2023 Allergy Capitals Report Explained — Which US Cities Have the Worst Allergy Season?

Allergies are an increasingly common condition in the United States. The 2023 Allergy Capitals Report provides an important insight into the cities currently suffering from the worst allergy season. This report identifies the top 100 cities in America where allergies are most problematic, taking factors such as airborne pollen counts, median mold spores, and ragweed allergen index into account. Knowing which cities suffer from higher-than-normal allergen levels can help those with allergies prepare for the upcoming seasons and make informed decisions about their travels and daily activities.

In this article, Camfil air quality experts explain the findings of the 2023 Allergies Capital Report and discuss strategies for mitigating the effects of pollen allergies.

What is the Allergies Capital Report?

Each year, the Allergies and Asthma Foundation of America (AAFA) releases a report highlighting the 100 worst cities for seasonal allergy sufferers based on three main quantifiable factors:

• Pollen count scores from trees, grasses, weeds, and other pollen-producing plants
• Usage of over-the-counter allergy medication usage
• Availability of allergy specialists per capita

This year’s report emphasizes the importance of monitoring local pollen levels with pollen sensors, the impact of climate change on seasonal allergies, and self-care strategies for seasonal allergy sufferers.

Seasonal Allergies FAQs

What Are Seasonal Allergies?

Seasonal allergic rhinitis, more commonly referred to as seasonal allergies and sometimes as “hay fever,” is a condition caused by the presence of certain types of pollen, which act as a respiratory irritant for some people. Seasonal allergies usually occur in the spring and summer when most plants release pollen, but some places experience seasonal allergies year-round now due to the range of native and invasive plant species with different pollen seasons. Additionally, rising temperatures due to climate change have caused pollen seasons to start earlier and last longer in recent years.

What Are the Symptoms of Seasonal Allergies?

Seasonal allergies can range in magnitude from mild irritation to severe discomfort and interruption of daily activities, with symptoms frequently including:

• Sneezing
• Stuffy nose
• Runny nose
• Red, itchy, or watery eyes
• Itchy ears, nose, and mouth
• Throat pain and irritation
• Fatigue or excessive tiredness

Common Seasonal Pollutants

Seasonal pollutants vary regionally and by the time of year, and not every allergy sufferer is affected by every kind of pollen. Some of the most common allergy-causing plants in the United States include:

• Grass 
• Burning bush
• Cocklebur
• Lamb’s-quarters
• Pigweed
• Sagebrush and mugwort
• Tumbleweed and Russian thistle

How Many People Are Affected by Seasonal Allergies?

According to AAFA data, 81 million Americans were diagnosed with seasonal allergic rhinitis in 2021, accounting for 26% of American adults and 19% of American children. These numbers represent just the number of people who sought medical intervention for their allergy symptoms, so it is likely that the true percentage of affected individuals is significantly higher. Overall, an allergy to one or more kinds of pollen is the most commonly diagnosed allergy in the United States,

What Factors Make Seasonal Allergies Worse?

The presence of mold, air pollution, smoke, and dust in the air can worsen allergy symptoms as these pollutants also cause respiratory irritation. Exposure to allergens is also increased with activities like mowing the lawn, gardening, or participating in outdoor sports, which can lead to an increase in symptoms.

Additionally, warmer winter temperatures can cause spring plants to pollinate earlier, while a rainier spring season can lead to more rapid plant growth and introduce the presence of mold into the environment. All of these factors can cause allergy season to last longer and trigger more severe symptoms in more people.

Top 10 Worst Cities for Seasonal Allergies in 2023

The 2023 Allergy Capital Report named the following cities as the ten worst cities for seasonal allergy sufferers.

1. Wichita, KS
2. Dallas, TX
3. Scranton, PA
4. Oklahoma City, OK
5. Tulsa, OK
6. Sarasota, FL
7. Cape Coral, FL
8. Orlando, FL
9. Des Moines, IA
10. Greenville, SC 

Of these ten cities, Wichita, Scranton, and Oklahoma City were also among the ten worst cities for seasonal allergy sufferers in 2022.

How to Take Care of Yourself During Allergy Season 

AAFA and the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI) recommend the following strategies for taking care of yourself during allergy season:

• Consult with an allergist about what medication and immunotherapy may be appropriate for you. 
• Keep track of pollen and mold spore counts. 
• Have over-the-counter allergy medications such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and loratadine (Claritin) on hand. If you have to mow the lawn, weed your garden, or take care of other outdoor activities, take medication beforehand and consider wearing an N-95 mask to limit exposure.  
• Rinse out your nose.
• Take a shower, wash your hair, and change your clothes after long periods of time spent outdoors, particularly if you have been sitting on the grass or in an area with a lot of trees and plants. 
• Know which kinds of pollen you are sensitive to and limit time outdoors when these plants are pollinating. 
• Limit exposure to pollen, which can be done with an indoor air purifier.

How to Prevent Seasonal Allergies with Air Purifiers

The average American spends 90% of their time indoors, and for seasonal allergy sufferers, it can be tempting to spend even more time inside in an attempt to avoid pollen exposure. However, poorly ventilated indoor spaces or buildings that circulate air in from outside without proper filtration can have even higher concentrations of pollen than the outdoors, where the wind is able to disperse pollen at the very least.

Furthermore, indoor air can be as much as fifty times more polluted than outdoor air, and the additional respiratory irritation caused by other pollutants, such as dust and volatile organic compounds, can exacerbate the symptoms of pollen allergies.

