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FAQ’s about Central Air Purification
(Questions with links to answers below)
- What are the potential benefits of a
Central Air Purifier from Abatement Technologies?
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Physicians who treat people afflicted with allergies,
asthma and other respiratory ailments frequently emphasize the importance
of minimizing or avoiding exposure to airborne pollutants that can trigger
adverse reactions. In addition, studies have shown that a small amount
of dirt accumulation on critical HVAC components, such as the A-coil,
can significantly reduce system efficiency. Keeping these components clean
can therefore help reduce utility bills.
- But I vacuum often and keep my home
looking very clean. Won’t that accomplish the same thing?
- Cleaning and vacuuming remove dirt and other visible contaminants
settled on floors and other surfaces, but when it comes to airborne pollutants
and allergens, it’s what you can't see that can hurt you. Studies
have shown that more than 99% of airborne particles are smaller than 1 micron
in size (0.00004”) and invisible to humans. Particles this small can
remain airborne for hours or days. Vacuuming can often worsen the problem
by stirring up microscopic particles that have settled. Most home vacuum
cleaner filters are not efficient enough to capture particles this small,
so they can be spewed back out into the air.
- Won't the filter in my furnace capture
these pollutants?
- Probably not. Most throwaway furnace filters are only
about 5% to 10% efficient, and even less effective against smaller size
particles. Dr. Charlene Bayer, director of the Georgia Institute of Technology's
Indoor Environmental Research Program, refers to these throwaway filters
as "boulder catchers" that “don't catch fine dust particles
and don't catch microbes.” Dr. Bayer adds, “They don't do anything
to help human health."
- Why do your CAP filters cost more than
the electrostatic furnace filters advertised on the radio or sold in home
improvement stores?
- There really is no comparison. The 1”-deep electrostatic
filters use a charged plate to capture airborne particles. They do not remove
VOCs or odors, have very limited effectiveness against molds or bacteria
and have very little dirt-holding capacity. The 90%-95% particulate “arrestance”
ratings claimed for these filters may sound impressive, but they are misleading.
Average particulate efficiency under the more meaningful ASHRAE MERV ratings
is very low. The effectiveness of electrostatic filters also drops off quickly
as they become dirty, so homeowners must remember to clean them frequently.
CAP filters capture a wide array of contaminants, have high MERV ratings
and exceptional dirt holding capacity and become even more efficient as
they capture air pollutants.
- Won't portable in-room air cleaners
provide the same air purification benefits as Abatement's Central Air Purifiers?
- Common sense dictates that even the most effective portables
are primarily beneficial in only one room or area. Even if they could somehow
pull air in from all over the house, the most powerful models would clean
the air only once an hour in an average size home. Effective air cleaning
requires at least 3 to 4 air changes per hour (ACH). You could buy multiple
portable units and place them throughout the house, but that would be very
costly and disruptive. Users of in-room units often complain about their
noise and appearance, and the space they take up. CAP units utilize the
central HVAC system to supply purified air to the entire living area, and
are located out of the way usually hidden in a basement, crawl space or
attic.
- What are bioaerosols?
- Bioaerosols are airborne particles from living organisms
such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, molds (a type of fungus), pollens, dust
mite and insect remains, and pet dander that are suspended in the air. Bioaerosols
have been identified as a major source of "Sick Building Syndrome"
that may cause infectious diseases and allergic reactions such as asthma,
pneumonitis, rhinitis, allergic sinusitis, hypersensitivity and fatigue.
Molds, pollens, dust mite fecal products and pet dander are among the leading
causes of respiratory allergic or asthmatic reactions in the indoor environment.
- Why has mold become such an especially
important health topic?
- Allergies and asthma rates are increasing dramatically,
and the medical and scientific community is learning more and more about
the role of molds on health. It is estimated that 25% of all children and
up to 10% of adults are allergic to molds such as Aspergillus, Penicillium
and Stachybotrys. The number may be higher. A 1999 Mayo Clinic study found
that 96% of the sinusitis cases studied involved mold/fungal infections.
- What are volatile organic compounds?
- Off-gassing from synthetic furnishings and building materials
such as carpeting and particleboard products, paints, cleaning supplies
and tobacco smoke can produce gaseous pollutants known as volatile organic
compounds or VOCs. Examples include formaldehyde, perchloroethylene, toluene,
benzene and xylene. Scientists have now discovered that molds and fungi
can also give off metabolic gasses that contain VOC emissions.
- What is the difference between a "HEPA-type"
filter and a HEPA filter?
- The difference is huge. According to the American Lung
Association, the efficiency of HEPA-type filters "may be 55% or less
at 0.3 microns," which means that at least 4,500 out of 10,000 0.3
micron particles will pass through. The true medical grade HEPA (High Efficiency
Particulate Air) filters, like those used in the CAP600 & CAP1200 models,
are certified to a minimum efficiency of 99.97% at 0.3 microns. This means
that 3 or fewer particles out of 10,000 will pass through–about 1,500
times less leakage.
- Is a HEPA filter less efficient at
particle sizes smaller than 0.3 microns?
