Friday, October 13, 2017

What Are Fast Food Emissions and Why Are They Killing Us?

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

From trash on the streets to greenhouse gas emissions, fast food restaurants are a source of significant pollution. What are the solutions?

Fast food restaurants have become a fact of life throughout the world. In fact, fast food restaurants in the world generate more than $570 billion a year, and the U.S. accounts for nearly half that amount with $200 billion in fast food revenues in 2015.

And with a projected annual growth rate of 2.5-percent, there is no end to the number of new fast food restaurants that will crop up around the world.

But the problem is that fast food emissions are becoming a real problem, as the harmful pollutants created by these facilities have many scientists concerned about their adverse environmental and health effects.

To understand this issue, it is important to first learn the definition of a food carbon footprint, then delve into some of the ways that fast food franchises are trying to deal with this issue.

What Is a Food Carbon Footprint?

So what is a food carbon footprint, and how does it relate to fast food restaurants?

A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated by a person, a facility or by an industrial process such as burning coal.

It is calculated by summing the emissions resulting from every stage of a product or service’s lifetime. Throughout a product’s lifetime or life cycle, different greenhouse gases may be emitted, such as methane and nitrous oxide, each with a greater or lesser ability to trap heat in the atmosphere. (2)

Therefore, a food carbon footprint is a number of GHG emissions generated by the production and transportation of food.

Why Fast Food Chains Generate Emissions

The reason why fast food chains generation emissions are that meat products have a significantly higher carbon footprint than vegetables or grains.

In fact, a study by the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) found that U.S.-based fast food chains in India such as Starbucks, McDonald’s, Subway and Dunkin Donuts are the largest contributors to hydrofluorocarbons (HFC) emissions and could add the equivalent of nearly one million tons of carbon emissions by 2020. (3)

More troubling is the fact that the eight largest fast food chains in India could generate as much as one million tons of carbon emissions by 2020.

Hamburgers are a popular menu item at fast food restaurants, but a recent study by the University of California, Riverside found that the process of grilling burgers releases twice as much particulate matter (PM) into the air per year as truck and factory emissions. (4)

Read

Grilling Hamburgers in Fast Food Restaurants – Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Scientists have long identified PM – which are solid and liquid contaminants that become airborne – as one of the most dangerous pollutants to human health.

In addition to the PM released by the process, grilling hamburgers also cause grease, smoke, heat, water vapor and combustion products that all contain harmful pollutants.

Exposure To Cooking Fumes Causes Health Problems

And research has found that short-term and long-term exposure to cooking fumes such as the fumes released by fast food restaurants can have adverse effects on human health.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that smoke from frying or grilling increases exposure to carbon monoxide and could affect the health of unborn babies. (5)

The smoke from grilling contains toxic chemicals known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that are harmful to the lungs. Constant and long-term exposure to PAHs has been linked to pulmonary disease, gastrointestinal, and cancer.

“In the past few years, research has found that the emissions generated by fast food restaurants are beginning to exceed vehicle emissions in some major cities,” stated Charlie Seyffer, Camfil USA Manager of Technical Material. “This is especially true for fast food restaurants that specialize in barbecued or charbroiled foods because the process of cooking in this manner generates significantly more harmful pollutants than regular frying. It is imperative, therefore, that fast food restaurants begin finding ways to lower the rate of emissions.”

Lowering Fast Food Restaurant Emissions

Some chains have already started that process of lowering fast food restaurant emissions.

For example, McDonald’s has created the McDonald Environmental Scorecard, which encourages suppliers to observe green strategies to lower their carbon footprint.

And Subway, which has more than 44,000 restaurants throughout the world, has introduced eco-friendly restaurants that ban smoking, and that monitor outside air to determine carbon monoxide levels.

Watch Video by Camfil – > Food & Beverage Suitable Industry Air Filters

How To Protect Your Health When Grilling

As you’ve seen, grilling is one of the biggest sources of fast food emissions, so learning how to protect your health when grilling at home is important.