Using a premium air purifier that uses tested and certified  HEPA filters, such as Camfil’s City M, can address indoor pollen concentrations. The City M also uses an activated carbon filter, which has the ability to capture and reduce irritating fumes, household odors, and VOCs that exacerbate respiratory irritation.

By using an effective air purifier like the City M in conjunction with other strategies such as medication and immunotherapy, you can stay ahead of your allergies this season and enjoy a more comfortable spring.

Listen to Colleen, a Camfil customer who uses the City M air purifier, discuss how the City M has provided relief from severe allergies and other respiratory problems.

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 31​ manufacturing sites, six R&D centers, local sales offices in 35+ countries, and about 5,200 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/ 

 

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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: 

https://acaai.org/allergies/allergic-conditions/seasonal-allergies/

https://community.aafa.org/blog/2023-allergy-capitals-report-where-does-your-city-rank

The post 2023 Allergy Capitals Report Explained — Which US Cities Have the Worst Allergy Season? appeared first on Air Filters for Clean Air.

from Air Filters for Clean Air

The Ultimate Guide to Air Cleaners for Hotels

Air quality should be a top priority for hotels and facility managers alike, with good indoor air potentially making the difference between an enjoyable stay or disappointment among guests. Poor air quality can be caused by a variety of factors such as bio-allergens like dust mites, mold spores, and pet dander; pollutant gases from building materials like paint; external allergens brought in from outdoors like pollen grains; smoke from cigarettes or even cooking fumes.

The latter factor is an especially important consideration from the perspective of a hotel guest. Lingering odors from previous room guests, particularly cigarette smoke, can make an otherwise excellent hotel stay unpleasant.

Fortunately, there are solutions available to tackle the problem efficiently in the form of air cleaners and air purifiers. In this article, Camfil air quality experts provide a comprehensive guide to air cleaners in hotels, covering essential information and considerations you should have when selecting the right product for your specific needs.

How Do Air Cleaners Work?

An air cleaner is an important option to consider in any strategy for improving hotel air quality. Air cleaners are portable air filtration devices that are designed to remove air pollution from a single room rather than an entire building (which would be the job of air filters within a building’s HVAC system).

Air cleaners help reduce airborne pollutants and allergens and circulate air around a space to improve ventilation, using a variety of technologies to do so. The main technologies used in air cleaners on the market in 2023 include:

• MERV-rated filters trap varying sizes of particulate matter (PM) within layers of filter media.
• HEPA filters are another type of mechanical filter that can filter out a minimum of 99.995% of particles at the most penetrating particle size (MPPS)
• Activated carbon filters use the chemical process of adsorption to catch gaseous pollutants such as volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), carbon monoxide, and ozone. Activated carbon filters are also the most effective air filtration solution against unpleasant odors, including cigarette smoke, according to industry best practices.
• Electrostatic precipitators use a chemical catalyst to convert pollutants into benign substances such as carbon dioxide and water vapor. 
• UV-C lights are often used as an aspect of an air filtration system to disinfect the air by killing harmful pathogens; UV-C lights cannot remove particulate matter or gaseous pollutants from the air, so they should not be used alone.

An effective, high-quality air cleaner should use a combination of two or more types of these filtration technologies to achieve the highest air quality possible.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Air Cleaners for Hotels

With the vast range of air cleaning products on the market it is important to consider the following factors in choosing the right product for your hotel:

• Room size. The size of the room or suite will affect the air cleaner that is chosen or how many air cleaners are required in the space to achieve the desired air quality. Knowing the volume of each room is important because different air cleaners have different capacities for what air volume they are able to move in any given period.
• Filtration efficiency. The efficiency of the air cleaner chosen is important and is dependent on the types and quality of air filters it uses. Air cleaners that use both actual  HEPA filters to target particulate matter and activated carbon filters to target molecular pollutants are usually the best choice for commercial applications such as hotel rooms. Be careful of devices that claim to be ‘true’  HEPA or HEPA-type filters; many cheap products falsely use this label. A real HEPA filter is individually factory tested to prove efficiency and will come with paperwork to demonstrate the results of those tests.
• Noise level. This is an especially important consideration in hotel rooms as an overly noisy air cleaner can disrupt sleep and leave guests feeling frustrated and unsatisfied. While some people enjoy the presence of white noise while they sleep, it is best to opt for the quietest air cleaners possible to account for those who prefer silence.
• Maintenance requirements. Many portable air cleaners are self-contained units that require little to no maintenance and last for many years. Some may need the filter replaced, but these can usually be done by maintenance or  housekeeping staff with minimal effort.
• Cost. Cost is always a factor when considering any type of purchase, especially those related to hospitality services such as air cleaning in hotel rooms. Fortunately, with modern air cleaners that are designed to be efficient and low-maintenance, the up-front cost is usually worth the improved guest experience and cost savings in the long run.

Ultimately it is important to choose an air cleaner that best meets the building’s needs while keeping both safety and cost in mind.

