Environmental Alternatives

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petrich@whidbey.com

Air Quality and Ways to Improve It

 
Air Filters
Breathe clean air!
petrich@whidbey.com
(877) 713-7858

Indoor Air Quality Facts
Air Purification Technologies
Photocatalysis
Ozone and Ions
Model Comparisons
AirWise Description & Prices
 
 
 

Indoor Air Quality

FACTS:

• Billions of dollars are spent annually for medication to help Americans breathe or cure their repiratory illnesses.
• Eleven million Americans have asthma.
• Twenty-eight million have hay fever and other allergies.
• Every year at least 6,000 new chemical compounds are developed.
• We breathe chemical pollutants, mold, mildew, bacteria, viruses, tobacco smoke, grease, pollen, dirt, asbestos, lead and more as we live our lives.
• Viruses and bacteria that thrive in the ducts, coils, and recesses of building ventilation systems have been proven to cause ailments ranging from influenza to tuberculosis.
• Some HVAC systems have been found to contain up to 27 species of fungi.
• 40% of all buildings pose a serious health hazard due to indoor air pollution
• EPA estimates an 18% annual production loss to American business due to poor indoor air quality
• 20% of all employees have a major illness related to indoor air pollution such as allergies, asthma, auto-immune diseases, etc.
• EPA says high levels of formaldehyde cause cancer
• Scientists now recognize that pollutants, even at acceptable concentration, combined together in an indoor environment have a synergistic effect.
• Most people spend more than 90% of their time indoors.
• Concentrations of many air pollutants tend to be higher indoors than out.
• New air-tight energy-efficient houses trap pollutants inside.
• One in every six Washington families has a child with asthma.  Poor air quality can contribute to more frequent and severe asthma episodes.  Indoor air quality is in the top three concerns of consumers who are building /remodeling a home.

FACTORS EFFECTING INDOOR AIR QUALITY: Airborn Pollutants

FACTOR	SOURCE	HEALTH EFFECTS
Microbial Matter	Stagnant water in HVAC system, wet and damp material, humidifiers, condensate drain pans, organic dust build-up	Potential to cause serious health effects such as infections, pneumonia, hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
Carbon Monoxide	Auto exhaust, combustion, tobacco smoke	Symptoms can include headaches, nausea, fatigue, flu-like symptoms.
Formaldehyde	Unsealed plywood or particleboard, urea formaldehyde foam insulation, fabrics, glues, carpets, furnishings, carbonless copy paper, wall paper, panelling	Symptoms include headaches, eye/skin irritation, fatigue, respiratory problems, memory loss, depression, cancer
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)	Released into the air from synthetic and composite materials; other sources include aerosol sprays, paints, cleaning chemicals, air fresheners, adhesives, caulking, perfumes, solvents.	Can cause central nervous system depression, headaches, eye/skin irritation, fatigue, sinus problems, dizziness, cancer
Hydrocarbons	Wood stoves, fireplaces, tobacco smoke	Health problems include headaches, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, breathing difficulty, cancer
Particulates	Smoke, dust, pollen, fungal spores, synthetic fibers, natural fibers, water residue, paper	Can cause allergic reactions, dry eyes, nose and throat problems, skin irritation, coughing, sneezing, respiratory difficulties.

 

Air Purification Technologies

Indoor Air Quality Solutions

THE THREE BASIC METHODS TO DEAL WITH POOR INDOOR AIR QUALITY

1.  Eliminate the source of the pollutant.

2.  Dilute the concentration of pollutants by the introduction of fresh outside air.

3.  Use air filtration or purification devices to remove pollutants that may be inhaled.
 
 

