Clean Air Solutions

Thursday, October 26, 2023

Commercial and Public Building Air Filters for Food Processing: An Essential Guide

Maintaining good indoor air quality in any commercial or public building can be challenging due to the complexity of the structure and how each space within the building is used. Food processing facilities, however, present even more complex indoor air quality challenges due to increasingly stringent food hygiene and safety regulations.

Operators need to protect the health and safety of workers, food processing equipment and technology, as well as the actual food products before being transferred from the plant to store shelves. Operators also must keep all processes running smoothly to maximize productivity and minimize product loss.

Temperature and humidity requirements make food processing facilities more susceptible to airborne microbes and viruses that can increase risk and hamper performance. Air filters play a critical role in maintaining good indoor air quality by limiting the presence of airborne microbes and viruses in food processing environments.

The Imperative of Indoor Air Quality in Food Processing

In addition to protecting the health and safety of employees, the top priority in food processing environments must be to ensure the safety and integrity of food being processed for human consumption.

Air filters can limit microbiological cross-contamination with bioaerosols, which are solid or liquid particles that carry microbes through the area. Bioaerosols include bacteria (salmonella, E. coli, listeria etc.), viruses, pollen, mold and dust. Air filters can also be used that are specifically designed to minimize volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as benzene and formaldehyde.

Properly installing and maintaining the right air filters will enable processing facilities to satisfy regulatory and compliance standards in food production, including:

Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) regulations for the prevention of foodborne illnesses.
Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) for sanitation, personnel hygiene, facility design, equipment maintenance and other aspects of food processing.
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCPs) for identifying and controlling food safety hazards and reducing risk.
FDA and USDA regulations that apply to facilities handling different types of food products.
International regulatory standards such as ISO 22000 for food safety management systems.

Poorly maintained HVAC systems with mismatched air filters can allow high amounts of biological air pollutants into indoor environments, increasing the risk of contamination and compromising the quality of the products. For example, a commonly used air handling unit rated at 100,000 CFM (cubic feet per minute) could flow millions of bacteria into a building every minute.

A good phrase for production facilities to keep in mind is: air is an ingredient in food. Whatever is in the air when the package is sealed will be there, in one format or another, when that package is opened by the consumer. Airborne microbes can not only cause health issues, but they can have an impact on a food product’s shelf life and flavor. If you’ve ever seen what happens to an apple, a piece of meat or a block of cheese left uncovered on a countertop after a period of time, you’ve witnessed what can happen.

Challenges in Air Quality Management for Food Processing Units

Various types of bioaerosols, dust particles, odors, gases and VOCs are constant hurdles to air quality management because they can be harmful to both human employees in the plant and the food being processed.

The building structure itself can make air quality management even more difficult, given the complexity of design, different types of activities in different spaces, and varying occupant densities in each space. Creating a system that can maintain the proper filtration and ventilation performance, temperature and humidity throughout the entire food processing facility – and meet all regulatory standards – requires a significant amount of planning, testing, and expertise.

Understanding the external environment is also critical to air quality management. HVAC systems constantly pull a certain volume of outside air, often mixing with recirculated plant air before filtering the air and pushing it back into the indoor environment. This process can be more difficult if the food processing plant is surrounded by heavy auto traffic and emissions from other manufacturing facilities. However, even natural environments with trees, vegetation, rivers and streams can produce pollen and allergens that need to be filtered before entering a food processing space.

Air Filters: Fundamentals Tailored for Food Processing

Various types of air filters are used in food processing facilities to trap bioaerosols and other contaminants. While regulations are strict in these environments, the government provides limited guidance about the appropriate filtration levels rather than strict requirements. Facility operators make the final decisions.

Of course, operators must still satisfy the regulations mentioned previously. Food processing companies should partner with qualified air filtration and ventilation professionals to identify metrics for evaluating air quality outside and inside their facilities. Informed decisions about the level of filtration can then be made to ensure compliance.

There are several rating systems used to measure the efficiency of air filters in capturing particles of different sizes, including:

MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value): Capable of capturing particles of certain sizes based on a rating scale of 1-16. . The higher the rating, the smaller the particle that the filter is capable of tracking.
HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air): A type of filter tested and certified to a minimum efficiency level of 99.97% on 0.3-micron-sized particles. The high-pressure drop of the filter requires specialized frames and gaskets but is invaluable in certain food processes. ULPA (Ultra-Low Penetration Air): For environments that require exceptionally clean air, ULPA filters can be 99.9995% efficient.

Generally, food processors use a rooftop unit with two stages of filtration. The heating element is sometimes in front of the filtration stages and the cooling element is often between the filtration stages. Both heating and cooling elements can be a source of moisture, so moisture separators may be required to prevent performance degradation.

The first stage of filtration, or prefilter, has a lower MERV rating and is designed to remove larger debris and pollutants. The second stage, or final filter, must continuously capture a certain size and percentage of particles identified as harmful without compromising airflow pressure.

Types of air filters used in food processing facilities include:

Mechanical Filter: Installed in the air handling system and uses filter media to capture particles with maximum efficiency.
HEPA Filter: A type of mechanical filter that can capture particles as small as 0.3 micrometers in diameter, such as mold, allergens, pollen, and dust.
Activated Carbon Filter: For odors, gases, and VOCs.
Dust Collector: Circumstances where exceptionally large amounts of contaminants are generated such as in a flour mill.

Choosing the Right Air Filter for Food Processing Facilities

There could be as many as three types of air filtration systems to minimize exposure of people, food and equipment to bioaerosols:

The main HVAC system, typically on the roof, controls heating and cooling.
Process filters, such as HEPA filters, protect the air entering a specific piece of equipment.
Air purification systems provide additional airflow in areas known to generate contaminants.

High-efficiency air filters should be used within these systems to prevent the entry and circulation of harmful contaminants. Ventilation systems should be designed to optimize air delivery so positive pressure, especially in “clean” areas such as food packaging and storage, can be maintained.

Air filters with a MERV rating of 14or above are a good starting point for capturing bioaerosols in a food processing facility. Ultimately, the precise filtration needs must be determined by the individual facility based on the type of food being processed and all regulations that apply. Look for a filter with a MERV-A rating, which indicates the filter has been tested in conditions that simulate real-world situations and will not drop in efficiency.