The Benefits of Using Air Cleaners in Hotels

Air cleaners are a significant purchase that requires a great deal of research and a notable upfront financial investment. Here are some of the biggest benefits of using air cleaners in hotels to consider when making the decision:

• Improved air quality is the most obvious and arguably the most important benefit of air cleaners in hotels. High levels of air pollutants can accumulate quickly in small spaces like hotel rooms, leading to an unpleasant, potentially dangerous atmosphere for guests. By using air cleaners and purifiers, hotels can greatly reduce the levels of pollutants in their rooms and create a more pleasant environment for their guests. Additionally, air purifiers with HEPA filters are very effective at reducing dust, pollen, and pet dander particles, which can be especially beneficial for those suffering from allergies or asthma.
• Removal of unpleasant odors from the air, which includes smoke and other unpleasant smells from cooking or previous guests. Despite rules against smoking in non-smoking rooms in most hotels and the consequent fines that come with breaking them, it is not uncommon for guests to smoke cigarettes in their rooms or on the adjoining balcony. For the next guest, the unpleasant odor of stale cigarette smoke can be disappointing and off putting, and potentially damage the hotel’s reputation and the guest’s attitude towards future stays.
• Reduced risk of airborne disease transmission. Hotel rooms come with a great deal of privacy, but in most buildings, guests are sharing the same HVAC system as their neighbors. If air filtration in the building’s HVAC system is inadequate to protect guests against airborne diseases such as RSV, COVID-19, influenza, and the common cold, hotel guests are at risk of contracting one of these diseases from someone they may never even interact with face to face. The right air cleaner, however, can help mitigate this risk by providing adequate circulation and properly filtering infected respiratory particles out of the air.
• Protection against odor damage. Even if air cleaners are used primarily to reduce the discomfort caused by odors and pollution, they can also help protect hotel furniture, carpets, and drapes from further damage caused by these contaminants. This is especially important in older hotels that may have a greater number of irreplaceable, unique items to protect from odors resulting from smoking or cooking. Furthermore, air cleaners protect guests’ possessions from odor damage in the same way.
• Ease of installation. Because premium air cleaners operate independently of a building’s HVAC system and plug into standard electrical outlets, installation does not require the assistance of a professional.
• Enhanced guest comfort and satisfaction, including better sleep. Air cleaners help to improve overall air quality, reduce odors, and remove dust and other particles that can cause allergies or otherwise make guests uncomfortable. There is also a rich connection in the scientific literature between better air quality and better mood, productivity, and sleep quality. The result is better sleep and improved comfort for the guest – something that can make an enormous difference in a hotel stay.
• Higher revenue. Providing luxuries such as air cleaners in some or all rooms and suites provides a reasonable opportunity to upcharge the price for a nightly stay in one of these spaces, leading to overall increased revenue once the initial cost of the air cleaner has been covered.
• Improved reputation. The above factors all impact the guest experience at a hotel in ways that improve reputation and increase the likelihood that guests will return to your hotel or provide a recommendation to friends, family, and coworkers. The positive impact that using state-of-the-art technology such as a premium air cleaner has on the brand reputation of a hotel is also an important reputation.

Best Practices for Using Air Cleaners in Hotels

• Developing a Comprehensive Indoor Air Quality Management Plan. Hotels should develop a comprehensive indoor air quality management plan to ensure the safety and comfort of guests. This plan should include regular maintenance to keep air cleaners in optimal working condition, as well as proper placement of units throughout the hotel. The plan should also address best practices for operating, cleaning, and replacing filters on a routine basis. In addition, the plan should include an emergency response protocol in case of any problems with air cleaners. The plan should also accommodate local air quality regulations as well as any applicable recommendations from relevant professional organizations, such as ASHRAE.
• Training Staff on Air Cleaner Use and Maintenance.  Proper training and education of hotel staff are essential for the effective use and maintenance of air cleaners. Hotel staff should understand how the units work, their benefits, when and how they need to be cleaned, and how often filters should be replaced. Furthermore, any new arrivals or changes in technology should also be discussed with staff so that they are familiar with the latest advances in air cleaning.
• Educating Guests on the Benefits of Air Cleaners.  It is also important to educate guests on the benefits of air cleaners. Hotels should include information about the units in guest materials, such as pamphlets, brochures, and webpages, and make sure that staff are trained to answer any questions guests may have. This will help guests understand why they should use air cleaners while staying at a hotel, and ensure that they take advantage of the health benefits these units can provide.
• Regular Testing and Monitoring of Air Quality in Hotel Rooms. In addition to having an indoor air quality management plan in place, it is important for hotels to monitor air quality on a regular basis. This will help ensure that any problems with air cleaners are identified early and addressed promptly. Hotel staff should also be trained on how to use air quality testing equipment, so they can detect and address any potential issues.

Potential Drawbacks of Using Air Cleaners in Hotels

The use of air cleaners and purifiers in hotels can certainly help to improve the air quality and decrease guest’s exposure to allergens and irritants, however, it is important to consider potential drawbacks when selecting an air cleaner or air purifier.

• Noise disruption to guests is one of the main drawbacks that must be taken into account when deciding on an air purifier or cleaner. It is essential to select a model of air cleaner that is designed to produce minimum white noise when operating at maximum efficiency.
• Ozone emissions from certain kinds of air cleaners are a possibility.  Ozone is a strong oxidant that can irritate the eyes, nose, and throat; these negative effects are especially pronounced in compact spaces such as hotel rooms where larger concentrations of the pollutant can build up rapidly. It is therefore important to opt for air cleaner models that use air filtration technologies such as HEPA filtration that do not produce dangerous pollutants.  
• Initial cost associated with installing and maintaining an air purifier or cleaner is another potential drawback that building managers must take into consideration. While it might come with a higher price tag than other hotel amenities, in the long run, it is likely to provide a positive ROI for your business.
• Ongoing maintenance requirements that are associated with using premium air filtration equipment such as an air cleaner to maintain optimal function should be taken into account. Keeping up with regular maintenance will help to ensure that your guests enjoy clean and safe air in their rooms. However, it is important to consider that a well-maintained premium air cleaner will protect the hotel building’s HVAC system, which will reduce labor costs associated with HVAC maintenance.