One of the best ways to reduce toxic grilling smoke is to precook your meat before placing it on the grill. This reduces the amount of drippings that create the harmful smoke linked to adverse health.

Camfil, a major air filter supplier to this industry, has been providing air filtration solutions that help these facilities clean up these emissions, inside and out. In extreme cases, there is even equipment that is designed to spin vast amounts of grease particles out of the air and safely remove them as waste. Careful consideration of the offending contaminants’ makeup, selecting a system specific to the contaminant and volume of contaminant involved, and selection of a ‘removal’ system will go a long way in reducing the carbon footprint associated with an industry people have come to love.

For more than 50 years, Camfil has been providing the most technologically-advanced industrial air filtration systems. Camfil has built its reputation on providing quality on a budget. Camfil operates under the guiding principle that clean air is the right of all humans no matter where they live. The company is well equipped to offer clean-air solutions to any facility that seeks to improve its indoor air quality, and the overall health of its employees.

Lynne Laake

Camfil USA Air Filters

T: 888.599.6620,

E:Lynne.Laake@camfil.com

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Fast Food Emissions Camfil USA Air Filters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SOURCES

  1. http://bit.ly/2gh4Kni
  2. http://bit.ly/2yn21yY
  3. http://bit.ly/2giHCVb
  4. http://bit.ly/2xDSd4B
  5. http://bit.ly/2zmML3h
  6. http://bit.ly/1ObCTJS

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Thursday, October 12, 2017

Particulate Matter: What You Don’t Know Could Kill You

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

The health effects of particulate matter and how countries can shape air filtration strategies

Author Information Lynne Laake
Camil Air Filters

It’s become almost a cliché in the air filtration industry to mention the words “particulate matter,” because they are so often used to explain one of the major causes of low indoor air quality.

But the truth is, particulate matter lies at the heart of what makes the air inside many commercial facilities so hazardous to human health, so there is no way to overstate the importance of understanding all the ins and outs of particulate matter.

“We have found that there is so little knowledge about particulate matter among the populations that are most affected by substandard indoor air quality,” stated Charlie Seyffer, Technical Services Manager at Camfil, USA. “There is really no way to begin the discussion of air quality without talking in depth about particulate matter and how it can adversely affect human health. As a result, even a basic understanding of this issue will move the discussion about clean air solutions in a very positive direction.”

On a fundamental level, most people understand what air pollution means, but the details are understandably fuzzy about what exactly causes harmful air.

What the EPA Says about Particulate Matter

For years, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has done its best to educate the public about the dangers of particulate matter.

On the agency’s website, under the title Particulate Matter (PM) Basics, PM is the acronym for particulate matter, which is described as:

“A mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air. Some particles, such as dust, dirt, soot or smoke, are larger or dark enough to be seen with the naked eye. Others are so small they can only be detected using an electron microscope.”

PM is typically broken down into three ranges:  PM10, PM2.5, and the smallest range PM1.

PM1 refers to the smallest of all inhalable particles that have a diameter of 1.0 micrometers or smaller, the most dangerous where 98% of all airborne particles reside.

PM2.5 refers to fine inhalable particles that have a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or smaller, the higher end of respirable particles that can get into the lungs and do damage.

PM10 refers to inhalable particles that have a diameter of 10 micrometers or smaller, typically defined as coarse particles.

But to put these sizes into perspective, 1 micrometer is 100 times smaller than a strand of human hair.

Particulate matter can be generated from the agglomeration of gases and liquids emitted from power plants, factories and vehicles exhaust.

Chemicals such as nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide result from a complex series of reactions, and can form into particulate matter.

WHO Study Catalogs the Dangers of PM Exposure

A comprehensive World Health Organization (WHO) study on the health effects of particulate matter in certain European countries, found that short-term and long-term exposure to PM2.5 can cause “respiratory and cardiovascular morbidity, such as aggravation of asthma, respiratory symptoms and an increase in hospital admissions.”

