Thursday, July 23, 2020

Camfil Air Filtration Experts Explain MERV-13 Filters – Commercial Building Air Filtration

HVAC air filtration experts, Mark Davidson & Greg Herman explain on this YouTube Video why commercial buildings facility managers need to use high-efficiency commercial filtration after COVID-19.

“If your system has the capacity, Camfil air filtration experts recommend an air filter labeled as a MERV-15A or MERV-16A. A basic guideline would be the highest MERV-A that your infrastructure can handle,” says Greg Herman, Camfil’s National Accounts Segment Manager.

Riverdale, NJ, July 22, 2020 (KISS PR Brand Story) — Riverdale, NJ — Camfil has been invited to consult on articles for major news networks following widespread air filtration mandates for publicly accessible buildings. With decades of experience in highly sensitive air filtration applications including biosafety, healthcare, and the food and beverage industry,  Camfil’s knowledge and expertise is an important tool amidst the confusion surrounding the topic. But one of the downsides of media coverage is that it’s sometimes difficult to fully explain complex, scientific issues in the time allotted. To bring some clarity for facility managers and others, Camfil has released a new video explaining MERV-13 air filters, the importance of a MERV-A rating, and advice for publicly accessible facilities.

“If your system has the capacity, Camfil air filtration experts recommend an air filter labeled as a MERV-15A or MERV-16A. A basic guideline would be the highest MERV-A that your infrastructure can handle,” says Greg Herman, Camfil’s National Accounts Segment Manager.

Most suitable air filters for commercial buildings

What is the Difference Between MERV-13 and MERV-13A? 

Recommendations and mandates have recently been citing MERV-13 air filters as a starting point for reducing infection risks in publicly accessible buildings. In the filtration industry, efficiency refers to ASHRAE’s (The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers) national testing standards, known as MERV, or Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. Some manufacturers rely on an electrostatic charge that temporarily increases the MERV value of their air filters.  As this charge dissipates over time, so does the air filter’s MERV value.

More resources here: https://www.camfil.com/en-us/products/general-ventilation-filters/panel-filters

Though it may seem like a small difference, it’s essential to know the air filter’s MERV-A value.  “Many states and organizations are pushing MERV-13,” says Mark Davidson, Manager of Marketing and Technical Materials at Camfil USA, “and because they are not specifying MERV-13A, effectively speaking, many are actually getting only MERV-8 filtration.”

When it comes to stopping the spread of infection, the higher the air filter efficiency, the better.

COVID-19  & Respiratory Droplets and Droplet Nuclei in Commercial & Public Buildings

Respiratory droplets and droplet nuclei are two categories of droplets based on size and are expelled when people cough, sneeze, talk or even breathe.  Respiratory droplets are those greater than  5 microns in size. Masks and social distancing measures are designed to prevent us from inhaling these larger droplets from infected individuals, and sanitizing measures prevent us from picking them up off of surfaces once they settle nearby.

Droplet nuclei on the other hand are much smaller and lighter, less than 5 microns in diameter, and can linger in the air for longer periods of time. They can get caught in the return of an HVAC system and recirculate into other parts of the building, meaning that they can infect a larger group of people. This is the reason for needing high-efficiency filtration in public buildings.

Generally speaking, the higher the MERV-A rating of an air filter, the better. However,  high-efficiency air filters can require more space than many air handling units are capable of holding.

What If My Commercial Building’s Air Handling Unit Has Limited Space?

“Any time you have the space, you should use at least a 6-inch or 12-inch deep air filter,” advises Herman, “but many buildings only have the physical space for a  two-inch deep air filter.”

The air handling units in some buildings have limited capacity to hold air filters with greater depth because the building may have been designed with many smaller units as opposed to a few larger ones. However, some units can be reconfigured to make a wider range of air filter options available. Camfil recommends that you work with an HVAC professional who is knowledgeable in both air filters and air handling equipment.

If the consulting professional determines that the examined air handling unit can’t be configured to hold a 6-inch or 12-inch deep MERV-13A or higher air filter, other options will have to be considered.

If a local municipality has issued enforceable mandates that require MERV-13 efficiency and the only depth the air handling unit(s) will accept is 2-inches, then two paths are available.