Future Trends in Air Cleaners for Hotels

The importance of air quality at hotels has become increasingly evident in recent years, and as guests expect cleaner air, hotels are looking for innovative solutions. Air cleaners that employ emerging technologies may be the solution, using advanced filtration systems that selectively cleanse the air to reduce contaminants, allergens, and odors. Automation and artificial intelligence have further aided the development of more efficient air cleaners; automation has allowed the machines to autonomously adjust the filtering capacity according to the unpredictable changes of hotel room occupancy while artificial intelligence technology has allowed them to refine and improve their own performance. Furthermore, such devices can increase overall energy efficiency in hotels by working together with other building systems, such as HVAC or solar shades. As hotels strive for cleaner air and improved customer satisfaction, new trends in air cleaners utilizing these cutting-edge technologies will likely continue to develop.

Find the Right Air Cleaner for Your Hotel

Overall, air cleaners are essential in improving indoor air quality in hotels. With their ability to filter out dust, smoke, and other airborne particles, they make the hotel atmosphere pleasant and comfortable for guests. Air cleaners also help to eliminate odors that can be caused by cigarette smoke and allergy symptoms caused by pet dander and pollen. Hotel owners should understand how these units work as well as how to identify air cleaners that work effectively. Strategically installing and maintaining air cleaners can make all the difference in providing guests with a more satisfactory experience and better sleep during their stay at a hotel. In effect, air cleaners play a key role in creating healthier living and breathing environments for everyone – something any hotel should strive for.

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 31​ manufacturing sites, six R&D centers, local sales offices in 35+ countries, and about 5,200 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

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from Air Filters for Clean Air

New Study Finds that Air Pollution is Making Human Bones More Brittle

The recent results of a long-term experiment have revealed a correlation between exposure to air pollution and rapid deterioration of bone strength and density in menopausal women. 

Osteoporosis affects an estimated 10 million Americans, with approximately 2.1 million osteoporosis-related bone fractures resulting in an impact of upwards of $20 billion on the American healthcare system each year. Osteoporosis is more likely to affect women, and postmenopausal women are at the greatest risk, with half of the women over fifty experiencing a bone fracture as a result of osteoporosis. 

Though it is widely known that air pollution exposure can cause severe and sometimes life-threatening health complications in respiratory and cardiovascular symptoms, many of the other health effects of air pollution fly under the radar. 

The study was published in the peer-reviewed, open-access journal eClinicalMedicine, which is part of The Lancet Discovery Science.

161,808 postmenopausal women from various ethnic backgrounds participated in the Women’s Health Initiative survey, which provided the researchers with data for their analysis. Based on the participants’ residential locations, they calculated their exposure to air pollution (PM10, NO, NO2, and SO2). Using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, they assessed bone mineral density (BMD; whole-body, total hip, femoral neck, and lumbar spine) at registration and follow-up at years one, three, and six.

The study revealed a link between air pollution exposure and bone deterioration, with nitrogen oxides having the biggest impact on bone strength. In fact, the rate at which participants’ bones deteriorate when regularly exposed to nitrogen is twice as high as the rate attributable to natural aging processes. 

“This study supports ours and other findings of an association between air pollution and bone damage in postmenopausal women. This association was independent of socioeconomic, geographic, and lifestyle factors,” said the research team led by scientists from Columbia University, UCLA, UNC Chapel Hill, and other prominent research institutions. 

Reducing Air Pollution Exposure with Indoor Air Filtration

Americans spend at least 90% of their time indoors, where air can be up to fifty times more polluted than outdoor air because concentrations of pollutants build up in unventilated spaces, in addition to the numerous hazardous pollutants that originate from indoor sources. 

Common indoor air pollutants in residential, commercial, and office spaces include: 

• Cleaning chemicals. Cleaning chemicals, including bleach, can be a major source of indoor air pollution due to the residue they leave on surfaces and in the air. While using cleaning chemicals is obviously necessary, they can become a health hazard when allowed to build up in stagnant indoor spaces.
• Printers and copier machines. Any machines or equipment that use large quantities of ink can be a significant source of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). 
• Furniture and furnishings. One of the most frequent sources of VOC off-gassing is new furnishings, which release substances like formaldehyde into the home environment. This is particularly valid when it comes to mass-produced or inexpensive furniture.
• Air fresheners. When working or living in close proximity to others, air freshener may feel like an absolute necessity. However, air fresheners can linger in the air and worsen indoor air quality without proper ventilation. Additionally, unpleasant odors that don’t seem to move on may be a sign that your building’s circulation is inadequate. 
• Building inhabitants. The people who work in an office can be a source of indoor pollutants. People can bring pollen, dust, pet dander, and other particulate matter into the building on their clothing. Additionally, humans drop an average of 40,000 skin cells every minute, which adds up to a lot of dust by the end of a single day, and respiration adds moisture to the air. When left unchecked, excessive moisture not only feels uncomfortable to breathe but can encourage the growth of mold and mildew. 
• Pets. Similarly, pets can be a significant source of particle pollution due to the shedding of fur and skin cells. Keeping indoor plants may have additional effects on air quality, both positive and negative, depending on the species. 
• Outdoor sources. Outdoor sources of pollution can easily enter a building and become trapped inside due to poor ventilation. This is especially prevalent for buildings located in high-pollution areas, such as next to a busy road or in a highly polluted city. Outdoor sources of air pollution can enter through doors, and windows, as well as on people’s clothes. When buildings are not properly ventilated or repeatedly circulate the same polluted air due to a lack of adequate air filtration, these pollutants continue to build up indoors.