People with lung or heart disease, the elderly and children are at the highest risk of being affected by elevated levels of PM2.5 and PM1, because their immune systems are compromised or not fully developed.

But the most alarming aspect of the study was the discovery that diesel engine exhaust has now been classified as a carcinogenic by the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

A piece published on the American Cancer Society’s webpage, further explained this classification:

“Exhaust from diesel engines brings a complex mixture of soot and gases to roadways, cities, farms, and other places. Health concerns about diesel exhaust relate not only to cancer, but also to other health problems such as lung and heart diseases.”

And while it may seem as if particulate matter exposure is only a problem for people who spend time outdoors, that is not the truth.

In fact, because so many commercial facilities use outdoor air in their ventilation systems, PM concentrations are often many times higher indoors than outdoors.

The reason is that once PM-contaminated air enters an enclosed space that lacks an effective air filtration system, it can remain airborne for days and weeks, posing a health risk to employees and visitors who frequent the facility.

Throughout the world, about three percent of cardiopulmonary fatalities and five percent of lung cancer fatalities are directly linked to particulate matter. In Europe, between one and three percent of cardiopulmonary fatalities and between two and five percent of lung cancer fatalities are tied to particulate matter.

In 2010 alone, it is estimated that more than three million people passed away due to exposure to PM2.5.

Clean Air Solutions

At Camfil Air Filters, we are dedicated to providing you with actionable resources to help improve the quality of air at your commercial facility.

Particulate matter is a big issue at a number of commercial industries, and without an air filtration strategy, the quality of indoor air will continue to deteriorate.

For more than 50 years we have offered clean air solutions that are energy-efficient air filtration, and we look forward to helping you with all your air quality needs.

Lynne Laake

Camfil USA Air Filters

T: 888.599.6620,

E:Lynne.Laake@camfil.com

F: Friend  Camfil USA on Facebook

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SOURCE Camfil.us

SOURCES

  1. http://bit.ly/2sHzGxF
  2. http://bit.ly/2z3zzQ1
  3. http://bit.ly/2zjkcE5

 

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Monday, October 9, 2017

How the Clean Air Economy Can Help Save Your Life

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

Since the passage of the Clean Air Act, air pollution has become big business and led to the development of the clean air economy. What is it, and how does it help you?

The Clean Air Act was passed in 1963 and signaled a shift in how the U.S. government viewed and acted against increasing levels of air pollution. The act gave powers to the federal and state government to enact regulations that limited emissions from factories and from motor vehicles.

One of the ancillary effects of the act is that it has created a clean air economy, driven by the formation of businesses focused solely on providing Americans with products that can help lower air pollution at home, at work and even in their cars. The clean air economy has generated billions in revenue, but it has also benefited the public by helping educate them about the importance of clean air.

Benefits of the Clean Air Act

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Clean Air Act was the first federal law related to air pollution control in the U.S. The act created a federal program in the U.S. Public Health Service and gave it the power to develop new techniques to monitor and lower air pollution levels. Since then, several major amendments have expanded the power of state and local governments to create emission standards and regulate toxic pollutants. (1)

“The Clean Air Act was a milestone for the U.S. in terms of pollution control,” stated Armando Brunetti, Camfil Americas Executive Vice President. “It established protocols for analyzing air quality and creating standards to reduce pollution from emissions. Most importantly, it brought the importance of good air quality into the national conversation.”

There are many benefits of the Clean Air Act, but probably the most important one is that by requiring states to lower air pollution levels, millions of Americans were protected from premature deaths and serious illnesses related to poor air quality, such as lung cancer and heart problems.

