Manufacturers Remove SHS

Of course, the most effective way to eliminate the health risks of secondhand smoke is to completely prohibit indoor smoking. While some establishments, particularly casinos, may allow smoking to help keep patrons comfortable, they also have to ensure that indoor air quality (IAQ) remains tolerable for non-smokers. The same can be said for the IAQ  in smoking lounges in airports and restaurants. As a result, industrial air filter manufacturers have introduced two popular solutions for removing tobacco smoke—HEPA filters and molecular filtration through activated carbon.

SHS Removal by Industrial HEPA Filters

Industrial HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filters are specifically designed and certified to remove particulate matter down to 0.3 microns in size at an efficiency rate of at least 99.97 percent. Interestingly enough, these fiber filters were first designed as a way to shield scientists from nuclear radiation.

On the other hand, an ultra-low penetration air filter (ULPA) is a variant of a HEPA filter, certified to remove 99.999% of dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, and other airborne particles down to 0.1 microns in size. 

The toxic, odor-causing particles in cigarette smoke range in size from .02 to 5 microns, which makes them within the right size to be captured by a HEPA filter. Since smoke rapidly thins and disperses after it is burned or exhaled, causing the contaminant particles to shrink further and further in size, a HEPA filter is most effective when it can capture secondhand smoke before it has spread too far.

Removing Smoke with Molecular Filtration Systems

Molecular filtration systems use activated carbon, a microporous adsorbent made from a carbonaceous material that features a network of extremely small connected pores and fissures down to a size of 0.1 micron—visible only with the use of a microscope. This porous structure is made by heating carbon to extremely high temperatures, thereby “activating” it. In fact, a tiny pellet of activated carbon can have the internal surface area of a football field when scaled to size.

As the contaminant particles enter the activated carbon filter, their molecules enter the large pores on the surface and make their way into the smallest pores until they are eventually trapped—a process called diffusion. Activated carbon filters are especially effective at absorbing volatile organic compounds (VOCs), tobacco smoke being one of them. 

In fact, molecular filtration systems are commonly used in:

• Airports – to remove kerosene fumes
• Museums – to remove sulfur, nitrogen oxides and artifact-damaging ozone
• Nuclear facilities – to remove iodine, krypton and xenon
• Pesticide factories – to remove pesticide fumes
• Food and beverage facilities – to remove cooking odors

A Final Note on Industrial Air Filtration and Ventilation Systems for Secondhand Smoke

Ultimately, the two best ways to deal with indoor air quality problems caused by secondhand tobacco smoke is by removing the source of the pollution and opening the windows. But for situations where these options are impractical, installing a robust industrial air filtration and ventilation system is the best way to maintain outstanding indoor air quality by removing residual gases, odors, and particulate matter. 

It’s also important to realize that not all commercial air filtration systems are the same. As with any product, some systems are better than others. A high-quality HEPA filter, for example, will remove 99 percent of contaminants as advertised, while a more affordable filter from a lesser-known brand likely won’t be able to capture half that amount. A HEPA filter should be built to industry standards and individually tested to confirm performance.

To learn more about the benefits of commercial air filters for indoor air quality, visit Camfil USA’s complete air filter catalog. Or find your local Camfil USA branch here: https://cleanair.camfil.us/locations/

Other Resources for You:

1. Learn Why You Need to Be Using HEPA Filters Previous blog post
2. Read our blog post: How Harmful Is the Air Quality on Planes

 

Lynne Laake

Camfil USA Air Filters

T: 888.599.6620, 

E: Lynne.Laake@camfil.com

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Are Air Filters the Solution to Urban Air Pollution?

In October 2018, the World Health Organization (WHO) held its first global conference to discuss the links between air pollution and public health. The meeting of government officials, policymakers, and representatives from the healthcare and environmental sectors around the world sought to find a solution to prevent the estimated seven million deaths that occur each year due to air pollution exposure, leaving people scrambling to use clean air solutions such as air filters or air purifiers in their homes and in the workplace.

The conference comes after several studies have established a clear connection between constant exposure to poor ambient (i.e. outside) air quality and adverse health outcomes. WHO officials also expressed concern that air pollution has now turned into what it calls is a silent public health crisis, going so far as to dub air pollution as the “new tobacco.” 

But the risk of developing health problems caused by air pollution is especially high among children. In a statement, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that air pollution is currently poisoning millions of children around the world and ruining their lives. 

How Children Are Being Affected by Poor Outdoor and Indoor Air Quality

According to a 2018 report by the WHO, the vast majority of children around the world under the age of 15 live in areas with poor outdoor and indoor air quality, triggering a public health crisis that affects practically all of the world’s major cities—more so in countries in the developing world.

“Children are more vulnerable to air pollution because they breathe more than adults per unit of body weight,” explains NAME, POSITION at Camfil USACamfil USA’s Charlie Seyffer, Manager of Marketing & Technical Materials for commercial air filters and 37-year ASHRAE member and active committee participant. “Children’s airways and lungs are still developing and they have detoxification rates and immature immune and defense systems.”