While many people assume that the filters in their HVAC systems will protect them from these pollutants, this is often not the case. The air filters that come with your HVAC system are designed to protect the system itself from larger particles, which are much larger than the particles that cause significant health effects. Furthermore, HVAC system filters are rarely, if ever in residential and commercial buildings, equipped to handle gaseous pollutants such as nitrogen oxides that are linked to significant bone deterioration. 

To target both particulate matter and gaseous pollutants and optimize indoor air quality, consider a premium air purifier, such as Camfil’s City M. The City M uses both an activated carbon filter to remove gaseous pollutants from the air as well as an actual tested and certified  HEPA filter to trap more than 99.995% of particulate matter at the most penetrating particle size. The device is non-intrusive, quiet, and plugs into standard electrical outlets, making it accessible for any home, office, gym, studio, or commercial space.

Contact your local Camfil representative to find out what air filtration solutions are right for you. 

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 31​ manufacturing sites, six R&D centers, local sales offices in 35+ countries, and about 5,200 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: 

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370(23)00041-X/fulltext

The post New Study Finds that Air Pollution is Making Human Bones More Brittle appeared first on Air Filters for Clean Air.

from Air Filters for Clean Air

How to Reduce Impact of Secondhand Smoke from Cigar Smoking, according to Air Quality Experts

The issue of indoor air pollution from cigar smoke has come to the forefront of recent news. With the rising popularity of cigars, the health risks associated with indoor smoking are becoming more pronounced.

According to a study by the World Health Organization (WHO), indoor air pollution caused by cigar smoke is a significant health hazard, particularly for non-smokers. The study found that cigar smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals, including more than 70 known carcinogens.

The dangers of secondhand smoke are well-known, and the risks are particularly high in enclosed spaces, such as homes, offices, and restaurants. Exposure to cigar smoke can lead to a range of health problems, including lung cancer, heart disease, and respiratory illnesses.

To combat the problem, many countries have implemented smoking bans in public places. This has led to a growing movement of smoke-free homes and buildings, which seek to promote clean air and protect the health of occupants.

Despite the risks, the popularity of cigars shows no sign of waning, particularly among young people. This has led to calls for greater education about the dangers of indoor smoking and increased regulation of the tobacco and nicotine industries.

Overall, the issue of indoor air pollution from cigar smoke is a pressing public health concern, and concerted efforts are needed to mitigate the risks and promote clean air for all.

Indoor air pollution has become a major health concern in recent years, particularly in schools, offices, and homes. With the increasing amount of dust, contaminants, and harmful particles, individuals are now more prone to respiratory illnesses and other related health problems. However, Camfil’s City M air purifier presents a  solution to help with this problem.

The Camfil City M air purifier is the ideal air purifier for schools, offices, homes, and public gathering spaces [1]. It includes particulate and molecular filters that deliver a healthier indoor environment by removing dust, contaminants, odors, aerosols, and harmful particles. Its quiet fan causes minimal disturbance even at higher speeds, making it an excellent choice for use in classrooms, libraries, and other quiet spaces. With this air purifier, students, employees, and patrons can experience better performance and overall health, and housekeeping duties can be reduced.

As an experienced Camfil air filtration expert Steve Smith, CamCleaner Segment Manager, has observed, there has been a rise in the number of respiratory-related cases in the city, particularly among the elderly and children. In a statement, he noted that “Indoor air pollution has become a silent but deadly killer, and we need to take action to protect ourselves and our loved ones. With Camfil’s City M air purifier, we can reduce the risk of respiratory illnesses and improve the quality of our indoor air.”

Smith explained that the Camfil City M air purifier has been proven to be effective in removing harmful particles from the air, and each individual filter is factory tested to ensure that all units meet the standards. Its particulate and molecular filters are designed to capture a range of contaminants, including PM 1.0, 2.5, and PM 10 particles, pollen, and other allergens, as well as gases of dangerous VOCs. By installing the City M air purifier, individuals can breathe easier and reduce their exposure to harmful particles.

In conclusion, the Camfil City M air purifier is the perfect solution to help with indoor air pollution. It is designed to remove harmful particles and gases from the air and deliver a healthier indoor environment for students, employees, homeowners, and patrons. By installing the City M air purifier, individuals can reduce their risk of respiratory illnesses and improve the quality of their indoor air.

 

Learn more about Camfil’s City M air purifier. 

 

[1] “City M air purifier is the ideal air purifier for schools, offices, homes, and public gathering spaces. Includes particulate and molecular filters that deliver a healthier indoor environment by removing dust, contaminants, odors, aerosols, and harmful particles.”

URL: https://www.camfil.com/en-us/products/air-cleaners–air-purifiers/city-range/city/city-m-air-purifier-_-47774

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from Air Filters for Clean Air

Molecular Filtration with Activated Carbon Air Filters: An Effective Solution for Indoor Air Quality from Camfil

Indoor air pollutants are a major concern for indoor air quality and have a negative impact on our health and well-being. Polluted indoor air contains harmful particles such as dust, pollen, smoke,  as well as chemicals. To address this problem, air filters are a common solution used to improve indoor air quality. Activated carbon air filters, in particular, have gained popularity in recent years due to their effectiveness in removing odors, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other chemicals from the air.

