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Tuesday, August 27, 2019

How Chemists Can Help Commercial Air Filter Manufacturers Fight Pollution

Learn how the expertise of chemists could be the key to helping air filter manufacturers fix the problem of air pollution with effective high efficiency air filters.

By now, it’s no secret that poor air quality caused by air pollution affects the quality of life and lifespan of human beings. It’s a problem recognized by air filter manufacturers, which, for years, have tried to develop better and more affordable air filtration systems for a wide range of applications.

But what most people don’t know is that the makeup of the atmosphere also affects how long airborne pollutants stay in the air. This lack of atmospheric knowledge is where the expertise of chemists comes in, and has the potential of being a game changer.

For instance, we already know that outdoor air pollution affects indoor air quality.

“Indoor air pollution is made of outdoor air pollutants,” explained Charlie Seyffer, Manager of Marketing & Technical Materials at Camfil USA. “This includes heating and traffic particles, gases that infiltrate our buildings, as well as chemical emissions from building materials, DIY products, cleaning products, air fresheners, combustion particles from heating, cooking and candles, pet allergens, electronics, and appliance off-gassing.”

The problem is that the air purification industry knows very little about how different atmospheric components affect the toxicity of particulate matter (PM) and other airborne pollutants.

How the Largest Air Filter Manufacturers Can Take Advantage of Chemical Information

Knowing how different compounds contribute to PM toxicity levels can make a huge difference in creating policy strategies to reduce the number of deaths linked to air pollution—for example, by setting strict limits on levels of certain toxic compounds in the air, or helping the largest air filter manufacturers design systems that target a specific pollutant.

But this is far easier said than done for several reasons.

Firstly, air pollution is produced by a host of sources, from residential heating and cooking to vehicle emissions and power generation.
Secondly, it’s hard to track chemical reactions in the atmosphere. Scientists are only scratching the surface of how ozone and particulate matter—most of which are secondary pollutants—form in the atmosphere. Experts know that these pollutants come from artificial sources, but they are also triggered by environmental factors like heat, humidity, and wind patterns.
Thirdly, pollutants don’t exist in a vacuum. Ozone levels, for example, increase as reactions between nitric oxide (NO) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) rise. However, even as the EU has managed to reduce emissions of NO and VOCs by at least two percent every year since the 2000s, ozone levels in the region have remained constant.

Helping the Work Done by Air Filter Manufacturing Companies

Chemists can help air filter manufacturing companies by revealing how certain elements, pollutants, or atmospheric conditions react with one another to reduce air quality levels.

For example, carbon black, commonly known as soot, and other carbonaceous compounds can combine with carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, making it important for air filters to capture and remove both substances. Likewise, many air filtration systems are unable to capture and remove ultrafine particulate matter through mechanical filtration—chemists can provide insights on how to use filter media such as activated carbon to make high efficiency filters more efficient at capturing PM2.5, harmful particles under 2.5 microns in size.

The Input of Chemists Goes Beyond High Efficiency Air Filters

The work that chemists can do on the air pollution front also goes beyond creating better, more efficient air filters. Chemists can also shed light on the molecular interactions between airborne pollutants and the body’s immune system, revealing which particles or gasses are most dangerous to human health. In addition, they can develop experimental models to track the interactions between airborne pollutants and skin or the fluids lining the lungs and airways. This information can be cross-referenced with other physical-chemistry experiments and existing biomedical data to understand how the body responds to poor air quality.

Chemists and Top Air Filter Manufacturers Working Together for Breathable Air

Together, atmospheric chemists and the world’s top air filter manufacturers can work together to be more active in public-health research. Aside from cutting-edge air filtration systems, this partnership can also produce advanced and affordable methods of measuring ambient air quality and the levels of specific airborne pollutants that represent the greatest danger to the public. This information is especially important in data-scarce parts of the world bearing the brunt of polluted air such as Asia, South America and Africa.

What’s Next for Commercial Air Filters?

The innovative work done by chemists and air filter makers means that commercial air filters are only going to become more advanced and efficient in the near future. For instance, there’s a lot of excitement in the industry over the potential of molecular air filtration systems and their ability to remove gaseous pollutants like ozone when used alongside high efficiency filters. Tomorrow’s air filters may also come with control panels, which indicate ambient air quality levels and information on the presence of specific pollutants.

For more than 50 years, Camfil USA has been at the forefront of the air purifier industry, protecting homes and buildings from polluted air. To learn about the importance of protecting indoor air quality from outdoor air pollution, talk to Camfil USA. As one of the world’s top commercial air filter manufacturers, we have a wide range of commercial air filters for you to explore.