Historically, prefilters have had a limited service life, but modern filter technology makes it possible to use filters with higher MERV ratings and longer life to protect equipment, assist with moisture removal, and begin the process of cleaning the air for food contact. Air handling units with enough space in the prefilter stage to install 22-inch deep, MERV 11A pocket filters can get up to 12 months service life.

It is importantto check the lifespan of each type of filter to ensure consistent food quality. Filters with a short lifespan not only must be changed more frequently, which drives up costs, but also can affect the quality of the food being processed.

There are many moving parts involved with maintaining proper indoor air quality in a food processing facility. Budgets, however, are not infinite. It’s important to partner with an experienced clean air solution provider sostakeholders in the selectionprocess are equipped to make an informed decision for maximum ROI and optimal air filtration. .

Modern Advancements in Air Filtration for Food Processing

With government and industry regulations increasing in number and complexity, innovations in air filtration technology and capabilities have been developed to help food processors monitor air quality and prevent costly violations. Modern air filters also have innovative materials that can capture a higher percentage of ultrafine contaminants, moisture, VOCs, and more while reducing energy consumption and improving air filtration efficiency. In addition to protecting food from contamination, modern air filters can prevent disease from spreading.

Air Filter Maintenance: Ensuring Continuous Protection

Contaminants and bioaerosols are often traced back to water. HVAC, air filtration systems and ventilation systems should be designed to prevent pooling of water. Cooling coils, drip trays and evaporative condensers must be inspected and maintained often to avoid buildup of contaminated water.

Air pressure should also be monitored and tested to maintain proper airflow. In addition to replacing the air filter when airflow falls below rated values, all debris, dust and obstructions to airflow should be cleaned and removed. The maintenance process should be documented and scheduled, and the entire system should be tested after maintenance to ensure optimal function.

Keep in mind that regular maintenance and inspections are needed to satisfy compliance requirements. These tasks should be handled and reported by a licensed technician.

Case Studies: Triumphs in Air Filtration for Food Processing

Camfil is recognized for designing, installing, and maintaining air filtration solutions for food processing facilities around the globe to elevate air quality, optimize system performance and avoid costly compliance violations.

See how Tonnies Group meat processing facilities overcame a lack of industry ventilation standards and COVID risks, using CC6000 and CC2000 air cleaners with H14 HEPA filters to remove airborne microbes and particles from the indoor environment. Read the case study.
Learn how Camfil helped one of North America’s largest packaged food companies dramatically improve air filtration and save more than $33,000 in annual energy and filter costs. The client also won a utility rebate check for reducing overall energy use. Read the case study.

Conclusion: Prioritizing Pure Air in Food Production

More than an employee safety issue, indoor air quality in a food processing facility is a public health issue. The role of air filters in preventing health problems and protecting critical investments in technology and food processing equipment cannot be overstated.

Camfil encourages food processing companies to schedule HVAC, filtration, and ventilation system inspections and evaluations s to ensure sufficient performance and compliance with regulatory standards. Investing in modern equipment and air filters will result in not only safer conditions but increased energy efficiency and a more resilient infrastructure. Smart technology will also enable you to monitor indoor air quality more closely and address air quality issues proactively.

Just like surfaces and tools used to prepare and serve food need to be cleaned, the air to which food is exposed needs to be clean and safe. Camfil is a global leader in providing food processing facilities premium air filters, technical know-how and industry experience to maintain clean, safe indoor air.

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Sunday, October 8, 2023

Revolutionizing Clean Air: The Absolute VG HEPA Filter for Commercial HVAC Managers

In the world of indoor air quality, HEPA filters have long been regarded as the gold standard. Developed during the secretive Manhattan Project to protect against radioactive particles, HEPA filters have come a long way since their inception. Today, they play a pivotal role in ensuring clean air in critical applications such as pharmaceutical manufacturing, medical research facilities, microelectronics, and biosafety labs.

But what if there was a solution that addressed some of the challenges associated with traditional HEPA filters? Enter the Absolute VG, a product that is turning heads in the HVAC industry, particularly among commercial HVAC managers.

The HEPA Evolution:

HEPA filters have seen significant refinements over the years, with improvements in raw materials, production processes, and overall performance. As their capabilities became widely known, their usage expanded beyond their initial secretive origins to critical commercial applications. However, several inherent characteristics have limited their widespread application.

Challenges with Traditional HEPA Filters:

Bulky and Heavy: Traditional HEPA filters are often considered heavy and bulky, which can make installation a cumbersome task.
High Airflow Resistance: These filters come with a high resistance to airflow, necessitating the use of special fans and ductwork, increasing operational costs.
Costly: Traditional HEPA filters can be expensive both in terms of purchase price and ongoing operational expenses.

Absolute VG: A Breath of Fresh Air:

The Absolute VG is poised to revolutionize the world of HEPA filtration for commercial HVAC systems. This product offers a unique set of advantages that cater specifically to the needs of HVAC managers in commercial settings.

Key Features of Absolute VG:

Certified Efficiency: Each Absolute VG HEPA filter is certified to provide a minimum efficiency of 99.99% at 0.3 microns. This certification ensures that the filter delivers the necessary protection for critical applications.
V-Bank Design: The high-strength, lightweight V-bank design sets the Absolute VG apart from traditional HEPA filters, making it easy to install and handle.
High Airflow Capacities: With airflow capacities of up to 2400 cfm (4000 m³/hr), the Absolute VG offers efficient air circulation without the high pressure drop associated with traditional HEPA filters.
Energy Efficiency: The Absolute VG has earned a 5-Star rating when evaluated per the Energy Cost Index (ECI), showcasing its superior performance, energy efficiency, and sustainability compared to similar industry products.
Compact Construction: Its optimized, compact construction means it can easily fit into existing HVAC systems without major modifications.
Environmentally Friendly: The Absolute VG is halogen-free, aligning with modern environmental standards.

Targeted Solution for Commercial HVAC Managers:

Commercial HVAC managers now have a solution that addresses the challenges posed by traditional HEPA filters. The Absolute VG offers not only superior filtration performance but also ease of installation and cost-effectiveness.