Activated carbon air filters are made with a form of carbon that has undergone a high-temperature treatment to open up millions of tiny pores between the carbon atoms. The pores help to trap and remove molecule-sized pollutants from the air by adsorption, a  process where pollutants bond with the surface of the filter media. 

One company that offers quality activated carbon air filters is Camfil.  Camfil’s product lines that target molecular pollutants include the CityCarb, CamCarb and GigaPleat lines.

The CityCarb filters are designed for use in commercial buildings such as airports, casinos, offices or retail buildings and are ideal for controlling gaseous contaminants found in most urban areas. These are dual-purpose air filters that are designed to filter both gases and particles out of the airstream.  The GigaPleat range is designed for use in cleanrooms and other sensitive production facilities, specifically in wafer manufacturing, semiconductor, hard disk drive or flat panel display facilities, using adsorbents embedded within a pleated three-dimensional non-woven structure to target VOCs, acids, bases, ozone, and more. 

The CamCarb filter range is designed as modules that can be filled with a wide range of loose activated carbon media.  The high weight of adsorbent per unit of airflow is ideal for preventing corrosion of the controls for sensitive electrical equipment. In summary, activated carbon is an effective media for improving indoor air quality when installed via molecular filtration.  Camfil offers a range of quality activated carbon and other molecular filtration medias for different applications ranging from commercial office and retail spaces to industrial settings. Molecular filtration solutions from Camfil can reduce exposure to harmful pollutants in the air and improve our health and well-being.

The post Molecular Filtration with Activated Carbon Air Filters: An Effective Solution for Indoor Air Quality from Camfil appeared first on Air Filters for Clean Air.

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Reducing the Spread of Airborne Pathogens and Winter Illnesses with Air Filtration

With COVID restrictions lifted, people are returning to work and school, and spending more time in restaurants and other venues. As people come in closer face-to-face contact in inside environments, they share the same air, increasing the risk of transmission of viruses and bacteria. 

Adults get two to four colds annually, with people in the United States suffering from 1 billion colds per year.1 In many areas of the country, more people gather indoors to escape the cold of the winter months. This further increases the rate of viruses passing between individuals.  

When someone who is sick or has a virus sneezes, coughs or just exhales, they expel mucus and saliva droplets that travel in the air and can land on or be inhaled by others standing nearby. That’s called droplet transmission. People don’t need to touch another person with a virus to catch it. They can be infected when nearby – typically less than six feet. One sneeze from an infected individual can spread about 40,000 liquid droplets that may contain pathogens.2 Those droplets can travel up to 150 feet per second, over 100 miles per hour.

When droplets travel as aerosols, they can linger in the air or travel on air currents for long periods of time before contacting a person. Airborne pathogens can also land on surfaces, spreading infection when people touch them.

Besides the common cold, aerosol transmissions can cause winter illnesses such as the flu, which can have deadly results. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the 2021-2022 season had an estimated 9 million flu illnesses, 5,000 of which resulted in death.3   

Business and commercial enterprises as well as educational institutions and hospitals have a responsibility to ensure the safety of their occupants.  Healthy and safe indoor environments with good air quality are imperative to eliminate the risk of infectious diseases.  

How Can Airborne Pathogens Be Prevented?    

As masks are no longer mandated in many buildings, droplets from sneezes and coughs are more likely to become airborne, attaching themselves to other occupants. The right mix of ventilation, filtration, and air purification in a building can reduce the concentrations of viral particles in indoor environments to improve air quality and reduce the risk of illnesses. 

While ventilation dilutes the concentration of airborne respiratory droplets, high-quality filters can remove particles, dust, allergens, and pollution. Air purifiers can supplement HVAC ventilation and filtration systems to achieve optimum air quality and create a healthier work environment.  

How Ventilation is Useful for Preventing Airborne Diseases

Ventilation is an effective engineering control that supplies, distributes, and circulates fresh air and removes stale air throughout indoor spaces. In doing so, it improves the air quality of indoor environments and helps to control temperature and humidity levels for greater comfort.

Natural ventilation using fresh air is the best way to improve air quality in indoor spaces. However, some buildings have limited direct access to fresh air. Also, cold winter months often make it infeasible to heat fresh air due to energy costs. As a result, most HVAC systems mix fresh air and recirculated air. 

Ventilation effectiveness is measured by determining how often air changes per hour (ACH) in an indoor area. Higher ACH ratings denote more frequent air replacement that reduces the presence of contaminated microorganisms. The formula for calculating the ACH rate is:

ACH = CFM (airflow cubic feet per minute) x 60 (hour)/ (area of the space x height of ceiling)4

So, a room measuring 12’ x 10’ with a ceiling height of 10’ with an HVAC system having a ventilation rate of 65 cubic feet per minute (CFM) of supply air would have an ACH rating of 4. That number is considered the minimum air exchange for any commercial or industrial building.5 The higher the ACH rating, the more times the ventilation is exchanging air in a room to make it cleaner.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that increasing air ventilation can reduce the concentration of airborne contaminants.6

Importance of an Air Filtration System

Ventilating an indoor space with recirculated air will not entirely eliminate airborne pathogens. The EPA notes that ventilation is not enough on its own to protect people from viruses such as COVID-19 transmission, especially in high-traffic areas.6 

Air filtration is needed to remove particles, including dust and aerosols, from an air stream before it is introduced or returned into a building space. Filtering air along with ventilation is the best way to improve indoor air quality to reduce the spread of infectious agents in buildings.  