Lynne Laake

Camfil USA Air Filters

T: 888.599.6620

E: Lynne.Laake@camfil.com

T: Follow Camfil USA on Twitter

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Thursday, August 22, 2019

Why Air Filters Are Still Needed After Historic CO2 Agreement

In December of last year, negotiators from the European Parliament and Council finally agreed on a historic policy that would implement new standards for carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, ensuring that new cars and vans produce 15 percent less CO2 by 2025, and 37.5 percent for new cars by 2030. It’s one of the most significant agreements made by any government body, and one that could influence policymakers here in the United States. But it’s not without issues. For starters, while the European Public Health Alliance (EPHA) lauds the agreement, it argues that more ambitious actions are needed to curb the effects of air pollution on human health.

In other words, more aggressive action is needed to reduce air pollution emissions from vehicles and facilities that depend on the combustion of fossil fuels.

“Combustion generates H2O, NO, NO2, CO, CO2 and particulate matter,” explains Camfil USA’s Charlie Seyffer, Manager of Marketing & Technical Materials for commercial air filters and 37-year ASHRAE member and active committee participant. “Combustion can also emit hydrocarbon gases, vapors and organic particles. Impurities such as metals, mercaptans, sulfur oxides, and other particles can be emitted.”

WHO Declares Poor Outdoor and Indoor Air Quality a Global Threat in 2019

Climate change and poor outdoor and indoor air quality caused by air pollution take the top spot in a list of global threats in 2019 released by the World Health Organization (WHO). The list notes that air pollution is not only the greatest environmental risk to public health but that nine out of ten people are exposed to poisonous air quality every single day of their lives.

According to the report, microscopic particles in the air can enter the human body’s respiratory and circulatory systems, causing adverse health effects to the lungs, heart and brain. The WHO estimates that around seven million premature deaths around the world happen every year due to diseases related to air pollution exposure, such as cancer, stroke, and heart and lung disease.

Worse, the vast majority of these premature deaths happen in low to middle-income countries, where high volumes of emissions from transport, agriculture, and industry, as well as the rampant use of solid fuels for cookstoves and fuels, contributes to poor indoor air quality.

Climate Change to Drive Demand for Air Filtration Systems

Ironically, air pollution and climate change have a way of fueling each other. Scientists already know that the primary cause of air pollution is the uncontrolled burning of fossil fuels for transport, power generation and industry. Warmer temperatures, in turn, create conditions conducive to the formation of smog in the atmosphere. Warm air also tends to stagnate, preventing dirty air from leaving a given area. In fact, the number of days where ground-level ozone reached unsafe levels increased dramatically between 2014 and 2016—the same time the world experienced the hottest years in recorded history. In any case, it seems a future of climate change could also make air filtration systems a necessity in all homes, workplaces, and commercial and retail indoor spaces.

A Push to Build Awareness of Air Pollution Across America

The growing threat of climate change has compelled the American Lung Association to publish a report stating that climate change makes it harder to protect the health of the public and that too many cities are now suffering from increased ozone pollution levels caused by a rise in global temperatures. Air purifiers and air filters for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, while capable of capturing common airborne pollutants that comprise smog, can only do so much—they protect people indoors but do nothing about outdoor air pollution.

Government Pivot on Air Pollution to Make Home Air Purification and Air Filtration Solutions More Urgent

The current administration’s efforts of rolling back climate change regulations aren’t painting a hopeful picture of the future either. Last year, the EPA stopped the Obama administration’s Clean Power Plan, which sought to cut climate change-causing emissions, despite studies showing that the program would reduce air pollution and prevent at least 3,600 premature deaths by 2030. Such policies would have provided a more lasting solution to clean air, rather than having people rely on home air purification systems in their households.

Work with a Trusted Air Filter Manufacturer or Distributor

Anyone who is serious about researching proper air filtration must take the time to look for a reliable air filter manufacturer or distributor near you. Not all air filter solutions are made equal—some are better suited for certain applications, like in commercial buildings and municipal facilities, while others are appropriate for the common household. A reliable air filter specialist will help buyers make an informed decision, one that’s based on their air quality needs, the type of pollutants present indoors, and the presence of any HVAC units.

With more than 50 years of experience designing and manufacturing high-quality air filter systems for all kinds of applications, Camfil USA takes pride in its commitment to help home and building owners solve their air quality problems. Talk to our team to learn more about improving your indoor air quality with our air filters. You may also browse through our collection of air filter products and technology to learn more about our solutions.