The EPA reported that reductions in fine particulate pollution and ozone levels had, “avoided more than 160,000 premature deaths, 130,000 heart attacks, millions of cases of respiratory problems such as acute bronchitis and asthma attacks, and 86,000 hospital admissions.” (2)

The Clean Air Act also helped prevent 13 million workdays that would have been lost to absence or illness and prevented 3.2 million lost school days that would have resulted from respiratory ailments caused by poor air quality.

But another huge benefit has been the creation of the clean air economy, driven by thousands of air quality businesses that sell equipment and devices to help Americans improve the air they breathe.

The Prevalence of Indoor Air Quality Products

According to TechSci Research, the U.S. air cleaner industry is projected to grow at a nine-percent rate until 2019. Part of the reason for this steady growth is the emergence of the healthcare and hospitality industries as major buyers of these products. (3)

This isn’t really a surprise because, since the passage of the Clean Air Act, thousands of indoor air quality products have hit the market, designed in one way or another to help eliminate pollutants in the air.

Air cleaners, also known as air purifiers are probably the most common type of indoor air quality product that is sold to consumers. These devices are made to eliminate specific pollutants such as:

Particulates – includes smoke, pollen, dust, pet dander, tobacco smoke, particles created by wood-burning stoves, dust mites, mold, bacteria, and viruses.

Gas Pollutants – includes gas from stoves, vehicle exhaust emissions, tobacco smoke, pesticides, paints, and adhesives.

The majority of air cleaners sold on the market are electronic air cleaners that use an electrostatic charge to attract and trap particles. These types of cleaners are used to remove particulates but do not work well for gas pollutants. (4)

To eliminate gas pollutants, you need to invest in an air cleaner that has a gas-phase air filter, which eliminates gases and odors by absorbing them through some type of gas-moving material that will typically include activated carbon.

How to Keep Air Clean

The clean air economy shows no signs of slowing down, and that’s good news for anyone who is concerned about how to keep the air clean at home or at the workplace. We’ve seen how air cleaners can help reduce the level of pollution, but there are other methods you can implement to improve the quality of the air you breathe.

First, you should check your home or workplace for areas of excess moisture, because wetness can lead to the development of bacteria and mold spores that are harmful to your health. Second, have the lines to your gas stove inspected to ensure there are no dangerous leaks. And lastly, use high-efficiency commercial & industrial air filters to help eliminate as many of t harmful pollutants. Consider air filters rated for removal of particulate matter (PM) to address the conditions in a specific environment.

Camfil USA Air Filters How the Clean Air Economy Can Help Save Your Life

Backed by over 50 years of experience and innovation, every Camfil product is designed to provide high-efficiency air filtration, low energy consumption, and a healthier environment. No matter what your needs, Camfil has a solution that is right for you.

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 Camfil.us

SOURCES

  1. http://bit.ly/2y8erZo
  2. http://bit.ly/2yTL1Oa
  3. http://bit.ly/2y8esfU
  4. http://bit.ly/2yUgbEP

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Thursday, October 5, 2017

How to Fight Air Pollution in China

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

Air pollution in China is amongst the worst in the world. What are the causes of this smog problem, and what can be done about it?

China suffers from some of the worst air pollutions in the world. Two of its cities, Baoding and Xingtai, are in the top 10 for cities with the worst air pollution, according to the World Health Organization. (1) China’s smog causes a variety of health problems, and this year saw China’s Jiangsu province receive the country’s first ever red alert for smog. What are the causes of air pollution in China?  It’s important to understand the causes of air pollution in China, so solutions to the problem can be devised.

Causes of air pollution in China

There are various causes of air pollution in China, but the main cause is the burning of fossil fuels, including coal. Coal burning is the biggest contributing factor to China’s smog problem, according to the Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences.

