How Does Air Quality Impact Learning and Productivity in Schools? Air Pollution and Productivity Explained

The recent United Nations Climate Summit highlighted the importance of air pollution and its effects on human health across the world. But did you know that indoor air can be up to fifty times as polluted as outdoor air in the United States? 

Some school districts across the country have prioritized air quality in order to lessen the risk of t students, staff, and faculty contracting COVID-19, which spreads via airborne transmission. However, the importance of breathing clean air in schools extends far beyond the threat of the virus. 

Continue reading to find out the effects of air pollution on learning and productivity in schools, as well as practical solutions for protecting students from indoor air pollution. 

Why Is Indoor Air More Polluted than Outdoor Air? 

There are a variety of factors that cause indoor air to be more polluted than outdoor air. According to air quality experts from Camfil, a global leader in air filtration manufacturing, engineering, and research, these reasons include: 

• Poor ventilation. Outdoor air pollution is usually dispersed by the wind, which reduces the concentration of pollutants. In this way, wind acts as a natural form of ventilation in outdoor spaces. However, indoors with inadequately ventilated spaces keep pollutants (both from outdoor and indoor sources) trapped, and the concentration of pollutants continues to increase over time. This is compounded by the fact that many buildings in the seventies were designed to keep outdoor pollution from coming inside, which has the additional effect of keeping all indoor pollution indoors, too. 
• Indoor sources of air pollution. In addition to pollution brought in from outdoors, there are airborne pollutants that originate indoors, many of which are unexpected and overlooked. Firstly, air fresheners and cleaning fluids, including bleach, linger in the air long after cleaning takes place. While these chemicals are excellent for sanitation, they decrease air quality and harm the lungs. Secondly, printers and copier machines, which are used frequently in schools, emit high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) because of the amount of ink they use. Thirdly, furniture and furnishings, particularly those that are cheap and mass-produced, also off-gas high levels of VOCs, such as formaldehyde. Furthermore, building occupants themselves are often a significant source of pollution, with large quantities of particulate matter produced in the form of human skin cells, as well as the pollution that naturally results from respiration. 

The Link Between Air Quality and Cognitive Function

Students come to school to learn. Teachers optimize classroom layouts, instructional methods, and lesson plans to maximize students’ understanding of the material and new skills. However, the quality of the air that students breathe is an overlooked but important factor in their success. Research has shown a link between air quality and several facets of cognition. 

A 2016 study tested the impact of air quality on the cognitive function of office workers. Participants of the study spent six, eight hour workdays in an environmentally-controlled office space, blinded to test conditions. On different days, they were exposed to varying levels of VOCs and CO2, and different ventilation rates. 

Researchers tested nine domains of cognitive function: 

• Basic Activity Level — the overall ability to make decisions.
• Applied Activity Level — the ability to make decisions oriented to overall goals.
• Focused Activity Level — the ability to focus on the current task or situation. 
• Task Orientation — the ability to make decisions that contribute to task completion. 
• Crisis Response — the ability to plan, strategize, and stay prepared in emergency situations. 
• Information Seeking — the ability to gather necessary information from a variety of available sources. 
• Information Usage — the ability to use provided and gathered information to reach goals. 
• Breadth of Approach — the ability to consider multiple dimensions in decision-making and use a variety of approaches to achieve goals. 
• Strategy — the ability to optimize information and planning to reach well-integrated solutions. 

 

Researchers found that all nine domains of cognitive function tested were improved by higher air quality. On average, cognitive scores were 61% higher on days with higher air quality and 101% higher on days with both higher air quality and better ventilation than on days representative of typical office conditions. 

Each of the nine domains tested is important to the development of students as critical thinkers and problem solvers. 

Air Quality Solutions for Schools 

In addition to ensuring adequate ventilation as per CDC guidelines for protecting students against COVID-19, schools can improve air quality with proper air filtration solutions. 

Standalone air cleaners and air purifiers can function independently from the HVAC systems, which means that they can be used in areas of buildings where ventilation is poor or where there is a known source generating high levels of contaminants such as art classes or woodshops.  However, many air purifiers you can find online or in retail stores falsely promise to deliver HEPA-level filtration, leading you to spend money on filters with a much lower particle capture efficiency. Be sure to purchase an air purifier with filters labeled as having been tested and certified as a HEPA filter.

Also, air purifiers that include both HEPA filters and molecular filters (sometimes referred to as carbon filters) are particularly valuable as they help control gaseous contaminants (VOCs) which have a negative impact on learning.     (Read about Camfil’s City M Air Purifier.)

About Camfil Clean Air Solutions

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

 

The Camfil Group is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, and has 33​ manufacturing sites, six R&D centers, local sales offices in 30 countries, and about 4,80​0 employees and growing. We proudly serve and support customers in a wide variety of industries and in communities across the world. To discover how Camfil USA can help you to protect people, processes and the environment, visit us at www.camfil.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

 

 

Sources:

1. https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/10.1289/ehp.1510037

The post How Does Air Quality Impact Learning and Productivity in Schools? Air Pollution and Productivity Explained appeared first on Air Filters for Clean Air.

from Air Filters for Clean Air

Why HVAC systems and big data need to team up for better IAQ

The integration of smart data analytics tools into commercial HVAC systems can decrease maintenance costs and increase energy efficiency while providing an impressive boost in indoor air quality.

Across the country, owners and facility managers are embracing smart HVAC systems and building automation tools in order to gain actionable insights over their ventilation and filtration equipment. 

By collecting and analyzing equipment performance data, forward thinking commercial entities are able to spot expensive equipment failures before they happen while also keeping an eye on things like ventilation efficiency and overall energy usage. 

As smart HVAC components become more affordable, commercial and industrial operators should look to integrate them further into their facilities as an investment in workplace IAQ which in reality is an investment in the workers themselves. 

The Big Data Available from All Types of HVAC Systems

A staggering 35% of global energy consumption is used for commercial buildings. HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) is a large portion of the energy consumption and presents significant challenges to managers and facility owners motivated either by their shareholders or their customers to increase energy efficiency across the board. 

Making commercial HVAC systems more ‘visible’ means using big data to monitor energy usage at multiple specific components, making it possible to pinpoint the biggest energy drains and address them one by one. 

Even the Best Commercial HVAC Systems Need Targeted Maintenance

Data analytics can help owners and facility managers make highly informed decisions about their equipment. Whether they’re looking to decrease energy usage or prevent mechanical failure, having access to data analytics tools can open up opportunities for repair over replacement, or optimization over overhaul. 