Targeted Solution for Commercial HVAC Managers

Dan Meldrum Master Class on HEPA Filters:

Dan Meldrum Master Class on HEPA Filters

In a recent interview series with Dan Meldrum, a seasoned expert in air filtration technology, Camfil Expert Mark Davidson delved into the world of HEPA filters and their transformative impact on various industries. In this video master class for HVAC Managers, Camfil air quality expert Mark Davidson explored the insights gained from Dan’s responses in four informative videos, showcasing how the Camfil Absolute VG HEPA filter is changing the game in terms of efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and performance.

Video 1: HEPA Filters – From the Manhattan Project to Modern Applications

HEPA Filters - From the Manhattan Project to Modern Applications In the first video, Mark poses questions to Dan about the history and current applications of HEPA filters. Dan explains that HEPA filters find their niche in clean processes, such as pharmaceutical manufacturing, medical research facilities, microelectronics, and biosafety labs. These are areas where clean air is paramount to protect both products and health.

Video 2: Discover Camfil Absolute VG – a lightweight, strong HEPA filter alternative

Discover Camfil Absolute VG - a lightweight, strong HEPA filter alternative

Camfil Absolute VG is a lightweight and strong alternative to bulky and heavy HEPA filters. It weighs 21 pounds, compared to HEPA filters that can weigh 42 to 45 pounds, making it easier to install and handle. Its strength is achieved through innovative design with v-shaped sides and single-piece front and back plates, using less material. In addition to a lower initial purchasing price, the Camfil Absolute VG’s lightweight construction providers lower operational costs.

Video 3: HVAC Cost Efficiency: Absolute VG – 40%+ Energy Savings

HVAC Cost Efficiency - Absolute VG - 40 percent plus Energy Savings

The third video dives into the economics of air filtration. Dan Meldrum emphasizes that operational costs, mainly energy costs, account for a substantial portion of a filtration program’s expenses. The Absolute VG’s design reduces resistance to airflow, resulting in remarkable energy savings, often exceeding 40%. Additionally, the extended service life of the filter further contributes to cost reduction, as it minimizes downtime and disposal expenses.

Conclusion:

The Absolute VG HEPA filter is more than just a filtration solution, it’s a game-changer. Its lightweight design, coupled with enhanced strength and durability, offers unparalleled advantages over traditional HEPA filters. Moreover, the substantial reduction in operational costs and extended service life make it a cost-effective choice for critical applications. With its efficiency and certification, the Absolute VG is a reliable and certified HEPA filter, ensuring pristine air quality in environments where perfection is the only option. Make the smart move and consider the Absolute VG for your clean air needs – it’s revolutionizing the way we think about air filtration.

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Saturday, October 7, 2023

Commercial and Public Building Air Filters: A Comprehensive Guide

Good indoor air quality in commercial and public buildings is essential to providing a safe, comfortable environment for employees and visitors. It can also have a direct impact on energy efficiency and the long-term structural integrity of the building while reducing the risk of legal and regulatory headaches.

Think about how poor air quality makes you feel when you walk into an office, store, school, hotel, restaurant, museum, entertainment venue or municipal building. If you notice an odor, high humidity or even signs of moisture or mold, will you feel confident staying there? Will you be productive in such an environment? Would you feel comfortable inviting a client or visitor to that building? How would it affect your perception of the building operator or owner?

Air filters play an essential role in improving and maintaining good air quality. Air filters not only prevent the spread of harmful contaminants, but they also allow cleaner air to circulate continuously through commercial and public buildings, replacing dirty air with healthy, clean air.

Let’s discuss the importance of air quality, obstacles to good air quality, different types of air filters, and factors to consider when choosing, installing and maintaining air filters.

Why Air Quality Matters in Commercial and Public Buildings

First and foremost, poor air quality can have a direct impact on the health of occupants. The sad reality is that indoor air pollution levels are typically much higher than outdoor air pollution levels, especially in urban areas.

Beyond physical conditions like asthma, headaches, fatigue, and irritation of the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs, poor air quality can make it difficult to concentrate. It can affect a person’s mood and increase stress levels. Prolonged exposure to mold, asbestos, radon and other substances can cause cancer and other chronic, long-term health issues.

Of course, if pollutants, dust, allergens, molecular gases and even radiation and cleaning supply chemicals affect a person’s physical and mental health, their productivity is likely to be altered as well. When individual productivity suffers, organizational performance suffers. Given increasingly strict health and safety standards, organizations that fail to meet minimum standards for indoor air quality could face lawsuits and costly fines for noncompliance.

Maintaining proper air quality is also essential in environments such as scientific labs and manufacturing plants to maintain the integrity and performance of technology, equipment and sensitive materials. Major investments in these facilities could be compromised due to poor air quality.

Understanding Air Filters: Basics and Beyond

An air filter is a device used in HVAC and air purification systems to provide people with clean, safe air to breathe. Air filters can take many shapes. They could be as small as a matchbox and as large as a shipping container, depending on the application.

The air filter is placed in the HVAC or air purification system to create a barrier, which can be made of various types of filter media constructed from fibers produced from synthetic materials or micro-glass fibers. Air filters can also be produced with activated carbon on the fibers or modules or cylinders of bulk activated carbon media. Air filters trap pollutants while allowing clean air to flow through the filter to the indoor environment.

Types of air filters include but are not limited to:

Bag Filter and Compact Filter (V-Bank and Box): Used as high-efficiency final filters or as prefilters for HEPA installations.
Panel Filter: Used as the main filter or as prefilters to extend the life of final filters.
HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) Filter: For very small particles, such as allergens and pathogens.
Activated Carbon Filter: For odors, gases, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

There are several rating systems used to measure the efficiency of air filters in capturing particles of different sizes, including:

ASHRAE Standard 52.2 MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value): capable of capturing particles of certain sizes based on a rating scale of 1-16.
ISO16890: Similar to MERV, but with a focus on PM1, PM2.5 and PM10 sized particles.
HEPA: Air filters tested to a minimum efficiency of 99.97% on 0.3-micron particles.
ULPA (Ultra-Low Penetration Air): Beginning at 99.9995% efficient and higher for environments that require exceptionally clean air, such as research labs.