Lynne Laake

Camfil USA Air Filters

T: 888.599.6620

SOURCE CLEAN AIR BLOG

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Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Macedonia’s Air Pollution Woes Demonstrate the Importance of Air Filters

When it comes to ambient air quality, the ancient country of Macedonia is not exactly in a good place. It’s estimated that more than 2,000 premature deaths—most of them concentrated in the capital city of Skopje—are caused directly by constant exposure to a noxious mix of air pollution generated by mobile and stationary sources. These include household fireplaces, wood stoves, aging and inefficient vehicles, relentless emissions from coal-fired power plants, and poorly regulated industries. If anything, these issues underscore the importance of air filters in areas with poor air quality.

It’s no surprise why Skopje has been recognized as one of the most polluted cities in the world. But its problems are hardly unique; in fact, the same issues happening in Macedonia can also be found in the United States and other developed countries struggling with air pollution.

Explaining Skopje’s Outdoor and Indoor Air Quality Crisis

Skopje experiences severe outdoor and indoor air quality episodes during the winter, when the winds slow down, preventing air pollution from dispersing, and a layer of warm air high in the atmosphere presses down cool air laced with pollution into the valley. When this happens, a haze smelling of ash and chemicals hangs over the city—the classic smog effect caused by an atmospheric inversion.

And while it’s easy to assume that the safest thing to do during these smog events is to stay indoors, that’s not necessarily true.

“Outdoor air pollution infiltrates into buildings,” explains Camfil USA’s Charlie Seyffer, Manager of Marketing & Technical Materials for commercial air filters and 37-year ASHRAE member and active committee participant. “Without appropriate clean air ventilation or air filtration, it accumulates and can even react with other indoor air pollutants.”

It should also be pointed out that air pollution also comes from indoor sources, so completely sealing off a building will only cause these indoor air pollutants to build up and reach levels that are even more toxic than the air outside.

Limited Access to Air Filtration Systems

For now, Macedonians have had little choice but to stay indoors on days when air pollution is particularly bad and use facemasks whenever they had to go outside. Worse, air filtration systems in households are uncommon due to their cost. And as far as collective measures are concerned, the government has so far had little success in this landlocked and mountainous region, so much so that the previous government was ousted in part due to environmental criticisms.

However, succeeding administrations have promised environmental reform, and some plans are already being implemented. But the air pollution crisis continues and, for the most part, seems to be worsening. Still, many Macedonians admit that one administration isn’t solely to blame for the problem, admitting that the air quality crisis goes back many decades and governments ago.

How Can Home Air Purifiers Help?

As Macedonia emerged from the breakup of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s, it found itself with an economy mostly dominated by mining and construction, whose respective infrastructure was largely unregulated and operated without environmental permits for decades. The Elem coal-fired power plant, for example, which supplies 70 percent of Macedonia’s electricity, continues to pump out tons of toxic pollutants, creating air quality conditions that are strikingly similar to those in another city struggling with poor air quality which is the city of New Delhi. And so, tens of thousands of Macedonians have no choice but to stay indoors under the refuge of home air purifier.

High Efficiency Filtration Systems Could Do a Lot of Good in the Region

High efficiency filtration systems could be a welcome source of relief in the middle of this crisis, as these solutions are capable of capturing fine particulate matter—the primary type of airborne pollutant associated with power plant and other types of industrial emissions. Fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5 or particulates 2.5 microns in diameter and below, is of particular concern to scientists, as these particles are light enough to stay suspended in the air for hours and small enough to enter deep into the lungs, causing a host of health problems as a result.

When attached to an heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) system, a high efficiency filter basically acts like a sieve, trapping particulate matter down into the sub-micron range.

Why Home Air Purification Systems Are a Universal Solution

While few outside Europe are aware of the scale of Macedonia’s air pollution crisis, the factors behind the country’s air quality problems can also be observed in American cities in Utah, Denver, and California, where cities and communities in valleys experience temperature inversions that cause ambient air quality to surge to dangerously high levels. The only difference is that more families in these cities can afford to install home air purification systems in their houses and buildings.

To learn more about how air filters can improve indoor air quality in buildings and homes, get in touch with the team at Camfil USA. You may also browse through our product catalog to explore our solutions yourself or find more clean air topics on our Clean Air blog.