“Emissions from coal burning plants in China’s most developed regions – Beijing, Hebei, and Tianjin – are five times China’s national average emissions.  Much of China gets its energy from coal, and the burning of this coal produces particulate matter,” explains Kevin Wood, Camfil USA Vice President Sales & Marketing. “This particulate matter is responsible for turning the air into smog. These particles can reduce visibility, create acid rain, and damage people’s health.” (2)

The air in Beijing frequently hits 300 and above on the EPA’s air quality guide, representing the worst possible rating on the guide. The EPA recommends that for particulate pollution numbers above 200, those with heart or lung diseases should avoid all outdoor physical activity, and everyone else should stay away from heavy exertion. (3)

The problem of smog becomes even worse during the wintertime, as many rural families and urban communities use coal to keep warm during the winter. Beijing suffers from some of the worst smog, and the problem is compounded by being in a valley between the Xishan and Yanshan mountain regions. If a high-pressure system moves in, the air above the city can’t move over the nearby mountains, and just sits there becoming more polluted.

Health effects of air pollution in China

In terms of the health effects of air pollution in China, exposure to the polluted air in various Chinese cities can cause heart or lung conditions, and exacerbate symptoms in people who already have said conditions.

Particulate matter, particles which are smaller than 10 micrometers, can damage lungs and cause heart attacks. It can also kill people who have heart or lung diseases.

“Exposure to these tiny particles has been linked with lung cancer, and the World Health Organization reports that fine particulates are to blame in the 5% of deaths from lung cancer worldwide, or about 800,000 deaths annually,” says Wood. “Outdoor air pollution from coal burning and other sources causes the deaths of an estimated 1.6 million people in China every year, around 4400 people a day. Fine particles can also exacerbate asthma and cause difficulty breathing even in healthy people.’ (4)

Nanoparticles are particles which are smaller than 100 nanometers in size. Current research on the impact of nanoparticles on human health suggests they can even penetrate cell membranes and cause a range of health problems such as damage to the circulatory system and lungs.

Solutions to air pollution in China

What are some solutions to air pollution in China? Air pollution in China can be combated by reducing dependency on coal for manufacturing,  energy and heating. China has a five-year plan to reduce emissions and tighten their air pollution targets. The government will be limiting the emissions of tiny particulate matter from factories by 25%. The Chinese government will also be promoting electricity and natural gas in place of coal, and implementing control measures to deal with air pollution. China is investing in larger wind and solar power projects to cut down on emissions from coal and other fossil fuels.  Coal plants are currently being shut down by the Chinese government, in favor of wind and solar power plants. (5)

“Beyond these steps, existing coal using facilities can install air scrubbers to reduce particulate emissions, residents can switch to alternatives for current coal stoves and furnaces, vehicle emission standards should be enforced, and higher-quality fuel can be used for diesel and gas vehicles,” says Wood. “Demand for continued economic growth is slowing down some of China’s anti-pollution efforts. However, if China is to clean up its air, it will have to find some way of implementing these policies despite pressure to continue rapid growth.” (6)

Air Pollution in China Camfil USA Air Filters

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you want more information on the hazards of air pollution, and steps you can take to cut back on your own emissions, visit Camfil and check out our excellent resources.

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 Camfil.us

Sources:

http://read.bi/2xWIMwI

http://bit.ly/2geYoBq

http://bit.ly/2xWypbT

http://nyti.ms/2geYoRW

http://bit.ly/2xUPX8n

http://bbc.in/2gf51DY

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Wednesday, September 27, 2017

How to Improve Indoor Air Quality & Productivity

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

Recent studies suggest that indoor air quality and productivity of employees are related factors and that healthy air quality directly contributes to the performance of staff. Understanding the relationship between the two topics will help employers improve both air quality and the health and performance of their employees.

While corporate wellness programs often include instructions on diet and exercise to improve employee health and performance, wellness programs may want to start focusing on the environment of the office building itself. Recent studies have found a link between indoor air quality and productivity of staff. A good ventilation system will not only maintain the health and comfort of employees, it will also enhance their cognitive performance and efficiency. Why does poor air quality mean poorer employee performance, and what can be done to ensure the high quality of both?