Challenges in Maintaining Air Quality in Large Spaces

Many commercial and public buildings are complex structures. They have intricate designs with different spaces serving different purposes. The number and density of occupants will often vary from room to room and change over the course of a day.

This can make it difficult to provide proper air circulation and ventilation, which can then create inconsistencies in air quality, humidity and temperature. Inadequate ventilation can cause pollutants to accumulate, while excess ventilation can drive up energy costs and shorten the life of HVAC and air purification equipment.

The complexity of these buildings and spaces typically contributes to the presence of indoor pollutants of various sizes and types from different sources, which can make air filtration and pollutant control more challenging.

There are also external factors to consider. Remember, the job of an air ventilation system is to remove polluted indoor air and replace or recirculate it with clean, conditioned air, some of which is fresh, outdoor air. Unfortunately, outdoor air isn’t always fresh. Areas with high auto traffic and industrial manufacturing facilities can be surrounded with pollutants. Even areas surrounded by nature could deal with environmental allergens and particles that affect indoor air quality.

To overcome these challenges, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) has created an indoor air quality design guide with best practices for design, construction and commissioning. The guide was created for architects, design engineers, contractors, commissioning agents and any professional who is concerned about indoor air quality. ASHRAE Standard 62.1 – Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality is also a document commonly referenced.

Selecting the Right Air Filter for Commercial and Public Buildings

There are a number of factors to consider when choosing air filters for commercial and public buildings. For example:

What is the size of the structure?
What is the purpose of the structure? What is the purpose of each space within the structure?
What are the air quality requirements, and airflow requirements, for the people, technology, equipment, and activity within each space? What regulatory standards are you required to meet in your location and industry?
What types of pollutants and particles are likely to be found in each space?
If you have an existing HVAC and/or air purification system, what types of air filters are compatible?
What is the lifespan of each air filter you are considering? What are the maintenance requirements?

Air filter decisions should also be based on an understanding of MERV ratings and the types of filters that fall into the various MERV ranges, from spun fiberglass filters (MERV 1-4) to the highest-rated filters used in sensitive manufacturing and pharmaceutical environments (up to MERV 16 and beyond to HEPA and ULPA filters).

Ultimately, selecting the right air filter for commercial and public buildings comes down to balance. You need to weigh the effectiveness, efficiency, and cost of the air filter, the air quality goals and requirements of your organization, and the health and comfort of the occupants. Regardless of the product you choose, the end result should be clean, safe air.

Innovations and Trends in Air Filtration

The emergence of smart home technology has led to the development of smart air filters. These internet-connected filters are integrated with the Internet of Things (IoT) to provide real-time air quality monitoring data.

Smart air filters use this data to automatically respond when pollutants reach a certain threshold. For example, a fan or air purification system could be activated, and an alert could be triggered so an operator knows to change a filter. Users can remotely monitor and control smart air filter settings through a mobile app or voice assistant (Alexa, Siri, etc.). Rather than running at the same speed, a smart filter can automatically adjust output based on current air quality data.

Smart filter data can then be used to generate reports and analyze trends for indoor air quality and energy consumption, enabling facility managers to make informed decisions for continuous improvement.

Energy efficiency, sustainability and environmental responsibility have become organizational priorities for most companies. In addition to smart filters, recent innovations in air filtration reflect these initiatives as manufacturers seek to reduce their energy consumption and carbon footprint.

For example, innovative filter media is being made from recycled materials using eco-friendly manufacturing processes. Solutions capable of circulating air with lower pressure and, therefore, less energy are becoming more common. Filtration technologies like activated carbon filters can reduce emissions, which improves indoor air quality and reduces environmental impact.

Implementation and Maintenance Best Practices

Installation and maintenance of air filters in commercial and public buildings are far more complicated than swapping out an air filter at home. These tasks should be handled by highly trained, licensed professionals. A qualified installer will understand how to:

Choose the right filter
Take all necessary safety precautions
Locate and inspect the filter housing, frames and gaskets
Repair any damage
Remove any debris or obstruction to airflow
Install and secure the air filter
Document the entire process
Test the system to ensure optimal function

Once new air filters are installed, a comprehensive maintenance plan and schedule should be established. This will enable you to maintain optimal indoor air quality, provide occupants of your building with clean air and protect your investment.

Air filters in commercial and public buildings should be inspected regularly for signs of damage, debris and tight seals. The area around the HVAC equipment should be cleaned to prevent the accumulation of dust and dirt. Scheduled replacement of your air filters will prevent unplanned expenses and keep your system performing as it should.

Depending on the equipment in your facility, air filter professionals will be able to measure the pressure and performance of your system to ensure proper airflow and air quality. They can also alert you to potential violations of health and safety regulations and provide training that makes employees aware of potential problems so they can be reported.

All maintenance work and reporting should be documented to analyze trends and update the maintenance plan if necessary.

Case Studies: Success Stories in Air Filtration

Perhaps the best way to truly understand the role of air filters and the impact of a carefully planned air filtration system is to see real-world examples of what organizations have been able to accomplish.

- See how the famous Music City Center in Nashville improved indoor air quality, reduced filter-related costs by 34 percent, and reduced labor hours by 80 percent by converting to a single-stage, MERV-A solution. Read the case study.
- See how a secondary school in Valencia, Spain protected students and teachers against biological agents by installing Camfil City M air purifiers with Camfil HEPA H14 filters, which are certified according to the EN1822 standard. Read the case study.

See how a wastewater treatment plant in Denmark reduced odors and created a more comfortable work environment, installing a stainless steel HDC filter housing unit with cells that are filled with ISO 10121 activated carbon and Camfil CamPure media. Read the case study.

See how container manufacturer AMG upgraded the indoor air quality at a new facility to meet compliance requirements by implementing a Gold Series X-Flo dust collection system, which was installed outside to simplify service and maintenance. Read the case study.