Lynne Laake

Camfil USA Air Filters

T: 888.599.6620

E: Lynne.Laake@camfil.com

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Wednesday, August 14, 2019

How the Bay Area Is Fighting Air Pollution with Air Filters and Stricter Rules

Toxic Air Regulation News – In November 2017, regulators in the San Francisco Bay Area approved a pioneering rule designed to reduce the risk of cancer from exposure to airborne pollutants produced by oil refineries, power plants and sewage processing facilities among others in the region. The rule is one of the most sweeping toxic air regulations in the United States and is all but guaranteed to help reduce the dependence on air filters to protect air quality inside buildings and facilities.

According to managers at the Bay Area Air Quality Management District, the rule will require an estimated 400 plants spread throughout nine counties to reduce their emissions of toxic air pollutants. More specifically, the rule will sanction facilities if their emissions increase the cancer risk of people in the immediate vicinity by 10 in a million or more.

Answer to Growing Body of Literature on Need for Air Filtration Systems

The rule stems from decades of research on the dangers of toxic air emissions from industrial plants, which have been proven to carry hazardous particulate matter, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and gaseous pollutants among others. Not surprisingly, there has been increasing awareness of the need for air filtration systems in indoor spaces and buildings near such facilities.

“Long-term exposure to ultrafine particles can induce respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. It increases the mortality rates for people living in highly polluted urban areas,” points out Charlie Seyffer, Manager of Marketing & Technical Materials for commercial air filters and 37-year ASHRAE member and active committee participant at Camfil USA. “Smaller particles that are below 2.5-micron in size, known as PM2.5, are more harmful because they penetrate deeper into the lung alveoli. They cross blood vessel walls, diffuse into the blood circulation to reach and affect organs function of the heart, liver, brain, and endocrine system.”

A Win for Outdoor and Indoor Air Quality in the Bay Area

The rule, which drew unanimous support from local officials, is by far the strictest of its kind in the country, cracking down on hazardous contaminants such as black carbon or soot, mercury fumes, benzene, and hydrocarbons. It also represents a massive win in the ongoing fight to control outdoor and indoor air quality in the Bay Area.

According to Jack Broadbent, executive officer of the air quality management district, the rule is a step in the right direction for public health, paving the way for effective controls on toxic air pollutants generated by industrial facilities. More importantly, it’s a clear action designed to provide safe and breathable air to vulnerable communities.

Business groups, however, argued that the rule is a case of overkill.

It’s worth mentioning that the Bay Area’s new risk standard is far stricter than the cancer risk standard of 25 in a million currently in effect in South Coast—Southern California’s largest pollution district. In addition, the Bay Area rule also covers other types of pollution-generating businesses, such as recycling facilities, hospitals, data centers, and landfills among others.

High Efficiency Air Filtration Systems Needed Despite Progress in Air Pollution Battle

Although the Bay Area has largely succeeded in bringing down the levels of toxic air contaminants over the past few decades, buildings and facilities near industrial areas continue to require the protection of high efficiency air filtration systems due to their proximity and disproportionate exposure to air pollution.

The Bay Area’s trend of reducing air pollution levels is consistent with the progress made by other regions in California, such as Los Angeles. In contrast, L.A. continues to wrestle with a far more serious air pollution problem, hence why Mayor Eric Garcetti continues to recommend the installation of air filtration systems in indoor spaces and buildings in parts of the city with the worst air pollution.

Limits of Home Air Purifiers

While home air purifiers are an effective way to keep indoor spaces free from airborne contaminants produced by industrial facilities, these and other technology-based solutions are ultimately a stopgap measure—they don’t do anything to address the actual source of pollution.

This is precisely why actions such as those taken by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District are so important. At the end of the day, concerted government action is the most critical component of any campaign to reduce air pollution levels. One need only to look at the results of interventions such as the Clean Air Act and the Montreal Protocol, which played a vital role in successfully healing the ozone layer, to see the importance of government action.

Choosing the Right Air Purification Systems

Still, any protection is better than no protection at all. Air purification systems provide the necessary defense against airborne pollutants from outside sources like vehicle exhaust and industrial runoff, as well as indoor sources like cooking, heating, and lighting. When considering an air purification system be sure to consider one that removes both particulates and gas (molecular level) pollution.

At Camfil USA, we know that buildings across the country struggle with maintaining safe indoor air quality levels. Our air filtration systems are specifically designed to protect indoor spaces from pollutants associated with car exhaust, industrial runoff, and smoke. Get in touch with your nearest Camfil USA location or explore our catalog of clean air solutions and air filters to learn more about our product line.