First, there are MERV-15/14A and MERV-13/12A 2-inch air filter options available, but the operating costs are higher than preferred or anticipated. COVID-19 has increased the cost of doing business in many areas and air filtration may be no exception.  Second, if faced with a MERV-13 regulatory mandate and budgetary concerns that prevent the first choice, then 2-inch MERV-13 (not MERV-13A) air filters could be sourced, but be aware that the actual performance of MERV 13 air filters will be closer to MERV-8 after a period of time.

If however, there is not an enforceable mandate but perhaps the request is to follow guidelines calling for MERV-13, then considering a MERV-9A air filter is highly recommended to achieve a higher level of overall filtration performance over a longer period of time. “A MERV-13 air filter that drops quickly to a MERV-8 and remains in service for four months does not offer higher protection than a MERV-9A that starts as a MERV-9 and remains there for as long as it’s in service,” says Herman.

“Whatever optimal air filter you choose, you should also always consider in-room air purification units, such as the CamCleaner CC500 as a supplement. If the mandate is to install MERV-13 and budget constraints force the installation of a charged air filter, Camfil strongly suggests this as a means to offset the drop off in efficiency,” says Davidson.

Work alongside a Camfil representative to find the optimal solution for your building’s needs.

About Camfil Clean Air Solutions 

For more than half a century, Camfil worldwide has been helping people breathe cleaner air. As a leading manufacturer of premium clean air solutions, we provide commercial and industrial systems for air filtration and air pollution control that improve worker and equipment productivity, minimize energy use, and benefit human health and the environment.

https://www.camfil.com/en-us

##

Media Contact:

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

The post Camfil Air Filtration Experts Explain MERV-13 Filters – Commercial Building Air Filtration appeared first on Air Filters for Clean Air.



from Air Filters for Clean Air

Thursday, July 16, 2020

Camfil Healthcare Air Purifier Converts Regular Rooms Into Isolation Unit

Camfil Engineer Explains New Technology for COVID-19 Isolation Units

CamCleaner CC500 can be used as a room air purifier or installed to create negatively pressurized isolation areas.

Hospitals have limited isolation room capacity that can be quickly overwhelmed by increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases. Camfil CC500 converts regular rooms into isolation units.

Riverdale, NJ — Due to spikes in COVID-19 cases following reopening measures across the country, hospitals may once again be in need of more negatively pressurized isolation rooms than they currently have to treat patients. Leading air filtration industry experts from Camfil USA have applied their decades of experience with biosafety containment to design a multi-functioning, in-room air purification unit that can also create negatively pressurized areas for isolation rooms.

What are Isolation Rooms and Negative Pressure Zones?

In hospitals and healthcare facilities, isolation rooms are designed to contain the spread of pathogens from infected patients. The air pressure within the isolation area is negative relative to adjacent rooms. This prevents air, which may contain dangerous viruses, from flowing out of the room through open doors, windows or even through unseen cracks in the wall as it is blocked by the higher air pressure outside the room.

Hospitals have limited isolation room capacity that can be quickly overwhelmed by increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases. The CamCleaner CC500 provides healthcare facilities with a key piece of equipment required to convert regular rooms into isolation units.

“There’s no margin for error when it comes to containment filtration,” says Keith Woolard, Product Manager for Containment and CamCleaner Products at Camfil USA. Woolard has over fifteen years of experience in engineering, research, and development in the air filtration and containment industry, with his work at Camfil including highly sensitive biosafety applications for universities and government facilities worldwide. “The product has to perform its design function. Failure is not an option. .”

In a new video “CamCleaner CC500 can be used as a room air purifier or installed to create negatively pressurized isolation areas.” by Camfil, Keith Woolardexplains the features and development of Camfil’s new CamCleaner CC500.

Watch CamCleaner CC500 by Camfil air purifier | installed to create negatively pressurized isolation

The CC500 is able to perform four critical functions; two methods to generate negatively pressurized isolation areas and two methods to recirculate HEPA filtered air.

To generate negatively pressurized isolation areas:

1. Using a duct attached with a slip collar, in-room air is exhausted outside generating a negative pressure in the room.
2. Mounted interstitially and with slip collar mounted ducts on both intake and exhaust, air can be drawn through the duct and exhausted outside, generating negative pressure.