Conclusion: Breathing Easy in the Modern World

Maintaining optimal indoor air quality in commercial and public buildings is aligned with public demand for healthy, safe environments and a more sustainable culture. It enables the owners and operators of these structures to reduce energy consumption and save money. It also happens to be a legal and regulatory requirement.

Modern, high-quality air filters are vital to successful indoor air quality initiatives. Understanding air filter capabilities and options, and choosing the right filters based on the indoor environment, will help all stakeholders breathe easy – occupants, owners and operators, maintenance teams, and compliance teams – and reduce risk for your organization.

We encourage you to explore innovations in air filter technology and consider evaluating your existing system. Instead of reacting to unpleasant odors or visible dust, you can proactively maintain high levels of indoor air quality and performance while extending the life of your system.

If you’d like to discuss the state of your current air filtration infrastructure and opportunities for improvement, please contact Camfil today to schedule a consultation.

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Thursday, September 28, 2023

How to Prevent Mold Growth In Your Bathroom with an Air Purifier

Mold in your home isn’t just unsightly, it can cause a range of short- and long-term health conditions if left untreated or allowed to grow back repeatedly. Continue reading to learn from Camfil’s air quality experts about how the right air purifier can help prevent mold from growing back in your bathroom.

What Conditions Cause Mold and Mildew Growth?

Mold and mildew are two different types of fungi growth that can occur in a range of different circumstances. While mildew only occurs on visible surfaces, such as walls and ceilings, mold can occur anywhere, and when it grows in concealed, difficult-to-reach places, it can be difficult to eliminate.

Mold thrives in warm, humid conditions with poor ventilation. Bathrooms, in particular, are prime breeding grounds for mold and mildew growth: bathrooms are rarely fully dry, and doors and windows often remain closed, preventing air from moving through the room. Mold is even more likely to grow in bathrooms that have no overhead fan or other form of ventilation.

Other factors, such as the type of paint used on a particular surface, can make bathrooms more hospitable to mold. Oil- and alkyd-based paints are typically less resistant to mold and mildew growth than water-based latex paints. Additionally, flat and matte paint finishes are usually more porous than gloss and semi-gloss options, allowing for mold to grow more easily.

Is Mold in Your Bathroom Dangerous?

Mold is a significant health hazard that should not be taken lightly. Even in the hard-to-reach corners of your bathroom ceiling, where it is unlikely that the mold will come into direct contact with anyone’s skin, mold still releases spores into the air at a near-constant rate, making it impossible to avoid exposure as house occupants breathe in these spores.

According to the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, approximately 10% of people in the United States are allergic to mold, accounting for around one-quarter of people with allergies. However, exposure to mold spores can still cause respiratory irritation in people who do not have mold allergies, with symptoms ranging from mild congestion to lung infections that require hospitalization.

Getting rid of regular bathroom mold growths usually isn’t difficult, but keeping it from growing back can be a significant challenge.

How to Keep Mold From Growing Back in Your Bathroom

Here are some tips for preventing mold from growing back in your bathroom:

Always turn on the overhead fan when you shower. If your bathroom has an overhead fan, make sure to always turn it on when you shower or take a bath. This will move some of the moisture out of the air so that conditions are less hospitable to mold. You should leave the fan running for thirty minutes to an hour after you are finished with the shower to minimize the amount of moisture that is allowed to remain in the room.
Put soap, shampoo, and other hygiene products on racks. This allows water to drain out through the bottom of the rack instead of pooling underneath bottles, containers, and soap bars, which is what happens when you place them directly on ledges. Not only does using a rack mean that mold is less likely to grow under these items in the first place, but it also makes moving products out of the way easier when it’s time to clean.
Always hang towels, loofahs, and washcloths up to dry. Mold doesn’t just grow on walls, it can grow on fabric items too. Leaving wet towels in a pile on the floor facilitates mold growth. Be sure to always hang your towel and any other wet items used to clean or dry your body up after use. If your bathroom has poor ventilation and retains humidity throughout the day, hang towels up in another room where they can fully dry.
Use a daily shower cleaner. If your bathroom is prone to mold growth, you may want to use a daily shower cleaner, especially if your bathroom is poorly ventilated and never able to fully dry. Otherwise, cleaning shower and bath surfaces once per week is usually sufficient.
Replace cracked grout and caulking, if possible. Cracked grout and peeling caulking can allow mold to grow in places where it is difficult to remove, such as behind tiles or underneath the bathtub. If you are able to, it is a good idea to replace cracked grout or otherwise fill gaps that allow mold into unreachable areas.
Use an air purifier to prevent mold regrowth. Mold spores are microscopic and airborne. Removing them from the air altogether is one of the best ways to prevent mold from growing back in your bathroom. Continue reading to find out more about how the right air purifier can help with a recurring mold problem.

How Do Air Purifiers Help with a Mold Problem?

Air purifiers can’t treat surfaces where mold has already grown, but they play an important role in preventing mold from regrowing. Mold reproduces by releasing spores into the air that find new surfaces to settle on to begin growing. An air purifier with an individually factory-tested and certified HEPA filter removes mold spores from the air by trapping them in dense filter media, therefore preventing mold regrowth altogether. Additionally, an air purifier will be able to provide air circulation to a poorly ventilated space and remove excess moisture from the air.

Another way that an air purifier can help provide relief from a mold problem is by removing VOCs (volatile organic compounds) that come from cleaning chemicals from the air. Preventing mold regrowth usually involves using bleach-based cleaning agents and other harsh chemicals on surfaces, which are unpleasant to work with and cause symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, and respiratory irritation when inhaled, and may linger in the air for hours after use. Using these chemicals in enclosed, poorly ventilated bathroom spaces that are prone to mold problems can be especially uncomfortable. An air purifier with an activated carbon filter will remove VOCs from the air to reduce the negative effects of harsh cleaning chemicals on your lungs.

Learn more about air purifiers with HEPA and activated carbon filters.

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 30 manufacturing sites, six R&D centers, local sales offices in 35+ countries, and about 5,600 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:

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Camfil USA Air Filters

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from Air Filters for Clean Air

Friday, September 22, 2023

How Air Filters Improve Indoor Air Quality in Hospitals and Clinics

Proper air filtration is essential in reducing and preventing the spread of infectious diseases through the different environments of a healthcare facility to improve patient outcomes.