From faulty components to poorly timed ventilation loops, the most commonly reported problems of commercial filtration systems can usually be addressed with the right data tools. This can lead to a significant reduction in overall energy usage … one of the few things that is likely to be appreciated by both marketing and accounting. 

Investing in Commercial-Grade Smart HVAC Products 

Increasingly, building automation systems (BAS) are being used by owners and managers to collect a surprising amount of performance data about their own facilities. As the data comes in day after day, it becomes possible to assemble patterns and construct historical trends . . . both of which are necessary in establishing “cause & effect” patterns that can be used in troubleshooting and maintenance. 

The Future of IAQ:  Intelligent HVAC Systems 

Smart HVAC systems are capable of doing more than adding a bit of convenience to a manager’s workday. Alongside innovative building automation tools, smart HVAC can increase environment comfort, energy efficiency, and IAQ, while promoting preventative maintenance over expensive replacements. 

The post Why HVAC systems and big data need to team up for better IAQ appeared first on Air Filters for Clean Air.

from Air Filters for Clean Air

Press Release: Camfil Announces Groundbreaking for New Jonesboro Manufacturing Facility

JONESBORO, Ark., October 27, 2021— Camfil Air Pollution Control (APC), manufacturer of industrial dust, fume and mist collection systems for industrial processes, announces the groundbreaking for its new manufacturing and office facility. The event will take place at Craighead Technical Park in Jonesboro on November 4, 2021, beginning at 11:00 a.m. central time. Camfil plans to invest more than $37 million in the facility, which will add about 67 new jobs within five years to an existing workforce of 237 people.

“We extend our most sincere thanks to everyone who has supported our plans to develop this new facility,” said Armando Brunetti, President of Camfil Americas. “The people of Jonesboro have been key to the success of Camfil APC, and we are honored to continue to thrive here and to contribute to local economic growth.” 

Camfil APC has been headquartered in Jonesboro for more than 20 years. In early 2020, the company was already planning to develop a new manufacturing site when a tornado destroyed their facility. Since then, Camfil has been operating out of three separate leased locations throughout the city. The new 290,000-square-foot facility will occupy 34 acres and is scheduled to open in Fall 2022. In addition to space for manufacturing industrial dust collectors and filter cartridges, the facility will also house sales offices, warehousing and shipping. 

“This is a company that was already enjoying a momentum in business even before recent events led to an increased awareness in clean air safety,” said Gov. Asa Hutchinson. “We are fortunate to have such a value-added company here in Arkansas that invests in its customers, its employees and its community.”

“Camfil has been a strong community partner for two decades, and we are excited to be a part of their success as they continue to grow with innovative products and services that make us all breathe a little easier,” said Secretary of Commerce Mike Preston. “I am looking forward to working with them in the future as they complete this new expansion.”

“Camfil’s dedication to its employees and the City of Jonesboro are on full display today,” said Mark Young, President of Jonesboro Unlimited. “The reinvestment Camfil is making in a new facility and the hiring of additional employees in Jonesboro speaks volumes to the relationships they have built here and their continued commitment to our city.”

For more information about Camfil APC call 1-800-479-6801 or 1-870-933-8048, email filterman@camfil.com, or visit www.camfilapc.com.

###

About Camfil

Camfil APC is an industry leading global manufacturer of dust, fume and mist collection equipment for challenging industrial applications, with production facilities around the world including the Americas, Europe and Southeast Asia. It specializes in filtration systems that keep air clean and safe in manufacturing and processing facilities. The company’s flagship product is the Gold Series X-Flo (GSX) dust collection system that handles all types of toxic and combustible dusts and fumes, including fine, fibrous and heavy dust loads.

Camfil APC is a part of Camfil, headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, and has 30 manufacturing sites, six R&D centers, local sales offices in 30 countries, and 4,800 employees and growing. For more than half a century, Camfil has been helping people breathe cleaner air. As a leading manufacturer of premium clean air solutions, it provides 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.

-more-

The company firmly believes that the best solutions for its customers are the best solutions for the planet, too. That’s why every step of the way – from design to delivery and across the product life cycle – it considers the impact of what it does on people and on the world. Through a fresh approach to problem-solving, innovative design, precise process control and a strong customer focus, Camfil aims to conserve more, use less and find better ways – so we can all breathe easier.

For information or to contact a local representative, call 1-800-479-6801 or 1-870-933-8048; email filterman@camfil.com; or visit www.camfilapc.com.

Media Contacts

Veronica Heatherly Camfil APC     1-501-507-8526     veronica.heatherly@camfil.com

Lisa Goetz     Schubert b2b      1-610-269-2100 x244       lgoetz@schubertb2b.com

The post Press Release: Camfil Announces Groundbreaking for New Jonesboro Manufacturing Facility  appeared first on Air Filters for Clean Air.

from Air Filters for Clean Air

How to Calculate Air Changes Per Hour

In this article, air filtration experts from Camfil explain the importance of air ventilation within a room and how to calculate air changes per hour (ACH). 

What Does Air Changes Per Hour (ACH) Mean in Air Filtration? 

Air changes per hour, which is often abbreviated as ACH, is a calculation of how many times per hour the entire volume of air in a given space is replaced with supply and/or recirculated air.  It is also sometimes referred to as “air change rate” or “air exchange rate.” 

Why Do You Need to Calculate ACH? 

Air changes per hour are important in determining if a space is getting adequate ventilation. Additionally, if you have chosen to implement air purifiers to improve air quality and lower the risk of COVID-19, ACH will help you determine which devices are appropriate for your application, as well as how many you need. 

Ventilation is important for the indoor air quality (IAQ) inside a building. Improper ventilation can lead to a buildup of pollutants in indoor spaces, which is detrimental to the health of building inhabitants. According to the EPA (1), negative health effects of poor indoor air quality include:

• Irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat.
• Headaches, dizziness, and fatigue.
• Respiratory diseases, heart disease, and cancer.

Polluted air also leads to moodiness and decreased productivity for employees and reduced learning for students in school.

Additionally, the EPA asserts that increasing ventilation is an important strategy for decreasing the spread of COVID-19 in public spaces (2). 

What Is the Formula for Calculating Air Changes per Hour? 

To calculate air changes per hour, you will need to find two numbers. 

CFM – First, the volume of air in CFM (cubic feet per minute) currently delivered to the room in question by the building’s air handling unit or when evaluating an air purifier, the CFM of the unit with the air filters installed. 

ROOM VOLUME – Secondly, you will need to find the volume of the room in cubic feet, which is calculated by finding the height, length, and width of the room in feet and multiplying these numbers together.