Lynne Laake

Camfil USA Air Filters

T: 888.599.6620

E: Lynne.Laake@camfil.com

SOURCE CAMFIL.COM/EN-US/

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Friday, August 9, 2019

Is Air Quality Affecting Absences at Your School?

Classroom Air Quality — The number of students in the United States who are constantly exposed to unsafe levels of airborne pollutants has long been a matter of serious concern to scientists and educators throughout the country. Air pollution is particularly problematic in low-income communities, where schools are built on the cheapest plots of land available—often next to major roads and industrial zones where air pollution is high. Worse, these schools, which are already struggling to provide basic services and amenities to students, can’t afford to install commercial air filtration systems to prevent outdoor air pollution from entering classrooms, hallways, and other school facilities.

Why Air Pollution Leads to More School Absences

Obviously, students will bear the brunt of air pollution exposure. In fact, a recent study conducted by researchers from the University of Utah reveals that the number of school absences usually doubles the day after a red air day—that’s when ambient or outdoor air quality levels have reached unhealthy levels.

The study, which analyzed student attendance data from the Salt Lake City School District, found that even a slight increase in PM2.5—particulate matter no larger than 2.5 microns in diameter, also known as fine particulate matter—led to a substantial increase in the number of student absences the following day.

But the study’s results leave the researchers with more questions. As Dr. Daniel Mendoza, a research assistant professor in the University’s Department of Atmospheric Sciences, notes, if poor air quality is indeed the cause of students not being in class, is it because of physiological or psychological factors?

In other words, the researchers aren’t sure if the students stay home due to feeling sick after a red air day, or because they or their parents felt it was safer to stay home and avoid getting sick from inhaling contaminated air.

Why Schools Are Prone to Poor Indoor Air Quality

It’s not just air pollution from outside sources that cause air quality problems for schools. The school buildings themselves are making it easy for students to be affected by poor indoor air quality.

According to a 2014 survey of school districts in the United States by the National Center for Education Statistics, the average age of main school buildings in the country was 55 years old—this means the average school building was built in the 1950s and early 1960s.

And more often than not, buildings constructed around this period were designed to keep the elements out, which is fine if you want to keep out outdoor air pollution. But what about pollution from indoor sources?

“During the 60s and 70s, many buildings were built and retrofitted with thicker insulation, tighter windows and doors, and vapor barriers to reduce heat transfer and prevent cold air from entering buildings,” notes Camfil USA’s Charlie Seyffer, Manager of Marketing & Technical Materials for commercial air filters and 37-year ASHRAE member and active committee participant. “But this has encouraged the buildup of moisture and pollutants from indoor sources inside buildings.”

And in cash-strapped school districts, schools will have at least one building that needs extensive repairs, leaving students exposed to air pollution—an issue that affects more than half of the buildings in need of repairs.

And if that’s not enough, old buildings are prone to releasing radon—a colorless gas naturally produced by soil—and asbestos fumes. Both gases are toxic and associated with lung problems and cancer.

Why Schools Need High-Quality High Efficiency Air Filtration Systems

All of these factors come together to create a silent environmental crisis in schools around the country. In fact, studies by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on environmental pollution found that in places where large groups of people gather, levels of indoor air pollution can be up to five times worse than outdoor air pollution levels. These levels could very well be disastrous for schools, where students spend more than eight hours a day in classrooms, hallways, cafeterias, and gyms, five times a week. Fortunately, more and more school administrators are realizing these dangers, which is why many school buildings across the United States are now outfitted with high efficiency air filtration systems, which capture and remove airborne pollutants inside indoor spaces.

“Commercial-grade air filtration systems with high efficiency air filters are particularly important in environments like schools, where a large volume of moving people constantly disturbs particles on surfaces like floors, lockers, tables, and chairs, making them airborne and contributing to air pollution,” said Seyffer. “Furthermore, large crowds of people also mean large quantities of bacteria, viruses, and other airborne microorganisms, which cling to particles like dead skin cells and dust.”

Data Highlights Need for Commercial High Efficiency Air Filters in Schools

Another study, this time published in the journal Environmental Research, shows just what kind of air students are breathing inside public schools around the country. Using census data and earlier research by the EPA, the research team mapped out air pollution levels in more than 90,000 public schools in the country to assess which school districts needed commercial high efficiency air filters the most.

The researchers found that only a mere one percent of all surveyed schools achieved the EPA’s best possible score for indoor air quality. Furthermore, schools in Chicago, New Jersey, Pittsburgh, and New York have the worst air quality in the world. In fact, of the 10 schools with the worst air pollution, half are in low-income school districts.