Proper air filtration can improve patient outcomes by maintaining high indoor air quality (IAQ) and preventing the spread of disease among visitors and staff. Research indicates that high IAQ can improve patient recovery, especially for those with respiratory issues, and directly affects health and productivity.

However, several factors can jeopardize indoor air quality. External pollutants can enter indoor environments as individuals continuously enter and leave buildings. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), many common pollutants exist indoors in concentrations two to five times higher than typical outdoor levels.

Unhealthy patients can spread infectious diseases, while cleaning and therapeutic substances can emit chemical and biological compounds into the atmosphere. Facility renovations also introduce dust particulates into the air.

Many illnesses are caused or aggravated by poor IAQ. Therefore, air filtration is mandatory throughout hospital settings to remove airborne pathogens, dust particulates, and hazardous chemicals. This ensures a high level of air quality to safeguard patient health and healing.

Why Air Quality is Paramount in Healthcare Facilities

Healthcare facilities like hospitals face unique challenges when it comes to maintaining air quality. Patients with various infections often release respiratory droplets containing viruses when they cough, sneeze, or even talk. These droplets can infect others who breathe the same air, posing a significant risk to those with weakened immune systems.

Certain diseases, such as measles and tuberculosis, spread through airborne pathogens that can linger in the air for extended periods. For instance, the measles virus can survive in poorly ventilated areas. The virus can exist in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves the room. Individuals exposed to this contaminated air can become infected even without direct contact with the infected person.

Beyond pathogens, fine airborne particles like dust can exacerbate existing respiratory problems, making breathing more difficult. The EPA reports that exposure to these fine particles can lead to cardiovascular issues.

However, there’s good news: Studies show that high-quality indoor air in healthcare settings can promote patient recovery, reduce stress, and boost staff productivity. Cleaner air has less particles that could trigger respiratory conditions like asthma, making breathing easier for everyone.

To maintain optimal indoor air quality (IAQ), healthcare facilities adhere to various regulatory and compliance standards. For instance, the ANSI/ASHRAE/ASHE Standard 170-2021 Ventilation of Health Care Facilities provides guidelines for healthcare facility ventilation, including minimum filtration requirements for critical areas.

To comply with the intent of ASHRAE 170 minimum requirements and ensure safety in healthcare environments, Camfil recommends that facility directors insist on MERV-A values and request that a corresponding test report be supplied with every filter quotation.

Recommended Filter Efficiencies

Similarly, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) outlines recommendations for environmental infection control, specifying which types of air filters are most effective at removing airborne particles of different sizes.

Adhering to guidelines and best practices for air filtration helps to capture airborne particles efficiently, making the air safer and healthier for both patients and staff.

Key Hospital Zones that Require Filtration

The need for air filtration in a hospital varies based on factors like ventilation quality, room size, occupancy, and the types of medical procedures conducted. Below is a breakdown of air filtration recommendations within different areas of a hospital that can reduce the risk of infection. Filtration efficiency can vary according to the intended use of the space. Some spaces are required to have multiple stages of filtration such as prefilters followed by terminal filter housings.

Camfil Filtration Recommendations

Waiting Areas and Outpatient Care

Waiting areas and outpatient care spaces are not classified as critical for infection control, but they are often the first point of contact for individuals with undiagnosed illnesses. Airborne particles from coughs or sneezes can infect others in the room. Therefore, effective air filtration in these areas serves as an initial safeguard for both staff and other visitors.

Operating Rooms

In the operating room, patients are particularly vulnerable to infections, as surgical procedures often expose internal organs. High-efficiency filters are essential here for maintaining an ultra-clean environment, minimizing infection risks, and ensuring patient safety during surgery.

Camfil recommends the following HEPA filters for these areas as well as for discharge air from fume hoods or safety cabinets in which infectious or radioactive materials are processed.

HEPA Filters for Operating Rooms

Nurseries

Newborns and infants are especially susceptible to airborne contaminants due to their underdeveloped immune systems. These areas require high standards of air purity to protect against potential airborne pathogens that could be lethal to young patients.

Patient Rooms

Rooms where patients are treated in close quarters can harbor infectious pathogens in the air. Factors like room configuration and ventilation impact how long contaminated air can linger before being replaced by clean air. Without effective filtration systems, staff, visitors, and patients risk exposure to airborne infections.

Pharmacies within Medical Facilities

Pharmacies, often located within hospitals, handle drugs, solvents, and chemicals that require a clean environment. Quality air filtration is crucial here to protect pharmacists and nurses from potential hazards associated with processing these substances.

Choosing the Best Air Filters for Healthcare Environments

Air filters play a crucial role in HVAC systems by capturing a range of particles, including pathogens, dust, and other contaminants, to maintain high indoor air quality. The air filters come in various technologies and efficiencies, each evaluated by a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) rating that ranges from 1 to 16 (See chart below). This rating helps to gauge a filter’s effectiveness at trapping particles.

For critical hospital areas, filters with MERV ratings of 14 or higher are usually recommended. These filters excel at capturing extremely fine particles—some as small as 1/300th the diameter of a human hair—helping to prevent the spread of bacteria and infectious diseases.

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

Innovations in Air Filtration for Medical Facilities

HEPA Filters: High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters are often the go-to choice for medical facilities. Composed of fine fiber pleated material, the filters are rated to remove a minimum of 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns. They are commonly used in operating rooms, patient wards, nurseries, and treatment rooms to protect against airborne pathogens. HEPA filters are available in a variety of configurations for different uses. Camfil offers HEPA and ULPA air filters for terminal filtration and box-type HEPA filters for use in make-up air or recirculation units.

Bag or Pocket Filters: These filters are often used as prefilters for HEPA installations or as high-efficiency standalone filters. They have a high dust-holding capacity and longer lifespan compared to many other filters. They are available in various MERV ratings, including 11, 13, and 15. For example, Camfil offers a 2-in-1 air bag filter with combination media for particles and molecules that has a MERV 14/14A efficiency rate. In addition to a high dust-holding capacity, it removes light odors.