Working as part of an HVAC system, commercial air filtering systems actively clean contaminants from the air before it is circulated to occupied spaces. Various air filters are available to trap different-sized particles as air flows through them. For example, High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters trap and remove the smallest particles associated with viruses. According to the Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technology (IEST) standard IEST-RP-CC001, a HEPA filter is at least 99.97% efficient at capturing submicrometer particles.7

Air Filter Efficiency Ratings

ASHRAE Standard 52.2.2017 is the method used to test the performance of filters used in HVAC systems.  Filters receive a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) from 1 to 16, with a higher rating indicating their ability to trap smaller particles. The values help to compare and choose among different filters. Below is a chart published by the EPA.8 

MERV Rating	Average Particle Size Efficiency in Microns
1 – 4	3 to 10 less than 20%
5	3 – 10 less than or equal to 20%
6	3 to 10 less than or equal to 35%
7	3 to 10 less than or equal to 50%
8	1 to 3 less than or equal to 20% 3 to 10 less than or equal to 70%
9	1 – 3 or less than or equal to 35% 3 – 10 less than or equal to 80%
10	1 to 3 less than or equal to 50% 3 to 10 less than or equal to 80%
11	0.3 – 1 less than or equal to 35% 1 to 3 less than or equal to 50% 3 to 10 less than or equal to 80%
12	0.3 – 1 less than or equal to 35% 1 to 3 less than or equal to 80% 3 to 10 less than or equal to 90%
13	0.3 – 1 less than or equal to 50% 1 to 3 less than or equal to 85% 3 to 10 less than or equal to 90%
14	0.3 – 1 less than or equal to 75% 1 to 3 less than or equal to 90% 3 to 10 less than or equal to 95%
15	0.3 – 1 less than or equal to 85% 1 to 3 less than or equal to 90% 3 to 10 less than or equal to 95%
16	0.3 – 1 less than or equal to 95% 1 to 3 less than or equal to 95% 3 to 10 less than or equal to 95%
HEPA	99.97% of particles in the 0.3-micron range Particles that are larger or smaller than 0.3 microns are captured with a greater than 99.97% efficiency

 

According to this chart, a MERV 9 filter will filter out 80% of 3 – 10-micron particles, while a MERV 13 will filter out 90% of them. While MERV 7 – 11 filters generally cost less, they are less effective in decreasing the risk of infectious disease transmission.  

The World Health Organization reports that respiratory droplets are > 5 – 10 µm in diameter size while droplet nuclei are <5μm in diameter.9  To eliminate these pathogens, ASHRAE recommends using a filter with a minimum rating of MERV 13 that is 85% efficient in capturing infectious particles ranging in size from 1 µm to 3 µm.  But, a MERV 14 or better is preferred.10 

Choosing the Right Air Filter

While air filters with higher MERV ratings do a better job in removing pathogen-laden airborne particles, they can reduce airflow and negatively affect HVAC system performance. That’s why it is important to consider different parameters of your HVAC system to choose the best air filter. Camfil, the leading manufacturer of commercial and industrial systems for air filtration and air pollution control, provides these 5 tips:

1. Choose an air filter appropriate for the type of HVAC unit and space to which it supplies conditioned air. Upgrading a filter may not be feasible and it will damage the HVAC system. Many standard HVAC filtration units cannot accept HEPA filters as the fan is not capable of overcoming the HEPA filter’s higher resistance to airflow.  
2. Know that every space does not need HEPA-filtered air. Other non-HEPA, but high-efficiency air filters can remove viruses, bacteria, and other microorganisms associated with airborne particle transmission. Lower-efficiency air filters are designed to remove larger particles, such as dust and pollen.  
3. Ensure the HVAC system is properly installed and maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This may include monitoring the condition of the coils, keeping the drain lines clear, and checking for leaks, or other issues.
4. Ensure that the HVAC system’s fan is running while people are in the building and one hour after they leave, even while heating or cooling. Running the fan as much as possible allows the air filters to continuously remove airborne pathogens.
5. Regularly communicate with employees, customers, and others about the use of high-efficiency air filters and their value in preventing the spread of airborne pathogens. Building awareness and support for air filtration systems can protect people’s health.

Will an Air-Cleaning Device Help?

When the goal is removing harmful microscopic particles, you can achieve the best results by adding an air purifier with a HEPA filter to the HVAC system. For example, the Camfil City M Air Purifier includes molecular and particulate filters to effectively lessen the spread of airborne pathogens and winter illnesses.

Camfil offers these 4 tips to choose and operate an air purifier to keep the air in a designated space clean to reduce the risk of people getting sick: 

1. Choose the right air purifier for the size of the space you want to purify. For example, the Camfil City M Air Purifier is designed for medium-sized rooms and spaces, such as offices, classrooms, and small apartments.
2. Install air purifiers according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Be sure to position them where they can most effectively purify the air in the entire space.
3. Turn on the air purifier and set it to the fan speed appropriate for the space. It does not do any good to install a purifier with a loud fan that will be turned off because it is distracting. Find an air purifier like City M that is extremely quiet, even in the highest settings.
4. Change out air filters according to manufacturer instructions. When used in typical environments, City M air filters last 18 months. 