To recirculate HEPA filter air:

1. The portable unit is positioned where needed and draws in air through the bottom, exhausting filtered air through a vented top.
2. When mounted interstitially with slip collar mounted ducts on both intake and exhaust, air is drawn through the duct, filtered and exhausted through a duct back into the originating area.

What Industries Can Benefit from CamCleaner CC500 Technology?

In addition to hospitals, the CC500 can improve indoor air quality and reduce infection risks in:

  • Food and beverage facilities
  • Gyms and Fitness Centers
  • Retail spaces
  • Healthcare centers, such as doctors’ and dentists’ offices
  • Corporate offices
  • Gathering areas

About Camfil Clean Air Solutions

Camfil is driven by the mission that clean air is a human right. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Camfil has been at the forefront of air filtration research and engineering to protect uninfected individuals by keeping the air clean. To find the air purifier solution for COVID-19 and other air quality concerns that best addresses your needs and goals, contact Camfil  / https://cleanair.camfil.us/locations/ today.

###

Media Contact:

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

The post Camfil Healthcare Air Purifier Converts Regular Rooms Into Isolation Unit appeared first on Air Filters for Clean Air.



from Air Filters for Clean Air

Camfil New Jersey Air Filtration Manufacturing Plant Featured on NBC Lester Holt News

Vicky Nguyen from NBC News Interviewed Steve Devine V. P. Research and Development. Watch the Video to learn more.

New Jersey, Can air filtration systems make a difference in slowing the spread of COVID-19?

Vicky Nguyen of NBC News visited a Camfil New Jersey factory on July 2nd, 2020.  See her Facebook update here. 

New York, NY — New York malls are permitted to open once Phase 4 is reached, but will be required to install “MERV 13 or the highest rating compatible with the systems, but no less than MERV 11” according to Governor Andrew Cuomo. Additionally, ventilation protocols were outlined which stressed greater outdoor air, longer run time for HVAC systems and frequent filter checks.  

Watch Vicky Nguyen news report on NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt. 18:37 Does Air Conditioning Spread Coronavirus?  

Air filtration and COVID-19 can air filtration systems make a difference in slowing the spread of COVID-19?

How Does COVID-19 Spread?

The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through infected respiratory droplets, according to research by the CDC. When we cough, sneeze, talk or even breathe, we produce respiratory droplets that can be inhaled by people we’re in close contact with. Even without close contact, these droplets can remain airborne for 10 minutes, on average, and survive on surfaces for as long as four hours. Because of the prevalence of asymptomatic transmission in the COVID-19 pandemic, with symptoms taking between two and 14 days to appear, even seemingly healthy individuals can be spreading infected droplets.

The Role of Air Filtration in Slowing the Spread of COVID-19

“The role air filtration plays is to reduce the risk of infection when an infected person was previously in that space,” says Steve Devine, Vice President of Research and Development for Camfil USA. Camfil has been on the front lines of air filtration research and engineering during the COVID-19 pandemic, and their filtration devices are used in pharmaceutical cleanrooms, biosafety laboratories, and hospitals.

What Air Filters Does Cuomo Recommend?

In his press briefing, Governor Cuomo recommended MERV 13 air filters along with the statement that “MERV 13 filters out the COVID virus.”  For systems unable to accommodate a MERV 13, then MERV 12 or MERV 11 filters are an acceptable option but in no case should anything less than a MERV 11 be used.

Air Filtration For Other Businesses

In addition to malls and shopping centers, which, during regular business operations, accommodate large volumes of people, New York State recommends that all businesses reopening their physical spaces “explore the potential for their air conditioning air filtration system.”

Besides mitigating the risks of COVID-19 infection, there is a range of benefits for offices and businesses, including increased productivity and better well-being among employees. To explore the best options for your business, work with an experienced Camfil representative.

###

Media Contact:

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 

 

The post Camfil New Jersey Air Filtration Manufacturing Plant Featured on NBC Lester Holt News appeared first on Air Filters for Clean Air.



from Air Filters for Clean Air

Saturday, July 4, 2020

Cleaning with Bleach Is Bad for Indoor Air Quality IAQ

Read about a Camfil Canadian study that found using bleach indoors can adversely affect health and what you can do about it.