True enough, the same WHO report estimates that around 1.8 billion children under the age of 15, or 93 percent of the global population of this age group, are exposed to air quality levels that exceed the WHO’s air pollution guidelines. 

Furthermore, as much as 98 percent of children under the age of 5 that live in developing countries are exposed to higher levels of air pollution. By comparison, only around half of the children in the same age group from high-income countries are exposed to air pollution considered unsafe by the WHO. This disparity suggests that socioeconomic factors also come into play when identifying how people may be affected by air quality.

Children Need Air Purifiers

If anything, the WHO’s findings underscore just how important air purifiers are for children. But what makes them particularly susceptible to the adverse health effects of air pollution exposure?

“The physiology of children influences their reaction to air pollution,” explains Seyffer. “Because children’s lungs are still growing and developing, there is a greater risk that this process will be disturbed by environmental conditions.”

This also explains why children who live with people that smoke have a higher chance of developing chronic respiratory conditions like asthma and bronchitis.

In addition, the activity levels of children also make them more susceptible to air pollution.

• Because children tend to be more active than adults, they end up breathing more air per volume of body weight.
• Children and infants also usually inhale and exhale through their mouths, which bypasses the body’s natural filtration mechanisms in the nose.
• Children also spend more time outdoors than adults, which increases their exposure to air pollution. This is especially true during spring and summer when smog levels can spike and allergy season begins.
• Children’s narrow airways are more likely to be obstructed when inflamed by airborne pollutants.

Aside from lung problems, air pollution exposure can also affect the development of children’s nervous, endocrine, and immune systems, making them prone to diabetes and cancer later in life. 

Who Else Needs Air Purification Systems?

Of course, anyone can benefit from clean air that’s safe to breathe. With the WHO estimating that more than 90 percent of the world’s population lives in cities and areas where air pollution reaches unsafe levels, it won’t hurt if more people installed air purification systems in their households and in the workplace. 

As mentioned earlier, the air pollution crisis is significantly worse in developing parts of the world, particularly Southeast Asia and South Asia, where a large portion of the world’s global population lives. This situation is further compounded by the rampant burning of solid fuels like coal, wood, and biomass, and the weak regulation of power plants and motor vehicles in these countries, resulting in uncontrolled air pollution emissions. 

That’s not to say that things in the United States are much better. Cities like Los Angeles, New York, Bakersfield, Salt Lake, and Denver have long struggled with meeting the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) air quality standards, due largely to the high volume of vehicle traffic in their jurisdiction. 

And in recent years, the increase in the frequency of forest fires in the Pacific Northwest has also contributed to serious air pollution events, with the smoke generated by the fires often traveling hundreds of miles from their source and crossing state borders. And with climate change causing longer and hotter summers, forest fires are expected to become even more frequent in the near future. 

Types of Air Pollutants Captured by Common Air Filtration Systems

But what exactly is in air pollution that makes it dangerous to human health. The truth is that air pollution like smog isn’t just strong-smelling haze or smoke. It’s a complex mix of solid particles, liquid droplets, and chemical gases small and light enough to stay suspended in the atmosphere. The good news is that high-quality air filtration systems are designed to capture and remove these airborne pollutants from within indoor spaces.

Particulate matter (PM) is of special concern to scientists, as it has been concerned to be capable of entering the bloodstream. PM refers to particles ranging from 10 microns in diameter (i.e. coarse PM) to smaller than 2.5 microns in diameter (fine PM). The finer the particulate matter, the more likely it will end up in the deepest recesses of the lungs when inhaled, enter the circulatory system along with oxygen, and reach the body’s vital organs. This process can cause a host of health problems, ranging from autism spectrum disorder in the prenatal stage of child development, diabetes, and even an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. 

Other types of air pollutants that can be just as dangerous to human health include nitrogen oxides, ground-level ozone, and sulfur dioxide, all of which are generated by fuel combustion in cars, power plants and other industrial facilities. These pollutants require molecular level air filtration to be removed from the environment. 

Look for a Reliable Commercial Air Filter Manufacturer

If you’re serious about reducing indoor air pollutants with air filters or air purification systems, be sure to talk to a reliable commercial air filter manufacturer or distributor first. The trained professionals can help you determine which air filtration systems are best suited for your quality needs. 

Get in touch with Camfil USA to talk about our air filter solutions. Our team will be happy to answer all of your questions about maintaining good indoor air quality in commercial buildings, offices, schools, hospitals, or any other industry.

For more information on Camfil and HVAC replacement filters, visit Camfil online at https://www.camfil.com/en-us/.

 

Lynne Laake 

Camfil USA Air Filters 

T: 888.599.6620 

E: Lynne.Laake@camfil.com

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What Are Atmospheric Brown Clouds and Are They Dangerous?

Learn about atmospheric brown clouds, the dangers they pose on indoor air quality, and why they highlight the need for commercial air filtration.