From there, the calculation to find air changes per hour is simple:

• Multiply the CFM by 60. This number will tell you how many cubic feet of air your device moves per hour. 
• Divide the number you get by the room’s volume in cubic feet. You now have a number telling you how many times per hour the device moves the total volume of the room. This number is your air changes per hour, or ACH. 

Related video: What Size Air Cleaning Unit For Your Office? with Camfil’s Matthew Crouch 

ACH Example Calculation 

Let’s look at an example of this calculation in action. 

For this example, we’ll be calculating how many air changes per hour a premium air purifier can deliver in a classroom. 

 

An average U.S. elementary school classroom is recommended to be a minimum 900 square feet (2). In New Jersey, classrooms must have an average ceiling height of 9.5 feet (3). The volume of a classroom with these dimensions would be 8550 cubic feet. 

Camfil’s City M air purifier circulates air through its certified HEPA filters at 256 CFM. 

 

Therefore, ACH would be calculated as follows: 

The City M air purifier would deliver an additional 1.8 air changes per hour to a classroom with these dimensions.

ASHRAE recommends six air changes per hour for classrooms. Measuring the actual ACH delivered by the building’s HVAC system to individual classrooms may require an HVAC professional with airflow measurement equipment. Once you have that figure, it is a simple calculation to determine how many air purifiers are required to make up the difference and achieve the recommended ACH for the classroom. 

For guidance in determining the correct air filtration solutions for your situation, contact your local Camfil representative. 

About Camfil Clean Air Solutions 

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

 

The Camfil Group is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, and has 33​ manufacturing sites, six R&D centers, local sales offices in 30 countries, and about 4,80​0 employees and growing. We proudly serve and support customers in a wide variety of industries and in communities across the world. To discover how Camfil can help you to protect people, processes and the environment, visit us at www.camfil.com/en-us/. 

 

 

 

## 

Sources:

1. https://www.epa.gov/report-environment/indoor-air-quality
2. https://www.epa.gov/coronavirus/ventilation-and-coronavirus-covid-19
3. https://www.scarsdaleschools.k12.ny.us/cms/lib/NY01001205/Centricity/Domain/1105/2014-11-19%20Meeting%20of%20Greenacres%20Building%20Committee%20Meeting%20Handout%203%20-%20Classroom%20Size%20Standards.pdf
4. https://www.state.nj.us/education/code/current/title6a/chap13.pdf
5. https://www.ashrae.org/file%20library/technical%20resources/covid-19/ashrae-reopening-schools-and-universities-c19-guidance.pdf

The post How to Calculate Air Changes Per Hour  appeared first on Air Filters for Clean Air.

from Air Filters for Clean Air

What Are MERV Ratings? MERV vs MERV-A Filter Efficiency Ratings Explained

In the last year, the term “MERV-13” has been circulating in the news and on the Internet as a result of several widely recognized organizations, such as The CDC, OSHA and ASHRAE recommending MERV-13 air filters as the minimum filter efficiency. Some local jurisdictions have even required MERV-13 rated air filters to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in public buildings, such as shopping malls, schools, and office buildings. 

In this article, Camfil’s air filtration experts explain what air filter MERV ratings mean.

MERV Ratings Explained 

MERV is an acronym for minimum efficiency reporting value. The MERV rating and testing standard was first designed by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) in 1999 and is updated periodically, the last being in 2017. . . The MERV value represents the particle capture efficiency of a filter at specific size ranges. 

The higher a filter’s MERV value, the better that filter is at capturing smaller particles.  

 

To calculate a filter’s MERV value, test dirt with specific sized dirt particles are drawn through a test duct onto a filter. The particles are divided into three broad size ranges known as E1, E2 and E3. How efficient the filter is against all three size ranges is compared against a MERV chart and the final MERV value is the highest value where the filter meets all three requirements of MERV.

For example, in order to achieve a MERV 13 value, the tested filter must be at least 50% efficient on dirt particles in the E1 range, at least 85% on E2 range and at least 90% on E3. 

For publicly accessible buildings, air filters with a value less than MERV 7 should not be considered.

Is a Higher MERV Rating Always Better? 

 What is the Difference Between MERV and MERV-A? 

. While the MERV 13 recommendations and mandates by various organizations have certainly brought the term MERV into the limelight, there is a critical component of MERV that is not being discussed nearly enough.

Air filters can be produced with an electrostatic charge which acts much like a magnet and temporarily increases the particle capture efficiency on the three size ranges. This results in a higher MERV value assigned to the filter. However, as the filter begins to load with dirt, the charge can no longer attract particles and the MERV value drops. 

A MERV-13 filter, for example, can drop to a particle capture efficiency equivalent to that of a  MERV-8 filter within a short period of time, leaving people and equipment less protected than had the filter remained as a MERV 13.

 

ASHRAE’s testing standards specify an optional testing method for determining filter efficiency without electrostatic charge. The values determined from this test are MERV-A values. An easy way to remember the distinction between MERV and MERV-A is to think of the “A” as standing for “actual,” so a filter’s MERV-A rating represents its “actual” efficiency. 

What MERV Rating Do I Need for COVID-19? 

Some areas have recommended a MERV-13 filter for a building’s HVAC system as a minimum standard to reduce the risk of building inhabitants from COVID-19. Where possible, buildings should choose filters rated MERV-13A for long-lasting risk mitigation against the respiratory particles that spread the COVID-19 virus. 

 

However, constraints such as the HVAC system’s filter capacity may make it impossible to implement MERV-13A rated filters. In this case, choose the highest MERV-A rated filter that your HVAC system can accommodate. For example, Camfil’s 30/30 Dual 9 panel filter is a MERV 9/9A guaranteed to maintain its rated efficiency for the duration of its service life which is 9 to 12 months. In addition to being the longest lasting panel filter on the market, the Dual 9 is available in filter depths of 1-inch, 2-inches, and 4-inches, making it an appropriate choice for most commercial HVAC systems. 

 

Buildings may also choose to supplement their HVAC system’s filtration with an in-room air purifying unit, such as the City M by Camfil, which delivers 99.995% HEPA level filtration and moves air at a volume of 256 cubic feet per minute. 

About Camfil Clean Air Solutions 

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

 

The Camfil Group is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, and has 33​ manufacturing sites, six R&D centers, local sales offices in 30 countries, and about 4,80​0 employees and growing. We proudly serve and support customers in a wide variety of industries and in communities across the world. To discover how Camfil Canada can help you to protect people, processes and the environment, visit us at www.camfil.com/en-us/. 