City-Flo XL

City-Flo XL

Ultra-Low Particulate Air (ULPA) Filters: These filters outperform HEPA filters, capturing 99.999% of particles down to 0.1 microns. ULPA filters are especially useful in medical labs requiring stringent cleanliness.

Molecular Air Filters: Also known as chemical or gas-phase filters, these specialized filters remove airborne chemical molecules that are 1,000 to 10,000 times smaller than those captured by HEPA and ULPA filters. They use activated carbon for broad-spectrum volatile organic compound (VOC) removal or alumina for targeted gas removal. In healthcare settings, these filters can eliminate odors from substances like formaldehyde and gases such as hydrogen peroxide used for sterilization.

As with all filters, different configurations exist to address specific filtration requirements. Camfil offers a combination particulate and molecular filter that is effective against VOCs, ozone, NO2, SO2 and organize acid gases. The chart below outlines some of the areas that best serve healthcare facilities.

This chart shows the molecular air filtration solutions recommended by Camfil that will be effective for removing gaseous contaminants from six specialized areas.

Molecular air filtration solutions recommended by Camfil

The type of air filter best suited for a healthcare facility will depend on its specific needs. Whether it’s HEPA filters for general airborne pathogen control, ULPA filters for lab environments, or molecular filters for chemical and gas removal, choosing the right filter can greatly impact the overall safety and air quality of the facility.

Considerations When Choosing an Air Filter

Ask the following questions when selecting an air filter for a hospital setting:

What Are the Specific Needs of Different Hospital Areas?

Different spaces in a hospital, such as operating rooms, ICUs, waiting areas, and outpatient centers, have varying filtration requirements. Camfil, a leading manufacturer of premium clean air solutions, recommends using MERV 8A or 9A prefilters and MERV 14A or MERV 16A final filters for hospitals to effectively remove viruses, bacteria, and other airborne particles. Additionally, HEPA filters offer an extra layer of protection.

Specialized areas like labs, pharmacies, and radiation treatment rooms might require a combination of high-efficiency MERV and HEPA filters. Molecular air filters can also be added to remove gases and odors.

How Busy is the Facility?

The volume of patient traffic can affect air quality. Emergency and waiting rooms in hospitals usually see more traffic than outpatient facilities, which have more predictable schedules and less complex procedures. Therefore, high-traffic areas may require more robust filtration systems.

What Types of Contaminants Need to be Removed?

Different filters are specialized for capturing specific types of contaminants, whether they are pathogens, microbial agents, or chemical vapors. For example, molecular air filters are effective at removing certain gases that HEPA filters can’t capture.

Is It Compatible with the HVAC System?

Choose an air filter that is compatible with the HVAC unit in the specific area. Some standard HVAC systems can’t accommodate HEPA filters due to their higher airflow resistance. Make sure the filter you choose aligns with the size of the space and works efficiently with the existing HVAC system.

Consider Sustainability

Hospitals are becoming more environmentally conscious in their operations. LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environment Design) certification, which acknowledges acceptance of green options in building design and operation, has become a goal for new and existing healthcare facilities. One associated effort is the disposal of waste. Regulations in many areas of the country demand that air filters used in medical facilities must be red-bagged as biohazardous waste. Choosing air filters with low carbon footprints reduce waste and associated cost, while providing hospitals with more sustainable solutions.

For example, Camfil’s 30/30® Dual 9 30/30® Dual 9, Durafil® ES and Megalam® HEPA terminal panel air filters have the lowest carbon footprints in the industry. For many healthcare facilities, the Camfil premium air filters are an effective and simple way to comply with facility-wide initiatives to reduce carbon footprint. During a two-year period, a hospital using Camfil’s 5-Star premium air filters can reduce the number of filters it sends to the landfill by 56%.

Fast Facts about Hospital Filtration

HVAC systems are critical to a hospital’s infection control strategy, helping to maintain a healthy environment across various sections of the facility. Air filtration, a key component of these systems, removes airborne contaminants, enabling the recirculation of clean air.

Understanding Filter Efficiency

Choosing the right filters for your HVAC system depends on understanding their efficiency and function. While a MERV 13-rated filter may be suitable for commercial buildings, healthcare settings generally require higher-efficiency filters with at least a MERV 14 rating. These are designed to capture finer particles, like those released when a person coughs or sneezes. For specialized needs, such as removing gases or odors, molecular air filters are an effective option that HEPA filters can’t address.

The Benefits of Proper Filtration

With the appropriate type or combination of filters, healthcare facilities can significantly enhance indoor air quality. This not only helps to control the spread of diseases but also creates a better environment for patient recovery.

Maintenance Matters

Regular cleaning and replacement of filters are essential for maintaining their effectiveness and ensuring optimal indoor air quality. Also, ensure that all filter recommendations meet the required MERV standard outline in ASHRAE Standard 52.2-2021. By carefully selecting and maintaining the right filters, hospitals can play a crucial role in safeguarding both patient and staff health.

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The post How Air Filters Improve Indoor Air Quality in Hospitals and Clinics appeared first on Air Filters for Clean Air.

from Air Filters for Clean Air

Sunday, September 10, 2023

Increases in Antibiotic Resistance May Be Related to Air Pollution, According to New Study

Antibiotic resistance is a significant public health threat, leading to an estimated 700,000 premature deaths globally each year. Though this is mostly attributed to the widespread overprescription of antibiotics, other factors contribute to the increasing rates of antimicrobial resistance.

A study published in the Lancet Planetary Health in August found a potential link between antimicrobial resistance and air pollution, specifically fine particulate matter. In this article, Camfil’s air quality experts explain why antimicrobial resistance is so harmful, and how air pollution may contribute to its rising presence.

What is Antibiotic Resistance and Why Does It Matter?

Antibiotic, or anti-microbial, resistance is the process of pathogens (bacteria, fungi, and viruses) becoming less susceptible to the medications and treatments we use against them. Pathogens reproduce quickly, and viruses and bacteria are single-celled organisms, which means that the process of evolution can be observed in extremely short periods of time compared to larger organisms.