Relationship between indoor air quality and productivity

Better air quality translates to fewer pollutants in the air and more oxygen. Improved oxygen flow to the brain results in better cognitive performance, while symptoms of oxygen deprivation include a decline in cognition. (1)

A joint study done by Harvard University and Syracuse University investigated the relationship between indoor air quality and productivity. The research teams tested employees under a variety of simulated office environments with various levels of carbon dioxide, emissions from office products and ventilation. The employees were tested and monitored under two different circumstances. One of the test conditions involved employees doing regular tasks in “green” conditions with improved ventilation where carbon dioxide and emission levels were reduced, while the other condition had the employees doing their tasks in regular office building conditions. (2)

“The employees who carried out their tasks under the green environment performed around 60% better in cognitive tasks than the employees who were tested in a standard office environment,” explains Kevin Wood, Camfil USA Vice President Sales & Marketing. “When ventilation was doubled in the green testing conditions, their cognitive performance increased by more than 100%. These findings are compelling reasons to get serious about indoor air quality and productivity in offices and other workplaces, it affects not only the health of your employees but your bottom line.”

In addition to the helpful effects of improved air quality on cognition, good air quality also improves general health. Yet another study was conducted which examined 10 green-certified buildings and found that employees in these circumstances dealt with around 30% fewer headaches and respiratory problems than employees in the average office building. This was on top of a 27% boost in performance on cognitive tasks. Employees even slept better at night.

Investing in the clean indoor air for employees quickly pays for itself. Recent research suggests that spending around $40 a person every year on indoor air quality results in around a $6500 increase in productivity.

Improving indoor air quality and productivity

Improving indoor air quality and productivity can be done once it is determined that a building has air quality problems. Variables like carbon dioxide emissions, humidity, airflow, and temperature can be analyzed to determine if there is a problem with indoor air quality. Preventative steps should also be taken to ensure good air quality. Heating and cooling systems and filters and purifiers should be regularly maintained and inspected to stop the spread of pollutants before they become an issue.  (3)

There are three main strategies that must be integrated together to control indoor air quality. Pollutants should be diluted and removed from the building with ventilation, and filtration systems should be used to clean the air of remaining pollutants.

Sources of pollutants should be removed from the building or isolated from occupants using air pressure relationships and physical barriers. Biological contaminants like mold, bacteria, pollen, and other allergens can result from poor maintenance or cleaning and can be brought into the building by occupants or with introduced outside air. Chemical pollutants are often generated by products used within the building like chemical cleaners, or certain appliances. Indoor air quality management programs should work to minimize people’s exposure to these pollutants in the first place.

“As buildings have become increasingly energy efficient they have also become increasingly airtight. This means that less air is flowing in and out of the building, so pollutants can easily become trapped inside,” says Kevin Wood, Camfil USA Vice President Sales & Marketing. “Ventilation is necessary to control air quality under these conditions, as they function by diluting substances such as mold or carbon dioxide. HVAC systems are integral to maintaining good air quality, but they can also be sources of pollutants in some instances, as filters can become contaminated with moisture or dirt which may lead to microbial growth.” (4)

HVAC systems are most effective when designed to meet the needs of the building it is installed in, so if a building is modified the HVAC system should be upgraded to accommodate the changes. For instance, if an office building is retrofitted to hold more employees, the HVAC system should be changed as well.

Facility managers play a critical role in promoting both good indoor air quality and productivity. They should assess the current indoor air quality by reviewing records for HVAC design, installation, and operation and create an indoor air profile for the building that includes potential sources of indoor air pollution.