 

 

 

## 

 

 

Sources: 

https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/what-merv-rating-1

https://www.ashrae.org/File%20Library/Technical%20Resources/Technical%20FAQs/TC-02.04-FAQ-112.pdf

 

The post What Are MERV Ratings? MERV vs MERV-A Filter Efficiency Ratings Explained   appeared first on Air Filters for Clean Air.

from Air Filters for Clean Air

Indoor Air Pollution Environmental Risks

New resource by air filtration industry leaders from Camfil US explains the growing health threat of indoor air pollution and how to improve indoor air quality.

Indoor Air Pollution is Among the Top Five Environmental Risks and One of the Greatest Risks to Human Health, According to the EPA — Air Filtration Experts from Camfil Weigh in on Solutions

Riverdale, NJ — In 2021, it is common knowledge indoor and outdoor air pollution pose significant risks to human health. A growing body of scientific literature however shows the threat of indoor air pollution may be worse than originally believed.

In a new educational resource by Camfil US, air filtration experts explain the scope of the threat in simple terms and describe the process of finding the right high efficiency air filter for your facility. Camfil is a global leader in air filtration manufacturing and engineering, having made significant technological contributions and innovations to air filtration in the healthcare sector during the ongoing global crisis.

Camfil’s Manager of Marketing and Technical Materials, Mark Davidson, explains that high levels of indoor air pollution are linked to symptoms such as respiratory tract irritation, congestion, fatigue, headaches, coughing, sneezing, dizziness, and nausea, as well as worsening and sometimes triggering the onset of respiratory conditions such as asthma.

“Air quality monitoring technology has come a long, long way in the last few years,” says Mr. Davidson, “With improved technology, researchers are finding pollutants like formaldehyde, asbestos, radon, and even pesticides in higher levels than ever before. What this suggests is that the real threat of IAQ (indoor air quality) might be worse than we thought.”

Experts from Camfil provide advice on the following topics:

• What the EPA has learned about the threat of indoor air pollution in recent years.

• The truth about commercial and residential air filtration.

• Health threats associated with indoor air pollution.

• The impact of poor indoor air quality on school children.

• The differences between fiberglass furnace filters and pleated air filters.

• Tips for determining the right air filtration solution for your commercial facility or residential building.

Read Camfil’s full article for more information about reducing the threat of indoor air pollution with high-efficiency air filtration.

The post Indoor Air Pollution Environmental Risks appeared first on Air Filters for Clean Air.

from Air Filters for Clean Air

What N95 Respiratory Masks Can Teach Us About Air Filters – Camfil Reports

If you were not familiar with the N95 respiratory mask before the COVID-19 pandemic, you almost certainly are now. The fabrics that make up the N95 mask are easy to breathe through and able to filter out dangerous airborne pathogens too small for our eyes to see. In times like these, N95 masks can be the difference between life and death. While the N95 is widely known, the meaning behind the letter N and the significance of the number 95 may be a mystery. 

What Does N95 Stand For?

N95 masks are highly regulated by NIOSH (The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) and should not be confused with FFP masks which are regulated by CEN (European Committee for Standardization). NIOSH classifies the respiratory masks they regulate into one of three categories based upon the intended use. One of the categories is the “N” class which stands for Not-for-Oil. This mask is designed for use in applications where the particles encountered consists of dry, ultra-fine non-oil aerosols such as those generated from grinding, sawing, and thankfully in today’s world, biological particles. The number “95” stands for 95% particle capture efficiency. Higher efficiencies are available, but the N95 mask is the one most commonly used by medical personnel.

Once these masks have been worn, they are not laundered with other hospital fabrics. Despite the high demand for these masks during the COVID-19 pandemic, manufacturers continue to recommend disposing after a single use and not worn day after day. The CDC has issued guidelines when masks may be reused, but the guidelines are limited and recommended to be overseen by professionals. The demand  has driven companies to urgently research effective methods to sanitize and recycle masks. If masks could be easily cleaned and safely reused, demand could be met; however, it’s not a simple task to remove the dirt particles and maintain the 95% particle capture efficiency. 

How the N95 Masks Capture Small Particles 

The fabrics (known as media) used to construct many of these masks are nonwoven, which is to say the fibers are randomly arranged, not woven from yarn in a repeating pattern like the fabric commonly used in clothing. Nonwoven fabrics are not unique; they are used in countless applications we encounter every day. However, the next step in the process is unique and the secret to the mask’s performance. The nonwoven media used in many of these masks is imparted with an electrostatic charge creating an effect, analogous to a magnet, known as an electret. The electrostatic charge greatly enhances the media’s filtration efficiency because the charge attracts  small diameter particles to the relatively large diameter fibers in the media. Without that charge, many of these particles would otherwise easily pass straight through the media.

This media is typically sandwiched between two outer layers of fabric which acts as a prefilter to capture  large particles and to protect the media from being damaged. Safely protected within the mask, the charged fabric makes an ideal filter for a respiratory mask. Unfortunately, an electrostatically charged media may turn out to be a very poor choice for a common HVAC system intake air filter. 

“The most critical performance characteristic of an air filter is particle removal efficiency. The  efficiency of an air filter is based on a test standard known as the MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) scale developed by the ASHRAE 52.2 committee. Air filters are tested in a laboratory setting. Basically, an amount of test dirt with known particle sizes is introduced upstream and particles that pass through are counted downstream. The percentage of particles the filter captured is used to compute a MERV value. The MERV value is critical because the individuals responsible for the air quality inside a commercial office building, retail space, manufacturing facility or hospital for example, use the scale to select the MERV value that delivers the air quality needed for the safety of the people, products or equipment within their unique facility” according to Dave Blackwell, Director of Healthcare for Camfil, USA. “An air filter made from a nonwoven media containing a strong electrostatic charge, would seem to be an ideal fabric to use for many products, including air filters” says Blackwell. “However, one of the reasons you can’t  use the same N95 mask day after day is why an everyday intake air filter, made with an electrostatic media, is not a good long-term decision.” 

 

The Effect Accumulating Ultra-fine Dirt Particles Has on Charged Media

It was stated earlier that the “N” in N95 means the mask is intended for non-oil aerosols and the “95” indicates the percentage of ultra-fine particles the mask will capture. The outer layers of the mask act as a prefilter to capture large particles and heavy moisture when the user inhales or exhales. The prefilter ensures the highly-charged media in the center generally only encounters the dry, ultra-fine particles that escape capture in the outer layers. The magnetic-like effect of the charged media attracts these small particles out of the airstream and onto the fibers. 

