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The following pages have been developed for the consumer. They include Information that we have obtained over time about not only the technology, and application of the air cleaners but also reviews of how to apply them.
National Organizations Relating to Air Cleaners
When people are concerned about their health, having quality indoor air is
normally not something they consider. However, clean indoor air is one of the
most important things people can achieve in order to have a healthy and safe
lifestyle. Since people spend about 90% of their time indoors, indoor air is
mostly what they are supplied with on a daily basis. Chemicals, odors,
particles, mold, dust and pollen can easily contaminate indoor air. These
contaminants can be harmful for people when they are breathed in. Indoor air is
easily contaminated and hard to keep clean due to the fact that it is enclosed
and circulates through an entrapped space. The best way to keep the indoor air
free of contaminants and odors is with the use of an air cleaner. Air cleaners
are able to absorb and eliminate most harmful particles and contaminants from
the air and make the indoor air fresher and cleaner. There are many different
types of air cleaners that use different technologies to achieve this goal. Some
of the technologies are measured to be very effective achieving quality indoor
air while some technologies are proven to not have as much effect on the
contaminants. With proper research and knowledge of these technologies and
designs, it is easy to find the most effective and efficient air cleaners.
One of the most popular and efficient technologies that are used in some air
cleaners is called HEPA technology. HEPA stands for “high energy particulate
arresting” and was developed by the US Atomic Energy Commission. It is a type of
finely meshed paper that is able to absorb many contaminants when the air flows
through it. In order for a HEPA filter to be designed, HEPA paper is taken and
pleated until it is made into a small filter. Since so much paper is used for a
small filter, it is more effective at removing the particles from the air for a
longer period of time. HEPA filters are able to absorb and eliminate 99.7% of
all particles in the air that are 0.03 microns and larger in size. This
statistic is the standard that has been developed for air cleaners in the
industry. HEPA filters are so effective that they are used in other industries
such as the medical industry. This is why sometimes; the technology is called
“True Medical HEPA filtration” in air cleaners. With the ability to eliminate most particles
that are 0.03 microns and larger, the HEPA filter can clean the air of most
pollen and mold spores, dust, viruses and bacteria.
Another technologically advanced and effective type of technology that is used
in air cleaners is electrostatic technology. Through electrostatic technology,
the particles in the air are attracted to the collection plates with the use of
static electricity. When the air flows through air cleaners that use
electrostatic technology, it takes on a charge. The charges particles in the air
are now more easily attracted to the collection plates because they carry an
opposite charge. Air cleaners that use electrostatic technology generally have
95% efficiency or higher. Electrostatic technology works basically like a
magnet, attracting the contaminants and toxins to the collection plates so they
will be absorbed from the air and stick to the plates. This type of technology
can come in either a one-stage form or a two-stage form. A two-stage form of
electrostatic technology uses high voltage wires to implement the charge onto
the particles in the air. Both of the types of electrostatic technology are
effective but the measurement of efficiency depends on factors such as the rate
of airflow and the size of the collection plates. Electrostatic technology in
air cleaners has its benefits because of its effectiveness and the low
maintenance that is required to keep the parts of the air cleaner clean and free
of particles.
Another type of effective technology in the air cleaners is hybrid technology. Hybrid technology is effective at cleaning air
because it combines the two most efficient technologies that are used in the
machines. HEPA filters and electrostatic technology are both combined one
machine to achieve the system of hybrid technology. By combing these systems
into one machine, the air cleaners are even more effective at eliminating odors,
gases, chemicals and particles from the air. The best brand that uses hybrid
technology in its products is BlueAir. BlueAir’s air cleaners are equipped with
a complete HEPA filtering system and they also include electrostatic wands to
attract the particles in the air. With both of these filtering systems, its no
wonder that hybrid technology gives the air cleaner the ability to absorb 99.7%
of all particles in the air that are 0.01 microns and larger. This includes most
particles that could be present in the air and the air cleaner will leave the
air fresh, clean and contaminant-free. Another benefit of hybrid technology is
that the HEPA filter is able to stay cleaner for a longer time than an air
cleaner that just has a HEPA filter. The HEPA filter has help in cleaning the
air from the electrostatic wands so it doesn’t get dirty as easily and doesn’t
need to be replaced as often.
Chemical adsorption technology is another type of media that has been developed
to improve an air cleaner’s performance. Chemical adsorption technology is when
another source of media is added to a filtering system that is already present
inside an air cleaner. This extra type of media can be used to aid the filtering
system in eliminating odors, chemicals or gases from the air. The main types of
media that are added to air cleaners are activated carbon, Zeolite or Potassium
Permanganate. Activated carbon can assist a filtering system in absorbing gases.