Clean Air Strategy 

It takes a multilayered strategy to create a healthy indoor environment void of airborne pathogens, allergens, and other pollutants. The United States Environmental Protection Agency has cited a “Clean Air to Buildings Challenge” that outlines best practices to improve ventilation and indoor air quality to reduce risks associated with airborne viruses. 11  Action items include:

• Create a clean indoor action plan.
  • Determine how clean outdoor air is supplied and circulation in the building.
  • Understand how the HVAC system works. Assess and inspect systems for ventilation, filtration, and air cleaning.
  • Determine how much clean air is needed and supplied.
  • Assess the direction of air flows.
  • Schedule regular inspections and maintenance.

• Optimize fresh air ventilation.  
  • Verify if outdoor air is clean enough for use in the ventilation system. 
  • Identify what devices can efficiently and cost-effectively increase fresh air ventilation.
  • Operate HVAC systems during occupied hours.
  • Verify the functionality of exhaust fans in bathrooms.
  • Increase the volume of clean, outdoor air during high-risk times.
• Enhance air filtration and cleaning.
  • Install MERV-14 or better air filters.
  • Enclose gaps around air filters.
  • Use air cleaners to increase cleaning rates.
  • Increase filtration/ventilation in highly populated or high-risk areas with greater emissions of airborne particles and aerosols
• Conduct community engagement, communication, and education
  • Communicate your action plan to improve indoor air quality and reduce disease transmission.
  • Provide feedback mechanisms such as maintenance requests.
  • Host building walkthroughs, hang signage, or communicate through other means of building work and how individuals can help to keep buildings operating optimally. 

While these initiatives do not completely eliminate the risk of exposure to particles and aerosols, they dramatically reduce it. Other protocols such as hand and surface cleaning can help reduce their presence and enhance environmental safety conditions. 

1Common Cold, WebMD, February 5, 2022, https://wb.md/3xQvwag.

2Passing Pathogens, Arizona State University, https://askabiologist.asu.edu/passing-pathogens  

3Preliminary Estimated Influenza Illnesses, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, October 4, 2022, https://bit.ly/3xQuT05

4Ventilation in Buildings, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, June 2, 2021,  Ventilation in Buildings | CDC 

5Building Ventilation – the Proper Air Changes Per Hour, Atlantic Environmental Corporation, https://bit.ly/3Z0inqL

6Ventilation and Coronavirus, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Ventilation and Coronavirus (COVID-19) | US EPA

7IEST-RP-CC001: HEPA and ULPA Filters, IEST, IEST-RP-CC001: HEPA and ULPA Filters

8What is a MERV rating? United States Environmental Protection Agency, What is a MERV rating? | US EPA

9Modes of Transmission Virus Causing COVID-19, World Health Organization, March 29, 2020, Modes of transmission of virus causing COVID-19: implications for IPC precaution recommendations (who.int)

10Filtration and Disinfection, ASHRAE, Filtration and Disinfection FAQ (ashrae.org)

11Clean Air in Buildings Challenge United States Environmental Protection Agency, March 2022, Clean Air in Buildings Challenge | US EPA

The post Reducing the Spread of Airborne Pathogens and Winter Illnesses with Air Filtration appeared first on Air Filters for Clean Air.

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​​Interview with Glen Moore, Nuclear Containment Manager at Camfil USA.

Camfil’s Nuclear Containment Segment Manager, to discuss the company’s cutting-edge solutions for high-risk nuclear facilities

Camfil’s Nuclear Containment Segment Manager, Glen Moore, discusses the company’s specialized HEPA filters, containment housings and HEGA carbon adsorbers for use in high-risk nuclear facilities. Camfil’s products meet stringent quality standards and are currently in place at many high-profile facilities worldwide. 

In the world of air filtration, Camfil is a leading company that has been providing technologically advanced solutions since the early 1960s. With a focus on excellence and a commitment to meeting the demanding needs of high-tech industries, it is no surprise that Camfil has continued to thrive and innovate over the years.

Camfil’s Nuclear Containment Segment Manager, Glenn Moore, recently sat down with Mark Davidson to discuss the company’s offerings for nuclear facilities. As Moore explains in YouTube video, Camfil provides HEPA filters that are qualified and meet ASME AG-1 Section FC. These specialized filters are designed, engineered, and manufactured to be suitable for use in high-risk nuclear facilities and are tested at 100% and 120% of their rated airflow. In addition, the HEPA filters meet the UL-586 standard, which ensures that they will not support a flame.

Moore also discusses Camfil’s CamContain series containment filter housings, which comply with AG-1, Section HA. These housings can be customized to meet specific seismic requirements and leak rate specifications for each customer. Camfil also offers pre-filters that are compliant with AG-1, including MERV 8 (Section FJ) and MERV 11, 13, and 15 (Section FB).

Another key product offered by Camfil for nuclear facilities is the high-efficiency gas adsorber (HEGA) filter, also known as a carbon adsorber. These filters are designed to adsorb potentially life-threatening contaminants in the air stream and are used in containment filtration systems.

Overall, Camfil’s expertise in air filtration and its commitment to meeting the demanding requirements of high-tech industries make it a leading choice for nuclear facilities and other critical applications. With two factories that meet ASME NQA-1, the quality assurance requirements for nuclear facility applications, Camfil is well-positioned to continue providing cutting-edge solutions to customers around the world.

Learn more on Camfil Newsroom – Leading the Way in Nuclear Containment Technology: Camfil Offers Qualified and Specialized HEPA Filters

Media Contact 

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Camfil USA Air Filters 

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