Bulletin 70

Bulletin 70

Room Air Purification

 The air we breathe is a gas consisting of free molecules generally in a ratio of about 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 0.3% carbon dioxide, variable water content, and traces of helium, neon, ozone and other gases.

 In addition to the above constituents, there are contaminants which can be broadly classified as:

Solid Phase Contamination

Germicidal Phase Contamination

Gas Phase Contamination

Depending on the situation, it may be necessary to treat all three phases to provide a true clean air state.  In fact, the EPA has stated "as a result of today's energy efficient tight or closed building construction, the air in our homes and workplace is always 2 to 5 times more polluted than the worst outdoor air and may even be 100 times more polluted".

 There are a number of sources of pollution including:

 Pathogens

Bacteria, Viruses and Fungi

These cause infectious diseases.

 Allergens

Bacteria, Mold and Mildew

These cause allergic reactions.

 Toxins

Vapors From Fluid Residues

Formaldehyde That Outgasses from

Carpeting and Pressed Wood Products

These cause irritation and odors.

 Dusts

Common Household Dust

Dust Mite Feces

Animal and Bird Dander

 Smoke

Cooling, Wood and Tobacco Smoke

 Pollutants can trigger many health concerns, such as watery eyes, coughing, colds, sore throats, asthmatic attacks, allergic reactions, breathing problems, dizziness, lethargy, chicken pox, rashes, measles, tuberculosis, and many, many others.

 Many people spend up to 95% of their time indoors, breathing in this closed and polluted environment.

 Health care professionals, government agencies, and the World Health Organization agree that present control methods are impractical and detrimental to system efficiency, or too costly to use.

 The primary consideration of controlling the air indoors almost always involves balancing energy costs with acceptable air quality.  Energy is a motive for us in the USA, and this costs money.  However, the emergence of technology will help achieve acceptable air quality and also save energy.

SOLID PHASE CONTAMINATION

 Using proper filtration, such as the new induced polarized filter, will dramatically increase the effectiveness in removing particles from room air.  Other filter sources, such as HEPA filtration, can also be effective.  Fuller engineers can help in your selection of a proper filter for removing particles from the air.

GERMICIDAL PHASE CONTAMINATION

 Germicidal lamps will destroy any microorganism that comes in contact with the powerful UVC rays.  This can be accomplished in a number of ways.  For instance, placement of UVC germicidal lamps in ductwork is a very effective means of destroying microbial contaminants.  The use of air purifiers equipped with UV lamps and a blower is likewise very effective in sucking in room contaminated air, thus destroying the germs as they pass by the UV lamps.  The germ-free air then exits the air purifier and mixes with existing room air, thus diluting the existing room air microbial contaminants.  This active air interchange is a very productive and powerful entity for microbial protection.  Fuller engineers can help design or recommend the proper UVC system.  This has been our forte for nearly 50 years.

GAS PHASE CONTAMINATION

 Gas phase contaminants can be a nuisance or they can be severely harmful.  Odors from pets, people, cooking, smoke, formaldehyde, chemicals, paint, and solvents can be neutralized using nature's own odor eater called photochemical ozone.  The use of ozone is a very effective tool in eliminating dangerous gases and toxins in the duct air stream.  It removes the odors associated with mold, mildew, and fungi.  It also controls the odors caused by dirt buildup in the furnace system.

 Ozone has been used for over 100 years to clean water and for over 60 years to clean air.  Its primary function in nature is to purify the air we breathe and to screen us from the sun's harmful rays.  Ozone is produced in nature or artificially by man.

 Fuller engineers have years of experience using ozone to destroy gas phase contaminants.  In some situations the use of ozone UV lamps and germicidal UV lamps is recommended.  For further information consult with Fuller engineers.

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