“Facility managers can educate staff about managing indoor air quality through training and policies for managing pollutant sources. Managers should maintain and operate the building and ventilation system, ensuring high-quality indoor air by creating and reinforcing standard operating and maintenance policies and by quickly responding to spills, floods, leaks or other accidents that could negatively affect indoor air quality”, explains Wood. “Finally, facility managers should be sure to manage potential sources of pollutants such as cigarette smoke, dust, and debris from construction, fumes from pest control products and exhaust fumes from garages.” (5)

If you want to improve both the air quality in your building and the productivity of your workers, visit Camfil air filters for professional air filtration advice about maintaining air quality and read about the excellent range of air filter solutions and commercial grade air purifiers.

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 Camfil.us

 

Sources:

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http://bit.ly/2y8LIGR

http://bit.ly/2k4AtZE

http://bit.ly/2y8lGDQ

http://bit.ly/2k2VKDa

 

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Friday, September 22, 2017

Camfil Air Filters Announces Support of New ISO 16890 Standard for Air Filtration

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

Air filtration standards will now be uniform throughout the world

Camfil is pleased to announce its support of a new ISO 16890 standard that is an alternative to the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) 52:2 standard that has been used in the U.S., and EN779 that was used in Europe and other parts of the world. ISO 16890 creates a global standard that brings harmony and unity to the way air filter efficiency is measured.

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“We welcome the new ISO standard, because of its worldwide application to air filtration efficiency,” stated Kevin Wood, Camfil USA Vice President Sales & Marketing. “To this point, there has not been a global standard that eliminates confusion between countries as to which of the standards in use are superior. This was a decision that was made with the cooperation of all countries involved, which shows the need for a standard that all stakeholders could agree was necessary given the challenges we face fighting pollution across the globe.”

The ISO 16890 standard – which took effect on December 1, 2016 – creates new guidelines for air filter efficiency with values that replace the old ASHRAE standards’ Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV). In the past, ASHRAE 52.2 and EN779 were a cause of confusion among air filter consumers as they were unsure how to compare efficiency rates in countries that did not use the same standards.

“This new standard clears the field for both air filter consumers and air filter manufacturers,” added Wood. “With ISO 16890, comparisons are now useful, because every filter is subject to the same standards. Therefore, consumers can compare air filtration products and devices on an equal basis, and decide what works best for their needs. In the long run, this will also benefit consumers because it will drive out some of the lower-quality products from the market.”

The ISO 16890 Standard also rates the ability of air filters to trap ultrafine particles, referred to as PM1, that are one micron or less in diameter. Furthermore, air filters are now tested for efficiency when they are new, and also after their electrostatic charge has faded or been removed. This secondary testing is important because studies have found that electrostatic charges artificially enhance air filter performance during lab testing. The requirement of a second test now provides a true analysis of an air filter’s capability to trap hazardous particles.

Air filtration standards Camfil USA

About

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

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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 Camfil.us

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Should You Extend the Time Between PM Service Calls?

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

Base PM schedule on equipment needs, not air filter changes.

Ask drivers how often they should change oil in their cars and you’ll likely hear an answer that’s been repeated for generations: ‘three months or every 3,000 miles, whichever comes first.’ The performance of older automobile engines and the low quality of motor oil demanded a short interval be followed to avoid expensive repairs. However, that may no longer be valid as improvements to automotive engines and advancement in oil chemistry has changed the paradigm; saving many companies significant internal or external labor hours and cost.

While car manufacturers are extending maintenance intervals up to 10,000 miles in some cases, that message has not yet reached everyone.  Quick in-and-out oil change shops with guilt inducing windshield stickers, are doing their best to insure the 3,000 mile/ three-month oil change remains firmly in place, for obvious reasons.

Oil change intervals are not the only maintenance cycle under challenged due to advanced technology.  Recent improvements to HVAC equipment, building automation systems and air filter technology have progressed to the point where the question should be asked: Is it also time to rethink the industry standard of quarterly PM service calls on your HVAC equipment?

Let’s look at just a few recent technical innovations on three key components of HVAC systems and how they give you flexibility when determining the optimum interval between PM calls.

