Air cleaning technology is never a one size fits all solution. With a myriad of solutions out there, it can be a challenge to decide which technology is the right choice for you whilst taking space, application, budget, and indoor environmental goals into consideration.
With the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, air cleaning solutions are not only more important than ever, but also constantly changing to keep up with the latest research. Understanding the range of solutions available and the latest trends in air cleaning technology is the first step in improving your indoor air quality and achieving cleaner, healthier air.
1. Understand the difference between passive and active air cleaning solutions
The most common type of air cleaning technology is filtration which can also be described as passive air purification. This type of cleaning is labelled as passive as it only purifies air that can pass through the filter which is restricted to the strength of the filter and the fan in the unit to move the air through it. Examples of passive air purification include HEPA filters, UV technology and standalone units used to filter the air in a room. Standalone air filtration units need to be used in the correct application or they can present potential problems.
Active air purification, on the other hand, does not rely on filters to clean the air. Instead, these technologies release negatively charged ions into the air that seek and inactivate harmful contaminants. This means active air purification solutions are not limited in the way passive air purifiers are as they are effective in every cubic cm of indoor air and surface space simultaneously and continuously. This means pollutants are instantly treated no matter where or when in the indoor space they are emitted or exposed.
2. Choose an independently tested and proven passive solution
Filtration and the use of UV-C technology are the most commonly accepted passive air cleaning solutions. However, when deciding on the right air cleaning solution, it is recommended to seek independently tested and proven results as some passive air purification units can be limited in their scope and intensity to successfully service the full area.
For example, medical grade air purifiers such as the MAXVAC® Medi 10 have been independently proven to be highly effective in destroying all particles of Covid-19 in a hospital ward setting. In a study conducted by renowned research hospital of Addenbrookes, Cambridge, MAXVAC Medi® Range Series Air Purifiers were proven to effectively remove Covid-19 and other microbial bioaerosols from the environment, preventing the spread of infectious diseases and viruses. Unlike previous laboratory studies, this represents the first study to be conducted in a working hospital environment to demonstrate the successful removal of airborne SARS-CoV-2 using combined HEPA air filtration and UV sterilisation technology.
3. Look for cutting edge active solutions that create a better environment
Needlepoint bipolar ionisation is an active air purification technology that can be used in HVAC systems to generate positively and negatively charged particles. Ionised air has been demonstrated to be efficient at removing aerosol particles from indoor environments and studies have found a significant reduction in concentrations of airborne particles due to the presence of ions.
ASHRAE confirmed in their November 2021 Journal that air ionization is effective at removing aerosols and particles from the environment and increasing the decay of certain viruses and pathogens in testing. These solutions, such as Global Plasma Solution’s (GPS) patented NPBI™ technology has been used to help clean the air in thousands of offices, schools, airports, healthcare facilities and other community spaces around the world.
Read more, here: https://www.ashrae.org/File%20Library/Technical%20Resources/ASHRAE%20Journal/2021JournalDocuments/November2021_40-47_Schurk.pdf