Benefits of Using Commercial High Efficiency Air Filters in Schools

When it comes to schools, commercial high efficiency air filters offer the following benefits:

Reduced student absences – While the University of Utah study could not say for sure if air pollution caused students to be sick, there’s enough literature proving that exposure to air pollution leads to adverse health outcomes. We can safely assume that having clean air in schools helps prevent students from developing asthma, bronchitis, and other respiratory diseases, all of which are associated with air pollution exposure.
Reduced teacher and school staff absences – Clean air inside school buildings also provides the same health benefits to teachers and support staff, preventing them from being sick and spending time away from work. A reduction in teacher absenteeism also reduces the cost of calling in substitute teachers.
State aid to schools is often based upon attendance records – Most states reimburse schools in the form of financial aid based upon student attendance. Absences because of air quality issues can seriously affect a school’s financial viability.

For Best Results, Work with Industrial Air Filter Manufacturers

School administrators, board members, or anyone in the position to make decisions about a school’s infrastructure and facilities, needs to consult industrial air filter manufacturers before deciding on any type of air filtration system.

While attaching an air purification system to a centralized HVAC system or an in-wall vent goes a long way to improving indoor air quality in schools, results can be maximized if experts are brought in to assess the school building’s layout, size, and presence of any particular pollutant. Filter technology and costs can vary widely, which is why any investment must be done from an informed perspective.

For more than five decades, Camfil USA has designed and manufactured commercial air filtration solutions specifically designed to address the air quality issues of schools, municipal buildings, hospitals, airports, and other commercial buildings. For schools, we recommend installing MERV 13 particulate matter filters, which will purify the air in common student areas. On the other hand, HEPA filters and microfiltration systems with absorbers can be used for laboratories and school clinics.

To learn more about our commercial air filtration systems for schools, get in touch with Camfil USA today.

Lynne Laake

Camfil USA Air Filters

T: 888.599.6620

E: Lynne.Laake@camfil.com

Sources:

https://kutv.com/news/local/research-shows-strong-connection-between-air-pollution-school-absences

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Tuesday, August 6, 2019

Exploring the Relationship Between Commercial Air Filters and the Clean Power Plan

A repeal of the Clean Power Plan, led by no less than the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) itself, could very well drive a spike in demand for commercial air filters.

In October 2017, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for the Clean Power Plan, a centerpiece of former President Obama’s climate change policy that sought to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of power plants. Part of the CPP’s mandate was to create new “carbon pollution standards for new, modified, and reconstructed power plants.”

Pruitt has proposed to repeal the CPP and determine whether the regulation even belongs under the statutory authority of the agency. The move comes under President Trump’s America First Strategy, which has sent the EPA on a mission to spur the development of U.S. energy resources by removing “unnecessary regulations” that make it difficult to develop said resources in the first place.

A critical consequence of dismantling the CPP, however, is the removal of existing carbon emissions standards for coal-fired power plants, undoing all the hard work done to rein in uncontrolled coal-produced pollution. A 2015 fact sheet by the EPA even shows that the Clean Power Plan would prevent over:

90,000 pediatric asthma attacks
4,500 fatalities
1,700 heart attacks
300,000 missed school and workdays

Observers from the coal industry itself expressed concerns over the health repercussions of a resurgent coal landscape—and it’s easy to see why.

“All across the country, thousands of coal workers still suffer from respiratory diseases like black lung, caused by exposure to coal particles in the air,” said Kevin Wood, Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Camfil USA. “It’s for this reason that the Clean Power Plan is shaping up to be one of the most significant battles over air pollution in recent years.”

What Does This Mean for Industrial Air Filter Manufacturers?

Higher levels of air pollution mean that commercial buildings, airports, schools, and industrial facilities will be under greater pressure to keep outside air from entering their buildings through the use of industrial air filter manufacturers.

“The primary causes of compromised indoor air quality are usually attributed to fuel combustion from cooking, heating, and lighting, as well as indoor air pollutants like fumes from cleaning products and building materials,” points out Kevin. “But outdoor air can also be a significant contributor to the problem.”

Under normal circumstances, the best way to address the risk of contaminated indoor air is to control or even eliminate the source of air pollution and ventilate the building with clean air from the outside. This ventilation technique, however, can be limited by weather conditions or high levels of pollutants in outdoor air. In this case, an air-purifying or filtration device may be installed on a building’s existing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system.

High levels of outdoor air pollution also mean that building owners have to spend more money to seal their structures and keep their doors and windows closed. But even a “sealed” building can be susceptible to outdoor air, which can enter the structure through cracks in the walls, ceilings, and floors.