TYPES OF AIR FILTERS

• Carbon Media Filters act as a physical filter trapping particulate and act on a chemical basis by reacting with some odors and some of the heavy gases.
• Fiber/Foam Filters rely on the air to pass through a matrix of open foam cells of fiberglass, wire, plastic or cloth to stop medium to large particulate.  1%-2% efficiency
• Disposable Panel Filters are usually made from fiberglass or mesh type materials and are intended to prevent the accumulation of lint and other large particles from occurring around the motor and fan.  3%-5% efficiency of air passing through.
• Electrostatic Filters pass the air through electrically charged grids, creating a low voltage electrostatic field.  The dust particles in the air are then charged and attracted to oppositely charge pads within the filter.  10%-20% efficiencey of air passing through.
• Extended Media Filters use a pleated material within the filter frame creating a much larger surface area than a standard filter.  20%-45% efficiency of air passing through.
• Electronic Filters give the particles in the air passing through it an intense positive charge.  The charged particles are then atracted to negatively charged plates and effectively removed from the air.  70%-90% efficiency of air passing through.
• High Efficient Particulate Arresting Filters (HEPA filters) use a tightly constructed material to trap particulates but which also restricts air flow.  90%-99.7% efficiency of air passing through

TYPES OF AIR PURIFIERS

• Negative Ion Generators produce negative ions that attach themselves to pollutants, removing them from the air we breathe.  They are very effective on removing smoke from the air.  Rather than treating only the air that passes through a filter, the negative ions travel throughout the entire room and purge all the air of particulate by dropping the particulates to the ground.  Since they don't pass through ducts, a unit is needed in each room.
• Ozone Generators produce ozone which is an oxidizing agent and which can neutralize most pollutant gases, bacteria, viruses, mold and mildew, and much more.  Ozone is a gas that travels throughout the room oxidizing all organics, neutralizing odors and gases, and destroying micro-organisms.  Air flow is not reduced, and ozone usits can be insttalled in central units or in each room.  Ozone has no effect on solid particulate, and ozone exposure levels must be controlled.
• Ultraviolet Light rays have been used as a sanitizer by the medical profession for years.  Ultraviolet light can also sanitize air that is passed directly in its path.  It can destroy bacteria, fungus, molds and some gases.  It does not reduce air flow and can be installed in a central or individual room unit.  However, it has no effect on particulate, needs direct close contact with a calculated exposure time, and the rays must be shielded from human exposure.
• Photocatalysis oxidizes odors, fungi, mold and other parasites, and toxic chemical gases.  At the same time, it settles dust and other large particles out of the air and destroys microorganisms like bacteria and viruses. Photocatalysis creates inductive warmth, drawing humidity into the purifier.  When humidified air enters the target area, a photocatalysitic reaction occurs and superoxide ions and hydroxyl radicals are created.  As an added benefit, poitively charge indoor pollutants are treated by the "WisePointe" technology which generates active negative ions at an accelerated rate, thereby enhancing the speed at which dust and other airborne particles are dropped out of your breathing space.  Photocatalysis technology works "outside the box" so it is not necessary for polluted air actually to enter the purifier, thus significantly reducing allergens such as pollen, pet dander, dust and smoke; and destroys viruses, bacteria, mold and mildew.

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Ozone

OZONE and CONTAMINANTS

    Ozone can be effective against:   acetone, acrylic acid, adhesive gases, aged manuscripts, alcoho, algae, ammonia, animal odors, anesthetics, asphalt fumes, bacteria, bathroom smells, benzene, body odors, burning food, butane, carbolic acid, carbon monoxide, tetrachloride, carpet odors, charred materials, cigarette smoke, coal smoke, combustion, odors, cooking odors, creosote, dead animals, decaying odors, diesel fumes, ether, ethyl alcohol, exhaust fumes, fecal odors, fertilizer, fire odors, fish odors, flood odors, food odors, formaldehyde, fungi, furniture odors, gangrene garbage odors, garlic, gasoline, germs, chemicals, hospital odors, industrial wastes, kerosene, lactic acid, lubricating oils, medicinal odors, menthol, mildew, mold, moth balls, naptha, nicotine, onions, paint odors, poultry odors, propane, rancid oils, resins, sewer gases, toluene, viruses.

IS OZONE SAFE?