Some air cleaners include about 15 extra pounds of activated carbon to b e
effective in helping the filtering system to absorb these gases. Zeolite is a
media that is designed to be included in some air cleaners to specialize in
removing chemicals from the air. Zeolite is present in air cleaners to assist
the filtering system in absorbing any harmful chemicals from the air and
eliminating them. For extra assistance in an air cleaner to absorb particles
from the air, potassium permanganate is added. This type of media is a strong
and effective agent to remove and eliminate any harmful particles in the air
that may not have been absorbed by the filtering system already present in the
air cleaner. Potassium permanganate also helps to eliminate any chemicals from
the air that the filtering system was not able to absorb in the air cleaner.
Although there are many effective filtering systems used in air cleaners, there
are also systems that are not effective at cleaning air but are still sold as
air cleaners. One of these systems to be on the lookout for is a system that
uses ionic breeze technology. The logic behind ionic breeze technology is for
the air cleaner to catch the airborne particles and contaminants with stainless
steel blades that carry an electric charge. The particles in the air that is
drawn into the unit are supposed to be charged as they enter and stick to the
blades that perform an opposite charge. Although this concept may sound similar
to electrostatic technology, the ionic breeze air cleaners do not work as
effectively as units that are designed with electrostatic technology. Ionic
Breeze air cleaners were given a “poor” rating by Consumer Reports and have no
statistics to prove that they are capable of eliminating particles or
contaminants from the air. When an Ionic Breeze air cleaner was tested in
different situations, it was found to only be able to remove about 30% of the
harmful particles that were present in the contaminated air.
Another type of technology that is not effective at cleaning air but is still
sold as an air cleaner is chemical injection technology. Although it is one of
the newest technologies that are becoming available on the market, its
efficiency and effectiveness has yet to be proven. With chemical injection
technology, the air is simply injected with a chemical in order to clean it.
There is no air-cleaning machine involved in the process and the cleanliness of
the air relies solely on the chemical that is injected into it. Ozone is
generally the active agent that is used and injected into the air. Ozone is
proven to be able to oxidize chemicals in the air. When ozone is injected into
the air, its job is to turn the chemicals that are present in the air into
oxygen molecules, making them less harmful. Ozone itself, however, may be the
agent that is polluting the air. The oxidation process that ozone uses to
eliminate the chemicals may prove to be dangerous for people to breathe in.
Breathing in too much ozone can also cause people to experience dangerous
reactions to the chemical. Many people who already suffer from respiratory
conditions are prone to having reactions and experiencing discomfort when ozone
is breathed in.
Negative ions are molecules that are charged with an extra electron. Negative
ions are released into the air with chemical injection technology and they
attract particles in the air. When they are attracted to a particle, they give
off the extra electron to that particle. The particle is then infected with a
charge and will stick to the nearest solid object in the room. These harmful
particles are then stuck to walls or furniture indoors. They are not necessarily
eliminated from the air but are pushed onto the solid objects present in the
room. The process of using negative ions with chemical injection technology is
not proven to be as effective as the use of an air cleaner and may cause more
harm than good to an indoor environment.
There are many statistics and measurements a consumer can research in order to
chose the most effective air cleaner. One of the best measurements that are used
is the CADR or Clean Air Delivery Rate. The CADR was developed and is measured
by the AHAM or Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. It measures an air
cleaners’ ability to clean the air inside a set room of different types of
contaminants. The three contaminants that are measured are tobacco smoke, pollen
and dust. The CADR certification sticker on the air cleaner box can give the
consumer information on the size and square footage of the room that the air
cleaner will be able to handle. The CADR numbers that are found on the CADR seal
are tested and reassured by the AHAM before being printed so the consumer can
trust that the numbers are correct and accurate.
Some organizations and associations dedicate their time and education to the air
cleaning industry. One association that contributes a lot of its resources is
the Indoor Air Quality Association, or IAQA. The IAQA offers training courses
and education for professionals in the air cleaning industry. It also is able to
offer certifications to people who complete the proper education. Members of the
association help committees that are dedicated to different issues involving
clean indoor air. The American Indoor Air Quality Council, Indoor Environmental
Standards Organization and the Environmental Protection Agency are all
organizations that are responsible for trying to pass certain laws and making
sure businesses were meeting regulations on quality indoor air. These groups are
able to assist large businesses in developing plans of actions to keep their
working environments safe and clean with healthy air. The American Lung
Association is another organization dedicated to keeping indoor air safe and
clean for people. The volunteers in this organization try to persuade congress
to pass certain legislation to regulate the quality of indoor air and educate
people on the importance of clean indoor air.
Air cleaners are the best and most effective way to be assured of having quality
indoor air. There are many technologies in different air cleaners that are
effective and many that are not effective. There are also many ways to measure
the effectiveness of the units in order for the consumer to chose the correct
air cleaner. Associations and organizations have developed in order to assure
and regulate air cleaners and indoor air. The air cleaning industry is thriving
due to the importance of clean indoor air and air cleaners.