- The 0.3 micron size was selected for HEPA testing because
it is the most difficult to capture. Testing by filter manufacturers and
filter testing companies has shown that HEPA filters can actually be more
efficient than 99.97% for capturing particles smaller or larger than 0.3
microns.
- How does the performance of electronic
air cleaners compare to HEPA filtration?
- These devices, which capture particles on charged plates
or grids, are also known as ionizers or electrostatic precipitators. They
are far less efficient than a true HEPA filter, even when the collection
plates are clean. As happens with electrostatic filters, their efficiency
will drop off precipitously as the collection plates get dirty, and homeowner
cleaning and maintenance becomes an issue.
- Are the benefits of HEPA filtration
recognized by the scientific and health care communities?
- According to a 1997 American Lung Association publication,
"Because of its high efficiency at filtering out tiny particulates,
HEPA filtration is recommended for those individuals who suffer from allergies,
asthma or other respiratory problems." HEPA filters have been used
for many years for medical, pharmaceutical, nuclear and asbestos and mold
abatement applications. An extensive study published in the 1995 American
Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine determined that long-term
exposure to high levels of fine particulates is associated with higher mortality
risks and shorter life span. Abatement’s CAP HEPA systems are often
purchased as a direct result of specific recommendations from allergists,
pediatricians and other physicians.
- Has the effectiveness of HVAC-mounted
germicidal UV lamps against airborne bacteria and viruses been recognized
by health professionals?
- Yes, according to The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) 2003 Guidelines for Infection Control in Healthcare Facilities,
which state: "UVGI is effective in reducing the transmission of airborne
bacterial and viral infections in hospitals, military housing, and classrooms".
The CDC Guidelines also state: "In duct irradiation systems, UV lamps
are placed inside ducts that remove air from rooms, to disinfect the air
before it is recirculated. When properly designed, installed, and maintained,
high levels of UVGI can be attained in the ducts with little or no exposure
of persons in the rooms." Also, "The use of fans or HVAC systems
to generate air movement may increase the effectiveness of UVGI if airborne
microorganisms are exposed to the light energy for a sufficient length of
time."
- I know that UV rays from the sun can
be harmful. What about your UV-C lamps?
- Several safety measures protect service technicians and
homeowners from eye or skin UV exposure, including a lamp shutoff switch,
and a sight glass for safe and easy lamp inspection. A protective cover
with a safety interlock switch immediately deactivates the lamp before the
service technician or homeowner can access or service the unit.
- Does the UV Plus Model with the Germicidal
Lamp Kill Mold?
- The effectiveness of germicidal UV-C is limited once
molds, which are more resistant to UV energy than airborne bacteria, have
already formed on surfaces. High-intensity UV-C can help to inhibit the
formation of new mold growth on irradiated surfaces, and control the formation
of mold spores.
- There seem to be conflicting opinions
about whether UV lamps are more effective when mounted in the return plenum
or the A-coil. Which do you recommend?
- The high output UV-C lamp in the CAP500-UV model, which
produces no ozone, provides the best results in above-coil installations.
This location allows the lamp to continuously expose bacteria and other
microorganisms on the exposed surfaces of the coil fins to high levels of
germicidal UV.
The UV Plus lamp in the CAP500-UVP model combines UV-C irradiation and ozonation
for enhanced performance against molds and mold-related odors. This model
must be installed on the return side, to allow the ozone gas to penetrate
into the downstream HVAC components most susceptible to mold growth and
microbial odor generation. The UV Plus model is especially effective for
controlling microbial growth and odors in the hidden recesses of the heat
exchanger, and in other locations difficult to irradiate effectively with
a UV-C lamp.
For the best of both worlds, when the homeowner budget permits, a contractor
can install a UV Plus model in the return and a UV-C model in the coil.
- Can ozone be used safely?
- Ozone is similar to chlorine, another strong oxidizer.
A glass of pure chlorine would be toxic, but you probably would not want
to swim in pool water or drink tap water that has not been properly purified
with chlorine. The same is true with ozone, which is also often used for
water purification. Unlike in-room purifiers that emit ozone directly into
the occupied living space, CAP units with UV Plus lamps, utilize the HVAC
ductwork as the “ ozone chamber” to dissipate ozone effectively.
These models have been independently tested and certified to meet stringent
ozone safety standards established by Underwriters Laboratories.
- How long do the UV-C and UV Plus lamps
in your CAP products last?
- CAP UV-C and UV Plus products are equipped with high
quality, high-output U.S.-made lamps for optimum performance and reliability.
The hard quartz lamps are rated for at least 9,000 hours (1 year) when installed
and used in accordance with the operating manual. Lamps may last much longer
in some situations, but annual lamp replacement is recommended since the
UV output of any lamp typically starts to drop off after about 9,000 hours.
On/off lamp cycling will reduce lamp life.
- Where can I get more information on
allergies and asthma?
- The “links” page of this Web site will take
you to a number of helpful and informative sites with extensive information
about allergies, asthma and IAQ.
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