    Every appropriate Federal, national, or independent agency accepts that ozone at low concentration levels is safe and poses no health risks.  The FDA states ozone is safe as long as concentrations do not exceed .05 ppm.  CSA (Canadian Standards Association) states that areas are safe for full-time human havitation if their ozone levels do not exceed .04 ppm.   The CSA further states areas in which people work for periods of eight hours per day the level of ozone concentration shal not exceed .1 ppm.  OSHA says the maximum allowable ozone concentration in industrial working areas for eight hour days, six days per week is .1 ppm.  The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditionaing Engineers (ASHRAE) recommends maximum allowable ozone concentration in an air conditioned and ventilated space at .05 ppm.  The American Conference of Governmental Industiral Hygiennists limit exposure for and 8 hour day to .1 ppm.  The levels set by these organizations are not arbitrary, but based on the evaluation of all scientific data available.   All manufactureres of ozone generators for air purification recommend levels below .02 ppm (far below the safe, allowable levels).
    Reports and scientific studies that raise questions about the safety of ozone deal with ozone levels above the recommended limits set by the groups listed above.  Most concerns about portable ozone generators is that they have the potential to generate enough ozone to cause negative health effects.  When used incorrectly, this is true.  One of the more popular studies used to illustrate the hazards of ozone machines shows test results of putting a portable ozone generator (Alpine's XL-15) into a 2,400 cubic foot enclosure and turned to maximum output.  Theresult was ozone levels were much higher than recommended limits.  This should come as no surprise.  This particular unit set on the highest output is designed for at least 25,000 cubic feet, not 2,400.  The point of the studyk, however, is that the unit has the potential to be harmful.  As we know, so does a lot of things in our daily lives.  An aspirin bottle may recommend no more than 2 tables in an 8-hr. period.  However, if you take 20, that may be harmful.  Does that make aspirin unsafe?
    As of today, ozone remains somewhat controversial.  The controversy is not about whether oozone works.  Everyone agrees that it oxidizes most contaminants.  In fact, iw is well documented that ozone, as a sanitizer, is many times more powerful than chlorine, and in fact virtually all bottled water and numerous city water supplies in the U.S. are purified with ozone.  The debate centers around whether or not ozone should be used for indoor air purification.
    It is true that ozone in high concentrations is bad for you.  Deep breathing of ozone can kill lung cells.  Symptoms such as headaches, nausea and sore throat accompany overexposure.  You can tell if the levels of ozone are too high by the presence of a strong metallic or electric smell, dryness of the nose or throat, irritation of the eyes, or headache.  If any of these symptoms appear, simply leave the area or reduce the level of output on the ozone generator, your symptoms will quickly disappear with no harmful aftereffects.  If is believed that long exposures to very high levels would do permanent lung damage.  We certainly do not acvocate breathing lots of ozone.  We advocate using it to destroy the other contaminants you are breathing.  To help put this all in perspective, think of chlorine.  You certainly would not even think of taking a sip of chlorine bleach, but your town water supply most likely contains it for purification purposes.  Like most everything else, too much of anything may not be good for you.  Regarding ozone, that is why we say, "More is not better, less is better."
    There are people, however, who are super-sensitive to ozone and register discomfort even at low levels.  In addition, caution shouold be emplyed when using ozone generators with the ill or infirm.  While there have been good reports from users with respiratory ailments, using ozone geneators with those with acute or chronic respiratory illnesses may not be recommended.
 
 

HOW TO MAINTAIN HEALTHY OZONE LEVELS IN YOUR INDOOR ENVIRONMENT

• You will always smell ozone close to the machine.  This is O.K. because ozone levels are always highest near the machine;  limit your time close to the machine.
• Often times, the unit will work best in maintaining low levels of ozone when it is cycled (on part of the day, off part of the day).
• Ozone only lives approximately 20 minutes;  once ozone generation is stopped, it will naturally dissipate;  however, an ozone odor may linger for awhile
• Many users prefer the unit in a back room to minimize noise and ozone smell.
• The unit can be turned up temporarily to handle an increase in pollutants such as a visiting cigarette or cigar smoker.
• Changing ambient conditions require changes to output settings.
• Encourage experimenting with the unit -- different places, different settings, cycling, etc., until the desired results are achieved.
• Remember, if you can smell ozone, turn the output down!