Indoor Air Quality and Health

According to the EPA, Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) refers to  air quality within and around buildings and structures. Because indoor air pollutants can result in both short- and long-term health effects, IAQ is an important metric in protecting the health of building occupants.

Some short-term effects of indoor air pollutants include eye irritation, nose,  throat, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue. Longer-term health effects include respiratory diseases,  heart disease and cancer. Babies, young children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems are especially vulnerable to exposure to indoor pollutants.

The Chemical Volatility of Bleach

Bleach has been commonly used as an indoor cleaning and disinfectant agent for many generations, but its chemical volatility makes it a potential health threat when used incorrectly. Bleach cleaning products contain sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), which can emit chlorine-containing compounds such as hypochlorous acid (HOCI) and chlorine gas (Cl2). These vapors can rapidly accumulate in a poorly ventilated indoor environment. 

The vapors can then interact with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from other household chemicals and personal care products, posing a significant threat to human health. The most common would be terpenes like α-pinene, which provides that familiar ‘pine fresh’ scent and limonene, which is responsible for the bright citrus scent found in so many household products. 

Furthermore, chlorine-derived compounds like HOCl and Cl2 can break down when exposed to any kind of light, resulting in hydroxyl radical and a chlorine atom. These atoms, in turn, react with other compounds to form particulate matter known as secondary organic aerosols (SOAs). Exposure to SOAs can result in irritation to eyes, nose, and throat, as well as cause headaches and nausea. Longer-term exposure can even result in lung damage. SOA atoms can decrease phagocytic movement in the lungs, which means cells are not ingesting unsafe particles or other microscopic organisms as they should. 

All these indoor compound pollutants have been linked to respiratory problems and other adverse health effects. Ventilation, or the lack thereof, is clearly a factor in how much these indoor pollutants accumulate when used. 

A Canadian Study on the Health Effects of Using Bleach 

Researchers from the University of Toronto found that the particles from bleach combine with other indoor particles to form airborne particulate matter that may be harmful if inhaled. The study was published in the American Chemical Society Environmental Science and Technology journal. 

The Canadian research team headed by chemist Cheng Wang wanted to ascertain whether limonene and bleach vapors, at concentrations normally found in indoor environments, might react with each other to produce SOAs under light and dark conditions. The team found that chlorine gas and hypochlorous acids from the bleach and limonene quickly reacted and created VOCs in the dark. These unstable compounds further formed SOAs once exposed to artificial or natural light.

It was the first study regarding the reaction of hypochlorous acid compounds and chlorine gas from bleach products with limonene and other VOCs. The report stated that the study would help “improve the understanding of the impact of bleach cleaners on indoor air quality.” The study also acknowledged that the composition and possible health effects of these compound particulates from bleach products needed to be studied further. However, the conclusion was that exposure to these compounds could be hazardous to the health of any person involved in cleaning activities.

Recommendations When Using Bleach

Professor Wang, the lead author of the study, recommended that anyone using bleach products indoors should do so with all windows opened. This would allow for better indoor ventilation and thus improved IAQ. It also decreases the inhalation of these harmful compound chemicals. He further recommended that people not mix chemicals when doing indoor cleaning or disinfecting.

Improve Your Indoor Air Quality

Opening windows may not always be the most effective way to improve your indoor air quality, especially during cold or bad weather. That is why your household or office may benefit from the use of air cleaners and air purifiers that use both high efficiency air filters to capture small particles out of the air and molecular filters to control VOCs in the air. These ventilation systems can complement your existing ventilation system and ensure a healthier living or working environment when using bleach and other cleaning products. These air cleaners and purifiers can also help reduce dust and other harmful particles that may accumulate indoors.

Camfil USA has more than 50 years of experience designing and building air filtration systems for households and office buildings. Get in touch with our USA local air filtration team to learn more about our air filter solutions today. 

 

 

The post Cleaning with Bleach Is Bad for Indoor Air Quality IAQ appeared first on Air Filters for Clean Air.



from Air Filters for Clean Air