As ultra-fine particles accumulate on the charged media, an interesting phenomenon occurs that many may recall from a grammar school science class. A magnet will attract a steel coin and if the coin is put on a piece of paper, it can be moved across the paper with a magnet held underneath. Turn the paper sideways and the coin will not fall; appearing to defy gravity. However, add more sheets of paper, repeat the experiment and eventually a point will be reached where the magnet’s influence is unable  to penetrate the paper and the coin falls to the floor.   

An air filter made with highly-charged media will do the same. Much like the magnet and a single piece of paper, the filter may achieve a very high initial particle removal efficiency (MERV) when brand new. When the electret is performing at peak capacity, dirty particles passing by in the airstream are powerfully attracted to the fibers.  However, as particles accumulate on the fibers, they begin to act as an insulator much in the same way adding paper reduced the magnets ability to hold the coin in place. 

As the insulation effect continues, dirty particles begin slipping past in greater numbers. There is an inverse relationship between increasing  insulation and particle capture efficiency.  If it were possible to visibly display the MERV value of an installed filter undergoing this process, the numbers would continuously drop as time passed; 15 to 14 to 13 to 12 for example. Eventually the filter may bottom out three or four levels lower than what its value was when brand new. If a facility manager installed a filter with a high MERV value (i.e. MERV 15) only to discover later it was actually performing at a much lower level (i.e. MERV 12), the consequences could be severe, particularly in these days where there’s a high awareness of airborne viruses.  

An Addition Added to the MERV 52.2 Test Standard to Account for the Phenomenon

Members of ASHRAE’s 52.2 committee were aware of this phenomenon. Appendix J was added to the Standard so consumers would know the actual MERV value of a filter as it is in use, not just when brand new.  The Appendix J conditioning step addresses the electrostatic charge from the media. The result of the second test is listed as a filter’s MERV-A value which is the particle capture efficiency without the benefit of an electret. 

For example, an initial MERV test conducted on a filter  with an electret may result in a published value of MERV 15. However, the same filter tested under the Appendix J procedures may perform as a MERV 12. Putting the two test results together would result in the filter being labeled as a MERV 15 / MERV-A-12A.  This indicates once the electret is no longer effective, the filter performs as if it is a MERV 12. A filter constructed without the value of an electret, could perform as a MERV 15 under the 52.2 standard. The Appendix J procedures are conducted, but since there is no electret to begin with, that filter still performs as a MERV 15. The labeling therefore would show the filter as a MERV 15/ MERV-A-15A indicating the filter performs as a MERV 15 before and after the influence of any electret present has dissipated. A consumer who determined a MERV 15 is required for a particular application would know which filter to select.

Camfil’s Dave Blackwell makes the point. “Charged media is one solution for N95 masks because it delivers a high capture efficiency. The downside is a short service life. Air filters can’t be replaced every day like masks can. What would medical personnel do if they wore the same N95 mask for weeks at a time and somehow the rating on their mask changed as the electrostatic charge became less effective?” questioned Blackwell. “Would medical professionals wear a mask that changed from N95 to N85? N80? N65? I don’t think so. Unfortunately, labels don’t magically change on masks anymore than they do on air filters, but if the labels could change , would a facility manager install a filter with a MERV that changed from MERV 15 to 14 to 13 and then 12? Of course not. That’s why a anyone responsible for the safety of others should select a filter based on its MERV-A value. That number doesn’t change.”

About Camfil Clean Air Solutions 

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

 

 

The post What N95 Respiratory Masks Can Teach Us About Air Filters – Camfil Reports appeared first on Air Filters for Clean Air.

from Air Filters for Clean Air

City M Air Purifier Comparison Benefits

Camfil Air Purifier. City M Video Explaining Lifetime Costs of Air Purifiers – Does Your Air Purifier Stack Up?

Riverdale, NJ — The market is oversaturated with products labeled as air purifiers claiming to deliver HEPA filtration, for your home, office, or classroom. A search for the term “air purifier” on Amazon yields over a thousand results, with the top suggestions boasting price points as low as $50. 

Air purifiers have become a hot ticket item due to the role of proper air filtration and ventilation in preventing the spread of COVID-19 infections. However, many of the products that have appeared in response to this demand don’t use actual HEPA filters, much less deliver the circulation necessary to protect you from airborne COVID-19 infected particles. 

While  actual HEPA filters should capture 99.995% of particles of  the most penetrating particle size (MPPS) and be individually factory tested and certified, the term HEPA is largely unregulated, leading many manufacturers to falsely claim to use ‘true’ HEPA filters in their air cleaners or air purifiers. 

Furthermore, lower-cost units can turn out to be significantly more expensive in the long run compared to their seemingly pricier counterparts. 

In a new video, Camfil USA explains the factors beyond initial purchase price that should be considered when choosing which air purifier unit to use, such as: 

• The unit’s operational efficiencies. 
• The certified particle capture efficiency of the HEPA air filters used in the unit.
• The filter lifetime and frequency of replacement. 
• The air changes per hour (ACH) that the unit delivers. 
• The unit’s energy consumption. 

Watch the full video City M Air Purifier Comparison Benefits for more information on choosing the right air cleaner to protect your lungs and reduce operational costs. 

About Camfil Clean Air Solutions

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

 

The Camfil Group is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, and has 33​ manufacturing sites, six R&D centers, local sales offices in 30 countries, and about 4,80​0 employees and growing. We proudly serve and support customers in a wide variety of industries and in communities across the world. To discover how Camfil USA can help you to protect people, processes and the environment, visit us at www.camfil.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

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HehqVgATt3o

 

The post City M Air Purifier Comparison Benefits appeared first on Air Filters for Clean Air.

from Air Filters for Clean Air

Camfil Air Filter Experts Explain PM 2.5 and New Research from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Highlights the Importance of Indoor Air Quality and Proper Ventilation.

A new study published on September 9 in the journal Environmental Research Letters has revealed a link between short-term exposure to fine particulate matter and acute decreases in cognitive function. The research was led by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. 

The study, which took place over the course of one year, consisted of 300 office employees across six different countries (China, India, Mexico, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the United States), with participants ranging in age from 18 to 65. The participants in the study worked at least three days per week in the office and were assigned a permanent work station, which was equipped with an environmental sensor to collect real-time measurements of PM2.5 and CO2. Each participant also had an app custom-designed for the study installed on their phone to test cognitive abilities. 

The data collected showed that higher concentrations of PM2.5 and lower ventilation rates correlated with slower response times and reduced accuracy on a series of cognitive tests. Importantly, the research team observed that cognitive function was impaired at concentrations of PM2.5 and COz that are common in indoor environments such as office buildings. 

This study is yet more evidence that indoor air pollution threatens not only the health but the productivity of office employees. 

What is PM2.5? 