How Do Air Filtration Systems Work?

When installed in conjunction with a building’s HVAC unit, air filtration systems will trap pollutants, allergens, and odor-causing fumes in the air, trapping hazardous contaminants and blowing out clean air back into the indoor space. Air filter/purification systems use a variety of filtration methods, which usually fall into these categories.

Straining – Also known as sieving, this approach uses a filter media where the gap between the individual media members, whether it’s mesh, fiber, or corrugated metal, is smaller than the particulate matter (PM) being captured. This is perhaps the most common form of filtration, found in the majority of filter designs.
Interception – This is a form of inertial separation where the particle makes contact with any part of the filter media due to a change in inertia. After contact, the combination of static low pressure and surface friction prevents the particle from moving.

Diffusion – This filtration method happens when a particle makes contact with a highly porous media (e.g. activated carbon), it enters the material through its largest pores and makes its way into the smallest ones until it is eventually trapped.
Electrostatic attraction – This filtration method uses electrostatically-charged fibers, which act like magnets to attract and trap airborne particles.

But what about HEPA filters?

The Effectiveness of Industrial HEPA Air Filters

Industrial high efficiency particulate air filters (HEPA) are especially effective in enclosed spaces that need next-to-perfect air, such as clean rooms, hospitals and certain manufacturing facilities. But as always, the kind of performance you get from a HEPA filter is largely dependent on the filter itself, the company that made it, and the type of contaminants you are dealing with.

A powerful HEPA filter will have a capture rate efficiency of 99.97 percent for particles down to 0.3 microns in size. For context, contaminants from coal emissions are usually rated as PM2.5 or smaller than 2.5 microns in size—about a hundredth of the width of a single strand of hair.

Again, not all HEPA filters are built the same way.

Some HEPA air filters will have the HEPA name, but are not constructed to industry standards or individually tested according to industry protocols. This often means they’re only designed to protect a building’s contaminants from common allergens like dust, pollen, and animal dander.
Industrial-level HEPA filters, on the other hand, will have a minimum efficiency of 99.97% on particles 0.3 micron in size. They are typically used in laboratories, healthcare facilities, pharmaceuticals and microelectronics manufacturing facilities. In critical air quality situations, they may even be adapted into standard HVAC systems to provide purified air.

Which Air Filter and Purifier Should You Get?

An air filter and purifier is a crucial investment for any building struggling with indoor air quality. These systems protect a building’s occupants and equipment from the effects of poor air quality, dust, and contaminants from outdoor air pollution. Naturally, choosing an air filtration system is a decision that should not be taken lightly. Installing inefficient air filters, can set you back in terms of:

Wasted energy
Additional maintenance and repair costs
Damaged equipment
Unhealthy and under-productive employees

Because of the many types of air filters on the market, most people tend to look at their choices from a price point perspective. But an effective air filtration solution is rarely the cheapest; conversely, an expensive system is not necessarily an effective one. Instead, look at the long-term expense of using your air filter. This is why it’s important to determine the life cycle cost of your filtration system to get the best efficiency and long-term ROI.

In most cases, for commercial or institutional applications, standard inefficient air filters should be replaced with high efficiency HVAC filters. These filters are rated with a MERV which stands for minimum efficiency reporting value. The higher the value, the more efficient the filter. Normally, a MERV 13 air filter addresses most concerns, but you should always consult with your local air filter expert to make sure you are not affecting the performance of your HVAC system and you are getting the best return on your air quality investment.

Final Thoughts on Air Filters

It is important to remember that while air filters are an effective way to prevent your indoor air from being contaminated by outdoor air pollutants, they merely address the effect of air pollution, not the source. Ultimately, it will take a concerted effort by average everyday people to put greater pressure on their governments to pass tighter regulations against carbon emissions. In the case of energy generation, interventions can only take and stay in effect if the public wills it. Until that happens, people will have to live with poor outdoor air as a fact of life and take refuge indoors as much as they can.

As one of the world’s leading air filter manufacturers, Camfil USA supports initiatives to keep air safe and breathable. To learn about industrial air filters by Camfil USA, please click here. You may also browse our innovative air filtration solutions for power plants and energy systems.

Lynne Laake

Camfil USA Air Filters

T: 888.599.6620

Source: CAMFIL.COM/EN-US/

The post Exploring the Relationship Between Commercial Air Filters and the Clean Power Plan appeared first on Air Filters for Clean Air.

from Air Filters for Clean Air

Friday, August 2, 2019

How High Efficiency Air Filters Can Help Save the People of Onitsha

Of all the cities and urbanized areas in the world suffering from high air pollution levels, perhaps no place needs high efficiency filters more than the Nigerian city of Onitsha.