Genetic mutations, most of which happen due to random errors, cause some individual pathogens to develop attributes that may be benign (there is no effect on survival), negative (the pathogen is less likely to survive), or positive (the pathogen is more likely to survive) in relation to different environmental factors, known as selection pressures. Furthermore, all bacteria and viruses and most species of fungi reproduce asexually, meaning that, technically, only one has to survive to form a new colony. As the process repeats, strains of pathogens become stronger and more adapted to the stressors in their environment.

Antibiotics act as a selection pressure for bacteria, and prescribing or using antibiotics when it isn’t necessary speeds up the process of adaptation. The result of antimicrobial resistance is strains of pathogens that cannot be killed with the medications typically used to do so, which leads to infections and illnesses that cannot be treated. Healthy immune systems may be able to take care of some of these pathogens, while others may be fatal.

There are many bacterial infections that are easily treatable with antibiotics, but can be fatal or cause permanent damage if left untreated for too long; syphilis, leprosy, and diphtheria are a few examples. While these particular infections were not examined in this study, their effects illustrate how important it is to have effective treatments against bacterial infections in an era where antibiotic resistance is outpacing how quickly new antibiotics can be developed. This is especially important for vulnerable groups, such as children, the elderly, and the immunocompromised.

Study Links Air Pollution to Antimicrobial Resistance

Researchers used data from 116 countries on antibiotic resistance to specific treatments, totaling 11.5 million samples, as well as air pollution monitoring data collected between 2000 and 2018. They focused on 43 different types of antibiotics and the following pathogens:

Acinetobacter baumannii, a highly-resistant bacteria that frequently causes hospital-acquired infections.
Klebsiella pneumoniae, a bacteria that lives in human gut biomes but can be harmful if released into other parts of the body, causing UTIs, blood infections, and meningitis.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a pneumonia-causing bacteria that is responsible for a large number of hospital-acquired infections
Staphylococcus aureus, a bacteria that leads to staph infections, which are fatal in between 10% and 30% of cases once the infection enters the bloodstream and account for more deaths in the United States each year than HIV, hepatitis, and tuberculosis combined.
Streptococcus pneumoniae, which causes pneumococcus, a form of community-acquired pneumonia.
Escherichia coli, a bacteria found in the environment, meat products, and the human gut biome; E. coli is the most common cause of UTIs and also commonly causes “stomach flu”-like symptoms
Enterobacter aerogenes or E cloacae, which can cause a wide range of bacterial infections including skin, urinary tract, and lung infections.
Enterococcus faecalis, another common gut bacteria that is also used as a probiotic, but can cause infections including endocarditis, which is inflammation of the heart valves and chambers
Enterococcus faecium, another common gut bacteria that is often the cause of infections in the prostate gland and abdominal cavity

The study found statistically significant relationships ranging from moderate to strong between fine particulate matter levels (PM2.5) and antibiotic resistance across the board. Antibiotic resistance was markedly higher in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East than in Europe and North America.

Each 1% increase in particulate matter led to an increase of between 0.5% and 1.9% in pathogens’ resistance to different antibiotics.

The study also examined a variety of other factors that may be linked to antibiotic resistance (current health expenditure per capita, rainfall, availability of clean drinking water, antibiotic use, rainfall, temperature, completion of primary education, governance, and population density. Researchers concluded that approximately 11% of rises in antibiotic resistance are attributable to air pollution levels, making it the strongest predictor of any of the factors examined.

However, it is worth noting that the strongest correlations existed between drinking water access, which led to decreased antibiotic resistance, and antibiotic use, which (as researchers expected based on existing literature) led to increased antibiotic resistance.

Although the study could not establish the reasons why this relationship exists, scientists pose several possibilities:

Air pollution, especially particulate matter, is known to facilitate the spread of pathogens by carrying them further away from their source. In doing so, it may spread resistant bacteria to more people, causing more infections and more reproduction of the resistant strains.
Just as it affects plants, animals, and humans, air pollution affects microorganisms, and has been shown to cause mutations in the DNA of pathogens, thus speeding up the process of evolving toward antibiotic resistance.
Increased exposure to various air pollutants is strongly linked to increases in lung infections; this may trigger more antibiotic prescriptions, thus contributing to antibiotic resistance.

The Impact of Air Pollution on Illness and the Immune System

The study described above found a relationship between ambient air pollution levels and antibiotic resistance, but exposure mechanisms were unspecified and likely pathogens being exposed to pollutants directly and via infected humans as well as by other routes.

Breathing polluted air has additional effects on the threat of illnesses and infections. Air pollution also affects the body’s ability to fight pathogens, particularly those that affect the respiratory system. Research suggests several mechanisms that could be involved with this effect:

pollutants damage cells, making them more susceptible to harm from pathogens when exposure occurs
particulate matter damages immune organs such as the lymph nodes
presence of pollutants redirects immune responses, spreading resources thin
long-term exposure to particulate matter has been linked to an increased risk of developing an autoimmune disorder

As discussed above, the effects of air pollution on the immune system and illness outcomes are more severe for at-risk groups (children, the elderly, people with compromised immune systems, and people with existing health conditions).

Limiting Indoor Exposure to Air Pollution and Airborne Illnesses

The effects of air pollution on antimicrobial resistance, disease transmission, and immune system function is a continuously developing area of research, and combating these effects will require multifaceted, international efforts.

While there is little most individuals can do to counter global particulate matter levels, you can protect yourself from harmful pollutants and airborne pathogens with an air purifier. Most Americans spend at least 90% of their time indoors, where the air can be as much as fifty times more polluted than outdoor air due to poor circulation and ventilation, as well as the additional threat of pollutants generated indoors.

Additionally, airborne pathogens (including the virus that causes COVID-19) are more likely to spread indoors than outdoors. Using the right air filtration technology can prevent experiencing adverse health effects from air pollution as well as capturing airborne pathogens to stop them from spreading.

To effectively protect yourself against harmful pollutants, consider adding a portable room air purifier that uses both factory-tested and certified HEPA filters (which trap particulate matter, including infected respiratory droplets that spread airborne illnesses) and activated carbon filters (which remove gaseous pollutants such as ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and volatile organic compounds).

Learn more: Camfil’s Medical-Grade City M Air Purifier