Particulate matter, or PM, is defined as any solid or liquid particles that are light enough to remain suspended in the air. Particulate matter is assigned size classifications based on their diameter in microns — PM10, PM2.5, PM1. 

PM2.5, which is sometimes referred to as fine particulate matter, is 2.5 microns in diameter or less and can cause serious long-term health damage when inhaled. Particle pollution can come from a variety of sources, including car exhaust from traffic and wildfire smoke. Additionally, some of the respiratory droplets that are responsible for spreading the COVID-19 virus could be classified as PM2.5. 

In addition to decreased cognitive function, PM2.5 has been linked to increased symptoms of conditions such as seasonal allergies, COPD, and asthma. 

Where Does Indoor Air Pollution Come From? 

Indoor air can be up to 50 times as polluted as outdoor air. In addition to particulate matter, gaseous pollutants can exist at high concentrations indoors. Gaseous pollutants, such as ground-level ozone, are also known to have health effects, including dizziness, nausea, and shortness of breath. 

Indoor air pollution in office buildings comes from multiple sources, which may include: 

• Outdoor sources. Outdoor sources of air pollution usually enter the building through  HVAC systems with inadequate air filters, doors, windows, and on people’s clothes. In poorly ventilated buildings, this pollution becomes trapped once it has entered, leading to a build-up of high concentrations of pollution indoors over time. Buildings close to high-traffic roads or in dense urban areas are particularly vulnerable to poor indoor air quality as a result of outdoor sources, such as car exhaust fumes.
• Cleaning chemicals and air fresheners. Cleaning chemicals that are allowed to accumulate in the air due to poor ventilation can be a major contributor to poor indoor air quality. Similarly, air fresheners can linger in the air and worsen indoor air quality. This issue is of particular salience due to the increased frequency and intensity of cleaning and sanitation procedures in offices to combat the spread of COVID-19. 
• Furniture and furnishings. Cheap, mass-manufactured furniture is a common source of VOC (volatile organic compound) off-gassing. Volatile organic compounds such as formaldehyde can cause adverse health effects. Printers, copier machines, and other office equipment that use large quantities of ink also emit VOCs. 
• Building inhabitants. Additionally, a commonly overlooked source of indoor air pollution is the building’s inhabitants themselves, who can bring in pollen, pet dander, dust, and other particulate matter on their clothing. Human skin cells are also a large contributor to the buildup of dust, with the average person dropping approximately 40,000 skin cells every single minute. Respiration also adds moisture to the air, and respiratory droplets can carry dangerous pathogens, including the SARS-CoV-2 virus. 

How to Improve Indoor Air Quality for Better Cognitive Function Among Office Employees

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends three steps for commercial facilities managers to improve indoor air quality: identify pollution sources, improve ventilation, and implement air filtration. An air filtration expert can guide you through this process and help find the best combination of solutions to fit your building’s needs and budget. 

What Are recommendations from Camfil’s air quality experts? 

30/30 Dual 9 Panel Air Filter 

Camfil’s 30/30 Dual 9 is specifically engineered to increase particle capture efficiency, lower energy consumption, and last longer than any pleated panel filter before it. As the longest-lasting pleated filter on the market, the Dual 9 is guaranteed to maintain its rated efficiency throughout the filter lifetime of nine to twelve months. 

What is Camfil’s City M Air Purifier? 

The City M air purifier includes both a HEPA filter and an activated carbon filter to remove particulate and gaseous pollutants from the air. The City M air purifier consumes 50% less energy than units of similar size, and operates independently of a building’s HVAC system, making it a good option for any space This in-room air purifier is very quiet, making it ideal for use in offices and other public building spaces. 

Read more about the City M here. 

What is CamCleaner CC500 Air Purifier?

The CamCleaner CC500 air purifier was originally designed early in the pandemic for hospitals that needed to create negatively pressurized isolation areas. The unit was also engineered to serve as a standalone air purifier for offices, schools, and other public buildings. The CC500’s MERV-9/9A prefilter extends the life of the 99.995% HEPA filter, leading to lower overall running and maintenance costs.

About Camfil Clean Air Solutions

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

 

The Camfil Group is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, and has 33​ manufacturing sites, six R&D centers, local sales offices in 30 countries, and about 4,80​0 employees and growing. We proudly serve and support customers in a wide variety of industries and in communities across the world. To discover how Camfil Canada can help you to protect people, processes and the environment, visit us at https://www.camfil.com/en-us/ 

 

##

 

Sources: 

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/press-releases/office-air-quality-may-affect-employees-cognition-productivity/

 

The post Camfil Air Filter Experts Explain PM 2.5 and New Research from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Highlights the Importance of Indoor Air Quality and Proper Ventilation. appeared first on Air Filters for Clean Air.

from Air Filters for Clean Air

New Video from Camfil Explains MPPS in Air Filtration Technology, with Industry Expert Steve Smith

New Video from Camfil Explains MPPS (Most Penetrating Particle Size) in Air Filtration Technology, with Industry Expert Steve Smith

Across industries, building managers are turning to HEPA filtration to provide building inhabitants with the highest levels of protection against the spread of COVID-19. There are many factors to consider in making a purchase decision for a HEPA filter or an air purifier that contains a HEPA filter.

Unlike other air filters, which use MERV ratings to indicate particle capture efficiency, HEPA filters are labeled with a number representing the percentage of particles a filter captures.

In a new video, Camfil air filtration expert Steve Smith breaks down the concept of MPPS in simple terms.

“MPPS, in the air filtration world, is the most penetrating particle size, which happens to be 0.1 to 0.3 microns. Smaller and larger particles are actually easier to capture. ”

— Camfil’s CamCleaner Segment Manager, Steve Smith

Watch Camfil’s latest video on MPPS here.

About Camfil Clean Air Solutions

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

The Camfil Group is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, and has 33​ manufacturing sites, six R&D centers, local sales offices in 30 countries, and about 4,80​0 employees and growing. We proudly serve and support customers in a wide variety of industries and in communities across the world. To discover how Camfil USA can help you to protect people, processes and the environment, visit us at www.camfil.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

Source: SubmitMyPR

Release ID: 32290

Powered By: Kiss PR Story

The post New Video from Camfil Explains MPPS in Air Filtration Technology, with Industry Expert Steve Smith appeared first on Air Filters for Clean Air.

from Air Filters for Clean Air

Do “DIY Air Purifiers” Work Against COVID-19 in Schools? Not Exactly, According to Air Filtration Experts

Parents and teachers across the country are concerned about COVID-19 in the classroom. Vaccinations for children under twelve are still under trial and are several months away from receiving Emergency Use Approval from the FDA (1). In California, an unvaccinated elementary school teacher made the news by infecting half of their students and a total of 26 people around the school with COVID-19 (2). The presence of new variants makes the already contagion-friendly classroom environment even more likely to spread COVID-19 as well as other illnesses. 