Onitsha, a place that few people outside of Africa and Nigeria have ever heard mentioned, bears the distinction of having the worst air pollution levels in any city worldwide, when it comes to concentrations of particulate matter (PM10). In fact, data from a World Health Organization (WHO) report reveals that the four cities with the worst air pollution in the world, which include Onitsha, Kaduna, Aba, and Umuahia, are all found in Nigeria, where smog, rubbish, and polluted water have become a common sight for people in the country.

The WHO further adds that 2.2 million deaths in the Africa region are caused by environmental factors, while over 600,000 of these deaths are linked to air pollution. Improving the air filtration strategies of countries worldwide can help reduce the life-threatening effects of prolonged exposure to particulate matter.

Onitsha’s Indoor Air Quality Problems

But why is air pollution so bad in Onitsha? How is it affecting indoor air quality? The answer has to do with the widespread burning of garbage and the use of solid fuels.

“Combustion generates H2O, NO, NO2, CO, CO2 and particulates. Combustion can also emit hydrocarbon gases, vapors, and organic particles,” said Charlie Seyffer, Manager of Marketing & Technical Materials at Camfil USA. “Impurities such as metals, mercaptans, sulfur oxides, and other particles can be emitted. 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.”

Why Buildings in Nigeria Need High Efficiency Filters

In 2015, the World Bank reported that as much as 94 percent of Nigeria’s population is exposed to air pollution levels that exceed WHO guidelines. The rest of Sub-Saharan Africa isn’t much better, with 72 percent of the general population exposed to severe air pollution. Spending more time indoors is one way to stay safe, but this only works if the home or building has high efficiency filters installed.

The WHO report tracked the increase in two different sizes of particulate matter, PM10 and PM2.5, and analyzed their levels in every cubic meter of air.

PM2.5 particles are very small and have a diameter of 2.5 microns or less, as per the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
PM10 particles, on the other hand, are less than or equal to 10 microns in diameter.

While several other African nations have high PM2.5 levels, Nigeria was not among the top 10 worst cities for PM2.5 concentrations.

Can High Efficiency Air Filters Remove These Pollutants?

Onitsha and other Nigerian cities’ pollution woes come from their reliance on solid fuels for cooking, the burning of solid waste, and traffic pollution from old, inefficient vehicles. And because of unstable electricity supplies, many Nigerians depend on generators to power their homes, producing noxious fumes in the process, often in poorly ventilated areas. The good news is that air filters are capable of capturing and removing the airborne byproducts of these combustion processes.

Examples of pollutants produced by the burning of solid fuels or fossil fuels include:

Lead and mercury vapors
Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
Carbon monoxide (CO)
Carbon dioxide (CO2)

Unfortunately, these issues are unlikely to go away anytime soon, as many cities in Africa are experiencing rising levels of air pollution due to rapid economic development and industrialization, often without environmental regulations.

True enough, Nigeria’s economy has boomed over the last 10 years, overtaking South Africa as the continent’s biggest economy in 2014.

Examples of Commercial Air Filtration Systems that Remove Airborne Pollutants

People in cities with high levels of air pollution can choose from a wide variety of commercial air filtration systems designed to protect indoor air quality. The two most common filter solutions are particulate filters with a MERV 13 or higher and molecular air filters.

High efficiency air filters for particulate removal are mechanical air filters that use a filter media to remove airborne particles as they pass through ductwork or a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. Filters with a MERV 13 are typically used in commercial applications and offer the best return on investment when considering efficiency, energy cost to move air through the filter and longevity of the filter in the HVAC system.
Molecular filters remove ozone and other common gaseous contaminants that are harmful to human health. They are typically made of activated carbon or oxidizers that break down the contaminants to lesser forms of gases.

Things to Remember When Choosing an Air Filtration System

When choosing an air filtration system, remember to stay away from cheap, bargain filters. They may save expenses at the initial purchase, but their tendency to break down after a few months or worse, not do the job they promise to do, makes them a waste of your time and money.

Before acquiring an air filter system, it’s important to consult with a trusted air filter brand or provider. To learn more about the importance of indoor air quality control, talk to Camfil USA. You may also explore our catalog of air filtration systems to learn more about our products.

Lynne Laake

Camfil USA Air Filters

T: 888.599.6620