Much has been said about the severe seasonal bouts of air pollution in the Indian capital city of New Delhi, which is also the primary reason the Delhi government is pushing for the installation of commercial air filtration systems in homes and buildings in the National Capital Territory. 

But the “why” behind this recurring air pollution problem isn’t well understood. 

Atmospheric Brown Clouds vs. Commercial Air Filtration Systems

If one were fortunate enough to be viewing the Indian subcontinent while sitting inside the International Space Station, one would see a striking change in how the clouds blanketing the region appear during the months of October and November. It’s when Indian farmers burn millions of tons of crops in Punjab and Haryana, creating a haze of smoke so thick and toxic it becomes dangerous for the people living in India’s capital.

These massive clouds of haze and smoke are often referred to as Asian Brown Clouds or Atmospheric Brown Clouds (ABCs), and they can be observed in many parts of Asia, Africa and the Amazon Basin. And as mentioned earlier, they are a result of widespread combustion. 

“Combustion generates H2O, NO, NO2, CO, CO2, and particulate matter. Combustion can also emit hydrocarbon gases, vapors, and organic particles,” notes Camfil USA’s Charlie Seyffer, Manager of Marketing & Technical Materials for commercial air filters and 37-year ASHRAE member and active committee participant. “Some of the particles are large and settle out, but the majority of the particles are submicron and remain suspended in the air for long periods of time.”

What are ABCs and How Can HEPA Air Filtration Systems Help?

Atmospheric brown clouds are clouds that often result from the burning of organic material and fossil fuel emissions from both mobile sources such as cars and trucks and stationary sources. ABCs can extend vertically from the ground by as much as 3 kilometers and can penetrate homes and buildings, affecting indoor air quality. Fortunately, the particles and aerosols commonly found in ABCs can be removed by proper-strength HEPA air filtration systems.

HEPA filters are also certified to capture gaseous pollutants that contribute to the formation of ABCs, such as:

• Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
• Sulfur oxides (SOx)
• Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
• Carbon monoxide (CO)
• Methane (CHR)
• Ozone (O3)

ABC Health Issues Prevented by Commercial HEPA Filter and Air Purifiers

For humans, the impacts of ABCs are manifold. As mentioned earlier, haze pollutants can enter homes and buildings, causing allergy attacks, asthma, and other respiratory issues. It’s precisely for this reason that commercial HEPA filters and air purifiers are necessary in parts of the world struggling with heavy air pollution.

A 2008 UNEP report on atmospheric brown clouds found that around 337,000 excess fatalities occurred in China and India alone due to airborne pollutants found in ABCs. This finding, along with estimates from the World Health Organization, suggests that there may have been under a million deaths attributable to poor air outdoor air quality caused by the burning of solid fuels.

Effects of ABCs That Go Beyond Commercial HEPA Filters

Unfortunately, commercial HEPA air filters only address the health-related effects of ABCs. These haze clouds also affect the ability of plants to use sunlight in photosynthesis. For example, rice productivity in parts of Southeast Asia where rice is grown can fall by as much as 10 percent due to haze. Data shows that the annual growth rate of rice harvests in Asia has consistently fallen since the 1960s—right around the same time slashing and burning of forests for palm oil production began.

To see the effects of ABCs in a much more visual manner, one need only to look at the Taj Mahal, the jewel of India, which has slowly turned brown over the years due to poor air quality. In the 1980s, this discoloration was attributed to high levels of sulfur dioxide in the air. If nothing is done to solve the problem of ABCs, it’s only a matter of time for the beloved structure to completely turn yellow.  

How Are Commercial Air Filter Manufacturers Responding to Atmospheric Brown Clouds?

The good news is that many commercial air filter manufacturers are manufacturing air filtration systems specifically designed to capture and remove the airborne pollutants left by ABCs in indoor spaces, whether it’s in schools, airports, manufacturing facilities, or medical facilities among many others.

The key is to choose the proper-strength HEPA filter for the job. A true HEPA filter will remove 99.97 percent of particulate matter and toxic aerosols from inside a room, but this performance needs to be supported with other measures such as sealing the room and keeping it clean. 

Prevention vs. Cure with Commercial HEPA Filters

Remember that while effective in “treating” indoor air quality, commercial HEPA filters only address the symptoms of ABCs. As with all pollution problems, the key is to go to the source of the issue and provide cleaner and more sustainable alternatives. In the case of ABCs, this may involve providing access to clean fuel, advancing vehicle emissions norms, and implementing tougher laws against the burning of forests and crops. 

For more information about our HEPA filters and how they improve indoor air quality in schools, visit our catalog of air filters at Camfil USA.

 

Lynne Laake 

Camfil USA Air Filters 

T: 888.599.6620 

E:Lynne.Laake@camfil.com

F: Friend  Camfil USA on Facebook

T: Follow Camfil USA on Twitter 

Y: Watch Camfil Videos on YouTube

L: Follow our LinkedIn Page

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