In the wake of the back-to-school season, instructions on how teachers can make their own “air purifiers” for their classrooms are circulating on the internet and highlighted by major media outlets. The design involves a box fan, four low cost MERV-13 filters, and duct tape, all of which can be found at a local home improvement store or big box retailer. Some have claimed the DIY design is as effective as a HEPA equipped air purifier. 

“The single biggest objection I have to that claim,” comments Steve Smith, CamCleaner Segment Manager at Camfil US, “is the MERV 13 pleated filters do not have the particle capture efficiency required to remove a significant amount of potentially virus-laden aerosols from the air stream in a single pass. Expecting this device to be as efficient as a HEPA filter could lead to a false sense of security and actually increase risk.”

How Effective Are DIY Air Purifiers Against COVID-19? 

One claim the proponents of the DIY devices make is that they are as effective as HEPA filter air purifiers because inexpensive box fans move a higher volume of air. However, air circulation (the movement of air in a space) and air filtration (removing contaminants from the air) are two separate functions. High volume air circulation in an unventilated space without adequate filtration will not provide suitable protection against COVID-19.    

“Airflow in the HVAC world is often expressed as CFM, cubic feet per minute” says Smith. “A cubic foot of air is about the size of a standard basketball. If 100 CFM is flowing through an air filter, you can visualize that as 100 ‘basketballs’ flowing through the filter every minute.”

A tested and certified H14 HEPA filter (as found in the Camfil City M) is 99.995% efficient on a single pass. That means the 100 basketballs of air are 99.995% cleared of the size respiratory aerosol particles that could contain the COVID virus. 

The MERV 13 pleated air filters used in the DIY device are far less efficient. In fact, the same 100 basketballs of air would need to recirculate and pass through those MERV 13 filters twelve times in order to equal the cleanliness of air that passes through a HEPA filter only once. 

Making matters even worse, those low priced, two-inch MERV 13 pleated filters used in this device are all made with filter media that achieves the MERV 13 value by relying on a temporary electrostatic charge. 

As the filters load with dirt, the electrostatic charge is no longer capable of maintaining MERV 13 efficiency and the filter often drops to as low as a MERV 8. Without the benefit of the charge, which can happen within weeks of class starting, those 100 basketballs of air would need to pass through the filter almost 75 times to equal a single pass through a HEPA filter. 

(Related article: What N95 Respiratory Masks Can Teach Us About Air Filters.)  

A MERV-8 rated air filter is enough to protect the mechanical parts of your HVAC system from being damaged by large particles of dust and debris, but it doesn’t provide the level of filtration required to capture virus-infected respiratory droplets. Without a HEPA filter that captures 99.995% of these particles in a single pass, a DIY unit like this is essentially just a fan that blows them around the room, but removes very few.

Box fans can, according to the CDC, be used to improve the effectiveness of opening windows as a form of ventilation by pushing the air out (3). 

“If you want to make one of these for your home workshop to control sawdust from power tools, this is a great project to undertake,” advises Smith, “but for serious risk mitigation against COVID in a classroom, a DIY design will not be nearly as effective as a professional air purifier equipped with tested and certified HEPA filters.”

Other Resources

 

The post Do “DIY Air Purifiers” Work Against COVID-19 in Schools? Not Exactly, According to Air Filtration Experts appeared first on Air Filters for Clean Air.

from Air Filters for Clean Air

How to Improve Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) in Schools — Camfil Works with a Mid-Atlantic School District to Better Protect Students’ Health

How to Improve Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) in Schools — Camfil Works with a Mid-Atlantic School District to Better Protect Students’ Health 

A new case study by Camfil reveals the potential for clean air in schools, even when the buildings’ existing HVAC systems are not equipped to handle high efficiency air filters.

Why is Indoor Air Quality Important in Schools? 

Many people underestimate the importance of indoor air quality (IAQ), particularly for the developing lungs of young children. Indoor air can be up to fifty times more polluted than outdoor air, with a range of indoor and outdoor pollution sources affecting indoor air quality. 

The two major categories of pollutants that affect air quality are gaseous pollutants and particulate matter. The EPA has identified particulate matter as one of the leading threats to human health. 

Recently, local and national governments have directed more attention towards the importance of indoor air quality. Due to its propensity to spread via airborne respiratory droplets and aerosols from infected individuals, the virus that causes the COVID-19 illness can be filtered  out of the air effectively enough to  reduce virus transmission risks. The good news is this can be accomplished using the same technology that removes other particulate matter (PM) from the air. 

Breathing clean air provides children and adults with several health and cognitive benefits:

• Cleaner, healthier lungs
• Better immune system
• Longer lifespan
• Reduced allergy and asthma symptoms
• Improved mood
• Improved productivity

Related article: Air Filtration Experts Discuss The Importance of Proper Ventilation and Filtration for Protecting Faculty and Students 

Case Study — Camfil Introduces City M Air Purifiers to Mid-Atlantic Schools

Camfil worked with a Mid-Atlantic school district to improve air quality in the district’s buildings.  The district, which contains three high schools and multiple middle and elementary schools, aimed to provide their students with a safer environment conducive to successful learning. 

Similar to many schools and public buildings around the country, the district’s school buildings had limited space for filters in their existing HVAC systems. Replacing an entire HVAC system is not always an option because of cost and also the structural stability of the facility to handle the added equipment.  

Camfil introduced the mid-Atlantic school district to the City M air purifier, an in-room air purification unit that uses HEPA filtration and is capable of moving 256 cubic feet of purified air per minute. Camfil recommended the City M as a supplement to existing filtration within the HVAC system. 

To test the improvement in air quality from using  the City M, Camfil representatives established baseline measurements on airborne particle concentrations using sensitive particle counters before students entered the classrooms. Measurements were taken again using those same counters after students were in the room with normal classroom activities underway and with the City M in operation. This procedure was duplicated in two district elementary schools. 

After almost 2000 measurements, it was determined that particle counts in all three size ranges were reduced significantly by the City M. Additionally, the City M units were able to deliver an average of two additional air changes per hour in the classrooms which is an improvement in ventilation rates. 

“As I was recording the particle counts coming out of the City M while the children were in their classrooms, I could see the numbers continuously dropping. The particle reduction rate on several size ranges was over 95%,” said Keith Woolard, Regional Product Manager for Camfil. “This is not an easy time for students or faculty and making the decision to return to in-class learning is stressful, but I believe the City M’s ability to pull very small particles out of the air gives teachers one less thing to worry about.”. 