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Air Purification Systems
Technology Comparison

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    \/

	HEPA Filter	Electrostatic Filter	Ozone (Fan required)	Ultra Violet (At safe levels)	Ionizer	Photocatalysis + WisePointe
Noise	High	Medium	Medium	Medium	None	None
Maintenance	Medium	High	Medium	Low	Low	Low
Reliability	Good	Good	Poor	Good	Good	Excellent
Mold	Poor	Good	Poor	Good	Poor	Excellent
Bacteria	Poor	Good	Poor	Good	Poor	Excellent
Dust Mites	Poor	Poor	Poor	Good	Poor	Excellent
Gases	Poor	Poor	Good	Good	Poor	Excellent
Odors	Poor	Good	Good	Poor	Good	Excellent
Smoke	Good	Good	Good	Poor	Excellent	Excellent
VOC's	Poor	Poor	Good	Good	Poor	Excellent
Pet Dander	Good	Good	Good	Good	Good	Excellent
Large Particles 10-.3 micron	Good	Poor	Poor	Poor	Excellent	Excellent
Small Particles .3 micron	Poor	Poor	Poor	Poor	Good	Excellent

 

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Air Purification Systems
Yearly Cost Comparisons

MODEL	COVERAGE (square feet)	UNIT PRICE	COST PER SQUARE FOOT	DAILY ELECTRIC COST	YEARLY PARTS REPLACE- MENT	YEARLY COST PER SQUARE FOOT
Oxyfresh Air 500	5000	$795	$0.15	$0.04	$43	$0.16
Oxyfresh Air 250	2500	$450	$0.15	$0.04	$29	$0.16
Honeywell H63500	440	$250	$0.57	$0.46	$94	$1.17
Bionaire F150W	360	$120	$0.33	$0.17	$21	$0.56
Sunbeam 800	600	$300	$0.50	$0.45	?	$0.77
Austin Air Sierra	1500	$395	$0.27	$0.25	$30	$0.35
Holmes 290	156	$130	$0.83	$0.11	$80	$1.60
Teledyne AFX20	672	$150	$0.22	$0.42	$130	$0.64
NSA 7000	1500	$575	$0.18	$0.41	$138	$0.37
Equinox EQ-2000	400	$595	$1.48	$0.25	$370	$2.63
Enviracaire 13000	400	$339	$0.85	$0.86	$70	$1.81
Jenn-Aire/Clearveil	500	$299	$0.60	$0.16	$35	$0.84
Ozonator/ionizer	2000	$549	$0.27	$0.06	$25	$0.25
Ozonator/ionizer	3000	$699	$0.23	$0.06	$25	$0.25
Airwise 2100	350	$449	$1.28	$0.24	$99.00	$0.28
Airwise 2200	750	$489	$0.65	$0.13	$139.00	$0.18
Airwise 2300	1500	$549	$0.37	$0.10	$199.00	$0.13

This chart is a comparative example.
Aqua Alternatives carries only the Airwise units.
For more information on them, go to the next page: Airwise
Call to find out about the state-of-the-art air purifiers that we carry,
toll-free, at (877) 713-7858.
 

TO ORDER
For more information, detailed descriptions, other options, prices, and placing an order,
please contact

Aqua Alternatives
Dean Petrich
2131 Middle Drive
Freeland, WA, 98249-9516
(877) 713-7858, toll-free
petrich@whidbey.com
Checks and charge cards accepted.

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Read about Photocatalysis
Read about Air Pollution from Cars
Read about Fish Oil and Indoor Air Pollution
Read about Ozone Therapeutic Remedial Uses

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Links

Inform yourself about all types of air purifiers, from hepa, ionic, electrostatic & more:
http://www.home-air-purifiers-n-cleaners.com
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