1. Like most mechanical systems, HVAC equipment has benefited from the improved reliability of raw materials in the supply chain. Stress fractures from the vibration of moving parts for example, is less of an issue as the consistency of metals and other materials used for structural supports have become more reliable. Belts, which in the past required regular inspections, now routinely run a minimum of one year between adjustments.

If we look inside at the heart of an HVAC systems, new variable speed compressor technology reduces wear and tear by matching the compressor’s operational speed to the demand load. This also reduces repeated startups from a dead stop which is not only hard on equipment, but requires significant energy.

If the compressor is the heart of the system, coils are the veins and arteries. Micro-channel coil technology, borrowed from the automotive industry, utilizes aluminum tubes as opposed to fins. These tubes are much sturdier with a higher resistance to corrosion. The manufacturing technique used to produce these coils has fewer critical inherent failure points which further improves reliability.

2. A maintenance office in today’s world may resemble an air traffic control tower due to the expanded use of building automation systems. It was not all that long ago, the ability to continuously monitor and adjust the performance of your HVAC equipment from a single computer terminal was limited to Fortune 500 companies with deep pockets. That is no longer the case as the widespread use of this technology has brought its benefits within nearly everyone’s budget.

These systems give the user the ability to monitor the current condition of multiple units with the same level of confidence as a visual inspection.  As software continuously improves, diagnostic functions and even equipment failure predictions, will allow managers to avoid running equipment to failure between pre-scheduled maintenance calls.

PM service calls HVAC Equipment Camfil

3. The air filter is the final piece of the puzzle. More than the other two components, the service life of the pleated air filter has historically been the primary driver when developing a PM schedule. In the past, air filters would need replacing every three months. The lack of technical innovation to improve service life by air filter manufacturers coupled with service contractors who built their business models on four changes per year, left the industry with their version of the “3000 mile oil change.”

However, according to Camfil USA’s Food and Beverage Segment Manager, Mark Davidson; “While today’s pleated air filters may look the same as they used to, the similarity ends there. Today, you can find structurally strong, water-resistant pleated filters produced from multiple fiber densities with higher MERV ratings. It may be a surprise to learn, but 12-month service life guarantees are now available”

“Be an active participant when selecting air filters that protect your people and your products. Everyone in the supply chain doesn’t have the same motives so it’s up to user to request test reports or modeling software projections. After purchase and installation, validate those lab reports with actual field testing to confirm performance.”

“Also, demand those service life guarantees,” says Davidson, “and take advantage of those filters capable of delivering higher performance. PM schedules can now be developed after removing the service life of the air filter from the equation. In other words, create PM schedules based solely upon the needs and performance of equipment; not because an air filter needs to be changed.”

Based on the advancement in equipment performance, building controls and air filter technology, should building managers rethink the practice of automatically scheduling quarterly PM service calls? It may be hard to say yes to that question, but remember that improvements in the auto industry challenged something as deep-seated as the 3000-mile oil change, and we are all the better for it. Overall cost to the consumer is down, performance is up and we are disposing of far less waste oil.

In the HVAC world, it seems technological improvements now allow PM schedules to be based primarily on the mechanical needs of the equipment and not because the air filters need changing. System performance is improved, overall cost down and far fewer dirty filters shipped to landfills.

CONCLUSION:

For more than 50 years, Camfil has sold value added energy and labor saving air filtration products to commercial facilities.

Camfil air filters remove not only dust, but fine particles down to the sub-micron level.

Instead of just improving the air quality, air filters can also save money through a reduction in energy costs. Without effective air filtration systems, indoor pollutants can cause a variety of health problems.

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Clean air is a human right because it is essential for life.

Camfil is focused on creating a better future. Camfil air filtration products today are delivering unmatched results, in terms of both filtration and energy efficiency, but there is still much work to be done.

 

Lynne Laake

Camfil USA Air Filters

T: 888.599.6620,

E: Lynne.Laake@camfil.com

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