Why Camfil’s City M Air Purifier is Ideal for Schools 

The City M air purifier is an ideal solution to improve indoor air quality in schools for several reasons: 

1. The City M uses HEPA air filtration, with each filter individually tested and certified to remove 99.995% of the most penetrating particle size (MPPS). As well as protecting students from the risk of spreading COVID-19 infections, the City M helps protect students from even the smallest particulate matter.
2. The City M functions independently of the HVAC system, meaning that it is accessible to all schools, regardless of existing air handling units. 
3. The City M is quiet, so it will not disrupt instruction or learning. 

About Camfil Clean Air Solutions

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

The Camfil Group is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, and has 33​ manufacturing sites, six R&D centers, local sales offices in 30 countries, and about 4,80​0 employees and growing. We proudly serve and support customers in a wide variety of industries and in communities across the world. To discover how Camfil USA can help you to protect people, processes and the environment, visit us at www.camfil.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 How to Improve Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) in Schools — Camfil Works with a Mid-Atlantic School District to Better Protect Students’ Health  appeared first on Air Filters for Clean Air.

from Air Filters for Clean Air

What Is Filter Media? – Air Filtration and Indoor Air Quality Glossary

Leading Air Filtration Experts from Camfil Clean Air Provide Air Filtration Glossary to Clarify Dozens of Terms

Air filtration and breathing clean air has always been essential for protecting public health, but it’s not until the COVID-19 pandemic, in which airborne transmission played a major part, that indoor air quality received major public attention. 

You may have heard terms like “MERV-13” or “aerosols” or “air purifier” in the news recently as various jurisdictions and organizations make recommendations for air quality in facilities planning to reopen to the public. The mystery surrounding these terms can cause confusion and difficulty in the process of upgrading and replacing commercial building air filters and in some cases, entire systems. 

Air Filtration and Indoor Air Quality Glossary 

Below is a list of terms and definitions related to air filtration and indoor air quality provided by experts at Camfil, a world leader in air filtration research and engineering. 

Air Filtration and Ventilation Basics Terms

Absorption – when a substance assimilates into another such as in cream into coffee or sugar into water.

 

Adsorption – when molecules, atoms, or ions gather on the surface of molecular filtration media.   

 

Air handling unit (AHU) – a piece of equipment which uses a fan  to circulate air throughout a building, also referred to as an air handler. 

 

ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Airconditioning Engineers)- is a professional association for experts in the HVAC, air filtration, and related industries with over 57,000 members in 132 countries. Although ASHRAE was founded in the United States, it is a global organization with the mission of advancing research on energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and sustainable development, as well as publishing technical standards in those areas.

 

Filter media – the part of the air filter, typically a non-woven fabric, that separates and holds the contaminants as air passes through the filter.  

 

HVAC – an acronym for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. A building (or vehicle’s) HVAC system regulates variables such as temperature and humidity within a specific environment as determined by its inhabitants.

Pollution and Air Quality Terms

Aerosol – fine particulate suspended in the air generally less than 5 micron in size. Infected aerosols from human respiration have been shown to be a transmission route of COVID-19, because they can be inhaled by uninfected individuals. 

 

Allergen – an allergen is a substance that is harmless to most people, but causes the immune systems of some individuals to produce an extreme reaction. Allergens in the air can include dust mites, pollen, plant matter,  pet fur and dander. 

 

Contaminant – any unwanted substance in the air that affects air quality.

 

Gaseous contaminants – also known as molecular contaminants, these contaminants include VOCs and any unwanted gases in the air that impact air quality. 

 

Particulate matter – often abbreviated to PM1, PM2.5 or PM10, these microscopic particles suspended in the air are known to cause damage to human health as well as industrial equipment and processes. Particulate matter can be made out of anything.

 

Respiratory droplets – similar to aerosols except generally classified as larger than 5 microns.Respiratory droplets are droplets of moisture expelled from your lungs when you talk, breathe, cough, and sneeze. Due to their larger size, respiratory droplets do not remain suspended in the air for as long as aerosols, and therefore settle on nearby surfaces within a shorter period of time. 

 

VOCs – volatile organic compounds are gaseous, carbon-containing compounds that easily vaporize at room temperature (in other words, they are highly volatile). Examples of VOCs include formaldehyde (CH20), acetone (C3H60), and ethanol (C2H6OH).

Air Filter Type and Filter Efficiency Terms

Activated carbon filter – a filter that uses carbon or charcoal treated to increase adsorption as its filter media. Activated carbon filters are used for gaseous (or molecular) contaminants. 

 

Air purifier – a standalone device that operates separately from a building’s HVAC system to remove contaminants from the air. This may also be called an air cleaner.

 

HEPA filter – stands for high efficiency particulate air filter. In the United States, a HEPA filter must remove 99.97% of particles with a diameter of 0.3 microns. However, many products on the market falsely claim to provide HEPA filtration. Look out for terms such as True HEPA or Absolute HEPA filters, and use the guidance of an air filtration and ventilation expert, who will be able to help you purchase filters from reputable manufacturers. 

 

MERV – a filter’s Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value is assigned by ASHRAE after rigorous testing that indicates how effective it is at filtering out particles in several size ranges. MERV values range from MERV-1 to MERV-16, with higher numbers indicating a more efficient filter. 

 

MERV-A – when ASHRAE assigns a MERV-A value to an air filter, this means it has undergone additional steps in testing to indicate that it will maintain its rated efficiency throughout its lifespan. Many air filters use an electrostatic charge to increase particle capture, but when this charge dissipates, the filter can no longer capture particles as effectively. In other words, a MERV-13A filter will stay a MERV-13A filter for its entire service life, whereas a MERV-13 filter is likely to lose efficiency within a short period of time  and perform only as effectively as a MERV-8 or MERV-9 filter for the rest of its lifespan. 

 

Panel filter – air filters (generally produced from pleated media) designed to protect parts of an HVAC system or as a pre-filter to extend the life of a secondary filter in a multi-stage air filtration system.

About Camfil Clean Air Solutions

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

 

The Camfil Group is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, and has 33​ manufacturing sites, six R&D centers, local sales offices in 30 countries, and about 4,80​0 employees and growing. We proudly serve and support customers in a wide variety of industries and in communities across the world. To discover how Camfil USA can help you to protect people, processes and the environment, visit us at www.camfil.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 What Is Filter Media? – Air Filtration and Indoor Air Quality Glossary appeared first on Air Filters for Clean Air.

from Air Filters for Clean Air